Tank system and method for inspecting a separing valve in a tank system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for checking a switchable separating valve (30) in a tank system (100) having a plurality of tank containers (1) and a line system (2), the tank containers being connected to the line system (2) via the switchable separating valve. The method comprises ascertaining a pressure characteristic value for each tank container, ascertaining an actuation sequence, starting from a separating valve of a valve arrangement connecting the tank container, the pressure characteristic value representing the minimum pressure has been ascertained, to the line system, said separating valve being actuated in order to switch each separating valve into an open position, the separating valves are actuated in succession in the determined actuation sequence, detecting a line pressure in the line system, determining, on the basis of the detected line pressure, whether a respective pressure rise occurs in the line system after actuation of each separating valve, and outputting an error signal if it is determined that a pressure rise does not occur in the line system in at least one case after the separation valve is actuated in accordance with the sequence.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tank system, in particular to a tank system for storing gaseous fuel, such as hydrogen, and for supplying gaseous fuel to a consumption system, and a method for checking a separation valve in the tank system. Background Art

[0002] Hydrogen and other gaseous fuels can be used in mobile applications, in particular in road vehicles, for the operation of drive devices. This includes not only the operation of fuel cells, but also the operation of internal combustion engines or other thermal machines. In stationary applications, gaseous fuels can be advantageously used for energy generation. Generally, the gas is stored in a tank system having one or more tank containers and is supplied to a consumption system, such as a fuel cell or an internal combustion engine, via a pipeline system connected to the tank containers.

[0003] A supply system for a fuel cell is described in US 7 367 349 B2, in which a plurality of tank containers are connected in parallel to a pipeline system for supplying the fuel cell via respective extraction pipelines. A switchable separation valve is arranged in each extraction pipeline to connect or disconnect each tank from the pipeline system. At the start of the system, only one of the separation valves is first opened to increase the pressure in the pipeline system, and then the remaining valves are opened. This is intended to reduce valve wear by reducing the pressure difference between the tank and the high-pressure pipeline system at the time when the remaining valves are opened.

[0004] It is generally desirable to reliably open the separation valve at the start of the system to improve operating safety. This applies not only to systems having only one tank container, but also to systems having a plurality of tank containers. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In this context, the present invention provides a method having the features of claim 1 and a tank system having the features of claim 10.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for inspecting a switchable isolation valve in a tank system, the tank system having a plurality of tank containers and a pipeline system, wherein the tank containers are connected to the pipeline system by valve devices each having a switchable isolation valve, wherein a gas, such as hydrogen, is stored in the tank containers, and wherein the pressure in each tank container is greater than the pressure in the pipeline system. The method includes: obtaining a pressure characteristic value for each tank container, the pressure characteristic value representing the individual pressure in the corresponding tank container; obtaining a control sequence of the isolation valve according to the obtained pressure characteristic value, starting from the isolation valve of the valve device that connects the tank container for which the pressure characteristic value representing the minimum pressure has been obtained to the pipeline system; and controlling the isolation valve to switch the isolation valve from a closed state (wherein the isolation valve closes the extraction path connecting the pipeline system and the tank container of the valve device) to an open state (wherein the isolation valve opens the extraction path), wherein the isolation valves are controlled successively in the obtained control sequence. The method further includes: detecting the pipeline pressure in the pipeline system, for example by means of a pipeline pressure sensor; obtaining whether a pressure increase occurs in the pipeline system respectively after controlling each isolation valve according to the detected pipeline pressure; and outputting an error signal when it is determined that no pressure increase occurs in the pipeline system in at least one case after controlling the isolation valves according to the sequence.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a tank system includes a plurality of tank containers for storing a gas, in particular hydrogen; a pipeline system for supplying a consumption system; a plurality of valve devices, wherein each valve device has an extraction path connecting the corresponding tank container and the pipeline system and a switchable isolation valve arranged in the extraction path, the isolation valve being switchable between a closed state closing the extraction path and an open state opening the extraction path; a sensor system configured to detect the pressure in the pipeline system and the temperature and / or pressure in each tank container; and a control device, which is signal-connected to the valve devices and the sensor system and is arranged to cause the tank system to perform the steps of the method according to one of the above claims.

[0008] The concept underlying the present invention is that, first, the pressure level in each tank container is estimated by means of pressure characteristic values, the control sequence of the isolating valve of the valve device for connecting the tank container to the pipeline system is determined based on these pressure characteristic values, the isolating valve is controlled according to the determined sequence, and after controlling the corresponding isolating valve, it is checked whether the pressure in the pipeline system increases. The control sequence is determined such that the tank containers with increasing pressure are successively connected to the pipeline system by controlling the isolating valves of the corresponding valve devices. That is to say, first, the isolating valve of the valve device connecting the tank container with the lowest pressure to the pipeline system is controlled, and subsequently, the isolating valve of the valve device connecting the tank container with the second highest pressure to the pipeline system is controlled, and so on. When the corresponding isolating valve is switched from its closed state to its open state due to the control, this causes the pipeline pressure to increase each time. If such a pressure increase is not detected after controlling the corresponding isolating valve, it can be inferred therefrom that the relevant isolating valve has not opened despite being controlled. In this case, an error signal is output, which indicates that the isolating valve has not opened despite being controlled.

[0009] One advantage of the present invention is that non-switched isolating valves can be reliably identified. This can be used to avoid undesirable situations during the operation of the tank system, for example, to prevent uneven emptying of the tank containers.

[0010] Advantageous configurations and extensions result from the further dependent claims and the description with reference to the drawings.

[0011] According to some embodiments, it can be provided that controlling the corresponding isolating valve includes generating a first opening force for opening the isolating valve, wherein when it is determined that no pressure increase has occurred in the pipeline system after controlling the corresponding isolating valve, the isolating valve is re-controlled with a second opening force greater than the first opening force, and the steps of detecting the pipeline pressure and determining whether the pipeline pressure has increased after the control are re-executed. Therefore, if it is determined that the isolating valve has not opened during the first control of the corresponding isolating valve, the isolating valve is re-controlled, specifically with an increased opening force. Thereby, when the isolating valve can be opened with an increased opening force, the operating safety can be further improved because the tank system can continue to maintain full functionality.

[0012] According to some embodiments, it can be provided that preferably an error signal is output only when it is determined again that no pressure increase has occurred in the pipeline system after re-controlling the corresponding isolating valve. Optionally, a first error signal can be output when no pressure increase in the pipeline pressure is determined after the first control of the isolating valve, and a second error signal can be output when it is determined again that the pipeline pressure has not increased after re-controlling the isolating valve with the second opening force.

[0013] According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the isolation valve is configured as an electrically controllable solenoid valve that closes in the absence of current, wherein generating the first opening force includes energizing the corresponding isolation valve with a first control current, and wherein generating the second opening force includes energizing the corresponding isolation valve with a second control current greater than the first control current.

[0014] According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the method includes: when it is determined that a pressure increase occurs in the pipeline system after controlling the corresponding isolation valve, outputting a release signal for each isolation valve. For example, outputting the release signal can include generating a release report and writing the release report into a data memory.

[0015] According to some embodiments, it can be provided that obtaining the pressure characteristic value for each tank container includes: reading from the data memory the first temperature existing for each tank container at a first time point (when the isolation valves of all valve devices have been switched to their open states); detecting the current second temperature for each tank container by means of a temperature sensor; and determining the quotient of the second temperature and the first temperature as the pressure characteristic value for each tank container. During the steady state of the operation of the tank container (where the isolation valve is open), the tank container is pressure-balanced. Therefore, at this time point (the first time point), the pipeline pressure corresponds to the pressure in each tank container. The temperature in each tank container is detected by a sensor at the first time point and stored in the data memory. The first time point is selected directly before closing the isolation valve, for example, when the tank system is shut down. Due to the temperature difference in each tank container at the first time point and / or the temperature change in each tank container after closing the isolation valve, a pressure difference may occur in the tank container. For each tank container, the pressure p 2,i in the tank container i at the second time point 1,L compared with the pipeline pressure p

[0016]

[0017] where T 2,i is the temperature in the tank container i at the second time point, T 1,i is the temperature in the tank container i at the first time point, Q i is the pressure characteristic value for the tank container i. This method is based on the assumption that the tank container is pressure-balanced at the first time point and the pipeline pressure p 1,L exists in all tank containers. The tank container with the smallest quotient and thus the smallest pressure characteristic value Q is the tank container with the expected lowest pressure level. The advantage of this method is that it can eliminate the need for individual pressure detection of the tank by means of a sensor.

[0018] Optionally, the first pipeline pressure present in the pipeline system at the first time point can also be read from the data memory, and the pressure of the individual tank can be determined based on the first pipeline pressure, the first temperature, and the second temperature as the pressure characteristic value of each tank container. During the stable operation of the tank system (where all tank containers are connected to the pipeline system via open isolation valves), the pipeline pressure in the pipeline system can be detected by means of a sensor and stored in the data memory as the first pipeline pressure.

[0019] According to some embodiments, it can be provided that it is determined whether a pressure increase occurs in the pipeline system respectively after actuating each isolation valve, including comparing the pressure that stably appears in the pipeline system after actuating the corresponding isolation valve with the pressure in the pipeline system before actuating the corresponding isolation valve, wherein when the pressure that stably appears in the pipeline system after actuating is greater than the pressure in the pipeline system before actuating the corresponding isolation valve, a pressure increase is determined. Thereby, a pressure increase can be detected in a simple manner and with little computational effort.

[0020] According to some embodiments, it can be provided that it is determined whether a pressure increase occurs in the pipeline system respectively after actuating each isolation valve, including determining the pressure gradient of the pressure detected in the pipeline system and comparing the pressure gradients before and after actuating the corresponding isolation valve, wherein when the pressure gradient after actuating is greater than the pressure gradient before actuating the corresponding isolation valve, a pressure increase is determined. The advantage of this method is that a pressure increase can be determined quickly. Therefore, the individual isolation valves can be opened successively at shorter time intervals, whereby the method can be carried out faster overall.

[0021] According to some embodiments, it can be provided that each valve device has a filling path that connects the pipeline system to the corresponding tank container and a check valve is arranged in the filling path, wherein the check valve is configured to allow flow from the pipeline system to the corresponding tank container when the pressure in the pipeline system is greater than the pressure in the corresponding tank container and to prevent flow from the tank container into the pipeline system. This provides the advantage that the tank containers can also be filled via the pipeline system. Furthermore, the method can include: detecting the temperature in each tank container by means of a temperature sensor and verifying the reasonableness of the control sequence in such a way that when an increase in pressure occurs in the pipeline system after controlling the corresponding isolation valve according to the control sequence, it is checked whether the temperature detected in the remaining tank containers for which the isolation valve has not yet been controlled increases after controlling the corresponding isolation valve according to the control sequence. When, after controlling the corresponding isolation valve, this isolation valve is switched from its closed state to its open state, this results in an increase in pressure in the pipeline system. If the control sequence has been correctly determined as described above, the tank container with the increased pressure is successively connected to the pipeline system. If the control sequence has not been correctly determined, for example because one of the individual tank pressures has not been correctly determined, this results in connecting a tank container to the pipeline system by opening the controlled isolation valve, the pressure in which is greater than the pressure in another tank container for which the isolation valve remains closed. Due to the increase in pressure in the pipeline system, backfilling of this tank container from the pipeline system occurs through the check valve of the tank container with the lower pressure, which can be determined by an increase in the temperature in this tank container. In this way, for example, measurement errors of the sensor system (such as errors in the temperature and / or pressure sensors of the tank containers) can be determined, which further improves the operational safety of the tank system.

[0022] According to some embodiments, it can be provided that outputting an error signal includes generating an error report and writing the error report into a data memory. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that outputting an error signal includes outputting a warning signal to a user interface. For example, a visual signal can be output on a display device or warning lamp of the user interface or an auditory or tactile signal can be output.

[0023] According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the isolation valve is configured as an electrically controllable solenoid valve that is closed when there is no current.

[0024] The features and advantages disclosed in connection with one aspect of the present invention correspondingly also apply to the other aspect. Description of the Drawings

[0025] The present invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings. It is shown by the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 : Schematic diagram of a hydraulic circuit diagram of a tank system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 : Detailed view of the valve device of the tank system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0028] Figure 3 : Flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] In the drawings, unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals denote the same or functionally identical components. Detailed Description

[0030] Figure 1 Schematically shown is a tank system 100 for supplying a gaseous fuel, such as hydrogen, to a consumption system 200. The consumption system 200 may, for example, have a fuel cell or a thermomechanical machine. The tank system 100 may be used, for example, in a mobile application, such as in a vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0031] As Figure 1 exemplarily shown, the tank system 100 has a plurality of tank containers 1, a pipeline system 2, a plurality of valve devices 3, a sensor system 4, and a control device 5. Optionally, a user interface 6 may also be provided. In Figure 1 only purely exemplarily shown is a tank system 100 having three tank containers 1. It is also conceivable that the tank system 100 has only two tank containers 1 or a number of tank containers 1 different from three. Furthermore, in Figure 1 exemplarily shown, for each tank container 1, a valve device 3 is respectively provided, and each tank container 1 is connected to the pipeline system 2 through the valve device. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that a plurality of tank containers 1 are connected to the pipeline system 2 through a common valve device 3, wherein at least two valve devices 3 are provided in total.

[0032] The tank container or tank 1 generally defines an internal volume and may be configured, for example, to store hydrogen at a nominal pressure of up to 700 bar.

[0033] The pipeline system 2 may be, for example, a high-pressure pipeline system 2, which is connected to the consumption system 200 through an optional medium-pressure pipeline system 7 (symbolically shown only as a block in Figure 1 ). As schematically shown in Figure 1 , the tank containers 1 are connected to the pipeline system 2 in parallel with each other.

[0034] The valve device 3 is assigned to the corresponding tank container 1 and connects it to the pipeline system 2. Figure 2 Schematically and extremely simplifiedly shown is an exemplary structure of the valve device 3. As Figure 2 shown, the valve device 3 has a first internal interface 3A connected to the internal volume of the tank container 1 and an external interface 3C connected to the pipeline system 2. In addition, a second internal interface 3B may optionally be provided. AsFigure 2 As shown, the valve device 3 has a switchable isolation valve 30 and an optional check valve 33. As also purely exemplarily shown in Figure 2 , some sensors 40, 41 of the sensor system 4 can be integrated into the valve device 3. For example, the valve device 3 can have a pressure sensor 40 and a temperature sensor 41 as purely exemplarily shown in Figure 2 . Alternatively, the valve device 3 can also have only a pressure sensor 40 or a temperature sensor 41.

[0035] The first internal interface 3A and the external interface 3C are interconnected via a suction path 31. The isolation valve 30 (e.g., in the form of an electrically switchable solenoid valve that closes in the absence of current) is arranged in the suction path. The isolation valve 30 divides the suction path 31 into a tank-side section 31A extending between the first internal interface 3A and the isolation valve 30 and a line-side section 31B extending between the isolation valve 30 and the external interface 3C. The isolation valve 30 can be switched between a closed state and an open state. In Figure 2 the isolation valve 30 is shown in the closed state. In this closed state, the isolation valve closes the suction path, i.e., interrupts the fluid-conducting connection between the tank-side section 31A and the line-side section 31B of the suction path 31, thereby preventing gas from flowing from the tank container 1 from the first internal interface 3A to the external interface 3C. In the open state, the isolation valve 30 opens the suction path, i.e., establishes the fluid-conducting connection between the tank-side section 31A and the line-side section 31B of the suction path 31 and allows gas to flow from the tank container 1 from the first internal interface 3A to the external interface 3C.

[0036] As Figure 2 further shown, the second internal interface 3B can be connected to the external interface 3C via a filling path 32. The optional check valve 33 is arranged in the filling path 32 and is configured to allow only flow from the external interface 3C to the second internal interface 3B. When the pressure in the pipeline system 2 is higher than the pressure in the tank container 1, gas can flow from the pipeline system 2 from the external interface 3C to the tank container 1 via the second internal interface 3B even when the isolation valve 30 is closed.

[0037] As Figure 2 further shown, the pressure sensor 40 can be connected to the tank-side section 31A of the suction path 31. Thus, the pressure in the tank-side section 31A of the suction path 31A can be detected by means of the pressure sensor 40.

[0038] The temperature sensor 41 can be part of the valve device 3, as purely exemplarily shown in Figure 2 . Here, the temperature sensor 41 is arranged to be connected to the internal volume of the tank container 1. Thus, the temperature in the tank container 1 can be measured by means of the temperature sensor 41.

[0039] The sensor system 4 also has a line pressure sensor 42, which is connected to the line system 2 and is arranged to detect the pressure in the line system 2, also known as the line pressure. Thus, the sensor system 4 is generally configured to detect the pressure in the line system 2 and to detect the temperature and / or pressure in each tank container 1.

[0040] The control device 5 is only shown as a block in Figure 1 and can in particular be an electronic control device 5. The control device 5 can for example have a processor 50 and a data memory 51. The processor 50 can for example be implemented as a CPU, FPGA, ASIC, etc. The data memory 51 can in particular be a non-volatile data memory, such as a flash memory, SD memory, hard disk, etc. The data memory 51 can be read by the processor 50 and can for example store software, which can be executed by the processor 50 and causes the processor 50 to generate an output signal (for example in the form of a control signal) based on an input signal (for example in the form of a measured value). The control device 5 is signal-connected to the valve device 3 and the sensors 40, 41, 42 of the sensor system 4, for example via a data bus, for example a wired connection such as a CAN bus, USB, etc. or a wireless connection, for example via WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.

[0041] In particular, the control device 5 can be configured to cause the tank system 100 to execute a method M for checking the switchable isolation valve 30 of the corresponding valve device 3. In Figure 3 the flow of the method M for checking the switchable isolation valve 30 of the corresponding valve device 3 is schematically shown. The method M starts from an initial situation in which a gas, such as hydrogen, is stored in the tank container 1, where the pressure in each tank container 1 is greater than the pressure in the line system 2. The isolation valve 30 is closed in this case. Such an initial situation can for example exist before the consumption system 200 connected to the tank system 100 is started or accelerated. The method M will be explained below with reference to the tank system 100 described above.

[0042] In a first step M1, pressure characteristic values are determined for each tank container 1. The pressure characteristic value represents the pressure of the individual tank in the corresponding tank container 1. The pressure characteristic value can for example consist of the corresponding pressure itself or a characteristic value proportional to the pressure. The pressure in each tank container 1 can for example be detected by a pressure sensor 40 of the valve device 3. Alternatively, if the sensor system 4 does not include a pressure sensor 40 capable of measuring the pressure in the tank container 1, or additionally, in step M1 the pressure of the individual tank can be determined based on the temperature measurement carried out in the tank container 1 by means of a temperature sensor 41. For this purpose, at a first point in time (when all isolation valves 30 of the valve device 3 have been switched to their open position and the tank container 1 is in a pressure equilibrium state), the temperature in each tank container 1 is detected by means of the temperature sensor 41 and stored as a first temperature in the data memory 51. Optionally, the line pressure in the line system 2 can also be detected by means of a line pressure sensor 42 at the first point in time and stored in the data memory 51. Immediately thereafter, all isolation valves 30 are switched to their closed position. Before the isolation valves 30 are opened again, i.e. at a later second point in time, the first temperature for each tank container 1 is read from the data memory 51. Additionally, at the second point in time, the current second temperature for each tank container 1 is also detected by means of the temperature sensor 41, and the control device 5 determines the pressure characteristic value for each tank container 1 as the quotient of the detected second temperature and the read first temperature. Based on the ideal gas equation, assuming that the same pressure, in particular the first line pressure, exists in all tank containers 1 when the isolation valves 30 are closed, the quotient of the second temperature and the first temperature represents the pressure change in each tank container 1 after the isolation valves 30 have been closed. Optionally, the pressure of the individual tank itself can also be determined, i.e. by reading the first line pressure and calculating the pressure of the individual tank based on the first line pressure, the first temperature and the second temperature.

[0043] In step M2, the control sequence of the isolation valves 30 is determined based on the determined pressure of the individual tank, starting with the isolation valve 30 of the valve device 3 that connects the tank container 1 with the lowest pressure determined so far to the line system 2. That is, the control sequence is such that the isolation valve 30 on the tank container 1 with the lowest determined pressure is in the starting position (for example index = 1), followed by the isolation valve 30 on the tank container 1 with the next higher determined pressure (for example index = 2), and so on. It is expected that the lowest pressure exists in the tank container with the lowest pressure characteristic value, for example for the tank container for which the smallest quotient of the second temperature and the first temperature has been determined.

[0044] The following steps M3 to M5 and, if necessary, the optional steps M51 and M52 are successively carried out for each isolation valve 30, specifically in the determined control sequence successively for each isolation valve 30. In step M3, the isolation valve 30 is controlled by means of the control device 5, for example by the control device outputting a control signal to the isolation valve 30 in order to switch the isolation valve from its closed state to the open state. The control signal can in particular cause a first opening force to be generated for opening the isolation valve 30. If the isolation valve 30 is configured as an electrically controllable solenoid valve that is closed when there is no current, as Figure 2 exemplarily shown, generating the first opening force can include energizing the isolation valve 30 with a first control current.

[0045] In step M4, the pressure in the pipeline system 2 is detected at time intervals by means of the pipeline pressure sensor 42. Thus, the control device 5 obtains a pressure signal and can determine the pressure trend therefrom.

[0046] In the optional step M41, the temperature is detected in each tank container 1 by means of the temperature sensor 41, and this temperature can be used in step M8, which will be described below, to verify the reasonableness of the control sequence. Step M41 can also be carried out continuously, for example, throughout the entire method M.

[0047] In step M5, the control device 5 determines whether there is a pressure increase in the pipeline system 2 in the pipeline pressure detected after the corresponding isolation valve 30 is controlled (step M3). Thus, the control device 5 analyzes and evaluates the pressure signals that have been detected since the corresponding isolation valve 30 was controlled and checks whether these pressure signals indicate a pressure increase. For example, the control device 5 can compare the pressure that stably appears in the pipeline system 2 after the corresponding isolation valve 30 is controlled (step M3) with the pressure detected in the pipeline system 2 before the corresponding isolation valve 30 was controlled. Here, when the pressure that stably appears in the pipeline system 2 after the control is greater than the pressure in the pipeline system 2 before the corresponding isolation valve 30 was controlled, the control device 5 detects a pressure increase. Alternatively or additionally, the control device 5 can determine the pressure gradient of the pressure in the pipeline system 2 detected before or after the corresponding isolation valve 30 is controlled and compare the pressure gradients before and after the corresponding isolation valve 30 is controlled. Here, when the pressure gradient after the corresponding isolation valve 30 is controlled is greater than the pressure gradient before the control, a pressure increase is determined.

[0048] If it is determined in step M5 that there is a pressure increase in the pipeline system 2 in the pressure trend detected after the corresponding isolation valve 30 in control M3 (as in Figure 3), the method can transition to step M7. The pressure increase in the pipeline system 2 indicates that the corresponding separation valve 30 has been opened in response to the control (step M3). Since the pressure in the tank container 1 is greater than the pressure in the pipeline system 2, a pressure increase occurs in the pipeline system 2 after the separation valve 30 is opened. Because the separation valve 30 is controlled according to the control sequence, if the tank individual pressure has been correctly determined (step M1) and the control sequence (step M2) is therefore correctly determined, the tank containers 1 with gradually increasing pressure are connected to the pipeline system one after another. If this is not the case, since the pressure in the pipeline system 2 increases to a value that is higher than the pressure in one of the other tank containers 1, the tank container 1 with a lower pressure is refilled by means of the check valve 33 that is provided if necessary. This leads to an increase in temperature in the tank container 1, which is refilled from the pipeline system 2. Therefore, in optional step M8, the rationality of the control sequence can be verified in the following way, that is, when it is determined that a pressure increase occurs in the pipeline system 2 after the corresponding separation valve 30 is controlled according to the control sequence, it is checked whether the temperature detected in the remaining tank containers 1 whose separation valves 30 have not yet been controlled increases.

[0049] In step M7 , the control device 5 can output a release signal, for example, for each actuated and subsequently opened isolating valve 30 . This can include, for example, the generation of a release message and the writing of this release message to the data memory 51 .

[0050] If it is determined in step M5 that no pressure increase occurs in the line system 2 after the corresponding isolating valve 30 has been actuated (step M3), Figure 3 ), the method M can directly transition to step M6, in which the control device 5 outputs an error signal. The output of the error signal can, for example, include generating an error report and writing the error report to the data memory 51. Alternatively or additionally, the control device 5 can also output a warning signal to the user interface 6. For example, the user interface 6 (in Figure 1 The control device 5 (shown only symbolically as a block) can have a display device or a warning lamp, which is caused by the control device 5 to output a visual signal or can output an acoustic or tactile warning signal on the user interface 6. The output of the error signal can be carried out for each isolating valve 30, for example together with an index of the corresponding isolating valve 30, after the actuation of which (step M3) no pressure increase was determined in the line system 2 (step M5).

[0051] Optionally, in the case where no pressure increase occurs in the pipeline system 2 after manipulating the corresponding isolation valve 30 in step M5, method M may first transition to step M51. In step M51, the control device 5 may increment a count value that indicates the frequency of manipulating the corresponding isolation valve 30 to switch it from the closed state to the open state since the last time the isolation valve 30 was closed. When the isolation valve 30 is switched to its closed state, the count value is reset to zero.

[0052] In step M52, the control device 5 checks whether the count value is less than a predetermined threshold. This threshold may be, for example, an integer between 2 and 10. If it is determined in step M52 that the count value is less than the threshold (as indicated by the symbol “+” in Figure 3 ), the method may return to step M3. In this case, the isolation valve 30 is manipulated again by the control device 5, where the isolation valve 30 is manipulated with a second opening force greater than the first opening force. For example, generating the second opening force may include energizing the isolation valve 30 with a second control current greater than the first control current. Subsequently, steps M4 and M5 are performed again as previously described. If it is determined in step M5 that a pressure increase occurs in the pipeline system 2 after manipulating the isolation valve 30 with the second opening force ( Figure 3 symbol “+”), the method transitions to steps M7 and / or M8. Otherwise, that is, in the case where it is determined that no pressure increase occurs in the pipeline system 2 after manipulating the isolation valve 30 with the second opening force ( Figure 3 symbol “-”), steps M51 and M52 are executed. As long as it is determined in step M52 that the count value is less than the threshold (symbol “+”), steps M3 - M5 can be executed again, where the opening force may optionally be further increased each time. If it is determined in step M52 that the count value reaches the threshold (symbol “-”), the method transitions to step M6.

[0053] Therefore, optionally, only when it is determined at least once that the detected pressure trend after manipulating the isolation valve with the second opening force does not include a pressure drop is an error signal output in step M6.

[0054] Alternatively, whenever it is determined in step M5 that no pressure increase occurs in the pipeline system 2 after re-manipulating the isolation valve 30, step M6 is executed while additionally executing steps M51 and M52. For example, whenever it is determined in step M52 that the count value is less than the threshold value, a first error signal may be output in step M6. If it is determined in step M52 that the count value reaches the threshold value (symbol "-"), a second error signal may be output in step M6. Outputting the first error signal may, for example, only include generating an error report and writing it into the data memory 51, while outputting the second error signal may alternatively or additionally include outputting a warning signal to the user interface 6.

[0055] Although the present invention has been exemplarily illustrated above according to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto, but can be modified in various ways. In particular, combinations of the above embodiments can also be considered. For example, it can be provided that the temperature sensor 41 of the sensor system 4 is not integrated into the valve device 3, but is respectively configured as a sensor independent of the valve device, which is respectively connected to a tank container 1 and is configured to detect the temperature in the corresponding tank container 1. This similarly also applies to the pressure sensor 40 provided if necessary.

Claims

1. A method (M) for checking a switchable separation valve (30) in a tank system (100), the tank system having a plurality of tank containers (1) and having a pipeline system (2), wherein, The tank container (1) is connected to the pipeline system (2) via a valve device (3), and each valve device in the valve device has a switchable isolation valve (30). Gas is stored in the tank container (1), and the pressure present in each tank container of the tank container (1) is greater than the pressure in the pipeline system (2). The method (M) includes: Determining (M1) a pressure characteristic value for each tank container, where the pressure characteristic value represents the individual pressure in the corresponding tank container (1); Determining (M2) the control sequence of the isolation valve (30) based on the determined pressure characteristic values, starting from the isolation valve (30) of the valve device (3) that connects the tank container (1) for which the pressure characteristic value representing the minimum pressure has been determined to the pipeline system (2); Controlling (M3) these isolation valves (30) so as to switch these isolation valves from the closed state to the open state respectively. In the closed state, the isolation valve (30) closes the extraction path (31) connecting the pipeline system (2) and the tank container (1) of the valve device (3). In the open state, the isolation valve (30) opens the extraction path (31), and the isolation valves (30) are controlled successively in the determined control sequence; Detecting (M4) the pipeline pressure in the pipeline system (2); Determining (M5) based on the detected pipeline pressure whether a pressure increase occurs in the pipeline system (2) respectively after controlling (M3) each isolation valve (30); and When it is determined that no pressure increase occurs in the pipeline system (2) in at least one case after controlling (M3) the isolation valves (30) according to the sequence, outputting (M6) an error signal.

2. The method (M) according to claim 1, wherein, Controlling (M3) the corresponding isolation valve (30) includes generating a first opening force for opening the isolation valve (30). When it is determined that no pressure increase occurs in the pipeline system (2) after controlling (M3) the corresponding isolation valve (30), the corresponding isolation valve (30) is re-controlled (M3) with a second opening force greater than the first opening force. The steps of re-detecting (M4) the pipeline pressure and determining (M5) whether a pressure increase occurs in the pipeline pressure after controlling (M3) are re-executed, and preferably, the error signal is output (M6) only when it is re-determined that no pressure increase occurs in the pipeline system (2) after re-controlling (M3) the corresponding isolation valve (30).

3. The method (M) according to claim 2, wherein The isolation valve (30) is configured as an electrically controllable solenoid valve that is closed when there is no current. Generating the first opening force includes energizing the corresponding isolation valve (30) with a first control current, and generating the second opening force includes energizing the corresponding isolation valve (30) with a second control current greater than the first control current.

4. The method (M) according to any one of the preceding claims further includes: For each isolation valve (30), the output (M7) releases a signal when it is determined that a pressure increase occurs in the pipeline system (2) after actuating (M3) the corresponding isolation valve (30).

5. The method (M) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Determining (M1) the pressure characteristic value for each tank in the tank container (1) includes: Reading from the data memory (51) the first temperature present for each tank in the tank container (1) at a first point in time when the isolation valves (30) of all valve devices (3) have been switched to their open positions; Detecting (M41) the current second temperature for each tank in the tank container (1) by means of a temperature sensor (41); and Determining the quotient of the second temperature and the first temperature as the pressure characteristic value.

6. The method (M) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Determining (M5) whether a pressure increase occurs in the pipeline system (2) respectively after actuating (M3) each isolation valve (30) includes: comparing the pressure that stably appears in the pipeline system (2) after actuating (M3) the corresponding isolation valve (30) with the pressure in the pipeline system (2) before actuating (M3) the corresponding isolation valve (30), wherein when the pressure that stably appears in the pipeline system (2) after actuating (M3) the corresponding isolation valve (30) is greater than the pressure in the pipeline system (2) before actuating (M3) the corresponding isolation valve (30), a pressure increase is determined.

7. The method (M) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Determining (M5) whether a pressure increase occurs in the pipeline system (2) respectively after actuating (M3) each isolation valve (30) includes: determining the pressure gradient of the detected pressure in the pipeline system (2) and comparing the pressure gradient before actuating (M3) the corresponding isolation valve (30) with the pressure gradient after actuating (M3) the corresponding isolation valve (30), wherein when the pressure gradient after actuating (M3) the corresponding isolation valve (30) is greater than the pressure gradient before actuating (M3) the corresponding isolation valve (30), a pressure increase is determined.

8. The method (M) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each valve device (3) has a filling path (32) that connects the pipeline system (2) to the corresponding tank container (1), and a check valve (33) is arranged in the filling path, wherein the check valve (33) is configured to allow flow from the pipeline system (2) to the corresponding tank container (1) when the pressure in the pipeline system (2) is greater than the pressure in the corresponding tank container (1), and to prevent flow from the tank container (1) to the pipeline system (2), wherein the method (M) additionally includes: Detecting (M41) the temperature in each tank container (1) by means of a temperature sensor (41); and Verifying (M8) the rationality of the actuation sequence by: when it is determined that a pressure increase occurs in the pipeline system (2) after actuating (M3) the corresponding isolation valve (30) according to the actuation sequence, checking that the temperature detected in the remaining tank containers (1) where the isolation valve (30) has not been actuated does not increase after actuating (M3) the corresponding isolation valve (30) according to the actuation sequence.

9. The method (M) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The output (M6) of the error signal includes generating an error report and writing the error report into the data memory (51) and / or includes outputting a warning signal to the user interface (6).

10. A tank system (100), comprising: a plurality of tank containers (1) for storing a gas, in particular hydrogen; a pipeline system (2) for supplying a consumption system (200); a plurality of valve devices (3), each of the valve devices having a withdrawal path (31) connecting a corresponding tank container (1) and the pipeline system (2) and a switchable isolation valve (30) arranged in the withdrawal path (31), the isolation valve being switchable between a closed state closing the withdrawal path (31) and an open state opening the withdrawal path (31); a sensor system (4) configured to detect the pressure in the pipeline system and to detect the temperature and / or pressure in each tank container (1); and a control device (5) in signal connection with the valve devices (3) and the sensor system (4) and arranged to cause the tank system (100) to perform the steps of the method (M) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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