Engine hydrogen supply system, control method, and vehicle

Abstract

The disclosure provides an engine hydrogen supply system, a control method and a vehicle, and relates to the technical field of hydrogen engines. The system comprises a hydrogen tank, a first branch and a second branch connected with the hydrogen tank. The first branch is provided with a hydrogen rail and a hydrogen nozzle, and the outlet of the hydrogen rail is connected with the gas inlet of the hydrogen nozzle. The second branch is sequentially provided with a first control valve, an adsorption tank and a second control valve, one end of the second branch is connected with the hydrogen tank, and the other end is connected with the cylinder of the engine. The adsorption tank has an adsorption mode and a desorption mode. At each engine shutdown, the hydrogen tank closes its hydrogen output, the first control valve is opened and the second control valve is closed, and the adsorption tank starts the adsorption mode. At each engine start, the hydrogen tank opens its hydrogen output, the first control valve is closed and the second control valve is opened, and the adsorption tank starts the desorption mode. The system can safely release pressure of the engine hydrogen supply system when the engine is stopped, effectively solving the safety problem when the engine is stopped.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of hydrogen engines, and particularly relates to an engine hydrogen supply system, a control method and a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] Hydrogen is a zero-carbon fuel commonly used in engines, and is widely available, which can significantly reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of engines. Due to the physical and chemical characteristics of low ignition energy and wide flammable limit, safety problems are prone to occur during use.

[0003] In the related art, when a vehicle equipped with a hydrogen engine is running, even if a slight leakage occurs in an open environment, the hydrogen will be rapidly diluted by air to below the safe concentration (4%), and there is no safety risk. However, once the vehicle equipped with the hydrogen engine is stopped, if the hydrogen in the hydrogen supply system is not depressurized, part of the hydrogen in the pipeline between the hydrogen tank and the hydrogen nozzle in the hydrogen supply system and the hydrogen rail will remain. If this part of hydrogen is not properly handled, it will cause safety hazards of explosion due to the release and accumulation of hydrogen when the vehicle is parked in a garage. Especially when parked in a sealed space, the safety risk will increase significantly. SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure provides an engine hydrogen supply system, a control method and a vehicle, aiming to at least partially solve the technical problem of high use safety risk in the related art due to insufficient consideration of possible hydrogen leakage of the engine when parked.

[0005] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides an engine hydrogen supply system, comprising:

[0006] a hydrogen tank storing hydrogen;

[0007] a first branch coupled to the hydrogen tank, the first branch being provided with a hydrogen rail and a hydrogen nozzle arranged at an engine cylinder, and an outlet of the hydrogen rail being coupled to an air inlet of the hydrogen nozzle;

[0008] a second branch different from the first branch and coupled to the hydrogen tank, the second branch being sequentially provided with a first control valve, an adsorption tank and a second control valve, one end of the second branch being coupled to the hydrogen tank, and the other end of the second branch being coupled to the engine cylinder;

[0009] wherein the adsorption tank has an adsorption mode and a desorption mode, at each time when the engine is stopped, the hydrogen tank closes its hydrogen output, the first control valve is opened and the second control valve is closed, the adsorption tank starts the adsorption mode, and at each time when the engine is started, the hydrogen tank opens its hydrogen output, the first control valve is closed and the second control valve is opened, and the adsorption tank starts the desorption mode.

[0010] The engine hydrogen supply system provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure further comprises:

[0011] The hydrogen supply system controller is provided with an engine shutdown pressure relief mode and an engine shutdown restart mode, wherein in the engine shutdown pressure relief mode, the hydrogen supply system controller controls the hydrogen tank to close its hydrogen output, the first control valve to open and the second control valve to close, and the adsorption tank to start an adsorption mode, so that the residual hydrogen in the engine hydrogen supply system enters the adsorption tank through the first control valve for storage, and in the engine shutdown restart mode, the hydrogen supply system controller controls the hydrogen tank to open its hydrogen output, the first control valve to close and the second control valve to open, and the adsorption tank to start a desorption mode, so that the hydrogen stored in the adsorption tank is released to the engine cylinder for combustion.

[0012] The engine hydrogen supply system provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure further comprises:

[0013] The first control valve assembly is provided at the gas outlet of the hydrogen tank and integrates a pressure relief valve and a third control valve, and the control end of the first control valve assembly is connected to the hydrogen supply system controller;

[0014] The hydrogen supply system controller is configured to open the pressure relief valve to adjust the hydrogen pressure of the hydrogen tank to a pre-set specified range when the hydrogen pressure of the hydrogen tank exceeds a set threshold, and to control the hydrogen tank to open or close its hydrogen output through the third control valve.

[0015] The engine hydrogen supply system provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure further comprises:

[0016] The second control valve assembly is provided between the first control valve assembly and the hydrogen rail on the first branch and integrates a pressure regulating valve and a fourth control valve, and the control end of the second control valve assembly is connected to the hydrogen supply system controller;

[0017] The hydrogen supply system controller is configured to adjust the state of the pressure regulating valve based on the required power of the engine after the engine starts, and to control the hydrogen nozzle to start or stop spraying hydrogen through the fourth control valve.

[0018] The engine hydrogen supply system provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure further comprises:

[0019] The hydrogen pump is provided between the first control valve and the adsorption tank on the second branch, and the control end of the hydrogen pump is connected to the hydrogen supply system controller;

[0020] The hydrogen supply system controller is configured to start the hydrogen gas pump and control the adsorption tank to start an adsorption mode to pump the residual hydrogen gas in the engine hydrogen supply system into the adsorption tank for adsorption storage.

[0021] In the engine hydrogen supply system provided in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the adsorption tank uses at least one of activated carbon, carbon nanotube, and graphene as the adsorption material.

[0022] The hydrogen supply system controller is further provided with an engine normal operation mode, in which the hydrogen supply system controller controls the first control valve assembly and the second control valve assembly to be opened, and controls the first control valve and the second control valve to be closed, so that the hydrogen gas in the engine hydrogen supply system enters the engine cylinder for combustion through the first branch.

[0023] In the engine hydrogen supply system provided in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, in the engine shutdown pressure relief mode, the hydrogen supply system controller is configured to:

[0024] close the first control valve assembly so that the hydrogen tank closes its hydrogen output;

[0025] open the second control valve assembly;

[0026] control the first control valve to be opened and the second control valve to be closed;

[0027] start the hydrogen gas pump and control the adsorption tank to start an adsorption mode to pump the residual hydrogen gas in the engine hydrogen supply system into the adsorption tank for adsorption storage; and,

[0028] after identifying that the state parameter of the engine hydrogen supply system reaches a pre-set pressure relief completion condition, close the second control valve assembly, close the first control valve, and control the hydrogen gas pump to stop running.

[0029] In the engine hydrogen supply system provided in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the state parameter of the engine hydrogen supply system includes at least one of the hydrogen concentration and the hydrogen pressure of a specified node in the first branch, and the continuous working time of the hydrogen gas pump, and the pressure relief completion condition is configured to be that the hydrogen concentration or the hydrogen pressure of the specified node in the first branch is lower than a first set threshold or the continuous working time of the hydrogen gas pump reaches a pre-set first set time.

[0030] In the engine hydrogen supply system provided in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, in the engine shutdown restart mode, the hydrogen supply system controller is configured to:

[0031] open the first control valve assembly so that the hydrogen tank opens its hydrogen output;

[0032] opening the second control valve assembly;

[0033] controlling the first control valve to close and the second control valve to open;

[0034] controlling the adsorption canister to start a desorption mode, so that the hydrogen gas stored in the adsorption canister is released and enters the engine cylinder for combustion as a supplement of the hydrogen gas output by the hydrogen tank; and

[0035] after identifying that the state parameter of the adsorption canister reaches a pre-set desorption completion condition, closing the second control valve and controlling the hydrogen pump to stop running.

[0036] In the engine hydrogen supply system provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the state parameter of the adsorption canister includes at least one of the internal pressure of the adsorption canister and the opening time of the second control valve, the desorption completion condition is set as the internal pressure of the adsorption canister being reduced to below a second set threshold or the opening time of the second control valve reaching a pre-set second set time, and in the normal operation mode of the engine, the hydrogen supply system controller is configured to:

[0037] controlling the first control valve assembly and the second control valve assembly to remain in an open state;

[0038] controlling the first control valve, the second control valve and the hydrogen pump to remain in a closed state;

[0039] obtaining engine demand power and adjusting the state parameter of the second control valve assembly based on the engine demand power, wherein the state parameter of the second control valve assembly includes valve opening degree.

[0040] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a method for controlling an engine hydrogen supply system, the engine hydrogen supply system including a hydrogen tank, a first control valve, an adsorption canister, a second control valve, a hydrogen rail and a hydrogen nozzle, wherein the hydrogen rail and the hydrogen nozzle are arranged in a first branch coupled to the hydrogen tank, the first control valve, the adsorption canister and the second control valve are arranged in a second branch different from the first branch and coupled to the hydrogen tank in sequence, and the method comprises:

[0041] in response to receiving an engine shutdown instruction, starting an engine shutdown pressure relief process, wherein the engine shutdown pressure relief process is configured to control the hydrogen tank to close its hydrogen output, the first control valve to open and the second control valve to close, and the adsorption canister to start an adsorption mode;

[0042] In response to receiving the engine start instruction, an engine shutdown restart procedure is started, wherein the engine shutdown restart procedure is configured to control the hydrogen tank to open its hydrogen output, the first control valve to close and the second control valve to open, and the adsorption tank to start a desorption mode.

[0043] The vehicle comprises the engine hydrogen supply system provided by any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] Compared with the related art, the engine hydrogen supply system, the control method and the vehicle provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure design a new engine hydrogen supply system with a shutdown pressure relief control function, which can safely relieve the pressure of the engine hydrogen supply system when the engine is shutdown, effectively solve the safety problem of the hydrogen engine when the engine is shutdown, and significantly improve the performance and efficiency of the hydrogen engine. By setting the first control valve, the second control valve and the adsorption tank and the like hardware, cooperating with the corresponding control strategy, and accurately controlling the adsorption mode and the desorption mode of the adsorption tank, the hydrogen can be effectively recovered and stored when the engine is shutdown, and the hydrogen stored in the adsorption tank can be released in time when the engine is started, enter the engine cylinder for combustion, eliminate the safety risk caused by the hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen supply system when the engine is shutdown, and avoid the waste of hydrogen, improve the utilization rate of hydrogen, that is, solve the technical problem of high safety risk caused by insufficient consideration of the possible leakage of hydrogen in the engine when parking in the related art.

[0045] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0046] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings needed in the embodiment description will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor.

[0047] Figure 1 A composition schematic diagram of an engine hydrogen supply system provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 1.

[0048] Figure 2 A composition schematic diagram of another engine hydrogen supply system provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 2.

[0049] Figure 3 A composition schematic diagram of still another engine hydrogen supply system provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 3.

[0050] Figure 4A schematic diagram of yet another engine hydrogen supply system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0051] Figure 5 A flow chart of a method of controlling an engine hydrogen supply system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0052] Figure 6 A block diagram of a vehicle according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is provided.

[0053] Reference Signs

[0054] 1 - hydrogen tank; 2 - adsorption tank; 3 - hydrogen rail; 4 - hydrogen nozzle; 5 - first control valve; 6 - second control valve; 7 - hydrogen pump; 8 - first control valve assembly; 9 - second control valve assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The present disclosure is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. In particular, the following examples are merely meant to illustrate the present disclosure, but not to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, the following examples are only some of the embodiments of the present disclosure, but not all the embodiments of the present disclosure, and all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts based on the following examples are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0056] The terms "first", "second", and "third" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined with "first", "second", and "third" can explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features.

[0057] In the description of the present disclosure, the meaning of "a plurality of" is at least two, such as two or three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly and specifically limited.

[0058] In the present disclosure, the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" and the like mean that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. In the present specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in any appropriate manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, the skilled person in the art can combine and secondarily process the different embodiments or examples described in the present specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples without contradiction with each other.

[0059] The terms "comprise" and "have" and any variations thereof, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that comprises a list of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but can optionally further include steps or units not listed, or can optionally further include other steps or components inherent to such processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0060] The term "engine hydrogen supply system" in the embodiments of the present disclosure refers to a system for providing hydrogen to an engine. For example, it can be a system composed of a hydrogen tank, a pressure regulating valve, a hydrogen rail, a pressure relief valve, and a hydrogen nozzle from the pressure regulating valve to the hydrogen nozzle.

[0061] The related art does not fully consider the risk of engine hydrogen leakage (release to the external enclosed space) when the engine is parked, resulting in a high safety risk in use.

[0062] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an engine hydrogen supply system provided for at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. As shown in Figure 1 The engine hydrogen supply system includes a hydrogen tank 1 (also referred to as a hydrogen cylinder, a hydrogen source), a first branch coupled to the hydrogen tank 1, and a second branch different from the first branch coupled to the hydrogen tank 1.

[0063] The hydrogen tank 1 stores hydrogen for providing hydrogen for the operation of the engine.

[0064] The first branch is provided with a hydrogen rail 3 and a hydrogen nozzle 4 disposed at the engine cylinder, and the outlet of the hydrogen rail 3 is coupled to the gas inlet of the hydrogen nozzle 4.

[0065] The second branch is provided with a first control valve 5, an adsorption tank 2, and a second control valve 6 in sequence, and one end of the second branch is coupled to the hydrogen tank 1, and the other end of the second branch is coupled to the engine cylinder. The first control valve 5, the adsorption tank 2, and the second control valve 6 located in the second branch constitute an emptying collection device of the hydrogen supply system.

[0066] The adsorption tank 2 has an adsorption mode and a desorption mode. The control strategy is that: at each engine shutdown, the hydrogen tank 1 closes its hydrogen output, the first control valve 5 is opened and the second control valve 6 is closed, the adsorption tank 2 starts the adsorption mode, and at each engine start, the hydrogen tank 1 opens its hydrogen output, the first control valve 5 is closed and the second control valve 6 is opened, the adsorption tank 2 starts the desorption mode.

[0067] It should be noted that the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 2 relies on a physical adsorption mechanism, that is, the adsorption of hydrogen is realized by using the physical action force between the adsorption material and hydrogen molecules. In the adsorption mode, the hydrogen tank 1 stops supplying hydrogen, the first control valve 5 is opened, hydrogen flows from the first branch into the adsorption tank 2 through the first control valve 5, and is effectively adsorbed by the adsorption material in the adsorption tank 2. At this time, the second control valve 6 remains in a closed state to ensure that the hydrogen in the adsorption tank 2 does not enter the engine cylinder. When the engine starts, the hydrogen tank 1 resumes hydrogen supply, and the first control valve 5 is closed to block the connection between the hydrogen tank 1 and the adsorption tank 2. At the same time, the second control valve 6 is opened, and the hydrogen in the adsorption tank 2 is released under the action of pressure difference or temperature and smoothly enters the engine cylinder to provide the required hydrogen for the engine. At this time, the adsorption tank 2 switches to the desorption mode to completely release the hydrogen previously adsorbed and stored.

[0068] Some embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a control method corresponding to the above-mentioned engine hydrogen supply system and a vehicle.

[0069] The method provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is suitable for any existing use scenario of a hydrogen engine, and embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit this. For example, in the field of ship transportation, the method can be applied to a cargo ship or a passenger ship fueled by hydrogen to achieve low-emission and high-efficiency navigation. In the field of public transportation, such as a bus or a hydrogen-powered taxi, the method is also applicable, which helps to reduce urban air pollution. In addition, in the logistics transportation industry, vehicles equipped with hydrogen engines can perform long-distance distribution tasks while maintaining environmental performance. In summary, the method of the present disclosure has wide applicability and can provide stable and efficient hydrogen supply control schemes for hydrogen engines in different fields.

[0070] Compared with related art, the method proposed by the present disclosure designs a new engine hydrogen supply system with a shutdown pressure relief control function, which can safely relieve the pressure of the engine hydrogen supply system when the engine is shutdown, effectively solves the safety problem of the hydrogen engine when it is shutdown, and significantly improves the performance and efficiency of the hydrogen engine. By setting the first control valve 5, the second control valve 6, and the adsorption tank 2 and the like hardware, cooperating with the corresponding control strategy, and accurately controlling the adsorption mode and the desorption mode of the adsorption tank 2, it is ensured that hydrogen is effectively recovered and stored when the engine is shutdown, and the hydrogen stored in the adsorption tank 2 is released in time when the engine is started, enters the engine cylinder for combustion, eliminates the safety risk caused by the remaining hydrogen in the hydrogen supply system when the hydrogen engine is shutdown, and avoids the waste of hydrogen, improves the utilization rate of hydrogen, that is, solves the technical problem of high use safety risk caused by insufficient consideration of the possible leakage of hydrogen when the engine is parked in related art.

[0071] The type of adsorption tank 2 includes temperature-increasing adsorption and temperature-decreasing desorption, constant temperature adsorption and variable pressure desorption, and other types. In the temperature-increasing adsorption mode, the internal temperature of the adsorption tank 2 is raised by heating, enhancing the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent for hydrogen; while in the temperature-decreasing desorption mode, the internal temperature of the adsorption tank 2 is lowered by cooling, weakening the physical force between the adsorbent and hydrogen molecules, and prompting hydrogen to be desorbed from the adsorbent. Constant temperature adsorption and variable pressure desorption respectively use constant temperature and changing pressure conditions to realize the adsorption and desorption of hydrogen. These different types of adsorption tank 2 can be flexibly selected according to actual needs to meet the demand of hydrogen for the engine under different working conditions.

[0072] The hydrogen rail 3 is responsible for safely and stably delivering hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 1 to the engine cylinder. In order to ensure smooth flow and accurate metering of hydrogen, high-precision flow control valves and pressure sensors can be used inside the hydrogen rail. These elements can monitor and control the flow and pressure of hydrogen in real time, ensuring that the engine can obtain the appropriate supply of hydrogen under different working conditions. When the engine is stopped, the hydrogen rail 3 can also work with the adsorption tank 2 to realize automatic recovery and storage of hydrogen, further improving the utilization rate of hydrogen and the overall efficiency of the system.

[0073] The hydrogen nozzle 4 is responsible for accurately and efficiently injecting hydrogen delivered by the hydrogen rail 3 into the engine cylinder. In order to ensure stable injection and sufficient combustion of hydrogen, the hydrogen nozzle 4 uses advanced injection technology and materials. The hydrogen nozzle 4 has the characteristics of high pressure resistance and corrosion resistance, and can operate stably in harsh engine environments for a long time. Through the coordinated work with the hydrogen rail 3 and the control system, the hydrogen nozzle 4 can ensure that the engine can obtain the best hydrogen supply under different working conditions, thereby improving the efficiency and performance of the engine.

[0074] In some embodiments, the engine hydrogen supply system further comprises a hydrogen supply system controller. The hydrogen supply system controller is configured with an engine shutdown pressure relief mode and an engine shutdown restart mode. In the engine shutdown pressure relief mode, the hydrogen supply system controller controls the hydrogen tank 1 to close its hydrogen output, the first control valve 5 to open and the second control valve 6 to close, and the adsorption tank 2 to start the adsorption mode, so that the residual hydrogen in the engine hydrogen supply system enters the adsorption tank 2 through the first control valve 5 for storage. In the engine shutdown restart mode, the hydrogen supply system controller controls the hydrogen tank 1 to open its hydrogen output, the first control valve 5 to close and the second control valve 6 to open, and the adsorption tank 2 to start the desorption mode, so that the hydrogen stored in the adsorption tank 2 is released to the engine cylinder for combustion. The hydrogen supply system controller can intelligently switch between the two modes according to the working state of the engine. When the engine is in a shutdown state, the hydrogen supply system controller automatically enters the engine shutdown pressure relief mode, ensuring that the hydrogen in the hydrogen supply system is safely stored and avoiding the risk of leakage. When the engine needs to be restarted, the hydrogen supply system controller switches to the engine shutdown restart mode, releasing the hydrogen stored in the adsorption tank 2 to the engine cylinder in time, ensuring the normal start and operation of the engine.

[0075] Figure 2 Another component diagram of an engine hydrogen supply system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. As shown in FIG. 6, the engine hydrogen supply system comprises a hydrogen tank 1, a first control valve 5, a second control valve 6, an adsorption tank 2, a hydrogen supply system controller, and an engine. Figure 2As shown, the engine hydrogen supply system also includes a first control valve assembly 8 (also known as a pressure relief and control valve assembly). The first control valve assembly 8 is arranged at the outlet of the hydrogen tank 1 and integrates a pressure relief valve and a third control valve. The control end of the first control valve assembly 8 is connected to the hydrogen supply system controller. The hydrogen supply system controller is configured to open the pressure relief valve to adjust the hydrogen pressure of the hydrogen tank to a pre-set specified range when it recognizes that the hydrogen pressure of the hydrogen tank exceeds a set threshold, and to control the hydrogen tank 1 to open or close its hydrogen output through the third control valve. Among them, through the coordinated operation of the first control valve assembly 8, the first control valve 5 and the second control valve 6, the hydrogen flow control of the engine hydrogen supply system under different engine modes can be achieved. When the engine is in normal operation mode, if the hydrogen supply system controller detects that the hydrogen pressure of the hydrogen tank 1 has abnormally increased and exceeds the set threshold, the hydrogen supply system controller will respond quickly by opening the pressure relief valve in the first control valve assembly 8 to safely release the excessive hydrogen pressure in the hydrogen tank 1 to the outside of the system or to a safe storage device, thereby effectively preventing the hydrogen tank 1 from being damaged due to excessive pressure and ensuring the safe operation of the system. In the engine shutdown and restart mode, the hydrogen supply system controller can accurately control the hydrogen output of the hydrogen tank 1 through the first control valve assembly 8 to ensure that when the engine is started, the required amount of hydrogen can be quickly and stably provided to the engine cylinders, thereby improving the engine starting efficiency and operating stability. In addition, the integrated design of the first control valve assembly 8 not only simplifies the system structure and reduces manufacturing costs, but also improves the overall reliability and maintenance convenience of the system.

[0076] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of another engine hydrogen supply system provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3As shown, the engine hydrogen supply system also includes a second control valve assembly 9 (also known as a pressure regulating and control valve assembly). This second control valve assembly 9 is located between the first control valve assembly and the hydrogen rail 3 on the first branch line. It integrates a pressure regulating valve and a fourth control valve. The control end of the second control valve assembly 9 is connected to the hydrogen supply system controller. After engine startup, the hydrogen supply system controller is configured to adjust the state of the pressure regulating valve based on the engine's power demand and control the hydrogen nozzle 4 to start or stop hydrogen injection via the fourth control valve. The pressure regulating valve adjusts the hydrogen pressure on the first branch line to ensure that the hydrogen pressure supplied to the engine cylinders is stable and meets engine operating requirements. By precisely adjusting the pressure regulating valve, the hydrogen supply system controller can dynamically adjust the hydrogen supply pressure based on the engine's real-time power demand, thereby improving the engine's combustion efficiency and power performance. The fourth control valve acts as a flow control component; its open or closed state directly determines whether the hydrogen nozzle 4 injects hydrogen into the engine cylinders. By precisely controlling the opening timing and duration of the fourth control valve, the hydrogen supply system controller can achieve precise control of the hydrogen injection amount, further optimizing the engine's combustion process and emissions performance. The integrated design of the second control valve assembly 9 further simplifies the system structure and improves the response speed and control accuracy of the system.

[0077] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of another engine hydrogen supply system provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 As shown, the engine hydrogen supply system also includes a hydrogen pump 7. The hydrogen pump 7 is arranged between the first control valve 5 and the adsorption tank 2 on the second branch, and the control end of the hydrogen pump 7 is connected to the hydrogen supply system controller. The hydrogen supply system controller is configured to start the hydrogen pump 7 while controlling the adsorption tank 2 to start the adsorption mode. The function of the hydrogen pump 7 is to increase the flow rate and pressure of hydrogen in the second branch, ensuring that the hydrogen can be efficiently purified by the adsorption tank 2. When the hydrogen supply system controller detects that the engine needs hydrogen supply, it first starts the adsorption tank 2 and enters the adsorption mode to remove impurities and moisture in the hydrogen. At the same time, the hydrogen supply system controller also sends a start signal to the hydrogen pump 7 to start the hydrogen pump 7. Starting the hydrogen pump 7 accelerates the process of hydrogen flowing from the hydrogen storage tank to the adsorption tank 2, thereby improving the response speed and hydrogen supply efficiency of the entire hydrogen supply system. Through this design, the engine hydrogen supply system can more quickly meet the engine's hydrogen demand while ensuring hydrogen quality, further improving the engine's performance and stability.

[0078] In some embodiments, the adsorption tank 2 uses at least one of activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, and graphene as the adsorption material. These adsorption materials are widely chosen due to their excellent adsorption performance and chemical stability. Activated carbon has a large specific surface area due to its porous structure, which can effectively adsorb hydrogen molecules. Carbon nanotubes further improve the adsorption efficiency with their unique nanoscale structure and higher adsorption capacity. Graphene, as a new material, not only has excellent adsorption performance, but also has good electrical conductivity and thermal stability, which helps to maintain the stability of the temperature in the adsorption tank, thereby ensuring the continuous and efficient adsorption process. Through the application of these adsorption materials, the engine hydrogen supply system can continuously provide high-quality and high-purity hydrogen, providing a strong guarantee for the stable operation of the engine.

[0079] In some embodiments, the hydrogen supply system controller is also provided with an engine normal operation mode. In the engine normal operation mode, the hydrogen supply system controller controls the first control valve assembly 8 and the second control valve assembly 9 to open, and controls the first control valve 5 and the second control valve 6 to close, so that the hydrogen in the engine hydrogen supply system enters the engine cylinder for combustion through the first branch. The hydrogen supply system controller also accurately adjusts the opening of the first control valve assembly 8 and the second control valve assembly 9 according to the real-time demand of the engine, to control the flow and pressure of the hydrogen, thereby ensuring that the engine can obtain the best hydrogen supply under different working conditions. This design not only improves the combustion efficiency of the engine, but also further enhances the power performance and fuel economy of the engine.

[0080] In some examples, in order to effectively perform pressure relief when the engine is stopped, in the engine shutdown pressure relief mode, the hydrogen supply system controller is configured to perform the following steps S11-S15.

[0081] Step S11: Close the first control valve assembly 8 to close the hydrogen output of the hydrogen tank 1 (at this time, the hydrogen nozzle no longer injects hydrogen).

[0082] Step S12: Open the second control valve assembly 9 (there is still a large amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen supply pipeline between the second control valve assembly 9 and the hydrogen nozzle 4).

[0083] Step S13: Control the first control valve 5 to open and the second control valve 6 to close.

[0084] Step S14: Start the hydrogen pump 7 and control the adsorption tank 2 to start the adsorption mode, so as to pump the residual hydrogen in the engine hydrogen supply system into the adsorption tank 2 for adsorption and storage by the hydrogen pump 7.

[0085] Step S15: After identifying that the state parameters of the engine hydrogen supply system reach the pre-set pressure relief completion condition, close the second control valve assembly 9, close the first control valve 5, and control the hydrogen pump 7 to stop running.

[0086] In step S11, closing the first control valve assembly 8 ensures that the hydrogen output of the hydrogen tank 1 is cut off, avoiding unnecessary loss of hydrogen during shutdown. In step S12, opening the second control valve assembly 9 provides a channel for subsequent hydrogen flow. In step S13, by opening the first control valve 5 and closing the second control valve 6, the adjustment of hydrogen flow is realized, so that it can smoothly enter the hydrogen pump 7 and the adsorption tank 2. In step S14, starting the adsorption mode of the hydrogen pump 7 and the adsorption tank 2 is a key step in the pressure relief process. Through the power of the hydrogen pump 7, the residual hydrogen in the system is pumped into the adsorption tank 2, and high-efficiency storage is realized by using the characteristics of the adsorption material. Finally, in step S15, by identifying the state parameters of the engine hydrogen supply system, such as pressure, flow, etc., when these parameters reach the pre-set pressure relief completion condition, the second control valve assembly 9, the first control valve 5 are closed, and the operation of the hydrogen pump 7 is stopped, thereby completing the entire pressure relief process. This design not only improves the safety of the engine hydrogen supply system, but also effectively prolongs the service life of the system.

[0087] In some embodiments, the state parameters of the engine hydrogen supply system in step S15 include at least one of the hydrogen concentration, the hydrogen pressure at the specified node in the first branch, and the continuous working time of the hydrogen pump 7, and the pressure relief completion condition is configured to be that the hydrogen concentration or the hydrogen pressure at the specified node in the first branch is lower than the first set threshold or the continuous working time of the hydrogen pump 7 reaches the pre-set first set time. Wherein, the first set threshold is determined according to the safety standards and operating efficiency of the engine hydrogen supply system, which ensures that when it is lower than this threshold, the residual hydrogen in the system will not pose a threat to the system safety, and unnecessary hydrogen waste is also avoided. The pre-set first set time of the continuous working time of the hydrogen pump 7 is based on the performance characteristics and life of the hydrogen pump, aiming to balance the working efficiency and long-term use cost of the hydrogen pump. When any of the state parameters meets the pre-set pressure relief completion condition, the system judges that the pressure relief process is completed, and then takes corresponding measures, such as closing the control valve assembly and stopping the operation of the hydrogen pump, to ensure that the engine hydrogen supply system runs safely and efficiently. This design detail reflects the comprehensive consideration of the safety and economy of the engine hydrogen supply system.

[0088] In some embodiments, in order to ensure the effective use of hydrogen, in the engine shutdown and restart mode, the hydrogen supply system controller is configured to perform the following steps S21-S25.

[0089] Step S21: Open the first control valve assembly 8 to open the hydrogen output of the hydrogen tank 1.

[0090] Step S22: Open the second control valve assembly 9 (hydrogen tank 1 supplies hydrogen to the engine cylinder through the first branch, at this time, the hydrogen nozzle starts to spray hydrogen).

[0091] Step S23: Control the first control valve 5 to close and the second control valve 6 to open.

[0092] Step S24: Control the adsorption tank 2 to start the desorption mode, so that the hydrogen stored in the adsorption tank 2 is released and enters the engine cylinder for combustion as a supplement of the hydrogen output by the hydrogen tank 1.

[0093] Step S25: After identifying that the state parameters of the adsorption tank 2 reach the pre-set desorption completion condition, close the second control valve 6 and control the hydrogen pump 7 to stop running.

[0094] Through steps S21-S25, the engine hydrogen supply system realizes hydrogen supply control in the stop-restart mode, ensuring efficient use of hydrogen and stable operation of the system. During the execution of steps S21-S25, the hydrogen supply system controller accurately controls the opening and closing of each valve assembly and hydrogen pump, as well as the start and stop of the desorption mode of the adsorption tank, thereby achieving precise regulation of hydrogen supply. This control method not only improves the operating efficiency of the engine hydrogen supply system, but also enhances the safety and reliability of the system. In addition, through the pre-set state parameters and completion conditions, the system can automatically determine and take appropriate measures, avoiding the tediousness of manual intervention and the risk of possible misoperation.

[0095] In some embodiments, the state parameters of the adsorption tank 2 in step S25 include at least one of the internal pressure of the adsorption tank 2 and the opening time of the second control valve 6, and the desorption completion condition is set as the internal pressure of the adsorption tank 2 falling below a second set threshold or the opening time of the second control valve 6 reaching a pre-set second set time. Both the second set threshold and the second set time are pre-set according to the operating requirements of the engine and the characteristics of the hydrogen supply system. When the internal pressure of the adsorption tank 2 falls below the second set threshold, it indicates that most of the hydrogen in the adsorption tank 2 has been released, and the second control valve 6 is closed at this time. When the opening time of the second control valve 6 reaches the pre-set second set time, even if the internal pressure of the adsorption tank 2 has not fallen below the second set threshold, the system considers that the desorption process has been completed, and the second control valve 6 is closed. This dual judgment mechanism ensures the accuracy and reliability of the desorption process, further improving the hydrogen utilization efficiency and overall energy efficiency of the system.

[0096] In some embodiments, precise control of the amount of hydrogen supply is achieved, and in the normal operation mode of the engine, the hydrogen supply system controller is configured to perform steps S31-S33.

[0097] Step S31: Control the first control valve assembly 8 and the second control valve assembly 9 to remain in an open state.

[0098] Step S32: Control the first control valve 5, the second control valve 6, and the hydrogen pump 7 to remain in a closed state (the hydrogen pump 7 and the adsorption tank 2 are not working, and the hydrogen enters the engine cylinder for combustion via the hydrogen tank 1, the first control valve assembly 8, the second control valve assembly 9, the hydrogen rail 3, and the hydrogen nozzle 4).

[0099] Step S33: Obtain the engine demand power and adjust the state parameters of the second control valve assembly 9 based on the engine demand power, wherein the state parameters of the second control valve assembly 9 include the valve opening.

[0100] Wherein, the precise control of hydrogen supply is achieved through steps S31-S33. In the normal operation mode of the engine, the open state of the first control valve assembly 8 and the second control valve assembly 9 is maintained, ensuring that the hydrogen can smoothly flow from the hydrogen tank to the engine through the adsorption tank 2. At the same time, the first control valve 5, the second control valve 6, and the hydrogen pump 7 are closed, avoiding unnecessary hydrogen flow and energy consumption. Step S33 dynamically adjusts the valve opening of the second control valve assembly 9 according to the real-time demand power of the engine, thereby achieving precise matching of the hydrogen supply. This control method not only improves the utilization efficiency of hydrogen, but also ensures the stable operation and performance optimization of the engine.

[0101] In some embodiments, the first control valve 5 and the second control valve 6 are solenoid valves with a response time ≤ a set time threshold. This fast response time ensures that the system can quickly respond to control signals and timely adjust the flow state of hydrogen. The use of solenoid valves also improves the reliability and stability of the system, reducing the risk of hydrogen supply interruption due to valve failure.

[0102] In some embodiments, the hydrogen pump 7 is a diaphragm pump or a vortex pump with a maximum output pressure ≥ a set pressure. This high-pressure output pump design ensures that hydrogen can be efficiently transmitted to the adsorption tank to meet its needs during high-load operation. The choice of diaphragm pump or vortex pump not only improves the overall efficiency of the system, but also reduces noise and vibration due to its compact structure and smooth operation, improving driving comfort. In addition, both types of pumps have good sealing performance, effectively preventing hydrogen leakage and enhancing system safety.

[0103] Figure 5A flow chart of a method of controlling an engine hydrogen supply system is provided for at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The engine hydrogen supply system comprises a hydrogen tank 1, a first control valve 5, an adsorption tank 2, a second control valve 6, a hydrogen rail 3 and a hydrogen nozzle 4, wherein the hydrogen rail 3 and the hydrogen nozzle 4 are arranged in a first branch coupled to the hydrogen tank 1, the first control valve 5, the adsorption tank 2 and the second control valve 6 are arranged in a second branch different from the first branch and coupled to the hydrogen tank 1 in sequence, and the method comprises the following steps S10-S20.

[0104] Step S10: in response to receiving an engine shutdown instruction, starting an engine shutdown pressure relief process, wherein the engine shutdown pressure relief process is configured to control the hydrogen tank 1 to close its hydrogen output, the first control valve 5 to open and the second control valve 6 to close, and the adsorption tank 2 to start an adsorption mode.

[0105] Step S20: in response to receiving an engine start instruction, starting an engine shutdown restart process, wherein the engine shutdown restart process is configured to control the hydrogen tank 1 to open its hydrogen output, the first control valve 5 to close and the second control valve 6 to open, and the adsorption tank 2 to start a desorption mode.

[0106] Further details of each step in the above system embodiment have been described in detail in the embodiments related to the engine hydrogen supply system, and will not be described in detail here. The detailed steps of step S10 are described in steps S11-S15. The detailed steps of step S10 are described in steps S21-S25.

[0107] Figure 6 A structural block diagram of a vehicle is provided for at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6 the vehicle 100 comprises an engine hydrogen supply system 101 provided by any of the above embodiments.

[0108] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described above, it should be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure, and those of ordinary skill in the art can make changes, modifications, replacements and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An engine hydrogen supply system characterized by comprising: Comprising: a hydrogen tank (1) storing hydrogen; a first branch coupled with the hydrogen tank (1), the first branch being provided with a hydrogen rail (3) and a hydrogen nozzle (4) disposed at an engine cylinder, and an outlet of the hydrogen rail (3) being coupled with an inlet of the hydrogen nozzle (4); a second branch coupled with the hydrogen tank (1) and different from the first branch, the second branch being provided with a first control valve (5), a hydrogen pump (7), an adsorption tank (2) and a second control valve (6) in sequence, and one end of the second branch being coupled with the hydrogen tank (1) and the other end of the second branch being coupled with the engine cylinder; a hydrogen supply system controller provided with an engine shutdown pressure relief mode; wherein the adsorption tank (2) has an adsorption mode and a desorption mode, at each time of engine shutdown, the hydrogen supply system controller starts the engine shutdown pressure relief mode, and at each time of engine startup, the hydrogen tank (1) opens its hydrogen output, the first control valve (5) is closed and the second control valve (6) is opened, and the adsorption tank (2) starts the desorption mode; in the engine shutdown pressure relief mode, the hydrogen supply system controller is configured to: control the hydrogen tank (1) to close its hydrogen output; control the first control valve (5) to open and the second control valve (6) to close; start the hydrogen pump (7) and control the adsorption tank (2) to start the adsorption mode, so as to pump the residual hydrogen in the hydrogen supply system of the engine into the adsorption tank (2) for adsorption storage through the hydrogen pump (7); and after identifying that a state parameter of the hydrogen supply system of the engine reaches a pre-set pressure relief completion condition, close the inlet of the hydrogen rail (3), close the first control valve (5), and control the hydrogen pump (7) to stop running.

2. The engine hydrogen supply system according to claim 1, characterized by, The hydrogen supply system controller is also provided with an engine shutdown restart mode, wherein in the engine shutdown restart mode, the hydrogen supply system controller controls the hydrogen tank (1) to open its hydrogen output, the first control valve (5) to close and the second control valve (6) to open, and the adsorption tank (2) to start the desorption mode, so as to release the hydrogen stored in the adsorption tank (2) to the engine cylinder for combustion.

3. The engine hydrogen supply system of claim 2, wherein Further comprising: a first control valve assembly (8) disposed at an outlet of the hydrogen tank (1), integrated with a pressure relief valve and a third control valve, and a control end of the first control valve assembly (8) being coupled with the hydrogen supply system controller; wherein the hydrogen supply system controller is configured to, when identifying that the hydrogen pressure of the hydrogen tank exceeds a set threshold, open the pressure relief valve to adjust the hydrogen pressure of the hydrogen tank to a pre-set specified range, and control the hydrogen tank (1) to open or close its hydrogen output through the third control valve.

4. The engine hydrogen supply system according to claim 3, characterized by Further comprising: A second control valve assembly (9) is arranged on the first branch between the first control valve assembly and the hydrogen rail (3), and integrates a pressure regulating valve and a fourth control valve, and a control end of the second control valve assembly (9) is connected to the hydrogen supply system controller; The hydrogen supply system controller is configured to adjust the state of the pressure regulating valve based on the required power of the engine after the engine starts, and to control the fourth control valve to start or stop the hydrogen nozzle (4) to spray hydrogen.

5. The engine hydrogen supply system according to claim 4, wherein A control end of the hydrogen pump (7) is connected to the hydrogen supply system controller; The hydrogen supply system controller is configured to start the hydrogen pump (7) while controlling the adsorption tank (2) to start the adsorption mode.

6. The engine hydrogen supply system according to claim 5, wherein The adsorption tank (2) uses at least one of activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, and graphene as an adsorption material. The hydrogen supply system controller further has an engine normal operation mode, in which the hydrogen supply system controller controls the first control valve assembly (8) and the second control valve assembly (9) to be open, and controls the first control valve (5) and the second control valve (6) to be closed, so that the hydrogen in the hydrogen supply system of the engine enters the engine cylinder for combustion through the first branch.

7. The engine hydrogen supply system according to claim 5, wherein In the engine shutdown pressure relief mode, the hydrogen supply system controller is further configured to: Close the first control valve assembly (8) to control the hydrogen tank (1) to close its hydrogen output; Open the second control valve assembly (9), and then control the first control valve (5) to be open and the second control valve (6) to be closed; and After identifying that a state parameter of the engine hydrogen supply system reaches a pre-set pressure relief completion condition, close the second control valve assembly (9), then close the first control valve (5), and control the hydrogen pump (7) to stop running.

8. The engine hydrogen supply system according to claim 7, wherein The state parameter of the engine hydrogen supply system includes at least one of the hydrogen concentration and the hydrogen pressure of a specified node in the first branch, and the continuous working time of the hydrogen pump (7), and the pressure relief completion condition is configured to the hydrogen concentration or the hydrogen pressure of the specified node in the first branch being lower than a first set threshold, or the continuous working time of the hydrogen pump (7) reaching a pre-set first set time.

9. The engine hydrogen supply system according to any one of claims 5, 7, 8, wherein In the engine shutdown and restart mode, the hydrogen supply system controller is configured to: Open the first control valve assembly (8) to make the hydrogen tank (1) open its hydrogen output; Open the second control valve assembly (9); Control the first control valve (5) to be closed and the second control valve (6) to be open; Control the adsorption tank (2) to start the desorption mode, so that the hydrogen stored in the adsorption tank (2) is released and serves as a supplement to the hydrogen output by the hydrogen tank (1) to enter the engine cylinder for combustion; and After identifying that a state parameter of the adsorption tank (2) reaches a pre-set desorption completion condition, close the second control valve (6) and control the hydrogen pump (7) to stop running.

10. The engine hydrogen supply system according to claim 6, wherein The state parameter of the adsorption tank (2) includes at least one of an internal pressure of the adsorption tank (2) and an opening time of the second control valve (6), the desorption completion condition is set as the internal pressure of the adsorption tank (2) being reduced to below a second set threshold or the opening time of the second control valve (6) reaching a second set time preset in advance, and in the normal engine operation mode, the hydrogen supply system controller is configured to: control the first control valve assembly (8) and the second control valve assembly (9) to remain in an open state; control the first control valve (5), the second control valve (6) and the hydrogen pump (7) to remain in a closed state; obtain an engine demand power, and adjust a state parameter of the second control valve assembly (9) based on the engine demand power, wherein the state parameter of the second control valve assembly (9) includes a valve opening degree.

11. A method of controlling a hydrogen supply system for an engine, characterized by, The engine hydrogen supply system includes a hydrogen tank (1), a first control valve (5), an adsorption tank (2), a second control valve (6), a hydrogen rail (3), a hydrogen nozzle (4) and a hydrogen pump (7), wherein the hydrogen rail (3) and the hydrogen nozzle (4) are arranged in a first branch coupled to the hydrogen tank (1), the first control valve (5), the hydrogen pump (7), the adsorption tank (2) and the second control valve (6) are arranged in a second branch different from the first branch and coupled to the hydrogen tank (1) in sequence, and the method comprises: in response to receiving an engine start instruction, starting an engine shutdown and restart process, wherein the engine shutdown and restart process is configured to control the hydrogen tank (1) to open its hydrogen output, the first control valve (5) to close and the second control valve (6) to open, and the adsorption tank (2) to start a desorption mode; in response to receiving an engine shutdown instruction, starting an engine shutdown and pressure relief process, wherein the engine shutdown and pressure relief process is configured to: control the hydrogen tank (1) to close its hydrogen output; control the first control valve (5) to open and the second control valve (6) to close; start the hydrogen pump (7) and control the adsorption tank (2) to start an adsorption mode to pump the residual hydrogen in the engine hydrogen supply system into the adsorption tank (2) for adsorption storage by the hydrogen pump (7); and after identifying that the state parameter of the engine hydrogen supply system reaches a pressure relief completion condition preset in advance, close the hydrogen rail (3) intake, close the first control valve (5), and control the hydrogen pump (7) to stop running.

12. A vehicle characterized by comprising: The vehicle comprises the engine hydrogen supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The vehicle comprises the engine hydrogen supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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