Support device for supporting a thermal barrier coating structure on a pressure tank, thermal barrier device and cryopressure tank

Abstract

A support device (14) is provided for supporting a thermal insulation layer structure (16) on a pressure tank (12), characterized in that the support device (14) forms a support surface (26) for the thermal insulation layer structure (16) and can be arranged around the pressure tank (12) in such a way that the support surface (26) at least partially surrounds the pressure tank (12); and the support device (14) has at least one variable spacer (28) which is arranged or can be arranged on the pressure tank (12) in such a way that the at least one spacer (28) positions the support surface (26) at a variable distance (100) from the pressure tank (12).

Description

[0001] Provided are a support device for supporting a thermal barrier layer structure on a pressure tank, a thermal insulation device for a pressure tank, a cryogenic pressure tank, a motor vehicle, and a hydrogen tank system. The embodiments thus lie particularly in the field of cryogenic pressure tanks for storing cryogenic gases, such as cryogenically compressed hydrogen.

[0002] Cryogenic pressure tanks for storing cryogenically compressed gases, such as hydrogen (CcH 2 ), are known in the prior art and are designed for use in motor vehicles such as cars or trucks. A challenge when using cryogenic pressure tanks, particularly in light motor vehicles such as cars, is the often long downtimes typical for such vehicles, which can be several hours, several days, or even several weeks. During such downtimes, heat input into the stored hydrogen can lead to a steady increase in pressure in the cryogenic pressure tank. Therefore, to store the cryogenic medium with minimal loss, cryogenic pressure tanks require highly efficient insulation against heat input through thermal radiation and thermal conduction. According to the prior art, this insulation is achieved by combining a vacuum with multi-layer insulation (MLI).An MLI often consists of several layers (e.g., 3 to 72 layers) of metal-coated plastic films, which are spaced from each other by suitable perforations or spacers. Such multi-layer structures hinder heat transfer by thermal radiation and thus enable a long service life of a cryostat, e.g., a cryogenic tank. The insulating effect of the MLI can be significantly impaired by seams, folds, kinks, and / or compression, which is why careful application of the MLI and the avoidance of mechanical stress over the tank's life cycle are recommended. With conventionally designed insulation of a cryogenic pressure tank, especially for large tank vessels, e.g.,For commercial vehicle applications, however, expansion of the pressure tank depending on the tank's fill level can lead to cyclical mechanical stress on the MLI, which can cause uncontrollable changes in its insulating effect during the tank's life cycle and at least a partial loss of its insulating effect. In the case of a cryogenic pressure tank, i.e. a tank in which cryogenically compressed, supercritical hydrogen is stored, the problem can arise that such an MLI cannot be applied directly to the tank, as the tank expands noticeably when filled at pressures that can often reach up to 450 bar. This expansion of the pressure tank, which can amount to several centimeters depending on the size of the tank, could potentially cause a permanently applied MLI to tear.

[0003] A conventional solution is to produce a loose-fitting, oversized insulation sleeve so that the maximally expanded pressure tank completely fills the sleeve. However, this can have the disadvantage that if the pressure tank is not fully filled, the correspondingly loose-fitting insulation sleeve has some room to move, allowing the insulation sleeve to move undesirably, which can lead to material abrasion and fatigue, as well as a deterioration in the insulation effect. Another disadvantage can be that enclosing the pressure tank with an oversized MLI is difficult to manufacture and, due to the MLI's own weight, each expansion cycle leads to mechanical work in the layer structure, which can increasingly compact the MLI with each expansion cycle and disrupt the brittle parts of the MLI, thereby reducing its insulating effect.

[0004] The aim is to provide a thermal insulation for cryogenic pressure tanks which is suitable for enriching the state of the art and optionally eliminating the disadvantages inherent in the state of the art.

[0005] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Optional embodiments are specified in the subclaims and in the description.

[0006] A support device for supporting a thermal insulation layer structure on a pressure tank is provided, wherein the support device forms a support surface for the thermal insulation layer structure and can be arranged around the pressure tank such that the support surface at least partially surrounds the pressure tank. Furthermore, the support device has at least one variable spacer, which is arranged or can be arranged on the pressure tank such that the at least one spacer positions the support surface at a variable distance from the pressure tank.

[0007] In addition, a thermal insulation device for a pressure tank is provided, comprising a support device according to the disclosure and a thermal insulation layer structure arranged or arrangeable on the support surface of the support device.

[0008] Furthermore, a cryogenic pressure tank is provided, comprising a pressure tank and a thermal barrier layer structure for thermally insulating the pressure tank from the surroundings of the pressure tank. The cryogenic pressure tank further comprises a support device that forms a support surface for the thermal barrier layer structure and is arranged around the pressure tank such that the support surface at least partially surrounds the pressure tank. In addition, the cryogenic pressure tank comprises at least one variable spacer, which is arranged on the pressure tank such that the at least one spacer positions the support surface at a variable distance from the pressure tank. The thermal barrier layer structure rests on the support surface of the support device and partially or completely surrounds the pressure tank.

[0009] In addition, a motor vehicle with a cryogenic pressure tank according to the disclosure is provided.

[0010] Furthermore, a hydrogen tank system comprising a cryogenic pressure tank according to the disclosure is provided.

[0011] Vehicles within the meaning of this disclosure can be designed as motor vehicles, such as passenger cars or trucks, buses, construction machinery, and the like, watercraft, underwater vehicles, aircraft such as airplanes, helicopters, multicopters, or airships, regardless of whether they are manned or unmanned, remotely controlled or autonomously operated, and further regardless of whether the hydrogen is utilized in a fuel cell or an internal combustion engine. The cryogenic pressure tanks according to the disclosure can also be used for the stationary storage or transport of hydrogen.

[0012] A cryogenic pressure tank is a tank designed to store cryogenic or cryo-compressed hydrogen at a supercritical pressure so that the hydrogen can be withdrawn from the cryogenic pressure tank in a controlled manner to supply one or more consumers. Further features that a cryogenic pressure tank can have are described, for example, in WO 2013 / 143773 A1. A cryogenic pressure tank can in particular be a tank that is suitable and / or designed to store cryogenically compressed gaseous hydrogen under high pressure. A cryogenic pressure tank can also be referred to as a CcH 2 CRYOGAS tank. A pressure tank can form part of the cryogenic pressure tank.

[0013] A thermal insulation layer structure can represent a layered structure for thermal insulation. This can be arranged around the pressure tank to thermally insulate it from its surroundings. The thermal insulation layer structure can comprise multiple layers of the same and / or different materials. The thermal insulation layer structure can be designed as a multilayer insulation layer (MLI) or comprise one.

[0014] A support device can be a device designed to support the thermal insulation layer structure relative to the pressure tank. The thermal insulation layer structure can be configured such that the thermal insulation layer structure can be placed and secured on the support device. The support device can be designed to surround the pressure tank as completely as possible and to support a thermal insulation layer structure that surrounds the pressure tank as completely as possible. At locations on the pressure tank where it has a particularly large curvature, the thermal insulation layer structure can optionally not be supported by the support structure.

[0015] The support surface is the surface on which the thermal insulation layer structure can be placed or arranged on the support device and optionally secured. The support surface does not necessarily have to be a surface in the mathematical sense. Optionally, the support surface can have interruptions, such as recesses, passages, and / or openings. The support surface can optionally be flat and / or grid-shaped.

[0016] A spacer is a mechanical element designed to maintain a distance between the support surface of the support structure and the pressure tank, optionally an outer wall of the pressure tank. The distance can be within a range determined by the spacer. The fact that the spacer is variable means that a distance, determined by the spacer, of the support surface from the pressure tank, and in particular from an outer wall of the pressure tank, can be specified in a variable manner by the spacer. The distance specified by the spacer can optionally depend on the pressure and / or forces acting on the spacer between the thermal insulation layer structure and the wall of the pressure tank.The spacer can be variable in such a way that the distance between the support surface and the pressure tank is adjusted by the spacer in such a way that the support surface experiences no or only very slight changes in expansion, even if the dimensions of the pressure tank change due to pressure. The spacer can be designed locally or over a large area. The support device can have multiple spacers to form a large-area support surface for the thermal insulation layer structure.

[0017] The disclosure offers the advantage that the size and / or extent and / or position of the support surface for the thermal barrier layer structure and thus the size and / or extent and / or position of the thermal barrier layer structure can be kept constant, or a change in the size and / or extent and / or position of the support surface for the thermal barrier layer structure and thus the size and / or extent and / or position of the thermal barrier layer structure can be kept small, even if the dimensions of the pressure tank change at different filling pressures. This thus offers the advantage that mechanical stresses due to undesired movement and / or expansion of the thermal barrier layer structure can be avoided and, accordingly, degradation of the thermal barrier layer structure can be reduced or avoided.Optionally, this can reduce or prevent the undesirable occurrence of folds, creases, and / or compression of the thermal barrier layer structure. This can offer the additional benefit of increasing the service life of the thermal barrier layer structure and thus of the entire cryogenic pressure tank. Furthermore, it can offer the advantage of avoiding or reducing the need for repairs due to damage to the thermal barrier layer structure.

[0018] The at least one spacer can have multiple mechanical spring elements. This can offer the advantage that the variability of the spacer can be produced in a particularly cost-effective manner. A mechanical spring element can be characterized in that it has a restoring force that counteracts a pressure between the thermal insulation layer structure and the pressure tank. The restoring force can be dimensioned such that it leads to a suitable change in the distance between the thermal insulation layer structure and the pressure tank when the pressure tank changes in its expansion depending on its filling pressure.

[0019] The mechanical spring elements can each have a projection protruding from the support surface or can each be designed as a projection protruding from the support surface. This can enable a one-piece design of the support device together with the at least one mechanical spring element. This can achieve the advantage of enabling particularly simple and / or cost-effective production of the support structure. The projections protruding from the support surface can optionally be punched out of an element forming the support surface.

[0020] Optionally, the support device can be designed to surround the pressure tank in a fluid-tight manner. Optionally, the support device can be designed to surround the pressure tank and any reinforcement of the pressure tank in a fluid-tight manner. This can offer the advantage of spatially limiting any outgassing from components of the pressure tank, such as a CFRP reinforcement of the pressure tank and / or a synthetic resin at least partially embedding the CFRP reinforcement. Alternatively or additionally, this can offer the advantage that any hydrogen diffusing from the pressure tank can be spatially limited. This can offer the advantage that any outgassing from the CFRP reinforcement and / or the synthetic resin can be limited by the fluid-tight support device to a volume region within the support device, which can be evacuated for thermal insulation of the pressure tank.A first partial vacuum region can thus be provided within the support device. A second partial vacuum region can be provided outside the support device, which can be evacuated to thermally insulate the pressure tank. Any contamination of the vacuum due to outgassing of the CFRP reinforcement and / or the synthetic resin embedding the CFRP reinforcement can be limited to the first partial vacuum region by the fluid-tight support device, thereby improving the thermal insulation effect.

[0021] Optionally, the fluid-tight support device can have at least one feedthrough and / or evacuation line to enable evacuation of the first sub-area, as a volume region between the pressure tank and the support device, from outside the cryogenic pressure tank, and optionally, after prolonged operation of the cryogenic pressure tank, to improve and / or restore the vacuum in the first sub-area by re-evacuating it. The evacuation line can provide a sealable connection between the first sub-area and an external area of ​​the cryogenic pressure tank. Providing multiple feedthroughs and / or evacuation lines can offer the advantage that gases can be extracted from the first sub-area at multiple locations.This can offer the advantage that gases can be reliably extracted even if one or more of the penetrations and / or evacuation lines, but not all of them, are blocked, for example because the support device and / or part of the thermal barrier layer structure contacts the penetration and / or evacuation line and blocks fluid flow through the penetration and / or evacuation line. Optionally, the support device can have two penetrations and / or evacuation lines, which can optionally be arranged at opposite ends of the pressure tank so that they are spaced apart as far as possible depending on the dimensions of the pressure tank.

[0022] Optionally, the support surface can be designed to be fluid-tight. For this purpose, the support element can optionally have a flat, continuous element, such as a film made of metal and / or plastic. The continuous element can optionally form the support surface. Optionally, the one or more spacers can be attached to the continuous element, wherein the attachment can be achieved by gluing, welding, screwing, riveting, or otherwise. The fluid-tight design of the support surface or the support device can offer the advantage that the pressure tank can be encapsulated in a fluid-tight manner. In other words, the support device can also serve as a fluidic barrier layer.This in turn can offer the advantage that a vacuum provided outside the support structure for thermal insulation is not affected, or only affected to a lesser extent, by any outgassing in the area of ​​the pressure tank, i.e. on the side of the support device facing away from the vacuum, compared to a fluid-permeable support surface or support device. Optionally, the pressure tank can be provided with a reinforcement made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) on the outer wall in order to further increase the pressure resistance of the pressure tank. The carbon fiber reinforced plastic can be embedded in a synthetic resin. Any outgassing of the CFRP reinforcement, i.e. the CFRP and / or the synthetic resin, which can occur under vacuum, can be kept away from a vacuum provided for thermal insulation purposes and / or limited to a partial area of ​​the vacuum by the fluid-tight design of the support device.Optionally, the vacuum provided for thermal insulation of the pressure tank can comprise a first sub-region extending between the pressure tank and the fluid-tight support device, and a second sub-region extending between the fluid-tight support device and an inner wall of the outer container. Optionally, the fluid-tight design of the support device can limit any contamination of the vacuum caused by outgassing from the CFRP reinforcement of the pressure tank and / or the synthetic resin to the first sub-region of the vacuum. This can thus offer the advantage that the support device provides several advantageous functions.

[0023] The pressure tank can optionally have a pressure cylinder that has a cylindrical shape. The cylinder axis of the pressure cylinder can be understood as the axis of the pressure tank. When the pressure tank is filled with high pressure, in addition to a radial expansion of the pressure cylinder, which, as described above, leads to a variable distance between the pressure tank and the thermal barrier layer structure, an expansion of the pressure tank in the axial direction, i.e. along the axis of the pressure tank, can also occur. To prevent damage to the thermal barrier layer structure due to such an axial expansion of the pressure tank, the thermal barrier layer structure and / or the support device can optionally have at least one length compensation device, for example a bellows, to enable expansion of the thermal barrier layer structure or the support device in an axial direction.A bellows can be achieved by an accordion-shaped arrangement of the material with one or more folds of the thermal insulation layer structure and optionally the support device, wherein the one or more folds unfold upon axial expansion in order to adapt the radial expansion of the thermal insulation layer structure and optionally the support device to the greater axial expansion of the pressure tank. Optionally, a length compensation device can be advantageous if the support device is connected to the pressure tank in a fluid-tight manner, for example by welding the support device to the pressure tank at certain points on the pressure tank, such as at the axial ends of the pressure tank. The length compensation device can then reduce or eliminate the risk of the support device tearing or breaking off when the pressure tank expands in the axial direction depending on the prevailing filling pressure inside the pressure tank.The length compensation device can comprise at least one bellows in order to be able to react to an axial expansion of the pressure tank by unfolding the support device. Alternatively or additionally, the support device can have a sliding and fluid-tight bearing at the axial ends of the pressure tank, so that the support device, together with the thermal barrier layer structure arranged thereon, can retain its shape and expansion even when the expansion of the pressure tank changes in the axial direction. The length compensation device can reduce or prevent mechanical stress and / or damage and / or wear of the thermal barrier layer structure and optionally of the support device, and accordingly increase the service life of the cryogenic pressure tank.

[0024] A cryogenic pressure tank according to the disclosure can be configured such that the support device is designed to reduce the variable distance of the support surface from the pressure tank by means of the at least one variable spacer when the pressure tank expands and / or to increase the variable distance of the support surface from the pressure tank by means of the at least one variable spacer when the pressure tank contracts. The support device can be configured to reduce or prevent the influence of the reduction and / or increase of the variable distance on an expansion of the support surface.The thermal insulation layer structure of the cryogenic pressure tank and / or the support device can have at least one bellows and can be configured to adapt an expansion of the thermal insulation layer structure and / or the support device in an axial direction to an expansion and / or a contraction of the pressure tank in the axial direction by means of the at least one bellows.

[0025] Any disclosure contained for the support device shall also be deemed to be disclosed for the thermal insulation device, the cryogenic pressure tank, the motor vehicle and the hydrogen tank system and vice versa.

[0026] The above description can be summarized in other words and in a possible more concrete embodiment of the disclosure as described below, whereby the following description is not to be interpreted as limiting the disclosure.

[0027] According to the disclosure, the MLI can be applied to a support device that encloses the pressure tank, at least partially compensates for the expansion of the pressure tank, and provides the MLI with a dimensionally stable contour that is as unaffected as possible by the expansion of the pressure tank. The support device can be designed such that it has resilient elements relative to the pressure tank, which absorb changes in distance to the pressure tank. The support device can be freely mounted relative to the pressure tank or fixedly mounted on one side. Optionally, the support device can be mounted relative to the pressure tank by means of one or more plain bearings in order to be able to move relative to the pressure tank when the axial expansion of the pressure tank changes. Preferably, the support device is made at least partially from a material that has a thermal expansion comparable to that of the MLI.In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the support structure and its resilient elements, i.e. the spacers, are dimensioned such that they contribute to the insulating effect through a remaining gap to the pressure tank as well as a high thermal resistance of the resilient elements (small cross-section, long length). The support device can have a closed or perforated (e.g. grid) surface compared to the MLI. The resilient elements can optionally be formed cost-effectively by embossing and / or punching from a flat or round semi-finished product for the support structure. In a further embodiment, the support device is split in the axial direction - optionally at one end -; the MLI can therefore be partially pre-assembled on the support element and pushed over the pressure tank and finally assembled in a final production step.

[0028] Optionally, the support device can be arranged and / or configured such that it provides a non-uniform spacing of the thermal barrier layer structure from the pressure tank. In other words, the spacing of the thermal barrier layer structure from the pressure tank can deviate from a uniform spacing. Optionally, the support device and / or the thermal barrier layer structure can be terminated in a planar manner at the axial ends of the cylinder of the pressure tank. Alternatively, the support device can be terminated in a conical manner at the ends of the cylinder of the pressure tank. The ends of the support device can have different opening angles. This makes it possible to design the thermal barrier layer structure or MLI with no or a maximum of one radial seam at each end of the cylinder, thereby minimizing unwanted heat transfer through the thermal barrier layer structure and simplifying production.

[0029] The pressure tank can have a central cylinder section that has a cylindrical shape extending along a cylinder axis. At the two axial ends, the pressure cylinder can have end sections that can optionally be hemispherical, planar, and / or conical. The two end sections can be identical or different from one another.

[0030] The features and embodiments mentioned above and explained below are not only to be regarded as disclosed in the respective explicitly mentioned combinations, but are also encompassed by the disclosure content in other technically meaningful combinations and embodiments.

[0031] Further details and advantages will now be explained in more detail using the following examples and optional embodiments with reference to the figures.

[0032] They show: Figure 1 shows a cryogenic pressure tank according to an optional embodiment; Figure 2 shows a cryogenic pressure tank according to another optional embodiment; Figure 3 shows a motor vehicle according to an optional embodiment; Figure 4 shows a hydrogen tank system according to an optional embodiment; and Figure 5 shows a section of a support device 14 according to an optional embodiment.

[0033] In the following figures, identical or similar elements in the various embodiments are designated by identical reference numerals for the sake of simplicity.

[0034] Figure 1shows a schematic representation of a cryogenic pressure tank 10 according to an optional embodiment. The cryogenic pressure tank 10 has an internal pressure tank 12, which has a cylindrical section 12a in the center and an end section 12b at each end. A support device 14 is arranged around the pressure tank, which supports a thermal barrier layer structure 16 in the form of multi-layer insulation and is spaced from the pressure tank 12. The thermal barrier layer structure 16 serves to thermally insulate the pressure tank 12 from the surroundings of the pressure tank 12. An outer container 18 is arranged outside the thermal barrier layer structure 16, which can be evacuated in order to achieve additional thermal insulation of the pressure tank from its surroundings through the vacuum 19 in the interior of the outer container 18. The two end sections 12b can be fastened in the outer container 18 by the bearing 20.Connections and / or accesses 22 to the pressure tank 12 can be formed at the end sections 12b, which can be protected from heat input by an additional heat shield 24.

[0035] The support device 14 for supporting the thermal insulation layer structure 16 on the pressure tank 12 is characterized in that the support device 14 forms a support surface 26 for the thermal insulation layer structure 16 and can be arranged around the pressure tank such that the support surface 26 at least partially surrounds the pressure tank 12. The support surface 26 can be flat and / or grid-shaped.

[0036] The support device 14 further comprises at least one variable spacer 28, which is arranged or can be arranged on the pressure tank 12 such that the at least one spacer 28 positions the support surface 26 at a variable distance from the pressure tank 12. According to the embodiment shown, the support device comprises a plurality of spacers 28, which are designed as or comprise mechanical spring elements 30. The mechanical spring elements optionally each have a projection protruding from the support surface 26 or are each designed as a projection protruding from the support surface 26. The projections protruding from the support surface 26 can be punched out of an element forming the support surface 26.

[0037] Optionally, the support surface 26 can be designed to be fluid-tight.

[0038] The support device can form part of a thermal insulation device 32 for the cryogenic pressure tank 10. The thermal insulation device comprises the support device 14 described above and the thermal insulation layer structure 16 arranged on the support surface 26 of the support device 14.

[0039] The thermal insulation layer structure 16 can be designed as a multi-layer insulation structure or comprise such a structure.

[0040] The thermal insulation layer structure 16 and / or the support device 14 may have at least one length compensation device to enable expansion of the thermal insulation layer structure 16 or the support device 14 in an axial direction.

[0041] The Figure 1The cryogenic pressure tank 10 shown accordingly comprises a pressure tank 12 and a thermal barrier layer structure 16 for thermally insulating the pressure tank 12 from the surroundings of the pressure tank. The cryogenic pressure tank 10 further comprises the support device 14, which forms a support surface 26 for the thermal barrier layer structure 16 and is arranged around the pressure tank 12 such that the support surface 26 at least partially surrounds the pressure tank 12. Furthermore, the pressure tank has one or more variable spacers 28, which are arranged on the pressure tank 12 such that the at least one spacer 28 positions the support surface at a variable distance 100 from the pressure tank 12. The thermal barrier layer structure 16 rests on the support surface 26 of the support device 14 and partially or completely surrounds the pressure tank 12.

[0042] The support device 14 can be designed to reduce the variable distance 100 of the support surface 26 from the pressure tank 12 by means of the at least one variable spacer 28 when the pressure tank 12 expands and / or to increase the variable distance 100 of the support surface 26 from the pressure tank 12 by means of the at least one variable spacer 28 when the pressure tank 12 contracts.

[0043] The support device 14 can be configured to reduce or avoid an influence of the reduction and / or increase of the variable distance 100 on an extension of the support surface 26.

[0044] The thermal insulation layer structure 16 and / or the support device 14 can have at least one bellows and can be configured to adapt, by means of the at least one bellows, an expansion of the thermal insulation layer structure 16 and / or the support device 14 in an axial direction 200, ie along the central axis 200 or cylinder axis of the pressure tank 12, to an expansion and / or a contraction of the pressure tank 12 in the axial direction 200.

[0045] Figure 2 shows a cryogenic pressure tank 10 according to a further optional embodiment, which in many aspects corresponds to the cryogenic pressure tank 10 according to the Figure 1 shown embodiment. The Figure 2 Cryopressure tank shown differs from the one in Figure 1shown embodiment in that the support device 14 does not provide a uniform or even distance 100 between the support surface 26 and the pressure tank 12. In addition, the support device 14 can be planar or conically terminated at the end sections 12b of the pressure tank. The ends of the support structure 14 can have different opening angles in the axial direction. This can offer the advantage that the thermal barrier layer structure can be designed with no or at most one radial seam at each end of the cylinder, whereby the heat transfer through the thermal barrier layer structure 16 can be reduced or minimized and the manufacture of the cryogenic pressure tank can be simplified.

[0046] Figure 3shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle 300 with a cryogenic pressure tank 10 according to an optional embodiment. The motor vehicle can be designed as a commercial vehicle and optionally as a truck. The motor vehicle can have a hydrogen-powered drive system, such as a fuel cell and / or an internal combustion engine for burning hydrogen. The motor vehicle can be powered by hydrogen taken from the cryogenic pressure tank 10.

[0047] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a hydrogen tank system 400 comprising a cryogenic pressure tank 10 according to an optional embodiment.

[0048] Figure 5shows a schematic representation of a section of a support device 14 according to an optional embodiment. According to the embodiment shown, the support device 14 has a bellows 34 as a length compensation device, which enables expansion and compression of the support device 14 in the axial direction 200. The bellows 34 can optionally be formed over the entire circumference of the pressure tank 12 and optionally perpendicular to the axial direction 200. The bellows 34 can offer the advantage that the support device 14 can at least partially follow any axial expansion and / or compression of the pressure tank 12. Alternatively or additionally, a thermal insulation layer structure 16 attached to the support device 16 (see, for example, Figure 1 ) have a bellows in order to be able to at least partially follow any axial expansion and / or compression of the pressure tank 12 and / or the support device 14. List of reference symbols

[0049] 10Cryogenic pressure tank 12Pressure tank 12aCylinder section of the pressure tank 12bEnd section(s) of the pressure tank 14Support device 16Thermal barrier structure 18Outer vessel 19Vacuum 20Bearing 22Access to pressure tank 24Heat shield 26Support surface 28Spacer 30Spring element 32Thermal barrier device 34Bellows 100Distance between support surface and pressure tank 200Central axis or cylinder axis of the pressure tank or axial direction 300Motor vehicle 400Hydrogen tank system

Claims

1. Support device (14) for supporting a thermal insulation layer structure (16) on a pressure tank (12), characterized in that - the support device (14) forms a support surface (26) for the thermal insulation layer structure (16) and can be arranged around the pressure tank (12) in such a way that the support surface (26) at least partially surrounds the pressure tank (12); and - the support device (14) has at least one variable spacer (28) which is arranged or can be arranged on the pressure tank (12) in such a way that the at least one spacer (28) positions the support surface (26) at a variable distance (100) from the pressure tank (12).

2. Support device (14) according to claim 1, wherein the support surface (26) is flat and / or grid-shaped.

3. Support device (14) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one spacer (28) has a plurality of mechanical spring elements (30).

4. Support device (14) according to claim 3, wherein the mechanical spring elements (30) each have a projection protruding from the support surface (26) or are each designed as a projection protruding from the support surface (26).

5. Support device (14) according to claim 4, wherein the projections projecting from the support surface (26) are punched out of an element forming the support surface (26).

6. Support device (14) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support device (14) is designed to surround the pressure tank in a fluid-tight manner.

7. A thermal insulation device (32) for a cryogenic pressure tank (10), comprising: - a support device (14) according to one of the preceding claims; and - a thermal insulation layer structure (16) arranged or arrangeable on the support surface (26) of the support device (14).

8. Thermal insulation device (32) according to claim 7, wherein the thermal insulation layer structure (32) is designed as or comprises a multi-layer insulation structure.

9. Thermal insulation device (32) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the thermal insulation layer structure (16) and / or the support device (14) have at least one bellows to enable expansion of the thermal insulation layer structure (16) or the support device (14) in an axial direction (200).

10. Cryogenic pressure tank (10), comprising: - a pressure tank (12); - a thermal insulation layer structure (16) for thermally insulating the pressure tank (12) from an environment of the pressure tank (12); characterized in thatthe cryogenic pressure tank (10) further comprises: - a support device (14) which forms a support surface (26) for the thermal barrier layer structure (16) and is arranged around the pressure tank (12) in such a way that the support surface at least partially surrounds the pressure tank (12); and - at least one variable spacer (28) which is arranged on the pressure tank (12) in such a way that the at least one spacer (28) positions the support surface (26) at a variable distance (100) from the pressure tank (12); wherein the thermal barrier layer structure (16) rests on the support surface (26) of the support device (14) and partially or completely surrounds the pressure tank (12).

11. Cryogenic pressure tank (10) according to claim 10, wherein the support device (14) is designed to reduce the variable distance (100) of the support surface (26) from the pressure tank (12) by means of the at least one variable spacer (28) when the pressure tank (12) expands and / or to increase the variable distance (100) of the support surface (26) from the pressure tank (12) by means of the at least one variable spacer (28) when the pressure tank (12) contracts.

12. Cryogenic pressure tank (10) according to claim 11, wherein the support device (14) is configured to reduce or avoid an influence of the reduction and / or increase of the variable distance (100) on an extension of the support surface (26).

13. Cryogenic pressure tank (10) according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the thermal barrier layer structure (16) and / or the support device (14) have at least one length compensation device and are configured to adapt, by means of the at least one length compensation device, an expansion of the thermal barrier layer structure (16) and / or the support device (14) in an axial direction (200) to an expansion and / or a contraction of the pressure tank (12) in the axial direction (200).

14. Cryogenic pressure tank (10) according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the support device (14) is fluid-tight.

15. Cryogenic pressure tank (10) according to claim 14, wherein the support device (14) has at least one passage and / or at least one evacuation line to enable evacuation of a volume region between the pressure tank and the support device from outside the cryogenic pressure tank.

16. Motor vehicle (300) with a cryogenic pressure tank (10) according to one of claims 10 to 14.

17. Hydrogen tank system (400) comprising a cryogenic pressure tank (10) according to one of claims 10 to 14.

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