Hydraulic manifold

Abstract

Hydraulic Manifold The invention relates to a hydraulic manifold (1) for connecting at least two sets of tanks (2-5) comprising at least one filling inlet (6) and at least one drawing outlet (7), a filling pipe (8), a drawing pipe (9) and as many branch pipes (10, 14) as there are sets of tanks (2-5), a branch pipe (10, 14) comprising, at its inlet, a connection to the filling pipe (8) via an upstream check valve (11, 15), and at its outlet, a connection to the drawing pipe (9) via a downstream check valve (12, 16). Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Hydraulic manifold technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a hydraulic manifold, of the type suitable for connecting several reservoirs, particularly of pressurized gas, more particularly of hydrogen, so as to communalize and centralize the filling and / or drawing from said reservoirs. Previous technique

[0002] It is known to connect several elementary tanks to a collector in order to communalize and centralize the filling and drawing from the tanks, in order to form a large modular global tank.

[0003] At the inlet of each elementary tank is generally equipped a valve, preferably a solenoid valve, so as to be able to isolate an elementary tank from the overall tank and to control which elementary tank(s) is / are drawn from.

[0004] In a known manner, a collector forms a common mixing volume to which the different tanks are connected.

[0005] It is common to use a semi-direct acting solenoid valve at the inlet of a primary tank. Such a semi-direct acting solenoid valve is advantageous due to its excellent cost / performance ratio. However, when the differential pressure between the upstream side of the solenoid valve (tank side) and the downstream side (manifold side) is very high, the solenoid valve may have difficulty opening. It may struggle to open fully or refuse to open at all, even when the electrical control signals it to open. Such a differential pressure can arise either from significant differential filling and / or withdrawal of one tank relative to the others, or from thermal stresses that the tanks do not experience equally due to their different thermal characteristics and / or dimensions.

[0006] Also, a hydraulic manifold is desired which allows connection of elementary tanks, which may be different, and which is capable of compartmentalizing pressures between series of tanks with similar thermal characteristics and / or respective dimensions, so that the differential pressure between upstream and downstream of a solenoid valve does not reach values ​​that are too high and may prevent it from opening properly. Summary of the invention

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a hydraulic manifold for fluidic connection of at least two series of reservoirs comprising at least one inlet of filling and at least one draw-off outlet, a filling pipe, a draw-off pipe and as many branch pipes as there are sets of tanks, the filling pipe comprising a connection with said at least one filling inlet and a connection with an inlet of each of the branch pipes, the draw-off pipe comprising a connection with an outlet of each of the branch pipes and a connection with said at least one draw-off outlet, a first branch pipe comprising, at its inlet, a connection to the filling pipe, via a first upstream non-return valve, running in the direction from the filling pipe towards the first branch pipe and, at its outlet, a connection to the draw-off pipe via a first downstream non-return valve, running in the direction from the first branch pipe towards the draw-off pipe and further comprising,between the first upstream check valve and the first downstream check valve, at least one first connection to a tank of the first series, and at least one second branch pipe comprising, at its inlet, a connection to the filling pipe via a second upstream check valve, running from the filling pipe towards the second branch pipe and, at its outlet, a connection to the draw-off pipe via a second downstream check valve, running from the second branch pipe towards the draw-off pipe and further comprising, between the second upstream check valve and the second downstream check valve, at least one second connection to a tank of said at least one second series.

[0008] Specific features or embodiments, usable alone or in combination, are:

[0009] - each reservoir is connected to the hydraulic manifold via a solenoid valve semi-direct type,

[0010] - a series of tanks groups together tanks with thermal characteristics neighbors,

[0011] - tanks with similar thermal characteristics are tanks whose The diameter-to-length ratios are virtually identical.

[0012] - a hydraulic manifold is made as a single unit,

[0013] - a hydraulic manifold is made in a modular fashion, with a basic module and at least one additional module, the basic module comprising a filling pipe, a draw-off pipe and a first branch pipe, the filling pipe comprising a connection with the filling inlet, a connection with the inlet of the first branch pipe, and a first upstream extension connection, the draw-off pipe comprising a connection with the outlet of the first branch pipe, a connection with the draw-off outlet, and a first downstream extension connection, the first pipe branch being unchanged, the additional module comprising a second unchanged branch conduit, further comprising, at its input, a second upstream extension connection complementary to the first upstream extension connection and, at its output, a second downstream extension connection complementary to the first downstream extension connection,

[0014] - a branch pipe includes a pressure sensor. Brief description of the drawings

[0015] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the figures in the appendix in which:

[0016] [Fig-1] shows, in perspective view, a collector according to the invention,

[0017] [Fig.2] shows, in schematic view, a one-piece manifold according to the invention,

[0018] [Fig.3] shows, in schematic view, a modular collector according to the invention,

[0019] [Fig.4] shows, in schematic view, a collector connected to reservoirs. Description of the implementation methods

[0020] With reference to Figures 1-4, the invention relates to a hydraulic manifold 1. Such a hydraulic manifold 1 is intended to connect at least two sets of reservoirs 2-5. For this purpose, a manifold 1 forms a closed container suitable for holding a fluid, such as a pressurized gas, preferably hydrogen. This container includes at least one filling inlet 6, so that it can be filled. It also includes at least one drain outlet 7, so that it can be emptied.

[0021] According to one feature, the manifold 1 further comprises a filling pipe 8, a discharge pipe 9, and as many branch pipes 10, 14 as there are sets of tanks 2-5. The container is formed by connecting the filling pipe 8, the discharge pipe 9, and said pipes to at least two branch pipes 10, 14 in a watertight manner. The branch pipes 10, 14 are substantially linear pipes, comprising two outlets, one at each end, referred to as the inlet and outlet. There is one branch pipe 10, 14 per set of tanks 2-5. The tanks 2-5 are arranged in sets, a set comprising from one to n tanks 2-5. The branch pipes 10, 14 are connected in parallel by means of the filling pipe 8 and the discharge pipe 9.

[0022] The filling line 8 includes a connection with at least one filling inlet 6. Each filling inlet 6 is connectable to a fluid supplier. The filling line 8 further includes a connection with the inlet of each of the branch lines 10, 14. The filling line 8 can thus be filled via one of its filling inlets 6 and in turn fill the branch lines 10, 14, via their respective inlets.

[0023] In a dual configuration, the supply pipe 9 includes a connection to an outlet of each of the branch pipes 10, 14. The supply pipe 9 further includes a connection to at least one supply outlet 7. Each supply outlet 7 is connectable to a fluid consumer. The branch pipes 10, 14 can thus supply the supply pipe 9, which can then deliver fluid via one of its supply outlets 7.

[0024] A first branch pipe 10 includes, at its inlet, a connection to the filling pipe 8 and, at its outlet, a connection to the supply pipe 9. In order to isolate and protect the first branch pipe 10, the inlet connection is made via a valve 11, which is called the first upstream check valve 11, since it is located upstream of the first branch pipe 10. This first upstream check valve 11 is oriented so as to allow flow in the direction from the filling pipe 8 to the first branch pipe 10. Similarly, the outlet connection is made via a valve 12, which is called the first downstream check valve 12, since it is located downstream of the first branch pipe 10. This first downstream check valve 12 is oriented so as to allow flow in the direction going from the first branch pipe 10 to the draw-off pipe 9.

[0025] The first branch pipe 10 further includes, between the first upstream check valve 11 and the first downstream check valve 12, at least one first connection 13. This at least one first connection 13 allows a tank 2-5 to be connected and fluidly linked to the manifold 1. The tanks 2-5 of a first series can thus be connected to the first branch pipe 10.

[0026] Said at least one second branch pipe 14 comprises, at its inlet, a connection to the filling pipe 8 and, at its outlet, a connection to the supply pipe 9. In order to isolate and protect said at least one second branch pipe 14, the inlet connection is made via a valve 15, which is called the second upstream check valve 15, since it is located upstream of the second branch pipe 14. This second upstream check valve 15 is oriented so as to allow flow in the direction from the filling pipe 8 to the second branch pipe 14. Similarly, the outlet connection is made via a valve 16, which is called the second downstream check valve 16, since it is located downstream of the second branch pipe 14. This second downstream check valve 16 is oriented so as to be passing in the direction going from the second branch pipe 14 towards the drawing pipe 9.

[0027] Said at least one second branch pipe 14 further comprises, between the second upstream check valve 15 and the second downstream check valve 16, at least one second connection 17. This at least one second connection 17 allows a reservoir 2-5 to be fluidly connected to the manifold 1. The reservoirs 2-5 of a second series can thus be connected to the second branch pipeline 14.

[0028] This allows the tanks of a first series to be separated, in terms of pressure, from the tanks of a second series. Each branch line 10, 14 allows tanks 2-5 to be grouped within a series and isolated and protected from the tanks of the other series. The check valves 11, 12, 15, 16, separating the branch lines 10, 14 from each other, protect the tanks 2-5 from one series to the next by preventing a high pressure appearing in one series from disturbing another, less pressurized series.

[0029] Each reservoir 2-5 is connected to the hydraulic manifold 1, by means of a connection 13, 17, via a solenoid valve 18. Such a solenoid valve 18 allows the associated reservoir 2-5 to be isolated and thus its filling and / or withdrawal to be selectively controlled. According to another characteristic, this solenoid valve 18 is of the semi-direct type. A semi-direct type solenoid valve 18 is commonly used because it offers a favorable cost-performance ratio. Because it operates in two stages, such a solenoid valve 18 may remain partially open or fully closed in the event of significant back pressure downstream of it, i.e., on the manifold side 1, opposite the reservoir 2-5. In order to mitigate this drawback, it is important to ensure that the pressure downstream of the solenoid valve 18 is not too high relative to the pressure in the reservoir 2-5.

[0030] During filling or drawing, the pressure is substantially equalized between the reservoirs 2-5 and the manifold 1 and the aforementioned problem cannot appear.

[0031] According to the prior art, the problem is more likely to arise in the following situation. At least two tanks 2-5 are freely connected, without a valve, to a manifold 1. The two tanks 2-5 have different thermal characteristics and / or dimensions. Therefore, during a temperature variation, due for example to exposure to sunlight or a temperature change for any other reason, the pressure in one tank 2-5 changes differently from the pressure in the other tank 2-5.

[0032] After filling or drawing, a period of heat exchange occurs between the tanks 2-5 and the ambient air, as well as between the manifold 1 and the ambient air. At the end of this exchange, the internal pressure differs between the manifold 1 and the tanks 2-5. Thus, the pressure differential across the solenoid valve 18 differs between the tanks 2-5, which have different thermal characteristics and / or dimensions. Following a drawing command, the opening of the solenoid valves 18 with the highest differential pressure will be prevented or hindered.

[0033] According to the invention, the manifold 1, thanks to its non-return valves 11, 12, 15, 16, This allows for the compartmentalization of pressure sectors at the level of each branch line 10, 14. Also, by connecting only tanks 2-5 with similar thermal characteristics to the same branch line 10, 14, the problem is avoided.

[0034] Also, according to another characteristic, a series of tanks, namely tanks 2-5 connected to the same branch pipeline 10, 14, advantageously groups tanks 2-5 with similar thermal characteristics.

[0035] Herein, thermal characteristics are understood to mean any characteristic which can, actively or passively, lead to a change in pressure within a reservoir 2-5.

[0036] By way of example, tanks 2-5 with similar thermal characteristics, advantageously grouped within the same series, are tanks with similar dimensions. These dimensions can be chosen differently. When subjected to a temperature variation, tanks of the same diameter, length, volume, or heat exchange surface area exhibit a comparable pressure variation and thus remain within a coherent operating range, allowing the solenoid valves 18 to function correctly. These different dimensional criteria, within a given temperature range, can be used to group tanks 2-5 within a series connected to the same branch line 10, 14.

[0037] More specifically, according to a preferred criterion, the diameter-to-length ratio of tank 2-5 is used to group tanks 2-5 within a series.

[0038] Several embodiments are possible for the collector 1.

[0039] According to a first embodiment, more particularly illustrated in figures 1, 2 and 4, a collector 1 is made as a single unit.

[0040] According to another embodiment, more particularly illustrated in [Fig.3], a collector 1 is made in a modular fashion, with a basic module 20 and at least one additional module 21. The addition of additional modules 21 allows the addition of as many additional branch pipes 14 as desired.

[0041] The basic module 20 comprises a filling pipe 8, a draw-off pipe 9, and a first branch pipe 10. The filling pipe 8 includes a connection to the filling inlet 6, a connection to the inlet of the first branch pipe 10, and a first upstream extension connection 22. The draw-off pipe 9 includes a connection to the outlet of the first branch pipe 10, a connection to the draw-off outlet 7, and a first downstream extension connection 23. The first branch pipe 10 is unchanged from the previous description. It includes a first upstream check valve 11, a second downstream check valve 12, and at least one first tank connection 13 between the two check valves 11 and 12.

[0042] An additional module 21 includes a second branch pipe 14 unchanged from the previous description. It includes a second upstream check valve 15, a second downstream check valve 16, and at least one second reservoir connection 17 between the two valves 15 and 16. An additional module 21 further includes, at its inlet, a second upstream extension connection 24 complementary to the first upstream extension connection 22, so as to allow connection to it by creating a fluid connection. Similarly, at its outlet, an additional module 21 includes a second downstream extension connection 25 complementary to the first downstream extension connection 23, so as to allow connection to it by creating a fluid connection.

[0043] In the case of multiple additional modules 21, the upstream connection 24, respectively, the downstream connection 25, of a previous additional module 21 is connected to the upstream connection 24, respectively, the downstream connection 25, of a subsequent additional module 21. The additional modules 21 are connected in parallel.

[0044] According to another feature, a branch pipe 10, 14 includes a pressure sensor 26. Such a pressure sensor 26 is used for the purpose of controlling the filling and / or drawing or for safety purposes, in order to check that the pressure does not become too high.

[0045] The invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the preceding description. This description is to be considered illustrative and given by way of example and not as limiting the invention to this single description. Numerous embodiments are possible. List of reference signs

[0046] 1: collector,

[0047] 2-5: reservoir,

[0048] 6: filling input,

[0049] 7: draw-off outlet,

[0050] 8: filling pipe,

[0051] 9: draw-off pipe,

[0052] 10: first branch conduit,

[0053] 11: first upstream non-return valve,

[0054] 12: first downstream non-return valve,

[0055] 13: first tank connection,

[0056] 14: second branch pipe,

[0057] 15: second upstream non-return valve,

[0058] 16: second downstream non-return valve,

[0059] 17: second tank connection,

[0060]

[0061]

[0062]

[0063]

[0064]

[0065]

[0066]

[0067] 18: solenoid valve, 20: base module, 21: additional module, 22: first upstream extension connection, 23: first downstream extension connection, 24: second upstream extension connection, 25: second downstream extension connection, 26: pressure sensor.

Claims

Demands

1. Hydraulic manifold (1) for connecting at least two sets of tanks (2-5) comprising at least one filling inlet (6) and at least one drawing outlet (7), characterized in that it further comprises a filling pipe (8), a drawing pipe (9) and as many branch pipes (10, 14) as there are sets of tanks (2-5), the filling pipe (8) comprising a connection with said at least one filling inlet (6) and a connection with an inlet of each of the branch pipes (10, 14), the drawing pipe (9) comprising a connection with an outlet of each of the branch pipes (10, 14) and a connection with said at least one drawing outlet (7), a first branch pipe (10) comprising, at its inlet, a connection to the filling pipe (8), via a first upstream non-return valve (11),passing in the direction from the filling pipe (8) to the first branch pipe (10) and, at its outlet, a connection to the drawing pipe (9) via a first downstream check valve (12), passing in the direction from the first branch pipe (10) to the drawing pipe (9) and further comprising, between the first upstream check valve (11) and the first downstream check valve (12), at least a first connection (13) to a tank (2-5) of the first series, and at least a second branch pipe (14) comprising, at its inlet, a connection to the filling pipe (8) via a second upstream check valve (15), passing in the direction from the filling pipe (8) to the second branch pipe (14) and, at its outlet, a connection to the drawing pipe (9) via a second downstream check valve (16),passing in the direction from the second branch pipe (14) to the draw-off pipe (9) and further comprising, between the second upstream check valve (15) and the second downstream check valve (16), at least one second connection (17) to a tank (2-5) of said at least one second series.

2. Hydraulic manifold (1) according to claim 1, wherein each reservoir (2-5) is connected to the hydraulic manifold (1) via a semi-direct type solenoid valve (18).

3. Hydraulic manifold (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein a series of reservoirs groups reservoirs (2-5) of character-

4.

5.

6.

7. nearby thermal risks. Hydraulic manifold (1) according to claim 3, wherein reservoirs (2-5) of similar thermal characteristics are reservoirs whose diameter-to-length ratios are substantially identical. Hydraulic manifold (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, made as a single unit. Hydraulic manifold (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, made in a modular fashion, with a basic module (20) and at least one additional module (21), the basic module (20) comprising a filling pipe (8), a draw-off pipe (9) and a first branch pipe (10), the filling pipe (8) comprising a connection with the filling inlet (6), a connection with the inlet of the first branch pipe (10), and a first upstream extension connection (22), the draw-off pipe (9) comprising a connection with the outlet of the first branch pipe (10), a connection with the draw-off outlet (7), and a first downstream extension connection (23), the first branch pipe (10) being unchanged, the additional module (21) comprising an unchanged second branch pipe (14), further comprising, at its inlet,a second upstream extension connection (24) complementary to the first upstream extension connection (22) and, at its output, a second downstream extension connection (25) complementary to the first downstream extension connection (23). Hydraulic manifold (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a branch pipe (10, 14) includes a pressure sensor (26).

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