Vehicle Hydrogen Tank Supply Control for Vent-Free Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The maintenance of hydrogen tanks in hydrogen-operated vehicles is cumbersome and inefficient, leading to time-consuming procedures, hydrogen wastage, and safety concerns due to the need for venting highly flammable hydrogen.
Innovation Solution
A computer system with processing circuitry controls hydrogen supply by prioritizing it from a specific tank for maintenance, preventing further supply when pressure falls below a threshold, and managing venting to reduce downtime and hydrogen use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrogen is vented from the tank before maintenance, then safety is improved, but hydrogen wastage increases and maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically switching hydrogen supply to alternative tanks before maintenance is needed, depleting the maintenance tank in advance. This eliminates the need for venting hydrogen before maintenance, as the tank can be serviced when empty or near-empty, thereby improving safety while avoiding hydrogen wastage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automated tank management where the control unit monitors hydrogen levels and automatically switches between tanks based on predefined criteria. This eliminates manual intervention for hydrogen venting and maintenance scheduling, allowing the system to service tanks at optimal times without hydrogen wastage or safety compromises.
2Reliability
If hydrogen is vented from the tank before maintenance, then safety is improved, but maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically switching hydrogen supply to alternative tanks before maintenance is needed, depleting the maintenance tank in advance. This eliminates the need for time-consuming hydrogen venting procedures before maintenance, as tanks can be serviced when empty or near-empty, thereby improving safety while reducing maintenance time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automated tank management where the control unit monitors hydrogen levels and automatically switches between tanks based on predefined criteria. This eliminates manual intervention for hydrogen venting and maintenance scheduling, allowing the system to service tanks at optimal times without safety compromises or time loss.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If multiple hydrogen tanks are used, then continuous hydrogen supply is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies segmentation by dividing the hydrogen storage function across multiple independent tanks, each capable of being serviced independently. The control unit manages these segmented tanks by monitoring their status and switching supply between them, ensuring continuous hydrogen availability while allowing individual tanks to be maintained without system shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements universality through a control unit that manages multiple tanks with a single automated switching mechanism. This multi-functional control system handles monitoring, switching, and safety functions for all tanks uniformly, ensuring continuous supply while managing complexity through standardized procedures rather than separate control systems for each tank.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system comprising processing circuitry configured to: receive a maintenance instruction for a first hydrogen tank of a vehicle, the first hydrogen tank being one of a plurality of hydrogen tanks configured to supply hydrogen to a hydrogen consumer of the vehicle; in response to the received maintenance instruction, control the supply of hydrogen from the plurality of hydrogen tanks to the hydrogen consumer by prioritizing supply of hydrogen from the first hydrogen tank; and determine the gas pressure of the first hydrogen tank, and in response to the determined gas pressure being below a predetermined supply pressure threshold, control a hydrogen supply valve for the first hydrogen tank to close to prevent further supply of hydrogen from the first hydrogen tank to the hydrogen consumer.