SYSTEM WITH A CRYOBASK AND A ONE-PIECE PRESSURE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system comprising a cryogenic container, in particular an LNG container or a hydrogen container, and a heat exchanger with a first heat exchanger tube for cryogenic fluid, wherein a withdrawal line of the cryogenic container is connected to the first heat exchanger tube of the heat exchanger.

[0002] According to the current state of the art, liquefied gases can be stored in containers ("cryogenic containers") to serve as fuel for engines, for example. Liquefied gases are gases that exist in the liquid state at boiling temperature, with the boiling temperature of this fluid being pressure-dependent. If such a cryogenic liquid is filled into a cryogenic container, a pressure corresponding to the boiling temperature is established, apart from thermal interactions with the cryogenic container itself.

[0003] In automotive engineering, the cryogenic fluid can serve as fuel for a vehicle, for which purpose the cryogenic container is carried on the vehicle. Cryogenic containers are typically mounted on the side of the vehicle frame, where, however, only extremely limited installation space is available. Therefore, a frequently discussed problem in the prior art is where to accommodate the components of the cryogenic container's extraction and filling systems. The cryogenic container's extraction system, in particular, comprises a large number of components, such as a heat exchanger for heating the cryogenic fluid extracted from the cryogenic container or converting it into a gaseous state for supply to a vehicle engine. Furthermore, it is known that a so-called pressure management system is provided in the extraction system.A pressure management system is known, for example, from WO 2021 / 026580 A1. Its purpose is to divert cryogenic fluid heated by the external heat exchanger from the extraction line and recirculate it through another heat exchanger extending into the cryogenic vessel, thereby increasing the pressure in the cryogenic vessel. The pressure management system comprises either one or two valves for this purpose.

[0004] However, the size of the components is only one of the factors limiting the available installation space. Another relevant factor is the large number of lines that must be routed between the components. For example, if one considers the system disclosed in EP 3 376 013 A1, one can see that the required lines and the associated connectors occupy almost the entire available installation space on the end cap of the cryogenic vessel.

[0005] However, the large amount of space occupied by the lines is not the only problem encountered in systems like those shown in EP 3 376 013 A1. Another problem, for example, is that each line end must be sealed when connecting to a component. It is clear that the large number of connectors can often lead to errors or incompletely sealed connections. Furthermore, the numerous connections and connectors result in high pressure loss, high costs, and extensive assembly effort.

[0006] The document US 9 640 808 B2 shows another prior art removal system.

[0007] At the same time, the state-of-the-art pipes are highly valued by experts because they are easily replaceable and therefore simple to maintain. Furthermore, individual components such as the heat exchanger can be easily removed from the pipes, making the system highly modular.

[0008] The object of the invention is to make the removal system of a cryogenic container more compact and less susceptible to errors.

[0009] This object is achieved by a system comprising a one-piece pressure management valve block with at least a first inlet opening, a second inlet opening, a first outlet opening and a second outlet opening, wherein at least the first inlet opening, the first outlet opening and the second outlet opening are connected inside the one-piece pressure management valve block by a connecting passage, wherein the connecting passage comprises a first inlet-side connecting section, a first outlet-side connecting section and a second outlet-side connecting section which meet at a first junction point, wherein the one-piece pressure management valve block has at least one outwardly open valve recess, wherein the valve recess is attached to the first outlet-side connecting section, the second outlet-side connecting section or the junction point,wherein a valve is inserted into the valve recess of the one-piece pressure management valve block, and wherein the first heat exchanger tube is connected to the first inlet opening and the first outlet opening is connected to a further heat exchanger projecting into the cryogenic container, which is connected, optionally via a second heat exchanger tube of the first-mentioned heat exchanger, to the second inlet opening of the one-piece pressure management valve block.

[0010] The invention creates a "one-piece pressure management system" for the first time, eliminating the need for individual lines and reducing the number of connection points, thus reducing pressure losses and lowering costs and assembly effort. Furthermore, safety is improved because there are fewer leak points. Typically, a pressure management system requires two separate valves, each with an inlet line and an outlet line. The valves are connected downstream of a T-piece connected to an outlet of the heat exchanger. All of these individual components and the connection points between them can be combined into a single pressure management system valve block, which takes up significantly less space and requires no internal connection points, making it less prone to failure. In particular, the pressure management system valve block minimizes pressure loss, which is a huge advantage.

[0011] According to the invention, several components of the extraction system are thus combined for the first time, which is made possible by the pressure management system valve block. Although one would assume that a one-piece pressure management system valve block would be heavier than the individual components, which is taboo especially in automotive technology, it has surprisingly been found that the use of a pressure management system valve block can reduce the required installation space to such an extent that, for example, the cryogenic container itself can be made larger or other components can be arranged in the space gained, which increases the efficiency of the overall system. Furthermore, the reduction in line lengths in the system alone means that the extraction system operates more efficiently and with less heat loss and pressure loss, so that the disadvantage of the additional weight is overcome at this point.Furthermore, the weight of the block can also be optimized, for example if the valve block is manufactured as a cast block, so that an overall weight advantage can be achieved compared to the state of the art.

[0012] Furthermore, it has surprisingly been found that all the advantages appreciated by the lines are also retained in the "combined" pressure management system valve block according to the invention. On the one hand, individual components such as the heat exchanger can be separated from the pressure management system valve block just as easily. On the other hand, there is no longer any need to replace individual lines, as they are already integrated directly into the pressure management system valve block.

[0013] To further reduce the number of components of the system according to the invention, it is possible, in particular, to provide only one valve in the pressure management system valve block. For this purpose, the valve recess can be positioned at the junction point of the connecting passage, and the valve can be designed as a multi-way valve between the first inlet-side connecting section, the first outlet-side connecting section, and the second outlet-side connecting section. Instead of two valves, only one valve is provided, positioned directly at the junction point.

[0014] In the aforementioned embodiment, it can be provided, for example, that the valve only allows three switching states, wherein in the first switching state only the connection to the first output-side connecting section is completely closed, in the second switching state only the connection to the second output-side connecting section is completely closed and in the third switching state both the connection to the first output-side connecting section and to the second output-side connecting section are completely closed.

[0015] In order to enable more precise control, it can alternatively be provided that the valve is designed to selectively throttle the connection to the first outlet-side connecting section and the connection to the second outlet-side connecting section, ie the ratio between gas phase and liquid phase can be freely selected, e.g. in mutual dependence with exemplary openings (in %) of 70 / 30, 80 / 20, 90 / 10 etc. or in mutual independence with exemplary openings (in %) of 90 / 90, 50 / 60, 10 / 0 etc. In any case, however, it can be provided that both the first outlet-side connecting section and the second outlet-side connecting section can be blocked simultaneously.

[0016] Alternatively or in addition to the aforementioned embodiments, the pressure management system can be formed not or not only by providing a valve at the node, but rather by the one-piece pressure management valve block having a first and a second outwardly open valve recess, wherein the first valve recess is attached to the first output-side connecting section and the second valve recess is attached to the second output-side connecting section, wherein a first valve is inserted into the first valve recess and a second valve is inserted into the second valve recess, wherein the first and the second valve are each proportional valves or valves with discrete switching states.In the case explained in more detail below, in which the second inlet opening is connected to the second outlet-side connecting section, it is preferred that the second valve recess is located between the node point and the connection point of the second inlet opening to the second outlet-side connecting section.

[0017] The aforementioned second inlet port serves to return the cryogenic fluid, which is fed to the internal heat exchanger via the first outlet port, back to the extraction line in a compact manner. The connection of the second inlet port to the connecting line to the engine can be achieved in two different ways.

[0018] First, the second inlet opening within the pressure management valve block can be connected to the second outlet-side connecting section via a second inlet-side connecting section, or the pressure management valve block can comprise a third outlet opening, wherein the second inlet opening within the pressure management valve block is connected to the third outlet opening via a further connecting passage, wherein the further connecting passage is not connected to the aforementioned connecting passage. The latter embodiment is characterized by a particularly simple manufacture of the pressure management valve block.

[0019] In all of the aforementioned embodiments, it is further advantageous that the valves can also be used to completely block a flow, which is not provided for in conventional pressure management systems. In particular, the valves can be closed using a manually operated emergency stop switch. Alternatively, the valves can be connected to a control line that is led to vehicle electronics or to a control unit of the cryogenic container, whereby the valves can be closed automatically, for example in an emergency such as an accident. This can simultaneously increase the safety of the withdrawal system. In addition, it can be provided that the valves can also be additionally blocked manually, e.g. during servicing, in order to give the person the security of being able to rule out any malfunction of the valves.

[0020] According to the invention, not only the pressure management system and its connections or branches can be combined, but also other components of the system. In particular, it was surprisingly discovered that it is even possible to combine all components of the extraction system located between the heat exchanger and the interface to the vehicle, i.e., the connection point of the cryogenic container to the vehicle line. In particular, the pressure management valve block can comprise: a further outwardly open valve recess, which is attached to the second end-side connecting section, wherein a shut-off valve is inserted into the further valve recess. one or more outwardly open sensor recesses for a sensor, which are attached to the first inlet-side connecting section, the second inlet-side connecting section, the first outlet-side connecting section and / or the second outlet-side connecting section. In particular, a temperature sensor can be attached to the second outlet-side connecting section in order to measure the temperature immediately upstream of the second outlet opening, ie the sensor recess is located between the node point and the second outlet opening or between a valve opening in the second outlet-side connecting section and the second outlet opening.

[0021] Furthermore, the one-piece pressure management valve block can have at least one further connecting passage that is not connected to any of the aforementioned connecting passages, wherein the further connecting passage is connected to an inlet line or outlet line for heat exchange medium, to the cryogenic container for withdrawing cryogenic fluid, or to the internal heat exchanger for returning cryogenic fluid through a second heat exchanger tube. The pressure management valve block can also have several of these further connecting passages. These are thus further, independent passages, e.g. a through-bore, in order to achieve an even more compact design. According to the invention, several connecting passages can thus be present in the pressure management valve block that are not connected to one another or are only connected to one another via the bridging lines mentioned below.In a special case, all inlets and outlets of the heat exchanger are connected to openings in the pressure management valve block, so that the heat exchanger only needs to be connected to the pressure management valve block and no other lines.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the system may further comprise a bypass line for paralleling the first heat exchanger tube, a second bypass line for paralleling a second heat exchanger tube of the or an external heat exchanger, and / or a bypass line for paralleling the internal heat exchanger. At least one of the bypass lines within the pressure management valve block is connected to the connecting passage or another connecting passage, and preferably a valve recess is provided for controlling the mass flow via the bypass line. By means of the bypass lines, a mass flow of cryogenic fluid can be paralleled to the respective heat exchanger tube in order to achieve a short-term reduction in pressure loss, since the pressure loss via a heat exchanger is generally higher than via a bypass line.If the bypass line is routed entirely within the valve block, it is a connecting section between two other connecting sections. However, a bypass line can also be routed outside the valve block, e.g., to another valve block, so the bypass line can be a combination of one or more connecting sections in one or more valve blocks and an intermediate line.

[0023] Particularly preferably, the first inlet opening of the one-piece pressure management valve block is connected directly to the first heat exchanger tube or a first outlet of the heat exchanger without any intermediate line. The pressure management valve block can thus be mounted directly to the heat exchanger without the need for an intermediate line.

[0024] If the heat exchanger comprises only one heat exchanger tube, the internal heat exchanger can be directly connected to the second inlet opening via a connecting line. However, it is preferred if the heat exchanger comprises a second heat exchanger tube, and the second inlet opening of the one-piece pressure management valve block is directly connected to the second heat exchanger tube or a second outlet of the heat exchanger without an intermediate line. This, in turn, makes it possible to eliminate the need for space between the heat exchanger and the pressure management valve block.

[0025] A particularly large amount of space can be saved if the heat exchanger is designed in a rod-shaped manner with a jacket surface and two side surfaces, with the pressure management valve block being arranged in an extension of the heat exchanger next to one of the side surfaces.

[0026] Surprisingly, the pressure management valve block even allows the pressure management valve block to replace one side surface of the heat exchanger, e.g. when the heat exchanger comprises a shell, wherein the pressure management valve block forms one of the side surfaces of the heat exchanger and a first end of the shell is fluid-tightly connected to the pressure management valve block.

[0027] In general, the pressure management valve block could be arranged next to an end cap of the cryogenic vessel in order to gain space there. However, in the case of the present pressure management valve block in particular, it is advisable to arrange both components on the shell surface, which means that no additional space has to be provided next to the cryogenic vessel, allowing the vessel to be made particularly long. For this purpose, the cryogenic vessel has a cryogenic vessel shell and two end caps, wherein the heat exchanger is arranged essentially parallel to the cryogenic vessel shell and both the heat exchanger and the pressure management valve block are located next to the cryogenic vessel shell at least partially, preferably completely, between the outer sides of the end caps, i.e. they do not protrude beyond the cryogenic vessel in the longitudinal direction of the cryogenic vessel, whereby connecting lines can be installed more easily at the side of the cryogenic vessel and could protrude beyond the cryogenic vessel lengthwise.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, the heat exchanger and / or the pressure management valve block could also protrude beyond one of the end caps, wherein at least one, preferably all of the inlet openings and / or outlet openings are arranged in the direction of the vehicle frame, ie are normal to the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger or cryogenic vessel and point towards the vehicle frame.

[0029] Furthermore, the system preferably comprises a control unit which is connected to at least one valve, preferably all valves of the pressure management valve block, wherein the control unit is designed to control the mass flow of the cryogenic fluid returned via the internal heat exchanger and / or, if appropriate, to control the mass flow via one of the bypass lines. Although the control of the valves could also be carried out manually in some cases, a control unit is preferred. The control unit can control the valves in such a way that they assume the function of the pressure management system. For example, the proportion of cryogenic fluid fed to the internal heat exchanger is increased if the pressure in the cryogenic container is to be increased. The control of the mass flow via the bypass line is carried out with the aim of temporarily reducing the pressure losses caused by the heat exchangers, e.g.if the heat exchange medium supplied to the heat exchanger is too warm and thus the cryogenic fluid is heated unnecessarily or to compensate for too low pressure in the cryogenic vessel, which could be due to incorrect refueling.

[0030] In the aforementioned embodiment, it is particularly preferred if the system comprises at least one sensor, which is preferably inserted into a sensor recess of the pressure management valve block or an economizer valve block, wherein the control unit is designed to control the valve(s) depending on a measured value supplied by the sensor. If the sensors are also housed in the corresponding valve blocks, a particularly compact system is possible.

[0031] Advantageous and non-limiting embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1shows a removal system and filling system of a cryogenic container according to the state of the art. Figure 2 shows an economizer valve block in a first embodiment. Figure 3 shows the economizer valve block of Figure 2 in a side view. Figure 4 shows an economizer valve block in a second embodiment. Figure 5 shows a pressure management valve block according to the invention in a first embodiment. Figure 6 shows a pressure management valve block according to the invention in a second embodiment. Figure 7 shows a sampling system with the economizer valve block and the pressure management valve block according to the invention. Figure 8 shows an arrangement according to the invention with heat exchanger, economizer valve block and pressure management valve block in a first embodiment. Figure 9 shows an arrangement according to the invention with heat exchanger, economizer valve block and pressure management valve block in a second embodiment. Figure 10 shows a heat exchanger with an integrated connection block. Figure 11 shows a heat exchanger with an integrated pressure management valve block and an integrated economizer valve block in a first embodiment. Figure 12 shows a heat exchanger with an integrated pressure management valve block and an integrated economizer valve block in a second embodiment. Figure 13 shows the arrangement of the heat exchanger of Figure 12 on a cryogenic container. Figure 14 shows an embodiment in which the economizer valve block and the pressure management valve block are implemented together in one valve block. Figure 15 shows a variant of Figure 14 with bridging lines within the valve block.

[0032] Figure 1shows a side view of a cryogenic container 1 according to the prior art. The cryogenic container 1 has a cryogenic container shell 2 and an end cap 3. In the example shown, the cryogenic container shell 2 is cylindrical, which is only partially visible due to the selected view. A withdrawal system is arranged on an end cap 3 of the cryogenic container 1. This withdrawal system includes, among other things, a heat exchanger 4, several lines 5, and connecting elements 6 for the lines 5. The connecting elements 6 are, for example, T-pieces or angles.

[0033] Out of Figure 1 It is clearly visible that the lines 5 occupy almost the entire installation space in front of the cryogenic vessel 1, which requires the cryogenic vessel 1 to be shorter than would be possible in principle, or requires additional components to be arranged at different locations. Furthermore, a fault-prone sealing connection must be created at each interface between line 5 and connection element 6.

[0034] The Figures 2 - 13 now show a system that reduces space requirements and is less prone to errors. Furthermore, this system significantly reduces assembly effort, testing effort, and costs. Since the cryogenic vessel 1, its cryogenic vessel shell 2 and end caps 3, and the heat exchanger 4 are the same or similar to those in Figure 1 can be carried out, the same reference symbols are used.

[0035] In the cryogenic vessel 1 considered here, cryofluid is stored in the gaseous state 7 or liquid state 8. The cryogenic vessel can be, for example, hydrogen, so that the cryogenic vessel 1 is a hydrogen vessel, or the cryogenic vessel can be LNG (liquefied natural gas), so that the cryogenic vessel is an LNG vessel. Depending on the cryogenic vessel, the cryogenic vessel is thus designed to store cryogenic fluid at temperatures of, for example, below 150 Kelvin, in the case of hydrogen even below 50 Kelvin or below 30 Kelvin or essentially 20 Kelvin. Depending on the application, the cryogenic vessel 1 could, for example, be designed to store sLH2 (subcooled liquid hydrogen) or CcH2 (cryocompressed hydrogen) and thus also be designed for correspondingly high pressures, e.g., for maximum pressures between 5 bar and 350 bar.

[0036] The cryogenic container 1 described here is typically used as a fuel tank for a vehicle (not shown in detail) and can be mounted on the vehicle frame for this purpose, for example. In order to supply the cryogenic fluid as fuel to a drive system of the vehicle, such as an engine or fuel cell, two extraction lines 9, 10 are led into the cryogenic container 1. The first extraction line 9 is led into the upper region of the cryogenic container 1 for the extraction of gaseous cryogenic fluid, and the second extraction line 10 is led into the lower region of the cryogenic container 1 for the extraction of liquid cryogenic fluid. The extraction lines 9, 10 pass through either the cryogenic container shell 2 or one of the end caps 3 and are thus led out of the cryogenic container 1.

[0037] To avoid increased space requirements due to cables such as in Figure 1shown, selected components are integrated in front of and / or behind the heat exchanger 4 as a so-called economizer valve block 11 ( Figures 2 to 4 ) or as a so-called pressure management valve block 12 ( Figures 5 and 6 ) is carried out.

[0038] The economizer valve block 11 is designed as a one-piece valve block, for example, made of stainless steel, which is particularly preferred when the cryogenic fluid is hydrogen, or of brass. The economizer valve block 11 has a first inlet opening 13 for the first extraction line 9 and a second inlet opening 14 for the second extraction line 10. Furthermore, the economizer valve block 11 has an outlet opening 15 for connection to the heat exchanger 4.

[0039] Inside the economizer valve block 11, the first inlet port 13, the second inlet port 14, and the outlet port 15 are connected by a connecting passage. The connecting passage consists of a gas-phase connecting section 16, a liquid-phase connecting section 17, and an end-side connecting section 18, which meet at a junction 19.

[0040] The connecting passage may have a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the known lines 5 from Figure 1The diameter of the connecting passage inside the economizer valve block 11 can also vary. For example, the diameters in the gas-phase connecting section 16, the liquid-phase connecting section 17, and the end-side connecting section 18 can be designed differently. The connecting passage can be created by drilling or, for example, can be directly manufactured when the economizer valve block 11 is cast. The same applies to the pressure management valve block 12, which is explained in more detail below.

[0041] To implement a so-called economizer in the economizer valve block 11, one or more valves are provided in the economizer valve block 11 to control the withdrawal ratio of cryogenic fluid in the liquid phase and gas phase. This allows, for example, the pressure in the cryogenic vessel 1 to be actively influenced without releasing gaseous cryogenic fluid into the environment. The functioning of an economizer is generally known, so it will not be discussed further here.

[0042] Figure 2 shows an embodiment in which the economizer valve block 11 has an outwardly open valve recess 20, which is located at node 19. In this valve recess 20, a valve 21 ( Figure 3) can be used to control which proportion of gaseous and liquid cryogenic fluid enters the end-side connecting section 18 and thus into the heat exchanger 4. In this embodiment, the valve 21 is designed as a multi-way valve, since it determines an opening ratio between the gas-phase-side connecting section 16, the liquid-phase-side connecting section 17, and the end-side connecting section 18.

[0043] Figure 3 shows one way in which valve 21 can regulate the extraction ratio. Assuming that Figure 2 a top view of the economizer valve block 11, Figure 3a side view of the economizer valve block 11. In this example, the connecting passage between the openings 13, 14, 15 lies essentially in one plane. In this view, the gas-phase-side connecting section 16 and the liquid-phase-side connecting section 17 thus coincide. Perpendicular to the aforementioned plane, the valve recess 20 penetrates the economizer valve block 11 from top to bottom until it reaches the junction point 19. The valve 21 inserted into the valve recess 20 can now control—depending on the design—by rotation or longitudinal displacement the relationship between the gas-phase-side connecting section 16 or the liquid-phase-side connecting section 17 and the end-side connecting section 18.

[0044] In the simplest case, the valve 21 designed as a multi-way valve allows only three switching states, wherein in the first switching state only the connection to the gas phase side connecting section 16 is completely closed, in the second switching state only the connection to the liquid phase side connecting section 17 is completely closed and in the third switching state both the connection to the gas phase side connecting section 16 and to the liquid phase side connecting section 17 are completely closed.

[0045] In other cases, it is possible to design the multi-way valve as a proportional valve in order to selectively throttle the connection to the gas-phase-side connecting section 16 and the connection to the liquid-phase-side connecting section 17. This makes it possible, for example, to open the connection between the gas-phase-side connecting section 16 and the final-phase-side connecting section 18 by X% and, independently of this, to open the connection between the liquid-phase-side connecting section 17 and the final-phase-side connecting section 18 by 100-X%, where 0 ≤ X ≤ 100. Alternatively, the multi-way valve could be designed to open the connection between the gas-phase-side connecting section 16 and the final-phase-side connecting section 18 between 0-100% and, independently of this, to open the connection between the liquid-phase-side connecting section 17 and the final-phase-side connecting section 18 between 0-100%.These different designs serve the purpose of minimizing pressure losses between the kyo reservoir and the consumer (engine). These pressure losses are lost as unusable pressure intervals for the hold time (relief-free storage period). At the same time, it is desirable to be able to deliberately adjust pressure differences between certain line paths under certain operating conditions.

[0046] Figure 4shows an embodiment in which the economizer valve block 11 has two outwardly open valve recesses 22, 23, the first being attached to the gas phase side connecting section 16 and the second being attached to the liquid phase side connecting section 17. In this embodiment, a first valve (not shown) is inserted into the first valve recess 22 and a second valve (not shown) is inserted into the second valve recess 23. The first and the second valve can each be proportional valves, i.e. they can be opened between 0-100% dependently or independently of one another. Alternatively, the valves could only have discrete switching states, e.g. only be fully closed or fully open and, if necessary, assume an intermediate position of, for example, 50% open.

[0047] The embodiments of the Figures 2 to 4could also be combined, ie outwardly open valve recesses 20, 22, 23 could be attached to the node 19, to the gas phase side connecting section 16 and to the liquid phase side connecting section 17, with valves being inserted into all three valve recesses and all three valves being separately controllable, for example.

[0048] As can be seen from the Figures 2 and 4 As can be seen, the economizer valve block 11 can not only implement the economizer within a one-piece valve block, but even more elements can be integrated into the economizer valve block 11 so that, for example, fewer T-pieces or the like have to be installed in the extraction lines 9, 10.

[0049] As in Figure 2As shown, the economizer valve block 11 can, for example, have a further outwardly open valve recess 24 which is attached to the gas-phase-side connecting section 16, wherein a pressure relief valve 25 is connected to the further valve recess 24, for example inserted into it. The pressure relief valve 25 serves to release gaseous cryogenic fluid from the cryogenic container 1 in the event of a pressure increase in the latter, in order to reduce the risk of damage to the cryogenic container 2. It is therefore usually provided that the pressure relief valve 25 is attached to the gas-phase-side connecting section 16 in front of the valve recess 20 or 22 and not after the valve recess 20 or 22, since the valve 21 could, for example, be closed due to a malfunction, as a result of which the cryogenic container 1 would no longer be connected to the pressure relief valve 25.The pressure relief valve 25 can be inserted directly into the further valve recess 24 or can be connected to the further valve recess 24 by means of a connecting line.

[0050] Figure 2 further shows that the economizer valve block 11 can have an outwardly open connection recess 26 for a drain connection 27, wherein the connection recess 26 is connected to the liquid-phase-side connection section 17, i.e., a further connection passage is provided which connects the connection recess 26 to the liquid-phase-side connection section 17. The drain connection 27 serves to manually drain the cryogenic container 1 without having to guide the cryogenic fluid through the downstream components such as the heat exchanger 4.

[0051] Furthermore, the end-side connecting section 18 can have a recess for an overflow valve 28, wherein the recess can be directly adjacent to the outer wall of the economizer valve block 11 to facilitate the insertion of the overflow valve 28. The overflow valve 28 has the function of limiting the maximum flow through the end-side connecting section 18 so that cryogenic fluid cannot escape uncontrollably in the event of a failure of the extraction system.

[0052] Particularly relevant and specific for the economizer valve block 11 is that it can also comprise a further inlet opening 29 and a further outlet opening 30, which are connected by a further connecting passage 31, wherein the further connecting passage 31 is not connected to the first-mentioned connecting passage. The reason for this further connecting passage 31 is that, due to the extremely limited installation space available, particularly in vehicles, only very little space can be available between the economizer valve block 11 and the heat exchanger 4. For example, it would not always be possible to route a separate, angled line between the economizer valve block 11 and the heat exchanger 4, which, however, is not necessary if the economizer valve block 11 has the aforementioned further connecting passage 31.This embodiment is therefore particularly preferred if the heat exchanger 4 and the economizer valve block 11 are located at a distance of maximum 10 cm, preferably 5 cm, particularly preferably 3 cm from each other.

[0053] Furthermore, the economizer valve block 11 can have one or more outwardly open sensor recesses 32 for a sensor 33, which are attached to the gas phase-side connecting section 16, the liquid phase-side connecting section 17, the end-side connecting section 18 and / or the further connecting passage 31. The sensor is preferably a pressure sensor and / or a temperature sensor and can be connected directly or indirectly via a line to the sensor recess 32. In the example of Figure 2The sensor recess 32 is connected to the further connecting passage 31, and a sensor 33 designed as a temperature sensor is directly connected to the sensor recess 32. Attaching a sensor 33 to the further connecting passage 31 is particularly preferred because measuring the temperature or pressure of a cryogenic fluid returned through the further connecting passage 31 is of particular relevance, as explained in more detail below for the pressure management system.

[0054] The Figures 5 and 6show that the components downstream of the heat exchanger 4 can also be integrated within a one-piece valve block, the so-called pressure management valve block 12. The design of the pressure management valve block 12 is essentially independent of the design of the economizer valve block 11. While the economizer valve block 11 implements an economizer, the pressure management valve block 12 is intended to integrate a so-called pressure management system in a single one-piece valve block. In a pressure management system, a portion of the cryogenic fluid is branched off after the heat exchanger 4 in a generally known manner and led into a further, internal heat exchanger 34 with a third inlet E3 and a third outlet A3, wherein the internal heat exchanger 34 projects into the cryogenic vessel 1. The branching off of a partial flow of cryogenic fluid can, for example, be achieved by deliberately generating a pressure difference between the lines, such asdescribed in WO 2021 / 026580 A1. The print management system is also well known, so it will not be discussed further here.

[0055] The one in the Figures 5 and 6 The heat exchanger 4 shown essentially corresponds to that of the Figures 2 and 4 . Cryogenic fluid removed from the cryogenic vessel 1 therefore first flows through the economizer valve block 11, then the heat exchanger 4, and then the pressure management valve block 12.

[0056] The pressure management valve block 12 comprises at least a first inlet opening 35, a second inlet opening 36, a first outlet opening 37 and a second outlet opening 38. In the embodiment of Figure 5All four openings 35, 36, 37, 38 inside the pressure management valve block 12 are connected to one another by a connecting passage. The second outlet opening 38 is connected to an outlet line out, which can be routed to a consumer, e.g., an engine or a fuel cell, of the vehicle.

[0057] In the embodiment of Figure 6 Only the first input port 35, the first output port 37, and a second output port 38 are connected to each other by a connecting passage. The second input port 36 is connected to a third output port 39 via a further connecting passage 39b, which is not connected to the aforementioned connecting passage. An intermediate line out2 connects to the third output port 39 and connects it to the output line out at a second node 44'.

[0058] In both of the above-mentioned embodiments of the Figures 5 and 6The connecting passage connecting the openings 35, 37 and 38 comprises a first input-side connecting section 40, a first output-side connecting section 41 and a second output-side connecting section 42, which meet at a node 43. The first input-side connecting section 40 extends between the first input opening 35 and the node 43, the first output-side connecting section 41 extends between the first output opening 37 and the node 43 and the second output-side connecting section 42 extends between the second output opening 38 and the node 43. In the embodiment of the Figure 5The second inlet opening 36 within the pressure management valve block 12 is connected via a second inlet-side connecting section 44 to the second outlet-side connecting section 42 at a second node 44', wherein the second outlet-side connecting section 42 extends between the second inlet opening 36 and the second node 44' at the second outlet-side connecting section 42. The second node 44' is located downstream of the first-mentioned node 43.

[0059] In order to implement the function of the pressure management system, the pressure management valve block 12 has at least one outwardly open valve recess 45, wherein the valve recess 45 is attached to the first output-side connecting section 41, the second output-side connecting section 42 or the node 43.

[0060] In Figure 5places the valve recess 45 at the junction point. A valve 46 is inserted into the valve recess 45 ( Figure 8 ), which in this embodiment is designed as a multi-way valve, for example as in Figure 3 , since it determines an opening ratio between the first input-side connecting section 40, the first output-side connecting section 41, and the second output-side connecting section 42. The valve 46 can be designed in the same way as described above for the valve 21.

[0061] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that additional valve recesses 47, 48 are formed on the first output-side connecting section 41 and / or on the second output-side connecting section 42. In this embodiment, a first valve (not shown) can be inserted into the valve recess 47 and a second valve (not shown) can be inserted into the valve recess 48. However, it is also possible to insert a rigid throttle into one of the valve recesses 47, 48.

[0062] The functionality of the pressure management system implemented in the pressure management valve block 12 is now explained using the Figure 7 explained in which the embodiments of the Figures 2 and 5 are combined. However, it is understood that any of the other embodiments could also be combined to achieve the function, even without an economizer, ie without the economizer valve 11.

[0063] According to Figure 7Cryogenic fluid extracted via the extraction lines 9, 10 is passed through the economizer valve block 11 and then fed to the heat exchanger 4, which for this purpose comprises an internal first heat exchanger tube 49 with a first inlet E1 and a first outlet A1, around which heat exchange medium flows, as explained in more detail below. This heats the cryogenic fluid and, if necessary, converts it into a gaseous state. If the temperature or pressure conditions of the cryogenic fluid are suitable for supply to the engine and the pressure in the cryogenic container 1 corresponds to normal pressure, the valve(s) 46 in the valve recesses 45, 47, 48 can shut off the first outlet-side connecting section 41, so that all of the cryogenic fluid introduced into the first inlet-side connecting section 40 is fed to the second outlet-side connecting section 42.

[0064] However, if it is desired to increase the pressure in the cryogenic vessel 1 and / or influence the temperature of the gas supplied to the engine, the valves 46 are adjusted such that at least a portion of the cryogenic fluid is transferred from the inlet-side connecting section 40 to the first outlet-side connecting section 41. In this way, the cryogenic fluid is guided through the internal heat exchanger 34, thereby increasing the pressure in the cryogenic vessel 1. The cryogenic fluid is then optionally guided through a second heat exchanger tube 50 of the heat exchanger 4 to reheat it. The cryogenic fluid is then guided into the second inlet opening 36 of the pressure management valve block 12. The second heat exchanger tube 50 has a second inlet E2 and a second outlet A2 and is typically surrounded by the same heat exchange medium as the first heat exchanger tube 49.Depending on the embodiment, the second heat exchanger tube 50 can also be surrounded by a different heat exchange medium than the first heat exchanger tube 49, so that de facto two separate external heat exchangers are present, which, however, for the sake of simplicity are referred to together as external heat exchanger 4.

[0065] The heat exchanger 4 thus has two independent heat exchange paths through the two separate heat exchanger tubes, each of which is surrounded by the heat exchange medium, which is introduced into the heat exchanger 4 via a medium inlet 51 and is discharged from it via a medium outlet 52 ( Figure 8 ). The heat exchange medium can be, for example, air, gas, water or oil, with the heat of the heat exchange medium preferably being obtained from the waste heat of the engine.

[0066] In a further embodiment, however, it could also be provided that the heat exchanger 4 comprises only the first heat exchanger tube 49 if an output line from the internal heat exchanger 34 is led directly to the second inlet opening 36 of the pressure management valve block 12.

[0067] Like the economizer valve block 11, the pressure management valve block 12 can also implement additional functions. In particular, the pressure management valve block 12 can have a further outwardly open valve recess 54, which is attached to the second end-side connecting section 42. A shut-off valve (not shown) is inserted into the further valve recess 54, which is controlled, for example, via a control unit and can be closed by the control unit in an emergency.

[0068] Furthermore, the pressure management valve block 12 can have one or more outwardly open sensor recesses 55 for sensors 56, which are attached to the first inlet-side connecting section 40, the second inlet-side connecting section 44, the first outlet-side connecting section 41 and / or the second outlet-side connecting passage 42. The sensor is preferably a pressure sensor and / or a temperature sensor and can be connected directly or indirectly via a line to the sensor recess 55. In the example of Figure 5 A first sensor recess 55 is connected to the first input-side connection passage 40, and a sensor 56 designed as a pressure sensor is directly connected to the sensor recess 55. Furthermore, a second sensor recess 55 is connected to the second output-side connection passage 42, and a sensor 56 designed as a temperature sensor is directly connected to the sensor recess 55.

[0069] Out of Figure 7 It is further apparent that the system may comprise a control unit S which may receive measured values from the sensors 33, 56 and from a fill level sensor FS in the cryogenic container 1 and, depending thereon, may control the valves 21, 46 or the other valves located in the described valve recesses. Figure 7 Control lines between the control unit S and the sensors or valves are indicated by arrows in combination with the reference symbol S. The control unit S is not limited to the entire combination, but can also control only the economizer or only the pressure management or individual valves thereof.

[0070] With reference to the Figures 8 to 13The arrangement of the economizer valve block 11 or the pressure management valve block 12 in relation to the heat exchanger 4 will now be explained. Unless expressly described, it is not mandatory that the arrangement of the economizer valve block 11 must be provided only in conjunction with the pressure management valve block 12, or vice versa.

[0071] From the Figures 8 to 13 It can be seen that the heat exchanger 4 can be essentially rod-shaped. Figures 8 and 9the heat exchanger 4 comprises, for example, a shell 57 and two side surfaces 58. Heat exchangers of this type are known per se from the prior art. The shell 57 is usually cylindrical, but can also take on a different shape and, for example, be adapted to the shape of the cryogenic container in order to place it, for example, flatly on the shell surface of the cryogenic container 2. The side surfaces 58 are usually flat plates. The connection openings of the heat exchanger 4 for the heat exchanger tubes 49, 50 are usually located in the side surfaces 58 and the medium inlet 51 and the medium outlet 52 are usually located in the shell 57. The shell 57 and the side surfaces 58 thus enclose a space in which the heat exchanger tube(s) 49, 50 are located, whereby this space is generally only accessible via the medium inlet 51 or the medium outlet 52.

[0072] As in the Figures 8 and 9As shown, the economizer valve block 11 and the pressure management valve block 12, or at least one of them, can be arranged in extension of the rod shape of the heat exchanger 4, ie one valve block 11, 12 next to one of the side surfaces 58, resulting in a linear arrangement, with the heat exchanger 4 in the middle. As a result, the arrangement can be selected to be particularly slim, whereby the available installation space (see, for example, Figure 13 ) can be utilized particularly efficiently and the pressure losses from the cryogenic vessel to the consumer (engine, fuel cell) can be minimized. The side surfaces 58 of the heat exchanger 4 are preferably parallel to one of the side surfaces of the economizer valve block 11 and / or the pressure management valve block 12.

[0073] In the embodiment of Figure 8 lie - as in the Figures 2 to 7As indicated, some of the connection ports are located on one side of the respective valve block 11, 12 and other connection ports are located on another side, normal to this. In order to route the connection lines as efficiently as possible, Figure 9 All openings are arranged on one side of the respective valve block 11, 12, either facing or facing away from the heat exchanger 4. The direction of the outlets, e.g., in the valve blocks 11, 12, can also be arranged such that they are, for example, at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger 4, in order to enable easy connection of the cryogenic container to the vehicle, thereby eliminating, for example, a 90° angle.

[0074] Furthermore, the Figures 8 and 9that the valve blocks 11, 12 can be substantially rectangular and the heat exchanger 4 can be substantially cylindrical. However, the valve blocks 11, 12 and the heat exchanger 4 preferably have a substantially identical shape in cross-section relative to a longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger 4, so that they can be arranged congruently.

[0075] From the Figures 8 and 9It can be seen that the valve blocks 11, 12 are not directly connected to the cryogenic container 1, but that connecting lines 59 can be arranged between them. The connecting lines 59 preferably have a maximum length of 20 cm, preferably a maximum of 10 cm, particularly preferably a maximum of 5 cm. In other embodiments (not shown), the valve blocks 11, 12 or at least one of the valve blocks 11, 12 can be connected directly to the heat exchanger 4. For example, the side surface 58 can have corresponding connecting pieces which are pushed into the respective opening of the respective valve block 11, 12, after which a fluid-tight connection can be established, for example by soldering. The distance between the heat exchanger 4 and the respective valve block 11, 12 can thus be reduced, if necessary to essentially 0 cm.

[0076] Figure 10shows a particularly space-saving embodiment for a novel heat exchanger 60, in which one side surface is formed by a connection block 61. The other side surface can be formed as a flat plate like the side surface 58 of the known heat exchanger 4. The heat exchanger 60 thus comprises a connection block 61, a shell 57, and a flat plate. The shell 57 is connected to the connection block 61 in a fluid-tight manner, e.g., welded thereto. The connection block 61 can be provided at the inlet end or at the outlet end of the heat exchanger 60. Alternatively, the heat exchanger 60 can also have a connection block 61 on both sides, which are connected to the shell 57 in a fluid-tight manner.

[0077] The connection block 61 is designed as a one-piece connection block having at least two external openings 62, 63 for cryogenic fluid and at least one internal opening 64 for cryogenic fluid, which are connected inside the one-piece connection block 61 by a connecting passage 65. The external openings 62, 63 are accessible from the outside, e.g., for the at least indirect connection (via valves, etc.) of the extraction lines 9, 10 when the connection block 61 faces the cryogenic container 1 in the extraction direction, or for the connection of a line leading to the motor or a line leading to the internal heat exchanger 34. The internal opening 64 is connected to the first heat exchanger tube 49.

[0078] In the simplest case, the connection block 61 can thus form a T-piece. However, the connection block 61 can also have at least one further outer opening 66 and at least one further inner opening 67, which are connected inside the one-piece connection block 61 by a further connecting passage 68, wherein the first-mentioned connecting passage 65 and the further connecting passage 68 are not connected.

[0079] Thus, the connection block 61 does not need to have an outwardly open valve recess or be able to accommodate a valve. If it does, it is generally referred to as a valve block and can be designed like the economizer valve block 11 described above or like the pressure management valve block 12. If the connection block 61 forms the economizer valve block 11, the outer openings 62, 63 correspond to the first and second inlet openings 13, 14, respectively, and the inner opening 64 corresponds to the outlet opening 15. If the connection block 61 forms the pressure management valve block 12, the outer openings 62, 63 correspond to the first and second outlet openings 37, 38, respectively, and the inner opening 64 corresponds to the inlet opening 35.

[0080] Preferably, the heat exchanger 60 has the above-described economizer valve block 11 at one end and the above-described pressure management valve block 12 at the other end, these valve blocks being connected by the jacket 57. A corresponding embodiment is shown in Figure 11shown. The heat exchanger tube(s) 49, 50 can then be guided within the casing 57 and surrounded by the heat exchange medium. Even though the heat exchanger tubes 49, 50 are shown as straight tubes in the figures for clarity, they are usually designed as coiled tubes to provide a larger surface area for heat transfer. The first heat exchanger tube 49 can be connected to the outlet opening 15 of the economizer valve block 11 and to the first inlet opening 35 of the pressure management valve block 12. The second heat exchanger tube 50 can be connected to the further outlet opening 30 of the economizer valve block 11 and to the second inlet opening 36 of the pressure management valve block 12.

[0081] In order to connect the jacket 57 in a fluid-tight manner to the connection block(s) 61, the jacket 57 preferably has an inner contour at its ends that corresponds to the outer contour of the respective connection block 61 at the connection point to the jacket 57. This allows the jacket 57 to be guided over the connection block 61, and the jacket 57 can be fastened to the connection block 61 in a fluid-tight manner, for example with a circumferential weld seam. This is shown in the Figures 10 to 13 shown.

[0082] Alternatively, the casing 57 can also have an outer contour at at least one end that corresponds to or is smaller than the outer contour of the respective connection block 61. Here, too, a circumferential weld seam can be used to connect the casing 57 to the connection block(s) 61.

[0083] According to the Figures 10 and 11 The heat exchanger 60 has a medium inlet 51 and a medium inlet 52 on the jacket 57. According to Figure 12However, it can also be provided that the medium inlet 51 and / or the medium outlet 52 are provided in the connection block 61. For example, one of the connection blocks 61 can have both the medium inlet 51 and the medium outlet 52, or one of the connection blocks 61 can have the medium inlet 51 and the other of the connection blocks 61 can have the medium outlet 52. The medium inlet 51 or the medium outlet 52 could also be arranged in the jacket 57 and the corresponding other medium outlet 52 or medium inlet 51 in the connection block 61. If this is provided for the economizer valve block 11 or the pressure management valve block 12, the corresponding valve block will have an additional connecting passage that is not connected to the other connecting passages. This could also be provided if a conventional heat exchanger as in the Figures 8 and 9is used, whereby connecting lines for the heat exchange medium can be provided between the valve block 11, 12 and the heat exchange medium if necessary.

[0084] In principle, the heat exchanger 60 with connection block 61 can also be arranged on an end cap 3 of the cryogenic container 2, for example in a position as in Figure 1 As shown in Figure 13However, as shown, it is particularly suitable to arrange the heat exchanger 60 essentially parallel to the cryogenic container 1 or its cryogenic container shell 2, i.e., a longitudinal axis L1 of the cryogenic container 2 is parallel to a longitudinal axis L2 of the heat exchanger 60. If the cryogenic container 1 is mounted on a vehicle frame by means of support brackets 69, the heat exchanger 60 is located on the upper half of the cryogenic container 1 and faces away from the vehicle frame. Alternatively, the heat exchanger 60 can also be located on the side facing the vehicle frame so as not to be exposed to a direct impact in the event of an accident.

[0085] The heat exchanger 60, for example, lies directly against the cryogenic vessel shell 2 or at a distance from it and is located at least partially between the end caps 3, whereby it can also protrude beyond one of the end caps 3, particularly if these are convex. Particularly preferably, the heat exchanger 60 is located at least partially, preferably completely, within the smallest possible imaginary cuboid that circumscribes the cryogenic vessel 1.

[0086] Figure 14shows an embodiment in which a valve block 11, 12 is used that combines the functionalities of the economizer valve block 11 and the pressure management valve block 12. This valve block 11, 12 thus has an inlet opening 13 for a line for withdrawing cryogenic fluid in the gas phase, an inlet opening 14 for a line for withdrawing cryogenic fluid in the liquid phase, an inlet opening 29 for a connection to the outlet A3 of the internal heat exchanger 34, an outlet opening 37 for a connection to the inlet E3 of the internal heat exchanger 34, and an outlet opening 38 for the outlet line out. All of these openings can, but do not have to, be arranged on a common side of the valve block 11, 12.Furthermore, the valve block 11, 12 has an outlet opening 15 for the inlet opening E1 of the first heat exchanger tube 49, an inlet opening 35 for the outlet opening A1 of the first heat exchanger tube 49, an outlet opening 30 for the inlet opening E2 of the second heat exchanger tube 50, and an inlet opening 36 for the outlet opening A2 of the second heat exchanger tube 50. Furthermore, the valve block 11, 12 can comprise inlet openings and outlet openings for heat exchange medium (not shown). The connecting passages, valve recesses, and optional embodiments are as described for FIG. Figures 2 to 7 described executable.

[0087] As in Figure 15 As shown, the valve block 11, 12 and the external heat exchanger 4 can be spaced apart and connected by intermediate lines. Alternatively, it would be as in Figure 15shown possible to mount the valve block 11, 12 directly and without intermediate lines to the external heat exchanger 4 or to integrate the valve block 11, 12 as a side wall in the heat exchanger, as with regard to the Figures 10 to 13 described.

[0088] Returning to Figure 7 It is shown that for parallel connection of the heat exchanger tubes 49, 50 or the internal heat exchanger 34, bridging lines 53a, 53b, 53c can be provided as follows: a first bridging line 53a for the first heat exchanger tube 49, wherein the first bridging line 53a connects to the end-side connecting section 18 or to a line originating from the first inlet E1 upstream of the first inlet E1 of the first heat exchanger tube 49, and connects to the first inlet-side connecting section 40 or to a line originating from the first outlet A1 downstream of the first outlet A1 of the first heat exchanger tube 49; a second bridging line 53b for the second heat exchanger tube 50, wherein the second bridging line 53b connects to the further connecting passage 31 or to a line originating from the second inlet E2 upstream of the second inlet E2, and connects to the second inlet-side connecting section 44 or to a line originating from the second outlet A2 downstream of the second outlet A2;a third bridging line 53c for the internal heat exchanger 34, wherein the third bridging line 53c connects to the first outlet-side connecting section 41 or to a line originating from the third inlet E3 upstream of the third inlet E3 and connects to the further connecting passage 31 or to a line originating from the third outlet A3 downstream of the third outlet A3.

[0089] Valves 53d, 53e, 53f can be arranged in the bypass lines 53a, 53b, 53c, which are optionally inserted into valve recesses of the valve blocks 11, 12. The valves 53d, 53e, 53f can be designed as 2 / 2-way valves in the bypass lines 53a, 53b, 53c, as shown for the valve 53d, or as multi-way valves at the front or rear connection point to the respective line or to the respective connecting passage, as shown for the valves 53e, 53f. The valves 53d, 53e, 53f are preferably connected to the control unit S or can be manually operated.The control unit S can, in particular in this embodiment, be connected to at least one sensor for determining pressure measurement values and / or temperature measurement values, wherein the sensor is arranged, as explained above, in the cryogenic container 1, in one of the valve blocks 11, 12 or in a line connected thereto, in particular in the output line out, wherein the control unit S is designed to control a mass flow of cryogenic fluid through the first, second and / or third bridging line 53a, 53b, 53c as a function of the pressure measurement values and / or temperature measurement values received from the sensor, e.g. by controlling the valves 53d, 53e, 53f accordingly.

[0090] The control unit S can be configured to receive or determine a temperature downstream of the second node 44', a pressure downstream of the second node 44', and a pressure in the cryogenic container 1, and to regulate a mass flow via the second inlet-side connecting section 44, the first, second, and / or third bypass line 53a, 53b, 53c under the conditions that the temperature downstream of the second node 44' or in the outlet line out is at or above a predetermined minimum temperature, the pressure downstream of the second node 44' or in the outlet line out is at or above a predetermined minimum pressure, and the pressure in the cryogenic container 1 is minimized. For this purpose, the control unit S can: increase the mass flow through the first bypass line 53a or the second bypass line 53b if the temperature downstream of the second node 44' is above a predetermined threshold; increase the mass flow through the third bypass line 53c if the temperature downstream of the second node 44' is below a predetermined threshold; increase the mass flow of cryogenic fluid via the first bypass line 53a if the pressure in the cryogenic container 1 or downstream of the second node 44' is below a predetermined threshold, wherein the control unit S is preferably designed to relax or override a condition regarding a required minimum temperature of the consumer.

[0091] With the bridging lines 53a, 53b, 53c, in particular, the start of the consumer can also be optimized, since the temperature of the heat exchange medium will change after the start of the consumer, ie the heat exchange medium is provided at a first temperature at the start of operation and after a predetermined period of time after the start of operation, the heat exchange medium is provided at a second temperature which is higher than the first temperature.The external heat exchanger 4 can be designed to bring the cryogenic fluid to at least the predetermined minimum temperature of the consumer at the start of operation when the cryogenic fluid is passed through the first heat exchanger tube 49 once, and the control unit S can be designed to not conduct a mass flow of cryogenic fluid via the first bypass line 53a and / or the second bypass line 53b at the start of operation, and to conduct a mass flow of cryogenic fluid via the first bypass line 53a and / or the second bypass line 53b after the predetermined period of time, optionally under the condition that the temperature downstream of the second node is at a predetermined minimum temperature.Alternatively, the external heat exchanger 4 can be designed to bring the cryogenic fluid to a temperature below the predetermined minimum temperature of a consumer at the start of operation when the cryogenic fluid is passed through the first heat exchanger tube 49 only once, and the control unit S can be designed to conduct a mass flow of cryogenic fluid via the third bypass line 53c at the start of operation and to conduct no mass flow of cryogenic fluid via the third bypass line 53c after the predetermined period of time, optionally under the condition that the temperature downstream of the second node is at a predetermined minimum temperature.

[0092] As in Figure 7As shown, the bridging lines 53a, 53b, 53c can be routed at least or entirely outside the valve blocks 11, 12, however, the connection point to the respective connecting section is located within the valve block 11, 12, again eliminating the need for an external T-piece or valve. In these embodiments, only one of the valve blocks 11, 12 could also be used.

[0093] Figure 15 shows an embodiment in which the bridging lines 53a, 53b, 53c are provided entirely within a single valve block 11, 12, which is the case with a valve block as in Figure 14 shown is feasible.

[0094] The invention described herein relates in particular to the pressure management functions of the system, and all variants, particularly with regard to the economizer functions, are merely optional and not restrictive, unless otherwise stated. In particular, the valve block of the Figures 13 and 14 For example, it may also comprise only one of the inlet openings 13, 14, which is connected to the cryogenic container 1 for the removal of cryogenic fluid, ie the connecting passage comprises only one inlet 13, 14 and only one outlet 15.

Claims

1. System comprising a cryogenic container (1), in particular an LNG container or a hydrogen container, and a heat exchanger (4, 60) with a first heat exchanger tube (49) for cryogenic fluid, wherein a withdrawal line (9, 10) of the cryogenic container (1) is connected to the first heat exchanger tube (49) of the heat exchanger (4), characterised in that the system comprises a single-piece pressure management valve block (12) having at least a first inlet port (35), a second inlet port (36), a first outlet port (37) and a second outlet port (38), wherein at least the first inlet port (35), the first outlet port (37) and the second outlet port (38) are connected inside the single-piece pressure management valve block (12) by a connecting passage, wherein the connecting passage comprises a first inlet-side connecting section (40), a first outlet-side connecting section (41) and a second outlet-side connecting section (42), which meet at a first node point (43), wherein the single-piece pressure management valve block (12) has at least one outwardly open valve recess (45), wherein the valve recess (45) is located at the first outlet-side connecting section (41), at the second outlet-side connecting section (42) or at the node point (43), wherein a valve (46) is inserted into the valve recess (45) of the single-piece pressure management valve block (12), and wherein the first heat exchanger tube (49) is connected to the first inlet port (36) and the first outlet port (37) is connected to a further heat exchanger (34) which projects into the cryogenic container (1) and which is connected, optionally via a second heat exchanger tube of the first-mentioned heat exchanger (4), to the second inlet port (37) of the single-piece pressure management valve block (12).

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the valve recess (45) is located at the node point (43) of the connecting passage and the valve (46) is designed as a multi-way valve between the first inlet-side connecting section (40), the first outlet-side connecting section (41) and the second outlet-side connecting section (42).

3. System according to claim 2, wherein the valve (46) enables only three switching states, wherein in the first switching state only the connection to the first outlet-side connecting section (41) is completely closed, in the second switching state, only the connection to the second outlet-side connecting section (42) is completely closed, and in the third switching state, both the connection to the first outlet-side connecting section (41) and to the second outlet-side connecting section (42) are completely closed, wherein the valve is preferably designed to selectively throttle the connection to the first outlet-side connecting section (41) and the connection to the second outlet-side connecting section (42).

4. System according to claim 1, wherein the single-piece pressure management valve block (12) has a first and a second outwardly open valve recess (47, 48), wherein the first valve recess (47) is located at the first outlet-side connecting section (41) and the second valve recess (48) is located at the second outlet-side connecting section (42), wherein a first valve is inserted into the first valve recess (47) and a second valve is inserted into the second valve recess (48), wherein the first and second valves are each proportional valves or valves with discrete switching states.

5. System according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second inlet port (36) within the pressure management valve block (12) is connected to the second outlet-side connecting section (42) via a second inlet-side connecting section (44).

6. System according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pressure management valve block (12) comprises a third outlet port (39), wherein the second inlet port (36) within the pressure management valve block (12) is connected to the third outlet port (39) via a further connecting passage (39b), wherein the further connecting passage (39b) is not in communication with the aforementioned connecting passage.

7. System according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the single-piece pressure management valve block (12) comprises a further outwardly open valve recess (54), which is attached to the second end-side connecting section (42), wherein a shut-off valve is inserted into the further valve recess (42).

8. System according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the single-piece pressure management valve block (12) comprises one or more outwardly open sensor recesses (55) for a sensor (56), which attach to the first inlet-side connecting section (40), to the second inlet-side connecting section (44), to the first outlet-side connecting section (41) and / or to the second outlet-side connecting section (42).

9. System according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the single-piece pressure management valve block (12) comprises at least one further connecting passage which is not connected to any of the aforementioned connecting passages, wherein the further connecting passage is connected to an outlet line for heat exchange medium, to the cryogenic container (1) for withdrawing cryogenic fluid or to the internal heat exchanger (34) for returning cryogenic fluid through a second heat exchanger tube (50).

10. System according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a bypass line (53a) for connecting the first heat exchanger tube (49) in parallel, a second bypass line (53b) for connecting a second heat exchanger tube of the or of an external heat exchanger (4) and / or a bypass line (53c) for connecting the internal heat exchanger (34) in parallel, wherein at least one of the bypass lines (53a, 53b, 53c) is connected within the pressure management valve block (12) to the connecting passage or a further connecting passage and preferably a valve recess is provided for controlling the mass flow via the bridging line (53a, 53b, 53c).

11. System according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first inlet port (35) of the single-piece pressure management valve block (12) is directly connected to the first heat exchanger tube (49) or a first outlet of the heat exchanger (4) without an intermediate line, wherein the heat exchanger (4, 60) preferably comprises a second heat exchanger tube (50) and wherein the second inlet opening (36) of the single-piece pressure management valve block (12) is connected directly to the second heat exchanger tube (49) or a second outlet of the heat exchanger (4) without an intermediate line.

12. System according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the heat exchanger (4) is rod-shaped with a shell surface (57) and two side surfaces (58), wherein the pressure management valve block (12) is arranged in extension of the heat exchanger (4) next to one of the side surfaces (58).

13. System according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the heat exchanger (60) comprises a shell (57), wherein the pressure management valve block (12) forms one of the side surfaces of the heat exchanger (60) and a first end of the shell (57) is connected to the pressure management valve block (12) in a fluid-tight manner.

14. System according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the cryogenic container (1) comprises a cryogenic container shell (2) and two end caps (3), wherein the heat exchanger (4, 60) is arranged substantially parallel to the cryogenic container shell (2) and both the heat exchanger (4, 60) and the pressure management valve block (12) are located next to the cryogenic container shell (2) at least partially between the end caps (3), wherein the heat exchanger (4, 60) and / or the pressure management valve block (12) preferably protrude beyond one of the end caps (3), wherein at least one, preferably all, of the inlet openings and / or outlet openings are arranged in the direction of the vehicle frame.

15. System according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a control unit (S) which is connected to at least one valve (46), preferably all valves (46) of the pressure management valve block (12), wherein the control unit (S) is adapted to control the mass flow of the cryogenic fluid recirculated via the internal heat exchanger and / or optionally to control the mass flow via one of the bypass lines, wherein the system preferably further comprises at least one sensor, which is preferably inserted into a sensor recess of the pressure management valve block (13) or an economiser valve block (12), wherein the control unit (S) is configured to control the valve(s) (46) as a function of a measured value supplied by the sensor.