Hydrogen Tank Filling Control via Local Flow Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for filling hydrogen tanks with varying heat dissipation characteristics in fuel cell vehicles lead to inefficient filling processes, where either excessive filling or shortage occurs due to differences in heat dissipation rates, resulting in incomplete filling of tanks with lower heat dissipation characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system with a common gas supply channel branching into two tanks, one with a flow restriction mechanism to control gas flow to the tank with higher heat dissipation, preventing excessive filling, and ensuring the other tank reaches full capacity by continuing gas supply after the first tank is filled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If filling control is performed according to the SoC of the hydrogen tank with high heat dissipation characteristic, then the high heat dissipation tank reaches complete filling, but the low heat dissipation tank does not reach complete filling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different flow restriction characteristics to different branch channels based on the heat dissipation characteristics of connected tanks. The first branch channel (connected to high heat dissipation tank) has a flow restriction mechanism that allows greater flow, while the second branch channel (connected to low heat dissipation tank) has restricted flow, creating locally optimized filling conditions for each tank type.
2Manufacturing precision
If filling control is performed according to the SoC of the hydrogen tank with low heat dissipation characteristic, then the low heat dissipation tank reaches complete filling, but the high heat dissipation tank becomes excessively filled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by tailoring the flow restriction characteristics to each tank's heat dissipation properties. The first branch channel connected to the high heat dissipation tank is equipped with a flow restriction mechanism that permits higher flow rates, while the second branch channel connected to the low heat dissipation tank has flow restriction that limits flow rate, thereby preventing excessive filling of the high heat dissipation tank while ensuring complete filling of the low heat dissipation tank.
3Quantity of substance
If switch valve is used to switch between filling different tanks, then all tanks can be completely filled, but the filling process becomes inefficient due to repeated short-time filling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the filling system into separate branch channels with distinct flow restriction characteristics for each tank type. This allows simultaneous filling of multiple tanks with different heat dissipation characteristics through a single common channel, eliminating the need for switch valves and repeated filling operations, thereby improving filling efficiency while ensuring complete filling of all tanks.
4Manufacturing precision
If flow restriction mechanism is provided on both branch channels, then filling balance can be controlled, but the number of components and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by selectively providing flow restriction mechanisms only where needed - specifically on the first branch channel connected to the high heat dissipation tank. The second branch channel connected to the low heat dissipation tank does not require additional flow restriction mechanisms, as its natural flow characteristics are sufficient. This selective approach achieves filling balance control while minimizing the number of components and reducing system cost.
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
This solution ensures balanced filling of both tanks, preventing excessive filling in the high heat dissipation tank and ensuring the low heat dissipation tank is completely filled, thereby increasing the overall state of filling while reducing the number of components and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a flow restriction mechanism capable of restricting amount of the gas supplied to the first gas tank
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle (3) equipped with gas tanks (30a, 30b) has a common channel (34c) and branch channels (34a, 34b) that branch from the common channel (34c) to the gas tanks (30a, 30b), as a filling passageway (34) through which gas is supplied from an external gas station (2) to the gas tanks (30a, 30b). The gas tank (30a) is better in heat dissipation characteristic than the gas tank (30b). Only the branch channel (34a) that corresponds to the gas tank (30a) is provided with a shutoff valve (40) or a flow regulation valve (46) that is capable of restricting the amount of gas supplied to the gas tank (30a).