Modular CNG Refueling Station With Stacked Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional CNG refilling stations are often custom-designed or pre-fabricated with fixed capacities, limiting their adaptability to site-specific conditions and making it difficult to scale or reconfigure as needed, and they lack efficient maintenance and location accommodation.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable and scalable CNG refilling station design featuring modular compression, storage, and control units that can be stacked and easily added or replaced, with fluid, electronic, and electrical communication, allowing for flexible capacity adjustments and maintenance, and including ventilated housings for leak protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional CNG refilling stations are custom-designed or pre-fabricated with fixed capacities, then the system structure is stable and reliable, but the adaptability to site-specific conditions and scalability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The CNG refilling station is divided into modular units (compression units, storage units, dispensing units) that can be independently configured and assembled. Each module contains complete functional components, allowing the system to be customized for different site conditions while maintaining structural simplicity through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system design allows dynamic reconfiguration of modular units to adapt to changing site requirements and demand patterns. Modules can be added, removed, or repositioned without requiring complete system replacement, enabling the station to evolve with growing needs while using straightforward assembly procedures.
2Productivity
If traditional CNG refilling stations use pre-fabricated systems with fixed number of compressors, storage tanks and dispensers, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the scalability and maintenance flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Compression, storage, and dispensing functions are separated into distinct modular units. This segmentation allows individual units to be maintained or replaced without affecting other parts of the system, improving maintenance accessibility while enabling capacity scaling by adding more units of the same type.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular units are designed with universal interfaces and standardized connection points, allowing the same compression unit or storage tank to be deployed in different configurations. This universality maintains manufacturing simplicity while enabling flexible system expansion and easy unit replacement for maintenance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular units are stacked and coupled together in abutting relationship, then the adaptability and scalability are improved, but the device complexity and assembly requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into standardized modular units with uniform connection interfaces. This segmentation enables simple stacking and coupling of units in abutting relationships, where identical connection points repeat across all modules, reducing assembly complexity despite increased reconfigurability options.
Solution Approach 2:
Modular units are designed to nest together in a stacked configuration, with upper units coupling to lower units through standardized interfaces. This nesting approach allows complex multi-unit assemblies to be built from simple repeating patterns, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving high adaptability.
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
Enables on-site assembly and reconfiguration of CNG refilling stations to match varying demands, improving adaptability and maintenance accessibility while ensuring safety and efficiency in fluid handling and distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor for compressing the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A reconfigurable and scalable fluid distribution system including a compression unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The compression unit, storage unit and the control unit are in fluid, electronic and electrical communication with one another and are coupled together in a stacked relationship, each in abutting relation to the next. Additional compression, storage and/or control units may be coupled in abutting relationship to an existing stack of coupled units. A method of assembling a reconfigurable and scalable fluid distribution system. A method of dispensing fluid via a reconfigurable and scalable fluid distribution system. A control unit for use in a reconfigurable and scalable fluid distribution system.