Hydrogen Storage Level Measurement Using Surface Temperature Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring hydrogen stored in fuel cell vehicle tanks are inaccurate, especially when hydrogen is in a supercritical state, due to the need for liquid level sensors to pass through the tank, risking hydrogen leakage and failing to account for supercritical conditions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using temperature sensors around the tank surface to estimate hydrogen levels without penetrating the tank, combined with pressure sensors to determine the hydrogen phase, allowing for accurate measurement of hydrogen in both single and multi-phase states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a liquid level sensor is mounted inside the storage container to measure hydrogen level, then measurement can be performed, but hydrogen leakage risk increases and supercritical state measurement becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses temperature sensors as intermediary devices placed on the outer surface of the storage container to indirectly measure hydrogen level. Instead of directly contacting hydrogen with sensors inside the container, the system measures temperature distribution on the container surface, which reflects hydrogen level information, thereby eliminating the need for penetration and leakage risk
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical liquid level sensor system (requiring physical penetration) with a thermal field measurement system. By measuring temperature distribution patterns on the container surface using non-contact or surface-mounted temperature sensors, the system substitutes direct mechanical measurement with indirect thermal measurement, achieving both safety and measurement capability
2Measurement precision
If a liquid level sensor is used to measure hydrogen, then liquid level can be detected, but accurate measurement in supercritical state becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct liquid level (which is undefined in supercritical state) to temperature distribution pattern. Since temperature fields exist and show characteristic patterns regardless of hydrogen phase (liquid, gas, or supercritical), this parameter change enables universal measurement across all hydrogen states while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the thermal characteristics that persist through phase transitions. By measuring temperature distribution rather than relying on liquid-gas interface detection, the system can accurately measure hydrogen level whether the hydrogen is in liquid phase, gas phase, or supercritical phase, as the temperature field responds differently to hydrogen presence in all phases
3Measurement precision
If the storage container is penetrated for sensor installation, then hydrogen level measurement is enabled, but device complexity and leakage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from inside the storage container to the outer surface. By placing temperature sensors on the container exterior rather than penetrating the container, the system separates the measurement capability from the hydrogen containment system, simplifying installation while maintaining measurement accuracy and eliminating leakage pathways
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 precise measurement of hydrogen storage without risking leakage and accurately accounts for supercritical states, ensuring reliable fuel efficiency calculations for fuel cell vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of temperature sensors surrounding a surface of the storage container, and that measures surface temperatures for locations of the storage container
Implementation Method 2
a processor that estimates a liquid level of the hydrogen stored in the storage container, based on the surface temperatures for the locations
Implementation Method 3
the apparatus may further include a pressure sensor configured for measuring an internal pressure of the storage container, and the processor may be configured to determine a phase of the hydrogen stored in the storage container, based on the internal pressure, and an internal temperature of the storage container
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an apparatus and a method for measuring an amount of hydrogen stored in a storage container. The apparatus includes the storage container, in which the hydrogen is stored, a plurality of temperature sensors surrounding a surface of the storage container, and that measure surface temperatures for locations of the storage container, and a processor that estimates a liquid level of the hydrogen stored in the storage container, based on the surface temperatures for the locations.