Two-Stage Gas Tank Layout for Shorter High-Pressure Fuel Lines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas leakage from combustible gas tanks in dual fuel internal combustion engines leads to greenhouse gas emissions and increased fuel consumption, and the high-pressure pipes required for these systems are difficult to install and pose safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A gas tank arrangement with a low-pressure section and a high-pressure section, where the first fuel pump increases pressure to 50 bar and a second fuel pump further increases it to 250-500 bar, reducing the need for long high-pressure pipes and minimizing safety risks, using a Stirling engine or electric motor for propulsion and an after-treatment system to reduce emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If high-pressure pipes are used to transport combustible gas from the gas tank to the fuel injectors, then the gas can be delivered at the required pressure level, but the installation becomes difficult and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pressure increase function into two separate stages performed by two different fuel pumps. The first fuel pump increases pressure to an intermediate level, and the second fuel pump further increases it to the final high pressure level required by the fuel injectors. This segmentation allows the system to avoid using long high-pressure pipes from the gas tank, reducing installation difficulty and safety risks while still achieving the required pressure delivery.
2Reliability
If long high-pressure pipes are used to connect the gas tank to the fuel injectors, then the system can function, but safety risks and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pressure boosting function into two distinct stages with two separate fuel pumps positioned at different locations. The first pump is located near the gas tank and provides initial pressure increase, while the second pump is positioned closer to the fuel injectors and provides the final pressure boost. This eliminates the need for long high-pressure piping runs, thereby reducing system complexity and safety risks while maintaining full functionality.
3Device complexity
If a single fuel pump is used to increase pressure to the required level, then the system is simpler, but it cannot achieve the necessary high pressure levels for fuel injection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs two fuel pumps in series to achieve the required high pressure levels. The first fuel pump raises the pressure to an intermediate level, and the second fuel pump further increases it to the final high pressure level needed by the fuel injectors. This segmented approach allows the system to achieve the necessary pressure levels that would be difficult or impossible to attain with a single pump, while keeping each individual pump relatively simple in design.
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 minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, reduces the complexity and safety risks of high-pressure pipe installation, and simplifies manufacturing by dividing the gas tank into two modules, while also providing a more efficient and safer high-pressure system for dual fuel engines.
Implementation Method 1
a first fuel pump arranged downstream the gas tank and arranged to increase the pressure level of the combustible gas to a first pressure level
Implementation Method 2
a second fuel pump arranged downstream the first fuel pump and arranged to increase the pressure level of the combustible gas to a second pressure level, wherein the second pressure level is higher than the first pressure level
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a gas tank arrangement (100) for an internal combustion engine (102), said gas tank arrangement (100) comprising a gas tank (104) for containing a combustible gas, a first fuel pump (106) arranged downstream said gas tank (104) and arranged to increase the pressure level of the combustible gas to a first pressure level, wherein the gas tank arrangement (100) further comprises a second fuel pump (108) arranged downstream the first fuel pump (106) and arranged to increase the pressure level of the combustible gas to a second pressure level, wherein said second pressure level is higher than said first pressure level.