Split-Cover Assembly for Solid Hydrogen Storage in Inert Atmospheres

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for assembling solid hydrogen storage systems require significant time and cost to establish an inert atmosphere, limit assembly precision, and restrict the size and weight of components due to the use of glove boxes.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method utilizing split covers with gas injection ports to create a closed space for assembling material blocks in an inert atmosphere, allowing for efficient gas injection and separation to prevent oxidation and moisture contact, while using support rods and connecting members to enhance structural stability and precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a glove box is used to form an inert atmosphere for assembling material blocks, then the material blocks are protected from oxidation and moisture, but the assembly process requires considerable time and cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from oxidation and moistureVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure vessel is divided into multiple chambers separated by partition walls, with each chamber capable of being independently filled with inert gas. This segmentation allows inert gas to be injected into individual chambers rather than requiring a large glove box environment for the entire assembly process, significantly reducing the time and cost while maintaining protection from oxidation and moisture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a glove box is used to assemble material blocks, then protection from air and moisture is provided, but assembly precision is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from air and moistureVSAvoidassembly precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the pressure vessel into smaller chambers with partition walls, each chamber provides a controlled inert gas environment that is more manageable and precise than a large glove box. The smaller confined spaces allow for better positioning and assembly precision of material blocks while maintaining the necessary protection from air and moisture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a glove box is used for assembly, then an inert atmosphere is provided, but the size and weight of components that can be assembled are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinert atmosphere protectionVSAvoidrange of sizes and weights

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure vessel is segmented into multiple chambers that can be stacked vertically using extension pieces. This modular design allows the system to accommodate material blocks of various sizes and weights by configuring the number and arrangement of chambers, providing greater adaptability compared to a fixed-size glove box while maintaining inert atmosphere protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Chambers are arranged in a nested or stacked configuration within the pressure vessel, with extension pieces allowing vertical stacking. This nesting approach maximizes the use of space and allows larger and heavier components to be assembled by distributing them across multiple stacked chambers rather than being constrained by a single glove box volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Stability of the object's composition

If multiple material blocks are assembled in a pressure vessel, then a compact structure is formed, but it requires work in an inert gas atmosphere which is time-consuming and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompact structureVSAvoidassembly cost and time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure vessel is divided into multiple chambers with partition walls, allowing inert gas to be injected into individual chambers rather than requiring a complete glove box environment. This segmentation enables compact assembly of multiple material blocks while significantly reducing the cost and time associated with creating and maintaining a full inert gas atmosphere, as only the specific chambers being worked on need inert gas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 approach reduces the time and cost associated with forming an inert atmosphere, improves assembly precision, and enables the assembly of larger and heavier components, while maintaining protection from oxidation and moisture.

Implementation Method 1

gas injection ports provided in the split covers to inject an inert gas into a space inside the split covers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInert atmosphere:

Data Source

PatentUS12181048B2Apparatus and method for assembling solid hydrogen storage system

Publication Date: 2024.12.31 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus for assembling a solid hydrogen storage system includes a lower support installed to support a lower side of material blocks to be assembled, split covers assembled in multiple stages on an upper side of the lower support and forming therein a closed space in which the material blocks are capable of being assembled, the split covers being configured to be separated in a horizontal direction, and gas injection ports provided in the split covers to inject an inert gas into an inner space of the split covers.