Reservoir system and sensor receiving device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tank system (100) for storing fluids. The tank system (100) includes: - a plurality of tanks (101), - a plurality of pressure sensors (103), each pressure sensor including a plurality of electronic components (107), - a plurality of heating elements (105), and - a plurality of tank system components (109), wherein at least one tank system component (109) is connected to the pressure sensor (103) in a fluid-conducting manner, and the pressure sensor (103) is thermally coupled to the heating element (105), the heating element being configured to heat the pressure sensor (103) to a temperature above a predetermined threshold.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a storage tank system and a sensor receiving device. Background Technology

[0002] During the operation of a motor vehicle equipped with a compressed gas storage tank, the temperature of the gas inside the compressed gas storage tank decreases as gas is removed from the tank.

[0003] Under low ambient temperatures, the gas temperature inside a compressed gas storage tank can be below -40°C.

[0004] Pressure sensors are an integral part of every gas storage tank system, for example, used to determine the gas fill level of a compressed gas tank. Pressure sensors can be installed at different locations within the gas storage tank system, such as in the tank valves or distributor pipes of each compressed gas tank.

[0005] However, known pressure sensors for automotive applications are only permitted to operate within a temperature range down to a minimum of -40°C. This minimum temperature is particularly limited by the integrated electronic circuitry (ASIC) incorporated into the pressure sensor. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Within the scope of the proposed invention, a storage tank system and a sensor receiving device are provided. Further features and details of the invention are derived from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. The features and details described herein in relation to the storage tank system according to the invention also apply to the sensor receiving device according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosures regarding various aspects of the invention are always cross-referenced or can be cross-referenced.

[0007] The invention is particularly useful for providing the possibility of robustly operating a pressure sensor in a tank system at temperatures below -40°C.

[0008] Therefore, according to the first aspect of the proposed invention, a tank system for storing fluids is proposed.

[0009] The proposed tank system includes multiple tanks, multiple pressure sensors (each including multiple electronic components), multiple heating elements, and multiple tank system components, wherein at least one tank system component is coupled to a pressure sensor in a fluid-conducting manner, and the pressure sensor is thermally coupled to a heating element, wherein the heating element is configured to heat the pressure sensor to a temperature greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0010] In the context of the proposed invention, the tank system components of the proposed tank system should be understood in particular as piping, tank valves, distributor pipes, pressure reducers and / or plugs or "end plugs".

[0011] To prevent the pressure sensor, and especially its electronic components, from operating outside the permissible temperature range, particularly when the fluid temperature is below a critical threshold of, for example, -40°C, and to accordingly ensure the robust operation of the proposed tank system, a heating element is provided according to the invention, which is thermally coupled to the pressure sensor and configured to heat the pressure sensor.

[0012] To achieve thermal coupling with the pressure sensor, the heating element can be positioned spatially close to the pressure sensor.

[0013] In particular, the heating element can be thermally coupled to the pressure sensor using a material with good thermal conductivity. For this purpose, the heating element can, for example, be incorporated into the same material as the pressure sensor.

[0014] For example, pressure sensors and heating elements can be incorporated into the substrate of tank system components. To this end, the substrate may include a pressure sensor recess or orifice into which the pressure sensor is embedded and securely positioned; and a heating element recess or orifice into which the heating element is embedded and securely positioned. Thus, the pressure sensor and heating element are thermally coupled through the material constituting the substrate, particularly a metal.

[0015] It can be configured such that at least one tank system component includes a sensor receiving device, a pressure sensor, and a heating element arranged in the sensor receiving device.

[0016] The sensor receiving device may be made of a material with good thermal conductivity, particularly metal, and is used to receive pressure sensors and heating elements, as well as for mechanical coupling with tank system components. Accordingly, the sensor receiving device may include an interface for engagement with a corresponding interface of the tank system component.

[0017] Accordingly, the sensor receiving device can be configured to be an element capable of reversibly connecting to at least one component of the tank system.

[0018] In the context of the proposed invention, the ability to reversibly connect with tank system components should be understood as a connection that can be established and then released (i.e., revoked).

[0019] For example, a sensor receiving device can be introduced into a first groove or hole provided in a tank system component, and the first groove can be adapted, for example, enlarged or reduced, so that a corresponding pressure sensor can be arranged on the tank system component.

[0020] In particular, a sensor receiving device that can be connected to a tank system component may include a measuring port through which a pressure sensor mounted in the sensor receiving device contacts the fluid flowing through the tank system component, so that the pressure sensor can measure the pressure acting on the tank system component.

[0021] Alternatively, the sensor receiving device can be configured as an integrated component of at least one tank system component.

[0022] As an integrated component, the sensor receiving device can be incorporated into the substrate of the tank system component, for example, by being embedded as a prefabricated component or milled into the substrate.

[0023] It can also be configured that the heating element includes a heating wire and / or includes a heating element with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC element).

[0024] Heating wires can be directly integrated into corresponding sensor receiving devices as flat and energy-efficient components.

[0025] PTC elements have proven to be exceptionally robust and high-performance heating elements.

[0026] Alternatively, the tank system can be configured to include a temperature sensor, and the heating element is electrically coupled to a computing unit configured to adjust the heating power of the heating element so that the temperature determined by the temperature sensor rises to a predetermined temperature.

[0027] By adjusting to a pre-defined temperature, the pressure sensor can be reliably prevented from operating at excessively low or unacceptable temperatures.

[0028] Alternatively, the tank system can be configured to include a temperature sensor, and the heating element can include electronics configured to activate the heating element when the temperature determined by the temperature sensor is less than or equal to a pre-defined threshold, and to deactivate the heating element when the temperature determined by the temperature sensor is greater than a deactivation threshold.

[0029] The threshold-based activation and deactivation of the heating elements are caused by the particularly energy-efficient operation of the proposed tank system. For this purpose, electronic devices may include, for example, switches, particularly thermal switches.

[0030] According to the second aspect, the invention relates to a sensor receiving device for a pressure sensor used to measure pressure in a tank system component of a tank system, wherein the sensor receiving device includes an interface configured for mechanically coupling the sensor receiving device to a corresponding interface of the tank system component; and includes a groove configured for receiving the pressure sensor and securing its position.

[0031] In particular, the proposed sensor receiving device can be introduced, for example, screwed into each tank system component, to upgrade or equip the tank system component with a pressure sensor.

[0032] Here, the sensor receiving device may, for example, have a receiving section that differs in cross-section from the receiving section of the tank system component, such that pressure sensors with cross-sections larger or smaller than the receiving section of the tank system component can be arranged on the tank system component.

[0033] Alternatively, the sensor receiving device may include a heating element configured to heat the pressure sensor disposed in the receiving section to a temperature greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0034] By integrating a heating element into the sensor receiving device, existing tank systems can be upgraded to the tank system proposed in this invention, and the pressure sensor arranged in the sensor receiving device can be prevented from operating within an unacceptable temperature range.

[0035] Accordingly, the sensor receiving device may also be configured to include a pressure sensor and / or a temperature sensor, so that the heating element can be adjusted or controlled by components arranged in the sensor receiving device.

[0036] The advantages described in detail in the first aspect for a tank system for storing fluids are also applicable to a sensor receiving device for a pressure sensor used to measure pressure in components of a tank system according to the second aspect of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Further advantages, features, and details of the present 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 description may constitute the essence of the invention individually or in any combination.

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of one possible configuration of the proposed tank system. Figure 2 : A schematic diagram of a possible configuration of the proposed sensor receiving device. Detailed Implementation

[0039] exist Figure 1 The diagram shows a tank system 100 for storing fluids.

[0040] The storage tank system 100 includes multiple storage tanks 101, a pressure sensor 103, a heating element 105, and a storage tank system component 109, which may be in the form of a distributor pipe, for example.

[0041] An electronic component 107 is arranged in the pressure sensor 103, which is in the form of an ASIC circuit.

[0042] Pressure sensor 103 is arranged in hole 111 in the base of tank system component 109.

[0043] Heating element 105 is arranged in hole 113 in the base of tank system component 109.

[0044] The heating element 105 is configured to heat the pressure sensor 103 to a temperature greater than a predetermined threshold to prevent the pressure sensor 103 from operating outside the predetermined temperature range.

[0045] Storage tank 101 is, for example, a pressurized gas tank, particularly for storing fuels used in fuel cell systems, such as hydrogen.

[0046] The pressure sensor 103 is in contact with the fluid flowing out of the storage tank 101 via the pipe 117 through the measuring hole 115, so that the pressure sensor 103 can measure the pressure in the pipe 117, thereby measuring the pressure in the storage tank 101.

[0047] By activating the heating element 105, especially when using an adjustment device, the temperature of the pressure sensor 103 can be adjusted, thereby reliably preventing damage to the electronic components 107.

[0048] exist Figure 2 The image shows a sensor receiving device 200, which includes an interface 201 configured to mechanically couple the sensor receiving device 200 to a corresponding interface 203 of a tank system component 205.

[0049] In addition, the sensor receiving device 200 includes a recess 207 configured to receive the pressure sensor 103 and securely fix its position.

[0050] In addition, the sensor receiving device 200 includes a hole 209 for receiving the heating element 105, such that the heating element 105 is directly thermally coupled to the pressure sensor 103 through the base 211 of the sensor receiving device 200.

[0051] Through the expansion hole 213, the measuring hole 215 of the tank system component 205 is coupled to the pressure sensor 103 in a fluid conduction manner.

Claims

1. A tank system (100) for storing fluids. in, The storage tank system (100) includes: - Multiple storage tanks (101) - Multiple pressure sensors (103), each pressure sensor comprising multiple electronic components (107). - Multiple heating elements (105), and - Multiple tank system components (109). In this system, at least one tank system component (109) is coupled to a pressure sensor (103) via a conductive fluid connection, and the pressure sensor (103) is thermally coupled to a heating element (105). The heating element (105) is configured to heat the pressure sensor (103) to a temperature greater than a predetermined threshold.

2. The storage tank system (100) according to claim 1. Its features are, The at least one tank system component (109) includes a sensor receiving device (200), in which the pressure sensor (103) and the heating element (105) are arranged.

3. The storage tank system (100) according to claim 1. Its features are, The sensor receiving device (200) is an element that can be reversibly connected to the at least one tank system component (109).

4. The tank system (100) according to claim 2 or 3. Its features are, The sensor receiving device (200) is configured as an integral part of the at least one tank system component (109).

5. The tank system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The heating element (105) includes a heating wire and / or a heating element with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC element).

6. The tank system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The storage tank system (100) includes a temperature sensor, and the heating element (105) is electrically coupled to a computing unit configured to adjust the heating power of the heating element (105) so that the temperature obtained by the temperature sensor rises to a predetermined temperature.

7. The tank system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Its features are, The storage tank system (100) includes a temperature sensor, and the heating element (105) includes electronics configured to activate the heating element (105) when the temperature determined by the temperature sensor is less than or equal to a pre-given threshold, and to deactivate the heating element (105) when the temperature determined by the temperature sensor is greater than a deactivation threshold.

8. A sensor receiving device (200) for a pressure sensor (103) used to measure pressure in a tank system component (109) of a tank system (100), in, The sensor receiving device (200) includes: - An interface (201) configured to mechanically couple the sensor receiving device (200) to a corresponding interface (203) of the tank system component (109), - A groove (207) configured to receive a pressure sensor (103) and securely position the pressure sensor.

9. The sensor receiving device (200) according to claim 8. Its features are, The sensor receiving device (200) includes a heating element (105) configured to heat a pressure sensor (103) disposed in the groove (207) to a temperature greater than a predetermined threshold.

10. The sensor receiving device (200) according to claim 8 or 9. Its features are, The sensor receiving device (200) includes a pressure sensor (103) and / or a temperature sensor.

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