Pressure vessel for a fuel cell system, fuel cell system and method for manufacturing a pressure vessel

Abstract

Pressure vessel (1), wherein the pressure vessel (1) has a hollow body (10) for receiving a fluid under pressure, wherein the pressure vessel (1) is configured for a determinable pressure, characterized in that the hollow body (10) has a main region wall thickness (HBW) in a main region (HB) of the hollow body (10) and a side region wall thickness (NBW1, NBW2) in a side region (NB1, NB2) of the hollow body (10), wherein the main region wall thickness (HBW) is smaller than the side region wall thickness (NBW1, NBW2), wherein at least partially on an outer cover surface (AM) of the hollow body (10) in the main region (HB) of the hollow body (10) a reinforcement (30) is arranged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a pressure vessel for a fuel cell system. The invention also relates to a corresponding fuel cell system and a method for manufacturing the pressure vessel. Background Technology

[0002] Motor vehicles with fuel cell systems are known from the prior art as examples of consumers of hydrogen. Hydrogen storage in such vehicles is typically carried out in a pressure vessel that can be filled with hydrogen at a hydrogen refueling column.

[0003] There has always been an interest in improving such pressure vessels, especially in configuring them in a particularly simple, cost-effective, easy and safe manner. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention illustrates a pressure vessel according to the invention, a fuel cell system according to the invention, and a method according to the invention.

[0005] Further features and details of the invention will be derived from the following description and drawings. Hereinafter, the features and details described in conjunction with the pressure vessel according to the invention also apply to the fuel cell system and method according to the invention, and vice versa, so that reference can always be made to each other regarding various aspects of this disclosure.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the present invention discloses a pressure vessel for a fuel cell system, wherein the pressure vessel has a hollow body for receiving fluid under pressure, and wherein the pressure vessel is configured for a determinable pressure. Furthermore, the pressure vessel includes at least one filling and discharging device for filling fluid into or discharging fluid from the hollow body. The hollow body has a main region wall thickness in a main region and a side region wall thickness in a side region, wherein the main region wall thickness is less than the side region wall thickness, and wherein reinforcements are at least partially arranged on the outer surface of the hollow body in the main region, such that the hollow body, together with the reinforcements, is designed in the main region for a determinable pressure of the pressure vessel.

[0007] Pressure vessels are particularly useful in mobile devices. Preferably, pressure vessels are used in fuel cell systems for motor vehicles, especially buses or trucks.

[0008] Fluids under pressure, especially fuels such as hydrogen.

[0009] The filling and discharging device particularly includes a check valve to prevent fluid from flowing back from the hollow body into the filling line of, for example, a refueling system in a motor vehicle during the refueling process. Furthermore, the filling and discharging device may particularly have an activatable fluid shut-off valve to prevent fluid flow into or out of the hollow body, for example, in the event of a vehicle malfunction or when the vehicle is not in operation. Additionally, the filling and discharging device particularly has a thermally activated pressure relief device (TPRD). For example, the TPRD is activated in the event of a motor vehicle combustion, and fluid is discharged from the hollow body.

[0010] The hollow body may have a middle section, particularly a hollow cylindrical middle section. Furthermore, the hollow body has a body end at each of its two opposite ends. Additionally, the hollow body is constructed in a bottleneck shape at at least one body end. Preferably, the hollow body is constructed in a bottleneck shape at each of its two opposite body ends. The at least one bottleneck-shaped body end can be used to receive at least one filling and discharging device. It is also conceivable that each of the opposite bottleneck-shaped body ends of the hollow body has a filling and discharging device. Therefore, multiple pressure vessels can be particularly advantageously interconnected using fluid technology. Preferably, a bottleneck-shaped body end is arranged on each end side of the hollow cylindrical middle section of the hollow body. The hollow body having a hollow cylindrical middle section and two bottleneck-shaped body ends is particularly constructed as a single piece.

[0011] The main region of the hollow body, especially at least a portion of the middle section, particularly the middle section of a hollow cylindrical body. Preferably, the middle section of the (entire) hollow cylindrical body is the main region of the hollow body. If the hollow body with the hollow cylindrical middle section is constructed in a bottleneck shape at at least one end of the hollow body, then the main region of the hollow body preferably begins at a transition section, where the radius or curvature of the at least one bottleneck-shaped end of the hollow body gradually increases to... The main region of the hollow body begins, particularly at the transition from the bottleneck-shaped body end to the middle portion of the hollow column. Advantageously, the reinforcements in the middle portion of the hollow column can be arranged particularly simply and advantageously across the entire outer surface of the hollow body, since, for example, the winding of the hollow column is particularly simple. If the hollow body with the middle portion of the hollow column is constructed in a bottleneck shape at its two opposing body ends, then the main region of the hollow body preferably begins at the transition, where the radius or curvature of the corresponding bottleneck-shaped body end gradually extends to the middle portion of the hollow column. The main region of the hollow body is defined, in particular, by the two transitions.

[0012] The wall thickness of the main region is particularly, and preferably, substantially constant. Here, "substantially constant" should be understood as meaning that a substantially constant wall thickness of the main region can have variations in manufacturing technology. The wall thickness of the main region is particularly between 2 and 10 mm.

[0013] The side region of the hollow body is particularly at least a partial region of at least one end of the hollow body. Preferably, the at least one bottleneck-shaped end of the hollow body is the side region. Preferably, the two opposite ends of the hollow body form the side region of the hollow body. If the hollow body is constructed in a bottleneck shape at the two opposite ends of the hollow body, then in particular, at least a partial region of the corresponding two opposite bottleneck-shaped ends of the hollow body forms the side region of the hollow body. Preferably, the two opposite bottleneck-shaped ends of the hollow body form the side region of the hollow body.

[0014] The wall thickness of the side region is preferably substantially constant, especially constant. Here, "substantially constant" should be understood as meaning that a substantially constant side region wall thickness can have variations in manufacturing technology. The side region wall thickness is particularly between 3 and 15 mm. It is also conceivable that the side region wall thickness increases in the direction from the middle portion of the hollow body to at least one end of the hollow body, especially to both ends of the hollow body. Therefore, the filling and discharging device can be particularly advantageously received in said at least one end of the hollow body. In particular, the main region wall thickness is less than the increased side region wall thickness.

[0015] The reinforcements are arranged, particularly on the entire outer surface of the hollow body, especially in the main region of the hollow body. Therefore, the hollow body can be constructed particularly simply and stably. Furthermore, the reinforcements are arranged, particularly directly on the outer surface of the hollow body, especially in the main region of the hollow body.

[0016] According to the invention, the hollow body, together with the reinforcement in the main region, is designed for a determinable pressure in the pressure vessel. The determinable pressure is preferably a destructive pressure, more preferably a rupture pressure. In other words, the reinforcement and the hollow body can be complementary such that the pressure vessel is designed for a determinable pressure, especially a rupture pressure. The determinable pressure, especially the rupture pressure, can be derived, for example, by regulations of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) No. 134. Thus, in 700 bar hydrogen technology, the rupture pressure for a pressure vessel can, for example, be 1575 bar.

[0017] Preferably, the hollow body is constructed such that it covers a first pressure range of the pressure vessel within the main region, the first pressure range having a lower limit pressure and an upper limit pressure. The first pressure range of the pressure vessel is, in particular, the operating pressure range of the pressure vessel. For example, the upper limit pressure of the operating pressure range is the maximum operating pressure of the pressure vessel, especially considering the safety factor of the pressure vessel. The safety factor can be, for example, 1.05 or 1.10. The maximum operating pressure can be understood as the highest permissible operating pressure. For example, in 700 bar hydrogen technology, the highest permissible operating pressure for the pressure vessel is 875 bar, and the operating pressure range is 0 to 875 bar. Furthermore, the hollow body and the reinforcement in the main region of the hollow body are particularly constructed such that the hollow body, together with the reinforcement, covers a second pressure range of the pressure vessel, the second pressure range having a lower limit pressure and an upper limit pressure. The second pressure range of the pressure vessel is, in particular, the safe pressure range of the pressure vessel. For example, the lower limit pressure of the second pressure range is, in particular, essentially, the upper limit pressure of the first pressure range of the pressure vessel. The upper limit pressure of the second pressure range is preferably the rupture pressure of the pressure vessel. Therefore, in 700 bar hydrogen technology, the safe pressure range of the pressure vessel ranges from approximately 875 bar to 1575 bar.

[0018] Preferably, the hollow body is constructed in such a way that the hollow body has such a thick wall in the side region that the hollow body covers the fluid pressure up to the upper limit pressure in the side region, wherein the upper limit pressure is in particular the determinable pressure of the pressure vessel, preferably the rupture pressure of the pressure vessel.

[0019] The hollow body has a wall thickness in the main region of the hollow body, which is less than or thinner than the wall thickness in the side regions of the hollow body. Combined with the cooperation between the hollow body and the reinforcement in the main region of the hollow body, the pressure vessel or fuel cell system according to the invention can be configured particularly advantageously, especially simply, cost-effectively, easily and safely.

[0020] Advantageously, the hollow body and / or reinforcement in the pressure vessel according to the invention are constructed with rotational symmetry. Therefore, the hollow body and / or reinforcement can be constructed particularly cost-effectively and simply. Furthermore, the pressure vessel can be particularly advantageously designed for deterministic pressures, especially for particularly stable pressures. The rotationally symmetric hollow body can particularly have a hollow cylindrical intermediate portion, preferably a substantially hollow cylindrical intermediate portion, and bottleneck-shaped body ends on the end sides of the hollow cylindrical intermediate portion. The rotationally symmetric reinforcement is also preferably hollow cylindrical, especially substantially hollow cylindrical. In other words, the rotationally symmetric reinforcement has a bushing shape. The hollow body and reinforcement particularly share a common axis of rotation. Pressure vessels with rotationally symmetrically constructed hollow bodies and reinforcements can be manufactured particularly advantageously stably, simply, and cost-effectively.

[0021] In the pressure vessel according to the invention, the hollow body can be advantageously constructed seamlessly. In other words, the seamless hollow body is preferably constructed as a single piece. Therefore, the hollow body can be particularly stable. The seamless hollow body is in particular a steel tube, wherein the steel tube is formed at two opposing body ends, especially in a bottleneck shape.

[0022] According to another embodiment, in the pressure vessel according to the invention, the hollow body can be continuously fluid-sealed to prevent fluid from passing through the hollow body, and the reinforcement is composed of composite materials, especially fiber-reinforced plastic composite materials, preferably carbon fiber reinforced plastic and / or glass fiber reinforced plastic. A continuously fluid-sealed hollow body advantageously prevents fluid itself located in the pressure vessel from passing through or moving through the hollow body, especially moving into the environment of the hollow body. A continuously fluid-sealed hollow body can, for example, be made of a metallic material, such as steel. Preferably, the continuously fluid-sealed hollow body is composed of a metallic material, especially steel. Advantageously, a metallic hollow body is particularly advantageously continuously fluid-sealed. Here, by using the term "continuously fluid-sealed," it should be understood that the hollow body is preferably fluid-sealed until a determinable pressure is reached. The reinforcement composed of composite materials, especially fiber-reinforced plastic composite materials, can be particularly advantageously arranged on the outer surface of the hollow body. Therefore, the pressure vessel can be constructed particularly stably and simply. The reinforcement composed of carbon fiber reinforced plastic can advantageously have particularly high strength. Therefore, the pressure vessel can be constructed particularly stably. Advantageously, the reinforcement composed of glass fiber reinforced plastic can be particularly cost-effective. Therefore, pressure vessels can be particularly cost-effective.

[0023] According to another preferred embodiment, in the pressure vessel according to the invention, the hollow body can be constructed in a stepped shape at the transition from the main region to the side region. At the transition from the main region to the side region, the wall thickness of the side region can increase abruptly to form a stepped shape in the transition. On the one hand, the stepped shape ensures that the hollow body in the side region is particularly advantageously configured for a determinable pressure in the pressure vessel. On the other hand, the reinforcements in the main region of the hollow body can be particularly advantageously arranged on the outer surface of the hollow body, and the reinforcements can particularly advantageously be wound around the outer surface of the hollow body. The stepped construction of the hollow body in the transition from the main region to the side region is particularly useful for securing the reinforcements to the outer surface of the hollow body.

[0024] Advantageously, in the pressure vessel according to the invention, the wall thickness of the main region of the hollow body is between 2 mm and 10 mm, and the wall thickness of the reinforcing body is up to 8 mm, wherein the sum of the wall thickness of the main region of the hollow body and the wall thickness of the reinforcing body is particularly at least 6 mm. Therefore, the pressure vessel can be configured particularly advantageously. A pressure vessel with a hollow body having a main region wall thickness of 2 mm can be particularly lightweight. A pressure vessel with a hollow body having a main region wall thickness of 10 mm can be particularly stable. If the reinforcing body is composed of fiber-reinforced plastic composite material, particularly carbon fiber reinforced plastic and / or glass fiber reinforced plastic, then the reinforcing body wall thickness can particularly be a single layer of composite material, particularly fiber-reinforced plastic composite material. Furthermore, the reinforcing body having a wall thickness of up to 8 mm can be arranged particularly simply on the outer surface of the hollow body within the main region of the hollow body.

[0025] Advantageously, in the pressure vessel according to the invention, the reinforcement can be a reinforcement wound around the extending axis of the hollow body in the main region of the hollow body. Therefore, the pressure vessel can be particularly stable in the main region of the hollow body. The reinforcement wound around the extending axis of the hollow body can be formed, in particular, by at least one composite material layer, especially by at least one carbon fiber reinforced plastic layer and / or at least one glass fiber reinforced plastic layer. Preferably, the at least one composite material layer, especially the at least one fiber-plastic composite material layer, is wound at an angle between 30° and 90° relative to the hollow body, especially relative to the extending axis of the hollow body.

[0026] Particularly advantageously, in the pressure vessel according to the invention, a compressible intermediate layer is arranged at least partially between the hollow body and the reinforcement, at least in the main region of the hollow body. Therefore, the reinforcement can be arranged particularly simply onto the hollow body and can also particularly advantageously ensure the functionality of the reinforcement for particularly long periods, especially continuously. The compressible intermediate layer is specifically constructed such that it can be compressed (only) within the first pressure range of the pressure vessel, especially within the operating pressure range of the pressure vessel. In other words, the compressible intermediate layer is preferably fully compressed, preferably substantially fully compressed, at the upper limit pressure of the first pressure range, especially the operating pressure range. For example, within the operating pressure range, the hollow body expands due to the increase in fluid pressure when the pressure vessel is filled with fluid. The intermediate layer is compressed between the hollow body and the reinforcement within the operating pressure range, thereby compressing the intermediate layer within the operating pressure range of the pressure vessel and preventing, especially substantially preventing, loading of the reinforcement. However, if the fluid pressure rises beyond the operating pressure range, then the reinforcement is also loaded. Therefore, the reinforcement is advantageously unloaded, especially substantially unloaded, within the operating pressure range of the pressure vessel. If the reinforcement is, in particular, glass fiber reinforced plastic and / or carbon fiber reinforced plastic, then unwanted loads on the fibers of the reinforcement can be avoided, and the durability of the reinforcement is particularly high. Furthermore, the compressible interlayer is particularly a compressible, elastically deformable interlayer. Therefore, the functionality of the pressure vessel can be particularly advantageously ensured. The interlayer can, in particular, be composed of a compressible, elastically deformable plastic, such as silicone resin. Moreover, the interlayer is preferably arranged between the hollow body and the reinforcement throughout the entire main region of the hollow body. Therefore, pressure can be particularly advantageously and uniformly transmitted to the reinforcement.

[0027] According to another preferred embodiment, in the pressure vessel according to the invention, the hollow body and the reinforcement can be spaced apart from each other, especially substantially spaced apart. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous to ensure the functionality of the reinforcement of the pressure vessel for a particularly long period of time, especially continuously. The pressure vessel may in particular have at least one spacer for spaced the reinforcement relative to the hollow body, especially for spaced the reinforcement relative to the hollow body within the operating pressure range of the pressure vessel. Here, the spaced separation of the reinforcement relative to the hollow body should be understood in particular as preferably having at least partially free space, especially a gap, between the hollow body and the reinforcement in the first pressure range of the pressure vessel or in the operating pressure range of the pressure vessel. The distance between the hollow body and the reinforcement is particularly configured such that the hollow body and the reinforcement are spaced apart from each other (only) within the first pressure range of the pressure vessel, especially within the operating pressure range of the pressure vessel. In other words, the hollow body, especially the outer surface of the hollow body, and the reinforcement are preferably at least partially, especially completely in contact at the upper limit pressure of the first pressure range, especially at the upper limit pressure of the operating pressure range. For example, within the operating pressure range, the hollow body expands due to the increase in fluid pressure when the pressure vessel is filled with fluid. The hollow body and the reinforcement are spaced apart from each other, thus the reinforcement is not, and especially not substantially, loaded. However, if the fluid pressure rises beyond the operating pressure range, then the reinforcement is also loaded. Therefore, the reinforcement is advantageously unloaded, and especially substantially unloaded, within the operating pressure range of the pressure vessel. If the reinforcement is particularly made of glass fiber reinforced plastic and / or carbon fiber reinforced plastic, then unwanted loading of the fibers of the reinforcement can be avoided, and the durability of the reinforcement is particularly high.

[0028] According to a second aspect, the present invention discloses a fuel cell system for a motor vehicle, wherein the fuel cell system has a fuel cell stack and at least one pressure vessel according to the invention. The at least one pressure vessel is fluid-technically connected to the fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system.

[0029] The pressure vessel is particularly connected to the anode fluid of the fuel cell stack for supplying fluid, preferably hydrogen, to the anode.

[0030] According to a second aspect of the invention, the fuel cell system has the same advantages as those already described with respect to the pressure vessel according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0031] According to a third aspect, the present invention discloses a method for manufacturing a pressure vessel for a fuel cell system, particularly a pressure vessel for a fuel cell system according to the invention, wherein the method includes, as one step, providing a hollow body of the pressure vessel and, as another step, providing a reinforcing body of the pressure vessel. Furthermore, the method has an arrangement of the reinforcing body, as a step, in at least a portion of the main region of the hollow body onto the hollow body, particularly onto the outer surface of the hollow body.

[0032] Furthermore, the method includes, as a step, the provision of at least one filling and discharging device and the arrangement of at least one filling and discharging device onto the hollow body.

[0033] The arrangement of the reinforcement onto the hollow body can be particularly characterized by the hollow body being wound with at least one fiber-plastic layer, especially with at least one carbon fiber reinforced plastic layer and / or at least one glass fiber reinforced plastic layer, wherein, in particular, at least one wound fiber-plastic layer forms the reinforcement. Preferably, the winding of the hollow body is wet winding. In other words, the hollow body is wound with at least one fiber-plastic layer impregnated in a matrix-Mittel. Thus, a particularly stable pressure vessel can be manufactured. After the hollow body is wound with at least one fiber-plastic layer impregnated in a matrix-Mittel, the fiber-plastic layer is dried for hardening, wherein, in particular, at least one hardened fiber-plastic layer forms the reinforcement. Furthermore, it is preferred that at least one fiber-plastic layer is wound at an angle between 30° and 90° relative to the hollow body, especially relative to the extension axis of the hollow body. Moreover, the winding of the hollow body with the at least one fiber-plastic layer is direct winding. In other words, the at least one fiber-plastic layer is directly wound onto the outer surface of the hollow body. It is also conceivable that the winding of the hollow body with the at least one fiber-plastic layer is indirect winding. In other words, the at least one fiber-plastic layer is arranged spaced apart from the hollow body. For indirect winding, it is preferable to provide at least one spacer for the pressure vessel in one step and to arrange the at least one spacer onto the pressure vessel, particularly onto the outer surface of the hollow body, in another step, especially before arranging the reinforcement onto the hollow body. Thus, the at least one fiber-plastic layer can be arranged spaced apart from the hollow body particularly easily.

[0034] Particularly advantageously, the method according to the invention may include, as a step, the provision of at least a partially compressible intermediate layer of the pressure vessel and, as another step, the arrangement of the compressible intermediate layer at least in the main region of the hollow body to at least a portion of the outer surface of the hollow body.

[0035] The arrangement of the compressible intermediate layer onto the outer surface of the hollow body is particularly carried out before the arrangement of the reinforcement onto the hollow body. The reinforcement can be arranged onto the intermediate layer after the intermediate layer is arranged onto the hollow body, especially onto the outer surface of the intermediate layer.

[0036] According to a third aspect of the invention, the method for manufacturing a pressure vessel according to the invention thus has the same advantages as those already described with respect to a pressure vessel according to a first aspect of the invention or a fuel cell system according to a second aspect of the invention.

[0037] Further improvements to the invention can be derived from the following description of some embodiments of the invention, which are schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawings. All features and / or advantages derived from the specification or drawings, including structural details, spatial arrangements, and method steps, are important in themselves and in different combinations to the invention. It should be noted that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. Attached Figure Description

[0038] The attached diagram schematically illustrates:

[0039] Figure 1 A portion of an embodiment of the pressure vessel according to the present invention is shown in sectional view.

[0040] Figure 2 A portion of another embodiment of the pressure vessel according to the present invention is shown in sectional view.

[0041] Figure 3 A portion of another embodiment of the pressure vessel according to the present invention is shown in sectional view.

[0042] Figure 4 A portion of another embodiment of the pressure vessel according to the present invention is shown in sectional view.

[0043] Figure 5 An embodiment of the pressure vessel according to the present invention is illustrated in cross-sectional view.

[0044] Figure 6 An embodiment of the pressure vessel according to the present invention is illustrated in cross-sectional view.

[0045] Figure 7 Embodiments of the fuel cell system according to the present invention are shown, and

[0046] Figure 8 An embodiment of the method for manufacturing a pressure vessel according to the present invention is shown.

[0047] In the following figures, the same reference numerals are used even for the same technical features in different embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0048] Figure 1 A portion of an embodiment of the pressure vessel 1 according to the present invention is schematically shown in a cross-sectional view. The pressure vessel 1 has a filling and discharging device 20 for filling or discharging fluid into or from the hollow body 10. Furthermore, the hollow body 10 has a main region wall thickness HBW in its main region HB and a side region wall thickness NBW1 in its side region NB1, wherein the main region wall thickness HBW is smaller than the side region wall thickness NBW1. Additionally, in the main region HB of the hollow body 10, a reinforcement 30 is at least partially arranged on the outer surface AM of the hollow body 10, such that the hollow body 10, together with the reinforcement 30, is also designed for a determinable pressure of the pressure vessel 1 in the main region HB. Additionally, in Figure 1 In the case, the hollow body 10 and the reinforcing body 30 are constructed in a rotationally symmetrical manner about the extension axis EA of the hollow body.

[0049] Figure 2 A portion of another embodiment of the pressure vessel 1 according to the invention is schematically illustrated in a cross-sectional view, as has already been shown. Figure 1 As explained in [the text]. However, unlike [the text]... Figure 1 The pressure vessel 1 has a stepped shape in the transition section from the main region HB to the side region NB1. Therefore, the reinforcement 30 in the main region HB of the hollow body 10 is particularly advantageously arranged on the outer surface AM of the hollow body 10. The stepped structure of the hollow body 10 in the transition section from the main region HB to the side region NB1 is advantageous for fixing the reinforcement and can prevent the reinforcement 30 from slipping along the extension axis EA.

[0050] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The following diagrams schematically illustrate portions of another embodiment of the pressure vessel 1 according to the present invention, as shown in the cross-sectional views. Figure 1 As explained in the text.

[0051] exist Figure 3 Additionally, a compressible intermediate layer 40 is at least partially arranged in the main region HB of the hollow body 10 between the hollow body 10 and the reinforcement 30. The compressible intermediate layer 40 is particularly a compressible, elastically deformable intermediate layer 40, for example, composed of silicone resin. Furthermore, the intermediate layer 40 is preferably arranged directly between the hollow body 10 and the reinforcement 30 throughout the entire main region HB of the hollow body 10. Therefore, pressure can be advantageously and uniformly transmitted to the reinforcement 30.

[0052] exist Figure 4In the pressure vessel 1, the hollow body 10 and the reinforcing body 30 are schematically additionally spaced apart from each other, and more particularly substantially spaced apart from each other. The pressure vessel 1 has at least one spacer 50 for spaced apart the reinforcing body 30 relative to the hollow body 10, especially for spaced apart the reinforcing body 30 relative to the hollow body 10 within the operating pressure range of the pressure vessel 1. Here, the spacer 30 relative to the hollow body 10 should be understood in such a way that at least partially free space, especially a gap, is formed between the hollow body 10 and the reinforcing body 30. Furthermore, the at least one spacer 50 is constructed to extend radially about an extending axis EA. Preferably, the pressure vessel has at least two spacer 50s spaced apart from each other, especially two radially surrounding spacer 50s spaced apart from each other.

[0053] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6 The embodiments of the pressure vessel 1 according to the present invention are schematically shown in cross-sectional views. The pressure vessel 1 has a filling and discharging device 20 for filling or discharging fluid into or from the hollow body 10. Furthermore, the hollow body 10 has a main region wall thickness HBW in its main region HB and side region wall thicknesses NBW1 or NBW2 in its side regions NB1 and NB2. The main region wall thickness HBW is less than the side region wall thicknesses NBW1 or NBW2. The hollow body 10 has a hollow cylindrical intermediate portion, wherein the hollow cylindrical intermediate portion forms the main region HB of the hollow body 10. Furthermore, the hollow body 10 is constructed in a bottleneck shape at its two opposite body ends. The main region HB of the hollow body 10 begins at a corresponding transition portion, where the radius or curvature of the corresponding bottleneck-shaped body end of the hollow body 10 gradually extends to the hollow cylindrical intermediate portion. In other words, the main region HB of the hollow body 10 begins, specifically, at the transition from the bottleneck-shaped end of the body to the middle portion of the hollow column. One bottleneck-shaped end of the body is used to receive the filling and discharging device 20. Figure 5 and Figure 6In this configuration, another bottleneck-shaped body end is also exemplarily used to receive a capping device for the pressure vessel 1, for fluid-tightly sealing the other bottleneck-shaped body end of the pressure vessel 1. It is conceivable that the other bottleneck-shaped body end also has a filling and discharging device 20. The hollow body 10, the hollow cylindrical intermediate portion, and the two bottleneck-shaped body ends are constructed in one piece or seamlessly. The main region wall thickness HBW is substantially constant, preferably constant. Furthermore, the two opposing bottleneck-shaped body ends of the hollow body 10 also form a side region NB1 or NB2 of the hollow body 10. Advantageously, the reinforcement 30 in the hollow cylindrical intermediate portion of the hollow body 10 can be arranged particularly simply and advantageously on the entire outer surface AM of the hollow body 10, because the winding of the hollow cylindrical body is particularly simple.

[0054] Furthermore, in the main region HB of the hollow body 10, reinforcements 30 are arranged on the entire outer surface AM of the hollow body 10, so that the hollow body 10, together with the reinforcements 30, is also designed for a determinable pressure of the pressure vessel 1 in the main region HB. Figure 6 In, attached to Figure 5 An intermediate layer 40 is arranged between the hollow body 10 and the reinforcement 30 within the entire main region HB of the hollow body 10. Additionally, in... Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the hollow body 10, the wall thickness NBW1 or NBW2 in the adjacent region increases in the direction from the middle portion toward the corresponding end of the hollow body 10. Therefore, the filling and discharging device 2 can be particularly advantageously received in one end of the hollow body 10.

[0055] Figure 7 An embodiment of a fuel cell system 100 for a motor vehicle according to the present invention is illustrated schematically, wherein the fuel cell system 100 has a fuel cell stack 110 and a pressure vessel 1 according to the present invention. The pressure vessel 1 is fluidly connected to the fuel cell stack 110 of the fuel cell system 100.

[0056] Figure 8An embodiment of a method for manufacturing a pressure vessel 1 according to the present invention is illustrated schematically. The method comprises: as one step, providing a hollow body 10 of the pressure vessel 1, 200; and as another step, providing a reinforcing body 30 of the pressure vessel 1, 202. The method may further comprise as an additional step the provision of a compressible intermediate layer 40 of the pressure vessel 1, 204, and an arrangement 206 of the compressible intermediate layer 40 at least partially extending from the main region HB of the hollow body 10 to at least a portion of the outer surface AM of the hollow body 10. A further subsequent step according to the method is the arrangement 208 of the reinforcing body 30 at least partially extending from the main region HB of the hollow body 10 to the hollow body 10, particularly to the outer surface AM of the hollow body 10, or to the compressible intermediate layer 40.

Claims

1. A pressure vessel (1) for a fuel cell system (100), wherein, The pressure vessel (1) has a hollow body (10) for receiving fluid under pressure, wherein the pressure vessel (1) is configured for a determinable pressure, and wherein the pressure vessel (1) has at least one filling and discharging device (20) for filling the fluid into or discharging the fluid from the hollow body (10), characterized in that, The hollow body (10) has a main region wall thickness (HBW) in the main region (HB) of the hollow body (10) and side region wall thicknesses (NBW1, NBW2) in the side regions (NB1, NB2) of the hollow body (10), wherein the main region wall thickness (HBW) is smaller than the side region wall thicknesses (NBW1, NBW2), wherein a reinforcement (30) is arranged at least partially on the outer surface (AM) of the hollow body (10) in the main region (HB) of the hollow body (10), such that the hollow body (10) together with the reinforcement (30) in the main region (HB) is designed for the determinable pressure of the pressure vessel (1), wherein the pressure vessel (1) has at least one spacer (50) for spacing the reinforcement (30) relative to the hollow body (10), such that a void is at least partially formed between the hollow body (10) and the reinforcement (30).

2. The pressure vessel (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hollow body (10) and / or the reinforcing body (30) are constructed in a rotationally symmetrical manner.

3. The pressure vessel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The hollow body (10) is constructed seamlessly.

4. The pressure vessel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The hollow body (10) is continuously fluid-sealed to prevent the fluid from passing through the hollow body (10), and the reinforcement (30) is composed of a composite material.

5. The pressure vessel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The hollow body (10) is constructed in a stepped shape in the transition from the main region (HB) to the side regions (NB1, NB2).

6. The pressure vessel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The wall thickness (HBW) of the main region of the hollow body (10) is between 2 mm and 10 mm, and the wall thickness (VKW) of the reinforcement (30) is up to 8 mm.

7. The pressure vessel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The reinforcement (30) is a reinforcement that is wound around the extended axis (EA) of the hollow body (10) in the main region (HB) of the hollow body (10).

8. The pressure vessel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A compressible intermediate layer (40) is arranged at least partially between the hollow body (10) and the reinforcement (30) in at least the main region (HB) of the hollow body (10).

9. The pressure vessel (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The composite material is a fiber-plastic composite material.

10. The pressure vessel (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The fiber-reinforced plastic composite material is carbon fiber reinforced plastic and / or glass fiber reinforced plastic.

11. The pressure vessel (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The sum of the wall thickness (HBW) of the main region of the hollow body (10) and the wall thickness (VKW) of the reinforcing body (30) is at least 6 mm.

12. A fuel cell system (100) for use in motor vehicles, wherein, The fuel cell system (100) has a fuel cell stack (110) and at least one pressure vessel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the at least one pressure vessel (1) is fluidly connected to the fuel cell stack (110) of the fuel cell system (100).

13. A method for manufacturing a pressure vessel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The method comprises the following steps: - Provide (200) the hollow body (10) of the pressure vessel (1) and provide (202) the reinforcing body (30) of the pressure vessel (1). - The reinforcement (30) is arranged (208) at least partially in the main region (HB) of the hollow body (10) onto the outer surface (AM) of the hollow body (10), wherein at least one spacer (50) is provided to space the hollow body (10) and the reinforcement (30) apart from each other, such that a gap is formed at least partially between the hollow body (10) and the reinforcement (30).

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The method also includes the following steps: - Provide (204) a compressible intermediate layer (40) of the pressure vessel (1) and arrange (206) the compressible intermediate layer (40) at least partially in the main region (HB) of the hollow body (10) onto the outer surface (AM) of the hollow body (10).

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