Hydrogen Fuel Tank Induction Heating for Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tank pressurization systems for hydrogen fuel tanks in aircraft are ineffective at low temperatures, as inert gases like nitrogen liquefy and mix with hydrogen, and existing systems require tank penetrations that lead to heat loss, leakage, and increased weight.
Innovation Solution
A fuel system using superconducting inductors inside and outside the tank to induce current and heat the hydrogen, maintaining pressure without tank penetrations, with a controller managing heating modes to control heat input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If conventional tank pressurisation systems use inert gas (nitrogen) to maintain pressure, then pressure can be maintained, but the nitrogen liquefies at low temperatures and mixes with hydrogen fuel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressurisation system (inert gas injection) with an electromagnetic heating system. Electrical inductors generate electromagnetic fields that induce currents in the hydrogen fuel, heating it directly to maintain pressure without introducing foreign substances into the fuel tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electrical inductors as an intermediary mechanism between the power source and the hydrogen fuel. The inductors transfer energy electromagnetically through the tank wall and fuel without requiring physical penetration or direct contact that would contaminate the fuel.
2Stress or pressure
If tank penetrations are added for pressurisation, then pressure can be maintained, but heat loss, leakage, and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical penetrations (valves, pipes, fittings) with an electromagnetic field-based heating system. The inductors can be positioned externally or with minimal penetration, using electromagnetic coupling to heat the fuel through the tank wall without requiring extensive openings that would compromise thermal insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the tank wall itself as a transparent medium for electromagnetic field penetration. The inductors are designed to couple electromagnetically through the tank wall material, allowing energy transfer without compromising the structural integrity or thermal insulation properties of the tank shell.
3Stress or pressure
If tank penetrations are added for pressurisation, then pressure can be maintained, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical pressurisation components (valves, pipes, fittings, support structures) with lightweight electrical inductors and wiring. The electromagnetic heating system requires significantly less structural support and fewer mechanical connections, reducing overall system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the pressurisation function from the mechanical domain and relocates it to the electromagnetic domain. By removing the need for complex mechanical penetrations and support structures, the system achieves pressure maintenance with minimal weight addition.
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
Maintains tank pressure efficiently, reduces weight and thermal losses, and minimizes leakage risks by using superconducting inductors to heat hydrogen, allowing for controlled pressure regulation.
Implementation Method 1
a second inductor provided externally to the tank, and configured to induce a current in the first inductor
Implementation Method 2
heating of the fuel using electrical induction
Implementation Method 3
At least one of the first inductor and the second inductor may comprise a superconducting material
Data Source
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AI summary
A fuel system (200) for a hydrogen fuelled aircraft propulsion system (103) comprises a tank (104) configured to store hydrogen, a first inductor (436a-c) provided within the tank (104) and configured to heat hydrogen fuel within the tank (104), and a second inductor (432a-c) provided externally to the tank (104), and configured to induce a current in the first inductor (436a-c).