Hydrogen Tractor-Trailer Fuel Supply With Flexible Pipe Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combination vehicles, such as those using hydrogen fuel cell technology, face limitations in travel distance due to the smaller size of the tractor compared to the trailer, resulting in excessive energy consumption and insufficient hydrogen storage for extended travel.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual-tank system where both the tractor and trailer are equipped with high-pressure gas tanks, with the trailer's tank supplying fuel to the tractor via a pipe system that includes a pressure reduction portion and a second pipe with lower rigidity, allowing for stable fuel distribution and flexible coupling to maintain the fuel supply path even with relative position changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the tractor is configured as a fuel cell vehicle with a tank mounted in it, then the vehicle can travel using hydrogen fuel, but the travel distance is insufficient because the tractor is smaller than the trailer and cannot accommodate enough hydrogen storage
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogen storage system is segmented into two separate tanks: one tank mounted in the tractor and another tank mounted in the trailer. This segmentation allows the trailer to contribute its cargo space to hydrogen storage, effectively increasing the total storage capacity beyond what the tractor alone could accommodate.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the hydrogen storage from a single-location (tractor-only) constraint to a distributed system utilizing both the tractor and trailer dimensions. By leveraging the trailer's larger volume for additional tank installation, the system effectively uses the longitudinal dimension of the combination vehicle to expand storage capacity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a pipe system is used to supply fuel from the trailer to the tractor, then fuel can be distributed to extend travel distance, but the pipe may break or leak when the relative position between trailer and tractor changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible hoses or pipes with sufficient elasticity to connect the trailer tank to the tractor fuel cell system. These flexible conduits can bend and deform to accommodate changes in relative position between the trailer and tractor during operation, turning movements, and height adjustments, thereby maintaining reliable fuel supply without breaking or leaking.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the tractor is made smaller to reduce energy consumption, then the vehicle can be more efficient, but the tank size is reduced and cannot store enough hydrogen for extended travel
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer serves dual functions: it carries cargo (its primary function) and simultaneously houses an additional hydrogen tank (secondary function). This multi-functionality allows the trailer to contribute to both cargo transport and fuel storage, enabling the tractor to remain compact and energy-efficient while the combination vehicle achieves extended range through the trailer's additional hydrogen capacity.
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 configuration extends the travel distance of the combination vehicle with a single hydrogen charge by ensuring stable fuel distribution and reducing the risk of fuel leakage, while allowing for easy switching and enhanced cargo capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure reduction portion that is configured to be connected to the first type pipe and reduce a pressure of the fuel gas supplied from the tank through the first type pipe
Implementation Method 2
at least a part of the second type pipe may have a lower rigidity than a rigidity of the first type pipe... when a relative position between the trailer and the tractor changes at a coupled portion, a fuel gas supply path from the trailer to the tractor can be maintained by deformation of the second type pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A combination vehicle includes a tractor and a trailer towed by the tractor. The trailer includes a first tank that is configured to store a high-pressure gas as a fuel used by the tractor to travel. The tractor includes a second tank that is configured to store a high-pressure gas as a fuel used by the tractor to travel. The combination vehicle is configured to travel using the fuel supplied from the first tank and the second tank.