Leak mitigation for pressurized bi-directional systems
View Patent ↗A bi-directional pressurized system with devices for and configured to mitigate issues associated with leak and creep phenomena at various stages throughout the system, including valves and controls to distribute a leaked amount of fluid prior to delivery to a pressure-sensitive destination and a pressure relief valve to bring an initial pressure within an acceptable range for distribution to reach a target pressure is disclosed. A startup method for mitigating leakage of the system during a rest phase, including selectively reducing the initial pressure upstream of a pressure-sensitive destination, is disclosed.
1. A system for mitigating leaks, comprising:
a fluid source;
an injector;
a regulator disposed between the fluid source and the injector;
a system isolation valve disposed between the regulator and the injector;
a first line connecting the fluid source to the regulator;
a second line connecting the regulator to the system isolation valve, the second line having a second volume;
a bleed valve fluidly connecting a pressure relief valve to the second line;
a third line connecting the system isolation valve to the injector, the third line having a third volume;
wherein the combined second volume and third volume is configured to reduce an initial pressure of a fluid in the first line to a distribution pressure when the system isolation valve is opened;
wherein the system isolation valve is configured to open if the distribution pressure is equal to a target pressure for the injector; and,
wherein the pressure relief valve is configured to vent the fluid in the second line if the bleed valve is open.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid source is a storage tank having a tank valve.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the distribution pressure is defined as a pressure resulting from a substantially even distribution of the fluid in the second line across the combined volume of the second line and the third line.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the injector is disposed between the second line and a fuel cell.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a low pressure sensor configured to sense the pressure in the second line.
6. A system for mitigating leaks, comprising:
a fluid source;
an injector;
a regulator disposed between the fluid source and the injector;
a system isolation valve disposed between the regulator and the injector;
a first line connecting the fluid source to the regulator;
a second line connecting the regulator to the system isolation valve, the second line having a second volume;
a bleed valve fluidly connecting a pressure relief valve to the second line;
a third line connecting the system isolation valve to the injector, the third line having a third volume;
wherein the pressure relief valve is configured to release pressure in the second line, based upon a ratio of the second volume to the third volume, if the pressure exceeds a predetermined value; and
wherein the pressure relief valve is configured to vent the fluid in the second line if the bleed valve is open.
7. A system for mitigating leaks, comprising:
a fluid source;
an injector;
a regulator disposed between the fluid source and the injector;
a system isolation valve disposed between the regulator and the injector;
a first line connecting the fluid source to the regulator;
a second line connecting the regulator to the system isolation valve, the second line having a second volume;
a bleed valve fluidly connecting a pressure relief valve to the second line;
a third line connecting the system isolation valve to the injector, the third line having a third volume; and
wherein the system isolation valve is configured to open and distribute pressure in the second line, based upon a ratio of the second volume to the third volume, across the second line and third line when the pressure in the second line is less than a predetermined value.