Improved Control of Hydrogen Purging from Vehicles Developed by Volvo Truck Corporation

Strategic Insights -

A team of researchers from Chuzelles, FR, and Lyons, FR, has developed an innovative method for controlling purging of hydrogen from heavy-duty vehicles. The patent, filed on December 6, 2022, and published on September 23, 2025, by Volvo Truck Corporation, addresses the challenges associated with managing hydrogen supply systems and hydrogen tanks in heavy-duty vehicles.

The invention involves a method for controlling purging of hydrogen from a hydrogen circuit system of a vehicle, which is implemented by a remote control system from the vehicle. The remote control system is an integral part of a hydrogen control system comprising at least one processing circuitry. The method comprises deactivating one or more vehicle functions and vehicle systems into a non-ignitable state in response to a control signal indicative of a request for purging the hydrogen circuit system. The purging process is performed when the one or more vehicle functions and vehicle systems are set into the non-ignitable state. The method also includes determining a hydrogen leaking state of any one of the at least one hydrogen tank and the hydrogen conduit, and verifying that any equipment or system of the vehicle in need of service is free of hydrogen before initiating maintenance of the equipment or system.

The proposed method provides for sequential action on different vehicle elements, components, and systems to ensure safety. It also allows for purging hydrogen from the vehicle from a remote location and reduces downtime by providing a safe means to remotely purge one or several hydrogen tanks of the vehicle.

Key Takeaways:

  • The method involves deactivating one or more vehicle functions and vehicle systems into a non-ignitable state in response to a control signal indicative of a request for purging the hydrogen circuit system.
  • The purging process is performed when the one or more vehicle functions and vehicle systems are set into the non-ignitable state.
  • The method includes determining a hydrogen leaking state of any one of the at least one hydrogen tank and the hydrogen conduit.
  • The method verifies that any equipment or system of the vehicle in need of service is free of hydrogen before initiating maintenance of the equipment or system.
  • The proposed method provides for sequential action on different vehicle elements, components, and systems to ensure safety.
  • The method allows for purging hydrogen from the vehicle from a remote location.
  • The method reduces downtime by providing a safe means to remotely purge one or several hydrogen tanks of the vehicle.
  • The hydrogen control system comprises a remote control system from the vehicle, a controllable vent valve arrangement, and a purging control arrangement.
  • The controllable vent valve arrangement is configured to purge any hydrogen from the hydrogen circuit system in response to a control signal indicative of hydrogen leaking from the hydrogen circuit system.
  • The hydrogen control system is configured to determine an ignitable state of the one or more vehicle functions and vehicle systems and deactivate the one or more vehicle functions and vehicle systems into corresponding non-ignitable states.

Statistics:

  • The patent was filed on December 6, 2022.
  • The patent was published on September 23, 2025.
  • The patent number is 12422104.
  • The patent is owned by Volvo Truck Corporation.

Sources:

  • Maitre, Julien, et al. Method for controlling purging of hydrogen from a hydrogen circuit of a vehicle. U.S. Patent Number 12422104, filed December 6, 2022, and published online on September 23, 2025.
  • Volvo Truck Corporation. (n.d.). Patent URL (for desktop use only): https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/external.html?q=(12422104)&db=USPAT&type=ids