Tank device for storing a gaseous medium with a valve device

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tank device with a valve device, in particular for storing hydrogen, for example for use in vehicles with fuel cell drive or in vehicles with a hydrogen combustion engine as a drive. State of the art

[0002] DE 10 2018 201 055 A1 describes a tank device with at least two storage units, each having a control valve, and which are connected to an outlet line via a piping system. At least one control valve of at least one storage unit is designed as a main valve, and at least one control valve of at least one storage unit is designed as a secondary valve, wherein the main valve and the secondary valve are of different designs.

[0003] The safety devices for such a refueling system are standardized. Each system must have a shut-off valve. This valve allows the system to seal the fuel tanks in the event of damage, such as from an accident involving a fuel cell vehicle or a burst fuel line, preventing gas from escaping.

[0004] Due to the stringent safety requirements for the shut-off valves and the high system pressures of, for example, 800 bar or more, such shut-off valves are very challenging to design and require a large installation space. This, in turn, increases the overall weight of the entire tank system, which, in the event of an accident involving a vehicle with, for example, a fuel cell drive, can lead to high acceleration forces and potential deformation of the valve assembly or the tank system.

[0005] Document EP 0 668 468 B1 shows a tank valve according to the state of the art. Advantages of the invention

[0006] In contrast, the tank device according to the invention with the characterizing features of claim 1 has the advantage that a tank device is provided in a structurally simple and cost-saving manner which has a compact safety valve with low opening forces.

[0007] The tank device according to the invention has the features of claim 1.

[0008] This allows for a simple and optimal formation of the magnetic flux. Furthermore, a two-stage opening process requires only a small magnetic force to open the valve. This results in low power and energy consumption, and therefore a positive energy balance.

[0009] In a first advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valve device is designed to open towards the tank when the solenoid coil is energized. This results in a structurally simple and cost-effective tank device.

[0010] According to the invention, a throttle channel is formed between the valve housing and a shaping of the main valve element, which shaping cooperates with the second sealing seat to open and close the through-hole, which throttle channel has a conical widening opposite the direction of the second sealing seat, thereby forming a throttling effect.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the through-opening in the valve housing is formed at the level of the throttle channel and opens into the throttle channel. Advantageously, a chamber is formed in the valve housing, which chamber is connected to the throttle channel by means of the through-opening. This facilitates the opening process of the valve device in a structurally simple manner.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valve device is advantageously arranged in a neck region of the tank device and pressed against a tank bottom within the neck region. Due to the design of the valve device within the neck region, a smaller pressure-bearing area is achieved, resulting in lower axial pressure forces. At high pressures, smaller pressure-bearing areas significantly reduce component stresses, which is reflected in less deformation, less wear and leakage, and an increased service life of the entire tank device and the valve device.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is advantageously provided that a dispensing opening is formed in the tank bottom, which fluidically connects the interior of the tank container and the chamber. In this way, the interior of the valve device can be connected to the interior of the tank device in a structurally simple manner.

[0014] According to the invention, the pilot valve element has a shoulder on which a spring is supported and exerts a force on the pilot valve element in the direction of one end of the pilot valve element.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is advantageously provided that the first sealing seat is formed on the main valve element.

[0016] In an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that the main valve element is subjected to a force in the direction of the tank interior by means of a spring, whereby the main valve element is subjected to a force in the direction of the first sealing seat and against the direction of the second sealing seat.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is advantageously provided that an interior space is formed in the valve housing, which interior space is divided by the main valve element into a first partial interior space and a second partial interior space.

[0018] In an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that the first partial interior space is connected to an inlet line by means of a control channel formed in the valve housing, which inlet line can be connected to an inlet area of ​​a consumer system.

[0019] This can facilitate the opening process of the valve device, which requires low magnetic forces, since the opening process is supported by pneumatic forces due to the design of the valve device.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is advantageously provided that the first partial interior and the second partial interior can be fluidically connected by means of the first sealing seat and / or the second sealing seat.

[0021] The described tank device is preferably suitable for use in a fuel cell system for storing hydrogen for the operation of a fuel cell.

[0022] The described tanking device for storing hydrogen for the operation of a fuel cell is also advantageously suited in a fuel cell-powered vehicle.

[0023] The described device for storing hydrogen is also advantageously suited for use in a hydrogen-powered vehicle, i.e., a vehicle with a hydrogen combustion engine as its drive system. Drawings

[0024] The drawing shows exemplary embodiments of a tank device according to the invention for storing a gaseous medium, in particular hydrogen. It shows in Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a tank device according to the invention with a valve device in longitudinal section, Fig. 2 shows an enlarged section of the tank device according to the invention. Fig. 1 in the area of ​​the magnetic coil. Description of the exemplary embodiment

[0025] Fig.1 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a tank device 1 according to the invention with a longitudinal axis 48 in longitudinal section and in simplified view, wherein the tank device 1 is designed rotationally symmetric about the longitudinal axis 48.

[0026] The tank device 1 comprises a tank container 200 and a valve device 100, the valve device 100 being partially enclosed in the tank container 200. The tank container 200 has a tank container housing 202 in which a tank container interior 201 is formed.

[0027] Furthermore, the tank 200 has a neck area 203 in which the valve device 100 is partially accommodated. The valve device 100 is supported on a tank bottom 140, which is arranged between the neck area 203 and the interior of the tank 201, thus separating the interior of the tank 201 from the neck area 203.

[0028] The valve device 100 has a valve housing 102 in which a solenoid coil 32 is arranged, which can be supplied with current via an electrical connection 30. The opening of the electrical connection 30 is formed in a magnetizable housing cover 28.

[0029] A permanent magnet 17 is arranged at one end 42 of the pilot valve element 24, comprising a positive pole element 170 and a negative pole element 171. The positive pole element 170 of the permanent magnet 17 points towards the housing cover 28 of the valve device 100, and the negative pole element 171 of the permanent magnet 17 points towards the tank 200. Furthermore, the permanent magnet 17 is arranged in the valve device 100 such that, when the solenoid coil 32 is energized, it is located in a positive pole region 51 of a permanent magnetic field 52 generated by the solenoid coil 32.

[0030] Furthermore, the housing cover 28 is made of a non-magnetic material in order to direct the magnetic force fields and thus the direction of movement of the pilot valve element 24 towards the interior of the tank container 201 when the solenoid coil 32 is energized.

[0031] Furthermore, an interior space 45 is formed in the valve housing 102, in which a pilot valve element 24 and a main valve element 12 are arranged.

[0032] The pilot valve element 24 is arranged coaxially to the longitudinal axis 48 and has stepped recesses and a rounded shoulder 43, which is formed as a step 430 at an opposite end. A spring 16 is supported on this step 430, which is also supported on the tank bottom 140 and exerts a force on the pilot valve element 24 in the direction of the solenoid coil 32. Fig.1 upwards - impacted.

[0033] Parallel to the pilot valve element 24, a main valve element 12 is arranged, which is essentially L-shaped with a molded-on projection 37. The main valve element 12 also has a through-opening 20 through which a first internal chamber 450 and a second internal chamber 451 can be fluidically connected. The internal chamber 45 is divided by the main valve element 12 into the first internal chamber 450 and the second internal chamber 451.

[0034] The main valve element 12 is pre-tensioned by a spring 22 and is pressed by this spring against the rounded shoulder 43, with the spring 22 bearing against the valve housing 102. A first sealing seat 18 is thus formed on the main valve element 12, which, together with the main valve element 12, opens and closes a connection between the first internal chamber 450 and the second internal chamber 451, and thus opens and closes the through-opening 20, forming a pilot valve 240.

[0035] The pilot valve element 24 exerts a force on the main valve element 12, opposing the force of the spring 22, thus pressing its shaped portion 37 against a second, conically formed sealing seat 6 on the valve housing 102. The closing force is assisted by the pressure inside the tank 201 and the force of the spring 16. In the switched-off and de-energized state, this closing force ensures the reliable closure of the main valve element 12. Consequently, the main valve element 12, in conjunction with the second sealing seat 18, opens and closes a through-opening 8 formed in the valve housing 102, thus forming a main valve 120.

[0036] A throttle channel 38 is formed between the valve housing 102 and the molding 37 of the main valve element 12, which has a conical widening opposite the direction of the second sealing seat 6, thereby forming a throttling effect.

[0037] The through-opening 8 is formed at the level of the throttle channel 38 and opens into the throttle channel 38. Furthermore, the through-opening 8 opens into a chamber 35 formed in the valve housing 102, which is connected to the tank interior 201 via extraction openings 14 formed in the tank bottom 140.

[0038] The first internal chamber 450 is connected to an inlet line 40 via a control channel 2 formed in the valve housing 102, which can be connected to an inlet area of ​​a consumer system. The system pressure p1 is generated in the control channel 2.

[0039] The operation of the tank device 1 is as follows: In the unenergized state of the magnetic coil 32, the first sealing seat 18 and the second sealing seat 6 are closed, so that no gaseous medium, here hydrogen, can flow from the interior of the tank container 202 via the valve device 100 into the supply line 40, for example in the direction of an inlet area of ​​the consumer system.

[0040] When the solenoid coil 32 is energized via the electrical connection 30, a permanent magnetic field 52 is generated, which has a positive pole region 51 and a negative pole region 50. The permanent magnet 17 is located in the positive pole region 51 of the permanent magnetic field 52 generated by the solenoid coil 32. Due to the mutually repulsive magnetic forces of the permanent magnet 17 in the permanent magnetic field 52, the pilot valve element 24 moves away from the housing cover 28 and thus compresses the spring 16. Through the longitudinal movement of the pilot valve element 24, it lifts off the first sealing seat 18, thereby opening a cross-section from the second interior chamber 451 into the first interior chamber 450 and the through-opening 20.

[0041] The second interior chamber 451 is fluidically connected to the interior of the tank 201 via the extraction port 14, the chamber 35, the through-port 8, and the throttle channel 38, so that the latter is filled with hydrogen. As the hydrogen flows towards the control channel 2 and thus into the supply line 40, a compensating pressure level forms around the main valve element 12, depending on the medium withdrawal by the pressure system.

[0042] Due to the design of the throttle channel 38 as a throttle, more medium, in this case hydrogen, flows out through the through-hole 20 during the opening process than can flow in through the throttle channel 38. In this way, an additional opening force acts on the main valve element 12. Furthermore, the pressure in the second internal chamber 451 is reduced.

[0043] After a short opening time of the first sealing seat 18, the pilot valve element 24 is pressure balanced, which leads to a pressure balance of the main valve element 12.

[0044] The force of the spring 22 assists in releasing the second sealing seat 6, as it pushes the main valve element 12 into opening force, so that the main valve element 12 lifts off the second sealing seat 6 and releases an opening cross-section between the through-opening 8 and the first partial interior 450.

[0045] Hydrogen now flows from the interior of the tank 201 through the passage opening 8 directly into the first interior part 450 in the direction of the control channel 2 and thus into the supply line 40.

[0046] Thus, the first sealing seat 18 and the second sealing seat 6 are now released, and hydrogen flows through both opening cross-sections from the tank interior 201 via the valve device 1 into the supply line 40, for example in the direction of the supply area of ​​the consumer system.

[0047] If the opening cross-section at the first sealing seat 18 is smaller than the opening cross-section at the second sealing seat 6, only small magnetic forces are required for the opening process of the pilot valve element 24 at the first sealing seat 18.

[0048] When the current to the solenoid coil 32 is interrupted, the permanent magnetic field 52 collapses, and with it the repulsive magnetic forces of the permanent magnet 17 and the permanent magnetic field 52 of the solenoid coil 32. A closing force is then applied to the pilot valve element 24 and the main valve element 12 via the spring 16. Depending on the pressure p 2, for example 15 to 1000 bar, in the interior of the tank 201, the closing force, together with the pressure in the neck region 203 of the tank device 1, is transmitted via the pilot valve element 24 and the first sealing seat 18 to the main valve element 12 with the second sealing seat 6.

[0049] Both the first sealing seat 18 and the second sealing seat 6 are now closed again, so that no more hydrogen can flow from the interior of the tank 201 via the valve device 100, for example, towards the inlet area of ​​the consumer system. This self-closing principle also works in an emergency if the power supply is interrupted. However, it is important to note that the force of the spring 22, which acts against the desired flow of force, must not be too high and must be appropriately calibrated. This ensures that no hydrogen can escape from the tank device 1 in an emergency.

[0050] During refueling, the control channel 2 is pressurized via a connected tank unit, such as a filling station. The pressure in the control channel 2 is higher than in the rest of the valve assembly 100. Due to this pressure difference, the pressure ratio at the second sealing seat 6 is greater than in the rest of the valve assembly 100, causing the main valve element 12 to push the pilot valve element 24 towards the interior of the tank 201 against the force of the spring 16. The tank assembly 1 can now be filled via the released second sealing seat 6 and the through-opening 8 until the refueling process is complete. Once the refueling process is finished, no further filling takes place, and the pressure around the main valve element 12 equalizes. The force of the spring 16, together with the resulting differential pressure (p2 > p1), then closes the first sealing seat 18 and the second sealing seat 6.

[0051] The tank device 1 for storing a gaseous medium can be used not only in fuel cell-powered vehicles but also, for example, for hydrogen storage in vehicles with a hydrogen combustion engine as a drive.

Claims

1. Tank device (1) for storing a gaseous medium, in particular hydrogen, having a valve device (100) and a tank container (200), wherein the valve device (100) has a valve housing (102), in which valve housing (102) a pilot valve element (24) which is movable along a longitudinal axis (101) of the tank device (100) is disposed, which pilot valve element (24) for opening and closing a first passage opening (20) interacts with a first seal seat (18) and thus forms a pilot valve (240), wherein the valve device (2) comprises a solenoid (32), by way of which solenoid (32) the pilot valve element (24) is movable along the longitudinal axis (101) of the tank device (1), wherein disposed in the valve housing (102) is a main valve element (12), which main valve element (12) for opening and closing a second passage opening (8) interacts with a second seal seat (6) and thus forms a main valve (120), characterized in that the second seal seat (6) is formed as a conical step (36) on the valve housing (102), in that a permanent magnet (17) is disposed on one end (42) of the pilot valve element (24), which permanent magnet (17) is disposed in the valve device (100) in such a manner that a positive pole element (170) of the permanent magnet (17) is disposed in the direction of a housing cover (28) of the valve device (100) and a negative pole element (171) of the permanent magnet (17) is disposed in the direction of the tank container (200), wherein the permanent magnet (17) is disposed in a positive pole region (51) of a permanent magnetic field (52) generated by the solenoid (32) when the solenoid (32) is energized, wherein the pilot valve element (24) has a step (43), on which step (43) is supported a spring (16), the latter applying a force to the pilot valve element (24) in the direction of one end (42) of the pilot valve element (24), wherein, when the solenoid (32) is de-energized, a closing force acts on the pilot valve element (24) and the main valve element (12) via the spring (16), and wherein formed between the valve housing (102) and a moulding (37) of the main valve element (12), which moulding (37) for opening and closing the second passage opening (8) interacts with the second seal seat (6), is a throttle channel (38), which throttle channel (38), counter to the direction of the second seal seat (6), has a conical enlargement, a throttle effect being formed as a result.

2. Tank device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the valve device (2) is able to be opened in the direction of the tank container (200) when the solenoid (32) is energized.

3. Tank device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second passage opening (8) in the valve housing (102) is formed so as to be level with the throttle channel (38) and opens into the throttle channel (38).

4. Tank device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a chamber (35) is formed in the valve housing (102), which chamber (35) is connected to the throttle channel (38) by means of the passage opening (8).

5. Tank device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the valve device (100) is disposed in a neck region (203) of the tank device (1) and is pressed against a tank base (140) within the neck region (203).

6. Tank device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that formed in the tank base (140) is a retrieval opening (14) which fluidically connects a tank interior (201) and the chamber (35) to one another.

7. Tank device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first seal seat (18) is formed on the main valve element (12).

8. Tank device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main valve element (12) is impinged with a force in the direction of the tank interior (201) by means of a spring (22), as a result of which the main valve element (12) is impinged with a force in the direction of the first seal seat (18) and counter to the direction of the second seal seat (6).

9. Tank device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that formed in the valve housing (102) is an interior space (45), which interior space (45) is divided into a first interior sub-space (450) and a second interior sub-space (451) by the main valve element (12).

10. Tank device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first interior sub-space (450) is connected by means of a spill channel (2) formed in the valve housing (102) to a feed line (40), which feed line (40) is connectable to a feed region of a consumer system.

11. Tank device (1) according to Claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the first interior sub-space (450) and the second interior sub-space (451) are fluidically connectable by means of the first seal seat (18) and / or the second seal seat (6).

12. Fuel cell system having a tank device (1) for storing hydrogen for the operation of a fuel cell, according to one of Claims 1 to 11.

13. Fuel-cell-operated vehicle having a tank device (1) for storing hydrogen for the operation of a fuel cell, according to one of Claims 1 to 11.