Vehicle Tank Cooling Shield for Hydrogen Fire Risk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles using pressurized gas or hydrogen tanks face the risk of explosion due to their volatility and reactivity, posing a threat to property and safety in accidents, necessitating effective emergency cooling systems.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle emergency system with a cooling method and components including a source of cooling fluid, diffuser means, and pumping means to create a targeted fluid shield around the tanks, activated by sensors detecting temperature or impact, ensuring automatic and continuous cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If pressurized gas or hydrogen tanks are used in vehicles, then alternative fuel efficiency is improved, but the risk of explosion and fire damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency cooling system is pre-positioned around the fuel tanks with diffuser means and cooling fluid reservoirs already in place. Upon detection of fire or excessive temperature by sensors, the system automatically activates to cool the tanks before they reach critical failure temperatures, preventing explosion. This preliminary protective action resolves the contradiction by maintaining the beneficial use of pressurized alternative fuels while preemptively addressing the explosion risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water or foam as an intermediary cooling fluid between the fire hazard and the fuel tanks. The diffuser means distributes this intermediary substance around the tanks to absorb heat and prevent direct thermal contact between the fire environment and the pressurized fuel containers. This intermediary layer allows the vehicle to safely use pressurized alternative fuels while blocking the harmful thermal effects.
2Reliability
If cooling systems are activated to prevent tank explosion, then safety is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency cooling system incorporates sensors that automatically detect fire or excessive temperature conditions and trigger the cooling mechanism without requiring external intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring its own operational environment and activating protective measures autonomously. This self-service capability improves tank safety while minimizing the need for complex external control systems and manual intervention protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is designed to serve multiple functions: it cools the pressurized fuel tanks during fire conditions, prevents thermal runaway, and can operate with different types of cooling fluids (water or foam). The diffuser means and pumping mechanism are universally applicable to various tank configurations and fuel types. This multi-functionality improves overall system reliability without proportionally increasing complexity, as a single system architecture handles multiple protective roles.
3Temperature
If diffuser means are positioned to surround tanks, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but space requirements and vehicle design complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser means are positioned in a nested arrangement around the fuel tanks, with cooling fluid reservoirs and piping integrated into the existing vehicle structure. The diffuser elements are arranged concentrically or in layered configurations that maximize cooling surface area contact with the tanks while minimizing the external footprint. This nesting approach improves cooling effectiveness by ensuring comprehensive tank coverage without requiring excessive additional space that would increase vehicle dimensions or design complexity.
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 system effectively prevents tank overheating and explosion by creating a cooling shield, protecting the storage system and ensuring safety through automatic activation and continuous operation, even in malfunction scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
diffuser means (10) configured to sprinkle said cooling fluid on said storage system (4)
Implementation Method 2
cool, in a targeted way, a storage system (4)
Data Source
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AI summary
Vehicle (1) comprising a frame (2) carried movable with respect to the ground through a plurality of wheels (3) and provided with at least one storage system (4) for a combustible gas suitable for being used by a propulsion system of the vehicle (1) to allow its movement, the vehicle comprising an emergency system (7) comprising a source (9) of cooling fluid, diffuser means (10) and pumping means (11), the latter being configured to pump the fluid from the source (9) and send it, pressurized, to the diffuser means (10), these diffuser means (10) being configured to generate a shield of refrigerant fluid around the storage system (4), the pumping means (11) automatically activate if there is a temperature rise in a predetermined area (8) of the vehicle greater than a threshold temperature and / or an impact of said vehicle (1) is detected.