Tank system and method for checking a tank system comprising a plurality of high-pressure tanks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method (100) for checking a tank system (200) comprising a plurality of high-pressure tanks (201, 203) as well as to a tank system (200).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Tank system and method for testing a tank system with multiple high-pressure tanks

[0004] The presented invention relates to a method for checking in particular a temperature sensor in a tank system with several high-pressure tanks and to a tank system.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] High-pressure tank systems, especially in the automotive sector, often comprise multiple high-pressure tanks for storing fluids such as hydrogen. For safety reasons, each of these high-pressure tanks is assigned a temperature sensor that measures the temperature within the high-pressure tank.

[0007] Due to thermal and / or mechanical stress, a temperature sensor may provide incorrect values, which may lead to errors in subsequent processing based on the incorrect values.

[0008] Disclosure of the invention

[0009] Within the scope of the invention presented, a method for testing a tank system with multiple high-pressure tanks and a tank system are presented. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the respective subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the method according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the tank system according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is always made to each other.

[0010] The invention presented serves in particular to verify the plausibility of temperature values ​​determined by a temperature sensor in a tank system or to detect a faulty temperature sensor.

[0011] Thus, according to a first aspect of the invention presented, a method for checking a tank system, in particular a temperature sensor of the tank system, with a plurality of high-pressure tanks is presented.

[0012] The presented method comprises operating a consumer for fluid stored in the high-pressure tanks, closing tank valves of all high-pressure tanks with the exception of a tank valve of a high-pressure tank assigned to a first temperature sensor, determining a first difference between values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor and values ​​determined by a reference temperature sensor arranged in a medium-pressure range downstream of a pressure regulator of the tank system, opening a tank valve of a further high-pressure tank assigned to a further temperature sensor, closing the tank valve of the high-pressure tank assigned to the first temperature sensor, determining a further difference between values ​​determined by the further temperature sensor and values ​​determined by the reference temperature sensor, calculating a temperature characteristic value from all determined differences,comparing the first difference with the temperature characteristic and outputting a message that identifies values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor as implausible in the event that the first difference deviates from the temperature characteristic by an amount that is greater than a predetermined temperature threshold, or outputting a message that identifies values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor as plausible in the event that the first difference deviates from the temperature characteristic by an amount that is less than or equal to the temperature threshold. Outputting a message in the context of the invention presented is understood to mean a process in which a message, such as a text or a so-called "flag," is displayed on an output unit, such as a display, and / or stored in a memory, such as an error memory or a working memory. Accordingly, by outputting a message,which identifies values ​​determined by a temperature sensor as plausible, another or external function can obtain information about whether values ​​determined by the temperature sensor are plausible and process them further or exclude them from further processing.

[0013] The presented method is carried out during the operation of a consumer, such as a fuel cell system, so that fluid is continuously drained or removed from the high-pressure tanks of the tank system.

[0014] The individual steps of the presented process can be performed in any technically feasible order. In particular, the additional high-pressure tank can be opened before the previously opened high-pressure tank is closed, so as not to interrupt the fuel supply to a consumer.

[0015] In order to verify the plausibility of the respective values ​​determined by a temperature sensor, it is intended that these values ​​are compared with a reference temperature sensor by calculating a difference to the values ​​determined by the reference temperature sensor.

[0016] Since the reference temperature sensor is arranged in a medium-pressure area in the direction of flow of fluid through the tank system downstream of a pressure regulator of the tank system, the reference temperature sensor is subject to significantly lower thermal and mechanical loads than a temperature sensor arranged in the high-pressure area or in the respective high-pressure tanks of the tank system. The reference temperature sensor only serves as a general reference and not as a plausibility criterion in itself. This means that even if the reference temperature sensor is faulty, the values ​​determined by a respective temperature sensor can be checked for plausibility. Rather, a predetermined temperature threshold value serves as the plausibility criterion. The temperature threshold value specifies a maximum tolerated deviation from the respective values ​​determined by a temperature sensor. The deviation is calculated dynamically based on a difference to a temperature characteristic value.

[0017] The temperature characteristic value provided according to the invention is determined based on a plurality of differences between values ​​determined by respective temperature sensors and values ​​determined by the reference temperature sensor. In other words, a first difference is determined between values ​​determined by a first temperature sensor and values ​​determined by the reference temperature sensor, and a second difference is determined between values ​​determined by a second temperature sensor and values ​​determined by the reference temperature sensor. The number of differences can correspond to the number of temperature sensors in the tank system or comprise a selection of selected temperature sensors in the tank system.

[0018] When determining a respective difference, only one high-pressure tank assigned to a respective temperature sensor is opened and all other high-pressure tanks or their tank valves are closed, so that the influence of physical conditions in the other high-pressure tanks on the respective temperature sensor is minimized.

[0019] As soon as there are numerous differences between the values ​​determined by a large number of temperature sensors and the values ​​determined by the reference temperature sensor, the temperature characteristic value is determined from all of these differences. The temperature characteristic value is therefore an objective measure of the plausibility of the values ​​determined by a particular temperature sensor, which is dynamically generated based on the values ​​determined by a large number of temperature sensors.

[0020] Accordingly, a message that identifies values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor as implausible is output in the event that the difference between values ​​determined by a respective temperature sensor and values ​​determined by the reference temperature sensor deviates from the temperature characteristic value by an amount that is greater than a predetermined temperature threshold value

[0021] Alternatively, a message identifying values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor as plausible is output in the event that the difference between values ​​determined by a respective temperature sensor and values ​​determined by the reference temperature sensor deviates from the temperature characteristic value by an amount that is less than or equal to the temperature threshold value.

[0022] Furthermore, if the message identifies values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor as plausible, it can be assumed that a tank valve of the high-pressure tank assigned to the first temperature sensor is functioning properly, so that a corresponding validation message for the tank valve or an opening state of the tank valve can be output.

[0023] It may be provided that a further difference is determined for each additional high-pressure tank in the tank system.

[0024] By determining a further difference for each additional high-pressure tank in the tank system, each temperature sensor in the tank system is included in the determination of the temperature characteristic. Furthermore, this also checks the plausibility of the values ​​of each temperature sensor.

[0025] It may also be provided that the temperature characteristic is calculated by an average of all differences determined.

[0026] In general, any mathematical relationship between respective differences is suitable for determining the temperature characteristic. An average has proven to be a simple and robust measure for determining the temperature characteristic.

[0027] It can further be provided that the temperature characteristic is determined on the basis of differences determined for all high-pressure tanks of the tank system and that the values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor are then marked as plausible or implausible on the basis of the temperature characteristic determined on the basis of differences determined for all high-pressure tanks of the tank system.

[0028] By determining the temperature characteristic value in advance, the differences calculated for each individual temperature sensor are compared with the same temperature characteristic value, so that each temperature sensor influences the temperature characteristic value with the same weighting.

[0029] It can further be provided that, in the event that the message is output which identifies values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor as implausible, a characteristic curve stored in a memory and assigned to the first temperature sensor is adapted such that the first difference deviates from the temperature characteristic value by an amount which is less than or equal to the temperature threshold value.

[0030] By adjusting the characteristic curve of a temperature sensor, a sensor drift can be corrected, for example, so that the temperature sensor again provides plausible values.

[0031] It may further be provided that, in the event that the message is output which identifies values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor as implausible, an error detection is carried out for the first temperature sensor.

[0032] Since in the case of implausible values ​​a corresponding temperature sensor is very likely faulty, a message that marks the values ​​determined by the temperature sensor as implausible can be used as a trigger or trigger signal for error detection or error diagnosis, so that error detection can be started automatically if a temperature sensor delivers implausible values.

[0033] It may further be provided that, in the event that the message is output which identifies values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor as implausible, an error message is output for the first temperature sensor.

[0034] Since in the case of implausible values ​​a corresponding temperature sensor is very likely faulty, an error message can be issued for the temperature sensor, for example to block further processing of values ​​determined by the temperature sensor.

[0035] It can further be provided that each high-pressure tank is assigned a respective temperature sensor and each temperature sensor of the tank system is successively checked as the first temperature sensor.

[0036] By successively checking the respective temperature sensors, individual temperature sensors can be checked or verified for plausibility in separate checking steps.

[0037] According to a second aspect, the presented invention relates to a tank system for storing fluid.

[0038] The presented tank system comprises a first high-pressure tank, a number of further high-pressure tanks, a line system, a pressure regulator arranged in the line system, which separates a high-pressure region from a medium-pressure region, a first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature in the first high-pressure tank, a number of further temperature sensors, each configured to measure a temperature in a respective further high-pressure tank and a computing unit, wherein the computing unit is configured to carry out a possible embodiment of the presented method.

[0039] In the context of the invention, a computing unit is understood to mean a computer, a processor, a subprocessor, or any other programmable circuit. The computing unit can be configured to, during operation of a consumer for fluid stored in the high-pressure tanks:

[0040] - close the tank valves of all high-pressure tanks with the exception of one tank valve of the first high-pressure tank assigned to the first temperature sensor,

[0041] - to determine a first difference between values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor and values ​​determined by the reference temperature sensor,

[0042] - to open a tank valve of another high-pressure tank assigned to another temperature sensor,

[0043] - to close a tank valve of the high-pressure tank assigned to the first temperature sensor,

[0044] - to determine a further difference between the values ​​determined by the additional temperature sensor and the values ​​determined by the reference temperature sensor,

[0045] - to calculate a temperature characteristic from all the differences determined,

[0046] - to compare the first difference with the temperature characteristic,

[0047] - to issue a message that identifies values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor as implausible in the event that the first difference deviates from the temperature characteristic value by an amount that is greater than a predefined temperature threshold value or

[0048] - to issue a message that identifies values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor as plausible in the event that the first difference deviates from the temperature characteristic value by an amount that is less than or equal to the temperature threshold value.

[0049] The respective steps of the method performed by the proposed computing unit can be performed in any technically reasonable order. In particular, the additional high-pressure tank can be opened before the previously opened high-pressure tank is closed, so as not to interrupt the fuel supply to a consumer. Furthermore, the computing unit can be configured to successively check each temperature sensor of the tank system as the first temperature sensor.

[0050] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which describes exemplary embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination.

[0051] drawing

[0052] They show:

[0053] Figure 1 shows a possible design of the presented procedure,

[0054] Figure 2 shows a possible design of the presented tank system.

[0055] Description of the embodiments

[0056] Figure 1 shows a method 100 for checking a temperature sensor in a tank system with multiple high-pressure tanks.

[0057] In a request step 101, a request is made for operating a consumer, such as a fuel cell system, with fluid from the tank system. Subsequently, in a closing step 103, the tank valves of all high-pressure tanks in the tank system are closed, except for the tank valve on the high-pressure tank, which contains a temperature sensor to be checked or verified.

[0058] After a predetermined waiting time, which lasts until only gas from the one opened high-pressure tank is present in the entire high-pressure area and medium-pressure area, in a first determination step 105 values ​​of the temperature in the opened high-pressure tank are determined by means of the temperature sensor to be checked and values ​​of the temperature in the medium-pressure area are determined by means of a reference temperature sensor arranged in the medium-pressure area.

[0059] In a first calculation step 107, a first temperature difference is calculated between the values ​​determined by means of the temperature sensor to be checked and the values ​​determined by the reference temperature sensor. Subsequently, in an operating step 109, operation takes place from a further, individually opened, high-pressure tank of the tank system, wherein the previously opened high-pressure tank is closed.

[0060] In a second determination step 111, temperature values ​​are determined by means of a further temperature sensor assigned to the opened further high-pressure tank and temperature values ​​in the medium-pressure range are determined by means of the reference temperature sensor.

[0061] In a second calculation step 113, a second temperature difference is calculated between the values ​​determined by means of the further temperature sensor to be checked and the values ​​determined by the reference temperature sensor.

[0062] In a continuation step 115, the method is continued with all temperature sensors of the tank system until, for example, operation from all high-pressure tanks has taken place once individually.

[0063] In a comparison step 117, the temperature differences for the various temperature sensors assigned to the individual high-pressure tanks are compared by calculating an average temperature difference from the individual temperature differences of the individual temperature sensors, and those values ​​are marked as plausible in a plausibility step 119 for which an amount of the deviation of the individual temperature difference from the average temperature difference is less than or equal to a permissible threshold.

[0064] Alternatively, those values ​​are marked as implausible or not plausible where the amount of deviation of the individual temperature difference from the average temperature difference is greater than the permissible threshold

[0065] In the case of values ​​marked as implausible, an optional correction step 121 can be carried out in which a characteristic curve of a corresponding temperature sensor stored in a control unit is corrected so that its temperature difference to the mean temperature difference is plausible.

[0066] Alternatively, error detection for the corresponding temperature sensor can be activated in a diagnostic step 123.

[0067] Subsequently, regular operation 125 takes place from all pressure tanks of the tank system.

[0068] Figure 2 shows a tank system 200 for storing fluids, such as hydrogen.

[0069] The tank system 200 comprises a first high-pressure tank 201, a number of further high-pressure tanks 203, a line system 205, a pressure regulator 207 arranged in the line system 205, which separates a high-pressure region 209 from a medium-pressure region 211, a first temperature sensor 213 configured to measure a temperature in the first high-pressure tank 201, a number of further temperature sensors 215, each configured to measure a temperature in a respective further high-pressure tank 203, a reference temperature sensor 217 arranged in the medium-pressure region 211, and a computing unit 219.

[0070] The computing unit 219 is configured to carry out the method 100 according to Figure 1.

[0071] Accordingly, the computing unit 219 is configured to close tank valves 221 of all high-pressure tanks 203 with the exception of a tank valve 223 of the first high-pressure tank 203 assigned to the first temperature sensor 213, and to determine a first difference between values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor 213 and values ​​determined by the reference temperature sensor 219.

[0072] Furthermore, the computing unit 219 is configured to close the tank valve 223 again and to open a tank valve 221 of a further high-pressure tank 203 assigned to a further temperature sensor 215 and to determine a further difference between values ​​determined by the further temperature sensor 215 and values ​​determined by the reference temperature sensor 217.

[0073] Furthermore, the computing unit 219 is configured to calculate a temperature characteristic value from all of the differences determined, to compare the first difference with the temperature characteristic value and to output a message that identifies values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor 213 as implausible in the event that the first difference deviates from the temperature characteristic value by an amount that is greater than a predetermined temperature threshold value or to output a message that identifies values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor 213 as plausible in the event that the first difference deviates from the temperature characteristic value by an amount that is less than or equal to the temperature threshold value.

Claims

Claims 1. A method (100) for testing a tank system (200) having a plurality of high-pressure tanks (201, 203), the method (100) comprising: Operating (101) a consumer for fluid stored in the high-pressure tanks (201, 203), Closing (103) tank valves (221) of all high-pressure tanks (203) with the exception of one tank valve (223) of a high-pressure tank (201) associated with a first temperature sensor (213), determining (107) a first difference between values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor (213) and values ​​determined by a reference temperature sensor (217) arranged in a medium-pressure region (211) downstream of a pressure regulator of the tank system (200), Opening a tank valve (221) of a further high-pressure tank (203) associated with a further temperature sensor (215), Closing the tank valve (223) of the high-pressure tank (201) associated with the first temperature sensor (213), Determining (113) a further difference between values ​​determined by the further temperature sensor (215) and values ​​determined by the reference temperature sensor (217), Calculating a temperature characteristic from all determined differences, Comparing (117) the first difference with the temperature characteristic value, outputting a message which identifies values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor (213) as implausible in the event that the first difference deviates from the temperature characteristic value by an amount which is greater than a predetermined temperature threshold value or Outputting a message that identifies values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor (213) as plausible in the event that the first Difference deviates from the temperature characteristic by an amount that is less than or equal to the temperature threshold.

2. Method (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that a further difference is determined for each further temperature sensor (215) of the tank system (200).

3. Method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the temperature characteristic value is calculated by an average value of all determined differences.

4. Method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the temperature characteristic value is determined on the basis of differences determined for all high-pressure tanks (201, 203) of the tank system (200) and then the marking of the values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor (213) as plausible or implausible is carried out on the basis of the temperature characteristic value determined for all high-pressure tanks (201, 203) of the tank system (200).

5. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the event that the message is output which identifies values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor (213) as implausible, a characteristic curve stored in a memory and assigned to the first temperature sensor (213) is adapted such that the first difference deviates from the temperature characteristic value by an amount which is less than or equal to the temperature threshold value.

6. Method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in the event that the message is issued which identifies the values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor (213) as implausible, an error detection is carried out for the first temperature sensor (213).

7. Method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in the event that the message is output which identifies values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor (213) as implausible, an error message is output for the first temperature sensor (213).

8. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each high-pressure tank (201, 203) is assigned a respective temperature sensor (213, 215) and each temperature sensor (213, 215) of the tank system (200) is checked successively.

9. A tank system (200) for storing fluid, the tank system (200) comprising: a first high-pressure tank (201), a number of further high-pressure tanks (203), a line system (205), a pressure regulator (207) arranged in the line system (205) and separating a high-pressure region (209) from a medium-pressure region (211), a first temperature sensor (213) configured to measure a temperature in the first high-pressure tank (201), a number of further temperature sensors (215), each configured to measure a temperature in a respective further high-pressure tank (203), a reference temperature sensor (217) arranged in the medium-pressure region (213), a computing unit (219), the computing unit (219) being configured to carry out a method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Tank system (200) according to claim 9, characterized in that the computing unit (219) is configured to, during operation of a consumer for fluid stored in the high-pressure tanks (201, 203): - to close tank valves (221) of all high-pressure tanks (203) with the exception of one tank valve (223) of the first high-pressure tank (201) associated with the first temperature sensor (213), - to determine a first difference between values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor (213) and values ​​determined by the reference temperature sensor (217), - to open a tank valve (221) of a further high-pressure tank (203) associated with a further temperature sensor (215), - to close the tank valve (223) of the high-pressure tank (201) associated with the first temperature sensor (213), - to determine a further difference between values ​​determined by the further temperature sensor (215) and values ​​determined by the reference temperature sensor (217), - to calculate a temperature characteristic from all the differences determined, - to compare the first difference with the temperature characteristic, - to output a message which identifies values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor (213) as implausible in the event that the first difference deviates from the temperature characteristic value by an amount which is greater than a predetermined temperature threshold value or - to issue a message that identifies values ​​determined by the first temperature sensor as plausible in the event that the first difference deviates from the temperature characteristic value by an amount that is less than or equal to the temperature threshold value.

11. Tank system (200) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that that the computing unit (219) is configured to successively check each temperature sensor (213, 215) of the tank system (200) as the first temperature sensor.

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