Storage system for storing a fluid medium, preferably hydrogen, fuel cell system, hydrogen combustion engine system, fuel cell-powered vehicle, hydrogen-powered vehicle

Abstract

Storage system (1) for storing a fluid medium, preferably hydrogen, comprising at least one tank container (200) in a basic cylindrical shape with two hemispherical ends (202) for storing fluid medium, in particular hydrogen. The tank container (200) has a first shell element (10), which forms a tank interior (201), a second shell element (12), which surrounds the first shell element (10), a wrapping element (14), which surrounds the first shell element (10) and the second shell element (12), and a force application element (18), which is arranged at the ends (202) of the tank container (200).Furthermore, a monolithically manufactured sealing hose shell element (16) is arranged as a sealing liner directly in the first shell element (10) of the tank container interior (201) and inserted through the seal itself, with the first shell element (10) completely surrounding the sealing hose element (16).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a storage system for storing a fluid medium, for example hydrogen. This is used, for example, in vehicles with fuel cell propulsion or in vehicles with a hydrogen combustion engine as a drive system. State of the art

[0002] Today's hydrogen tank systems for mobile applications typically consist of several tanks, often made of carbon fiber reinforced material. These are typically pressurized to a nominal hydrogen pressure of, for example, 350 bar or 900 bar. During filling, storage, or withdrawal of hydrogen in operation, temperatures below the freezing point of water (down to -40°C during withdrawal in a 700 bar system) can occur inside the tank.

[0003] The tank containers can also contain metallic materials, for example.

[0004] For example, DE 10 2021 207 190 A1 describes such a hydrogen tank system for mobile applications with multiple tank containers.

[0005] Due to the typical bottleneck shape of the tank containers, the mechanical design leads to complex manufacturing and high costs. This poses potential challenges, particularly for the installation of the tank system in the underbody of a vehicle's chassis. Advantages of the invention

[0006] The storage system according to the invention with the characterizing features of claim 1 has the advantage of achieving a safe and durable storage system by means of a self-reinforcing sealing concept.

[0007] The storage system for storing a fluid medium, preferably hydrogen, comprises at least one tank container, cylindrical in its basic form and with two hemispherical ends, for storing the fluid medium, particularly hydrogen. The tank container includes a first shell element, which forms the interior of the tank container, and a second shell element, which surrounds the first shell element. Furthermore, the tank container includes a wrapping element, which surrounds both the first and second shell elements, and a force application element, which is arranged at the ends of the tank container. In addition, a monolithically manufactured sealing hose shell element is arranged as a sealing liner directly within the interior of the tank container and is inserted through the seal itself, with the first shell element completely surrounding the sealing hose element.

[0008] In this way, a monolithic sealing liner, in this case in the form of a sealing hose element, can be provided in a structurally simple manner. This liner can be subsequently inserted into the supporting structure of the tank and functions as a continuous sealing layer. Using the sealing hose element eliminates the need for a gasket to be attached to the supporting structure. Furthermore, due to the material's flexibility and its inherent tightness, the sealing hose element conforms to the first shell element. In addition, the division of the tank into sections allows for the selection of more efficient manufacturing processes for the various components.

[0009] In a first advantageous further development, the sealing hose element is made of an elastomer. This means that expansions at the sealing element result in only minor forces within the sealing element itself, thus contributing to a long service life.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first casing element comprises metal, in particular aluminum. By selecting cost-effective materials, a storage system for fluid media can thus be achieved in a cost-saving manner.

[0011] In an advantageous further development, it is provided that the second shell element comprises a fiber composite material, in particular a carbon fiber composite material.

[0012] The described storage system is preferably suitable for use in a fuel cell system for storing hydrogen for the operation of a fuel cell.

[0013] The described storage system is preferably suitable for use in a hydrogen combustion engine system for the provision of hydrogen.

[0014] The described storage system is preferably suitable for a fuel cell-powered vehicle for storing hydrogen for the operation of a fuel cell.

[0015] The described storage system is particularly suitable for use in a hydrogen-powered vehicle to provide hydrogen. Drawings

[0016] The drawing shows exemplary embodiments of a storage system according to the invention for storing a fluid medium, in particular hydrogen. It shows in Fig. 1 A possible embodiment of a storage system according to the invention for storing a gaseous medium in a simplified schematic view, Fig. 2 a possible embodiment of the tank container of the storage system according to the invention from the Fig. 1 in longitudinal section in enlarged view, Fig. 3 a hydrogen-powered vehicle with a storage system according to the invention in a simplified schematic view, Fig. 4 a hydrogen-powered vehicle with a fuel cell system or a hydrogen combustion engine system with a storage system according to the invention in a simplified schematic view. Description of the exemplary implementations

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of a storage system 1 according to the invention for storing a gaseous medium, in particular hydrogen, for a consumer system, such as a fuel cell system 70 or a hydrogen combustion engine system 71 (see Figure 1). Fig. 3 or Fig. 4), in schematic view. The storage system 1 has several tank containers 200, which are housed in a frame element 205. In an alternative embodiment, the storage system 1 has, for example, only one tank container 200.

[0018] Fig. Figure 2 shows a possible embodiment of the storage system 1 according to the invention. Fig. Figure 1 shows an enlarged view of the tank 200. The tank 200 is cylindrical or tubular in its basic form and has two hemispherical ends 202. Furthermore, the tank 200 has a first shell element 10, which forms a tank interior 201, and a second shell element 12, which surrounds the first shell element 10. The first shell element 10 is made of a metal, for example, aluminum. The second shell element 12 is made of a fiber-reinforced composite material, in particular a carbon fiber composite material.

[0019] Furthermore, the tank 200 comprises a wrapping element 14 that surrounds the first shell element 10 and the second shell element 12. At each end 202 of the tank 200, it has a force introduction element 18 that can transfer the axial forces arising from the internal pressure into the wrapping element 14. The force introduction elements 18 are guided axially over an inner or outer diameter of the tank 200, which is designed in the basic shape of a tube. The internal pressure results in an axially acting force that displaces the force introduction elements 18 outwards towards the hemispherical ends 202, thereby tensioning the wrapping element 14.

[0020] For the tightness of the tank 200, a monolithically manufactured sealing hose sleeve element 16 is arranged as a sealing liner directly within the first shell element 10 in the interior of the tank 200 and inserted through the seal itself. The first shell element 10 completely surrounds the sealing hose sleeve element 16. The sealing hose element 16 is made of an elastomer.

[0021] Furthermore, the sealing hose element 16 absorbs the relative movement of the tank container 200 as a strain and experiences a strain Δl by which the wrapping element 14, acting as a tension anchor, stretches under axial load. Thus, no significant strains are transmitted to the supporting structure, i.e., to the first shell element 10, the second shell element 12, and the wrapping element 14, due to the closed volume of the sealing hose element 16.

[0022] Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows, by way of example, a hydrogen-powered vehicle 73 with a fuel cell system 70, a fuel cell-powered vehicle 72, or a hydrogen combustion engine system 71 as a consumer system with a storage system 1 according to the invention in a simplified schematic view. Fig. 3 shows the storage system 1 integrated, for example, into the underbody of a vehicle's chassis. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2021 207 190 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Storage system (1) for storing a fluid medium, preferably hydrogen, comprising at least one tank container (200) in a basic cylindrical shape with two hemispherical ends (202) for storing fluid medium, in particular hydrogen, wherein the tank container (200) has a first shell element (10), which first shell element (10) forms a tank container interior (201), a second shell element (12), which second shell element (12) surrounds the first shell element (10), a wrapping element (14), which wrapping element (14) surrounds the first shell element (10) and the second shell element (12), and a force introduction element (18), which force introduction element (18) is arranged at the ends (202) of the tank container (200),wherein a monolithically manufactured sealing hose shell element (16) is arranged as a sealing liner directly in the first shell element (10) in the interior of the tank container (201) and is inserted through the seal itself, wherein the first shell element (10) completely surrounds the sealing hose element (16). [2] Storage system (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the sealing hose casing element (16) is designed as an elastomer. [3] Storage system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the first shell element (10) comprises metal, in particular aluminium. [4] Storage system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the second shell element (12) comprises a fiber composite, in particular a carbon fiber composite. [5] Fuel cell system (70) with a storage system (1) for storing hydrogen for the operation of a fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 4. [6] Hydrogen combustion engine system (71) with a storage system (1) for providing hydrogen according to any one of claims 1 to 4. [7] Fuel cell powered vehicle (72) with a storage system (1) for storing hydrogen for the operation of a fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 4. [8] Hydrogen-powered vehicle (73) with a storage system (1) for providing hydrogen according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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