Method for operating compressed gas storage device having at least one compressed gas container, compressed gas container and compressed gas storage device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a compressed gas storage device (1) having at least one compressed gas container (2) in which a tank valve unit (3) having a flow path (4) is integrated, through which the compressed gas container (2) can be filled with gas, in particular hydrogen, and / or gas can be removed from the compressed gas container (2). According to the invention, the gas mass flow in the flow path (4) is regulated using a throttle valve (5) having a variable throttle cross-section during the filling process and / or the removal process. The invention also relates to a compressed gas container (2) and a compressed gas storage device (1) having at least one compressed gas container (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a compressed gas storage device having at least one compressed gas container. The invention also relates to a compressed gas container and a compressed gas storage device having at least one compressed gas container according to the invention.

[0002] A preferred field of application of the invention is fuel cell systems, in particular mobile fuel cell systems or fuel cell vehicles. The gas stored in the compressed gas storage device is therefore in particular hydrogen. Background Art

[0003] In mobile fuel cell systems, the required hydrogen is usually stored in bottle-like compressed gas containers. Typically, a plurality of bottle-like compressed gas containers are combined into a compressed gas storage device or compressed gas storage device and installed in the floor area of ​​the vehicle. Depending on the specific position and / or orientation of the compressed gas container, for example when the compressed gas container is arranged in an edge area, such a compressed gas container may heat up more strongly under sunlight than other compressed gas containers that are closer to the inside. This leads to large temperature differences in these compressed gas containers. In other words, the conditions inside the compressed gas containers are different. This also applies to the state parameters "pressure" and "fill level" in the compressed gas containers. In addition, the storage capacity of the compressed gas containers of the compressed gas storage device may vary, so that some compressed gas containers are filled or emptied faster than other compressed gas containers.

[0004] For reasons of efficiency and safety, it is necessary to take into account the individual conditions in a plurality of compressed gas containers of a compressed gas storage device when filling and removing gas. The present invention proposes a solution to this problem. Summary of the invention

[0005] To achieve this object, a method having the features of claim 1 and a compressed gas container having the features of claim 6 are proposed. Advantageous developments of the invention can be found in the respective dependent claims. Furthermore, a compressed gas storage device having at least one compressed gas container according to the invention is proposed.

[0006] A method is proposed for operating a compressed gas storage device having at least one compressed gas container, in which a tank valve unit is integrated, the tank valve unit having a flow path Through this flow path, the compressed gas container can be filled with gas, in particular hydrogen, and / or gas can be removed from the compressed gas container. According to the invention, during the filling process and / or removal process, the gas mass flow in the flow path is regulated by a throttle valve with a variable throttling cross section.

[0007] Unlike geometrically constant throttle valves that limit the gas mass flow to a predetermined value, the gas mass flow in the flow path can be specifically adjusted or changed with the help of a variable throttle valve. This has multiple advantages. For example, with the help of a variable throttle valve, the tolerances of the valve integrated in the tank valve unit can be compensated and calibrated to a state at the same time. If a proportional valve is integrated in the tank unit, the variable throttle valve can be used to verify the value of the proportional valve, because the flow parameters can be influenced with the help of the variable throttle valve. In addition, additional safety functions can be implemented with the variable throttle valve, which, for example, come into play when the safety valve integrated in the tank valve unit fails. This is because the basic function of the throttle valve is still to limit the gas mass flow in the flow path. However, in the case of a variable throttle valve, the limitation is changeable and can therefore be adapted individually according to the specific situation.

[0008] In an extension of the invention, it is proposed that the gas mass flow in the flow path is adapted to at least one state parameter in the compressed gas container, in particular the temperature and / or the pressure, by means of the throttling cross section of the throttle valve. Temperature and pressure are safety-related state parameters. If the gas mass flow is adapted to the safety-related state parameters, it can be maximized as long as safe operation is ensured. For example, when filling a compressed gas container with gas, the gas mass flow can be throttled only to the extent required. In this way, the shortest filling time or refilling time can be achieved.

[0009] Preferably, the at least one state parameter in the compressed gas container is detected by a sensor integrated in the tank valve unit. The sensor can be a temperature and / or pressure sensor in particular. Knowing the state parameter detected by means of the sensor, the gas mass flow can be adapted to the state parameter. This can be achieved by actively or passively changing the throttle cross section of the throttle valve.

[0010] According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, a throttle valve is used, the throttle cross section of which is actively changed as a function of the at least one state parameter in the compressed gas container. The active change can be realized, for example, by a movable and / or deformable regulating element, which, depending on the position and / or shape, releases the maximum throttle cross section or further reduces the throttle cross section. The movement of the regulating element can, for example, be an axial movement. The deformation of the regulating element can, for example, be a length change.

[0011] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a throttle valve is used, the throttle cross section of which is passively changed as a function of the at least one state parameter in the compressed gas container. The passive change can be thermally induced in particular. For example, a temperature change can cause a deformation of the bimetallic element, which is accompanied by a passive change of the throttle cross section of the throttle valve. The passive change of the throttle cross section has the advantage that it is particularly energy-saving and easy to implement, since no electrical interface is required.

[0012] The advantages of the method according to the invention arise in particular when the compressed gas storage device comprises more than one compressed gas container and each compressed gas container is provided with a variable throttle in the flow path, as this allows the gas mass flow to be optimally adapted to the individual conditions in the compressed gas containers during the filling process and / or the removal process.

[0013] Furthermore, a compressed gas container for a compressed gas storage device is proposed. The compressed gas container comprises a tank valve unit, in which a flow path is formed, through which the compressed gas container can be filled with gas, in particular hydrogen, and / or gas can be removed from the compressed gas container. According to the invention, a throttle valve with a variable throttle cross section is integrated in the flow path.

[0014] The compressed gas container according to the invention is capable of carrying out the above-described method according to the invention, so that the same advantages can be achieved with the compressed gas container, in particular with regard to valve tolerance compensation, calibration and verification of at least one valve of the tank valve unit. This means, among other things, that a compressed gas storage device having at least one compressed gas container according to the invention can be operated according to the above-described method according to the invention.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the throttle valve integrated in the tank valve unit has a movable and / or deformable adjusting element for changing the throttle cross section. The throttle cross section can be further limited or enlarged by the movement and / or deformation of the adjusting element. The movement and / or deformation can be caused actively or passively.

[0016] Preferably, the throttle valve has an actuator for the movement and / or deformation of the adjusting element. The longitudinal movement of the adjusting element can be achieved by the actuator, for example. The actuator can also be designed to change the position of the adjusting element in the radial direction.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, it is proposed that the throttle valve has an electric heating device for the movement and / or deformation of the regulating element. By means of the heating device, for example, the following regulating element can be acted on, which is deformed under the action of heat. For this purpose, the regulating element can be made of bimetal. In a preferred configuration, the regulating element has the shape of a sleeve, in which the heating device is integrated. If the sleeve is deformed in the radial direction, the inner diameter of the sleeve can define a variable throttling cross section. If the sleeve is deformed in the axial direction, the sleeve can be matched with another element, which is stationary, so that the variable throttling cross section can be set by the axial distance between the sleeve and the stationary element.

[0018] If the adjusting element can change its shape autonomously under the influence of heat, the deformation can also be caused passively by the temperature in the compressed gas container. In this case, the heating device can be omitted.

[0019] It is further proposed that at least one sensor is integrated in the tank valve unit. By means of the at least one sensor, state parameters of the compressed gas container, such as temperature and / or pressure, can be detected, since these parameters are relevant for safety. The throttle cross section of the variable throttle valve and thus the gas mass flow in the flow path of the tank valve unit can then be adapted to the corresponding conditions in the compressed gas container. The at least one sensor is therefore preferably a temperature and / or pressure sensor.

[0020] It is also preferred that at least one valve is integrated into the tank valve unit. The valve can be, for example, a shut-off valve in order to be able to safely close the compressed gas container. Alternatively or additionally, it is proposed that at least one controllable valve is integrated into the tank valve unit for filling the compressed gas container with gas and / or removing gas from the compressed gas container. If the filling function and the removal function are implemented by separate independent valves, these valves are preferably arranged in separate independent flow paths, more precisely in a filling path and a removal path. The flow path in the tank valve unit that receives the throttle valve can be divided into these paths.

[0021] In addition, the tank valve unit can have further components, in particular further valves, for example at least one manually actuatable valve, and / or at least one filter.

[0022] Furthermore, a compressed gas storage device is proposed, which has at least one compressed gas container according to the invention. Based on at least one compressed gas container according to the invention, the compressed gas storage device is particularly suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention or can be operated according to the method. The compressed gas storage device can be used in particular in a fuel cell system for supplying hydrogen to a fuel cell stack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The invention and its advantages are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings show:

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a compressed gas storage device according to the present invention,

[0025] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a compressed gas container with a tank valve unit according to the present invention is shown,

[0026] Figure 3 A schematic longitudinal section of a throttle valve with a variable throttle cross section is shown

[0027] Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 A schematic cross section of a throttle valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] exist Figure 1 A compressed gas storage device 1 having a plurality of compressed gas containers 2 can be seen in the drawing. The compressed gas storage device 1 shown is used to supply hydrogen to a fuel cell stack 20. A tank valve unit 3 is integrated in each compressed gas container 2, via which the corresponding compressed gas container 2 can be filled with hydrogen and hydrogen can be removed from the compressed gas container 2.

[0029] from Figure 2 As can be seen in the figure, the tank valve unit 3 has a flow path 4, which is divided into a removal path 11 and a filling path 12 in the tank valve unit 3. Valves 9 and 10 are integrated in the removal path 11 and the filling path 12, respectively. The valves 9 and 10 are connected to the control device 17 via a control line 18 so that they can be controlled individually. Another line 19 connects the control device 17 to the sensor 6, which detects at least one state parameter in the compressed gas container 2, such as temperature and / or pressure. A mass flow limiting valve 14 and a filter 16 are also integrated in the filling path 12. Another filter 16 and a shut-off valve 13 are arranged in the flow path 4. In addition, a manually operable valve 15 is provided, which enables the compressed gas container 2 to be emptied urgently.

[0030] The tank valve unit 3 also has a throttle valve 5 with a variable throttle cross section. The throttle valve 5 is integrated into the flow path 5 so that the gas mass flow can be influenced in the filling direction and in the removal direction via the throttle cross section of the throttle valve 5. In particular, the gas mass flow can be adapted to the current conditions in the compressed gas container 2 during the filling process or the removal process. For this purpose, the throttle valve 5 can be controlled by a control device 17, which has data from the sensor 6.

[0031] Figure 3 and Figure 4, a throttle valve 5 with a variable throttling cross section is shown. The throttling cross section is defined here by the distance between the adjusting element 7 and a further element 21, which is stationary relative to the adjusting element 7. This is because the element 21 is held by a radially extending connecting strip 22. A heating device 8 is integrated in the adjusting element 7, which can be appropriately controlled to generate heat. The heat generated by the heating device 8 causes the adjusting element 7 to expand in the axial direction. The distance from the adjusting element 7 to the stationary element 21 is thereby reduced, so that the throttling cross section that can flow freely is reduced.

[0032] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The variable throttle valve 5 shown is only a means of achieving Figure 2 FIG. 5 is an example of a throttle valve 5 of the tank valve unit 3. Therefore, the present invention also includes other embodiments of the variable throttle valve.

Claims

1. A method for operating a compressed gas storage device (1) having at least one compressed gas container (2), in which a tank valve unit (3) is integrated, the tank valve unit having a flow path (4) via which the compressed gas container (2) can be filled with gas, in particular with hydrogen, and / or gas can be removed from the compressed gas container (2), It is characterized in that During the filling process and / or the removal process, the gas mass flow in the flow path (4) is adjusted by means of a throttle valve (5) having a variable throttle cross section.

2. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The gas mass flow in the flow path (4) is adapted to at least one state parameter in the compressed gas container (2), in particular the temperature and / or the pressure, via the throttle cross section of the throttle valve (5).

3. The method according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The at least one state parameter in the compressed gas container (2) is detected by means of a sensor (6) integrated into the tank valve unit (3).

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, It is characterized in that A throttle valve (5) is used, the throttle cross section of which is actively varied as a function of the at least one state parameter in the compressed gas container (2), the active variation preferably being achieved by means of a movable and / or deformable adjusting element (7).

5. The method according to claim 2 or 3, It is characterized in that A throttle valve (5) is used, the throttle cross section of which is changed passively as a function of the at least one state parameter in the compressed gas container (2).

6. A compressed gas container (2) for a compressed gas storage device (1), comprising a tank valve unit (3), in which a flow path (4) is formed, via which the compressed gas container (2) can be filled with gas, in particular with hydrogen, and / or gas can be removed from the compressed gas container (2), It is characterized in that A throttle valve (5) with a variable throttle cross section is integrated into the flow path (4).

7. The compressed gas container (2) according to claim 6, It is characterized in that The throttle valve (5) has a displaceable and / or deformable adjusting element (7) for varying the throttle cross section.

8. The compressed gas container (2) according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The throttle valve (5) has an actuator and / or an electric heating device (8) for moving and / or deforming the adjustment element (7).

9. A compressed gas container (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, It is characterized in that At least one sensor (6) and / or at least one valve (9, 10) are integrated into the tank valve unit (3).

10. A compressed gas storage device (1) having at least one compressed gas container (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

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