FUEL STORAGE SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH CLEANING FUNCTION

Abstract

The present development relates to a fuel storage system (10) for a motor vehicle (1) for storing at least one fuel that can be supplied in a gaseous state, comprising: - a tank nozzle (12) designed to receive a fuel nozzle (52), - a refueling line (11) which is fluidically connected at one end to the tank nozzle (12) and at the other end to a fuel tank (20) and is designed to fluidically couple the tank nozzle (12) to the fuel tank (20), and - a particle separator (14) which is arranged in the refueling line (11) and is designed to separate particles entrained in the fuel flow from the fuel flowing from the tank nozzle (12) to the fuel tank (20) from the fuel flow.

Description

[0001] The present development relates to a fuel storage system for a motor vehicle with a cleaning function. In particular, it relates to a fuel storage system for gaseous fuels that are to be stored under high pressure in a corresponding fuel tank and carried in a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the present development relates to a motor vehicle equipped with such a fuel storage system and to a method for refueling a fuel storage system of a motor vehicle. background

[0002] Storing gaseous fuels, such as hydrogen, in motor vehicles can be complex and time-consuming. Hydrogen-powered vehicles, especially fuel cell operation, require a comparatively high degree of fuel purity. Contaminants in the fuel itself, such as particles or oil, must be avoided whenever possible for the operation of the fuel consumer, such as the fuel cell. Particularly when refueling such a fuel tank, care must be taken to ensure that any particles or other contaminants inevitably present in the area of ​​a fuel tank nozzle do not enter the fuel storage system.

[0003] While it is conceivable in principle to equip the fuel tank supply with one or more filters or filter units, such filters can become clogged if contaminants or particles enter the fuel storage system, for example, during refueling.

[0004] Against this background, the object of the present further development is to provide an improved fuel storage system for a motor vehicle, in particular an improved fuel storage system for gaseous fuels, which can be operated with particularly low maintenance and which is resistant to the ingress of contamination, particles or similar foreign or interfering substances. Advantageous designs

[0005] This object is achieved with a fuel storage system, with a motor vehicle, and with a method for refueling a fuel storage system according to the features of the respective independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present development are the subject of respective dependent patent claims.

[0006] In a first aspect, a fuel storage system for a motor vehicle is provided for storing at least one fuel, propellant, or corresponding reaction medium that can be supplied in a gaseous state. The fuel storage system comprises a fuel nozzle configured to accommodate a fuel nozzle and a refueling line, which is or can be fluidly connected at one end to the fuel nozzle and at the other end to a fuel tank of the motor vehicle, and is configured to fluidly couple or connect the fuel nozzle to the fuel tank.

[0007] Using the refueling system, the gaseous fuel, which can be supplied via the fuel nozzle, can be fed from the fuel tank nozzle through the refueling system to the fuel tank and stored there. Both storage and supply can occur at a comparatively high pressure, such as several hundred bar, or up to 700 bar or even higher.

[0008] The fuel storage system features a particle separator located in the refueling line and designed to separate particles entrained in the fuel flow from the fuel nozzle to the fuel tank from the fuel flow or to separate them from the fuel flow. The particle separator enables the separation of solid particles as well as liquid particles that may be entrained in the fuel flow during refueling of the fuel tank.

[0009] Typically, the particle separator is located downstream of the fuel inlet and upstream of the fuel tank. This largely prevents the storage of contaminated fuel. A particle separator has the advantage over a filter in that it requires very little maintenance. The particle separator simply separates particles or other contaminants entrained in the fuel stream during the refueling process. These can be separated from the fuel stream by the particle separator and disposed of elsewhere, for example, in a separate particle container.

[0010] By means of the particle separator, it is possible that any fuel or dirt particles that may enter the refueling line during refueling can be separated from the fuel flow, so that ultimately only purified fuel is fed to the fuel tank.

[0011] According to a further embodiment of the fuel storage system, the particle separator is connected to a particle container via a particle-carrying connecting line, in which particles or corresponding contaminants separated from the fuel stream by the particle separator can be collected. The particle container can act as a collector for particles or contaminants separated from the fuel stream. The contaminants or dirt particles separated from the fuel stream can be stored separately in the particle container, separate from the fuel stream.

[0012] The particle container is typically located outside the refueling line. It can branch off from the refueling line via the aforementioned connecting line from the particle separator. Thus, the particle separator can form a branch from the refueling line, with the branch typically consisting of or encompassing the connecting line to the particle container.

[0013] The particle container, which is connected to the particle separator via the connecting line, makes it possible to separate any foreign matter or particles separated from the fuel flow from the refueling line and store them temporarily or permanently outside the refueling line. Because the separated particles or contaminants do not remain in the particle separator, it can be operated continuously and with particularly low maintenance. Separate cleaning of the particle separator is sometimes not necessary.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the fuel storage system, the particulate container can be fluidically coupled to the exhaust system of the motor vehicle via a purge line. The fluidic coupling between the exhaust system of the motor vehicle and the particulate container can be established or interrupted as needed. As a result of a fluidic coupling with the exhaust system, a purge medium can be supplied to the particulate container via the purge line, for example, whereby the contaminants or particles deposited in the particulate container and previously separated can be supplied to the exhaust system and thus removed from the motor vehicle or from the fuel storage system.

[0015] The fluidic coupling with the purge line and / or with the exhaust system of the motor vehicle can ensure that a particle container sufficiently loaded with particles or contaminants is emptied as required. The particle container typically has a predetermined or defined holding capacity for particles to be separated from the fuel flow. Should the holding capacity of the particle container be exhausted or fall below a predetermined minimum value, a control system for the fuel storage system can be designed to at least temporarily pressurise or flood the purge line with a purge medium. This has the effect of displacing the particles in the particle container, which were previously separated from the fuel flow, from the particle container and conveying them to the exhaust system, possibly also via the purge line and out of the particle container.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the fuel storage system, the purge line has at least one purge valve, which is arranged downstream or upstream of the particle container in the purge line and which is designed to regulate or control a purge flow flowing through the purge line. For example, the purge valve can be used to completely interrupt or at least throttle the flow of a purge agent flowing through the purge line. It is particularly conceivable for the purge valve to be closed during a refueling process to enable proper operation of the particle separator and the particle container fluidly connected thereto.

[0017] After this, i.e. after completion of a refueling process or even after completion of several refueling processes, a flushing medium can flow through the flushing line into the particle container, depending on the load of the particle container, and flush it accordingly, so that the particles in the particle container and previously separated from the fuel flow can be expelled from the particle container and fed to the exhaust system of the motor vehicle.

[0018] The flushing medium can, in particular, be a gaseous flushing medium. If necessary, the flushing medium can also be the fuel itself, which can be supplied via a bypass or via the flushing line, for example, from the fuel tank.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the fuel storage system, the purge line is fluidly coupled or connectable at one end to a fuel consumer and at the other end to the exhaust system of the fuel consumer. A fuel cell is provided as the fuel consumer. This typically already has a purge line to flood or purge the lines on the anode and / or cathode side as well as the corresponding gas-carrying channels of the fuel cell as needed.

[0020] Furthermore, the fuel cell can be fluidically coupled to an exhaust system, through which a reaction product of the fuel cell can be discharged from the motor vehicle. Because the purge line can be fluidly connected to the particulate container via a purge valve, and the particulate container is fluidly connected or connectable to the exhaust system via the purge line or a corresponding connecting line, for example downstream of the particulate container, it is possible to relatively easily supply the particulate container with a purge flow or purge agent flow, so that the particles or contaminants trapped therein can be removed from the particulate container and fed to the exhaust system as simply and efficiently as possible.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the fuel storage system, the connecting line between the particle separator and the particle container can be shut off by means of a shut-off valve. In this way, a temporary fluidic separation between the particle separator and the particle container can be brought about. A fluidic closure of the connecting line between the particle separator and the particle container, particularly during the flushing process for the particle container, is advantageous, especially when the latter is supplied with a flushing agent via the flushing line or has a flushing agent flowing through it. By closing the shut-off valve between the particle separator and the particle container, it can be prevented that the flushing medium is fed to the particle separator, for example, during the flushing process.

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the fuel storage system, the particle separator comprises a centrifugal separator, by means of which solid particles entrained in a gas stream can be separated from the gas stream, thus from the gaseous fuel stream. In addition to solid particles, liquid particles can also be separated from the gas stream. Such a centrifugal separator can be operated particularly efficiently with the pressurized fuel stream supplied via the tank nozzle.

[0023] The gaseous fuel supplied via the fuel inlet can flow into the fuel inlet, and thus also into the refueling system, and ultimately into the corresponding particle separator, such as the centrifugal separator, at a comparatively high pressure and a comparatively high flow velocity. A comparatively high flow velocity promotes the function of the centrifugal separator, allowing the separation of particles from the fuel stream in the centrifugal separator to be particularly efficient and effective.

[0024] According to a further aspect, the present development finally relates to a motor vehicle with a fuel consumer, for example with a fuel cell and a fuel tank, as well as with a previously described fuel storage system. The fuel storage system is in flow connection with the fuel tank and / or with the fuel consumer, or can be brought into flow connection with the latter. For refueling the fuel tank, in particular, the at least temporary establishment of a flow connection between the tank nozzle and the fuel tank is provided.

[0025] The motor vehicle can be designed as a passenger car, but also as a commercial vehicle, such as a van, a small van, a truck or a bus.

[0026] Via a nozzle inserted into the fuel tank nozzle, the fuel can be supplied at comparatively high pressure to the fuel tank nozzle and the fluidically connected refueling line. Finally, by switching appropriate valves, the fuel can flow into the fuel tank, where the fuel can be stored at a comparatively high pressure. During operation of the motor vehicle, particularly during operation of the fuel consumer, the fuel can flow out of the fuel tank and be supplied to the consumer, such as the fuel cell, as needed via a distribution system.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the purge line of the fuel storage system can be supplied with a gaseous purge medium, either at a time staggered or overlapping with the operation of the fuel consumer. The gaseous purge medium can, for example, be the fuel itself, which can flow via a purge line into or through the particulate container, carrying particles deposited there and previously entrained by the fuel flow, and ultimately feeding them into the exhaust system of the vehicle.

[0028] Since the motor vehicle provided here comprises a previously described fuel storage system, all advantages, features and advantageous application possibilities previously described with regard to the fuel storage system also apply equally to the motor vehicle; and vice versa.

[0029] According to a further embodiment of the motor vehicle, the fuel consumer is a fuel cell or has a fuel cell. The fuel tank has a hydrogen tank or is designed as a hydrogen tank. The fuel tank can be implemented, in particular, as a high-pressure tank. The fuel contained therein, for example, the hydrogen contained or stored therein, can be stored in the fuel tank at a pressure of up to 600 bar, up to 700 bar, or even higher.

[0030] According to a further aspect, the present development further relates to a method for refueling a fuel storage system. The method comprises inserting a fuel pump nozzle of a fuel filling station into the fuel tank nozzle of the fuel storage system, supplying a gaseous fuel into the fuel tank nozzle, and separating particles entrained in the fuel stream by means of the particle separator.

[0031] The method for refueling the fuel storage system comprises cleaning the fuel flow, in particular separating particles entrained or capable of being entrained in the fuel flow, which may be solid particles or liquid particles. The method particularly comprises the use of a previously described fuel storage system and / or a motor vehicle equipped therewith. In this respect, all features, advantages, and possible applications described with regard to the previously described fuel storage system and the motor vehicle also apply equally to the method for refueling the fuel storage system; and vice versa. Short description of the characters

[0032] Further objectives, features, and advantageous applications of the fuel storage system, the motor vehicle, and the method for refueling a fuel storage system are explained and described with reference to the following figures. Herein: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle, Fig. 2 a block diagram of a fuel storage system of the motor vehicle and Fig. 3 a flow diagram of a method for refueling a fuel storage system. Detailed description

[0033] The Fig. The motor vehicle 1 schematically illustrated in Figure 1 has a self-supporting vehicle body 2 and an interior 3 functioning as a passenger compartment. The motor vehicle 1 further comprises a fuel storage system 10 for a fuel that can be supplied in a gaseous state.

[0034] In the block diagram of the Fig. 2 schematically illustrates such a fuel storage system 10. It comprises a fuel tank nozzle 12, which is provided and configured to receive or be fluidly coupled to a fuel nozzle 52 of a fuel filling station 50. The fuel tank nozzle 12 forms one end, for example, a supply end, of a refueling line 11, which extends from the fuel tank nozzle 12 to a fuel tank 20.

[0035] In the fuel tank 20, the fuel can be stored, for example, under comparatively high pressure. The fuel can be, for example, a gaseous fuel, typically hydrogen. In this respect, the fuel storage system 10 can be configured as a hydrogen storage system. A particle separator 14, which can be implemented or configured as a centrifugal separator 15, is located in the refueling line 11 between the tank nozzle 12 and the fuel tank 20.

[0036] A refueling valve 16 and a tank valve 18 can also be provided between the particle separator 14 and the fuel tank 20. The tank valve 18 can be assigned to the fuel tank 20 or can be arranged directly on the fuel tank 20 and fluidly coupled to the fuel tank 20. The refueling valve 16 is located in the refueling line 11 and is connected in series with the tank valve 18. A distributor 22 branches off between the two valves 16, 18, which ultimately opens at the other end via several pressure relief valves 24, 26, 28 into the consumer 30, for example, a fuel cell 31.

[0037] To refuel the fuel tank 20, both valves 16, 18 are opened. In this way, the fuel supplied to the tank nozzle 12 via a fuel nozzle 52 can flow unhindered under high pressure through the refueling line 11 into the fuel tank 20. The refueling process can be terminated by closing the refueling valve 16. Finally, the tank valve 18 serves for the controlled or regulated outflow of the fuel stored in the fuel tank 20. Via the tank valve 18, the fuel can be supplied from the fuel tank 20 to the distributor 22 and ultimately from the distributor 22 to the consumer 30 as needed or in a controlled manner via various valves 24, 26, 28.

[0038] The consumer 30, which can be implemented, for example, in the form of a fuel cell 31, has an exhaust system or an exhaust line 44, via which exhaust gas from the consumer 30 can be discharged as intended. A purge line 32 can be provided parallel to the exhaust system. This can also branch off from the consumer 30 but open into the exhaust system, in particular into the exhaust line 44, at other ends. One or more valves 38, 42 can be provided in the area of ​​the purge line 32, by means of which the purge of the purge line 32 with a gaseous purge medium can be controlled or regulated.

[0039] The refueling line 11 further comprises the separator, in particular the aforementioned particle separator 14, by means of which particles entrained by the fuel flow can be separated or separated from the fuel flow as intended. The separator 14 is in fluid communication with a container, such as a particle container 36, via a connecting line 34.

[0040] The particles separated from the fuel stream during the refueling process can be fed from the separator 14 to the container 36 via the connecting line 34 and collected there. During the refueling process, a valve 40 provided on the connecting line 34, which can be designed, for example, as a shut-off valve, is open. After the refueling process is complete, that valve 40 can be closed. In this way, the particles separated during the refueling process and by the particle separator 14 can be fed unhindered to the container 36 via the connecting line 34.

[0041] After the refueling process is complete, not only the refueling valve 16 but also the shut-off valve 40 can be closed. If necessary, for example, when the container 36 is sufficiently loaded with particles, the purge line 32 can be purged with a purge medium, for example by opening the valves 38, 42, or a purge medium can flow through it, so that the particles stored in the container 36 can be removed from the container 36 and fed, for example, to the exhaust system, i.e., the exhaust line 44.

[0042] The purge line 32 can be purged with unused fuel, which can be supplied, for example, at the inlet or outlet of the consumer 30 by opening the valve 42 of the purge line 32. Purge line 32 can be purged not only to remove particles from the container 36 but also, and especially, to remove unwanted components or contaminants from the anode path of the fuel cell 31. It is fundamentally possible and conceivable to purge line 32 with other gases or fluids, such as nitrogen, air, and / or water.

[0043] As soon as the container 36 has been flushed, the valves 42, 38 can be closed again in order to separate the container 36 from the consumer 30, for example in terms of flow.

[0044] The flushing of the flushing line 32 and the associated flushing of the particle container 36 can occur particularly during shutdown or startup phases, for example, during startup or shutdown of the fuel cell 31. During the refueling process, the valve 40 in the connecting line 34 between the separator 14 and the container 36 is typically opened.

[0045] Typically, the flushing line 32 is inactive during refueling, i.e., at least one of the two valves 38, 42 is closed during the refueling process. After the refueling process is complete, the shut-off valve 40 of the connecting line 34 between the separator 14 and the container 36 is closed to prevent flushing medium from flowing, for example, from the container 36 into the connecting line 34 toward the separator 14.

[0046] The fuel storage system 10 provided here can be used to clean the fuel flow supplied, for example, from a fuel filling station 50. Furthermore, any contaminants on the fuel nozzle 52 and / or the fuel filler neck 12 can be separated from the fuel flow, should they enter the fuel flow. The fuel storage system 10 is particularly low-maintenance and enables stable, continuous, long-term operation, since any particles separated from the fuel flow can be fed to the exhaust system or exhaust line 44 of the motor vehicle 1 as needed via the purge line 32.

[0047] The flowchart of the Fig.Figure 3 further illustrates the method for refueling the fuel storage system 10. In a first step 100, a fuel nozzle 52 of a fuel filling station 50 is inserted into the fuel tank nozzle 12 of a motor vehicle, or of a fuel storage system 10 described here. Subsequently, in step 102, a gaseous fuel is supplied to the fuel tank nozzle 12. This means that the actual refueling process begins in step 102. During this time, or in the course of the refueling process, the particles entrained in the fuel stream are separated and / or separated by means of the particle separator 14 in step 104.

[0048] Optionally, after the refueling process has been completed, for example during startup or shutdown of the fuel consumer 30, such as the fuel cell 31, a purge line 32 can be supplied with unused fuel or other suitable purge media, whereby the particles separated during the refueling process and collected in the container 36 can be fed to the exhaust system 44.

[0049] The illustrated embodiments merely show possible configurations of the development, for which numerous further variants are conceivable within the scope of the development. The exemplary embodiments shown are in no way to be interpreted as limiting the scope, applicability, or configuration options of the development. This description merely shows the person skilled in the art one or several possible implementations of an exemplary embodiment. Thus, a wide variety of modifications can be made to the function and arrangement of the described elements without departing from the scope of protection defined by the following claims or their equivalents. List of reference symbols 1 motor vehicle 2 Motor vehicle body 3 Interior 10 Fuel storage system 11 refueling line 12 tank nozzles 14 particle separators 15 centrifugal separators 16 Tank valve 18 tank valves 20 tanks 21 Hydrogen tank 22 distributors 24 valve 26 Valve 28 Valve 30 consumers 31 Fuel cell 32 Flushing line 34 connecting line 36 containers 38 Valve 40 valve 42 Valve 44 exhaust pipe 50 gas stations 52 fuel nozzle

Claims

[1] Fuel storage system (10) for a motor vehicle (1) for storing at least one fuel that can be supplied in a gaseous state, comprising: - a tank nozzle (12) designed to receive a fuel nozzle (52), - a refueling line (11) which is fluidically connected at one end to the tank nozzle (12) and at the other end to a fuel tank (20) and is designed to fluidically couple the tank nozzle (12) to the fuel tank (20), and - a particle separator (14) which is arranged in the refueling line (11) and is designed to separate particles entrained in the fuel flow from the fuel flowing from the tank nozzle (12) to the fuel tank (20) from the fuel flow. [2] Fuel storage system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the particle separator (14) is connected via a particle-conducting connecting line (34) to a particle container (36) in which particles separated from the fuel stream by the particle separator (14) can be collected. [3] Fuel storage system (10) according to claim 2, wherein the particle container (36) can be fluidically coupled to an exhaust system (44) of the motor vehicle (1) via a purge line (32). [4] Fuel storage system (10) according to claim 3, wherein the purge line (32) has at least one purge valve (38, 42) which is arranged downstream or upstream of the particle container (36) in the purge line (32) and is designed to regulate or control a purge flow flowing through the purge line (32). [5] Fuel storage system (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the purge line (32) is or can be fluidly coupled at one end to a fuel consumer (30) and at other ends to the exhaust gas line (44) of the fuel consumer (30). [6] Fuel storage system (10) according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 5, wherein the connecting line (34) between the particle separator (14) and the particle container (36) can be shut off by means of a shut-off valve (40). [7] Fuel storage system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the particle separator (14) comprises a centrifugal separator (15) by means of which particles entrained in a gas stream can be separated from the gas stream. [8] Motor vehicle with a fuel consumer (30), with a fuel tank (20) and with a fuel storage system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which is in flow connection with the fuel tank (20) and / or with the fuel consumer (30) or can be brought into flow connection therewith. [9] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 8, wherein the fuel consumer (30) comprises a fuel cell (31) and / or wherein the fuel tank (20) comprises a hydrogen tank (21). [10] Method for refueling a fuel storage system (10) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, comprising the following steps: - inserting a fuel nozzle (52) of a fuel filling station (50) into the tank nozzle (12) of the fuel storage system (10), - feeding a gaseous fuel into the tank nozzle (12), and - Separation of particles carried in the fuel stream by means of the particle separator (14).

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