Hydrogen Tank Flow Valve for Pressure Balancing and Leak Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell electric vehicles face issues with differential pressure between hydrogen tanks due to variations in pipe length and internal temperature, leading to compromised sealing performance, increased hydrogen leakage risk, and abnormal operating noise from high-pressure valve chattering.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen storage system with a flow rate adjusting valve that adjusts the hydrogen flow rate between tanks based on pressure differences, using a piston member and valve members to regulate the flow paths and minimize pressure deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is stored in multiple hydrogen tanks, then hydrogen storage capacity is improved, but pressure difference between tanks increases leading to sealing performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
A flow rate adjusting valve is introduced as an intermediary device between the hydrogen tanks and the manifold. This valve actively regulates hydrogen flow rates from individual tanks based on real-time pressure differential feedback, preventing excessive pressure differences that would compromise sealing performance while maintaining the benefits of multiple storage tanks.
Solution Approach 2:
A pressure differential feedback mechanism is implemented where the flow rate adjusting valve continuously monitors pressure differences between hydrogen tanks and automatically adjusts flow rates accordingly. This closed-loop control prevents pressure equalization issues that would affect sealing performance while maintaining optimal hydrogen storage capacity.
2Productivity
If hydrogen flow rate is increased to compensate for pressure difference, then hydrogen supply to fuel cell is improved, but valve chattering occurs causing abnormal noise
Solution Approach 1:
The flow rate adjusting valve employs dynamic control mechanisms that continuously adapt the valve opening degree based on real-time pressure differential conditions. By dynamically adjusting flow rates rather than using fixed high flow rates, the system maintains adequate hydrogen supply to the fuel cell while avoiding the excessive flow conditions that trigger valve chattering and abnormal noise.
3Stress or pressure
If pipe lengths between tanks and manifold are equalized, then pressure difference is reduced, but system complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than modifying the physical layout and pipe lengths of the hydrogen storage system, a flow rate adjusting valve is introduced as an intermediary control device. This valve compensates for pressure differences caused by varying pipe lengths through active flow rate regulation, achieving pressure balance without increasing system configuration complexity or installation difficulty.
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 effectively reduces pressure differences between hydrogen tanks, enhancing leakproof sealability, reducing hydrogen leakage risk, and minimizing valve chattering noise.
Implementation Method 1
a piston member configured to move in accordance with a pressure difference between the first hydrogen tank and the second hydrogen tank
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrogen storage system includes: a first hydrogen tank provided in a fuel cell electric vehicle; a second hydrogen tank provided in the fuel cell electric vehicle and configured to store hydrogen independently of the first hydrogen tank; a manifold provided in the fuel cell electric vehicle and connected to the first hydrogen tank and the second hydrogen tank; a hydrogen supply line configured to connect the manifold and a fuel cell stack provided in the fuel cell electric vehicle; and a flow rate adjusting valve configured to adjust a flow rate of the hydrogen to be supplied to the manifold from at least one of the first hydrogen tank or the second hydrogen tank in accordance with a difference in pressure between the first hydrogen tank and the second hydrogen tank, so as to minimize a difference in pressure between the hydrogen tanks to improve safety and reliability.