Mobile refueling device for transferring hydrogen between fuel cell vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile tank device (10) for transferring hydrogen between fuel cell vehicles (20, 30). The mobile tank device (10) has - at least one first transfer line (21) for connecting to a first hydrogen tank (22) of a first fuel cell vehicle (20), - at least one second transfer line (31) for connecting to a second hydrogen tank (32) of a second fuel cell vehicle (30), - a sensor device (40) for detecting transfer parameters in the first hydrogen tank (22) and / or the second hydrogen tank (32), - a pump (50) for transferring the hydrogen, - a display device (60), - an operating device (70), - a safety device (80) and - an energy source (90). The invention further relates to a method (100) for transferring hydrogen between fuel cell vehicles (20, 30) by means of such a mobile tank device (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mobile refueling device for transferring hydrogen between fuel cell vehicles. The invention further relates to a method for transferring hydrogen between fuel cell vehicles using such a mobile refueling device. State of the art

[0002] Vehicles with fuel cell systems (FCS) as a drive system, which are referred to as Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs), are fueled with hydrogen in order to react with an oxidizing agent, usually oxygen from the ambient air, to form water or water vapor in the fuel cell and thus deliver electrical power through electrochemical conversion.

[0003] Stationary refueling stations are known from the state of the art for refueling fuel cell vehicles. However, to be refueled from a stationary refueling station, a fuel cell vehicle would have to reach the location of this stationary refueling station in time before it breaks down on the road due to a lack of hydrogen. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] According to a first aspect of the invention, a mobile tank device for transferring hydrogen between fuel cell vehicles is presented.

[0005] The mobile tank device has - at least one first transfer line for connecting to a first hydrogen tank of a first fuel cell vehicle, - at least one second transfer line for connecting to a second hydrogen tank of a second fuel cell vehicle, - a sensor device for detecting transfer parameters in the first hydrogen tank and / or the second hydrogen tank, - a pump to pump the hydrogen, - a display device, - an operating device, - a safety device and - an energy source.

[0006] The invention is characterized by the fact that the mobile refueling device allows for more flexible refueling of fuel cell vehicles or other hydrogen-powered devices in terms of location and time. In particular, hydrogen can be transferred or transferred from one fuel cell vehicle to another. This prevents a fuel cell vehicle from breaking down due to a lack of hydrogen far from a refueling option or from having insufficient range to reach the nearest stationary refueling station. The possibility of mobile refueling or transferring hydrogen from one fuel cell vehicle to another fuel cell vehicle may prove very advantageous in the future as part of the energy transition.

[0007] Further features and advantages of the invention are set forth below.

[0008] In order to be able to carry out mobile refueling or transfer of hydrogen from one fuel cell vehicle to another fuel cell vehicle at a desired location in a simple and cost-effective manner, the mobile refueling device can preferably have handles and rollers for transporting or moving.

[0009] The mobile refueling device can further comprise a plurality of detachable mounting interfaces for detachably attaching it to a wall or to a stationary refueling station. This can be particularly advantageous when hydrogen is to be transferred between a stationary refueling station and a fuel cell vehicle, or when an internal hydrogen storage device of the mobile device is to be refilled by a stationary refueling station.

[0010] Preferably, the at least first transfer line and the at least second transfer line are fluidly connected to one another and each have universally compatible standard connections, in particular tank nozzles, in order to be able to connect to a variety of different hydrogen tanks of vehicles or stationary refueling stations. Preferably, the at least first transfer line and the at least second transfer line each have a fuel nozzle that can be inserted into the tank opening of the first and / or second fuel cell vehicle.

[0011] Preferably, the at least first transfer line and the at least second transfer line each have sensors for measuring transfer parameters, wherein the measured transfer parameters can be transmitted to the sensor device.

[0012] The transfer parameters detected by the sensor device can preferably be displayed graphically by the display device. Several operating modes, in particular a first operating mode and a second operating mode for operating the mobile refueling device, can then preferably be activated via the operating device.

[0013] The mobile tank device may preferably have an internal hydrogen storage device for storing hydrogen, which is also fluidly connected to the at least first transfer line and the at least second transfer line.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for transferring hydrogen between fuel cell vehicles using such a mobile refueling device is presented. The method comprises the steps: - Connecting S1 of the first transfer line to the first hydrogen tank of the first fuel cell vehicle, - Connecting S2 of the second transfer line to the second hydrogen tank of the second fuel cell vehicle, - detection S3 of transfer parameters in the first hydrogen tank and / or in the second hydrogen tank by the sensor device, - Transmission S4 of the transfer parameters detected by the sensor device to the display device, - Setting S5 of transfer parameters and activating an operating mode by the control device, - Transfer S6 of the hydrogen from the first hydrogen tank of the first fuel cell vehicle into the second hydrogen storage of the second fuel cell vehicle by the pump and - Output S7 of an optical and / or acoustic signal via the display device after completion of the transfer process.

[0015] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described 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

[0016] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which schematically show: Fig. 1 is a diagram of a mobile refueling device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a representation of the transfer of hydrogen between two fuel cell vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the method steps for transferring hydrogen between two fuel cell vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention. Description of the embodiments

[0017] Fig. 1 shows a mobile tank device 10 according to the invention with a first transfer line 21, a second transfer line 31, a sensor device 40, a pump 50, a display device 60, an operating device 70, a safety device 80 and an energy source 90.

[0018] The mobile refueling device 10 further comprises laterally arranged handles 11 and rollers 12 arranged in a bottom region of the mobile refueling device 10. The rollers 12 may include a braking mechanism so that displacement of the mobile refueling device 10 during the transfer of hydrogen can be prevented.

[0019] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the transfer of hydrogen between a first hydrogen tank 22 of a first fuel cell vehicle 20 and a second hydrogen tank 32 of a second fuel cell vehicle 30.

[0020] The first fuel cell vehicle 20 has a larger amount of hydrogen in its hydrogen tank 22 and serves as a donor vehicle.

[0021] The second fuel cell vehicle 30 has an empty tank and has broken down. The second fuel cell vehicle 30 can be considered the receiving vehicle.

[0022] The first fuel cell vehicle 20, in particular the first hydrogen tank 22, and the second fuel cell vehicle 30, in particular the second hydrogen tank 32, are fluidly connected to one another by the mobile tank device 10, in particular by the first transfer line 21 and second transfer line 31.

[0023] The first transfer line 21 of the mobile refueling device 10 could, instead of the donor vehicle, also be connected to a stationary refueling station or a filled hydrogen storage tank of another hydrogen-powered device. The second transfer line 31 of the mobile refueling device 10 could, instead of the recipient vehicle, also be connected to an empty hydrogen storage tank of another hydrogen-powered device.

[0024] The first transfer line 21 and second transfer line 31 are each designed as high-pressure-resistant flexible hoses and can withstand a burst pressure of at least 700 bar. Due to the flexible nature of the transfer lines 21, 31, they can be rolled up. This makes the mobile refueling device 10 more compact and easier to carry or store in a vehicle.

[0025] The first transfer line 21 and the second transfer line 31 each have sensors 23, 33 at their ends for measuring transfer parameters, in particular for measuring a pressure, a temperature, a hydrogen fill level, or other transfer-relevant parameters in the first hydrogen tank 22 and the second hydrogen tank 32. The sensors 23, 33 can be designed, for example, as pressure, temperature, capacitance, and / or infrared sensors.

[0026] The transfer parameters measured by sensors 23, 33 are transmitted to sensor device 40 for performing a target-actual comparison. The transfer parameters detected by sensor device 40 are transmitted to display device 60 for visual representation for a user.

[0027] Using the operating device 70, the user can select between a first operating mode M or a second operating mode A for operating the mobile refueling device 10.

[0028] In the first operating mode M, the user can manually set the transfer-relevant parameters and carry out the hydrogen transfer manually.

[0029] In the second operating mode A, the measured transfer parameters are displayed to the user, and optimal settings are suggested, which can be accepted by the user or manually changed. However, the transfer of hydrogen between the first hydrogen tank 22 and the second hydrogen tank 32 is automated, with an optical and / or acoustic signal being output via the display device 60 upon completion of the transfer process.

[0030] In both the first operating mode M and the second operating mode A, the user can monitor and terminate the hydrogen transfer over the entire transfer duration via the display device 60. In particular, the current fill level of the respective hydrogen tanks 22, 32 and the transfer progress, in particular the expected transfer duration and transfer quantity (mass flow of hydrogen), are displayed to the user via an animation, depending on the transfer parameters detected by the sensors 23, 33 or the sensor device 40. Furthermore, the pressures and temperatures prevailing in the respective hydrogen tanks 22, 32 can be displayed. Furthermore, other transfer-relevant parameters for monitoring and adjustment can also be displayed.

[0031] Different pressures exist in the hydrogen tanks 22, 32 of the participating fuel cell vehicles 20, 30 due to the different filling levels and temperatures in the hydrogen tanks 22, 32.

[0032] Due to its smaller filling volume, the pressure at the fuel cell vehicle 30 to be refueled (receiving vehicle) is significantly lower than at the other fuel cell vehicle 20 (donor vehicle). Since the two hydrogen tanks 22, 32 are fluidly connected to each other by at least the first transfer line 21 and the at least the second transfer line 31, pressure drops of approximately 700 bar to 20 bar can occur.

[0033] Such high pressure gradients can be used to transfer hydrogen from the first hydrogen tank 22 of the donor vehicle to the second hydrogen tank 32 of the recipient vehicle. However, the transfer of hydrogen is also additionally supported by the pump 50. In particular, the pump 50 increases the flow rate of hydrogen, thereby shortening the transfer time.

[0034] The mobile refueling device 10 can optionally have an internal hydrogen storage unit 15 for storing hydrogen, which is also fluidly connected to the at least first transfer line 21 and the at least second transfer line 31. Thus, the mobile refueling device 10 can refuel a recipient vehicle or another hydrogen-powered device with hydrogen at a later time, independently of the donor vehicle or a stationary refueling station.

[0035] The internal hydrogen storage 15 can be designed as a large hydrogen tank or as several small hydrogen tanks, which are connected to one another in a fluid-communicating manner.

[0036] The safety device 80 monitors the transfer of hydrogen and can be coupled to the sensor device 40. In particular, the mass flow of hydrogen can be controlled or regulated by the safety device 80, so that the mobile tank device 10 is automatically shut down in the event of a malfunction or leak. The safety device 80 can, for example, have valve means and closure elements for regulating the mass flow of hydrogen.

[0037] For example, the valve means can be used to control the pressure at which the hydrogen flows out of or into the hydrogen tank 22, 32. The closure means can seal the mobile tank device 10 from the hydrogen tanks 22, 32.

[0038] The mobile refueling device 10 can be supplied with power via the energy source 90. The energy source 90 is rechargeable and can comprise one or more batteries. However, the mobile refueling device 10 can also be operated via the on-board power supply of one of the two fuel cell vehicles 20, 30.

[0039] Fig. 3 shows a block diagram illustrating the method steps for transferring hydrogen between the first fuel cell vehicle 20 and the second fuel cell vehicle 30.

[0040] In the first step S1, the first transfer line 21 is connected to the first hydrogen tank 22 of the first fuel cell vehicle 20. Subsequently, S2, the second transfer line 31 is connected to the second hydrogen tank 32 of the second fuel cell vehicle 30. Thus, the first fuel cell vehicle 20, in particular the first hydrogen tank 22, and the second fuel cell vehicle 30, in particular the second hydrogen tank 32, are fluidly connected to one another via the mobile refueling device 10, in particular via the first transfer line 21 and second transfer line 31, so that transfer parameters can be detected S3 by the sensor device 40. The sensor device 40 performs a target-actual comparison and transmits S4 the detected transfer parameters to the display device 60 for visual representation for a user.Using the operating device 70, the user can set the transfer parameters and activate the operating mode S5. The transfer S6 of hydrogen from the first hydrogen tank 22 of the first fuel cell vehicle 20 to the second hydrogen tank 32 of the second fuel cell vehicle 30 then begins via the pump 50. Upon completion of the transfer, an optical and / or acoustic signal S7 is output via the display device 60.

Claims

[1] Mobile tank device (10) for transferring hydrogen between fuel cell vehicles (20, 30), the mobile tank device (10) comprising - at least one first transfer line (21) for connecting to a first hydrogen tank (22) of a first fuel cell vehicle (20), - at least one second transfer line (31) for connecting to a second hydrogen tank (32) of a second fuel cell vehicle (30), - a sensor device (40) for detecting transfer parameters in the first hydrogen tank (22) and / or the second hydrogen tank (32), - a pump (50) for transferring the hydrogen, - a display device (60), - an operating device (70), - a safety device (80) and - an energy source (90. [2] Method (100) for transferring hydrogen between fuel cell vehicles (20, 30) by means of a mobile tank device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the method (100) comprises the steps: - connecting (S1) the first transfer line (21) to the first hydrogen tank (22) of the first fuel cell vehicle (20), - connecting (S2) the second transfer line (31) to the second hydrogen tank (32) of the second fuel cell vehicle (30), - detection (S3) of transfer parameters in the first hydrogen tank (22) and / or in the second hydrogen tank (32) by the sensor device (40), - transmission (S4) of the transfer parameters detected by the sensor device 40 to the display device (60), - setting (S5) of transfer parameters and activating an operating mode by the operating device (70), - transfer (S6) of the hydrogen from the first hydrogen tank (22) of the first fuel cell vehicle (20) into the second hydrogen tank (32) of the second fuel cell vehicle (30) by the pump (50) and - Output (S7) of an optical and / or acoustic signal via the display device (60) after completion of the transfer process.

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