Interconnected Pressure Containers with Safety Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional large-volume spherical/cylindrical tanks are inefficient in utilizing structural spaces for storing pressurized fuels like hydrogen, leading to potential leaks and safety issues due to their design, whereas chain tanks or pipe stores with smaller diameters and thinner walls are more vulnerable to damage and leaks.
Innovation Solution
A pressure container arrangement with multiple interconnected pressure containers and safety valves that limit leaks by closing at predetermined maximum throughflow and pressure differences, ensuring that gas can only escape through adjacent safety valves, thereby enhancing safety without impairing normal operational functionalities like filling and gas removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional large-volume spherical/cylindrical tanks are used, then storage capacity is sufficient, but structural space utilization is poor and leak risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage system into multiple smaller pressure containers (first, second, third pressure containers) with different volumes instead of using a single large tank. This segmentation allows the system to better adapt to available structural spaces while maintaining sufficient total storage capacity for pressurized fuel.
2Adaptability or versatility
If chain tanks or pipe stores with smaller diameters are used, then structural space utilization improves, but wall thickness must be reduced and vulnerability to damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the storage system into multiple smaller pressure containers, each container can have optimized wall thickness appropriate to its size and pressure requirements. The smaller containers can utilize structural spaces more effectively while maintaining adequate strength through proper wall thickness design for each individual container.
Solution Approach 2:
Each pressure container can have locally optimized wall thickness and material properties suited to its specific size, position, and pressure requirements. This allows smaller containers to be stronger relative to their size compared to a scaled-down version of a large tank, as each can be independently designed for its local conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pressure containers are used to improve space utilization, then adaptability improves, but system complexity and potential leak points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces safety valves as intermediary devices between the pressure containers. These safety valves monitor and control the connections between containers, automatically closing to isolate sections in case of leaks or damage. This intermediary safety mechanism manages the complexity of multiple containers by providing automated protection at connection points.
4Reliability
If safety valves are added between pressure containers to limit leak propagation, then safety improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Safety valves serve as intermediary protective devices positioned at strategic connection points between pressure containers. They provide automated leak containment by closing when pressure differentials or flow rates indicate a leak, thereby limiting gas escape to individual container volumes. This approach improves safety while minimizing complexity by placing safety valves only at critical inter-container connections rather than throughout the entire system.
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 arrangement minimizes the effects of leaks and damage by containing gas release to individual pressure containers, reducing the risk of burst and fire hazards, while maintaining operational efficiency and using materials more economically by reducing wall thickness without compromising safety.
Implementation Method 1
The safety valves are constructed to close from a predetermined maximum throughflow and/or from a predetermined maximum pressure difference
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure container arrangement includes a plurality of pressure containers, a number of safety valves, and a number of connection lines. The plurality of pressure containers are connected in fluid terms by the number of connection lines. At least one of the number of safety valves is disposed between a respective two of the plurality of pressure containers which are connected to each other. The number of safety valves are constructed to close from a predetermined maximum throughflow and/or from a predetermined maximum pressure difference.