Onboard Hydrogen Refill Port Layout for Mobile Tank-to-Tank Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen refilling technologies are large-scale, expensive, and complex, limiting their widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
A movable body equipped with a hydrogen consuming device, multiple hydrogen tanks, a filling port, refill port, and supply pipes that allow for refilling hydrogen to external destinations using a smaller, simpler configuration, including a pressure reducer and a removable hydrogen refill module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hydrogen stations or mobile hydrogen stations are used to supply hydrogen to external destinations, then hydrogen refilling can be achieved, but the system becomes large-scale, expensive, and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogen tanks in the movable body serve dual purposes: they supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device for the vehicle's own operation, and simultaneously serve as refilling sources for external destinations through the refill port. This eliminates the need for dedicated external hydrogen storage and supply equipment, dramatically simplifying the system while maintaining reliable refilling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable body uses its own hydrogen tanks and onboard piping systems to perform the refilling function, rather than relying on external hydrogen station infrastructure. The vehicle essentially refills itself and other vehicles using its carried hydrogen, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating complex external support infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated mobile hydrogen stations are deployed, then hydrogen supply to external destinations is enabled, but cost and system size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogen tanks and piping infrastructure are designed to serve multiple functions: primary hydrogen supply for vehicle operation and secondary refilling function for external destinations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated refilling equipment, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The refilling function is merged with the vehicle's existing hydrogen storage and supply system. The refill port and second supply pipe are integrated into the existing tank and piping architecture, combining refilling capability with the vehicle's operational systems rather than adding separate dedicated infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If simple refilling configurations are used, then system size and cost are reduced, but the ability to refill external destinations is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The refilling function is extracted as a separate, independent capability through the dedicated refill port and second supply pipe. These components can be selectively activated without affecting the primary hydrogen supply function, allowing the refilling capability to be added to the simple vehicle system without complicating the core operational systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogen supply system is segmented into distinct functional pathways: the first supply pipe for vehicle operation and the second supply pipe for refilling. This segmentation allows each function to operate independently with dedicated components, maintaining system simplicity while enabling versatile refilling capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A movable body may include: a hydrogen consuming device configured to consume hydrogen; at least one hydrogen tank configured to be filled with hydrogen; a filling port configured to receive hydrogen filled from outside the movable body; a filing pipe connecting the filling port and the hydrogen tank; a first supply pipe configured to supply hydrogen from the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen consuming device; a refill port configured to refill hydrogen to a refill destination outside the movable body; and a second supply pipe connecting the hydrogen tank and the refill port.