Vehicle Pressure Vessel Blocking Unit External Energy Interface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure vessel systems for vehicles, particularly those using hydrogen fuel, face challenges in reliably and efficiently transitioning to a safe state, especially in emergency situations like accidents, due to the need for electrical energy to operate the blocking units and the lack of a standardized method for external energy supply.
Innovation Solution
A pressure vessel system with a blocking unit that can be opened by electrical current, an access interface unit for external energy supply, and a relief valve for safe fuel discharge, allowing for reliable and efficient transfer to a safe state independent of the vehicle's onboard network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blocking unit is used to prevent fuel passage in a rest state, then safety is improved, but the system requires electrical energy to operate which may not be available in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking unit is designed to be closed in the rest state (safe state) and open in the active state (operational state), inverting the conventional approach where valves are typically open by default. This ensures that fuel passage is blocked unless actively opened by the control unit receiving electrical energy, providing inherent safety when energy is unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system design allows the blocking unit to maintain its safe closed state without requiring external energy input. The blocking unit naturally remains closed unless actively opened, and can be passively reopened through mechanical means such as impact forces in accident scenarios, making the system self-sufficient for safety functions even when electrical energy is unavailable.
2Ease of operation
If the blocking unit is controlled by the vehicle's onboard electrical network, then the system can be operated during normal vehicle operation, but it cannot be accessed independently in emergency situations when the onboard network fails
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking unit control system is designed to accept electrical signals from multiple sources: the vehicle's onboard control unit during normal operation, and external power supplies during emergencies. This multi-functional capability ensures the system can be operated both during normal vehicle operation and independently when the onboard network fails, accommodating diverse operational scenarios.
3Reliability
If pressure vessels are equipped with blocking units for safety, then fuel leakage is prevented, but the system complexity increases due to additional control components
Solution Approach 1:
The control functionality for the blocking unit is extracted as a separate control unit that can receive signals from either the onboard network or external sources. This modular extraction simplifies the overall system architecture by separating the blocking control function from the vehicle's main control system, reducing the complexity burden on the primary vehicle control architecture while maintaining fuel leakage prevention capabilities.
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
Enables reliable and efficient transfer of pressure vessels to a safe state by allowing external energy supply and controlled fuel discharge, ensuring safety and convenience for emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
an electric current can be used to cause an electromagnet in the control unit to generate a magnetic field to open the blocking unit
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure vessel system for a vehicle includes a pressure vessel and a fuel line. The system also includes a blocking unit which, in an inoperative state, prevents fuel from passing out of the pressure vessel into the fuel line. A control unit for the blocking unit is designed, under the action of electrical energy, to transfer the blocking unit from the inoperative state into an active state in which fuel can pass out of the pressure vessel into the fuel line. Furthermore, the system includes an electrically conducting connection to an electrical system of the vehicle via which electrical energy can be provided for controlling the blocking unit. In addition, the system includes an access interface unit via which electrical energy for controlling the blocking unit can be provided from an external energy supply if no electrical energy is available from the electrical system of the vehicle.