Thermal Pressure Relief Valve With Remote Heat Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal pressure relief devices for gas pressure tanks are unreliable in detecting local heat impacts and have inadequate fatigue strength, particularly in high-pressure vessel units used for storing gaseous hydrogen, leading to potential integrity compromises during fires.
Innovation Solution
A thermal pressure relief device with multiple detection areas, including a valve unit and trigger means that can detect heat impacts at locations other than its installation site, enhancing reliability and fatigue strength, and featuring a simple structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thermal pressure relief device is installed on a gas pressure tank, then the device can detect heat impact at its installation location, but it cannot detect heat impacts at other locations on the tank or in the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluidic intermediary system (test track with liquid or gas under pressure) that transmits thermal effects from remote locations to the relief device. The intermediary fluid carries temperature information from detection locations throughout the vehicle to the relief device, enabling indirect detection without direct thermal contact at the installation site.
Solution Approach 2:
The relief device is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a pressure relief mechanism and a thermal detection system. By integrating temperature sensing capabilities and fluidic transmission pathways, the single device monitors thermal conditions at multiple locations while maintaining its primary pressure relief function, eliminating the need for separate detection systems.
2Reliability
If the relief device is activated by heat impact, then it can respond to thermal events, but it cannot distinguish between heat at its installation location and heat at other locations
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent detection locations distributed throughout the vehicle or tank. Each location has its own detection point connected to the relief device through separate fluidic pathways, allowing the system to monitor thermal conditions at discrete locations and respond to the specific location where thermal runaway occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluidic intermediary (test track filled with liquid or gas) serves as a transmission medium that carries thermal information from remote detection locations to the relief device. The intermediary fluid allows thermal effects to be transmitted over distance while maintaining the ability to distinguish between different heat sources based on which fluid pathway is affected.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple structure is used for the relief device, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but the fatigue strength and reliability in high-pressure applications are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The relief device utilizes the stored energy within the high-pressure vessel itself (the pressurized liquid or gas in the test track) as the activation mechanism. The system is self-activating through pressure differential created by thermal expansion or contraction of the intermediary fluid, eliminating the need for external power sources, sensors, or complex control systems that would reduce reliability in high-pressure environments.
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 device improves detection of local heat impacts, ensuring reliable operation even in high-pressure vessel units, reducing costs and maintaining integrity by detecting heat at multiple locations, thus preventing critical states in gas pressure tanks.
Implementation Method 1
a first trigger means configured to shift and/or move, due to heat impact, in particular when reaching a predetermined temperature, the locking element into the open position
Data Source
AI summary
A gas pressure tank system is disclosed, and includes at least one gas pressure tank comprising a thermal pressure relief device. The thermal pressure relief device may include a valve unit fluidically connected to the at least one gas pressure tank and including at least one fluid path, by way of which a gas stored in the at least one gas pressure tank can be discharged into an environment. The valve unit may include a locking element which can be moved between an open position, in which the gas can flow through the fluid path, and a closed position, in which no gas can flow through the fluid path. The thermal pressure relief device may include a first trigger means configured to detect heat impact at least at one location of the gas pressure tank system spatially separated from the installation location of the thermal pressure relief device.