Nested Solenoid Shut-Off Valve for High-Pressure Hydrogen Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
High safety requirements and high system pressures in fuel cell tank shut-off valves result in structurally challenging and space-consuming designs, leading to increased weight and potential deformation during accidents.
Innovation Solution
A double-stroke switching valve with two magnet armatures and a single magnetic coil, where the second magnet armature is accommodated within the first, reduces installation space and weight by eliminating the need for control rooms and minimizing magnetic force requirements, with a spring and stop element aiding in the opening mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional shut-off valves are designed to meet high safety requirements and withstand high system pressures (800 bar or more), then the valve structure becomes complex and space-consuming, but this increases the installation space requirements and overall weight of the tank system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the second magnetic armature is received within a recess of the first magnetic armature. This nesting arrangement allows both armatures to occupy the same spatial envelope, significantly reducing the overall installation space while maintaining the dual-functionality required for high-pressure safety operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple valve functions into a single integrated valve device that handles both the main gas flow control and safety shutdown functions. By merging these functions into one compact unit rather than using separate valves, the installation space is reduced while still meeting stringent safety requirements for high-pressure hydrogen storage systems
2Reliability
If conventional shut-off valves are designed with complex structures to meet safety requirements, then the valve functionality is ensured, but the overall weight of the tank system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested arrangement of the second magnetic armature within the first magnetic armature eliminates the need for additional heavy structural support components that would be required for separate valve assemblies. This nesting reduces material usage and overall weight while maintaining the robust safety functionality needed for high-pressure operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical valve actuation mechanisms with a magnetic field-based control system using magnetic armatures and a magnetic coil. This substitution eliminates heavy mechanical linkages, springs, and actuators, significantly reducing the valve assembly weight while maintaining reliable safety shutdown functionality
3Reliability
If conventional shut-off valves are designed with complex structures, then safety is ensured, but the valve assembly becomes susceptible to deformation during accidents involving high acceleration forces
Solution Approach 1:
The nested structure of the magnetic armatures creates a compact, tightly integrated valve assembly with reduced external protrusions and concentrated mass distribution. This configuration improves the valve's resistance to deformation under high acceleration forces during accidents, as the compact nested structure has a lower moment of inertia and better structural integrity compared to extended complex mechanical mechanisms
4Volume of stationary object
If a single magnetic coil is used to move both magnetic armatures, then the installation space and weight are reduced, but the control mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetically coupled intermediary mechanism where the first magnetic armature and second magnetic armature interact through magnetic fields rather than direct mechanical contact. This magnetic coupling acts as an intermediary that allows a single magnetic coil to control both armatures sequentially, reducing installation space while the magnetic field interaction simplifies the control mechanism compared to traditional mechanical linkages
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
The solution reduces installation space and weight, allowing for efficient hydrogen flow control with lower magnetic force requirements, enhancing safety and operational efficiency in fuel cell systems.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second magnetic armatures are encompassed by a magnetic assembly, by means of which the first and second magnetic armatures are movable along the longitudinal axis by means of exactly one magnetic coil
Implementation Method 2
a spring is arranged in the valve housing, which spring exerts a force on the second magnetic armature in the direction of the second sealing seat, thereby exerting a force on the first magnetic armature in the direction of the first sealing seat
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a valve device (100) for a gaseous medium, in particular hydrogen, comprising a valve housing (6) and a solenoid armature (14) which is arranged in the valve housing and can move along the longitudinal axis (18) and which interacts with a first sealing seat (32) in order to open and close an outlet opening (40). Furthermore, the valve housing (6) is equipped with a second solenoid armature (16) which can be moved along the longitudinal axis (18) and which is at least partly received in a recess (38) of the first solenoid armature (14), and the second solenoid armature (16) interacts with a second sealing seat (34) in order to open and close an outlet opening (20) formed in the first solenoid armature (14). The first solenoid armature (14) and the second solenoid armature (16) are additionally surrounded by a magnet device (11), by means of which the first solenoid armature (14) and the second solenoid armature (16) can be moved along the longitudinal axis (18) using precisely one solenoid (10).