Liquid Hydrogen Level Detection with Heater State Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid level detection systems for liquid hydrogen tanks fail to accurately determine the liquid level due to unreliable heater operation, leading to inaccurate detection results.
Innovation Solution
A liquid level detection device equipped with a temperature sensor, a heater to raise ambient temperature, and a heater state determination unit that verifies the heater's normal operation by ensuring a predetermined temperature increase within a specific time frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a heater is provided to increase ambient temperature for improving detection accuracy, then liquid level detection accuracy is improved, but the reliability of detection results deteriorates because the heater state cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary temperature increase test before actual liquid level detection. The heater is activated for a predetermined time to verify it can raise the temperature by a predetermined amount, ensuring the heater is functioning correctly before relying on it for detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the temperature change during the heater operation and uses this feedback to determine whether the heater is abnormal. If the temperature does not increase by the predetermined amount within the predetermined time, the system identifies the heater as abnormal and suspends detection operations.
2Productivity
If the heater operates continuously to maintain temperature for detection, then detection capability is maintained, but the complexity of system control increases due to need for heater state monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the heater is activated periodically in a controlled manner. The control unit activates the heater for a predetermined time to verify its function, then suspends it. This periodic verification approach maintains detection capability while simplifying control compared to continuous monitoring and 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 liquid level detection by identifying and addressing heater abnormalities, thereby preventing false readings and enhancing detection reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor disposed at a predetermined position in a tank (20) that stores liquid hydrogen
Implementation Method 2
a heater capable of raising an ambient temperature at the predetermined position in the tank
Data Source
AI summary
The liquid level detection device includes a temperature sensor disposed at a predetermined position in a tank for storing liquid hydrogen, a heater capable of raising an ambient temperature at the predetermined position, a liquid level detection unit for detecting whether the liquid level of the liquid hydrogen in the tank has reached the predetermined position based on a change in a temperature detected by the temperature sensor, and a heater state determination unit for determining whether an abnormality is caused in the state of the heater. The heater state determination unit is configured to be capable of executing a temperature raising process for raising the ambient temperature, and a determination process for determining that the state of the heater is abnormal when an increase exceeding a predetermined temperature range does not occur in the detected temperature within a predetermined time after the temperature raising process is started.