Gaseous-Medium Tank Actuation With Millisecond Valve Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tank devices for storing gaseous media in vehicles require numerous valves, increasing complexity and cost due to large valve cross-sections and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving simultaneous opening of control valves in tank containers at millisecond intervals, coupled with a compact design using pressure-controlled solenoid valves and a melt safety valve to manage gaseous medium flow, ensuring efficient mass flow without enlarging valve cross-sections and incorporating safety features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional safety precautions are implemented in tank devices, then safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring a large number of valves
Solution Approach 1:
The tank device is divided into multiple tank containers (first tank container, second tank container) with individual control valves. This segmentation allows independent control of each tank, enabling simplified safety logic where valves can be selectively opened or closed based on which tank needs to supply gas, rather than requiring complex interlocking safety systems across the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is pre-programmed with safety logic that automatically determines which tank container(s) to open based on predetermined criteria (such as pressure levels, temperature, or failure conditions). This preliminary programming eliminates the need for complex real-time decision-making circuits and multiple safety valves, as the control strategy is established in advance.
2Productivity
If larger valve cross-sections are used to achieve required maximum mass flow, then mass flow capability is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The total mass flow requirement is distributed across multiple tank containers and their respective control valves. Instead of requiring one large valve to handle the entire maximum mass flow, each valve only needs to handle a portion of the total flow, allowing for smaller, more compact valve cross-sections while maintaining overall system productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple tank containers are merged into a single functional unit that collectively supplies the required mass flow to the consumer system. The control unit coordinates the operation of multiple valves and tanks to achieve the combined mass flow output, effectively merging the flow capacity of individual smaller valves to meet the total system requirement.
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
Achieves a structurally compact and cost-effective tank device capable of managing high mass flow while minimizing load on control units and ensuring safety against overheating or rupture.
Implementation Method 1
each tank container having at least one pressure-controlled control valve
Implementation Method 2
The associated magnet assembly for controlling the control valves
Implementation Method 3
The melt safety valve opens when a predetermined temperature threshold is exceeded
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for actuating a tank device (1) for storing a gaseous medium, comprising at least two tank containers (2) and a feed line (3) which can be connected to the tank containers (2). Each tank container (2) has at least one pressure-controlled control valve (5), via which gaseous medium flows from the tank device (1) into the feed line (3) in the direction of a load system (40). The invention is characterized by the following step: a. simultaneously opening the control valves (5) of the tank container (2) in a span of milliseconds while supplying the load system (40) such that a gaseous medium is conducted from the tank device (1) in the direction of the load system (40) via the feed line (3).