Hydrogen Tank Volume Estimation for Safe Filling Speed Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen filling devices face inaccuracies in volume information, leading to incorrect determination of filling control maps, which can result in improper hydrogen tank filling and potential overheating.
Innovation Solution
A volume estimating device that acquires gas densities and expansion rates at multiple timings to accurately estimate the hydrogen tank volume, using gas pressure and temperature data to correct expansion rates and calculate the tank's volume, adjusting filling speeds accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If volume information from the vehicle is used to determine the filling control map, then the filling process can be initiated, but the volume information may be inaccurate leading to incorrect filling control
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors gas pressure inside the hydrogen tank during the filling process and uses this feedback to calculate the actual volume. The calculated volume is then compared with the provided volume information, and if they differ beyond a threshold, the filling control map is adjusted. This closed-loop feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by using real-time measurements to correct potentially inaccurate initial volume data while maintaining efficient filling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the filling process by adjusting the filling speed based on the ratio between calculated and provided volumes. When the calculated volume is significantly different from the provided volume, the system selects a different filling control map with adjusted filling speeds. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the filling process to the actual tank volume while maintaining operational efficiency.
2Loss of time
If the filling control map is determined based on potentially inaccurate volume information, then the filling process can proceed quickly, but the tank may overheat due to incorrect filling speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time gas pressure monitoring to calculate the actual tank volume and compares it with the provided volume information. Based on this feedback and the resulting volume ratio, the system selects an appropriate filling control map that adjusts the filling speed to prevent overheating. This resolves the contradiction by using feedback to adapt the filling process to actual conditions, preventing overheating while minimizing filling time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the filling control map selection during the filling process based on the calculated-to-provided volume ratio. Rather than using a static filling approach, the system transitions between different filling control maps (different filling speeds) based on real-time conditions. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing filling speed to prevent overheating while maintaining efficient filling operation.
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
Ensures accurate estimation of hydrogen tank volume, reducing the risk of overheating by adjusting filling speeds based on corrected expansion rates and densities, thereby ensuring safe and efficient hydrogen filling.
Implementation Method 1
acquires a first gas density inside the hydrogen tank based on gas pressure inside the hydrogen tank and a tank temperature at a first timing, and acquires a second gas density inside the hydrogen tank based on the gas pressure and the tank temperature at a second timing
Data Source
AI summary
A volume estimating device includes: a gas density acquiring section that acquires a first gas density and a second gas density; an expansion rate acquiring section that acquires a first corrected expansion rate and a second corrected expansion rate; a filling amount acquiring section that acquires a total filling amount; and a volume estimating section that estimates a volume of a hydrogen tank based on a volume of a supplying portion, the first gas density, the second gas density, the first corrected expansion rate, the second corrected expansion rate, and the total filling amount.