Heavy-duty electric refueling vehicle

Abstract

Heavy-duty electric refueling vehicle.Heavy goods vehicle refueling (1) comprising: - a mobile structure including means of locomotion (10), - a tank for carrying fuel, - an elevating platform (4), - main distribution means (5) configured to allow pumping fuel from said tank, - winding means (6) on which are mounted one or more refueling hoses for transferring fuel from the tank to the tank of an aircraft, - possibly additional distribution means (7) allowing filling said tank and additional winding means (7'), - an overall module (11) for piloting and controlling said means (5), (6), (7), (7'), said heavy goods vehicle refueling (1) comprising a high-power electric motorization module (2) extending by a force transmission element (20) capable of operating said main distribution means (5) and possibly additional (7).Figure for the abridged version: Fig.1.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Electric refueling heavy goods vehicle

[0001] — The field of the present invention relates to that of electric heavy goods vehicles Tailors used for loading fuel into aircraft, particularly on airports or airfields, or on sites with aircraft runways.

[0002] Such a vehicle moves between aircraft, and under their wings, to ensure aircraft fuel tank filling.

[0003] A heavy goods vehicle used for refueling is constituted in a known manner: - a mobile structure, generally resulting from the conversion of a heavy goods vehicle heavy, - of a lifting platform, - a tank for carrying liquid or gaseous fuel, - of the main distribution means that pump the fuel into the tank, the filter by separating impurities and water from the fuel, distribute the fuel from tank to an aircraft's fuel tank, and count the amount of fuel dispensed, - one or more supply hoses, mounted on winding means specific to allow the transfer of fuel from the tank to the reservoir.

[0004] A heavy goods vehicle refueling, due to this complex structure, requires a comprehensive management that considers the fuel supplier as a system that can be controlled through computer means and global and specific automation each action.

[0005] = A heavy goods vehicle for refueling also includes distribution means additional fittings allowing the connection of fuel supply hoses, on the one hand, to an aircraft fuel tank via the underside of an aircraft wing and, on the other hand, to a distribution module connected to a fixed tank or means of supplying fuel. These additional distribution methods allow the fuel supplier to to fill an aircraft's fuel tank with fuel from its tank or from a module distribution.

[0006] … The operation of the heavy goods vehicle used for refueling and its component parts can implement internal combustion engines using fossil fuels, to do to operate, for example, a pneumatic compressor and / or a hydraulic power unit.

[0007] — But currently, the aeronautical industry is undergoing a major restructuring to to offer more energy-efficient solutions. This is well known for heavy goods vehicles. heavy refuelling tankers using less fossil fuel through an improvement of Internal combustion engines and optimization of their operation. Such solutions However, improvements are reaching their limit.

[0008] The aeronautical industry is therefore seeking to transform itself by considering turning to towards cleaner technologies for transport and aircraft fueling. Furthermore, the energy chain efficiency of such a heavy-duty aircraft vehicle would be at best 70% or 75%. One objective of the invention is to find a solution to optimize the efficiency of the energy chain of such vehicles and to reduce the energy costs of operating such a vehicle. Another objective of the invention is to propose a heavy goods vehicle refueling vehicle with an alternative structure to the existing one, allowing for improved overall energy efficiency compared to the prior art. Yet another objective of the invention is to propose a heavy goods vehicle for aviation with a simplified management of the management system of said vehicle. Yet another objective of the invention is to offer an electric heavy-duty aviator vehicle that does not use fossil fuels. To this end, the invention relates to a heavy goods vehicle refueling vehicle comprising: - a mobile structure, notably resulting from the conversion of a heavy goods vehicle, comprising means of locomotion, - a tank for carrying liquid or gaseous fuel, - a lifting platform, - main distribution means configured to allow fuel to be pumped from said tank, filtered by separating impurities and water from the fuel, and said fuel to be distributed from the tank to a tank of an aircraft, while measuring the quantity of fuel distributed, - winding means on which are mounted one or more supply hoses suitable for transferring fuel from the tank to the reservoir, - possibly additional distribution means allowing the filling of said tank and comprising fuel supply pipes connected on the one hand to said tank, and on the other hand to a distribution module connected to a source external to the vehicle, such as a fixed tank or fuel supply means, - possibly, additional winding means on which are mounted one or more supply hoses suitable for transferring fuel from another tank or another source to the tank, - a comprehensive module for managing and controlling said resources. Advantageously, the said heavy goods vehicle includes a high-power electric motorization module extending by a power transmission element, in particular by a power take-off, capable of operating the said main distribution means and possibly the said supplementary distribution means. In fact, the mechanical torque exerted by this electric motor module is used directly to perform the functions of pumping fuel from the vehicle's tank or from an external source. This also eliminates pneumatic and hydraulic power from the entire fuel distribution system and avoids the costs of parts for implementing this power, resulting in a vehicle that is more economical to manufacture and maintain. This also makes it possible to propose a heavy goods vehicle refueling service that would have a higher energy efficiency than heavy goods vehicles refueling service of the previous art. According to initial calculations, this configuration would allow for an energy efficiency of around 90%. Advantageously, each of the main distribution means, and possibly of the complementary distribution means, is connected to said force transmission element, advantageously still, according to an additional but optional characteristic, by a clutch and disengagement device. This allows for the optimization of energy used and energy actually consumed, thus improving the vehicle's efficiency. Advantageously, said motorization module is powered by primary electrical power supply means managed by a primary management and control system of said primary electrical power supply means. Advantageously, the primary means of supplying electrical energy include one or more high-performance batteries, particularly in terms of power delivered, and especially at high voltage. High voltage refers to a voltage greater than 48 Volts, and in particular a voltage between 400 and 800 Volts. Advantageously, means of locomotion are powered by primary means of electrical energy supply, through means of electrical voltage management. These means of managing the electrical voltage of the primary electrical power supply means may include in particular a voltage converter, an electrical voltage regulator or equivalent allowing the means of locomotion to be supplied by a voltage lower than the voltage delivered by the primary electrical power supply means. Advantageously, all or part of the lifting platform, winding means, possibly additional winding means, are supplied by the primary electrical power supply means, through additional electrical voltage management means. These additional means of managing the electrical voltage of the primary electrical power supply means may include in particular an electrical voltage converter, an electrical voltage regulator or equivalent allowing, by a voltage lower than the voltage delivered by the primary electrical power supply means, a supply of the means listed in the preceding paragraph. Advantageously, the overall piloting and control module of said means is powered by secondary means of electrical power supply managed by a secondary management and control system of said secondary means of electrical power supply. Thus, even if the primary power supply means are depleted, the overall module is still operational, which improves safety. Advantageously, secondary power supply means include one or more low-power batteries, and in particular low-voltage batteries. Low voltage refers to a voltage below 100 Volts, or even 25 Volts. Advantageously, the secondary means of supplying electrical energy are supplied by the primary means of supplying electrical energy, this supply being managed by a tertiary system for managing and controlling the supply of said secondary means of supplying electrical energy by said primary means of supplying electrical energy. This allows for the simple recharging of the battery or batteries of the secondary power supply means with electrical energy. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following description relating to embodiments which are given only as indicative and non-limiting examples. Understanding this description will be facilitated by referring to the attached drawings, in which: [Fig.1] is a schematic view of a heavy goods vehicle refueling and its constituent parts, illustrating the interactions between the different parts; [Fig.2] is a schematic view of the heavy goods vehicle supplying [Fig.1], and illustrating synthetically in dotted lines the relationships between means of supplying electrical energy and the modules and means using this electrical energy. The present invention relates to a heavy-duty refueling vehicle 1. This heavy-duty refueling vehicle 1 according to the invention comprises an electric motor module 2, extending by means of a power transmission element 20. This electric motor module 2 is a high-power module, that is to say, it is capable of generating a mechanical force exceeding several tens of kilowatts, or even several hundred kilowatts. The power transmission element 20 can be by For example, a power take-off which can be a splined shaft forming a power take-off. This electric drive module 2 is powered by primary electrical power supply means 3. These primary electrical power supply means 3 may include one or more high-performance batteries, particularly in terms of the power they can deliver. These high-performance batteries can advantageously deliver a high voltage, that is, a voltage greater than 48 volts, and in particular a voltage between 400 and 800 volts. The management and control of these primary means of supplying electrical energy 3 is done by a primary system 32 for the management and control of said primary means of supplying electrical energy 3. This primary system 32 may include an electronic system enabling the control of the charge and sometimes also the discharge of the accumulators which may make up the battery or batteries of the primary means of supplying electrical energy 3. This electronic system ensures both optimal safety and good longevity of the battery or batteries. The heavy goods vehicle [1] also includes, as is known, a mobile structure. This mobile structure can be obtained by modifying a heavy goods vehicle. This mobile structure includes means of locomotion 10, for example in the form of wheels connected to one or more axles 100, and possibly an installation within the structure allowing control of the vehicle's trajectory and speed. The heavy goods vehicle refueling 1 also includes a tank for carrying liquid or gaseous fuel and an elevating platform 4 equipped with a deployment device 40, such as for example a base or a telescopic arm. The heavy goods vehicle supplying fuel 1 also includes means of distribution known as main 5 for fuel. These main distribution means 5 are configured to allow fuel to be pumped from said tank, filtered by separating impurities and water from the fuel, and distributed from said fuel to an aircraft tank, while measuring the quantity of fuel dispensed. These main distribution means 5 may include one or more pumps 50, filters, and a fuel distribution network equipped with a computer and means for measuring the amount of fuel dispensed, such as a flow meter. The heavy-duty refueling vehicle 1] also includes winding means 6, for example, a motorized reel 60 on which one or more refueling hoses are mounted. These refueling hoses are designed to allow the transfer of fuel from the tank to the aircraft's tank via the pump(s) 50. These winding means 6 allow these hoses to be unwound to obtain a length of hose necessary to refuel an aircraft, then wind said hoses onto the motorized reel 60. The heavy-duty refueling vehicle 1 may also include so-called supplementary distribution means 7. These supplementary distribution means 7 allow an aircraft tank to be filled with fuel from a source external to the vehicle. This external source may simply be a fixed or mobile tank, or access to fuel supply means such as, for example, an underground fuel transport network connected to a fuel tank. These supplementary distribution means 7 can be configured to pump fuel, filter it by separating impurities and water from the fuel, and distribute said fuel from the tank to an aircraft tank, while measuring the quantity of fuel dispensed. These supplementary distribution means 7 may include one or more pumps 70, filters, and a fuel distribution network equipped with a computer and means for measuring the amount of fuel dispensed, such as a flow meter. These supplementary distribution means 7 may include supply hoses connected to the fuel pump(s) 70 of said supplementary distribution means 7 and connected either to said aircraft tank or to a distribution module connected to said external source. Alternatively, the distribution module may already include supply hoses capable of connecting it to the supplementary distribution means 7. These additional distribution means 7 may possibly be supplemented by additional winding means 7° of said supply pipes if these pipes have a significant length requiring winding or if these pipes are not part of the distribution module, in the form for example of an additional motorized reel 70'. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, part of the complementary distribution means 7 can be confused with all or part of the main distribution means 5 and the winding means 6, so as not to have to duplicate certain equipment of the heavy goods vehicle supplying 1 and thus reduce the manufacturing cost and the maintenance cost. This is particularly the case for the pump(s) 50, the filters, and the fuel distribution network equipped with a computer and means for measuring the fuel dispensed, as well as for a motorized hose reel 60 on which one or more refueling hoses are mounted, capable of being connected to the aircraft's tank to be filled. A valve can then allow fuel to be pumped from the tank of the heavy-duty refueling vehicle 1 or from another tank or source. Where applicable, the heavy-duty refueling vehicle 1 includes a motorized hose reel ad- 70" custom The heavy goods vehicle refueling 1 also includes a global module 11 for piloting and controlling said main distribution means 5 and supplementary means 7, winding means 6, and possibly additional winding means 7°. This overall module 11 allows the various modules to be controlled and their proper functioning to be monitored. According to one embodiment of the invention, this overall module 11 can also control and monitor the means of locomotion 10. According to a feature of the invention, the force transmission element 20 of the high power electric motorization module 2 can ensure the operation of one or more of said main distribution means 5 and complementary means 7. According to another feature of the invention, this operation is ensured by a mechanical drive, respectively by means of a clutch and disengagement member 51, 71, each of these members 51, 71 being connected to the force transmission element 20 and being capable of transmitting the force from the force transmission element 20 to said respective main distribution means 5 and supplementary means 7. In the case where the refueling vehicle only has main distribution means 5, or where the main distribution means 5 and supplementary means 7 are combined, the force transmission element 20 of the high-power electric motorization module 2 can directly drive the main distribution means 5, without a clutch and disengagement member. In fact, the transmitted effort makes it possible to drive and operate respectively the pump(s) 50, the pump(s) 70, when the said corresponding organ 51, 71 is engaged with the force transmission element 20. According to a feature of another particular and alternative embodiment of the invention, the high-power electric motorization module 2 is sized to deliver an operating power enabling the operation of at most one of the means among said main distribution means 5 and said complementary distribution means 7. The global module 11 can also drive and control the high-power electric drive module 2 and the clutch and declutching components 51, 71 if the vehicle has them. The high-power electric drive module 2 of the heavy-duty refueling vehicle 1 is supplied by primary electrical power supply means 3. These primary means of supplying electrical energy 3 may include one or more high-power batteries, capable of delivering a voltage between 400 and 800 Volts, or even a voltage between 400 and 1000 Volts. According to one feature of the invention, the means of locomotion 10, in particular the axles 100, are supplied by the primary electrical power supply means 3, through electrical voltage management means 101. These electrical voltage management means 101 may include an electrical voltage converter, an electrical voltage variator or equivalent allowing the delivery of a lower voltage than the voltage entering said converter. According to another feature of the invention, all or part of the lifting platform 4, more particularly the deployment mechanisms 40, the winding means 6, more particularly the reel 60, and optionally additional winding means 7, more particularly the additional reel 70, are supplied by the primary electrical power supply means 3, through respectively additional voltage management means 41, 61, 71'. These electrical voltage management means 41, 61, 71' may include a voltage converter, a voltage regulator, or equivalent, enabling the delivery of an electrical voltage lower than the electrical voltage entering said converter. Of course, all or part of the management means 101, 41, 61, 71' can be combined to reduce costs. The heavy goods vehicle refueling 1 also includes a primary system 32 for managing and controlling said primary electrical power supply means 3. This primary system 32 allows the management and control of the charging, and sometimes also the discharging, of the battery or batteries of the primary electrical power supply means 3, and it can manage and control the proper supply of the high-power electric motor module 2. This primary system 32 may, for this purpose, include sensors, calculation and management modules for the battery or batteries and the motor module 2. The means of locomotion 10, the lifting platform 4, the main distribution means 5 and additional means 7, the winding means 6 and possibly the additional winding means 7' may include equipment operating with a low power supply, as may the overall module 11 for piloting and controlling said means. This is why the overall module 11 and the aforementioned means are powered by secondary means of electrical power supply 8. It should be noted that the primary system 32 for the management and control of said primary means of supplying electrical energy 3 can also be supplied by the secondary means of supplying electrical energy 8. These secondary means of supplying electrical energy 8 may include one or more low power batteries, in particular low voltage, i.e. delivering a voltage of less than 100 Volts, or even 25 Volts. The heavy-duty refueling vehicle [1] also includes a secondary system 80 for managing and controlling said secondary electrical power supply means 8. This secondary system 80 allows for the management and control of the charging, and sometimes also the discharging, of the battery or batteries of the secondary electrical power supply means 8, and it can manage and control the proper power supply to certain equipment of said means. This secondary system 80 may, for this purpose, include sensors, calculation modules, and energy management modules for the battery or batteries and said means. The heavy goods vehicle refueling 1 may have another characteristic, according to which the secondary means of supplying electrical power 8 are supplied by the primary means of supplying electrical power 3. The heavy goods vehicle refueling 1 may then include a tertiary system 38 for managing and controlling the supply of said secondary means of supplying electrical energy 8 by said primary means of supplying electrical energy 3. This tertiary system 38 may, in order to carry out the management and control, include for this purpose sensors, calculation modules and energy management of the high and / or low power battery(ies). This tertiary management and control system 38 can also be powered by secondary means of electrical power supply 8. The heavy-duty refueling vehicle 1 may, alternatively or in addition, be equipped with means for the rapid extraction and replacement of one or more high- or low-voltage batteries. This allows for the quick replacement of the battery or batteries, which takes less time than recharging them. It should be noted that all or part of the primary system 32, the secondary system 80, the tertiary system 38 and the overall system 11 may be combined to reduce costs.

Claims

Demands

1. Heavy goods vehicle (1) comprising: - a mobile structure, notably resulting from the transformation of a heavy goods vehicle, comprising means of locomotion (10), - a tank for carrying liquid or gaseous fuel, - a lifting platform (4), - main distribution means (5) configured to allow pump fuel from said tank, filter it by separating the impurities and water from the fuel, and to distribute said fuel from the tank to an aircraft's fuel tank, counting the amount of fuel distributed, - winding means (6) on which are mounted one or several flexible supply hoses designed to allow the transfer of fuel from the tank to the reservoir, - possibly, additional means of distribution (7) allowing the filling of said tank and comprising pipes fuel supply connected on one side to said tank and on the other part to a distribution module connected to an external source vehicle, such as a fixed tank or means of supplying fuel, - possibly additional winding means (7') on which are fitted with one or more supply hoses specific to to allow the transfer of fuel from another tank or another source to reservoir, - a comprehensive module (11) for piloting and controlling said means, characterized by the fact that said heavy goods vehicle (1) includes a high-power electric motor module (2) extending by means of a force transmission element (20), in particular by a power take-off, capable of operating said distribution means principal (5) and possibly the aforementioned complementary means of distribution comments (7).

2. Heavy goods vehicle refueling vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that each of the said principal means of distribution (5), and possibly of the said complementary means of distribution (7), is connected to said force transmission element (20) by a component clutch and disengagement (51, 71).

3. Heavy goods vehicle refueling (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that said electric motorization module (2) is powered by primary energy supply means electrical (3) managed by a primary management system (32) and control of said primary means of supplying electrical energy (3).

4. Heavy goods vehicle refueling (1) according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the primary means of supplying electrical energy (3) include one or more high-power batteries, in particular high voltage.

5. Heavy goods vehicle refueling (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 4, characterized by the fact that said overall module (11) for piloting and control of said means is powered by secondary means electrical power supply (8) managed by a secondary system (80) management and control of said secondary means of supply in electrical energy (8).

6. Heavy goods vehicle refueling (1) according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the secondary means of feeding (8) include one or more low-power batteries, in particular low-voltage batteries.

7. Heavy-duty refueling vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 6, characterized by the fact that the secondary means of supplying electrical energy (8) are supplied by the supply means primary electrical energy sources (3), this power supply being managed by a tertiary system (38) for managing and controlling the supply of said secondary means of supplying electrical power (8) by said primary means of supplying electrical energy (3).