Wireless Link Establishment via Pressure Detection in Hydrogen Refueling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Establishing a reliable and safe wireless communication connection between hydrogen fueling stations and hydrogen-powered vehicles is challenging due to the need for explosion-proof electrical connections, which are costly and difficult to implement, especially in systems with multiple fueling stations.

Innovation Solution

A method involving mechanical coupling between the fueling station nozzle and vehicle tank, generating a discrete pressure detectable by sensors, and using this pressure to initiate a pairing process for establishing a wireless communication link using standardized pressure and communication protocols like WLAN or Bluetooth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wired communication connection is used between H2 filling station and hydrogen-powered vehicle, then communication reliability is improved, but safety requirements and cost increase significantly due to explosion-proof requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidexplosion safety requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired communication connection with a wireless communication system. Instead of using physical cables and electrical contacts that require explosion-proof ratings, the system uses wireless signals (such as radio frequency communication) to transmit data between the filling station and the vehicle, thereby eliminating the explosion safety requirements associated with wired connections while maintaining communication reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary that mediates data transmission between the H2 filling station and the hydrogen-powered vehicle. This intermediary layer allows information exchange without direct physical contact, avoiding the need for explosion-proof electrical connections while ensuring safe and reliable communication in hydrogen environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If wireless communication connection is established without verification, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to verify actual coupling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of establishing connectionVSAvoidconnection verification reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system automatically verifies the mechanical coupling status between the nozzle and tank opening through sensors (such as position sensors, force sensors, or electrical contact sensors). The wireless communication is activated only when the feedback indicates successful coupling, ensuring both ease of operation and reliability by automatically confirming the physical connection before enabling data transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary verification of the mechanical coupling through sensor detection before activating the wireless communication function. This preliminary action ensures that the vehicle is properly connected to the filling station before allowing any communication or refueling operations, thereby maintaining both operational simplicity and connection reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If wireless communication is enabled in systems with multiple H2 refueling stations, then adaptability is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring connection status increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with multiple stationsVSAvoidconnection detection difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the identification and verification process into distinct components: a unique station identification signal transmitted by each H2 refueling station, a sensor system that detects this signal, and a control unit that processes the information. This segmentation allows the vehicle to distinguish between multiple stations and establish wireless communication only with the correctly coupled station, enhancing adaptability while managing detection complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables secure, efficient, and cost-effective wireless communication between hydrogen fueling stations and vehicles, allowing for automated payment and additional services while ensuring safety and compatibility with multiple stations.

Implementation Method 1

generating a discrete pressure within the tank opening (24) of the hydrogen-powered vehicle (22) by the H2 filling station (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure generation: Pressurisation

Implementation Method 2

detecting the discrete pressure generated by the H2 filling station by the hydrogen-powered vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure detection: Pressure-sensitive Paint

Data Source

PatentEP3922901B1Method of establishing a wireless communication link
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 WESTENERGIE AG
  • EP3922901B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3922901B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3922901B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for establishing a wireless communication link (20) between a hydrogen refueling station (4) and a hydrogen-powered vehicle (22) prior to refueling of the hydrogen-powered vehicle (22) at the hydrogen refueling station (4), comprising the steps of establishing (40) a mechanical coupling between a dispensing nozzle (10) of the hydrogen refueling station (4) and a tank opening (24) of the hydrogen-powered vehicle (22), generating (42) a discrete pressure (P) within the tank opening (24) of the hydrogen-powered vehicle (22) by the hydrogen refueling station (4), detecting (44) the discrete pressure (P) generated by the hydrogen refueling station (4) by the hydrogen-powered vehicle (22), and sending (46) a recognition signal from the hydrogen-powered vehicle (22) to the H2 filling station (4), a detection (48) of the recognition signal by the H2 filling station (4),of performing (50) a pairing process between the H2 filling station (4) and the hydrogen-powered vehicle (22) to establish a wireless communication link (20) between the H2 filling station (4) and the hydrogen-powered vehicle (22).