L-Shaped Duct Insert for Compact Cryogenic Hydrogen Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen storage technologies for vehicles face challenges such as large volume requirements, high weight, and thermal complexity, particularly with compressed gas and absorption methods, while cryogenic liquid storage suffers from evaporative losses and pressure buildup issues.
Innovation Solution
A compact cryogenic-capable pressure vessel design incorporating an L-shaped duct insert with parallel and perpendicular ducts to improve volumetric efficiency and minimize heat transfer, using lightweight composite materials and multilayer vacuum insulation to store hydrogen or other cryogenic gases at high pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional ambient temperature pressure vessels are used for hydrogen storage, then the storage capacity is sufficient, but the volume occupied is relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from ambient to cryogenic conditions, enabling hydrogen to be stored in liquid or vapor phase at higher density. This parameter change allows the same hydrogen storage capacity to occupy significantly less volume, directly resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and volume occupation
2Volume of moving object
If low-pressure liquid hydrogen storage is used, then the volumetric efficiency is improved, but evaporative losses occur and pressure buildup requires venting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic pressure regulation system with a pressure-regulated valve that automatically controls the flow between liquid and vapor phases. This dynamic adjustment maintains stable pressure conditions, preventing excessive pressure buildup that would require venting, while minimizing evaporative losses by only allowing necessary phase transitions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where pressure sensors monitor the internal pressure conditions and automatically adjust the pressure-regulated valve to maintain optimal pressure levels. This feedback system prevents both excessive pressure buildup requiring venting and unnecessary evaporative losses, resolving the contradiction between volumetric efficiency and energy loss
3Device complexity
If conventional components designed for single conditions are used, then the design is simple, but they cannot handle high-pressure cryogenic conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs components with multi-functionality to handle both high pressure and cryogenic temperatures simultaneously. The pressure vessel, valves, and piping are engineered to operate across the full range of cryogenic high-pressure conditions, eliminating the need for separate component sets for different conditions and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability
4Reliability
If conventional interface approaches for high-pressure cryogenic components are used, then the connection is secure, but the system volume is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nested component design where smaller components are integrated within larger ones. The pressure-regulated valve is positioned within the pressure vessel, and piping is routed through existing structural elements. This nesting approach maintains secure connections while minimizing the overall volume occupied by interface components, directly resolving the contradiction between connection security and system volume
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
The solution enables more efficient and compact hydrogen storage, reducing weight and thermal losses, and effectively addressing the limitations of existing technologies by enhancing packaging efficiency and thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
multilayer vacuum insulation to store hydrogen or other cryogenic gases at high pressure
Implementation Method 2
storage as a cryogenic liquid... Liquid hydrogen (LH2) storage has the potential for evaporative losses from distribution, transfer and refueling operations
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure vessel apparatus for cryogenic capable storage of hydrogen or other cryogenic gases at high pressure includes an insert with a parallel inlet duct, a perpendicular inlet duct connected to the parallel inlet. The perpendicular inlet duct and the parallel inlet duct connect the interior cavity with the external components. The insert also includes a parallel outlet duct and a perpendicular outlet duct connected to the parallel outlet duct. The perpendicular outlet duct and the parallel outlet duct connect the interior cavity with the external components.