Detachable Hydrogen Tank Switching to Prevent Cross-Flow Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In systems with multiple hydrogen tanks connected simultaneously, it is challenging to properly utilize tanks where one supplies hydrogen and another does not, leading to potential hydrogen flow into non-supplying tanks.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen consumption system featuring detachable tanks, a fuel cell, and a control device with on-off valves and push rods, allowing the system to selectively connect hydrogen tanks for supply based on remaining hydrogen levels, ensuring proper usage and minimizing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple hydrogen tanks are connected simultaneously to the supply pipe, then the system can store more hydrogen and maintain supply continuity, but hydrogen may flow into tanks that are not intended to supply hydrogen, causing improper usage and potential leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the hydrogen supply control into independent segments by providing an on-off valve for each hydrogen tank. This allows each tank to be controlled individually, ensuring that hydrogen flows only from tanks designated for supply while maintaining the ability to store large quantities of hydrogen across multiple tanks.
Solution Approach 2:
The on-off valves act as intermediary components between the hydrogen tanks and the supply pipe. These valves mediate the hydrogen flow by selectively opening or closing based on which tanks should supply hydrogen, preventing direct uncontrolled flow into non-supplying tanks while maintaining system connectivity.
2Productivity
If all hydrogen tanks are kept connected to the supply pipe, then the system maintains readiness for immediate hydrogen supply, but it becomes difficult to distinguish and control which tanks are actively supplying hydrogen versus which are in standby
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the state of each hydrogen tank connection to the supply pipe through on-off valves. Tanks can be switched between active supply mode (valve open) and standby mode (valve closed) as needed, allowing the system to maintain supply readiness from multiple tanks while enabling easy control and identification of which tanks are currently supplying hydrogen.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hydrogen tanks are made detachable for flexible configuration, then the system can adapt to different hydrogen storage needs, but it increases the complexity of ensuring proper connection and airtightness
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable connection mechanism incorporates self-sealing features that automatically ensure airtightness when tanks are connected to the supply pipe. The connection structure itself performs the sealing function without requiring additional complex sealing components or manual intervention, thus maintaining configuration flexibility while minimizing connection complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of detachable hydrogen tanks, a fuel cell for consuming hydrogen by hydrogen is supplied, a hydrogen supply pipe flowing hydrogen is connected to the hydrogen tank and the fuel cell, and a hydrogen consumption system having a control device, the hydrogen tank has an on-off valve in the connection portion between the supply pipe, the supply pipe is provided with a push rod to the connection portion between the hydrogen tank, the control device is a hydrogen tank for supplying hydrogen from a plurality of hydrogen tanks and a hydrogen tank that does not supply hydrogen, the hydrogen tank for supplying hydrogen is moved toward the push rod to the on-off valve and a connection position capable of supplying hydrogen to the supply pipe, to move the push rod to the hydrogen tank that does not supply hydrogen is a standby position.