Modular Fuel Containers With Hermetic Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel systems in vehicles often result in fuel and fuel vapor being released to the atmosphere during refueling, especially in vehicles without evaporative emission control systems, leading to inefficiencies and environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
A modular fuel container system comprising hermetically sealed housings that can be coupled together to provide a variable fuel supply, with interfaces that allow for fluid communication and secure attachment to vehicles, reducing fuel vapor emissions by maintaining a hermetic seal during use and refueling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional fuel tanks are used in vehicles, then fuel storage is provided, but fuel and fuel vapor are released to the atmosphere during refueling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary refueling system that includes a control valve and vapor recovery mechanism between the fuel source and the fuel tank. This intermediary system captures fuel vapors during refueling and redirects them back into the tank, preventing atmospheric release while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert or closed environment during refueling by sealing the fuel transfer process. The refueling system maintains a closed loop where fuel and vapors are contained within a controlled atmosphere, preventing escape to the external environment and eliminating the need for complex vapor recovery equipment in many cases.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If modular container system is implemented, then fuel vapor emissions are reduced through hermetic seal, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fuel storage system into modular containers that can be independently sealed and connected. Each container maintains its own hermetic seal, and the modular design allows for simplified individual units rather than one complex large-scale vapor recovery system. The segmentation enables easier manufacturing, maintenance, and deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic modular container system where containers can be selectively connected and disconnected based on fuel needs. The system adapts its configuration dynamically, allowing vehicles to use one or multiple containers depending on range requirements, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining effective vapor sealing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If hermetically sealed modular housings are used, then fuel vapor emissions are prevented, but fuel transfer between containers becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary transfer mechanism with automated valve control that simplifies fuel transfer between hermetically sealed containers. The transfer system includes controlled openings and sealing mechanisms that maintain hermetic integrity during connection and disconnection, making the transfer process as simple as connecting two standardized interfaces without manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel system for a vehicle is provided and may include a first housing containing a supply of fuel therein, a second housing containing a supply of fuel therein and coupled to the first housing, and a fuel pump disposed within one of the first housing and the second housing that selectively pumps fuel from each of the first housing and the second housing to the vehicle. A first interface may be associated with one of the first housing and the second housing and may be coupled to a vehicle interface of the vehicle in a coupled state to supply the vehicle with fuel from at least one of the first housing and the second housing.