Diagnostic methods, tank systems, and program products for diagnosing the condition of tank valves.

Abstract

To notify of errors in tank valves within a tank system. [Solution] A diagnostic method for diagnosing the state of tank valves in a tank system having multiple fuel tanks, comprising: identifying the pressure of each fuel tank; supplying fuel from the reference tank to the consumer until the pressure difference between the pressure of the reference tank and the pressure of the diagnostic tank exceeds a predetermined diagnostic threshold; opening the tank valve of the diagnostic tank to guide fuel to the reference tank; and outputting an error notification for the tank valve if, after a predetermined time after opening the tank valve, the temperature inside the diagnostic tank has not fallen below a predetermined temperature threshold, and / or the pressure inside the fuel pipeline assembly leading fuel from the fuel tank has not risen below a predetermined pressure threshold.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention to be introduced relates to a diagnostic method for diagnosing the state of a tank valve in a tank system, a tank system, and a program product.

Background Art

[0002] Fuel cell systems typically have a complex tank system. In Patent Document 1, for example, a system for storing fuel in a tank system for a vehicle is described. The tank system has a tubular tank and a high-pressure fuel dispenser incorporating control technology and safety technology. The tank is made of metal and is modularly coupled to a high-pressure fuel dispenser incorporating control technology and safety technology to form one module in a flexible geometry.

[0003] During driving operation, it is desirable that the tank container be protected as well as possible from mechanical loads and / or thermal loads, such as jolts, vibrations, braking, or acceleration. This also applies to the protection of the tank container in case of an accident. Furthermore, it is worthwhile to attempt to constantly monitor the tank system in order to recognize any malfunctions that may occur in the tank system as early as possible.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Within the scope of the present invention, a diagnostic method, a tank system, and a program product are introduced. Further features and details of the present invention can be found in the respective dependent claims, specifications, and drawings. It is obvious that features and details described in relation to the diagnostic method according to the present invention also apply to the tank system or the program product according to the present invention, and vice versa, and as a result, they are always or can be referenced to each other in relation to the disclosure of each aspect of the invention.

[0006] The present invention described herein is particularly used to recognize and notify of erroneous tank valves in a tank system comprising multiple tanks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Accordingly, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a diagnostic method for diagnosing the condition of a tank valve in a tank system is introduced, wherein the tank system comprises a plurality of fuel tanks, each having one tank valve, and a fuel pipeline assembly that guides fuel from the fuel tanks.

[0008] The diagnostic method described includes the steps of: identifying the individual tank pressure for each of the multiple fuel tanks; supplying fuel to the consumer via a reference tank, until the differential pressure between the reference tank and at least one diagnostic tank of the multiple fuel tanks falls below a predetermined diagnostic threshold; opening the tank valve of at least one diagnostic tank to guide fuel from at least one diagnostic tank to the reference tank; and outputting an error notification indicating an error in the tank valve of at least one diagnostic tank if, after a predetermined time following the opening of the tank valve of at least one diagnostic tank, the temperature inside at least one diagnostic tank has fallen below a predetermined temperature threshold and / or the pressure inside the fuel pipeline assembly has risen below a predetermined pressure threshold.

[0009] The diagnostic method described is based on setting different pressure levels in different fuel tanks within a single tank system, and as a result, the controlled volumetric flow rate from each diagnostic tank to be checked, or the corresponding pressure reduction and / or temperature change within the diagnostic tank, can be used to estimate the state of the tank valves in the diagnostic tanks.

[0010] To set different pressure levels, a reference tank is selected from multiple fuel tanks to exclusively supply fuel to a consumer, such as a fuel cell system. Correspondingly, only the tank valve of the reference tank is open, while the tank valves of the other fuel tanks are closed, resulting in a pressure in the reference tank being lower than the pressure in the other fuel tanks.

[0011] As soon as the differential pressure between the reference tank and at least one diagnostic tank of the multiple fuel tanks exceeds a predetermined diagnostic threshold (which may, for example, occur after a predetermined time has elapsed since the supply from the reference tank to the consumer), the tank valve of at least one diagnostic tank, or the outlet path of this tank valve, is opened. Based on the differential pressure between the reference tank and at least one diagnostic tank, if the tank valve of at least one diagnostic tank is functioning correctly, fuel flows from at least one diagnostic tank into the reference tank, and as a result, the reference tank is refilled, if possible, through the filling path of its tank valve.

[0012] Refilling of the reference tank or leakage of fuel from at least one diagnostic tank correlates with a temperature drop in at least one diagnostic tank and a pressure increase in the fuel pipeline assembly of the tank system. Consequently, if no temperature drop and / or pressure increase occurs in at least one diagnostic tank after opening the tank valve of at least one diagnostic tank, it can be assumed that there is an error in the tank valve of at least one diagnostic tank or that fuel is not flowing from at least one diagnostic tank.

[0013] The pressure of each individual tank can be determined, for example, by a pressure sensor assigned to each fuel tank, or by a calculation using the temperature obtained by a temperature sensor assigned to each fuel tank. As a result, the pressure sensors inside the fuel tanks can be omitted.

[0014] Optionally, the diagnostic methods described include organizing the pressures of individual tanks based on their magnitude, that is, classifying the pressures of individual tanks in ascending or descending order based on their magnitude.

[0015] At least one diagnostic tank may include only the fuel tanks with the second lowest individual pressure among multiple fuel tanks.

[0016] For example, in order to identify the fuel tank having the second lowest individual pressure among multiple fuel tanks, the individual tank pressures are organized according to the present invention, that is, classified, for example, in ascending or descending order.

[0017] By selecting the fuel tank with the second lowest individual tank pressure as the diagnostic tank, the fuel tank with the lowest individual tank pressure can be selected as the reference tank. As a result, in some cases, all fuel tanks can be sorted in ascending order of individual tank pressure and selected sequentially as diagnostic tanks.

[0018] Furthermore, at least one diagnostic tank may include, among a plurality of fuel tanks, a fuel tank having the second lowest individual tank pressure, and any number of fuel tanks, each having an individual tank pressure that differs from the second lowest individual tank pressure by at most an arbitrary diagnostic tank threshold.

[0019] By selecting multiple or a group of fuel tanks with similar pressure levels as diagnostic tanks, the diagnostic method can be performed particularly quickly.

[0020] Furthermore, at least one diagnostic tank may be configured to include only the fuel tank having the highest individual tank pressure among the plurality of fuel tanks.

[0021] By selecting the fuel tank having the highest individual tank pressure among the plurality of fuel tanks as the diagnostic tank, when supplying fuel from the reference tank to the consumer, a differential pressure greater than the diagnostic threshold can be set particularly quickly.

[0022] Furthermore, at least one diagnostic tank may be configured to include the fuel tank having the highest individual tank pressure among the plurality of fuel tanks and any number of fuel tanks each having an individual tank pressure that differs from the highest individual tank pressure by at most an arbitrary diagnostic tank threshold.

[0023] By selecting a plurality or a group of fuel tanks having similar pressure levels as the diagnostic tank, the diagnostic method can be carried out particularly quickly.

[0024] Furthermore, the diagnostic method may be continued with at least one another fuel tank as the new at least one diagnostic tank.

[0025] To continue the diagnostic method with at least one another fuel tank as the new at least one diagnostic tank, select a new at least one diagnostic tank, for example, a fuel tank having an individual tank pressure that is next highest or next lowest to the previous diagnostic tank, and correspondingly, open the new at least one diagnostic tank when the new at least one diagnostic tank reaches a pressure difference greater than the diagnostic threshold with respect to the reference tank, or after a predetermined waiting time for diagnosing the state of an error in the previous diagnostic tank or its tank valve. Subsequently, continue the diagnostic method in a manner similar to the process in the original diagnostic tank.

[0026] Correspondingly, further, after a predetermined time after the opening of the tank valve of at least one diagnostic tank, when the temperature in this at least one diagnostic tank only drops to an extent not reaching a predetermined temperature threshold, and / or when the pressure in the fuel pipeline assembly only rises to an extent not reaching a predetermined pressure threshold, or when the differential pressure between the reference tank and the new at least one diagnostic tank is greater than the diagnostic threshold, the new at least one diagnostic tank may be opened.

[0027] Furthermore, the diagnostic method further includes the steps of identifying the first tank-specific temperature for each fuel tank of a plurality of fuel tanks at a first point in time, and identifying the second tank-specific temperature for each fuel tank of the plurality of fuel tanks at a second point in time, and may perform the identification of the tank-specific pressure for each fuel tank of the plurality of fuel tanks based on the ratio between the respective first tank-specific temperature and the respective second tank-specific temperature.

[0028] By identifying the tank-specific pressure for each fuel tank of the plurality of fuel tanks based on the ratio between the respective first tank-specific temperature and the respective second tank-specific temperature, the pressure sensor provided in the fuel tank can be omitted.

[0029] According to a second aspect, the present invention to be introduced relates to a tank system for storing fuel.

[0030] The tank system to be introduced includes a plurality of fuel tanks each having one tank valve, a fuel pipeline assembly for guiding fuel from the fuel tanks, and a computing unit. The computing unit is configured to implement a possible configuration of the diagnostic method to be introduced.

[0031] The diagnostic method to be introduced is particularly used for diagnosing the state of the tank system to be introduced.

[0032] In particular, the calculation unit may be configured to determine the individual pressure for each fuel tank in a plurality of fuel tanks, supply fuel to the consumer from the reference tank until the differential pressure between the reference tank and at least one diagnostic tank of the plurality of fuel tanks exceeds a predetermined diagnostic threshold, open the tank valve of at least one diagnostic tank to guide fuel from at least one diagnostic tank to the reference tank, and output an error notification indicating an error in the tank valve of at least one diagnostic tank if, after a predetermined time after opening the tank valve of at least one diagnostic tank, the temperature inside at least one diagnostic tank has fallen below a predetermined temperature threshold and / or the pressure inside the fuel pipeline assembly has risen below a predetermined pressure threshold.

[0033] According to a third aspect, the present invention described here relates to a program product comprising program code means, wherein the program code means is configured to implement a possible configuration of the diagnostic method described here when the program code means is executed on the arithmetic unit.

[0034] The advantages described in detail with respect to the diagnostic method for diagnosing the state of a tank valve in a tank system according to the first aspect of the present invention also apply to a fuel storage tank system according to the second aspect of the present invention and a program product according to the third aspect of the present invention.

[0035] Further advantages, features, and details of the present invention can be found in the following description. Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the features mentioned in the claims and specification may be essential to the invention, either individually or in any combination. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0036] [Figure 1] This diagram shows one possible configuration of the diagnostic method being described. [Figure 2]This diagram shows one possible configuration of the tank system being introduced. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a detailed diagram of the diagnostic method shown. [Figure 4] This is a detailed diagram of another possible configuration of the diagnostic method being described. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0037] Figure 1 shows a diagnostic method 100 for diagnosing the condition of a tank valve in a tank system, wherein the tank system comprises a plurality of fuel tanks, each having one tank valve, and a fuel pipeline assembly that guides fuel from the fuel tanks.

[0038] The diagnostic method 100 includes: a first identification step 101 for identifying the individual tank pressure for each of the multiple fuel tanks; a supply step 103 for supplying fuel to a consumer via a reference tank, the supply step 103 for supplying until the differential pressure between the reference tank and at least one diagnostic tank of the multiple fuel tanks exceeds a predetermined diagnostic threshold; an opening step 105 for opening the tank valve of at least one diagnostic tank to guide fuel from at least one diagnostic tank to the reference tank; and an output step 107 for outputting an error notification indicating an error in the tank valve of at least one diagnostic tank if, after a predetermined time after opening the tank valve of at least one diagnostic tank, the temperature inside at least one diagnostic tank has fallen below a predetermined temperature threshold and / or the pressure inside the fuel pipeline assembly has risen below a predetermined pressure threshold.

[0039] The diagnostic method 100 optionally includes a sorting step 109 for sorting the individual tank pressures based on their magnitude, and / or a second identification step 111 for identifying a first individual tank temperature for each of the multiple fuel tanks at a first time point, and a third identification step 113 for identifying a second individual tank temperature for each of the multiple fuel tanks at a second time point, thereby enabling the identification of the individual tank pressure for each of the multiple fuel tanks at the first identification step 101 to be based on the ratio between the first individual tank temperature and the second individual tank temperature.

[0040] Figure 2 shows a tank system 200 for storing fuel, particularly hydrogen.

[0041] The tank system 200 comprises a plurality of fuel tanks 201, each having one tank valve 203 and one temperature sensor 205; a fuel line assembly 207 that guides fuel from the fuel tanks 201 to a consumer 209; a calculation unit 211; and a pressure sensor 213.

[0042] The arithmetic unit 211 is configured to perform the diagnostic method 100 shown in Figure 1.

[0043] Figure 3 shows Graph 300, with time on the horizontal axis and pressure on the vertical axis.

[0044] Transition 301 shows the pressure change in the first fuel tank, Transition 302 shows the pressure change in the second fuel tank, Transition 303 shows the pressure change in the third fuel tank. Transition 304 shows the pressure change in the fuel pipeline assembly.

[0045] At the first time point T1, the first fuel tank having the lowest pressure among the fuel tanks is exclusively opened to supply fuel to the consumer, and as a result, transitions 301 and 304 decrease.

[0046] At the second time point T2, the second fuel tank, which has the second lowest pressure among the fuel tanks, is designated as the first diagnostic tank. The differential pressure between the pressure change in the reference tank 301 and the pressure change in the first diagnostic tank 302 is greater than the diagnostic threshold, as roughly indicated by the arrow 305, so it is opened.

[0047] Accordingly, based on the properly functioning tank valve of the first diagnostic tank, fuel flows from the first diagnostic tank into the fuel pipeline assembly and the reference tank, and as a result, the pressure or transition 301 in the reference tank rises.

[0048] At the third time point T3, the third fuel tank is designated as the second diagnostic tank, and the differential pressure between the pressure change 302 in the second fuel tank (which serves as a new reference tank) and the pressure change 303 in the second diagnostic tank is greater than the diagnostic threshold, as roughly indicated by the arrow 307, so it is opened.

[0049] Accordingly, based on the properly functioning tank valve of the second diagnostic tank, fuel flows from the second diagnostic tank into the fuel pipeline assembly and the new reference tank, and as a result, the pressure or transition 302 in the new reference tank rises.

[0050] Figure 4 shows Graph 400, with time on the horizontal axis and pressure on the vertical axis.

[0051] Transition 401 shows the pressure change in the first fuel tank, Transition 402 shows the pressure change in the second fuel tank, Transition 403 shows the pressure change in the third fuel tank. Transition 404 shows the pressure change in the fuel pipeline assembly.

[0052] At the first time point T1, the first fuel tank having the lowest pressure among the fuel tanks is exclusively opened to supply fuel to the consumer, and as a result, transitions 401 and 404 decrease.

[0053] At the second time point T2, the third fuel tank, which has the highest pressure among the fuel tanks, is designated as the first diagnostic tank. The differential pressure between the pressure change 401 in the reference tank and the pressure change 403 in the first diagnostic tank is greater than the diagnostic threshold, as roughly indicated by the arrow 405, so it is opened.

[0054] Accordingly, based on the properly functioning tank valve of the first diagnostic tank, fuel flows from the first diagnostic tank into the fuel pipeline assembly and the reference tank, and as a result, the pressure or transition 401 in the reference tank rises.

[0055] At the third time point T3, the second fuel tank is used as the second diagnostic tank, and the differential pressure between the pressure change in the reference tank 401 and the pressure change in the second diagnostic tank 402 is greater than the diagnostic threshold, as roughly indicated by the arrow 407, so it is opened.

[0056] Accordingly, based on the properly functioning tank valve of the second diagnostic tank, fuel flows from the second diagnostic tank into the fuel pipeline assembly, the third fuel tank and the reference tank, and as a result, the pressure or transitions 401 and 403 in the third fuel tank and the reference tank rise, at least for a short time. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 100 diagnostic methods 101 First Identification Step 103 Supply step 105 Open Step 107 Output Step 109 Organization Steps 111 Second Identification Step 113 Third Identification Step 200 Tank System 201 Fuel Tank 203 Tank valve 205 Temperature Sensor 207 Fuel pipeline assembly 209 Consumers 211 arithmetic units 213 Pressure Sensor 300 graphs 301 Pressure changes in the first fuel tank 302 Pressure changes in the second fuel tank 303 Pressure changes in the third fuel tank 304 Pressure changes within fuel pipeline assemblies 305 Arrow, differential pressure 307 Arrow, differential pressure 400 graphs 401 Pressure changes in the first fuel tank 402 Pressure changes in the second fuel tank 403 Pressure changes in the third fuel tank 404 Pressure changes within fuel pipeline assemblies 405 Arrow, differential pressure 407 Arrow, differential pressure T1 First time point T2 Second time point T3 Third point in time

Claims

1. A diagnostic method (100) for diagnosing the condition of a tank valve (203) in a tank system (200), The tank system (200) comprises a plurality of fuel tanks (201), each having one tank valve (203), and a fuel pipeline assembly (207) that guides fuel from the fuel tanks (201). The diagnostic method (100) is, Step (101) of identifying the individual pressure of each fuel tank (201) of the plurality of fuel tanks (201), Step (103) of supplying fuel to the consumer (209) using a reference tank of a plurality of fuel tanks (201), wherein the supply continues until the differential pressure between the reference tank and at least one diagnostic tank of the plurality of fuel tanks (201) exceeds a predetermined diagnostic threshold, Step (105) of opening the tank valve (203) of at least one of the diagnostic tanks in order to guide fuel from at least one of the diagnostic tanks to the reference tank, Step (107) of outputting an error notification indicating an error in the tank valve of at least one of the diagnostic tanks if, after a predetermined time after the opening of the tank valve of at least one of the diagnostic tanks, the temperature inside at least one of the diagnostic tanks has not fallen below a predetermined temperature threshold, and / or the pressure inside the fuel line assembly (207) has not risen below a predetermined pressure threshold. to include, A diagnostic method (100) for diagnosing the condition of a tank valve (203) in a tank system (200).

2. The diagnostic method (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the diagnostic tanks includes only the fuel tank (201) having the second lowest individual pressure among the plurality of fuel tanks (201).

3. The diagnostic method (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one diagnostic tank includes a fuel tank (201) having the second lowest individual tank pressure among a plurality of fuel tanks (201), and any number of fuel tanks (201) each having an individual tank pressure that differs from the second lowest individual tank pressure by at most an arbitrary diagnostic tank threshold.

4. The diagnostic method (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the diagnostic tanks includes only the fuel tank (201) having the highest individual tank pressure among the plurality of fuel tanks (201).

5. The diagnostic method (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one diagnostic tank includes a fuel tank (201) having the highest individual tank pressure among a plurality of fuel tanks (201), and any number of fuel tanks (201) each having an individual tank pressure that differs from the highest individual tank pressure by at most an arbitrary diagnostic tank threshold.

6. The diagnostic method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the diagnostic method (100) is continued using at least one other fuel tank (201) as a new at least one diagnostic tank.

7. If, after a predetermined time following the opening of the tank valve of at least one of the diagnostic tanks, the temperature inside at least one of the diagnostic tanks has not fallen below a predetermined temperature threshold, and / or the pressure inside the fuel line assembly (207) has not risen below a predetermined pressure threshold, When the differential pressure between the reference tank and the new at least one diagnostic tank is greater than the diagnostic threshold, Open the aforementioned new at least one diagnostic tank, The diagnostic method (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that

8. The aforementioned diagnostic method further, Step (111) of determining the first individual temperature of each fuel tank (201) of the plurality of fuel tanks (201) at a first time point, Step (113) of determining the second individual temperature of each fuel tank (201) of the plurality of fuel tanks (201) at a second time point, It includes, The determination of the individual pressure of each fuel tank (201) of the plurality of fuel tanks (201) is performed based on the ratio between the temperature of each first individual tank and the temperature of each second individual tank. A diagnostic method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that

9. A fuel storage tank system (200), The tank system (200) is Multiple fuel tanks (201), each having one tank valve (203), A fuel pipeline assembly (207) for guiding fuel from the aforementioned fuel tank (201), The arithmetic unit (211) and, Equipped with, The calculation unit (211) is configured to perform the diagnostic method (100) described in any one of claims 1 to 8. Tank system (200).

10. The aforementioned arithmetic unit (211) is The individual pressure of each fuel tank (201) of the multiple fuel tanks (201) is identified. Fuel is supplied to the consumer (209) by a reference tank until the differential pressure between the reference tank and at least one diagnostic tank of the plurality of fuel tanks exceeds a predetermined diagnostic threshold. To guide fuel from at least one of the diagnostic tanks to the reference tank, the tank valve of at least one of the diagnostic tanks is opened, An error notification indicating an error in the tank valve of at least one of the diagnostic tanks is output if, after a predetermined time following the opening of the tank valve of at least one of the diagnostic tanks, the temperature inside at least one of the diagnostic tanks has not fallen below a predetermined temperature threshold, and / or the pressure inside the fuel line assembly (207) has not risen below a predetermined pressure threshold. It is structured in such a way. The tank system (200) according to claim 9, characterized in that...

11. A program product comprising program code means, wherein the program code means is configured to perform the diagnostic method (100) described in any one of claims 1 to 8 when the program code means is executed on the arithmetic unit.

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