Hydrogen tank system and diagnostic method for hydrogen tank system
By setting the first and second pressure sensors in the pressure area of the hydrogen tank system, the pressure difference is calculated and compared with the threshold value, the problems of sensor failure and pipeline leakage are solved to ensure the stable operation of the hydrogen tank system.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202480008390.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-01-20
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-09
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-26
AI Technical Summary
The pressure sensor failure in the hydrogen tank system or leakage in the medium pressure area causes a pressure drop, and the pressure in the low pressure area cannot be accurately adjusted, affecting the reliable operation of the hydrogen consumption device.
By arranging the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor in the medium pressure area, the pressure difference between the two is calculated and compared with a preset threshold value, the results are saved to diagnose the system status and distinguish between sensor or pipeline failure.
The reliability verification of the medium pressure area of the hydrogen tank system is realized, and sensor or pipeline faults are discovered and distinguished in a timely manner to ensure the stable operation of the system.
Smart Images
Figure CN120548434A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a diagnostic method for a hydrogen tank system and a hydrogen tank system according to the accompanying claims. Background Art
[0002] A hydrogen tank system generally includes a high-pressure reservoir that flows hydrogen under high pressure through a high-pressure region to a pressure reducer.
[0003] The pressure reducer separates a high-pressure region from a medium-pressure region, and hydrogen flows into the medium-pressure region at a pressure set by the pressure reducer.
[0004] A low-pressure region is usually provided on the consumer side, in which the pressure of the hydrogen flowing through the low-pressure region is adjusted by means of a flow valve.
[0005] Due to leaks and / or deformations in the lines in the medium-pressure area, a pressure drop may occur in the medium-pressure area. Furthermore, the sensor for determining the medium pressure present in the medium-pressure area may be defective, so that no flow at the predetermined pressure is achieved to the downstream flow valve, and accordingly, the predetermined pressure cannot be set in the low-pressure area.
[0006] Therefore, for reliable operation of the hydrogen tank system or the hydrogen consumer, it is advantageous to know or verify the current state of the medium-pressure region of the hydrogen tank system. Summary of the Invention
[0007] The present invention provides a hydrogen tank system and a diagnostic method for diagnosing the status of a hydrogen tank system. Further features and details of the invention are apparent from the corresponding dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the diagnostic method according to the invention naturally also apply to the hydrogen tank system according to the invention, and vice versa, such that the disclosures concerning the various inventive aspects always refer to or can be referred to one another.
[0008] The present invention is particularly useful for diagnosing the status of a hydrogen tank system, and more particularly for verifying the reliability of a pressure obtained by a medium pressure sensor in the hydrogen tank system.
[0009] Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a diagnostic method for a medium-pressure region of a hydrogen tank system is proposed.
[0010] The proposed diagnostic method includes: determining a first pressure applied in the medium-pressure region of the hydrogen tank system by means of a first pressure sensor arranged in the medium-pressure region; determining a difference between the first pressure and a reference pressure determined by a second pressure sensor; comparing the difference with a predetermined threshold value; and, at least in the case where the difference deviates from the threshold value, storing the result of the comparison in a memory.
[0011] The proposed diagnostic method is based on comparing a measured value determined by a first pressure sensor arranged in the medium-pressure region with a measured value determined by a second pressure sensor or a corresponding reference pressure. A causal or physical relationship exists between the first pressure determined by the first pressure sensor and the second pressure determined by the second pressure sensor.
[0012] To compare the measured values determined by the first and second pressure sensors with corresponding threshold values, the difference between the measured values is calculated and mathematically linked to the threshold value. The threshold value can be a single value, an absolute value, or a range of values. Accordingly, any deviation of the difference from the threshold value, whether positive or negative, can result in the comparison result being stored in memory.
[0013] For example, the medium-pressure region can be coupled, in particular reversibly coupled, to the pressure region monitored by the second pressure sensor, so that the same pressure can occur at the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor.
[0014] Alternatively, a desired value or a corresponding reference value for the first pressure can be inferred from the second pressure based on a predetermined mathematical relationship between the medium-pressure region and another pressure region (eg a high-pressure region supplying hydrogen to the medium-pressure region).
[0015] Therefore, by comparing the first pressure with a reference value determined from the second pressure, it can be determined whether the first pressure (ie the pressure in the medium-pressure region) or a measured value determined by a first pressure sensor arranged in the medium-pressure region is plausible.
[0016] In particular, if the result of the comparison provided according to the present invention deviates from a reference value, the result can be stored in a memory, for example, in a fault memory of the hydrogen tank system or in a fault memory of a consumer supplied with hydrogen via the hydrogen tank system, for example as a verification message or fault message. Accordingly, the result can be output on an output unit (e.g., a display) or retrieved from the memory by a computing unit (e.g., a controller of the consumer).
[0017] In particular, the first pressure and the second pressure can be compared directly, i.e., based on corresponding sensor values or measured values. This can be done, for example, in the case of low mass flows, in order to avoid pressure differences due to flow-induced pressure drops in the line system between the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor, as is typically the case, for example, when the consumer system is at rest and / or has low power.
[0018] Alternatively, the first pressure and the second pressure can be compared using sensor values or measured values, taking into account an expected operating point-dependent pressure drop for the line system between the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor, for example, when increasing to the maximum power of the consumer system. The expected operating point-dependent pressure drop in the line system between the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor can be stored, for example, in the control unit.
[0019] It can be provided that, when the difference is greater than a threshold, the result is stored in the memory as a fault notification, and / or when the difference is less than or equal to the threshold, the result is stored in the memory as a reliability verification.
[0020] Because a difference greater than the threshold indicates an unexpectedly large difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, it may be considered that the first pressure is within an unexpected range and is therefore erroneous.
[0021] Because a difference less than the threshold value indicates an expected difference or a difference within an acceptable range of deviation, the first pressure may be considered to be within the expected range and therefore reasonable.
[0022] It can also be provided that the second pressure sensor is arranged on a supply system for a consumer system coupled in a fluid-conducting manner to the hydrogen tank system.
[0023] Since the supply system of the consumer system is usually systematically coupled to the medium-pressure region in a fluid-conducting manner, the second pressure ascertained in the supply system is particularly advantageously suitable for determining the reference pressure.
[0024] It can also be provided that the first pressure is determined at an operating point of the consumer device, at which operating point a mass flow flows between the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor, the mass flow exceeding a predetermined measurement threshold value, and for the case where the difference is greater than the threshold value, the method further comprises: adjusting the mass flow in the area between the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor, the mass flow being lower than a predetermined fine measurement threshold value (Feinmessschwellenwert); determining a first fine pressure (Feindruck) applied to the medium-pressure area of the hydrogen tank system with the aid of the first pressure sensor; determining a fine reference pressure (Feinreferenzdruck) with the aid of the second pressure sensor; determining a fine difference (Feindiffenz) between the first fine pressure and the fine reference pressure; comparing the fine difference with a predetermined fine threshold value (Feinschwellenwert); for the case where the fine difference is less than or equal to the fine threshold value, saving a fault notification of a fault in the pipeline system of the medium-pressure area in a memory; or for the case where the fine difference is greater than the fine threshold value, saving a fault notification of a fault of the first pressure sensor in a memory.
[0025] In order to distinguish between a faulty pipe system (e.g. a deformed pipe or a broken connector) and a faulty sensor, a two-stage process can be used, in which the difference between the measured values of the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor is first determined at a high mass flow, and then a fine difference between the measured values of the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor is determined at a low mass flow, in particular when there is no mass flow or the mass flow of the consumer is "0".
[0026] In a two-stage process, a first sub-process determines whether a fault exists in the entire system. If such a fault is detected, i.e., a difference deviating from a threshold value, for example, the pressure drop in the medium-pressure region does not correspond to the expected pressure drop (e.g., the pressure drop stored in the controller), a second sub-process determines whether the fault originates in the sensor or in the pipeline system. It is assumed that if the fine difference is less than or equal to the fine threshold value, the sensor is normal, which means that a fault must exist in the pipeline system.
[0027] It can also be provided that the second pressure sensor is arranged on the external pressure system.
[0028] With the aid of a connection to an external pressure system (e.g. to a so-called "drain" downstream of the pressure regulator and / or the filling / flushing station), the difference provided according to the invention can be determined at a defined pressure within the desired pressure range of the medium-pressure system (e.g. from no pressure to the regulating pressure of the pressure regulator).
[0029] It can also be provided that the second pressure sensor is arranged in a high-pressure region of the hydrogen tank system.
[0030] In the high-pressure region of the hydrogen tank system, a function can be implemented for targeted pressure reduction in the high-pressure system and the medium-pressure system to a predefined pressure range within which the pressure regulator opens. This function can, for example, adjust the pressure drop by selectively withdrawing mass after the initial closure of the tank valve of the hydrogen tank system, during standstill, and / or during operation of the corresponding consumer, or when the tank is idling, when the pressure level drops below the normal control pressure range of the pressure regulator.
[0031] It may also be provided that the second pressure sensor is configured to detect the ambient pressure of the hydrogen pressure system as a reference pressure.
[0032] For example, in the unpressurized state of the medium-pressure system (for example in a factory and / or a service workshop and / or in the state of being opened and thus depressurized by a consumer system), the ambient pressure can be used as a reference pressure.
[0033] It can also be provided that the high-pressure region is connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the medium-pressure region via a pressure regulator.
[0034] By means of the fluid-conducting connection between the high-pressure region and the medium-pressure region of the pressure regulator, a change in the pressure present in the high-pressure region can be achieved by the pressure regulator by the pressure regulator reacting to a change in the pressure in the medium-pressure region.
[0035] It can also be provided that the first pressure is determined by a plurality of measured values determined by the first pressure sensor during a plurality of predetermined operating conditions of the hydrogen tank system, and / or the reference pressure is determined by a plurality of measured values determined by the second pressure sensor during a plurality of predetermined conditions.
[0036] By means of a plurality of measured values, in particular a large number of measured values, of the first pressure sensor and / or the second pressure sensor, the behavior of the medium-pressure region over time under different operating conditions can be monitored.
[0037] It can also be set that the multiple predetermined operating conditions include at least one operating condition from the following list of operating conditions: a pressure-free state of the medium-pressure area of the hydrogen tank system, a predetermined pressure trend in the medium-pressure area, which pressure trend leads to the opening of the pressure regulator of the hydrogen tank system and pressure balance between the high-pressure area and the medium-pressure area.
[0038] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a hydrogen tank system.
[0039] The proposed hydrogen tank system includes a first pressure sensor arranged in a medium-pressure region of the hydrogen tank system and a computing unit, wherein the first pressure sensor is configured for detecting the pressure in the medium-pressure region, and wherein the computing unit is configured for performing one possible configuration of the proposed diagnostic method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] Further advantages, features and details of the present invention are apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and the description may be significant for the present invention individually or in any combination.
[0041] The accompanying drawings show:
[0042] Figure 1 : A possible configuration of the proposed diagnostic method;
[0043] Figure 2 : Schematic diagram of a possible configuration of the proposed hydrogen tank system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] Figure 1 A diagnostic method 100 is shown for diagnosing faults in a medium pressure region of a hydrogen tank system.
[0045] The diagnostic method 100 includes an ascertainment step 101, in which a first pressure applied in the medium-pressure area of the hydrogen tank system is ascertained with the aid of a first pressure sensor arranged in the medium-pressure area; a determination step 103, in which a difference between the first pressure and a reference pressure determined by a second pressure sensor is determined; a comparison step 105, in which the difference is compared with a predetermined threshold value; and a storage step 107, in which the result of the comparison step 105 is saved in a memory, at least for the case where the difference deviates from the threshold value.
[0046] Optionally, the diagnostic method 100 includes an adjustment step 109, in which a mass flow in the area between the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor is adjusted to be lower than a predetermined fine measurement threshold; an acquisition step 111, in which a first fine pressure applied in the medium pressure area of the hydrogen tank system is acquired with the aid of the first pressure sensor; another acquisition step 113, in which a fine reference pressure is acquired with the aid of the second pressure sensor; a determination step 115, in which a fine difference between the first fine pressure and the fine reference pressure is determined; and a comparison step 117, in which the fine difference is compared with a predetermined fine threshold.
[0047] In addition, the diagnostic method 100 optionally includes a saving step 119, in which, for a case where the fine difference is less than or equal to the fine threshold, a fault notification of a fault in the pipeline system of the medium pressure area is saved in a memory; or a saving step 121, in which, for a case where the fine difference is greater than the fine threshold, a fault notification of a fault in the first pressure sensor is saved in a memory.
[0048] exist Figure 2 2 shows a hydrogen tank system 200 . The hydrogen tank system 200 includes a high-pressure region 201 and a medium-pressure region 203 , as well as a first pressure sensor 205 and a calculation unit 207 .
[0049] The first pressure sensor 205 is configured to detect the pressure in the medium pressure region 203 .
[0050] The calculation unit 207 is configured to execute Figure 1 Diagnostic methods 100.
Claims
1. A diagnostic method (100) for a medium pressure region of a hydrogen tank system (200), in, The diagnostic method (100) comprises: - determining (101) a first pressure present in the medium-pressure region of the hydrogen tank system (200) by means of a first pressure sensor (205) arranged in the medium-pressure region, - determining (103) the difference between said first pressure and a reference pressure determined by a second pressure sensor, - comparing the difference with a predetermined threshold value (105), - saving (107) the result of the comparison in a memory, at least for the case where said difference deviates from said threshold value.
2. The diagnostic method (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that If the difference is greater than the threshold, the result is stored in the memory as a fault notification, and / or In the case where the difference is less than or equal to the threshold, the result is stored in the memory as reliability verification.
3. The diagnostic method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second pressure sensor is arranged on a supply system for a consumer system, which is fluidically coupled to the hydrogen tank system (200).
4. The diagnostic method (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that The first pressure is determined (101) at an operating point of the consumer at which a mass flow flows between the first pressure sensor (205) and the second pressure sensor, which mass flow exceeds a predetermined measurement threshold value, and in the event that the difference is greater than the threshold value, the method further comprises: - setting (109) a mass flow in the region between the first pressure sensor (205) and the second pressure sensor, said mass flow being below a predetermined fine measurement threshold, - determining (111) a first fine pressure prevailing in the medium-pressure region (203) of the hydrogen tank system (200) by means of the first pressure sensor, - determining (113) a fine reference pressure by means of the second pressure sensor, - determining (115) a fine difference between said first fine pressure and said fine reference pressure, - comparing the fine difference with a predetermined fine threshold value (117), - for the case where the fine difference is less than or equal to the fine threshold, saving (119) a fault notification of a fault in the piping system of the medium pressure region (203) in the memory, or - in the event that the fine difference is greater than the fine threshold, saving (121) a fault notification of a fault of the first pressure sensor (205) in the memory.
5. The diagnostic method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second pressure sensor is arranged on the external pressure system.
6. The diagnostic method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second pressure sensor is arranged at a high-pressure region (201) of the hydrogen tank system (200).
7. The diagnostic method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The second pressure sensor is configured to detect the ambient pressure of the hydrogen pressure system (200) as a reference pressure.
8. The diagnostic method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The high-pressure region (201) is fluidically connected to the medium-pressure region (203) via a pressure regulator.
9. The diagnostic method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first pressure is determined by a plurality of measured values determined by the first pressure sensor (205) during a plurality of predetermined operating conditions of the hydrogen tank system (200), and / or The reference pressure is ascertained by means of a plurality of measured values ascertained by the second pressure sensor during a plurality of predefined conditions.
10. The diagnostic method (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that The plurality of predetermined operating conditions include at least one operating condition from the following list of operating conditions: a pressure-free state of the medium-pressure region (203) of the hydrogen tank system (200); A predetermined pressure curve in the medium-pressure region (203) leads to the opening of a pressure regulator of the hydrogen tank system (200) and to a pressure equalization between the high-pressure region (201) and the medium-pressure region (203).
11. A hydrogen tank system (200), wherein: The hydrogen tank system (200) comprises: a first pressure sensor (205) disposed at a medium pressure region (203) of the hydrogen tank system (200), and a computing unit (207), wherein the first pressure sensor (205) is configured to detect the pressure in the medium pressure region (203), and The computing unit (207) is configured to execute the diagnostic method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.