Tank systems with shutoff valves and shutoff valves

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shutoff valve (100) for closing a tank (201). The shutoff valve (100) comprises a control chamber (101), a pilot valve (103), a main valve (105), an electromagnet (107), a linkage (109), and a base plate (111), the electromagnet (107) comprises a magnet mover (115) and a coil (113), the pilot valve (103) is movably supported in the magnet mover (115), the magnet mover (115) is movably arranged, and thereby the magnet mover (115) is movable. When the coil (113) is energized, the pilot valve (103) moves by a magnet mover stroke (119) in a direction toward the base plate (111), and the interlocking body (109) moves the pilot valve (103) from a basic position of the pilot valve (103) to a pilot control position by a pilot valve stroke (121) in a direction toward the base plate (111) when the magnet mover (115) moves. The main valve (105) is movable in a direction toward the base plate (111) by a main valve stroke (135), The main valve (105) is configured to move the pilot valve (103) further from a pilot control position in a direction toward the base plate (111) as the main valve (105) moves through the main valve stroke (135).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shut-off valve and a tank system equipped with a shut-off valve. [Background technology]

[0002] Mobile hydrogen tank systems, for example for use in automobiles, have a tank valve for filling with a fuel, such as hydrogen, to fuel a drive, such as a fuel cell or a hydrogen internal combustion engine. In case of a line break or accident, the hydrogen tank must be automatically closed by means of so-called "Shut-Off-Ventils", i.e., shut-off valves, to prevent the fuel from escaping uncontrollably. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Within the framework of the present invention, a shut-off valve and a tank system are proposed. Further features and details of the invention can be taken from the respective dependent claims, the description and the drawings. In this case, it is self-evident that the features and details described in relation to the shut-off valve according to the invention also apply to the tank system according to the invention and vice versa, so that they are always mutually connected or related in relation to the disclosure of the individual inventive aspects.

[0004] The invention serves in particular to provide a compact shut-off valve that can be arranged at the neck of a pressure tank. Thus, according to a first aspect of the invention, a shut-off valve for closing a tank is proposed, which comprises a control chamber, a pilot valve, a main valve, an electromagnet, a linkage and a base plate.

[0005] The electromagnet has a magnet mover and a coil, and the magnet mover is arranged to move, such that when the coil is energized, the magnet mover moves a magnet mover stroke in a direction toward the base plate.

[0006] The pilot valve is movably supported within the magnet armature.

[0007] The linkage is configured to move the pilot valve from a home position of the pilot valve toward the base plate by a pilot valve stroke to a pilot control position upon movement of the magnet armature.

[0008] The main valve is movable in a direction toward the base plate through a main valve stroke and is configured to further move the pilot valve from a pilot control position in a direction toward the base plate as it moves through the main valve stroke.

[0009] An interlocking body may be understood in the context of the present invention as a component that is movable and is configured to come into contact with a moving counterpart, such as a pilot valve provided according to the present invention, during the movement and to interlock at least area-wise during the movement. In particular, an interlocking body according to the present invention is a protrusion of the magnet armature according to the present invention, which is configured to engage with a protrusion of a pilot valve provided according to the present invention.

[0010] The proposed shut-off valve is based on a very small pilot valve stroke of the pilot valve, which is caused by the movement of a magnet armature, and a larger main valve stroke of the main valve, which is caused by the pressure difference between the high-pressure connection of the shut-off valve and the control chamber. Effect of the Invention

[0011] Since the electromagnet provided according to the invention is only required for the movement of the magnet armature over a small pilot valve stroke, the electromagnet can be constructed more compactly compared to known shutoff valves which are provided with a larger pilot valve stroke, and accordingly the proposed shutoff valve can be constructed very compactly and can be arranged in the neck of the pressure vessel of the tank.

[0012] It may be contemplated that the pilot valve stroke is smaller than the main valve stroke.

[0013] Due to the pilot valve stroke being smaller than the main valve stroke, the forces required for the pilot valve stroke are minimized. The electromagnet is correspondingly particularly weak and can be dimensioned correspondingly small.

[0014] It may further be contemplated that the magnet armature stroke is the same magnitude as the pilot valve stroke.

[0015] The movement of the magnet armature is transmitted to the pilot valve by the linkage, so that the magnet armature stroke is directly transmitted to the movement of the pilot valve and the corresponding pilot valve stroke, and therefore the pilot valve and the magnet armature move simultaneously and at the same length or over the same length in the direction toward the base plate.

[0016] It may further be provided that in a non-actuated position, the pilot valve seals the connection between the low pressure connection of the shut-off valve and the control chamber, which extends through the main valve, and in a pilot control position opens this connection, thereby in the pilot control position being able to fill the low pressure connection in order to reduce the pressure in the control chamber and move the main valve by the main valve stroke in a direction towards the base plate.

[0017] The pilot valve is generally supported so as to be movable between an inoperative position, in which the pilot valve seals the connection extending through the main valve in the control chamber against the low-pressure connection of the shut-off valve, a pilot control position and a displaced position in which the connection is opened. Accordingly, via the movement or pilot valve stroke of the pilot valve, a leakage of fluid from the control chamber via the connection is initiated, which results in a main valve stroke of the main valve. Accordingly, the main valve stroke of the main valve is performed without current or without the assistance of an electromagnet, but only by being driven by the pressure difference between the pressure in the tank connected to the high-pressure connection or the shut-off valve and the pressure in the control chamber, which changes depending on the respective position of the pilot valve.

[0018] It may further be contemplated that the shut-off valve has a sealing element that prevents flow from the high-pressure system connected to the shut-off valve into the control chamber when the main valve moves in a direction toward the base plate by the main valve stroke.

[0019] In order to prevent pressure compensation between the high-pressure connection of the shut-off valve and the control chamber and the resulting blockage of the movement of the main valve, a sealing element, such as a foam or a sealing ring, is provided at the inlet of the high-pressure connection so that, for example, when the main valve moves by the main valve stroke in the direction toward the base plate, the main valve can press the sealing element against the inlet.

[0020] It may further be provided that a residual air gap disk is arranged between the magnet mover and the base plate.

[0021] The residual air gap disk between the magnet mover and the base plate prevents magnetic coupling between the magnet mover and the base plate on the one hand and prevents the gap between the magnet mover and the base plate from filling the control chamber on the other hand.

[0022] It may further be contemplated that the shutoff valve has a pilot valve spring urging the pilot valve from a pilot controlled position to a deactivated position and a positioning spring urging the main valve towards the low pressure connection of the shutoff valve, and further that the shutoff valve has a main valve spring urging the main valve in a direction towards the pilot valve.

[0023] By means of the respective spring, i.e. the mechanical spring element of the shut-off valve, the force and the counterforce, in particular the force provided by the electromagnet for the pilot valve stroke, can be precisely adjusted.

[0024] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a tank system for storing a fluid, the tank system comprising a tank and a possible embodiment of the proposed shut-off valve.

[0025] It may be contemplated that the proposed tank system is configured for storing hydrogen.

[0026] The proposed shut-off valve is particularly suitable for preventing hydrogen from escaping from the tank, so that the proposed tank system is particularly suitable as a safe tank system for storing hydrogen.

[0027] It may further be provided that the shut-off valve is disposed within the neck of the pressure vessel of the tank. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a possible embodiment of the proposed shut-off valve. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a possible embodiment of the proposed tank system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description, which details several embodiments of the invention and which refer to the drawings, in which the features recited in the claims and in the description are each important for the invention both individually and in any combination.

[0030] 1 shows a shutoff valve 100. The shutoff valve includes a control chamber 101, a pilot valve 103, a main valve 105, an electromagnet 107, a linkage 109, and a base plate 111.

[0031] The base plate 111 may be, for example, a part of a housing to which the shut-off valve is attached. The base plate 111 is thus connected to the shut-off valve 100 via an interface of the shut-off valve 100, in particular via a screw, so that the housing or the base plate 111 provides the magnetic flux or magnetic flux return path for the electromagnet 107.

[0032] The opening and holding force of the pilot valve 103 is obtained by driving and controlling or energizing the coil 113. When the coil 113 is electrically driven and controlled, a magnetic field 139 is generated that moves the magnet mover 115 of the electromagnet 107 downward toward the base plate by the magnet mover stroke as shown by the arrow 119 against the pilot valve spring 117.

[0033] By means of the magnetic linkage 109, the pilot valve 103 is linked by a pilot valve stroke similar to the magnet armature movement as shown by arrow 121. In this case, the pilot valve 103 lifts from its sealing seat in the main valve 105 and the low pressure connection 123 fills with fluid from the control chamber 101 as shown by arrow 125.

[0034] In the control chamber 101, until the pilot valve 103 is released from the main valve 105, a pressure equal to the pressure in the high pressure connection 127 or in the tank connected to the high pressure connection 127 prevails, because the control chamber is filled from the high pressure connection 127 via the guide gap.

[0035] By filling and the resulting pressure increase in the low-pressure connection 123, the pressure value at the main valve 105 is changed in such a way that the pressure-loaded surface in the control chamber 101 at the main valve 105 maintains a lower pressure level and the pressure increases until it reaches the sealing element 129. In conjunction with the pressure-loaded surface, an opening force at the main valve 105 is obtained from the high-pressure connection 127, which opening force is additionally assisted by the main valve spring 131 but acts against the force of the very small positioning spring 141.

[0036] The main valve 105 moves the main valve stroke in a direction toward the pilot valve 103 until it contacts the pilot valve 103, as indicated by arrow 135.

[0037] As the main valve 105 moves further in the direction towards the base plate 111 , the pilot valve 103 is lifted off the mechanical linkage 109 and follows the stroke of the main valve 105 further.

[0038] The main valve 105 structurally moves until it abuts against a sealing element 133 on the magnet armature 115 , limiting the main valve stroke as indicated by arrow 135 .

[0039] The sealing element 133 is arranged in such a way that in the longer actuated or open main valve 105 , post-filling from the high-pressure connection 127 to the control chamber 101 is blocked or prevented.

[0040] Additionally, a residual air gap disk 137, configured, for example, as a sealing element, is arranged between the magnet mover 115 and the base plate 111, which prevents magnetic coupling between the magnet mover 115 and the base plate 111 and the filling of the control chamber 101.

[0041] When the electrical drive control of the coil 113 is terminated or interrupted by another event, the magnetic holding force decreases and the magnet mover 115 moves away from the sealing element 133, so that fluid flows into the control chamber 101 through the sealing element 133 or a corresponding gap and, in cooperation with the pilot valve spring 117, applies a closing force to the main valve 105 via the pilot valve 103, closing the low-pressure connection 123.

[0042] 2 shows a tank system 200. The tank system 200 comprises a tank 201 with a pressure vessel 203 in the form of a pressure bottle having a neck 205.

[0043] A shutoff valve 100 is disposed within the bottle neck 205 . [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 100 Shut-off valve 101 Control Room 103 Pilot valve 105 Main valve 107 Electromagnet 109 Interlocking Body 111 Base Plate 113 Coil 115 Magnet mover 117 Pilot valve spring 119 Arrow, magnet mover stroke 121 Arrow, pilot valve stroke 123 Low voltage connection 127 High voltage connection 129 Seal Element 131 Main valve spring 133 Sealing element 135 Arrow, main valve stroke 137 Residual Air Gap Disk 139 Magnetic Field 141 Positioning spring 200 Tank System 201 Tank 203 Pressure Vessels 205 bottle neck

Claims

1. In a shutoff valve (100) for closing the tank (201), The shutoff valve (100) comprises: A control room (101); A pilot valve (103); A main valve (105); An electromagnet (107); An interlocking body (109); A base plate (111); It has The electromagnet (107) has a magnet mover (115) and a coil (113), The pilot valve (103) is movably supported within the magnet mover (115); the magnet mover (115) is movably arranged, so that the magnet mover (115) moves by a magnet mover stroke (119) in a direction toward the base plate (111) when the coil (113) is energized; the interlocking body (109) is configured to move the pilot valve (103) from a basic position of the pilot valve (103) toward the base plate (111) by a pilot valve stroke (121) to a pilot control position when the magnet mover (115) moves; The main valve (105) is movable in a direction toward the base plate (111) by a main valve stroke (135), the main valve (105) is configured to move the pilot valve (103) further from a pilot control position in a direction towards the base plate (111) as the main valve (105) moves through the main valve stroke (135). A shutoff valve (100) for closing the tank (201).

2. The shutoff valve (100) of claim 1, wherein the pilot valve stroke (121) is smaller than the main valve stroke (135).

3. 3. The shutoff valve (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the magnet armature stroke (119) is the same size as the pilot valve stroke (121).

4. 4. The shut-off valve (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that in a non-actuated position, the pilot valve (103) seals a connection between a low pressure connection (123) of the shut-off valve (100) and the control chamber (101), which extends through the main valve (105), and in a pilot control position opens this connection, whereby in the pilot control position the low pressure connection (123) can be filled in order to reduce the pressure in the control chamber (101) and to move the main valve (105) by the main valve stroke (135) in a direction towards the base plate (111).

5. The shut-off valve (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the shut-off valve (100) has a sealing element (133) that prevents flow from a high-pressure system connected to the shut-off valve (100) into the control chamber (101) when the main valve (105) moves in a direction toward the base plate (111) by the main valve stroke (135).

6. The shutoff valve (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a residual air gap disk (137) is arranged between the magnet armature (115) and the base plate (111).

7. the shutoff valve (100) having a pilot valve spring (139) urging the pilot valve (103) to a non-operated position and a positioning spring (141) urging the main valve (105) to a low pressure connection (123) of the shutoff valve (100); The shutoff valve (100) of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a main valve spring (131) that urges the main valve (105) in a direction toward the pilot valve (103).

8. A tank system (200) for storing a fluid, comprising: The tank system (200) A tank (201); A shutoff valve (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7; A tank system (200) for storing a fluid, comprising:

9. The tank system (200) of claim 8, wherein the tank system (200) is configured to store hydrogen.

10. 10. The tank system (200) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the shut-off valve (100) is arranged in a neck (205) of a pressure vessel (203) of the tank (201).

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