Fuel storage system and method for detecting residual quantity of fuel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel storage systems face challenges in accurately determining the remaining amount of fuel, particularly in solid hydrogen storage systems, without the use of flow meters and when power is cut off, and they lack precision in estimating fuel levels under varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A fuel storage system that utilizes temperature and pressure sensors to predict the remaining amount of fuel based on relationships between temperature, equilibrium pressure, and fuel levels, using tables to account for different usage and charging scenarios, and includes a display for real-time monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flow meters are used to measure fuel consumption, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from complex flow meters and separate level sensors, using only temperature and pressure sensors that are already present in the system for other purposes. This eliminates the need for additional specialized measurement devices while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the temperature and pressure sensors serve dual purposes: their primary function for thermal and pressure monitoring, and a secondary function for fuel level measurement. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the system.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and flow meters are installed, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing temperature and pressure sensors serve dual purposes for both their original functions and for fuel level measurement, eliminating the need for additional specialized sensors and reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing sensor infrastructure (temperature and pressure sensors) to perform the additional measurement function, rather than requiring external specialized measurement devices, thereby reducing overall system cost.
3Device complexity
If fuel level is predicted using only flow rate, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates under varying environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates real-time temperature and pressure feedback into the fuel level prediction algorithm. The controller continuously monitors these parameters and adjusts the predicted fuel level based on the measured values, compensating for environmental variations and improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters used for measurement from flow rate alone to a combination of temperature, pressure, and their interrelationships. By utilizing the relationship between these parameters and equilibrium pressure, the system achieves more accurate fuel level detection that accounts for environmental conditions.
4Measurement precision
If power is continuously supplied to sensors and controllers, then measurement precision is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic measurement cycles where sensors are activated only when needed for fuel level detection rather than continuous operation. The controller performs measurements at intervals or triggered by specific events, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining measurement capability when required.
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 accurate fuel level estimation even without flow meters and during power outages, with reduced errors from rapid environmental changes, ensuring safe and efficient fuel management.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to measure a first temperature in the storage vessel or a first internal pressure of the storage vessel
Implementation Method 2
a sensor configured to measure a first temperature in the storage vessel or a first internal pressure of the storage vessel
Implementation Method 3
based on a relationship among different values of temperature, different values of equilibrium pressure, and different values of remaining amounts of the fuel
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel storage system and a method for detecting a remaining amount of fuel are provided. The fuel storage system may include a storage vessel which accommodates fuel including a solid material and gaseous hydrogen, a sensor that measure a first temperature in the storage vessel and a first internal pressure of the storage vessel, and a controller that predicts a first remaining amount of the fuel based on the first temperature or the first internal pressure and based on a relationship among different values of temperature, different values of equilibrium pressure, and different values of remaining amounts of the fuel as measured by the sensor at different times.