Submarine Reformer Gas Sensor Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Submarines face challenges in safely monitoring escaping gases due to pressure fluctuations, which distort gas sensor readings and lead to unnecessary system shutdowns, and encapsulating a reformer to withstand pressure differences is space and weight intensive.
Innovation Solution
A submarine reformer design with integrated cooling fans and sensors at the gas outlet, along with an evaluation unit that accounts for sensor cross-sensitivities and ambient conditions, allows for reliable gas detection without requiring separate gas supply and reduces the need for pressure-resistant housing, optimizing weight and space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas sensors are used to monitor escaping gases in the submarine, then gas detection capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to pressure fluctuations distorting sensor readings
Solution Approach 1:
A cooler is introduced as an intermediary component between the reformer and the gas sensors. The cooler stabilizes the temperature of the gas stream before it reaches the sensors, creating a controlled intermediate environment that isolates the sensors from the harmful pressure and temperature fluctuations in the submarine environment, thereby maintaining both detection capability and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system actively controls and stabilizes the temperature parameter of the gas stream passing through the cooler. By maintaining a constant temperature in the cooler, the system compensates for pressure fluctuations and ensures that sensor readings remain accurate despite changes in submarine ambient pressure
2Reliability
If the reformer is encapsulated in a pressure-tight housing to withstand pressure differences, then reliability is improved, but weight and volume increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-resistant function is extracted from the reformer housing and transferred to the submarine's existing pressure hull. The reformer housing itself is designed without pressure resistance requirements, allowing it to be much lighter and simpler, while the submarine's pressure hull continues to provide the necessary pressure containment for the entire internal environment
Solution Approach 2:
The submarine's pressure hull serves a dual function: it maintains the pressure differential for the entire submarine environment and simultaneously protects internal components including the reformer from pressure effects. This eliminates the need for a separate pressure-resistant reformer housing
3Device complexity
If sensors are arranged at the gas outlet of the cooler or fan, then device complexity is reduced by eliminating separate gas supply, but temperature control becomes critical for reliable measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The gas transport function (fan) and gas cooling function (cooler) are merged into a single integrated system that directly feeds the gas stream to the sensors. This eliminates the need for separate gas supply lines and complex delivery mechanisms, simplifying the overall device while the cooler ensures temperature stabilization for reliable sensor operation
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 design enhances the reliability of gas measurement results, reduces unnecessary system shutdowns, and conserves space and weight by controlling environmental conditions within the reformer housing, ensuring safe and efficient operation across varying pressure ranges.
Implementation Method 1
the reformer has at least one first cooler for cooling the air in the reformer housing
Implementation Method 2
the at least one first fan is designed to pass the air through the at least one first cooler
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a submarine having a reformer, wherein the reformer has a reformer housing, wherein the reformer has at least one cooler for cooling the air in the reformer housing. The at least one first cooler is arranged in the interior of the reformer housing. The reformer has at least one first fan. The at least one first fan is designed to guide the air through the at least one first cooler. The reformer has a first sensor for a first gas. The at least one first sensor is arranged on the gas outlet of the at least one first fan.