Shutoff valve and control method for controlling hydrogen flow from a pressurized tank - Patents.com

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shutoff valve (100) for controlling the flow of pressurized gas from a pressurized gas container (109) to a system-side chamber (111), comprising a main valve (101), a servo valve (103), a coil (105), and a tension spring (107), the coil moving the servo valve from a first servo valve position to a second servo valve position when energized, and the servo valve connecting a control chamber (117) of the shutoff valve to a system-side chamber (109) when in the first servo valve position. ), the servo valve opens the control passage when in the second servo valve position, the tension spring mechanically connects the servo valve to the main valve and moves the main valve from the first main valve position to the second main valve position when the servo valve moves to the second servo valve position, and the main valve air-tightly closes the main passage (123) connecting the pressurized gas container with the system side chamber when in the first main valve position and opens it when in the second main valve position.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shutoff valve and a control method for controlling hydrogen flow from a pressurized tank. [Background technology]

[0002] Hydrogen is often used as a power source to run fuel cells and even internal combustion engines. Hydrogen is highly explosive and must be safely stored in pressurized tanks. Shut-off valves are used to control the flow of hydrogen from the pressurized tanks. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Within the scope of the invention, a shut-off valve, a control method, a pressurized tank and a vehicle are proposed, each having the features of the independent claims. Further features and details of the invention are evident from the respective dependent claims, the description and the drawings. In this regard, the features and details described in the context of the shut-off valve according to the invention are naturally also valid in the context of the control method according to the invention or the pressurized tank according to the invention and the vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa, so that cross-reference is always made or can be made to the disclosure of the individual inventive aspects.

[0004] The proposed invention serves inter alia to enable robust and reliable control of hydrogen flow from a pressurized tank.

[0005] Thus, in a first aspect of the proposed invention, a shutoff valve for controlling hydrogen flow from a pressurized gas container to a system chamber is proposed, the shutoff valve including a main valve, e.g., a nozzle needle, a servo valve, a coil, and a tension spring.

[0006] The coil is configured to move the servovalve from a first servovalve position to a second servovalve position when an electrical current is applied to the coil.

[0007] When the servo valve is in the first servo valve position, it hermetically closes the main valve control passage between the isolation valve control chamber and the system side chamber.

[0008] When the servo valve is in the second servo valve position, it opens the control passage of the main valve into a control chamber above the servo valve.

[0009] The tension spring mechanically couples the servo valve to the main valve and provides a tension force on the main valve to move the main valve from the first main valve position to the second main valve position when the servo valve moves to the second servo valve position.

[0010] The main valve, when in the first main valve position, air-tightly closes the main passage connecting the pressurized gas container with the system-side chamber, and, when in the second main valve position, opens the main passage.

[0011] A shut-off valve is understood in the context of the proposed invention to be a shut-off valve for closing and opening a path for the passage of a fluid.

[0012] A tension spring is understood in the context of the proposed invention to be a spring element, e.g. a mechanical spring or elastic element, which when deflected provides a tension force and tends to move towards an undeflected or rest position.

[0013] By pressurized gas container, in the context of the proposed invention, is understood a chamber in which hydrogen is stored at high pressure, in particular at pressures of up to 1100 bar. A system-side chamber is understood in the context of the proposed invention to be a chamber that is located downstream of the shut-off valve and that can typically have a pressure between atmospheric pressure and the storage pressure in the pressurized gas container.

[0014] The proposed invention is based on two movable valves: a servo valve, which regulates the hydrogen / gas flow and the resulting pressure transition in the shut-off valve, and a main valve, which regulates the hydrogen flow from / through the shut-off valve.

[0015] In accordance with the present invention, the servo valve and main valve cooperate to enable robust and reliable movement of the main valve between a first main valve position, e.g., a shut-off position, and a second main valve position, e.g., an open position.

[0016] The proposed shut-off valve connects a system-side chamber, which can be supplied with a fuel, for example a fuel cell system or an internal combustion engine, in particular with a fuel, for example hydrogen, via a fluid-guiding connection, with a pressurized gas container, which is usually a pressurized tank, via a main passage. To adapt the pressure level, for example in the fuel cell system or the internal combustion engine, these are usually connected with the system-side chamber via a pressure reducer. A main valve of the shut-off valve is movably arranged in the main passage, so that when the main valve is in a first main valve position, for example projecting into the main passage or closing the main passage gas-tight, the main valve prevents or blocks the flow of hydrogen or gas from the pressurized gas container to the system-side chamber. In a second main valve position, the main valve releases the flow of hydrogen from the pressurized gas container to the system-side chamber, for example via a position spaced apart from the main passage.

[0017] To enable movement of the main valve from a first main valve position to a second main valve position, the proposed shut-off valve combines a pneumatic biasing force generated by a pressure differential inside the shut-off valve with a mechanical force provided by a tension spring as contemplated according to the present invention.

[0018] The pneumatic pushing force is provided in the proposed shut-off valve by the control chamber principle. It means that the control chamber is used to adjust the counter pressure against the high pressure acting on the main valve from the pressurized gas container. If the same high pressure acting on the main valve from the pressurized gas container is applied in the control chamber accordingly, no force tends to move it. It means that if a pressure lower than the high pressure acting on the main valve from the pressurized gas container is applied in the control chamber, a force tends to move it, so that the high pressure moves the main valve or a pushing force acts on the main valve based on the pressure difference between the pressurized gas container and the control chamber.

[0019] To control the pressure differential between the pressurized gas container and the control chamber, the proposed shut-off valve includes a servo valve movable between a first servo valve position in which the servo valve gas-tightly closes a control passage of the main valve and a second servo valve position in which the servo valve opens the control passage.

[0020] When the shut-off valve is in its basic position preventing the outflow of hydrogen from the pressurized gas container, the high pressure applied by the pressurized gas container acts on the servo valve, pushing it into or toward the control passage, thereby closing the control passage in an airtight manner.

[0021] To release the outflow of hydrogen from the pressurized gas container, the coil of the shutoff valve is energized, i.e. supplied with electricity, which generates a magnetic force that draws the servo valve to the second servo valve position. Due to the applied high pressure, the servo valve is then initially slightly lifted or moves to a servo valve auxiliary position in which the control passage can be traversed by hydrogen, so that hydrogen flows from the control chamber to the system-side chamber and the pressure in the control chamber is reduced. Due to the reduced pressure, the magnetic force can draw the servo valve to the second servo valve position.

[0022] When the servo valve moves to the second servo valve position, a storage chamber below the servo valve or between the servo valve and the main valve is released, allowing the main valve to move into the storage chamber when the pressure in the storage chamber is minimized by hydrogen flowing out through the control chamber to the system side chamber.

[0023] In order to support the movement of the main valve from the first main valve position to the second main valve position or into the receiving chamber, or to enable it accordingly quickly, when the pressure difference is already small, the tension spring provided according to the invention provides a tension force at the main valve when the servo valve is moved to the second servo valve position, which accordingly acts together with or in addition to the pneumatic pressure force acting on the main valve by the pressurized gas container.

[0024] To close or shut off the shut-off valve, the current to the coil is interrupted, causing the pressure provided by the compression spring to urge the servo valve to a first servo valve position, causing the servo valve to hermetically close the control passage, and high pressure is generated in the control chamber, which urges the servo valve toward the main valve, forcing the main valve into the main passage or to the first main valve position.

[0025] It may be intended that the control chamber is disposed above the servo valve and the servo valve includes an additional control passage connecting the control chamber with a control passage of the main valve, whereby the servo valve moves into the control chamber when moving to the second servo valve position.

[0026] A control chamber arranged above the servo valve allows the pressure acting on the servo valve to be adjusted and the movement of the servo valve to be controlled accordingly. The control chamber, in which a reduced pressure can occur compared to a pressurized gas bottle, allows the servo valve to be moved quickly and reliably by additively acting forces, i.e. the magnetic force provided by the coil and the pneumatic pushing force provided by the pressure difference. To this end, an additional control passage allows the outflow of hydrogen from the control chamber through the servo valve and the control passage to the system chamber.

[0027] Further, the shut-off valve may be intended to include a chamber for accommodating the main valve in the second main valve position, the chamber being arranged between the servo valve and the main valve and fluidly connecting the additional control passage with the control passage.

[0028] In one preferred embodiment, the additional control passage is provided with a throttle point configured to inhibit or slow down the opening movement of the servo valve and thus prevent it from bouncing off the stroke stop.

[0029] Furthermore, it may be intended that the movement of the servo valve to the second servo valve position causes the release of a receiving chamber for receiving the main valve in the second main valve position.

[0030] A chamber for accommodating the main valve in the second main valve position, which is blocked by the servo valve in the first servo valve position, ensures successive movement of the servo valve first from the first servo valve position to the second servo valve position and then the main valve from the first main valve position to the second main valve position.

[0031] It may be intended that the main valve has a stroke limiter on the housing side, so that the main valve stroke is shorter than the servo valve stroke, so that the servo valve seat remains free when the servo valve (103) is fully open and the main valve is fully open, allowing pressure compensation between the control passage, the receiving chamber, the additional control passage and the control chamber.

[0032] It may be provided that a pneumatic decoupling of the control chamber from the pressurized gas container takes place via a guide between the servo valve and the housing or between the main valve and the servo valve.

[0033] Alternatively, the pneumatic decoupling can also be achieved in another preferred embodiment by means of conventional sealing elements, such as, for example, O-rings, sealing lips, diaphragms, etc., in or on the guide, which allows a large pressure drop in the control chamber and thus a particularly large opening force at the servo valve and the main valve. In this case, in order to nevertheless ensure reliable closure after the magnetic force action has ceased during the closing process, an alternative pneumatically throttled connection must be present between the control chamber and the pressurized gas container, which can be made particularly simple in terms of manufacturing engineering, in contrast to the guide, for example through a radial throttle hole between the additional control hole and the high pressure region at the height of the tension spring, or for example radially between the receiving chamber and the high pressure region in the main valve, or a throttle hole can also be provided in the housing between the high pressure region and the control chamber.

[0034] The shutoff valve may further be intended to include a compression spring configured to urge the servo valve to the first servo valve position and to urge the main valve to the first main valve position when the coil is de-energized.

[0035] The compression spring allows for positive and reliable shutoff of the shutoff valve even in the event of a failure of the electrical supply to the shutoff valve.

[0036] It may further be intended that the servo valve includes a first connecting member for mechanically connecting with a first corresponding connecting member of the tension spring, and the main valve includes a second connecting member for mechanically connecting with a second corresponding connecting member of the tension spring. A connecting member and a corresponding connecting member, e.g., a hook and eyelet, can provide a secure connection between the servo valve, the tension spring, and the main valve, thereby ensuring a flow of force from the servo valve to the main valve when the servo valve moves from the first servo valve position to the second servo valve position.

[0037] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling hydrogen flow from a pressurized tank by a shutoff valve, the shutoff valve including a main valve, a servo valve, a coil and a tension spring, the method comprising an opening step for opening the shutoff valve, in which an electric current is applied to the coil to move the servo valve from a first servo valve position to a second servo valve position, whereby the servo valve releases a control passage of the main valve between a control chamber of the shutoff valve and a system-side chamber, and hydrogen in the control chamber flows into the system-side chamber, the tension spring mechanically couples the servo valve to the main valve, and a tension force is provided by the main valve, which tension force moves the main valve from the first main valve position to the second main valve position, whereby the main passage connecting the pressurized gas container with the system-side chamber is released. The control method further includes a shutoff step for shutting off the shutoff valve, in which the coil is switched to a de-energized state, causing the compression spring to move the servo valve from the second servo valve position to the first servo valve position, causing the servo valve to gas-tightly close the control passage of the main valve, and causing the main valve to gas-tightly close the main passage.

[0038] The proposed control method serves in particular for actuating the proposed shut-off valve.

[0039] In a third aspect the proposed invention relates to a pressurised tank system with possible embodiments of the proposed shut-off valve.

[0040] In a fourth aspect the proposed invention relates to a vehicle comprising a possible embodiment of the proposed pressurized tank system.

[0041] Other advantages, features, and specific matters of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in which the embodiments of the present invention are specifically described with reference to the drawings. In this regard, each feature referred to in the claims and the specification may be an essential part of the invention, either alone or in any combination. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0042] [Figure 1a] 4 is a flow diagram of a possible embodiment of the proposed control method with a possible embodiment of the proposed shut-off valve. [Figure 1b] 4 is a flow diagram of a possible embodiment of the proposed control method with a possible embodiment of the proposed shut-off valve. [Figure 1c] 4 is a flow diagram of a possible embodiment of the proposed control method with a possible embodiment of the proposed shut-off valve. [Figure 1d] 4 is a flow diagram of a possible embodiment of the proposed control method with a possible embodiment of the proposed shut-off valve. [Figure 1e] 4 is a flow diagram of a possible embodiment of the proposed control method with a possible embodiment of the proposed shut-off valve. [Figure 1f] 4 is a flow diagram of a possible embodiment of the proposed control method with a possible embodiment of the proposed shut-off valve. [Diagram 2] 1 is a possible embodiment of the proposed vehicle with a possible embodiment of the proposed pressurized tank system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0043] 1a shows a shutoff valve 100. The shutoff valve 100 includes a main valve 101, a servo valve 103, a coil 105, and a tension spring 107.

[0044] In FIG. 1 a , the shutoff valve 100 is shown in a shutoff state in which the flow of hydrogen from the pressurized gas container 109 to the system side chamber 111 is prevented or blocked by the main valve 101 .

[0045] In an opening step 201 to open the shutoff valve 100, the coil 105 is energized, thereby providing a magnetic force which moves the servo valve 103 against the spring force of the compression spring 113 to a biased or servo valve assist position in which the control passage 115 of the main valve 101 is released, as shown in FIG. 1b.

[0046] With the control passage 115 open, hydrogen or gas flows from the control chamber 117 through the additional control passage 119 and the control passage 115 to the system chamber 111, as shown in Fig. 1c. The control passage 115 and the additional control passage 119 then act as throttles. The pressure in the control chamber 117 decreases accordingly, causing the magnetic force provided by the coil 105 to move the servo valve 103 to the second servo valve position shown in Fig. 1d.

[0047] Furthermore, it may be intended that, for example, when the pressure levels in the high pressure area 109 and the area 111 on the system side are the same or similar, i.e. in an operating state in which there is no or only a small auxiliary pneumatic opening force on the main valve according to the control chamber principle, the main valve 101 can also be opened by the purely electromagnetic force transmitted from the servo valve via a spring to the main valve.

[0048] The servo valve 103 is mechanically coupled to the main valve 101 via a tension spring 107, such that when the servo valve 103 moves from a first servo valve position to a second servo valve position, the tension spring 107 deflects and the tension force provided by the tension spring 107 is gradually transmitted to the main valve 101, moving the main valve 101 from the first main valve position shown in FIG. 1c to the second main valve position shown in FIG. 1d.

[0049] In Fig. 1d, the servo valve 103 is shown in a second servo valve position where the servo valve 103 is fully deflected into the control chamber 117. In response, the maximum tension force on the main valve 101 by the tension spring 107 additively cooperates with the biasing force applied to the main valve 101 based on the pressure difference between the storage chamber 121 and the pressurized gas container 109 to move the main valve 101 to the second main valve position, as shown in Fig. 1e.

[0050] As soon as the main valve 101 is in the second main valve position, the main passage 123 connecting the system side chamber 111 and the pressurized gas container 109 is opened, thereby allowing hydrogen or gas to flow from the pressurized gas container 109 to the system side chamber 111.

[0051] To close the main passage 123 in the closing step 203, the coil 105 is switched off as shown in FIG. 1f, whereby the compression spring 113 causes the servo valve 103 to move from the second servo valve position towards the main valve to close. As soon as the servo valve comes into contact with the main valve, the control passage 115 is closed and a mechanical force is exerted on the main valve via the servo valve seat. Furthermore, the pressure in the control chamber rises again due to the filling via the throttle gap. The combination of the compression spring 113 exerting a mechanical closing force on the main valve via the servo valve seat and the simultaneous filling of the control chamber leads to a common closing movement of the complex consisting of the servo valve and the main valve.

[0052] 2 shows a vehicle 200. The vehicle 200 includes a pressurized tank system having the shutoff valve 100 of FIG. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 100 Shut-off valve 101 Main valve 103 Servo valve 105 Coil 107 Tension Spring 109 Pressurized gas cylinders 111 System side room 113 Compression Spring 115 Control Corridor 117 Control Room 119 Additional Control Passage 121 Containment Room 123 Main passage 200 vehicles 300 Pressurized tank, pressurized tank system

Claims

1. A shutoff valve (100) for controlling the flow of pressurized gas from a pressurized gas container (109) to a system side chamber (111), The shutoff valve (100) is A main valve (101); A servo valve (103); A coil (105); and a tension spring (107), the coil (105) is configured to move the servo valve (103) from a first servo valve position to a second servo valve position when a current is applied to the coil (105); When the servo valve (103) is in the first servo valve position, it hermetically closes the control passage (115) of the main valve (101) between the control chamber (117) of the shutoff valve (100) and the system side chamber (109); when the servo valve (103) is in the second servo valve position, it opens the control passage (115) of the main valve (101) into the control chamber (117) above the servo valve (103); the tension spring (107) mechanically couples the servo valve (103) to the main valve (101) and provides a tension force on the main valve (101) to move the main valve (101) from a first main valve position to a second main valve position when the servo valve (103) moves to the second servo valve position; A shut-off valve, wherein the main valve (101) hermetically closes a main passage (123) connecting the pressurized gas container (109) with the system side chamber (111) when in the first main valve position, and opens the main passage (123) when the main valve (101) is in the second main valve position.

2. 2. The shutoff valve (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the control chamber (117) is arranged above the servo valve (103) and the servo valve (103) includes an additional control passage (119) connecting the control chamber (117) with the control passage (115) of the main valve (101), whereby the servo valve (103) moves into the control chamber (117) when moving to the second servo valve position.

3. the shutoff valve (100) includes a chamber (121) for accommodating the main valve (101) in the second main valve position; 3. The shut-off valve (100) of claim 2, wherein the chamber (121) is arranged between the servo valve (103) and the main valve (101) and fluidly connects the additional control passage (119) to the control passage (115).

4. 4. The shut-off valve (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a throttle point is present in the additional control passage (119).

5. 4. The shut-off valve (100) of claim 3, characterized in that movement of the servo valve (103) to the second servo valve position causes the release of the accommodating chamber (121) for accommodating the main valve (101) in the second main valve position.

6. 4. The shut-off valve (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the main valve (101) has a housing-side stroke limiter which causes the main valve stroke to be shorter than the servo valve stroke, so that the servo valve seat remains free when the servo valve (103) is fully open and the main valve (101) is fully open, and pressure compensation between the control passage (115), the storage chamber (121), the additional control passage (119) and the control chamber (117) can be performed.

7. 4. The shut-off valve (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that a pneumatic isolation of the control chamber from the pressurized gas container is provided through a guide of the servo valve or the main valve.

8. 8. The shut-off valve (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the pneumatic isolation of the control chamber from the pressurized gas container in the guide area of ​​the servo valve or the main valve is achieved by a sealing member, for example an O-ring, a sealing lip or a diaphragm.

9. 9. The shutoff valve (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that there is a pneumatically throttled connection between the control chamber and the pressurized gas container.

10. The shut-off valve (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the shut-off valve (100) includes a compression spring (13) configured to urge the servo valve (103) to the first servo valve position and to urge the main valve (101) to the first main valve position when the coil (105) is de-energized.

11. the servo valve (103) includes a first coupling member for mechanically coupling with a first corresponding coupling member of the tension spring (107); The shutoff valve (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the main valve (101) includes a second connecting member for mechanically connecting with a second corresponding connecting member of the tension spring (107).

12. A control method for controlling a flow of pressurized gas from a pressurized tank (300) by means of a shutoff valve (100), comprising: The shutoff valve (100) is A main valve (101); A servo valve (103); A coil (105); and a tension spring (107), The control method includes: an opening step (201) for opening the shutoff valve (100), in which current is applied to the coil (105) to move the servo valve (103) from a first servo valve position to a second servo valve position, whereby the servo valve (103) opens a control passage (115) of the main valve (101) between a control chamber (117) of the shutoff valve (100) and a system-side chamber (111), and pressurized gas in the control chamber (117) flows into the system-side chamber (111); the tension spring (107) mechanically couples the servo valve (103) to the main valve (101), a tension force being provided on the main valve (101), which tension force moves the main valve (101) from a first main valve position to a second main valve position, thereby opening a main passage (123) connecting a pressurized gas container (109) with the system side chamber (111); and a shut-off step (203) for shutting off the shut-off valve (100), in which the coil (105) is switched to a de-energized state, whereby a compression spring (113) moves the servo valve (103) from the second servo valve position to the first servo valve position, the servo valve (103) gas-tightly closing the control passage (115) of the main valve (101), and the main valve (101) gas-tightly closing the main passage (123).

13. A pressurized tank system (300) comprising a shut-off valve (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

14. A vehicle (200) having a pressurized tank system (300) according to claim 13.

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