Modular Hydrogen Storage Vessels for Transportable Vehicle Refueling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies face challenges in efficiently storing, transporting, and using hydrogen as a clean energy source for vehicles, particularly in maintaining safety and reducing environmental impact.

Innovation Solution

The development of systems and methods for storing, transporting, and using hydrogen, including lightweight hydrogen storage vessels made of flexible braided layers and fuel storage modules with a protective external frame structure, which enable efficient loading, unloading, and refueling of hydrogen fuel storage modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If traditional fuel sources (diesel, gasoline, jet fuel) are used, then vehicles can generate sufficient energy, but vehicle weight increases and environmental impact worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of fuel type from carbon-based fuels to hydrogen, achieving superior energy density (over 140 MJ/kg vs 43-48 MJ/kg for jet fuel) while reducing vehicle weight. This parameter change also eliminates carbon emissions, addressing both energy efficiency and environmental concerns simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If hydrogen is stored and transported, then carbon-free transportation is enabled, but safety risks increase due to potential changes in storage conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon emissionsVSAvoidstorage safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements protective measures before hydrogen storage by designing specialized storage modules with multiple protective layers and shock-absorbing structures. These pre-configured safety features cushion against potential changes in storage conditions such as temperature fluctuations and physical impacts, preventing safety incidents before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures for hydrogen storage vessels, combining multiple materials with complementary properties to achieve both lightweight construction and enhanced safety. The composite structure provides thermal insulation, mechanical strength, and protection against hydrogen embrittlement, thereby improving storage reliability while maintaining the carbon-free benefit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If hydrogen storage modules are transported to vehicle fueling sites, then refueling infrastructure complexity is reduced, but transportation costs and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefueling infrastructure complexityVSAvoidinfrastructure cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the hydrogen storage system into modular, transportable units that can be manufactured separately and deployed to fueling sites as needed. This segmentation allows for standardized, cost-effective manufacturing of storage modules while simplifying infrastructure deployment, as modules can be transported using existing logistics rather than requiring complex in-situ storage设施建设.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces transport vehicles and intermediate storage facilities as mediators between hydrogen production and vehicle fueling. This intermediary approach allows hydrogen to be produced at centralized locations, transported in controlled conditions to fueling sites, and then distributed to vehicles, thereby reducing the complexity and cost of direct on-site hydrogen production infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12331885B2Systems and methods for storing, transporting, and using hydrogen

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 SAS BEYOND AEROSPACE

AI summary

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for storing, transporting, and using hydrogen. In some embodiments, the method may comprise (a) storing hydrogen fuel in one or more fuel storage modules; (b) transporting the one or more fuel storage modules to a vehicle fueling site, wherein one or more hydrogen fuel compatible vehicles are located at or near the vehicle fueling site; (c) loading the one or more fuel storage modules into the one or more hydrogen fuel compatible vehicles, wherein the one or more fuel storage modules are configured to be releasably coupled to the one or more hydrogen fuel compatible vehicles; and (d) decoupling the one or more fuel storage modules from the one or more hydrogen fuel compatible vehicles after the one or more fuel storage modules are depleted or partially depleted.