Operating procedures for operating a hydrogen tank system and hydrogen tank system

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating method (100) for operating a hydrogen tank system (200), wherein the hydrogen tank system (200) comprises a plurality of hydrogen tanks (201, 205) configured for storing hydrogen and each comprising a tank valve (203, 207), and wherein the hydrogen tank system (200) comprises a master control unit (209) and a number of slave control units (211, 213), wherein the master control unit (209) controls respective slave control units (211, 213) to control a volume flow of hydrogen from the hydrogen tank system (200) such that respective tank valves (203, 207) are controlled by respective slave control units (211, 213).

Description

[0001] The presented invention relates to an operating method for operating a hydrogen tank system and a hydrogen tank system. State of the art

[0002] In hydrogen tank systems, hydrogen is usually stored in more than one hydrogen tank in order to be able to place the hydrogen tanks flexibly and space-savingly in the vehicle and to maximize the range of the vehicle.

[0003] Furthermore, known hydrogen tank systems are controlled by a single hydrogen tank control unit, which provides all necessary functions for operating a hydrogen tank system.

[0004] A key task of a hydrogen tank control unit is to control the respective tank valves (HTVs) so that they open and close at the correct time. The tank valves are typically controlled via a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal.

[0005] In order to provide sufficient electrical current to control the tank valves, a number of output stages corresponding to the number of tank valves to be controlled is required.

[0006] However, an output stage requires considerable space on a control unit's circuit board. Furthermore, the power supply of a control unit cannot be increased indefinitely without damaging it, so the electrical current it can provide is limited. Disclosure of the invention

[0007] Within the scope of the invention presented, an operating method for operating a hydrogen tank system and a hydrogen tank system are presented. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the respective subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the operating method according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the hydrogen tank system according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is always made to each other.

[0008] The invention presented serves in particular to provide a robust hydrogen tank system.

[0009] Thus, according to a first aspect of the invention presented, an operating method for operating a hydrogen tank system is presented.

[0010] The presented hydrogen tank system comprises a plurality of hydrogen tanks configured to store hydrogen and each comprising a tank valve.

[0011] Furthermore, the hydrogen tank system comprises a master control unit and a number of slave control units, wherein the master control unit controls respective slave control units for controlling a volume flow of hydrogen from the hydrogen tank system such that respective tank valves are controlled by respective slave control units.

[0012] In the context of the invention presented, a master control unit is understood to be a control unit configured to perform master functions or higher-level control functions. A master control unit is configured to coordinate control commands for a number of slave control units and transmit them accordingly to the respective slave control units.

[0013] In the context of the invention presented, a slave control unit is understood to be a control unit configured as a "slave," i.e., a control unit configured to execute slave functions or subordinate control functions. A slave control unit is configured to receive and execute control commands from a master control unit.

[0014] The presented operating method is based on the use of multiple control units to control respective tank valves of the hydrogen tank system. The use of multiple control units maximizes the electrical current that can be provided by one control unit to control a respective tank valve, as the electrical load is distributed among the various control units when controlling the respective tank valves.

[0015] It can be provided that each tank valve is assigned a respective slave control unit, wherein a respective specific control signal is provided to a respective tank valve by means of the respective slave control unit.

[0016] A respective slave control unit receives control commands from the individual master control unit and converts them into control signals, in particular into a PWM signal for controlling a respective tank valve.

[0017] It can further be provided that a control signal transmitted by the master control unit to a respective slave control unit is amplified by an output stage included in the respective slave control unit.

[0018] By using an output stage included in a respective slave control unit to amplify a control signal transmitted by the master control unit, the load on the master control unit is relieved and the slave control unit is only loaded with the electrical current to be provided for the respective tank valve.

[0019] It can further be provided that the master control unit and the number of slave control units communicate with each other and that respective slave control units carry out monitoring functions for monitoring respective tank valves and transmit results of the monitoring functions to the master control unit and / or other slave control units.

[0020] Monitoring functions, such as fault diagnosis or status diagnosis of a respective tank valve, which are carried out by a respective slave control unit, reduce the computing load and the power load of the master control unit.

[0021] In order to exchange the respective results determined by a monitoring function, the slave control units can be communicatively connected to each other and / or to the master control unit via a communication interface, such as a CAN bus.

[0022] It may further be provided that in the event of a fault in a slave control unit, the hydrogen tank system is operated by only the master control unit.

[0023] By operating the hydrogen tank system solely through the master control unit, which may reduce the performance of the hydrogen tank system, the master control unit can provide redundancy so that a so-called "breakdown" or a complete defect of the hydrogen tank system can be prevented.

[0024] It can also be provided that the master control unit only controls some of the tank valves in the event of a fault in a slave control unit.

[0025] Controlling only a portion of the tank valves of the hydrogen tank system prevents overloading of the master control unit in the event of a fault in a slave control unit.

[0026] According to a second aspect, the presented invention relates to a hydrogen tank system for storing and providing hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen tank system comprises a plurality of hydrogen tanks configured to store hydrogen and each comprising a tank valve, a master control unit, and a number of slave control units. The master control unit and the number of slave control units are configured to implement a possible embodiment of the presented operating method.

[0027] Advantages that are described in detail with respect to the operating method for operating a hydrogen tank system according to the first aspect of the invention equally apply to the hydrogen tank system for storing and providing hydrogen for converting energy according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0028] The presented operating procedure is used in particular for the operation of the presented hydrogen tank system.

[0029] It can be provided that the master control unit is configured to control respective slave control units for controlling a volume flow of hydrogen from the hydrogen tank system in such a way that respective tank valves are controlled by respective slave control units.

[0030] To coordinate the slave control units, a control function can be executed in the master control unit, for example, which includes control logic for adjusting the volume flow of hydrogen from the hydrogen tank system. For this purpose, the master control unit can evaluate values, particularly diagnostic values, provided by the respective slave control units.

[0031] It may further be provided that each slave control unit comprises an output stage.

[0032] A separate or specific power amplifier on each slave control unit distributes an electrical load for controlling the tank valves of the hydrogen tank system to all slave control units, so that the electrical load of a single slave control unit is minimized.

[0033] It may also be provided that the master control unit does not include an output stage.

[0034] By using slave control units, each of which includes a power amplifier, the master control unit can be completely freed from a task or electrical load for amplifying control signals. Accordingly, the master control unit is subjected to only a minimal electrical load, making it particularly fail-safe.

[0035] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which describes exemplary embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. Drawings

[0036] They show: Fig. 1 a possible design of the presented operating procedure, Fig. 2 a possible design of the presented hydrogen tank system. Description of the embodiments

[0037] In Fig. 1 illustrates an operating method 100 for operating a hydrogen tank system, wherein the hydrogen tank system comprises a plurality of hydrogen tanks configured to store hydrogen and each comprising a tank valve, and wherein the hydrogen tank system comprises a master controller and a number of slave controllers.

[0038] In a control step 101, the master control unit provides control commands to the respective slave control units for controlling a volume flow of hydrogen from the hydrogen tank system. These commands are amplified by the respective slave control units or converted into control signals for controlling the respective tank valves. Accordingly, an electrical load for controlling the tank valves is distributed among the slave control units.

[0039] In Fig. 2 shows a hydrogen tank system 200 for storing and providing hydrogen.

[0040] The hydrogen tank system 200 comprises a first hydrogen tank 201 with a first tank valve 203 and a second hydrogen tank 205 with a second tank valve 207, as well as a master control unit 209, a first slave control unit 211 and a second slave control unit 213.

[0041] To control a volume flow of hydrogen from the hydrogen tank system 200, the master control unit 209 determines an opening degree for the first tank valve 203 and an opening degree for the second tank valve 207 and generates corresponding control commands, which are transmitted by the master control unit 209 to the first slave control unit 211 and the second slave control unit 213.

[0042] Based on the control commands transmitted by the master control unit 209, the first slave control unit 211 generates a corresponding control signal in the form of a first PWM signal and transmits it to the first tank valve 203.

[0043] Based on the control commands transmitted by the master control unit 209, the second slave control unit 213 generates a corresponding control signal in the form of a second PWM signal and transmits it to the second tank valve 207.

[0044] Accordingly, the first slave control unit 211 is only supplied with an electrical load for providing the first PWM signal, the second slave control unit 213 is only supplied with an electrical load for providing the second PWM signal, and the master control unit 209 is only supplied with an electrical load required to calculate the control commands.

Claims

[1] Operating method (100) for operating a hydrogen tank system (200), wherein the hydrogen tank system (200) comprises a plurality of hydrogen tanks (201, 205) configured to store hydrogen and each comprising a tank valve (203, 207), and wherein the hydrogen tank system (200) comprises a master control unit (209) and a number of slave control units (211, 213), wherein the master control unit (209) controls respective slave control units (211, 213) for controlling a volume flow of hydrogen from the hydrogen tank system (200) such that respective tank valves (203, 207) are controlled by respective slave control units (211, 213). [2] Operating method (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that each tank valve (203, 207) is assigned a respective slave control unit (211, 213), wherein a respective specific control signal is provided to a respective tank valve (203, 207) by means of the respective slave control unit (211, 213). [3] Operating method (100) according to claim 2, characterized by that the control signal is a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal. [4] Operating method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a control signal transmitted by the master control unit (209) to a respective slave control unit (211, 213) is amplified by an output stage comprised by the respective slave control unit (211, 213). [5] Operating method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the master control unit (209) and the number of slave control units (211, 213) communicate with each other and respective slave control units (211, 213) carry out monitoring functions for monitoring respective tank valves and transmit results of the monitoring functions to the master control unit (209) and / or other slave control units (211, 213). [6] Operating method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that, in the event of a fault in a slave control unit (211, 213), the hydrogen tank system (200) is operated by only the master control unit (209). [7] Operating method (100) according to claim 6, characterized by that the master control unit (209), in the event of a fault in a slave control unit (211, 213), only controls some of the tank valves (203, 207). [8] Hydrogen tank system (200) for storing and providing hydrogen, the hydrogen tank system (200) comprising: - a plurality of hydrogen tanks (201, 205) configured to store hydrogen and each comprising a tank valve (203, 207), - a master control unit (209), - a number of slave control devices (211, 213), wherein the master control device (209) and the number of slave control devices (211, 213) are configured to carry out an operating method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7. [9] Hydrogen tank system (200) according to claim 8, characterized by in that the master control unit (209) is configured to control respective slave control units (211, 213) for controlling a volume flow of hydrogen from the hydrogen tank system (200) such that respective tank valves (203, 207) are controlled by respective slave control units (211, 213). [10] Hydrogen tank system (200) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that each slave control unit (211, 213) comprises an output stage. [11] Hydrogen tank system (200) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized by that the master control unit (209) does not include an output stage.

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