Ford's Innovative Solution for Safer and More Efficient Hydrogen Tanks in Trucks
Key Ideas
- Ford patents new technology to enhance safety and increase driving range of vehicles using compressed gas tanks.
- Innovative design involves hinged brackets to move tanks away from the vehicle's chassis and off the ground in the event of a side impact.
- Additional safety features like tethers, stop limits, and high-strength composite materials are incorporated to prevent tank detachment and puncturing.
- Potential integration with advanced driver assistance systems for real-time tank relocation during impacts to further enhance safety measures.
Ford has recently filed a patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a new innovation aimed at improving the safety and efficiency of vehicles powered by compressed gas, such as hydrogen. The patent outlines a unique solution designed specifically for trucks like the F-250 or F-350 Super Duty pickups. One of the key challenges with compressed gas tanks in vehicles is their space consumption and the potential catastrophic consequences of tank rupture in accidents. Ford's solution involves the addition of hinged brackets outside the vehicle's chassis to accommodate extra tanks, enabling increased capacity without compromising safety. In the event of a side impact, these brackets can detach, allowing the tanks to rotate beneath the vehicle and away from the impact zone. To prevent tank detachment, the design includes tethers and stop limits, along with the use of high-strength composite materials like carbon fiber. There is also a proposal to integrate electronic controllers and sensors to work in tandem with advanced driver assistance systems, ensuring real-time tank relocation during impacts. This innovative approach signifies a positive step towards making hydrogen power safer and more viable for automotive applications, although further development is still needed in the hydrogen technology sector.