Refueling station and refueling method for refueling crawler-type vehicle with hydrogen

Abstract

A refueling station for refueling a tracked vehicle with hydrogen at a work site, the refueling station configured to be transported to the work site, and the refueling station having: a compressor unit (18) configured to receive hydrogen as input from a hydrogen source (14) and / or from a hydrogen distribution network (17), and configured to compress the received hydrogen; and an injection nozzle (19) connected to the compressor unit (18) and configured to be coupled to a hydrogen reservoir (8) of the tracked vehicle (2) to distribute compressed hydrogen into the hydrogen reservoir (8).

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102023000025428, filed on November 29, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a filling station and method for filling a crawler vehicle with hydrogen at a work site. Background art

[0004] In the past few decades, the reduction of global pollution has received increasing attention, which has promoted the development of crawler vehicles equipped with alternative power systems powered by renewable energy, such as hydrogen fuel cells.

[0005] It is well known that a hydrogen - powered crawler vehicle includes a hydrogen storage device provided with a plurality of hydrogen - containing power tanks, a fuel cell configured to generate electrical energy from hydrogen, and an electric motor driven by the electrical energy generated by the fuel cell.

[0006] When the hydrogen contained in the supply tank is almost exhausted, it is necessary to fill the crawler vehicle with hydrogen.

[0007] Generally, filling is carried out by connecting the crawler vehicle to a filling system installed at the work site and including a high - pressure storage tank, the pressure of which is usually between 900 bar and 1000 bar, so that the gas in the storage tank can flow into the supply tank of the crawler vehicle, the internal pressure of which is less than 700 bar.

[0008] However, since the storage tank contains high - pressure hydrogen, the filling process is risky, and currently known filling systems are expensive and bulky. Therefore, the number of filling systems at the entire work site is limited and sometimes insufficient to cover the entire work site of the crawler vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a filling station for filling a crawler vehicle with hydrogen, which reduces the disadvantages of the prior art discussed above.

[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided a filling station for filling a crawler vehicle with hydrogen at a work site, the filling station being configured to be transported to the work site and comprising:

[0011] - A compressor unit configured to receive hydrogen as an input from a hydrogen source and / or from a hydrogen distribution network and configured to compress the received hydrogen; and

[0012] - An injection nozzle, connected to a compressor unit, and configured to be coupled to a hydrogen storage tank of a tracked vehicle to deliver compressed hydrogen into the hydrogen storage tank.

[0013] Thanks to the present invention, it is possible to directly refuel a tracked vehicle at the work site without installing an expensive and bulky refueling system for intermediate storage of high-pressure hydrogen. In fact, the absence of an intermediate storage tank makes it possible to increase the safety of the refueling process of the tracked vehicle.

[0014] Furthermore, it is possible to form a light and compact refueling station, which enables the refueling station to be transported on roads and off-road. In this way, a plurality of refueling stations can be arranged in a given area of the work site to cover the entire work site of the tracked vehicle. According to specific needs, the refueling station can be easily moved within the work site, for example, to adjust the distance between refueling stations.

[0015] Specifically, the refueling station includes a housing arranged to surround the compressor unit to protect the compressor unit and isolate the compressor unit from the external environment.

[0016] Specifically, the housing extends along a first direction by a first length between 1.5 meters and 2.5 meters, along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction by a second length between 3 meters and 4 meters, and along a third direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction by a third length between 1.5 meters and 2.5 meters.

[0017] In this way, the size of the refueling station is reduced, and thus it is possible to easily transport the refueling station within the work site and / or transport the refueling station from one work site to another.

[0018] Specifically, the refueling station includes a manifold configured to fluidly connect the compressor unit to the injection nozzle. More specifically, the manifold includes a flexible connecting pipe.

[0019] In this way, hydrogen can be supplied from the compressor unit to the injection nozzle under pressure.

[0020] Specifically, the refueling station includes an electrical connector configured to be coupled to a power module.

[0021] In this way, power can be supplied to the refueling station, and specifically to the compressor unit.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a refueling method for refueling a tracked vehicle with hydrogen, which method reduces the disadvantages of the prior art described above.

[0023] According to the present invention, there is provided a refueling method for refueling a tracked vehicle with hydrogen at a work site, the refueling method comprising the following steps:

[0024] - Transport of the hydrogen filling station including the compressor unit and injection nozzles to the work site;

[0025] - injecting hydrogen from a hydrogen source and / or from a hydrogen distribution network into the compressor unit;

[0026] - compressing the received hydrogen by means of a compressor unit;

[0027] - connecting the injection nozzle to the hydrogen reservoir of the tracked vehicle; and

[0028] - The compressed hydrogen is delivered to the hydrogen storage tank via the injection nozzle.

[0029] Thanks to the method, tracked vehicles can be refueled with hydrogen in a safe and simple manner, without the need to install expensive and bulky refueling systems for intermediate storage of high-pressure hydrogen.

[0030] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the filling method comprises the following steps:

[0031] - arranging the first hydrogen-powered tracked vehicle in the vicinity of the second hydrogen-powered tracked vehicle;

[0032] - connecting a first hydrogen storage device of a first tracked vehicle to a second hydrogen storage device of a second tracked vehicle via a connecting pipe; and

[0033] - A hydrogen flow is supplied from the first hydrogen reservoir to the second hydrogen reservoir via a connecting pipe.

[0034] In this way, the tracked vehicle can be refueled with hydrogen even when the tracked vehicle is located at a distance from one of the refueling stations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Further features and advantages of the invention will be better understood by reading the following description of a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] - Figure 1 is a plan view of a tracked vehicle and a filling system according to the present invention, with some components removed for greater clarity and schematic components shown;

[0037] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a filling station of a filling system of the invention, with some parts removed for greater clarity;

[0038] - Figure 3 The transport vehicle and the Figure 1 a side view of a hydrogen source for a filling system of FIG. 1 with some components removed for clarity; and

[0039] -Figure 4 is a plan view of a first tracked vehicle and a second tracked vehicle during the steps of performing a refueling method according to the present invention, in which some components have been removed for greater clarity and schematic components are shown. Detailed Description

[0040] Reference Figure 1 , a refueling system for refueling the tracked vehicle 2 at a work site is generally designated by the numeral 1.

[0041] Without limiting the present invention as described and shown herein, the tracked vehicle 2 is used for preparing ski slopes. Specifically, the tracked vehicle 2 is a snow groomer.

[0042] More specifically, the tracked vehicle 2 is used for preparing ski slopes for alpine skiing, and / or for preparing ski slopes for cross - country skiing, and / or for preparing ramps for ski jumping, and / or for preparing half - pipe runs, and / or for preparing snow parks.

[0043] It should be noted that according to another embodiment, the tracked vehicle 2 can be used for agricultural operations, such as harvesting and / or transporting agricultural products and / or silage, and / or harvesting and / or transporting bagasse. According to this configuration, the tracked vehicle 2 can include a subsoiler preferably located at the front side of the tracked vehicle 2, and the subsoiler can be used for crushing plants.

[0044] According to another embodiment, the tracked vehicle 2 can be used for cleaning beaches and / or treating sandy areas.

[0045] The tracked vehicle 2 is driven by hydrogen, and the tracked vehicle includes: a frame 3; tracks 4; tracks 5; a set of tools 6, connected to the frame 3; a cabin 7, mounted on the frame 3; and a hydrogen storage 8.

[0046] In a non - limiting embodiment of the present invention as described and shown herein, the set of tools 6 includes a tiller 9 and a shovel 10, the tiller being movably connected to the frame 3 and the shovel being movably connected to the frame 3.

[0047] The hydrogen storage 8 includes a plurality of supply tanks 11 configured to contain hydrogen and a housing structure 12 configured to accommodate the supply tanks 11. Specifically, the hydrogen storage 8 is located behind the cabin 7 with respect to the traveling direction of the tracked vehicle 2.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the tracked vehicle 2 further includes: a fuel cell (not shown in the drawings), the fuel cell being configured to receive hydrogen from the hydrogen storage 8 and generate electrical energy from the received hydrogen; and an electric drive system (not shown in the drawings), the electric drive system being powered by the electrical energy generated by the fuel cell and configured to transmit power to the tracks 4, 5 and the set of tools 6.

[0049] According to an alternative embodiment not shown in the drawings, the tracked vehicle 2 includes a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine. Specifically, the internal combustion engine is configured to receive hydrogen from a hydrogen reservoir 8 and transmit power to the tracks 4, 5 and a set of tools 6.

[0050] The refueling system 1 includes a refueling station 13 for refueling the tracked vehicle 2 with hydrogen at the work site.

[0051] Specifically, the work site can be a ski area, or a ski slope, or agricultural land, or a beach, or a sandy area, without thereby limiting the broad scope of possible applications of the present invention.

[0052] In addition, the refueling system 1 includes a hydrogen source 14 connected to the refueling station 13 to supply hydrogen to the refueling station 13, and the hydrogen source includes at least one hydrogen tank 15. The hydrogen source 14 includes a receiving frame 16 configured to accommodate a plurality of hydrogen tanks 15 (such as hydrogen cylinders).

[0053] In addition or alternatively, the refueling system 1 includes a hydrogen distribution network 17 connected to the refueling station 13 to supply hydrogen to the refueling station 13.

[0054] The refueling station 13 is configured to be transported to the work site, and the refueling station includes: a compressor unit 18 configured to receive hydrogen as an input from the hydrogen source 14 and / or from the hydrogen distribution network 17, and configured to compress the received hydrogen; and an injection nozzle 19 connected to the compressor unit 18 and configured to be coupled to the hydrogen reservoir 8 of the tracked vehicle 2 to distribute the compressed hydrogen into the hydrogen reservoir 8.

[0055] More specifically, the refueling station 13 is configured to be coupled to the front portion of the frame 3 of the tracked vehicle 2 and / or to the shovel 10, and preferably the refueling station includes a hooking device (not shown in the drawings) configured to enable the refueling station 13 to be lifted by a crane.

[0056] Specifically, the refueling system 1 includes a connecting pipe 20 that fluidly connects the hydrogen source 14 to the compressor unit 18.

[0057] Alternatively or in addition, the refueling system 1 includes a connecting pipe 21 for fluidly connecting the hydrogen distribution network 17 to the compressor unit 18.

[0058] In the specific case described and shown herein, the refueling station 13 includes a manifold 22 configured to fluidly connect the compressor unit 18 to the injection nozzle 19. Specifically, the manifold 22 includes a flexible connecting pipe 23.

[0059] In addition, the refueling station 13 includes a heating unit 24 configured to heat the compressor unit 18. Specifically, the heating unit 24 includes a heat exchanger and / or a resistor.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the filling station 13 includes an electrical connector 25 configured to be connected to an external power module 26. Specifically, the electrical connector 25 electrically connects the power module 26 to the compressor unit 18 to supply power to the compressor unit 18.

[0061] Reference Figure 2 , the filling station 13 includes a housing 27 arranged to surround the compressor unit 18. In other words, the compressor assembly 18 is enclosed within the housing 27.

[0062] In the specific case described and illustrated herein, the housing 27 has the shape of a parallelepiped.

[0063] The housing 27 extends along a direction D1 between a first length L1 of between 1.5 meters and 2.5 meters, along a direction D2 substantially perpendicular to the direction D1 between a second length L2 of between 3 meters and 4 meters, and along a direction D3 substantially perpendicular to the direction D1 and the direction D2 between a third length L3 of between 1.5 meters and 2.5 meters.

[0064] In other words, the direction D1, the direction D2, and the direction D3 are substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0065] Specifically, the housing 27 is made of a heat-insulating material.

[0066] In use and with reference to Figure 1 , the filling station 13 is transported to a work site and the filling station is arranged in a filling area at the work site.

[0067] More specifically, the transportation of the filling station 13 is carried out by a transportation vehicle (such as a tracked vehicle or a truck). According to an embodiment, a crane loads the filling station 13 onto / unloads the filling station 13 from the transportation vehicle.

[0068] Reference Figure 3 , the hydrogen tank 15 of the hydrogen source 14 is transported to the filling station 13 by a transportation vehicle (such as a tracked vehicle 2).

[0069] In the specific case described and illustrated herein without limiting the present invention, the hydrogen tank 15 is loaded onto a slider 28 towed by the tracked vehicle 2, and the slider transports the hydrogen tank 15 to the filling area where the filling station 13 is located.

[0070] Reference Figure 1 , the tracked vehicle 2 to be filled is arranged near the filling station 13, and the injection nozzle 19 is connected to the hydrogen storage tank 8 of the tracked vehicle 2.

[0071] The first part of the filling is carried out by taking advantage of the pressure difference between the hydrogen contained in the hydrogen tank 15 of the hydrogen source 14 and the hydrogen contained in the hydrogen storage device 8. At this stage, the hydrogen flow naturally supplies from the hydrogen source 14 to the hydrogen storage device 8 through the manifold 22 and the injection nozzle 19.

[0072] When the pressure difference between the hydrogen contained in the hydrogen tank 15 of the hydrogen source 14 and the hydrogen contained in the hydrogen storage device 8 decreases and is no longer sufficient to supply the hydrogen flow from the hydrogen source 14 to the hydrogen storage device 8, the compressor unit 18 of the filling station 13 is connected to the hydrogen source 14 through the connecting pipe 20, and / or is connected to the hydrogen distribution network 17 through the connecting pipe 21.

[0073] Subsequently, hydrogen is supplied to the compressor unit 18 through the hydrogen source 14 and / or through the hydrogen distribution network 17. The compressor unit 18 compresses the incoming hydrogen and transfers the compressed hydrogen to the injection nozzle 19, which transfers the compressed hydrogen to the hydrogen storage device 8.

[0074] Reference Figure 4 , when the hydrogen storage device 8 of the tracked vehicle 2 has little hydrogen and the tracked vehicle 2 is far from a filling station 13, another tracked vehicle 29 including a hydrogen storage device 30 arrives at the tracked vehicle 2 and stops beside the tracked vehicle 2. Specifically, the hydrogen storage device 30 contains a first quantity of hydrogen, and the first quantity of hydrogen is greater than the second quantity of hydrogen contained in the hydrogen storage device 8.

[0075] At this time, the hydrogen storage device 30 of the tracked vehicle 29 is connected to the hydrogen storage device 8 of the tracked vehicle 2 through the connecting pipe 31. The connecting pipe is provided with a nozzle 32 at one end, and the hydrogen flow supplies from the hydrogen storage device 30 to the hydrogen storage device 8 through the connecting pipe 31 to provide hydrogen to the tracked vehicle 2.

[0076] Specifically, the hydrogen supply flow through the connecting pipe 31 is regulated by a valve assembly (not shown in the drawings) according to the pressure and / or temperature of the hydrogen contained in the hydrogen storage devices 8 and 30.

[0077] Obviously, the present invention can be modified without exceeding the protection scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A filling station for filling a tracked vehicle with hydrogen at a work site, the filling station (13) being configured to be transported to the work site and comprising: - a compressor unit (18) configured to receive hydrogen as input from a hydrogen source (14) and / or from a hydrogen distribution network (17), and the compressor unit is configured to compress the received hydrogen; as well as - an injection nozzle (19) connected to the compressor unit (18) and configured to be coupled to a hydrogen reservoir (8) of the tracked vehicle (2) to deliver compressed hydrogen into the hydrogen reservoir (8).

2. Filling station according to claim 1, comprising a housing (27) arranged around the compressor unit (18).

3. The filling station according to claim 2, wherein: The housing (27) extends along a first direction (D1) for a first length (L1) between 1.5 meters and 2.5 meters, extends along a second direction (D2) substantially perpendicular to the first direction (D1) for a second length (L2) between 3 meters and 4 meters, and extends along a third direction (D3) substantially perpendicular to the first direction (D1) and the second direction (D2) for a third length (L3) between 1.5 meters and 2.5 meters.

4. Filling station according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a manifold (22) configured to fluidically connect the compressor unit (18) to the injection nozzle (19).

5. The filling station according to claim 4, wherein: The manifold (22) comprises a flexible connecting pipe (23).

6. Filling station according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a heating unit (24) configured to heat the compressor unit (18).

7. Filling station according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an electrical connector (25) configured to be coupled to a power module (26).

8. A filling system for filling a tracked vehicle with hydrogen at a work site, the filling system (1) comprising: - a filling station (13) according to any one of the preceding claims; as well as - a hydrogen source (14) connected to the compressor unit (18) of the filling station (13) and comprising at least one hydrogen tank (15).

9. The filling system according to claim 8, wherein: The hydrogen source (14) includes a receiving frame (16) configured to receive a plurality of the hydrogen tanks (15).

10. A method for filling a tracked vehicle with hydrogen at a work site, the method comprising the following steps: - transporting a hydrogen filling station (13) comprising a compressor unit (18) and an injection nozzle (19) to the work site; - injecting hydrogen from a hydrogen source (14) and / or from a hydrogen distribution network (17) into the compressor unit (18); - compressing the received hydrogen by means of the compressor unit (18); - coupling the injection nozzle (19) to a hydrogen reservoir (8) of the tracked vehicle (2); and - The compressed hydrogen is delivered to the hydrogen storage vessel (8) via the injection nozzle (19).

11. The filling method according to claim 10, comprising the step of moving the filling station (13) from the first work site to the second work site by means of a transport vehicle and / or a crane.

12. Filling method according to claim 10 or 11, comprising the step of connecting the compressor unit (18) to the hydrogen source (14) and / or to the hydrogen distribution network (17).

13. The filling method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, comprising the following steps: coupling the hydrogen source (14) comprising a plurality of hydrogen tanks (15) to a transport vehicle; And the hydrogen source (14) is transported to the filling station (13) by the transport vehicle.

14. A method for filling a tracked vehicle with hydrogen at a work site, the method comprising the following steps: - arranging a first hydrogen fuel crawler vehicle (29) near a second hydrogen fuel crawler vehicle (2); - connecting the first hydrogen storage device (30) of the first tracked vehicle (29) to the second hydrogen storage device (8) of the second tracked vehicle (2) via a connecting pipe (31); and - A hydrogen flow is supplied from the first hydrogen storage (30) to the second hydrogen storage (8) via the connecting pipe (31).

15. The filling method according to claim 14, wherein: The first hydrogen storage (30) contains a first amount of hydrogen, and the second hydrogen storage (8) contains a second amount of hydrogen that is less than the first amount of hydrogen.

16. The filling method according to claim 14 or 15, comprising the following steps: The flow of hydrogen supplied through the connecting pipe (31) is controlled according to the pressure and / or temperature of the hydrogen contained in the first hydrogen storage (30) and / or the second hydrogen storage (8).

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