Vehicle Fuel Gas Pressure Release Control Near Confined Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrogen and other liquid gas vehicles face the challenge of unintended pressure release in confined spaces due to boil-off, which can be hazardous and inefficient, as existing systems lack proactive control over pressure ventilation.
Innovation Solution
A computer system with a processor, sensor assembly, and navigational system that anticipates approaching confined spaces and preemptively ventilates the estimated amount of fuel gas to maintain pressure below the threshold, preventing automatic ventilation in confined areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressure release valve is used to automatically ventilate the tank when pressure exceeds the threshold, then the tank pressure is reduced to acceptable levels, but fuel gas is released into confined spaces creating hazardous situations and gas pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting the vehicle's approach to confined spaces using navigational systems and GPS before the vehicle enters them. The processor calculates the time of arrival and preemptively activates the pressure release valve to vent fuel gas outside the confined space, rather than waiting for automatic activation inside the confined space. This preliminary detection and action prevents the harmful effect of gas release in confined areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the vehicle's location, speed, and direction through navigational systems and sensors. The processor receives real-time data about the vehicle's movement toward confined spaces, calculates the predicted time of arrival, and adjusts the pressure release timing accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures the pressure release occurs at the optimal moment outside confined spaces.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pressure release valve is activated early to prevent pressure buildup, then gas pollution and safety risks are reduced, but transport economy deteriorates due to premature fuel gas release
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting the vehicle's approach to confined spaces using navigational systems and GPS before the vehicle enters them. The processor calculates the time of arrival and preemptively activates the pressure release valve to vent fuel gas outside the confined space, rather than waiting for automatic activation inside the confined space. This preliminary detection and action prevents the harmful effect of gas release in confined areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the vehicle's location, speed, and direction through navigational systems and sensors. The processor receives real-time data about the vehicle's movement toward confined spaces, calculates the predicted time of arrival, and adjusts the pressure release timing accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures the pressure release occurs at the optimal moment outside confined spaces.
3Ease of operation
If the automatic pressure release system is used without proactive control, then the system is simple to operate, but hazardous situations occur when gas is released in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically detecting the vehicle's approach to confined spaces, calculating the optimal pressure release timing, and activating the pressure release valve without driver intervention. The navigational system, sensors, and processor work autonomously to monitor vehicle location, predict arrival at confined spaces, and trigger pressure release at the appropriate moment, eliminating the need for manual operation while preventing hazardous gas release.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the vehicle's location, speed, and direction through navigational systems and sensors. The processor receives real-time data about the vehicle's movement toward confined spaces, calculates the predicted time of arrival, and adjusts the pressure release timing accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures the pressure release occurs at the optimal moment outside confined spaces.
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 solution minimizes the risk of gas release in confined spaces, enhancing safety and transport efficiency by proactively managing pressure release, thus avoiding hazardous situations and reducing gas pollution.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid gas on the surface captures heat energy from the surroundings and boil into gas form
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a computer system and a method for controlling pressure release in a liquid gas fuel volume of a vehicle, the vehicle including a liquid gas fuel volume, a valve controllable to ventilate a volume of fuel gas into ambient surroundings of the vehicle, a sensor assembly, a navigational system and a computer system including a processor device. The method includes, by the processor device identifying the vehicle approaching a confined space, measuring by the sensor assembly a status of the liquid gas fuel volume. Based on the measured status of the liquid gas fuel volume and on historical data, estimating an amount of fuel gas that would be released while the vehicle is located in the confined space, and controlling the valve to preemptively ventilate at least the estimated amount of fuel gas from the liquid gas fuel volume before reaching the confined space.