Method for operating a fluid reservoir system, and fluid reservoir system which can be operated using such a method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a fluid reservoir system (2) having at least one fluid tank (4), in which the fluid is stored under pressure; at least one valve unit (6) that is functionally paired with the fluid tank (4) and can be switched from an open functional position, in which fluid can flow through the valve unit (6), to a closed functional position, in which the fluid is blocked from flowing through the valve unit (6); at least one sensor means (20), by means of which an ACTUAL pressure of the fluid can be detected on the downstream side of the valve unit (6); and at least one control unit (22) that is functionally paired with the at least one sensor means (20), stores a TARGET pressure range on the downstream side of the valve unit (6) in the closed functional position, can be used to actuate at least the valve unit (6) so as to open and close, and is used to carry out a valve cleaning process at least when an ACTUAL pressure is detected lying outside of the TARGET pressure range in the closed functional positions of the valve unit (6), said valve unit (6) being converted from the closed functional position to the open functional position and back to the closed functional position during the cleaning process.

Description

[0001] METHOD FOR OPERATING A FLUID STORAGE SYSTEM AND

[0002] FLUID STORAGE SYSTEM USING SUCH A PROCESS

[0003] IS OPERATIVE

[0004] The invention relates to a method for operating a fluid storage system and a fluid storage system that can be operated using such a method.

[0005] Fluid storage systems are known in various forms from the prior art. In these systems, a fluid is stored in a tank and supplied to a consumer via a piping system. In known fluid storage systems, a valve unit is located directly on the fluid tank, through which the fluid from the tank can be passed via a distribution unit, into which several valve units flow, to a control unit, from which the fluid can be supplied to a consumer. To ensure a long, maintenance-free service life of the fluid storage system, several filters are provided in the fluid storage system, through which particles in the fluid can be filtered out and stored.

[0006] During operation of the fluid storage system, it can never be completely avoided that particles transported with the fluid can settle in the valve unit's valve element. If such settling or clogging occurs in the valve unit in the area of ​​the valve seat and valve piston, the risk of the solenoid valve not closing completely in a closed functional position is increased.

[0007] An object of an embodiment of the invention is to propose a method for operating a fluid storage system and a fluid storage system operable according to such a method, by which a high degree of tightness of a valve unit can be ensured for the duration of an operating cycle of the fluid storage system. This object is achieved by a method for operating a fluid storage system, which comprises at least one fluid tank in which a fluid is stored under pressure, at least one valve unit that is functionally associated with the fluid tank and can be transferred from an open functional position in which fluid can flow through the valve unit to a closed functional position in which flow through the valve unit is blocked, at least one sensor means by which an actual pressure of the fluid on the downstream side of the valve unit can be detected, and at least one control unit,to which the at least one sensor means is functionally assigned, in which a nominal pressure range is stored on the downstream side of the valve unit in the closed functional position, by means of which at least the valve unit can be controlled to open and close, and by means of which, at least when an actual pressure outside the nominal pressure range is detected in the closed functional position of the valve unit, a valve cleaning is carried out, in which the valve unit is transferred from the closed functional position to the open functional position and back again to the closed functional position.

[0008] Because the control unit, in conjunction with the sensor, detects when the actual pressure of the valve unit in the closed functional position is outside the target pressure range, the valve unit can detect a leak in the valve unit. If the actual pressure of the valve unit in the closed functional position is outside the target pressure range, the control unit can conclude that the valve seat of the valve unit is clogged with particles, resulting in the reduced tightness of the valve unit.

[0009] The target pressure range includes a pressure range that occurs when the valve unit is completely closed and has unrestricted tightness.

[0010] By performing valve cleaning by the control unit in such a case, the particles can be loosened and removed, thereby cleaning at least the valve seat of one of the valve elements of the valve unit and increasing the tightness of the valve unit. Because valve cleaning involves opening and closing the valve unit, the valve unit can be flushed without requiring external intervention in the fluid storage system.

[0011] The valve unit can be a so-called “on tank valve”, i.e. a valve unit that is arranged directly on a fluid tank.

[0012] The valve unit can comprise one or more valve means. The valve unit is easy to control if the at least one valve unit comprises at least one solenoid valve, which can be moved by the control unit from the closed functional position to the open functional position and back to the closed functional position.

[0013] In principle, it is conceivable that valve cleaning exclusively involves opening and closing the valve unit, in particular the solenoid valve, in order to clean the valve unit, in particular the solenoid valve. The cleaning effect can be further enhanced if valve cleaning involves increasing and / or decreasing the pressure of the fluid flowing through the at least one valve unit by means of a pressure control element.

[0014] By increasing and / or decreasing the pressure, a detaching effect on the particles that have settled in the valve unit, especially in the solenoid valve, can be improved.

[0015] The fluid tank can be a high-pressure tank. It can store fluids in liquid or gaseous form at 50 bar or more.

[0016] If the valve cleaning comprises increasing or decreasing the pressure, it proves advantageous if the increasing and / or decreasing of the pressure of the fluid flowing through the at least one valve unit by the pressure control element comprises a pressure difference of at least 5 bar, in particular of at least 10 bar, in particular of at least 20 bar, and / or if a minimum pressure of the fluid comprises 9 bar and / or a maximum pressure of the fluid comprises 29 bar during the valve cleaning. Alternatively or in addition to increasing and / or decreasing the pressure of the fluid flowing through the valve unit, it proves advantageous if the valve cleaning comprises increasing and / or decreasing the mass flow of the fluid flowing through the at least one valve unit.

[0017] Furthermore, the release of trapped particles in the valve unit, in particular in a valve seat of a solenoid valve, can be further improved if the pressure and / or mass flow rate of the fluid flowing through the at least one valve unit is increased and / or decreased once upon opening and closing of the valve unit, in particular the solenoid valve, or at least twice upon opening and closing of the valve unit, in particular the solenoid valve.

[0018] In embodiments of the method, it is provided that between the transfer into the open functional position and the transfer into the closed functional position of the at least one valve unit, in particular the solenoid valve, there is a time period of a maximum of 90 seconds, in particular a maximum of 60 seconds, in particular a maximum of 30 seconds, in particular a maximum of 15 seconds.

[0019] If the time between opening and closing of at least one valve unit is 15 seconds or less, the cleaning process can be performed in a time-optimized manner. If the time between opening and closing is 90 seconds or less, the cleaning effect can be improved compared to shorter periods.

[0020] The fluid storage system can comprise a single fluid tank with a single valve unit arranged thereon. Furthermore, embodiments of the fluid storage system are conceivable in which at least two, in particular at least three, fluid tanks are provided, each of which has a valve unit assigned to the respective fluid tank. Furthermore, it is conceivable for at least two valve units to be arranged on one fluid tank.

[0021] If the fluid storage system comprises a plurality of valve units, it proves to be advantageous if the fluid storage system comprises at least one distributor unit into which the at least two valve units, in particular at least three valve units, open in a distributor section of the distributor unit, through which the inflowing fluid can be passed on to a consumer and in which the sensor means is arranged in the distributor section, wherein the actual pressure of the fluid in the distributor section of the distributor unit detected by the sensor means is detected.

[0022] By providing a distribution unit, fluid from different valve units can be fed into a single fluid control system. The at least two valve units flow into the distribution unit, causing the fluid flowing there to mix in the distribution unit, particularly in the distribution section. A resulting pressure is established in the distribution section of the distribution unit.

[0023] If the sensor means is arranged in the distributor section of the distributor unit, the fluid storage system can be designed with fewer components. In this case, a single sensor means in the distributor section can provide information about the tightness of the at least two valve units.

[0024] If the sensor means is arranged in the distributor section of the distributor unit and if the detected actual pressure of the fluid is outside the desired pressure range, the control unit cannot immediately determine which of the at least two valve units has a leak or whether both valve units have a leak.

[0025] In a further development of the method, it therefore proves to be advantageous if, when the actual pressure outside the target pressure range is detected, the at least two valve units, in particular the at least three valve units, are transferred individually and successively from the closed functional position to the open functional position and back again to the closed functional position.

[0026] In such a case, if a leak is detected or concluded in one or both valve units, both valve units are cleaned individually and one after the other.

[0027] In principle, it is conceivable that after completion of valve cleaning of a valve unit, i.e., upon reaching the valve unit in the closed functional position, the further valve unit is immediately transferred into the open functional position. In embodiments of the method, it is provided that a time period of at least five seconds, in particular of at least ten seconds, in particular of at least 20 seconds, elapses between the transfer of a valve unit, in particular of the solenoid valve, into the closed functional position and the renewed transfer of the valve unit, in particular of the solenoid valve, into the open functional position or the transfer of at least one further valve unit into the open functional position.

[0028] This proves to be particularly advantageous if, between the transfer into the closed functional position of the valve unit, in particular of the solenoid valve, and the renewed transfer into the open functional position of the valve unit, in particular of the solenoid valve, or the transfer into the open functional position of the at least one further valve unit, the actual pressure of the fluid is detected and a check is carried out as to whether the detected actual pressure lies within or outside the nominal pressure range, wherein the valve cleaning is terminated when the actual pressure lies within the nominal pressure range and wherein the valve cleaning is continued when the actual pressure lies outside the nominal pressure range.

[0029] In such a case, valve cleaning can be terminated if the actual pressure detected by the control unit is within the target pressure range.

[0030] In particular, it proves to be advantageous if there is a time period of at least 5 seconds, in particular of at least 10 seconds, in particular of at least 20 seconds, between the closing of a valve unit, i.e. the arrangement of the one valve unit in the closed functional position, in order to disregard flow effects that arise when the valve unit is closed.

[0031] In order to reduce the risk of contamination, in particular of clogging of a valve seat, of the valve unit, in particular of the solenoid valve, it proves advantageous if at least one of the at least one valve unit of the fluid storage system comprises at least one first filter means arranged between the fluid tank and the solenoid valve and at least one second filter means arranged between the solenoid valve and the valve unit outlet, through which dirt particles can be filtered and stored. Because the valve unit comprises a first filter means and a second filter means, particles released during valve cleaning can be filtered and retained in the first filter means and / or the second filter means. This reduces the risk of other components becoming clogged with particles.

[0032] Furthermore, the object is achieved by a fluid storage system with at least one fluid tank in which a fluid is stored under pressure, with at least one valve unit which is functionally assigned to the fluid tank and which can be transferred from an open functional position in which fluid can flow through the valve unit into a closed functional position in which a flow of fluid through the valve unit is blocked, with at least one sensor means by which an actual pressure of the fluid on the downstream side of the valve unit can be detected, and with at least one control unit, wherein the fluid storage system can be operated using a method with the aforementioned features.

[0033] In one embodiment of the fluid storage system, it comprises at least three valve units and at least one distribution unit, which comprises a distribution section in which the three distribution units are arranged and in which the sensor means is arranged.

[0034] Finally, in one embodiment of the fluid storage system, it is provided that at least one of the valve units comprises a solenoid valve which can be transferred by the control unit from the closed functional position to the open functional position and back again to the closed functional position and / or that at least one of the valve units comprises at least one first filter means arranged between the fluid tank and the solenoid valve and at least one second filter means arranged between the solenoid valve and the valve unit outlet, through which dirt particles can be filtered and stored.

[0035] Further features, details and advantages of the invention emerge from the appended patent claims, from the drawings and the following description of a preferred embodiment of the fluid storage system and the method.

[0036] In the drawing: Figure 1 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a fluid storage system;

[0037] Figure 2 A schematic detailed view of a valve unit of the fluid storage system according to Figure 1;

[0038] Figure 3 A sectional view through a valve means of a valve unit in the open functional position;

[0039] Figure 4 A schematic flow diagram of an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0040] Figure 1 shows a fluid storage system according to the invention, designated overall by the reference numeral 2. This comprises three fluid tanks 4, each of which stores pressurized fluid. A valve unit 6 is arranged on each of the fluid tanks 4, which is functionally assigned to the fluid tank 4 and which can be transferred from an open functional position, in which fluid can flow through the valve unit 6, to a closed functional position, in which flow through the valve unit 6 is blocked. The valve unit 6 comprises a solenoid valve 8, which can be transferred from a closed functional position to an open functional position.

[0041] A first filter means 10 is arranged between the solenoid valve 8 and the fluid tank 4, and a second filter means 14 is provided between the solenoid valve 8 and the valve unit outlet 12.

[0042] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the fluid storage system 2 comprises a distributor unit 16, which includes a distributor section 18. The three valve units 6 open into the distributor section 18.

[0043] In addition, a sensor means 20 is arranged in the distributor section 18, by means of which an actual pressure of the fluid on the downstream side of the valve unit 6 can be detected.

[0044] In addition, the fluid storage system 2 comprises a control unit 22, to which the at least one sensor means 20 is functionally assigned. In the control unit 22, a desired pressure range is stored on the downstream side of the valve unit 6 in the closed functional position. In conjunction with the sensor means 20, the control unit 22 detects an actual pressure of the fluid in the distributor section 18. If the control unit 22 determines that an actual pressure is outside the desired pressure range, the control unit 22 performs a valve cleaning. Figure 3 illustrates that one reason for a deviation of the actual pressure from the desired pressure range in the closed functional position of the valve unit 6 can be contamination of a valve seat 24 with particles. The valve cleaning is intended to loosen and remove these particles from the valve seat 24 of the solenoid valve 8 of the valve unit 6.

[0045] The method according to the invention is described below with reference to Figure 4 with the aid of Figures 1 to 3:

[0046] In a first step 100, the control unit 22, to which the sensor means 20 is functionally assigned, detects an actual pressure of the fluid on the downstream side of the valve units 6 when the valve units 6 are in the closed functional position. A target pressure range for the valve units 6 in the closed functional position is stored in the control unit 22. If the control unit 22 detects in step 100 that the detected actual pressure lies outside the target pressure range, the control unit 22 performs a valve cleaning.

[0047] In a first step 101a, one of the three valve units 6 is moved from the closed functional position to the open functional position and then moved back to the closed functional position. A maximum time period of 90 seconds can elapse between moving the valve unit 6 to the open functional position and moving it back to the closed functional position. Furthermore, in the open functional position of the respective valve unit 6, the pressure of the fluid can be increased and / or decreased and / or a mass flow rate of the fluid flowing through the valve unit 6 can be increased or decreased once or repeatedly.

[0048] After transferring valve unit 6 in step 101a, the actual pressure of the fluid is again detected by sensor means 20. If it is still outside the nominal pressure range, the next valve unit 6 is cleaned by the previously described valve cleaning process in a subsequent step 101b. Once the valve cleaning of the further valve unit 6 is also completed in step 101b, the actual pressure of the fluid is again detected by sensor means 20, and the control unit 22 checks whether the actual pressure is outside the nominal pressure range. If the actual pressure is outside the nominal pressure range, the remaining further valve unit 6 is cleaned by the valve cleaning process in a subsequent step 101c.

[0049] If it is subsequently determined that the actual pressure is still outside the target pressure range, steps 101a to 101c are repeated until the actual pressure is within the target pressure range. If this is the case, the system returns to step 100, where the control unit 22 monitors the actual pressure and compares it with the stored target pressure range.

[0050] The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the claims and in the drawings can be essential both individually and in any combination in the realization of the invention in its various embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

[0051] List of reference symbols

[0052] 2 Fluid storage system 4 Fluid tank

[0053] 6 Valve unit

[0054] 8 Solenoid valve

[0055] 10 first filter medium

[0056] 12 Valve unit outlet 14 second filter medium

[0057] 16 distribution unit

[0058] 18 Distribution section

[0059] 20 sensor devices

[0060] 22 Control unit 24 Valve seat

[0061] 100-101c Procedural steps

Claims

P a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e 1. Method for operating a fluid storage system (2) comprising at least one fluid tank (4) in which a fluid is stored under pressure, at least one valve unit (6) which is functionally assigned to the fluid tank (4) and which can be converted from an open functional position in which fluid can flow through the valve unit (6) to a closed functional position in which flow through the valve unit (6) is blocked, at least one sensor means (20) by which an actual pressure of the fluid on the downstream side of the valve unit (6) can be detected, and at least one control unit (22) to which the at least one sensor means (20) is functionally assigned in which a setpoint pressure range on the downstream side of the valve unit (6) is stored when in the closed functional position,by which at least the valve unit (6) can be controlled for opening and closing and by which, at least when an actual pressure outside the target pressure range is detected in the closed functional position of the valve unit (6), a valve cleaning is carried out, in which the valve unit (6) is moved from the closed functional position to the open functional position and back to the closed functional position.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one valve unit (6) comprises at least one solenoid valve (8) which can be moved by the control unit (22) from the closed functional position to the open functional position and back to the closed functional position.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the valve cleaning comprises increasing and / or decreasing the pressure of the fluid flowing through the at least one valve unit (6) by means of a pressure regulating element.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the raising and / or lowering of the pressure of the fluid flowing through the at least one valve unit (6) by the pressure regulating element comprises a pressure difference of at least 5 bar, in particular of at least 10 bar, in particular of at least 20 bar, and / or that a minimum pressure of the fluid comprises 9 bar and / or a maximum pressure of the fluid comprises 29 bar during valve cleaning. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve cleaning comprises increasing and / or decreasing the mass flow rate of the fluid flowing through the at least one valve unit (6). A method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the increasing and / or decreasing of the pressure and / or mass flow rate of the fluid flowing through the at least one valve unit (6) occurs once when the valve unit (6), in particular the solenoid valve (8), is opened and closed, or occurs at least twice when the valve unit (6), in particular the solenoid valve (8), is opened and closed.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a time interval of a maximum of 90 seconds, in particular a maximum of 60 seconds, in particular a maximum of 30 seconds, in particular a maximum of 15 seconds, lies between the transition to the open functional position and the transition to the closed functional position of the at least one valve unit (6), in particular the solenoid valve (8).A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid storage system (2) comprises at least one distribution unit (16) into which the at least two valve units (6), in particular at least three valve units (6), open in a distribution section (18) of the distribution unit (16), through which the incoming fluid can be directed to a consumer and in which the sensor means (20) is arranged in the distribution section (18), wherein the actual pressure of the fluid detected by the sensor means (20) in the distribution section (18) of the distribution unit (16) is detected. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that, upon detection of the actual pressure outside the target pressure range, the at least two valve units (6), in particular the at least three valve units (6), are individually and successively moved from the closed functional position to the open functional position and back to the closed functional position.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the transfer to the closed functional position of a valve unit (6), in particular the solenoid valve (8), and the renewed transfer. leading to the open functional position of the valve unit (6), in particular the solenoid valve (8), or to the transition to the open functional position of at least one further valve unit (6), a time period of at least five seconds, in particular at least ten seconds, in particular at least 20 seconds, is required.A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between moving the valve unit (6), in particular the solenoid valve (8), into the closed functional position and moving the valve unit (6), in particular the solenoid valve (8), back into the open functional position, or moving the at least one further valve unit (6) into the open functional position, the actual pressure of the fluid is detected and it is checked whether the detected actual pressure is within or outside the target pressure range, wherein the valve cleaning is terminated if the actual pressure is within the target pressure range and wherein the valve cleaning is continued if the actual pressure is outside the target pressure range.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the at least one valve unit (6) of the fluid storage system (2) comprises at least one first filter medium (10) arranged between fluid tank (4) and solenoid valve (8) and at least one second filter medium (14) arranged between solenoid valve (8) and valve unit output (12), through which dirt particles can be filtered and stored.Fluid storage system (2) comprising at least one fluid tank (4) in which a fluid is stored under pressure, at least one valve unit (6) functionally associated with the fluid tank (4) and capable of being switched from an open position, in which fluid can flow through the valve unit (6), to a closed position, in which fluid flow through the valve unit (6) is blocked, at least one sensor means (20) by which the actual pressure of the fluid on the downstream side of the valve unit (6) can be detected, and at least one control unit (22), wherein the fluid storage system (2) is operable by a method of claims 1 to 12. Fluid storage system (2) according to claim 13, characterized by at least three valve units (6) and by at least one distribution unit (16), which a distributor section (18) into which the three distributor units (16) open and in which the sensor means (20) is arranged. Fluid storage system (2) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that at least one of the valve units (6) comprises a solenoid valve (8) which can be moved by the control unit (22) from the closed functional position to the open functional position and back to the closed functional position and / or that at least one of the valve units (6) comprises at least one first filter means (10) arranged between the fluid tank (4) and the solenoid valve (8) and at least one second filter means (14) arranged between the solenoid valve (8) and the valve unit output (12), by which dirt particles can be filtered and stored.

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