Valve assembly for a pressurized gas storage tank

Abstract

Valve assembly (9) for a compressed gas storage tank (8), which has at least one controllable shut-off valve (12), one manual shut-off valve and one drain valve, wherein the manual shut-off valve and the drain valve are designed as an integrated valve assembly (13); and wherein the integrated valve (13) has an axially displaceable valve slide (20) which has a first passage area (22) and a second passage area (24) and a sealing area (23) in between, wherein a gas inlet (14) and a gas outlet (16) as well as a vent inlet (15) and a vent outlet (17) are provided, which interact with the valve slide (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a valve device for a compressed gas reservoir. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of such a valve device.

[0002] Valve devices for compressed gas storage tanks are generally known in the art. These can be, in particular, high-pressure storage tanks for compressed natural gas or for hydrogen. For hydrogen, nominal pressures of 350 or 700 bar are currently the norm. The valve device can be designed, in particular, as a valve device on, and more typically partially within, the compressed gas storage tank. Such a valve device is also referred to as an on-tank valve (OTV). For example, reference can be made to DE 600 16 916 T2. Furthermore, reference is made to DE 11 2010 000 058 B4, JP 2006-242 225 A, and US 2005 / 0 056 338 A1. This valve device has a pressure regulator, a pressure relief valve, and a vent.In addition to these components, such valve devices typically always contain a controllable shut-off valve, which is controlled, for example, electrically, depending on the gas consumer. For safety reasons, a manual shut-off valve is also provided, which can be operated manually, particularly during maintenance work or the like. It serves to safely shut off the compressed gas storage device in this situation, for example when it is not certain whether the controllable shut-off valve will remain safely and reliably closed during maintenance, or when it is de-energized. In addition, a drain valve or vent valve is typically provided to release excess pressure if necessary. The design is extremely complex and requires a multitude of seals, interfaces, valve bodies, and the like.The structure is therefore correspondingly large, complex and expensive to manufacture, and very complicated to assemble and maintain, which can also lead to high costs.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a valve device for a compressed gas storage device with the features according to claim 1, which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0004] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a valve device according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the valve device are specified in the dependent subclaims. A particularly preferred use of the valve device results from the features in claim 6, and advantageous further developments thereof are also specified in the dependent subclaims.

[0005] In the valve device according to the invention, the manual shut-off valve and the drain valve are designed as a single integrated valve. This integration of the manual shut-off functionality results in crucial advantages. For example, the combination reduces the number of interfaces within the valve device, resulting in less assembly effort, fewer individual parts, and in particular fewer seals. A further advantage is that the base body of the valve device has to accommodate fewer individual parts and therefore fewer bores for the valve devices. This allows the strength of the base body of the valve device to be increased accordingly, given the same overall volume, without having to use expensive, higher-strength materials. The compact and simple design also results in advantages in terms of weight.

[0006] In the valve device according to the invention It is provided that the integrated valve has an axially displaceable valve spool, which has a first passage area and a second passage area and a sealing area between them. A gas inlet and a gas outlet, as well as a vent inlet and a vent outlet, are provided. These interact with the valve spool. This particularly simple design, using a valve spool with a sealing area and two passage areas laterally adjacent to this sealing area, allows for a simple construction in which, for example, the valve spool, which is particularly rotationally symmetrical, can be accommodated in a bore arranged in the base body of the valve device. The bore is connected to outlet and inlet lines, so that the valve spool can perform corresponding sealing tasks depending on its axial position and can specifically shut off and / or connect inlet and outlet lines.

[0007] In a very advantageous further development of this embodiment, it is provided that the gas inlet and the gas outlet as well as the vent inlet and the vent outlet interact with the valve spool such that, in a first position of the valve spool, the gas inlet and the gas outlet are both connected to the first passage area, and that the vent inlet and the vent outlet are connected to the sealing area. In a second position of the valve spool, the gas inlet and the gas outlet as well as the vent inlet and the vent outlet are all connected to the sealing area. In a third position of the valve spool, the gas inlet and the gas outlet are both connected to the sealing area, and the vent inlet and the vent outlet are connected to the second passage area.This specific design of the valve device according to the invention makes it possible to create three different states depending on the position of the valve spool. The first state would be, for example, a so-called basic position in which the gas inlet and the gas outlet are connected to one another via the first passage area. In this situation, the manual shut-off valve is open. At the same time, in this first position of the valve spool, the vent inlet and the vent outlet are connected to the sealing area, i.e. sealed against one another. No venting takes place. In a second position, all inlets and outlets are connected to the sealing area, so that both the manual shut-off valve is shut off and the venting is securely closed.In a third position, with the shut-off valve still closed, only the venting is enabled by connecting the vent inlet and outlet to the second passage area. This creates a very simple and efficient design that incorporates all the necessary switching positions, previously implemented with two separate valves, into a single integrated valve.

[0008] According to another very advantageous embodiment of the valve device according to the invention, a temperature sensor is also provided. This temperature sensor can, in particular, be designed to measure the temperature inside the compressed gas reservoir. It can then be connected, particularly in the region of the valve device, via a connection, for example, to control electronics or the like, which, for example, controls a temperature-controlled pressure relief valve in the valve device. Other tasks for which knowledge of the temperature is important can also be performed simply and efficiently, for example, calculating the contents of the compressed gas reservoir or the like.

[0009] The valve device according to the invention creates a very simple structure, which in particular ensures safe and reliable functionality of the valve device in conjunction with the compressed gas storage device and also meets all safety requirements. The structure is particularly suitable for use in a compressed gas storage device, on which – or at least partially in – which the valve device is mounted accordingly. In this preferred application, the valve device is therefore a so-called on-tank valve.

[0010] In a very favorable and advantageous development thereof, it is provided that the compressed gas storage device stores gas at a nominal pressure of more than 300 bar, in particular more than 600 bar. The storage of gas under high pressure is the preferred use for the valve device according to the invention, which can easily handle such high pressures and is implemented very safely, simply, and reliably. The gas can in particular be hydrogen. In this case, the preferred use of the compressed gas storage device is the storage of gaseous fuel, for example natural gas, but in particular hydrogen, in a vehicle, in particular in a fuel cell vehicle. Particularly in fuel cell vehicles in which hydrogen is stored under very high pressure, for example a nominal pressure of 700 bar or more, the simple and permissible design of the valve device represents a considerable advantage.In particular, safety aspects, for example for maintenance, play a major role, which can be ideally fulfilled by the valve device according to the invention with integrated drain valve and manual shut-off valve.

[0011] Further advantageous embodiments of the valve device according to the invention and its use emerge from the remaining dependent subclaims and become clear from the exemplary embodiment which is described in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0012] Showing: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a fuel cell vehicle with a compressed gas storage unit; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the part of a valve device on the compressed gas storage device relevant to the invention in a first position; Fig. 3 Excerpt from the illustration according to Fig. 2 in a second position; Fig. 4 Excerpt from the illustration according to Fig. 2 in a third position; Fig. 5 Example of a possible construction of the relevant section of the valve device according to the invention in a first position; Fig. 6 Example of the construction of the relevant section of the valve device according to the invention in a second position; and Fig. 7 Example of the structure of the relevant section of the valve device according to the invention in a third position.

[0013] In the presentation of the Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a fuel cell vehicle 1. The core of the fuel cell vehicle 1 is a fuel cell 2, which is constructed, for example, as a PEM fuel cell stack from a plurality of individual cells. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the electrical power generated by the fuel cell 2 is transmitted via power electronics 3 to an electric motor 4, which is intended to drive the fuel cell vehicle 1. The structure is extremely simplified, as it plays a subordinate role for the invention. However, it will be clear to those skilled in the art how to implement this structure in concrete terms. In the fuel cell 2, each of the individual cells installed therein comprises a cathode chamber 5 and an anode chamber 6, of which only one is indicated here as an example.Air from the environment is supplied to the cathode chamber 5 via an air conveying device 7, for example a compressor, a blower or the like. In the highly simplified exemplary embodiment shown here, the exhaust air is released into the environment. Hydrogen from a compressed gas reservoir 8 is supplied to the cathode chamber 6 of the fuel cell 2. The compressed gas reservoir 8, which is designed, for example, as a compressed gas reservoir for a nominal pressure of 700 bar, has a valve device 9, which is particularly designed as an on-tank valve (OTV). This means that the valve device 9 is attached to the compressed gas reservoir and, in particular, part of the valve device 9 projects into the compressed gas reservoir. This valve device 9, which represents the core of the technology described here, is described below with reference to the . Fig. 2 to 7 are explained in more detail.

[0014] In the presentation of the Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the relevant components of the valve device 9. These are inserted, for example screwed, into a connection flange 10 of the compressed gas reservoir 8, not shown in its entirety. In the highly simplified exemplary embodiment shown here, the valve device 9 comprises a pressure relief valve 11, which, for example, depending on the temperature T, which can be measured in the valve device 9 or inside the compressed gas reservoir 8, releases the stored gas in an emergency. A controllable shut-off valve 12 can be seen via a parallel connection branch in the valve device 9, which can be controlled electrically, for example, and which is typically closed in its normal state shown here, i.e., without energy in the control area.The essential part of the schematic of the valve device 9 shown here is an integrated valve 13, which comprises a manually operable drain valve and a manually operable shut-off valve. The integrated valve 13 has a gas inlet 14 and a vent inlet 15, which runs parallel to the controllable shut-off valve 12. A gas outlet 16 and a vent outlet 17 are also provided. The integrated valve 13 can be opened or closed by means of a manual actuation device, which is indicated here by way of example as a crank 18. Fig. 2 shown position according to the arrow marked 19, for example by converting a rotary movement of the crank 18 into a translatory movement of the integrated valve 13 or a valve slide 20 shown in more detail later via a thread. The first in the illustration of the Fig. The position visible in Figure 2 could also be referred to as the basic position of the integrated valve 13. In this position, the gas inlet 14 and the gas outlet 16 are connected to one another, while the vent inlet 15 and the vent outlet 17 are blocked from one another. In this basic position of the integrated valve 13, the gas supply to the fuel cell 2 in the vehicle 1 can be carried out, for example, by opening the controllable shut-off valve 12. If the integrated valve 13 or its valve slide 20 (not shown here) is moved according to the arrow designated 19, the integrated valve 13 changes to the second in Fig. 3. In this second position, the integrated valve device 13 performs the function of the manual shut-off valve by blocking the gas inlet 14 from the gas outlet 16. The vent inlet 15 and the vent outlet 17 remain blocked from each other. Upon further movement of the integrated valve device 13 into the position shown in Fig. In the third position shown in Figure 4, the vent valve functions, through which gas can be released from the compressed gas reservoir 3 by manually operating the crank 18. In this situation, the vent inlet 15 is connected to the vent outlet 17. The gas inlet 14 remains closed off from the gas outlet 16, so that in this third position, only the vent function is realized.

[0015] A possible concrete structure of the integrated valve 13 is shown in the illustration of Fig. 5 to 7 are again in the same positions as in the illustrations of the Fig. 2 to 4. The integrated valve device 13 consists of a bore 21, which is in fluidic connection, for example, laterally with the gas inlet 14, the vent inlet 15, the gas outlet 16 and the vent outlet 17. In the bore 21 there is a valve slide 20, which in turn is displaceable according to the axial direction indicated by the double arrow 19. The displacement can be purely translational or, as already mentioned above, by converting a rotary movement into a translational movement, for example via a thread. The valve slide 20 comprises, in the embodiment shown here, several areas with different diameters. A first area 22 with a reduced diameter serves as the passage area, which in the illustration of the Fig. 5 connects the gas inlet 14 with the gas outlet 16 via the annular gap of the bore 21 surrounding this passage area 22 of the valve slide 19. Following this area, in the illustration of the Fig. 5 left, there is a sealing area 23 which has such a large diameter that no annular gap remains in the bore 21 between the sealing area 23 and the wall of the bore 21. In the illustration of the Fig. 5, the vent inlet 15 and the vent outlet 17 are connected to this sealing area 23, so that they are sealed against each other and against the first passage area 22. The representation of the Fig. 5 To the left of the sealing area 23 there is a further second passage area 24, which also leaves an annular gap free, which can connect line elements to each other if required. To the right and left of the two passage areas 22, 24 there are further areas in which the diameter of the valve slide 20 approximately corresponds to the diameter of the bore 21. The area shown on the far left, designated 25, serves only to guide the valve slide 20. If the bore 21 were not designed as a blind hole, as shown here, but as a through-bore, then the area 25 would also have to be designed as a sealing area. The area located at the opposite end of the active area of ​​the valve slide 20, designated 26, serves on the one hand to guide the valve slide 20 and on the other hand to Fig. 5, the connection of the gas inlet 14 with the gas outlet 16 via the annular gap surrounding the passage area 22 is to be sealed from the area in which the actuating device for the valve slide is located.

[0016] In the presentation of the Fig. 6 now shows the second position of the valve slide 20. This has been moved according to the double arrow marked 19, in the embodiment shown here, as can be seen, to the right. As a result, both the gas inlet 14 and the gas outlet 16, as well as the vent inlet 15 and the vent outlet 17, are sealed by the sealing area 23, so that all connections within the integrated valve 13 are blocked. In the illustration of the Fig. Finally, the third position, already explained above, is shown in Figure 7 using the specific example. The valve slide 20 is positioned even further to the right in the illustration of the Fig. 7. The sealing area 23 in turn seals the gas inlet 14 and the gas outlet 16 both from each other and from the two passage areas 22, 24. The vent inlet 15 is connected to the vent outlet 17 via the second passage area 24 or the annular gap surrounding it, so that the valve slide 20 in the illustration in Fig. 7 is in its venting position and the integrated valve device 13 is used as a venting valve.

[0017] The concrete structure described here is to be understood purely as an example; it can also be designed in a different way, for example with purely translationally movable valve slides, which are not rotationally symmetrical, but for example quadrangular or square, or with different combinations of valve bodies and valve seats.

Claims

[1] Valve device (9) for a compressed gas reservoir (8), which has at least one controllable shut-off valve (12), a manual shut-off valve and a drain valve, wherein the manual shut-off valve and the drain valve are designed as an integrated valve device (13); and wherein the integrated valve (13) has an axially displaceable valve slide (20) which has a first passage area (22) and a second passage area (24) and a sealing area (23) therebetween, wherein a gas inlet (14) and a gas outlet (16) as well as a vent inlet (15) and a vent outlet (17) are provided, which interact with the valve slide (20). [2] Valve device (9) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the gas inlet (14) and the gas outlet (16) as well as the vent inlet (15) and the vent outlet (17) cooperate with the valve slide (20) such that in a first position of the valve slide (20) the gas inlet (14) and the gas outlet (16) are both connected to the first passage area (22), and the vent inlet (15) and the vent outlet (17) are connected to the Sealing area (23) are connected, that in a second position of the valve slide (20) the gas inlet (14) and the gas outlet (16) as well as the vent inlet (15) and the vent outlet (17) are all connected to the Sealing area (23) are connected, and that in a third position of the valve slide (20) the gas inlet (14) and the gas outlet (16) are both connected to the sealing area (23), and the vent inlet (15) and the vent outlet (17) are connected to the second passage area (24). [3] Valve device (9) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the vent outlet (17) is connected to the environment via a membrane permeable to gas and impermeable to water. [4] Valve device (9) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the valve slide (20) of the integrated valve (13) can be operated manually. [5] Valve device (9) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a temperature sensor is provided. [6] Use of the valve device (9) according to one of the preceding claims, as a valve device (9) mounted on and / or at least partially in the compressed gas reservoir (8) [7] Use according to claim 6, characterized by that the compressed gas storage device (8) stores gas at a nominal pressure of more than 300 bar, in particular more than 600 bar, and wherein the compressed gas storage device (8) is used for storing gaseous fuel in a vehicle, in particular a fuel cell vehicle (1). [8] Use according to claim 7, characterized by that the gas is hydrogen.

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