Modular Fuel Cell and Mobile Storage Unit for Aircraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy supply systems on aircraft, particularly those using fuel cells, are complex and difficult to handle, necessitating a simpler and more manageable solution for on-board energy production and material supply.
Innovation Solution
A modular energy unit comprising a fuel cell unit and a mobile storage unit, designed as separate dollies that can be easily coupled and decoupled, allowing for simple exchange and maintenance, with automatic terminal connections for efficient energy source supply and waste gas management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If fuel cell systems are used for energy supply on board aircraft, then energy production capability is improved, but system complexity and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The energy unit is divided into separate functional modules: a fuel cell unit and a mobile storage unit that can be independently handled and combined. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity while maintaining energy production capability, as each module can be optimized and maintained separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile storage unit is designed to be movable and exchangeable relative to the fuel cell unit, allowing dynamic reconfiguration and easy maintenance. This dynamic design simplifies handling operations compared to fixed integrated systems.
2Reliability
If integrated fuel cell systems are used, then energy supply reliability is improved, but ease of operation and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the fuel cell unit from the storage unit, the system maintains reliable energy supply through modular redundancy while significantly improving ease of operation. Each module can be independently inspected, maintained, or replaced without affecting the other component.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile storage unit is designed to be easily exchangeable by operational personnel without requiring specialized integration procedures, enabling self-service level maintenance and operation while preserving system reliability.
3Ease of repair
If mobile storage unit and fuel cell unit are separated, then ease of maintenance is improved, but connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile storage unit can be moved and connected to the fuel cell unit as needed, allowing easy maintenance access while maintaining simple connection interfaces designed for rapid coupling and decoupling operations.
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 simplifies the handling and maintenance of energy units, reduces complexity, and ensures reliable operation by enabling easy fuel cell and storage unit swaps without requiring integrated systems, while providing a decentralized and safe energy supply to aircraft cabins.
Implementation Method 1
The energy unit (1) comprises a fuel cell unit (2) with a fuel cell (3)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates in particular to an energy unit (1) for producing an operating material on board a vehicle, comprising a fuel cell unit (2) with at least one fuel cell (3) and a mobile storage unit (5), which is formed separately from the fuel cell unit (2), with a store (6) for storing at least one energy source necessary for operation of the fuel cell unit (2). The mobile storage unit (5) and the fuel cell unit (2) can be coupled with one another, wherein, in the state coupled to one another, at least one first terminal (7) of the mobile storage unit (5) is connected to a corresponding second terminal (8) of the fuel cell unit (2) in such a way that at least the at least one energy source can be supplied from the store (6) to the fuel cell (3).