Shut-off valve device for a fuel supply system for supplying an internal combustion engine with hydrogen, pressure regulating device for such a fuel supply system and fuel supply system

Abstract

Shut-off valve assembly (32) for a fuel supply system (10) for supplying gaseous fuel from a high-pressure tank (12) to a consumer, for example an internal combustion engine, comprising a tank-side inlet (54), a consumer-side outlet (56), a fluid connection (51) connecting the inlet (54) to the outlet (56), in which a shut-off valve (58) is arranged, which has a movable valve element (82) for opening and closing the shut-off valve (82), characterized in that the shut-off valve assembly (32) further comprises a control chamber (84) in which a control chamber-side fluid pressure prevails, and the control chamber (84) is coupled to the valve element (82) such that the control chamber-side fluid pressure acts on the valve element (82) in an opening direction, and the control chamber (82) is connected via a control line (53) in which at least one actuator-controllable control valve is located. (64, 64.1, 64.2, 64.3) is provided to be optionally fluidically connected either to the inlet (54) or to the outlet (56) in order to open the shut-off valve (58) when the control chamber (84) is fluidically connected to the inlet (54), and to close the shut-off valve (58) when the control chamber (84) is fluidically connected to the outlet (56).

Description

State of the art

[0001] A pressure control system for a gas-powered internal combustion engine is known from DE 10 2016 205 713 A1. The pressure control system comprises a pressure regulator for setting a constant gas pressure and a shut-off valve.

[0002] From DE 10 2021 212 129 A1 a shut-off valve for a hydrogen tank system is known, comprising a main valve and a control valve.

[0003] From DE 10 2020 201 178 A1, a shut-off valve for interrupting an air supply to a fuel cell stack is known, which comprises a valve piston that, depending on its axial position, establishes or interrupts a connection between an air inlet and an air outlet and which also delimits a control chamber that can be connected to the air inlet channel via a control valve. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] The invention is based on the desire to provide a shut-off valve device for a fuel supply system for supplying gaseous fuel from a high-pressure tank to a consumer, for example, an internal combustion engine. This device should, on the one hand, have a comparatively large diameter in the open state, thus resulting in only a small pressure drop in the fuel supply system. On the other hand, the shut-off valve should be able to be opened and closed despite the high pressures due to comparatively low magnetic forces, so that the shut-off valve itself, its control mechanism, and the components that control it can be simplified.

[0005] The gaseous fuel could be, for example, hydrogen. The high pressure could be, for example, a pressure of 700 bar.

[0006] The problem underlying the invention is solved by the shut-off valve device having a tank-side inlet and a consumer-side outlet, as well as a fluid connection connecting the inlet to the outlet, in which a shut-off valve is arranged which has a movable valve element for opening and closing the shut-off valve.

[0007] The inlet can, for example, be an inlet nozzle that is detachably or indetachably connected to a housing of the shut-off valve assembly, particularly one-piece, for example by screwing or welding.

[0008] The outlet can, for example, be an outlet nozzle that is detachably or indetachably connected to the housing of the shut-off valve assembly, which is particularly of a one-piece design, for example by screwing or welding.

[0009] The fluid channel can, for example, run through the housing mentioned above, from nozzle to nozzle.

[0010] According to the invention, it is further provided that the shut-off valve assembly also has a control chamber in which a control chamber-side fluid pressure prevails, and the control chamber is coupled to the valve element in such a way that the control chamber-side fluid pressure acts on the valve element in the opening direction, and the control chamber can be selectively connected fluidically to either the inlet or the outlet via a control line in which at least one actuator-controllable control valve is provided, in order to open the shut-off valve when the control chamber is fluidly connected to the inlet, and to close the shut-off valve when the control chamber is fluidly connected to the outlet.

[0011] The function of the invention is based on the fact that an increased or increaseable gas pressure can be assumed within the fuel supply system on the inlet side of the shut-off valve assembly. If the gas pressure in the control chamber of the shut-off valve assembly is brought into equilibrium with the gas pressure on the inlet side of the shut-off valve assembly by appropriate control of the control valve, i.e., increased, this acts on the valve element of the shut-off valve in its opening direction.

[0012] On the outlet side of the shut-off valve assembly, a reduced or reducible gas pressure can be assumed within the fuel supply system. If the gas pressure in the control chamber of the shut-off valve assembly is balanced with this reduced gas pressure on the outlet side of the shut-off valve assembly by appropriately actuating the control valve, i.e., reduced, the valve element of the shut-off valve closes.

[0013] The opening and closing of the shut-off valve is initiated by the control valve. Since the control line in which it is located serves only to equalize pressure between the control chamber and the inlet or outlet side, the control valve can be selected with a relatively small flow diameter. The magnetic forces required to open or close it can then also be small, even if the shut-off valve has a large flow diameter and high forces act on the valve element in the opening and closing directions.

[0014] Connecting the control chamber to the outlet side of the shut-off valve assembly for closing the shut-off valve has the further advantage that the gaseous fuel located in the control chamber remains in the fuel supply system even when the shut-off valve is closed, meaning it is still available for combustion at a later time and does not enter its surroundings, thus preventing any dangers there.

[0015] The control valve that can be actuated at least once can be a single actuated control valve, for example an actuated three-way valve that can selectively connect its input to one of its two outputs.

[0016] The control valve that can be actuated at least once can alternatively be two (or more) actuator-controlled control valves, for example two (or more) switching valves.

[0017] For example, the control chamber can be fluidically connected to either the inlet or the outlet via a three-way valve.

[0018] The three-way valve can be actuated and installed in such a way that, in the de-energized state, it fluidly connects the control chamber to the outlet, and in the energized state, it fluidly connects the control chamber to the outlet. This ensures that when the three-way valve is de-energized, the shut-off valve closes, thus preventing further supply of gaseous fuel from the high-pressure tank to the consumer. Since a fault in the fuel supply system could potentially lead to the three-way valve losing its energization, the fuel supply system is inherently safe in this respect.

[0019] Alternatively, the control chamber can be fluidically connected to the inlet via a normally closed switching valve, or via several normally closed switching valves connected in series. Additionally, the control chamber can be fluidically connected to the outlet via another normally open switching valve. Similar to the alternative with a three-way valve, this arrangement results in the inherent safety of the fuel supply system.

[0020] The coupling of the control chamber with the valve element can be achieved by limiting the control chamber with a movable piston, wherein the piston is coupled to the valve element in such a way that a displacement of the piston, which is accompanied by an enlargement of the control chamber, opens the shut-off valve and a displacement of the piston, which is accompanied by a reduction of the control chamber, closes the shut-off valve.

[0021] It can be designed so that the area where the piston is pressurized on the control chamber side is larger than the area where the valve element is pressurized on the inlet side when the shut-off valve is closed. This allows high opening and closing forces to be generated at the shut-off valve, ensuring a high level of tightness.

[0022] In the case of the area with which the piston is pressurized on the control chamber side, and the area with which the valve element is pressurized from the inlet side when the shut-off valve is closed, in cases where these areas are not geometrically perpendicular to the direction of movement of the piston, the effective areas of the aforementioned areas must be taken into account, as is self-evident to a person skilled in the field of pneumatics.

[0023] The coupling of the control chamber with the valve element can also be done in other ways, for example by using a flexible diaphragm instead of the movable piston.

[0024] Different configurations of the shut-off valve are fundamentally possible.

[0025] Advantageously, the valve element of the shut-off valve can be designed so that it is subjected to an inlet-side fluid pressure in the closing direction and to an outlet-side fluid pressure in the opening direction. This improves the sealing performance of the shut-off valve.

[0026] Advantageously, a valve spring can be provided, whereby the valve element of the shut-off valve is acted upon in the closing direction by the valve spring. This improves the sealing of the shut-off valve.

[0027] It can be provided that, when the shut-off valve is closed, the valve spring exerts a closing force on the valve element that is greater than the opening force that an electrical actuator of the at least one control valve is capable of exerting on a control valve element of the at least one control valve. In this case, the high closing force ensures a high degree of tightness of the shut-off valve, and although only small forces need to be transmitted by the actuator of the control valve, forces act via the piston of the shut-off valve assembly that are large enough to overcome the comparatively large closing force generated by the valve spring.

[0028] The shut-off valve device according to the invention operates particularly effectively within a pressure regulating device for a fuel supply system for supplying gaseous fuel from a high-pressure tank to a consumer, wherein the pressure regulating device has an electrically controllable pressure reducing device which is fluidically arranged in the fluid connection between the inlet and the outlet, because it is precisely through the pressure reduction effected within the pressure regulating device that the aforementioned reduced or reducible gas pressure on the outlet side of the shut-off valve device or the increased or reducible gas pressure on the inlet side of the shut-off valve device can be achieved.

[0029] The electrically controlled pressure reducing device can, for example, comprise a proportional valve or several proportional valves connected in parallel, which is / are arranged fluidically in the fluid connection between the inlet and the outlet.

[0030] The pressure control device may also include a pressure sensor that fluidically senses the pressure in the fluid connection between the inlet and the outlet.

[0031] The invention also relates to a fuel supply system with such a pressure regulating device and with a high-pressure tank upstream of the pressure regulating device and with a fuel distributor and at least one injector fluidically connected to it downstream of the pressure regulating device.

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawing. This drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a fuel supply system for supplying an internal combustion engine with gaseous fuel, with a pressure regulating device which in turn includes a shut-off valve device; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a first embodiment of the pressure regulating device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a perspective view of a second embodiment of the pressure regulating device of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a hydraulic equivalent circuit diagram of the pressure control device of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 an alternative to the one in Fig. 4 embodiment shown.

[0033] A fuel supply system contributes to Fig. 1 overall the reference symbol 10. It serves to supply an internal combustion engine (not shown) with gaseous hydrogen.

[0034] The hydrogen is stored under high pressure, for example 700 bar, in a high-pressure tank 12. This tank can be filled via a filling port 14. An integrated unit 16 is also arranged on the high-pressure tank 12, consisting of a tank valve for filling and dispensing hydrogen into and out of the high-pressure tank 12 and a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the gaseous hydrogen coming out of the high-pressure tank 12.

[0035] The gaseous hydrogen travels via a pressure line 18 first to a filter 20 and from there to a high-pressure pressure regulating device 22. This reduces the pressure of the gaseous hydrogen to, for example, 40 bar. The pressure line 18 then leads from the high-pressure pressure regulating device 22 to a pressure sensor 24, another filter 26, and an optional temperature control unit 28, finally to a low-pressure pressure regulating device 30.

[0036] The low-pressure pressure regulating device 30 comprises a shut-off valve assembly 32, two hydraulically parallel pressure regulating valves 34 downstream of it, and a low-pressure pressure sensor 35 between the shut-off valve assembly 32 and the two pressure regulating valves 34. The two pressure regulating valves 34 are identical proportional valves. The low-pressure pressure regulating device 30 further reduces the pressure in the pressure line 18, for example, from 40 bar on the inlet side to 15 bar on the outlet side. The shut-off valve assembly 32 upstream of the pressure regulating valves 34 is closed when the fuel supply system 10 is not in operation. This reliably prevents unwanted gas leakage.

[0037] Downstream of the low-pressure pressure regulating device 30, the pressure line 18 leads to a distribution chamber 36, which can be designed, for example, as an elongated tube in the manner of a typical fuel rail, as known from gasoline and diesel fuel systems. The gas pressure prevailing in the distribution chamber 36 is detected by a pressure sensor 37.

[0038] Several injectors 38 are connected to the distributor chamber 36, which, as an example, inject the gaseous hydrogen directly into the combustion chambers 40 of the internal combustion engine. The gaseous hydrogen is mixed with atmospheric oxygen in the combustion chambers 40, and this mixture is ignited by a respective ignition device 42. Typically, the internal combustion engine is a four-stroke piston engine. For example, such an engine is used to power a motor vehicle. However, it can also be used, for example, in a stationary application to drive a generator for electricity production.

[0039] The fuel supply system 10 and its components are controlled by an electronic control unit 44, which has one or more corresponding microprocessors, a memory for program code, etc. This unit receives signals from, among others, the temperature sensor 16, the pressure sensor 24, the pressure sensor 37, etc. The control unit 44 controls various components of the fuel supply system 10, including the low-pressure pressure regulating device 30 and the ignition devices 42. Furthermore, a control unit 46 is also controlled by the control unit 44, which in turn specifically controls the operation of the fuel storage tank 12.

[0040] The low-pressure pressure regulating device 30 is in a first embodiment in Fig. 2 (unlike in Fig. 1) shown with a single pressure regulating valve 34. The low-pressure pressure regulating device 30 includes a housing 48 with an inlet-side connection 50 and an outlet-side connection 52. The housing 48 integrates the pressure regulating valve 34, the shut-off valve assembly 32, and the low-pressure pressure sensor 35 into a single, coherent unit. The housing 48 can be a milled aluminum block. In the Fig. The low-pressure pressure regulating device 30 shown in section 3, which is a second embodiment, are - according to Fig. 1 - two pressure regulating valves 34 are present, which are connected in parallel to each other.

[0041] An exemplary design of the low-pressure pressure regulating device 30 or the shut-off valve device 32 from the preceding Fig. 1 to 3 goes out Fig. 4 in detail.

[0042] Accordingly, the low-pressure pressure regulating device 30 or the shut-off valve device 32 extends from a tank-side inlet 54, which is designed as an inlet nozzle 50, to a consumer-side outlet 56, which is designed as an outlet nozzle 52.

[0043] The inlet nozzle 50 and the outlet nozzle 52 can be connected to the housing 48, which is designed in a single piece (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) the low-pressure pressure regulating device 30 or the shut-off valve device 32 be detachably or indetachably connected, for example by screwing or welding.

[0044] A fluid connection 51 extends from the inlet port 50 to the outlet port 52, in which a shut-off valve 58 of the shut-off valve assembly 32 and, in the example, an electrically controllable pressure reducing device in the form of a pressure regulating valve 34 are arranged fluidically downstream.

[0045] The shut-off valve 58 comprises a valve element 82, which is located in the Fig. 4 is displaceable in the vertical direction, and a valve seat 116 rests on which the valve element 82 rests in the closed position of the shut-off valve 58. The valve element 82 is subjected to an inlet-side pressure and a valve spring 62 of the shut-off valve 58 in the closing direction, and to an outlet-side pressure in the opening direction.

[0046] The shut-off valve assembly 32 further comprises a control chamber 84 in which a control chamber-side fluid pressure prevails. The control chamber 84 is coupled to the valve element 82 such that the control chamber-side fluid pressure acts on the valve element 82 in an opening direction of the shut-off valve 58.

[0047] For this purpose, it is provided that the control chamber 84 is delimited by a displaceable piston 86, wherein the piston 86 is coupled to the valve element 82 in such a way that a displacement of the piston 86, which is accompanied by an enlargement of the control chamber 84 (in Fig. 4 upwards), the shut-off valve 58 opens. A displacement of the piston 86, which is accompanied by a reduction in the size of the control chamber 84 (in Fig. 4 downwards), on the other hand closes the shut-off valve 58.

[0048] The piston 86 and the valve element 82 can, for example, be arranged as shown in the Fig. As indicated in section 4, the 89 components are rigidly coupled to each other via a rod-like connection. Other coupling configurations are possible.

[0049] In this example, control chamber 84 can be connected to inlet 54 via a first control valve 64.1 and a first branch line. Control chamber 84 can also be connected to outlet 56 via a second control valve 64.2 and a second branch line. The first control valve 64.1 is a normally closed (NC) switching valve, and the second control valve 64.2 is a normally open (NO) switching valve.

[0050] When the first control valve 64.1 and the second control valve 64.2 are energized, the first control valve 64.1 opens and the second control valve 64.2 closes, and the inlet fluid pressure builds up in the control chamber 84. A resulting displacement of the piston 86 occurs. Fig. Moving the actuator upwards also moves the valve element 82 in this direction, causing the shut-off valve 58 to open. This allows gaseous fuel to be supplied from tank 12 to the consumer.

[0051] If, however, the first control valve 64.1 and the second control valve 64.2 are de-energized, the first control valve 64.1 closes and the second control valve 64.2 opens, and any fluid pressure present in the control chamber 84 is released by diverting the gaseous fuel through the outlet 56. A resulting displacement of the piston 86 in the Fig. Moving the actuator downwards also shifts the valve element 82 in this direction, causing the shut-off valve 58 to close. This ensures that no more gaseous fuel can pass from tank 12 to the consumer.

[0052] In an alternative configuration not shown, instead of the first control valve 64.1, two first control valves 64.1 can be provided, which are normally closed switching valves connected directly in series. The shut-off function is then ensured even if one of the two first control valves 64.1 fails to close in the de-energized state.

[0053] In an alternative that consists of the Fig. As can be seen in section 5, unlike the preceding one, with reference to the Fig. In the design described in section 4, the first control valve 64.1 and the second control valve 64.2 are replaced by a three-way valve 64.3, which is actuated and, in the de-energized state, fluidically connects the control chamber 84 to the outlet 56, and, in the energized state, fluidically connects the control chamber 84 to the inlet 54. In this case as well, an additional (not shown) normally closed switching valve can be provided between the inlet 54 and the three-way valve 64.3 for safety purposes. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2016 205 713 A1

[0001] DE 10 2021 212 129 A1

[0002] DE 10 2020 201 178 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Shut-off valve device (32) for a fuel supply system (10) for supplying gaseous fuel from a high-pressure tank (12) to a consumer, for example an internal combustion engine, comprising a tank-side inlet (54), a consumer-side outlet (56), a fluid connection (51) connecting the inlet (54) to the outlet (56), in which a shut-off valve (58) is arranged, which has a displaceable valve element (82) for opening and closing the shut-off valve (58), characterized byin that the shut-off valve device (32) further comprises a control chamber (84) in which a fluid pressure prevails on the control chamber side, and the control chamber (84) is coupled to the valve element (82) in such a way that the fluid pressure on the control chamber side acts on the valve element (82) in an opening direction, and the control chamber (82) can be fluidically connected either to the inlet (54) or to the outlet (56) via a control line (53) in which at least one actuator-controllable control valve (64, 64.1, 64.2, 64.3) is provided, in order to open the shut-off valve (58) when the control chamber (84) is fluidically connected to the inlet (54) and to close the shut-off valve (58) when the control chamber (84) is fluidically connected to the outlet (56). [2] Shut-off valve device (32) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the control chamber (84) is fluidically connected to the outlet (56) and is fluidically separated from the inlet (54) when the at least one actuator-controllable control valve (64, 64.1, 64.2, 64.3) is de-energized. [3] Shut-off valve device (32) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control chamber (84) is delimited by a displaceable piston (86), wherein the piston (86) is coupled to the valve element (82) in such a way that a displacement of the piston (86), which is accompanied by an enlargement of the control chamber (84), opens the shut-off valve (58) and a displacement of the piston (86), which is accompanied by a reduction of the control chamber (84), closes the shut-off valve (58). [4] Shut-off valve device (32) according to claim 3, wherein the area with which the piston (84) is pressurized on the control chamber side is larger than the area with which the valve element (82) is pressurized from the inlet side when the shut-off valve is closed. [5] Shut-off valve device (32) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve element (82) is acted upon in the closing direction by an inlet-side fluid pressure and is acted upon in the opening direction by an outlet-side fluid pressure and is acted upon in the closing direction by a valve spring (62) of the shut-off valve device (32). [6] Shut-off valve device (32) according to claim 5, wherein the valve spring (62) exerts a closing force on the valve element (82) when the shut-off valve (58) is closed, which closing force is greater than an opening force that an electrical actuator of the at least one control valve (64, 64.1, 64.2, 64.3) is capable of exerting on a control valve element of the at least one control valve (64, 64.1, 64.2, 64.3). [7] Shut-off valve device (32) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control chamber (84) is fluidically connectable to the inlet (54) via a normally closed switching valve (64, 64.1). [8] Shut-off valve device (32) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control chamber (64) is fluidically connectable to the inlet (54) via two normally closed switching valves (64, 64.1) connected in series. [9] Shut-off valve device (32) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control chamber (84) is fluidically connectable to the outlet (56) via a normally open switching valve (64, 64.2). [10] Shut-off valve device (32) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control chamber (84) is fluidically connectable via a three-way valve (64, 64.3) either to the inlet (54) or to the outlet (56). [11] Shut-off valve device (32) according to the preceding claim, wherein the three-way valve (64, 64.3) is actuated and fluidically connects the control chamber (84) to the outlet (56) in the de-energized state. [12] Pressure control device (30) for a fuel supply system (10) for supplying gaseous fuel from a high-pressure tank (12) to a consumer, for example an internal combustion engine, comprising a shut-off valve device (32) according to one of the preceding claims and an electrically controllable pressure reducing device (34) which is fluidically arranged in the fluid connection (51) between the inlet (54) and the outlet (56). [13] Pressure control device (30) according to claim 12, wherein the electrically controllable pressure reducing device (34) comprises a proportional valve which is fluidically arranged in the fluid connection (51) between the inlet (54) and the outlet (56). [14] Pressure control device (30) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the pressure control device (30) comprises a pressure sensor (35) which fluidically senses a pressure in the fluid connection (51) between the inlet (54) and the outlet (56). [15] Fuel supply system (10) with a shut-off valve device (32) according to one of claims 1 to 11 or with a pressure regulating device (30) according to one of claims 12 to 14; and with a high-pressure tank (12) upstream of the shut-off valve device (32) or the pressure regulating device (30); and further with a fuel distributor (26) and at least one injector (38) fluidly connected thereto downstream of the shut-off valve device (32) or the pressure regulating device (30).

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