Tank system and method for inspecting a tank system having a plurality of high-pressure tank by temporary extraction

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for checking a tank system (200) having a plurality of high-pressure tanks (201, 203) and to a tank system (200).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for inspecting the on / off status of temperature sensors and corresponding tank valves in a tank system, particularly a tank system having multiple high-pressure tanks, and to a tank system thereof. Background Technology

[0002] High-pressure tank systems, especially in the vehicle sector, often comprise multiple high-pressure tanks for storing fluids such as hydrogen. For safety reasons, each of these high-pressure tanks is equipped with a temperature sensor that measures the temperature within the tank.

[0003] Temperature sensors may provide incorrect values ​​due to thermal and / or mechanical stress, which can lead to errors in subsequent processing based on these incorrect values. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Within the scope of this invention, a method for inspecting a tank system having multiple high-pressure tanks and a tank system are described. Further features and details of the invention are derived from the corresponding dependent claims, description, and drawings. Herein, the features and details described in conjunction with the method according to the invention also apply to the tank system according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosures regarding various aspects of the invention are always mutually referential or can be mutually referenced.

[0005] This invention is particularly useful for verifying the reasonableness of temperature values ​​obtained by temperature sensors in tank systems, or for identifying faulty temperature sensors and verifying or identifying the reasonableness of the opening and closing status of corresponding tank valves.

[0006] Therefore, according to a first aspect of the invention, a method is provided for inspecting the on / off status of a tank system having multiple high-pressure tanks, and in particular for inspecting the temperature sensors and corresponding tank valves of the tank system.

[0007] The method described includes: operating a consumer of fluid stored in a high-pressure tank; storing pressure values ​​obtained by system pressure sensors in the high-pressure system of the tank system; closing the tank valves of all high-pressure tanks except the tank valve of the first high-pressure tank; obtaining temperature values ​​using each temperature sensor in the tank system; opening additional tank valves assigned to all other high-pressure tanks, allowing the first high-pressure tank to be refilled; and obtaining temperature values ​​using each temperature sensor in the tank system and verifying the validity of the temperature sensors once or after the pressure balance achieved in the high-pressure system of the tank system is obtained by the deployed system pressure sensors.

[0008] The rationality check includes: comparing a first temperature value obtained by a first temperature sensor assigned to a first high-pressure tank with a pre-given first reference value, wherein the first temperature value is obtained from the start time when the tank valve of the high-pressure tank is closed until the end time when the pressure difference initially falls below the rationality check threshold; comparing another temperature value obtained by another temperature sensor assigned to another high-pressure tank with a pre-given other reference value, wherein the other temperature value is obtained from the start time when the tank valve is opened until the end time when the value obtained by the system pressure sensor first indicates pressure balance, i.e., especially when the pressure difference initially or first falls below the rationality check threshold; if the first temperature difference between the first temperature value and the first reference value is less than or equal to a first diagnostic threshold, outputting a report marking the value obtained by the first temperature sensor as rational, or if the other temperature difference between the other temperature value obtained by the corresponding other temperature sensor and the other reference value is less than or equal to the other diagnostic threshold, outputting a report marking the corresponding value obtained by the other temperature sensor as rational.

[0009] In the context of this invention, the output report should be understood as a process in which a report (e.g., text or so-called "mark") is displayed on an output unit (e.g., a display) and / or stored in a memory (e.g., a fault memory or a working memory). Accordingly, by outputting a report that marks the value obtained by the temperature sensor as reasonable, additional or external functions can determine whether the value obtained by the temperature sensor is reasonable and process it further or exclude it from further processing.

[0010] The method described is performed during the operation of a consumer (e.g., a fuel cell system) to allow fluid to be continuously discharged or removed from the high-pressure tank of the tank system.

[0011] To verify the validity of the values ​​obtained from the temperature sensor, the high-pressure tank assigned to the temperature sensor under test is first at least partially emptied by introducing gas or fluid from the high-pressure tank into the high-pressure area of ​​the corresponding pipeline or tank system. All other high-pressure tanks are closed, thus establishing a pressure difference between the first high-pressure tank and the others.

[0012] Once the pressure difference reaches a predetermined threshold or high-pressure zone (where the system pressure in the pipeline system downstream of the high-pressure tank in the flow direction corresponds to the pressure in the first high-pressure tank that has been opened), the temperature value is obtained by the temperature sensor assigned to the corresponding high-pressure tank.

[0013] Subsequently, all valves of all high-pressure tanks were opened, enabling passive gas refilling from previously closed high-pressure tanks to the first high-pressure tank due to different pressure levels.

[0014] Once a quasi-steady state is reached—that is, after opening the valves of all high-pressure tanks, the pressure value obtained by the system pressure sensor remains constant or the pressure has reached equilibrium—the temperature value is then obtained again by the temperature sensor assigned to the respective high-pressure tank. Optionally, the pressure value is then obtained by the corresponding pressure sensor assigned to the high-pressure tank.

[0015] Subsequently, the temperature sensor is validated for reasonableness based on the obtained temperature and / or pressure values. A reference value is selected for this purpose, and it is compared with the obtained temperature value. If the temperature difference between the value obtained by the corresponding other temperature sensor and the corresponding reference value is less than or equal to a diagnostic threshold, a report is output that marks the corresponding value obtained by that temperature sensor as reasonable.

[0016] Accordingly, if the temperature difference between the temperature value obtained by the corresponding additional temperature sensor and the corresponding reference value is greater than the diagnostic threshold during comparison, a report is output that marks the corresponding value obtained by the temperature sensor as unreasonable or irrational.

[0017] It can be configured to select a first reference value based on the pressure value obtained by the pressure sensor, especially the first pressure sensor assigned to the first high-pressure tank.

[0018] The appropriate rationality check is performed by comparing the measured temperature change, for example, with a temperature change stored in memory or calculated or expected. For this purpose, relevant reference values ​​are stored, for example, in the form of a distribution scheme for the corresponding pressure change or pressure, as well as ambient and gas temperatures. Alternatively, the tank-specific temperature decrease in the tank closed during the method is compared between the moment all tank valves are opened and the point at which pressure equilibrium is reached.

[0019] It can also be configured to select an additional reference value based on the pressure value obtained by a pressure sensor, especially an additional pressure sensor associated with a corresponding additional high-pressure tank.

[0020] By storing specific reference values ​​for the corresponding high-pressure tank, the corresponding temperature sensor can be checked with particular precision.

[0021] It can also be set to select a first reference value and another reference value according to the type of the corresponding high-pressure tank.

[0022] When considering the type of the corresponding high-pressure tank, specific properties (such as thermal conductivity) can be taken into account when verifying the feasibility of the corresponding temperature sensor or temperature value.

[0023] It can also be configured to compare the curves of temperature values ​​obtained by corresponding additional temperature sensors with a certain number of diagnostic values, wherein the certain number of diagnostic values ​​are obtained based on the additional temperature values ​​obtained by all the additional temperature sensors.

[0024] By comparing the temperature value obtained by the corresponding temperature sensor with a diagnostic value obtained from other temperature values ​​obtained by all other temperature sensors, the plausibility of the corresponding temperature sensor or the temperature value obtained by it can be verified based on all other temperature sensors. Accordingly, the other temperature sensors are used as references or plausibility standards for the corresponding temperature sensor to be verified.

[0025] It can also be configured that the certain number of diagnostic values ​​correspond to the average of additional temperature values ​​obtained from all other temperature sensors.

[0026] In particular, temperature values ​​obtained from other temperature sensors can be converted into diagnostic values ​​using mathematical methods (such as averaging).

[0027] It can also be configured such that, if the difference between the curve of the temperature value obtained by the corresponding other temperature sensor and the certain number of diagnostic values ​​is greater than the diagnostic threshold, the characteristic curve stored in the memory and assigned to the other temperature sensor is adjusted so that the difference between the curve of the temperature value obtained by the corresponding other temperature sensor and the certain number of diagnostic values ​​is less than or equal to the diagnostic threshold.

[0028] By adjusting the characteristic curves stored in memory (e.g., the control unit) and assigned to the corresponding temperature sensor, it is possible, for example, to correct a potentially faulty temperature sensor for sensor drift, so that the temperature sensor can once again provide a reasonable temperature value.

[0029] It can also be configured to output a report indicating that the corresponding valve of the high-pressure tank is open if the temperature value obtained by at least one temperature sensor, especially a temperature sensor located in the region after the high-pressure tank in the flow direction, decreases after all other high-pressure tanks are opened.

[0030] Since the flow of fluid from the corresponding high-pressure tank into the high-pressure area causes a temperature drop within the tank, it can be concluded that the high-pressure tank or its valve is open when this temperature drop is detected. Accordingly, the openness or open state of the valve can be reasonably verified based on the temperature drop within the high-pressure tank.

[0031] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a tank system for storing fluids.

[0032] The tank system described includes a first high-pressure tank, a certain number of other high-pressure tanks, a high-pressure system, a system pressure sensor arranged in the high-pressure system, a first temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature in the first high-pressure tank, a certain number of other temperature sensors respectively configured to measure the temperature in the corresponding other high-pressure tanks, and a computing unit.

[0033] The computing unit is configured in one possible configuration to perform the described method.

[0034] The computing unit can be configured to operate during the consumption of fluid stored in the high-pressure tank: • Close the valves of all high-pressure tanks except the valve of the first high-pressure tank. • Temperature values ​​are obtained using each temperature sensor in the tank system. • Open the additional valves assigned to all other high-pressure tanks, allowing the first high-pressure tank to be refilled. • Once the pressure balance is achieved in the high-pressure system of the tank system using system pressure sensors located in the high-pressure system, or subsequently (especially if the obtained pressure value is constant), the reasonableness of the temperature values ​​obtained by each temperature sensor in the tank system should be re-examined. The rationality test includes: • A first temperature value obtained by a first temperature sensor assigned to the first high-pressure tank is compared with a pre-given first reference value, wherein the first temperature value is obtained from the moment the tank valve of the high-pressure tank is closed until the moment when the value obtained by the system pressure sensor first indicates pressure balance (especially constant). • An additional temperature value obtained by an additional temperature sensor assigned to a separate high-pressure tank is compared with a pre-defined additional reference value, wherein the additional temperature value is obtained from the moment the tank valve of the high-pressure tank is opened until the moment when the value obtained by the system pressure sensor first indicates pressure balance (especially constant). • If the first temperature difference between the first temperature value and the first reference value is less than or equal to the first diagnostic threshold, the output will mark the value obtained by the first temperature sensor as reasonable. • If the temperature difference between another temperature value obtained by the corresponding other temperature sensor and another reference value is less than or equal to another diagnostic threshold, the output will be a report indicating that the corresponding value obtained by the other temperature sensor is reasonable.

[0035] It can also be configured that the computing unit sequentially checks each temperature sensor of the tank system as the first temperature sensor.

[0036] In the context of this invention, a computing unit should be understood as a computer, processor, subprocessor, controller, or any other programmable circuit.

[0037] The advantages of the method for inspecting a tank system according to the first aspect of the invention described in detail are also applicable to a tank system for storing fluids according to the second aspect of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, the features mentioned in the claims and specification are important to the invention, either individually or in any combination.

[0039] This is shown here: Figure 1 Feasible configurations of the proposed method Figure 2 The proposed feasible configuration of the tank system Figure 3 A pressure / temperature / time graph that plots time on the horizontal axis and pressure and temperature on the vertical axis. Detailed Implementation

[0040] exist Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a method 100 for inspecting a tank system with multiple high-pressure tanks.

[0041] Method 100 includes running step 101, wherein a consumer for fluid stored in a high-pressure tank is operated or such operation is requested.

[0042] In addition, method 100 includes a closing step 103, wherein the valves of all high-pressure tanks except the valve of the first high-pressure tank are closed; a first obtaining step 105, wherein a temperature value is obtained by each temperature sensor of the tank system after the closing step 103; an opening step 107, wherein additional valves assigned to all other high-pressure tanks are opened, such that the first high-pressure tank is recharged; and a second obtaining step 109, wherein a temperature value is obtained by each temperature sensor of the tank system.

[0043] In addition, method 100 includes a rationality check step 111, wherein once the pressure value obtained by the system pressure sensor arranged in the high-pressure system of the tank system indicates pressure balance, a rationality check is performed on the temperature sensor or the temperature value obtained by the temperature sensor.

[0044] Reasonableness verification step 111 includes a first comparison step 113, wherein a first temperature value obtained by a first temperature sensor assigned to the first high-pressure tank is compared with a pre-given first reference value, wherein the first temperature value is obtained (or has been obtained) from the start moment when the tank valve of the high-pressure tank is closed until the end moment when the value obtained by the system pressure sensor indicates that the pressure balance (especially the first constant) has been achieved.

[0045] In addition, the rationality verification step 111 includes a second comparison step 115, in which an additional temperature value obtained by an additional temperature sensor assigned to another high-pressure tank is compared with a pre-given additional reference value, wherein the additional temperature value is obtained (or has been obtained) from the start of the opening of the tank valve of the high-pressure tank until the end of the time when the value obtained by the system pressure sensor first indicates that the pressure balance (especially constant) is achieved.

[0046] In addition, the rationality verification step 111 includes a first output step 117, wherein if the first temperature difference between the first temperature value and the first reference value is less than or equal to the first diagnostic threshold, the output will mark the value obtained by the first temperature sensor 213 as reasonable.

[0047] Furthermore, the rationality verification step 111 includes a second output step 119, wherein if the additional temperature difference between the additional temperature value obtained by the corresponding additional temperature sensor and the additional reference value is less than or equal to the additional diagnostic threshold, the output will mark the corresponding value obtained by the additional temperature sensor as reasonable.

[0048] exist Figure 2 The diagram shows a tank system 200. The tank system 200 includes a first high-pressure tank 201, a number of other high-pressure tanks 203, a high-pressure system 205, a system pressure sensor 209 arranged in the high-pressure system 205, a first temperature sensor 213 configured to measure the temperature in the first high-pressure tank 201, a number of other temperature sensors 215 respectively configured to measure the temperature in the corresponding other high-pressure tanks 203, and a calculation unit 211, wherein the calculation unit 211 is configured to execute according to... Figure 1 Method 100.

[0049] The computing unit 211 is specifically configured to control (i.e., open or close) the additional tank valve 217 of the additional high-pressure tank 203 and the first tank valve 219 of the first high-pressure tank 201.

[0050] exist Figure 3 The diagram shows graph 300, which plots time on its horizontal axis and pressure and temperature on its vertical axis.

[0051] Curve 301 corresponds to the pressure in all high-pressure tanks from the start time T0 to time T1, where gas is removed from all high-pressure tanks up to T1. Starting from time T1, gas is removed only from the first high-pressure tank 201, thus generating a first curve 303 for the pressure in the first high-pressure tank and another curve 305 for the pressure in the other high-pressure tanks.

[0052] At time T2, the other high-pressure tank is also opened, causing the other curve 305 and the first curve 303 to approach each other and transition to an equilibrium state at time T3. Accordingly, the first curve 303 rises after time T2, and the other curve 305 falls after time T2, because gas flows from the other high-pressure tank into the first high-pressure tank and refills it.

[0053] Curve 307 corresponds to the first temperature value obtained using the temperature sensor assigned to the first high-pressure tank.

[0054] Curves 309 and 311 correspond to additional temperature values ​​obtained using additional temperature sensors assigned to additional high-pressure tanks.

[0055] At time T1, gas flows out only from the first high-pressure tank, causing the temperature in the first high-pressure tank to drop due to the corresponding pressure drop, as can be seen from curve 307.

[0056] By recharging from time T2, the gas flows back to the first high-pressure tank, causing the temperature in the first high-pressure tank to rise again, while the temperature in the other high-pressure tank decreases, as can be seen from curves 309 and 311.

[0057] Curves 307, 309 and 311 approach each other at time T3 until they reach a pressure equilibrium state.

[0058] Accordingly, the temperature sensor assigned to the first high-pressure tank can be checked based on characteristic curve 307, or the reasonableness of the temperature value obtained by the temperature sensor can be verified. For this purpose, curve 307 or its value can be stored as a reference value in the controller's memory, for example. By comparing the temperature value obtained by the temperature sensor with the reference value, the deviation between the obtained temperature value and the reference value can be determined or quantified. For this purpose, for example, an average difference between the obtained temperature value and the reference value can be formed. If the deviation between the obtained temperature value and the reference value is greater than a diagnostic threshold, it can be concluded that the obtained temperature value is unreasonable. Accordingly, a report can be output, which marks the obtained temperature value and / or the corresponding temperature sensor as unreasonable.

Claims

1. A method (100) for inspecting a tank system (200) having multiple high-pressure tanks (201, 203), wherein, The method (100) includes: - Operate (101) a consumer of the fluid stored in the high-pressure tanks (201, 203), - Close (103) the valves (217) of all high-pressure tanks (203) except for the valve (219) of the first high-pressure tank (201). - The temperature value of (105) is obtained by each temperature sensor (213, 215) of the tank system (200). - Open (107) the additional tank valves (217) assigned to all other high-pressure tanks (203), so that the first high-pressure tank (201) is refilled. - Once the pressure balance achieved in the high-pressure system (205) of the tank system (200) is determined by the system pressure sensor (209) and thereafter, the temperature value is determined (109) by each temperature sensor (213, 215) of the tank system (200) and the rationality of the temperature sensor (213, 215) is checked (111). The rationality test (111) includes: - A first temperature value obtained by a first temperature sensor (213) assigned to the first high-pressure tank (201) is compared with a pre-given first reference value (113), wherein the first temperature value is obtained from the start time (T1) when the tank valve (217) of the high-pressure tank (203) is closed until the end time (T3) when the value obtained by the system pressure sensor (209) first indicates pressure balance. - An additional temperature value obtained by an additional temperature sensor (215) assigned to the additional high-pressure tank (203) is compared (115) with a pre-given additional reference value, wherein the additional temperature value is obtained from the start time (T2) when the tank valve (217) of the high-pressure tank (203) is opened until the end time when the value obtained by the system pressure sensor (209) first indicates pressure balance. - If the first temperature difference between the first temperature value and the first reference value is less than or equal to the first diagnostic threshold, the output (117) marks the value obtained by the first temperature sensor (213) as a reasonable report. - If the temperature difference between the additional temperature value obtained by the corresponding additional temperature sensor (215) and the additional reference value is less than or equal to the additional diagnostic threshold, the output (119) marks the corresponding value obtained by the additional temperature sensor (215) as a reasonable report.

2. The method (100) according to claim 1. Its features are, The first reference value is selected based on the pressure value obtained by the pressure sensor (209).

3. The method (100) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, The additional reference value is selected based on the pressure value obtained by the pressure sensor (209).

4. The method (100) according to claim 2 or 3. Its features are, The first reference value and the other reference value are selected according to the type of the corresponding high-pressure tank (201, 203).

5. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The curves of temperature values ​​obtained from other corresponding temperature sensors (309, 311) are compared with a certain number of diagnostic values. The number of diagnostic values ​​are obtained based on additional temperature values ​​obtained from all the other temperature sensors (215).

6. The method (100) according to claim 5. Its features are, The number of diagnostic values ​​corresponds to the average of the additional temperature values ​​obtained by all the other temperature sensors (215).

7. The method (100) according to claim 5 or 6. Its features are, If the difference between the curve (309, 311) of the temperature value obtained by the corresponding other temperature sensor (215) and the certain number of diagnostic values ​​is greater than the diagnostic threshold, the characteristic curve stored in the memory and assigned to the other temperature sensor (215) is adjusted so that the difference between the curve of the temperature value obtained by the corresponding other temperature sensor (215) and the certain number of diagnostic values ​​is less than or equal to the diagnostic threshold.

8. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, If the temperature value obtained by at least one temperature sensor (215) drops after all other high-pressure tanks (203) have been opened, a report indicating that the corresponding tank valve (217) of the high-pressure tank (203) is open is output.

9. A tank system (200) for storing fluids, wherein, The tank system (200) includes: - First high-pressure tank (201). - A certain number of additional high-pressure tanks (203). - High-voltage system (205). - A system pressure sensor (209) arranged in the high-pressure system (205). - A first temperature sensor (213), configured to measure the temperature in the first high-pressure tank (201), - A certain number of additional temperature sensors (215), each configured to measure the temperature in a corresponding additional high-pressure tank (203), - Calculation unit (211). The computing unit (211) is configured to perform the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The tank system (200) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The computing unit (211) is configured to operate during the consumption of fluid stored in the high-pressure tanks (201, 203): - Close the valves (217) of all high-pressure tanks (203) except for the valve (219) of the first high-pressure tank (201). - Temperature values ​​are obtained using each temperature sensor (213, 215) of the tank system (200). - Open all additional tank valves (217) assigned to the other high-pressure tank (203), so that the first high-pressure tank (201) is refilled. - Once the pressure balance achieved in the high-pressure system (205) of the tank system (200) is determined by the deployed system pressure sensors (209), or thereafter, the reasonableness of the temperature values ​​obtained by each temperature sensor (213, 215) of the tank system (200) shall be re-examined. The rationality test includes: - A first temperature value obtained by a first temperature sensor (213) assigned to the first high-pressure tank (201) is compared with a pre-given first reference value (113), wherein the first temperature value is obtained from the start time (T1) when the tank valve (217) of the high-pressure tank (203) is closed until the end time (T3) when the value obtained by the system pressure sensor (209) first indicates pressure balance. - An additional temperature value obtained by an additional temperature sensor (215) assigned to the additional high-pressure tank (203) is compared (115) with a pre-given additional reference value, wherein the additional temperature value is obtained from the start time (T2) when the tank valve (217) of the high-pressure tank (203) is opened until the end time when the value obtained by the system pressure sensor (209) first indicates pressure balance. - If the first temperature difference between the first temperature value and the first reference value is less than or equal to the first diagnostic threshold, the output (117) marks the value obtained by the first temperature sensor (213) as a reasonable report. - If the temperature difference between the additional temperature value obtained by the corresponding additional temperature sensor (215) and the additional reference value is less than or equal to the additional diagnostic threshold, the output (119) marks the corresponding value obtained by the additional temperature sensor (215) as a reasonable report.

11. The tank system (200) according to claim 9 or 10. Its features are, The computing unit (211) is configured to check each temperature sensor (213, 215) of the tank system (200) as the first temperature sensor in turn.

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