Pressure vessel construction and motor vehicle

Abstract

According to the invention, the technology disclosed herein relates to a pressure vessel construction set (1) having one or more pressure vessels (5) and one or more fastening assemblies (10), wherein each fastening assembly (10) has a support (20) for a pressure vessel (5) and has a clamping element (30), wherein the clamping element (30) surrounds the pressure vessel (5) on the upper side and clamps the pressure vessel to the support (20). Furthermore, the technology disclosed herein according to the invention also relates to a motor vehicle having such a pressure vessel construction set (1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to a pressure vessel structure group and to a motor vehicle having such a pressure vessel structure group. BACKGROUND

[0002] A pressure vessel structure group typically comprises one or more pressure vessels for storing gaseous fuel. The pressure vessels can for example be used in a motor vehicle or in other mobile or stationary units for supplying gaseous fuel. The gaseous fuel can for example be used in an energy converter, such as a fuel cell or a gas-operated internal combustion engine.

[0003] Document US 2006 / 0061081 A1 discloses a carrier assembly for a tank for gas under pressure, the carrier assembly having an arcuate member for fastening the tank. SUMMARY

[0004] It is a preferred task of the technology disclosed herein to reduce or eliminate at least one of the disadvantages of the known solutions or to propose an alternative solution. It is a preferred task of the technology disclosed herein, in particular, to provide an improved fastening of a pressure vessel in a pressure vessel structure group. Further preferred tasks can result from the advantages of the technology disclosed herein.

[0005] The technology disclosed herein relates to a pressure vessel structure group comprising (i) one or more pressure vessels for storing gaseous fuel and (ii) one or more fastening assemblies, wherein each fastening assembly has a support for one of the pressure vessels and has a clamping element, wherein the clamping element encloses the pressure vessel on an upper side and clamps the pressure vessel to the support.

[0006] With this embodiment, in particular, a simple fastening of a pressure vessel as a component of a pressure vessel structure group can be achieved, since the pressure vessel can be simply placed onto the support and can be fastened on the upper side by means of the clamping element. This embodiment can in principle be implemented both as a fixed support and as a movable support. This at least substantially depends on the applied clamping force and possibly on a coating or sheath, which will be further discussed in more detail below. Typically, the pressure vessel is held by a fixed support and a movable support.

[0007] The fastening assembly can in particular be understood as an assembly by means of which a pressure vessel can be fastened in a defined position. The fastening can take place, for example, on a vehicle body or on another element which can in particular be regarded as external to the pressure vessel structure group or also as a component part of the pressure vessel structure group. The support in the installed state can in particular be arranged below the pressure vessel and can at least partially also stabilize the pressure vessel laterally. The clamping element can in particular exert a force generated by elastic pretensioning onto the pressure vessel and can together with the support completely or at least largely enclose the pressure vessel in the axial direction at the position in the circumferential direction.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment, one, some or all fastening assemblies are arranged in such a way that the support is arranged below the mass center of gravity of the pressure vessel. Such a mass center of gravity can be determined, for example, in the case of an empty pressure vessel or also in the case of a filled pressure vessel. The average between two such points can also be used as the mass center of gravity relevant here. By means of this embodiment, it can in particular be achieved that the pressure vessel is held by the fastening in such a way that at least theoretically no further fastening is required in order to not only hold the pressure vessel but also to stabilize it against a change in its longitudinal axis relative to the fastening assembly in the case of no or at least no significant forces acting in the fastening assembly. By means of this, the acting forces can be kept particularly small.

[0009] The support can in particular be configured complementarily to a lower section of the circumference of the pressure vessel. The support can in particular be configured complementarily to a section along the circumference of the pressure vessel which is arranged thereon. The support can thus in particular lie face- ly against the pressure vessel along this section. By means of this, a particularly good fastening is achieved.

[0010] The support can in particular extend along a section of the longitudinal direction of the respective pressure vessel. In particular, the support is not variable with respect to displacement in the longitudinal direction or in the longitudinal direction. This makes it possible to realize a simple embodiment. However, other embodiments are also possible.

[0011] The clamping element can in particular be fastened on the support. This allows a compact embodiment.

[0012] The clamping element can have one or more meandering sections by means of which a force is generated which clamps the pressure vessel onto the support. By means of this, the clamping element itself is able to generate the force required to fasten the pressure vessel on the support, wherein this meandering embodiment can ensure that the clamping element has a certain elasticity which can be used for the purpose of pressing the pressure vessel against the support.

[0013] In some or all of the supports, the clamping element is part of a band which spans a plurality of fastening assemblies. The band is thus sufficient to fasten a plurality of pressure vessels, whereby expenditure can be reduced. The band can be fastened and / or clamped, for example, at one location or at two locations, wherein corresponding fastening and / or clamping is produced for all pressure vessels surrounded by the band. The band can be, in particular, a flexible and / or pliable and / or elastic element, which can be, in particular, elongate.

[0014] The band is fastened rigidly on one end and by means of a spring or springs or an elastic element or elastic elements on the opposite end. A spring can be regarded, for example, as a special case of an elastic element. A simple implementation is achieved by rigid fastening on one end. However, fastening on both ends can also be possible in principle by means of one or more springs or one or more elastic elements. The spring or elastic element can be responsible for the clamping, which presses the pressure vessel to the support in an advantageous manner and thus prevents the pressure vessel from lifting off the support even in movements which can occur, for example, in the driving operation of a motor vehicle.

[0015] In particular, the pressure vessel structure group can have, on one or both longitudinal ends of the pressure vessel, a row of fastening assemblies which are arranged directly side by side. By means of an implementation on the longitudinal ends, fastening on one end can be achieved, wherein, on the other longitudinal end, for example, a simple support is sufficient. Fastening on both longitudinal ends is also possible. Thereby, for example, the stability can be further improved.

[0016] According to a corresponding implementation, the pressure vessel structure group can have, on one or both longitudinal ends of the pressure vessel, a row of separate supports for the pressure vessel without a clamping element extending over the separate supports. Thereby, a movable bearing on this longitudinal end can be achieved in a simple manner, wherein a fixed bearing is typically achieved on the opposite longitudinal end or below the centre of mass. The separate support can be, in particular, a support which is not provided with a clamping band. In contrast to a one-sided fixed bearing, a band can be used, in particular, as a clamping element.

[0017] The support can be constructed, in particular, from an elastomeric material or can be coated with an elastomeric material on the contact face with the pressure vessel. Thereby, a certain flexibility can be achieved, which can advantageously hold the pressure vessel even in the event of chattering. Furthermore, a radial vessel expansion can be achieved when the internal pressure changes.

[0018] One, some or all of the supports can be glued and / or coated with an elastic material on the contact face with the pressure vessel. Thereby, a particularly high reliability of the contact can be achieved.

[0019] In one, some or all of the fastening assemblies, the clamping elements can be covered, in particular completely or partially, with a jacket on one or more contact surfaces with the pressure vessel. The jacket can be constructed, for example, from an elastomeric material, in particular in order to achieve a fixed bearing function by increased friction. The jacket can also be constructed from a material that reduces friction, in particular for achieving a movable bearing function. The jacket can be constructed, for example, as a fixedly applied coating or as a removable cover.

[0020] One, some or all of the clamping elements can have outwardly curved end portions by means of which the clamping elements are fastened on a support or other element. By means of such outwardly curved end portions, simple fastening, for example form-locked fastening, of the respective clamping element is possible.

[0021] The clamping elements can be embodied, in particular adjacent to the end portions, to be thicker than in the middle between the end portions. Thereby, the stability on the end portions on which fastening should be carried out is increased compared to the regions on which a clamping force should be applied on the pressure vessel. The thicker embodiment can relate, in particular in a typical clamping element, to the thickness, i.e. the smallest extension of the clamping element in three dimensions.

[0022] Between two fastening assemblies and / or adjacent to one or more end portion sides, one or more holders can be arranged on which the support and / or the clamping element rests and / or on which the support and / or the clamping element is fastened. By means of such holders, the stability of the pressure vessel structure group can be increased and the positioning and fastening of the support and / or the clamping element can be ensured in a simple manner.

[0023] Furthermore, the technology disclosed herein relates to a motor vehicle having a pressure vessel structure group as described herein. All described embodiments can be used with respect to the pressure vessel structure group.

[0024] The clamping band already mentioned can be, for example, a braid or a woven fabric, for example constructed from carbon fibers or aramid fibers. The clamping band can have, for example, a reduced coefficient of friction by means of a coating, in particular for steering and for the container. Such a coating can be constructed, for example, from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0025] In other words, it has been recognized that the clamping or hinged bands surrounding the pressure vessel, which are often used in the prior art, can be disadvantageous in certain embodiments for mass applications, especially when the pressure vessel should be installed in a construction space, for example in a floor space under the passenger compartment. For example, it can be reduced to only one glued fastening element below the center of gravity of the vessel as a fixed support. The fastening element can for example only partially surround the vessel and have an outwardly curved end. This can mean for example an omega-shaped geometry. The required elasticity to allow the radial tank extension can be provided by a spring geometry integrated directly into the fastening element. The required pretension can be achieved by clamping the fastening element in a direction away from the vessel. The absorption of the resulting counterforce can be ensured by a support of the fastening element which is partially surrounded by an H-shaped part. External forces and moments acting on the vessel can be supported by two end supports made of an elastomer.

[0026] Alternatively, the presentation of the active support function can be produced by means of a clamping band for all vessels present in a complex, which is arranged meander-shaped and turns between the tanks. One side can be fixedly clamped, the opposite side can be suspended on an elastic element.

[0027] The elastic action can for example take place by an outward curvature of an integrated arch or also by a meander-shaped wave. The application of the clamping force can be achieved by a threaded sleeve below the vessel, which is seated on the end of the fastening element, or by a threaded connection together with a transverse support. Furthermore, for example one of the ends can be suspended on a pin only in order to simplify the installation. Advantageously, the plate thickness of the fastening element is increased at the end in order to compensate for the higher stresses present there.

[0028] One or more elastic elements can be embodied as tension springs. Alternatively, the elastic element can also be part of the clamping band geometry, for example as a wave geometry. The surface of the clamping band can have a small coefficient of friction for the turning and for the vessel, for example by a Teflon coating. The fixed clamping can be embodied as a threaded connection with the surrounding structure. The turning can form a simple bar along which the band slides or be embodied as a roller. The clamping band can be embodied as a sheet, a woven fabric made of metal wire or a textile woven fabric.

[0029] The pressure vessel construction group can especially be understood as one or more pressure vessels together with permanently installed load-bearing structures, fastening elements and / or protection elements, which can also be temporarily detached and installed again, especially when special tools and / or processes are used. This can especially be done for maintenance and inspection.

[0030] The pressure vessel arrangement group can be used, in particular, in motor vehicles, such as passenger cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles. The pressure vessel arrangement group is used for storing fuel which is gaseous under ambient conditions. The pressure vessel arrangement group can be used, for example, in motor vehicles which are operated with compressed (also referred to as compressed natural gas or CNG) or liquefied (also referred to as liquid natural gas or LNG) natural gas or with hydrogen. The pressure vessel arrangement group is usually in fluid connection with at least one energy converter which is arranged to convert the chemical energy of the fuel into another form of energy.

[0031] The pressure vessel arrangement group comprises at least one pressure vessel, in particular a composite overwrap pressure vessel. The pressure vessel can be, for example, a cryogenic pressure vessel or a high-pressure gas vessel. The high-pressure gas vessel is configured to store fuel durably at ambient temperature at a nominal working pressure (also referred to as Nominal Working Pressure or NWP) of at least 350 barg (= overpressure relative to atmospheric pressure) or at least 700 barg. The cryogenic pressure vessel is suitable for storing fuel at the above-mentioned working pressure even at temperatures which are significantly (for example by more than 50 K or more than 100 K) below the operating temperature of the motor vehicle.

[0032] The pressure vessel arrangement group can be installed, in particular, in the underfloor region below the passenger interior. The longitudinal axes of the pressure vessels can extend parallel to one another in the installed position and / or each pressure vessel can have a length:diameter ratio which has a value of between 4 and 200, preferably between 5 and 100 and particularly preferably between 6 and 50. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] The technology disclosed herein will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Herein is shown:

[0035] Figure 1 Three fastening assemblies are shown,

[0036] Figure 2 Fastening assemblies are shown in other views, Figure 1

[0037] Figure 3 Clamping elements are shown,

[0038] Figure 4 Alternative clamping elements are shown,

[0039] Figure 5 Assemblies consisting of a support and a clamping element are shown,

[0040] Figure 6 Pressure vessel arrangement groups are shown,

[0041] Figure 7 ​a perspective view of a pressure vessel construction group is shown,

[0042] Figure 8 a perspective view of a further pressure vessel construction group is shown,

[0043] Figure 9 a pressure vessel construction group is shown in other views Figure 8 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Figure 1 Three fastening assemblies 10 for a respective one pressure vessel are shown arranged directly next to one another. Each fastening assembly 10 is here arranged on two outer holders 40 and two built-in holders 50. Each holder 40, 50 can in particular implement a fastening on a not represented vehicle body of a motor vehicle.

[0045] Each fastening assembly 10 has a support 20 on which the respective pressure vessel can rest. The support 20 is therefore embodied in the shape of a circular segment, so that it is complementary to a circular pressure vessel. The not represented pressure vessel can be inserted into a space which is surrounded on the upper side by the respective clamping element 30. The clamping element 30 and the support 20 substantially face- ly surround the pressure vessel along the circumference and thus fix it. This support can in principle be embodied as a fixed support or as a movable support. This substantially depends on the applied clamping force.

[0046] The clamping element 30 is at least partially covered with a sheath 37. This can in particular be constructed from an elastomeric material, such as PTFE, in order to implement the function of a fixed support by an increased friction, or it can be constructed from a material which reduces the friction, in order to implement the function of a movable support.

[0047] Figure 2 An embodiment is shown from below Figure 1 It can be seen here that the clamping element is connected to the holders 40, 50 at fastening points 32. This makes a simple fastening of the clamping element 30 possible, and as shown, the support 20 is also held here by the connection to the clamping element 30.

[0048] Figure 3 The clamping element 30 is shown in a side view. It can be seen here that the clamping element 30 is constructed in the shape of an omega, so that there is a substantially circular segment-shaped portion on the upper side and two end portions which each project outwards on the lower side. These end portions can in particular be used for fastening on the already mentioned holders 40, 50 or also on other elements. The end portions which project outwards are embodied slightly thicker as shown, in order to achieve a higher strength.

[0049] Figure 4 ​An alternative embodiment of the clamping element 30 is shown. Here, two meandering sections 34 are arranged between the lower side between the circular-arc-segment-shaped section and the outwardly protruding end. These meandering sections can produce an elastic effect, that is to say, in particular, an elastic force directed downward can be produced by the clamping element 30 when the pressure vessel is enclosed. As a result, the pressure vessel can be fixed even better in the respective fastening assembly. Figure 4 The embodiment of the fastening assembly 10 according to Figure 3 can be used in any embodiment.

[0050] Figure 5 An assembly consisting of the support 20 and the clamping element 30 is shown, wherein the clamping element 30 is fastened on the support 20. Reference is made here to the clamping element 30 according to Figure 4 . Here, a screw assembly 22 is provided at the fastening point 32, by means of which the clamping element 30 is fastened on the support 20. By selecting a suitable screw or precise fastening, the distance between the clamping element 30 and the support 20 can be adjusted, so that the force acting on the pressure vessel can also be adjusted.

[0051] Figure 6 The pressure vessel structure group 1 is shown purely schematically. The pressure vessel structure group has three pressure vessels 5 here, which are arranged parallel to one another. These pressure vessels each have a circular cross section.

[0052] The pressure vessel structure group 1 has a housing 2, which encloses the pressure vessels 5 and the fastening assemblies 10. As a result, for example, a protection against contamination or also an increased mechanical stability can be achieved. Furthermore, the housing 2 connects the pressure vessel structure group 1 into a modularly installable unit.

[0053] On both longitudinal ends, the pressure vessels 5 rest on respective individual supports 60, which are not provided with a clamping element. However, clamping elements are embodied on three fastening assemblies 10, which are arranged here in the middle in the longitudinal direction of the pressure vessels 5. These fastening assemblies hold the pressure vessels 5 directly below the respective center of mass of the pressure vessels, so that a force-free bearing of the pressure vessels 5 can be achieved at this location. A simple support on the longitudinal ends is therefore sufficient, wherein a lifting of the pressure vessels 5 is effectively prevented even in the case of fluttering by the clamping elements 30 shown.

[0054] Furthermore, the sheath 37, which is currently composed of an elastomer material, clamped on the clamping element 30, can achieve an absorption of axial forces.

[0055] Figure 7 The pressure vessel structure group 1 is shown from below. It can be seen here that reference is made to the pressure vessel structure group 1 according to Figure 1The three embodiments of fastening assemblies 10 described, which hold the pressure vessels 5 in position side by side. Reference can be made to the description of Figure 1 .

[0056] Figure 8 A pressure vessel arrangement 1 according to an alternative embodiment is shown. Here too there are three fastening assemblies 10 with a respective one support 20. The pressure vessels 5 rest on the respective one support 20.

[0057] The clamping element 30, however, is not implemented here separately, but as an integral part of a band 31 which extends over all three pressure vessels 5 side by side. The band 31 is fastened on the right-hand side on a fastening 33. On the left-hand side, the band is fastened on a spring 35 which clamps the band 31 and thus presses the pressure vessels 5 with a certain force onto the support 20.

[0058] Figure 9 A cut-out of the pressure vessel arrangement 1 according to Figure 8 is shown in perspective view. Here it can be seen that there are three springs 35 in total. The pressure vessels 5 rest on the supports which are not visible in Figure 9 .

[0059] The housing 2 can also be seen in Figure 9 , which is not shown in Figure 8 for the sake of simplicity.

[0060] For the sake of legibility, the expression "at least one" has been omitted in part in a simplified manner. If features of the technology disclosed here are described in singular or indefinite manner (e.g. the pressure vessel, the spring, etc.), then a plurality is also disclosed at the same time (e.g. at least one pressure vessel, at least one spring, etc.).

[0061] The above description of the invention is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention. Different variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, without departing from the invention and its equivalents.

[0062] List of reference signs

[0063] 1 pressure vessel arrangement

[0064] 2 housing

[0065] 5 pressure vessel

[0066] 10 fastening assembly

[0067] 20 support

[0068] 22 screw assembly

[0069] 30 clamping element

[0070] 31 strap

[0071] 32 fastening point

[0072] 33 fastener

[0073] 34 meander-shaped section

[0074] 35 spring

[0075] 37 sheath

[0076] 40 outer retaining element

[0077] 50 inner retaining element

[0078] 60 individual support element

Claims

1. A pressure vessel structure assembly (1), the pressure vessel structure assembly comprising: - One or more pressure vessels (5) for storing gaseous fuel, and - One or more fastening assemblies (10), wherein each fastening assembly (10) has a support (20) for one of the pressure vessels (5) and a clamping element (30), wherein the clamping element (30) surrounds the pressure vessel (5) on its upper side and clamps the pressure vessel to the support (20). - In some or all of the supports (20), the clamping element (30) is part of a band (31) spanning multiple fastening assemblies (10). Its features are, - The band (31) is rigidly fastened at one end and at the opposite ends by means of one or more elastic elements. The clamping element (30) has one or more zigzag sections (34) that generate a force to clamp the pressure vessel (5) onto the support (20).

2. The pressure vessel structure assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein, One, some, or all of the fastening components (10) are arranged such that the support (20) is positioned below the center of gravity of the pressure vessel (5).

3. The pressure vessel structure assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The support (20) is configured to complement the lower section of the outer periphery of the pressure vessel (5).

4. The pressure vessel structure assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The support (20) extends along a section in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding pressure vessel (5).

5. The pressure vessel structure assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The clamping element (30) is fastened to the support (20).

6. The pressure vessel structure assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The pressure vessel structure assembly has a row of fastening components (10) arranged directly side by side at one or both longitudinal ends of the pressure vessel (5).

7. The pressure vessel structure assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressure vessel structure assembly has a row of individual supports (60) for each of the pressure vessels (5) at one or both longitudinal ends of the pressure vessel (5), without clamping elements (30) extending on the individual supports.

8. The pressure vessel structure assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, One, some, or all of the support members (20) are coated with adhesive and / or covered with an elastic material on the contact surface with the pressure vessel (5).

9. The pressure vessel structure assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, In one, some, or all of the fastening assemblies (10), the clamping element (30) is completely or partially covered by a sheath (37) on one or more contact surfaces with the pressure vessel (5).

10. The pressure vessel structure assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, One, some, or all of the clamping elements (30) have outwardly curved ends, by means of which the clamping elements are fastened to the support (20) or to other elements.

11. The pressure vessel structure assembly (1) according to claim 10, wherein, The clamping element (30) is implemented adjacent to the outwardly bent ends in a manner that is thicker than in the middle between each of the outwardly bent ends.

12. The pressure vessel structure assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, One or more retainers (40, 50) are arranged between the two fastening components (10) and / or adjacent to one or more end sides of the fastening components (10), the support (20) and / or the clamping element (30) resting on the retainer, and / or the support (20) and / or the clamping element (30) being fastened to the retainer.

13. The pressure vessel structure assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The elastic element is a spring (35).

14. A motor vehicle having a pressure vessel structure assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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