Tank system for storing hydrogen and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model relates to a tank system for storing hydrogen and a vehicle. The tank system (101) comprises a plurality of pressure tanks (103), an interface (107) connected to a cooling system (111), each pressure tank (103) of the plurality of pressure tanks (103) being thermally coupled to a heat exchanger (109) at least in some regions, and the heat exchanger (109) being thermally coupled to the interface (107).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a tank system for storing hydrogen and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen will play an increasingly important and significant role in future propulsion. Hydrogen engines allow the use of known combustion technologies, and if hydrogen is produced using so-called "green electricity," it will not produce carbon dioxide.

[0003] In addition, fuel cell systems are known for driving vehicles.

[0004] Neither the fuel cell system nor the hydrogen engine emits harmful exhaust gases.

[0005] However, hydrogen refueling stations are still scarce, and the refueling process for tank systems to fill with hydrogen takes significantly longer than the refueling process for tank systems to fill with gasoline or diesel.

[0006] Because the duration of the hydrogen refueling process for the tank system depends on the temperature in each pressure tank and therefore also on the outdoor temperature, especially during hot days or in hot environments, there are difficulties regarding refueling time and the availability of infrastructure for hydrogen refueling stations, as each refueling nozzle is occupied for an extended period of time. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Within the scope of this invention, a tank system, a vehicle, and a method for refueling and storing hydrogen in a tank system are proposed. Herein, the features and details described in conjunction with the operating method according to this invention naturally also apply to the fuel cell system according to this invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosure of various aspects of this invention is always mutually referential or mutually referable.

[0008] This invention is particularly useful for providing a possibility for efficiently adding hydrogen to a tank system over time.

[0009] Therefore, according to the first aspect of this utility model, a tank system for storing hydrogen is proposed.

[0010] The proposed tank system includes multiple pressure tanks and an interface connected to a cooling system, wherein each of the multiple pressure tanks is at least regionally thermally coupled to a heat exchanger, and wherein the heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the interface.

[0011] In the context of this invention, a pressure vessel can be understood as a container configured to store hydrogen under high pressure, i.e., at multiples of atmospheric pressure and possibly at temperatures below 0°C.

[0012] The principle underlying this invention is that each pressure tank is at least partially thermally coupled to a heat exchanger, i.e., partially or completely surrounded or enclosed by a heat exchanger, such as an evaporator. Therefore, the temperature in each pressure tank can be adjusted by introducing a temperature-controlled medium into the heat exchanger.

[0013] In order to provide a temperature-controlled medium, the proposed tank system includes an interface for connection to a cooling system, such as the air conditioning equipment of a vehicle, the air conditioning equipment of a hydrogen refueling station, or the air conditioning equipment within the tank system itself.

[0014] The interface provided according to this invention may include, for example, a valve by which the mass flow of the temperature-regulating medium through the heat exchanger can be adjusted. Therefore, the interface allows control of the process for cooling each pressure tank and adjustment of the temperature on each pressure tank.

[0015] Therefore, the proposed tank system, which is integrated with a cooling system, can be used to cool the various pressure tanks, thereby maximizing the amount of hydrogen that can be introduced into the tank system and thus the driving range of the corresponding vehicle.

[0016] In particular, the proposed tank system decouples the tank system's receiving capacity and the filling time for filling or refueling the tank system from ambient temperature. This means that the proposed tank system can be filled for a fixed or known duration regardless of ambient temperature. Therefore, the parking time of vehicles containing the tank system at hydrogen refueling stations or hydrogen refueling piles can be determined and, for example, communicated to other vehicles.

[0017] In particular, the proposed tank system can obtain the load status of the nearest hydrogen refueling station through so-called vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. If the refueling station has an idle refueling nozzle and the driver's schedule has sufficient buffer, cooling of the pressure tank can be eliminated to optimize the energy efficiency of the corresponding vehicle.

[0018] It can be configured such that each of the multiple pressure tanks can include a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature in each pressure tank.

[0019] To control the interface of the proposed tank system, the temperature in each pressure tank can be determined using temperature sensors located within or on the pressure tank. Alternatively, the temperature in the pressure tank can be determined using temperature sensors from the system supplied by the pressure tank, such as a hydrogen engine or fuel cell system.

[0020] Therefore, for example, if the current temperature in each pressure tank is higher than a predetermined threshold, the volumetric flow of the temperature-regulating medium can be directed through the heat exchanger provided according to the present invention, for example, by opening the valve of the interface of the proposed tank system and / or activating the cooling system thermally coupled to the interface.

[0021] In addition, the tank system can be configured to include a cooling system thermally coupled to the interface.

[0022] The proposed tank system's own cooling system enables each pressure tank to be cooled independently of the individual vehicle or hydrogen supply system. Therefore, the tank system can operate safely and reliably, largely self-sufficiently and independently of the corresponding vehicle or system configuration, through its own cooling system.

[0023] Alternatively, the tank system can include a computing unit configured to control a cooling system thermally coupled to the interface in order to adjust the temperature in each of the multiple pressure tanks.

[0024] In the context of this invention, the computing unit can be understood as a computer, processor, controller, or any other programmable circuit.

[0025] The proposed computing unit for the tank system can, for example, communicate with the computing unit containing the tank system to activate or deactivate the cooling system connected to the interface of the tank system.

[0026] To this end, the calculation unit can determine the requirements for cooling each pressure tank by comparing the filling level and temperature of the pressure tank with corresponding pre-given target values. For example, if the filling level of the pressure tank is lower than a pre-given filling level threshold and the temperature in the pressure tank is higher than a pre-given temperature threshold, the cooling system is activated to cool the pressure tank, especially to the pre-given target temperature, thereby preparing it for the filling process.

[0027] Alternatively, for automatic activation or control, the process for cooling each pressure tank can also be started or controlled manually by the user. For this purpose, the user can, for example, directly adjust the interface via actuators or indirectly provide control commands to the interface via a computer device.

[0028] In addition, the computer unit can be configured to communicate with the communication unit of at least one hydrogen refueling station and query data on the load of at least one hydrogen refueling station and / or control the cooling system of each hydrogen refueling station.

[0029] Through communication with hydrogen refueling stations, especially the ability to predict the start time of the refueling process, the pressure tanks can be cooled in a timely manner to prepare for the refueling process.

[0030] In addition, vehicle data, such as route information, can be analyzed and evaluated to determine whether a refueling process has occurred or is expected, in order to analyze and evaluate user behavior, for example, with the help of machine learning machines.

[0031] In the case where each hydrogen refueling station includes a cooling system, the cooling system can be thermally coupled to the tank system through its interface during refueling, so that the energy required to regulate the temperature of the pressure tank can be obtained from the hydrogen refueling station, and the control system of the hydrogen refueling station can monitor or control all refueling parameters, namely refueling duration, refueling pressure and tank temperature.

[0032] The pressure vessel of the proposed tank system can be insulated relative to the surrounding environment, for example by means of a layer of insulating foam, which makes the pressure vessel particularly effective in cooling.

[0033] According to the second aspect, this utility model relates to a vehicle.

[0034] The proposed vehicle includes one possible configuration of the proposed tank system.

[0035] The proposed tank system allows the vehicle to be refueled with a large amount of hydrogen and achieve a correspondingly high driving range.

[0036] The vehicle can be configured to include a cooling system for regulating the temperature of the vehicle's passenger compartment, wherein the interface between the cooling system and the tank system is thermally coupled.

[0037] By using a cooling system already present in the vehicle, an additional cooling system can be eliminated, thereby optimizing the vehicle in terms of weight and fuel consumption. For example, the cooling system can have power reserves for this configuration, enabling maximum cooling of the passenger compartment and additional cooling tank systems.

[0038] The vehicle can also be configured to include a computing unit, which is configured to control the interface and / or cooling system of the tank system in order to adjust the temperature in each of the multiple pressure tanks.

[0039] By using the vehicle's computing unit to control the tank system's interface, the interface can be controlled based on the vehicle's status. For this purpose, factors such as the vehicle's location, route, temperature in the passenger compartment, and / or the temperature in the pressure tank of the tank system can be analyzed and evaluated to determine whether to control the interface to cool the pressure tank.

[0040] It can also be configured that the computing unit is used to control the interface and / or cooling system of the tank system based on the tank system's filling level and / or the vehicle's location.

[0041] For example, if the tank fill level is below a pre-defined level and the hydrogen refueling station is within a pre-defined radius around the vehicle's location, the interface can be automatically activated without driver intervention.

[0042] The computing unit can also be configured to output a dialog on the output unit for controlling the interface and / or the cooling system, wherein the dialog includes at least a first control element for activating cooling of multiple pressure tanks and a second control element for refusing to cool multiple pressure tanks.

[0043] To verify or confirm predictions about the next refueling, the driver can be asked, for example, via a user interface such as a human-machine interface (HMI), whether they wish to refuel at the next hydrogen refueling station; the driver can answer yes / no and activate or deactivate the interface.

[0044] According to a third aspect, this utility model relates to a method for refueling a tank system for storing hydrogen.

[0045] The proposed method includes determining the temperature in at least one pressure tank of a possible configuration of the proposed tank system, activating a cooling system thermally coupled to the tank system if the temperature in the at least one pressure tank is higher than a pre-given threshold, and filling the tank system.

[0046] The proposed tank system is particularly useful for implementing the proposed method.

[0047] The advantages of the tank system for storing hydrogen according to the first aspect of the present invention are also applicable to the vehicle according to the second aspect of the present invention and the method for refueling the tank system for storing hydrogen according to the third aspect of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0048] Further advantages, features, and details of this 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 be important to this invention individually or in any combination.

[0049] The attached diagram shows:

[0050] Figure 1 : A schematic diagram of one possible configuration of the proposed vehicle, which has one possible configuration of the proposed tank system.

[0051] Figure 2 : A possible configuration of the proposed method. Detailed Implementation

[0052] exist Figure 1 The image shows a vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 includes a tank system 101 having multiple pressure tanks 103 for storing hydrogen.

[0053] Tank system 101 is used to supply hydrogen to a drive unit, such as a hydrogen engine or fuel cell system of vehicle 100.

[0054] A heat exchanger 109, in the form of an evaporator, is thermally coupled to the cooling system 111 of the vehicle 100 via an interface 107, in the form of a proportional valve, so that the pressure tank 103 can be cooled by the cooling system 111 for particularly rapid refueling with a particularly large amount of hydrogen. For this purpose, the cooling system 111 can be activated to prepare for the refueling process and remain activated for the entire duration of the refueling process.

[0055] In order to minimize the heat input to the pressure tank 103, the pressure tank is surrounded by a heat insulation device 113.

[0056] The cooling system 111 can also be used to cool the interior space of the vehicle 100 via the heat exchanger 115, giving the cooling system 111 a dual function: cooling the pressure tank 103 and cooling the interior space.

[0057] Figure 2 A method 200 for a filling tank system 101 is shown.

[0058] Method 200 includes a determining step 201, in which the temperature in the pressure tank 103 of the tank system 101 is determined. For this purpose, for example, a value may be obtained from a temperature sensor disposed in or on one of the pressure tanks of the pressure tank 103.

[0059] Method 200 includes an activation step 203 in which a cooling system 111 thermally coupled to the tank system 101 is activated if the temperature in the pressure tank 103 is higher than a predetermined threshold; and a filling step 205 in which the tank system 101 is filled.

[0060] For example, the cooling system 111 remains active throughout the entire filling step 205.

[0061] In addition to determining step 201, method 200 may optionally include an activation step 207, in which activation conditions are checked and activation step 203 is enabled or blocked based on the result of determining step 201.

[0062] Activation conditions may include, for example, the state of vehicle 100 and / or the state of the hydrogen refueling station used for the refueling tank system 101, such that activation step 203 is enabled or disabled based on the state of vehicle 100, such as the location of vehicle 100, and / or the state of the hydrogen refueling station, such as the load of the hydrogen refueling station. In particular, characteristic parameters quantifying the load of the hydrogen refueling station may be compared with a hydrogen refueling station threshold, such that activation step 203 is enabled if the characteristic parameters are greater than the hydrogen refueling station threshold.

Claims

1. A tank system (101) for storing hydrogen, Its features are, The tank system (101) includes: - Multiple pressure tanks (103), - Interface (107) for connection to the cooling system (111), In this configuration, each of the multiple pressure tanks (103) is at least regionally thermally coupled to the heat exchanger (109), and The heat exchanger (109) is thermally coupled to the interface (107).

2. The tank system (101) for storing hydrogen according to claim 1, Its features are, Each of the multiple pressure tanks (103) includes a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature in each pressure tank (103).

3. The tank system (101) for storing hydrogen according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, The tank system (101) includes a cooling system thermally coupled to the interface (107).

4. The tank system (101) for storing hydrogen according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, The tank system (101) includes a computing unit configured to control a cooling system (111) thermally coupled to the interface (107) to adjust the temperature in each of the plurality of pressure tanks (103).

5. The tank system (101) for storing hydrogen according to claim 4, Its features are, The computing unit is configured to communicate with the communication unit of at least one hydrogen refueling station and query data on the load of at least one hydrogen refueling station and / or control the cooling system of each hydrogen refueling station.

6. A vehicle (100), Its features are, The vehicle (100) includes a tank system (101) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The vehicle (100) according to claim 6, Its features are, The vehicle (100) includes a cooling system (111) for regulating the temperature of the passenger compartment of the vehicle (100). The interface (107) between the cooling system (111) and the tank system (101) is thermally coupled.

8. The vehicle (100) according to claim 6 or 7, Its features are, The vehicle (100) includes a computing unit configured to control an interface (107) of the tank system (101) and / or the cooling system (111) to adjust the temperature in each of the plurality of pressure tanks (103).

9. The vehicle (100) according to claim 8, Its features are, The computing unit is configured to control the interface (107) of the tank system (101) and / or the cooling system (111) based on the filling level of the tank system (101) and / or the position of the vehicle (100).

10. The vehicle (100) according to claim 8, Its features are, The computing unit is configured to output a dialog box on the output unit for controlling the interface (107) and / or the cooling system (111). The dialogue includes at least a first control element for activating cooling of the plurality of pressure tanks (103) and a second control element for refusing to cool the plurality of pressure tanks (103).

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