Apparatus and method for filling a tank

Abstract

To provide a device and method for filling pressurized-gas tanks.SOLUTION: A device comprises a fluid transfer circuit 8 provided with an upstream end intended to be connected to a source of gas 2 and at least two parallel downstream ends 6, 16, 26 intended to be connected to distinct tanks 7 to be filled. The transfer circuit comprises a temperature regulating member 9 for regulating the temperature of the gas transferred from the source towards the downstream ends. The gas temperature regulating member is positioned in the transfer circuit upstream of the at least two downstream ends. This means that the gas temperature regulating member is common to the at least two downstream ends. The at least two downstream ends of the circuit each comprise a corresponding control member 15 that is for controlling the flow rate and / or the pressure of the transferred gas and configured to control the flow rate and / or the pressure in each of the downstream ends independently.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for filling a tank.

[0002] The invention relates more specifically to an apparatus for filling pressurized gas tanks, in particular vehicle hydrogen tanks, comprising a fluid transfer circuit with an upstream end intended to be connected to a source of gas and at least two parallel downstream ends intended to be connected to separate tanks to be filled, the transfer circuit comprising a temperature regulating member for regulating the temperature of the gas transferred from the source towards the downstream ends, the gas temperature regulating member being arranged in the transfer circuit upstream of the at least two downstream ends, which means that the gas temperature regulating member is common to the at least two downstream ends. [Background technology]

[0003] In order to quickly fill pressurized gaseous hydrogen tanks, it is usually necessary to pre-cool the gas to avoid overheating the tank being filled.

[0004] Existing installations or service stations are usually small in size and have one or two filling points, each equipped with its own cooling device.

[0005] Thus, increasing the capacity of the station and the number of filling points doubles the number of cooling devices.

[0006] Additionally, pre-cooling hydrogen prior to filling is very labor intensive. The gas stream to be cooled may have a very variable flow rate (e.g. 0.5-1.8 kg / sec) due to the very variable inlet temperature (ambient, -20°C to 40°C). Furthermore, this high pressure gas provided by the gas source expands more and more as the Joule-Thomson heating effect grows.

[0007] In known installations, the hydrogen is first conveyed to a distributor, where it is then expanded to the required pressure. Cooling is then carried out via an exchanger in the distributor, so that the Joule-Thomson heating effect can be neutralized. Each distributor must therefore be equipped with an exchanger and a connection to a cooling system. In the case of a large-capacity service station, this cooling system increases the costs and the complexity of the installation.

[0008] Document EP 0 933 583 A2 describes a tank filling installation with a common upstream cooling system for the simultaneous filling of several cylinders. This design does not allow for the filling to be varied to suit different tanks, which may have, for example, different constructional characteristics and / or different starting pressures.

[0009] One object of the present invention is to alleviate all or some of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0010] To this end, the device according to the invention, in other respects according to their generic definition given by the preamble above, is essentially characterised in that at least two downstream ends of the circuit each comprise a respective member for controlling the flow rate and / or pressure of the gas to be transported and configured to independently control the flow rate and / or pressure at each of the downstream ends.

[0011] Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: the member for controlling flow rate and / or pressure per downstream end comprises a controlled pressure-control and / or flow-control valve, the filling device comprising an electronic controller adapted to control said valve, an electronic controller configured to control said valves according to one or more rapid-fill algorithms that establish the same or distinct respective pressure increase rates in said tanks; the device comprises, at each downstream end, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the gas, said sensor being connected to a controller; a temperature sensor is arranged downstream of each flow control and / or pressure control member; the controller is configured to control, for each downstream end, a flow control and / or pressure control member as a function of a temperature measured by a temperature sensor for said downstream end; the electronic controller is configured to increase the filling rate of a tank connected to the downstream end when the temperature measured by the sensor for measuring the temperature at said end decreases and to decrease the filling rate of a tank connected to said end when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor at the downstream end increases, the device comprises a flow meter for measuring a flow rate of gas at each of the downstream ends, said flow meter being connected to a controller configured to control a flow control and / or pressure control member for each end as a function of the flow rate measured by said flow meter for said flow end, the electronic controller is configured to calculate an average temperature of the quantity of gas transferred at each downstream end based on measurements from the temperature sensor and from the flow meter, the controller being configured to control the flow control and / or pressure control members for each end as a function of this average temperature of the quantity of gas transferred, in particular to increase the filling rate of the tank connected to the downstream end when the average temperature of the quantity of gas transferred decreases and to decrease the filling rate of the tank connected to the downstream end when the average temperature of the quantity of gas transferred increases, the electronic controller is configured to control the flow control and / or pressure control members using feedback control; the transfer circuit comprises a portion comprising at least two parallel separate pipes between an upstream end and a downstream end, said parallel pipes each comprising a respective gas temperature adjustment member, each of the parallel pipes having a first end intended to be connected to a supply source and a second end connected to each of the downstream ends of the circuit via a respective set of valves, the device comprises a source comprising one or more pressurized gas reservoirs connected in series and / or in parallel to the upstream end of the circuit, the source comprises at least two sets of fluids at different temperatures, and the gas temperature adjustment member comprises a mixer configured to mix fluids from the at least two sets to achieve a defined temperature, the device comprises a supply source comprising at least one liquefied gas reservoir, the gas temperature regulation element comprising part of a duplicated transfer circuit having two parallel branches, one of which comprises an exchanger for warming the fluid, the temperature regulation device further comprising a set of valves configured to direct the distribution of the fluid coming from the liquefied gas reservoir to said two parallel branches in order to regulate the temperature of the mixture of fluids downstream of the temperature regulation element, the gas temperature adjustment member comprises a heat exchanger providing an exchange of heat between the gas of the circuit and a cold source such as a cooling fluid; the gas temperature regulating member is controlled to cool the pressurized gas to a defined temperature which is a function of the fill factor imposed by the gas flow control and / or gas pressure control member; when the supply source comprises one or more pressurized gas stores connected in series and / or in parallel at the upstream end of the circuit, the temperature regulating member is controlled so as to cool the pressurized gas to a defined temperature which is a function of the pressure difference between, on the one hand, the high pressure of the gas supplied by the pressurized gas store during the gas transfer and, on the other hand, the low pressure of the tank to be filled, The gas temperature regulating member is controlled to cool the pressurized gas downstream of the flow control and / or pressure control member to a defined temperature ensuring a gas temperature comprised between -25 and -40 degrees Celsius, in particular between -17.5 and -40 degrees Celsius.

[0012] The invention also relates to a method for filling several pressurized gas tanks, in particular vehicle hydrogen tanks, via a device comprising a fluid transfer circuit equipped with an upstream end connected to at least one gas source and at least two parallel downstream ends intended to be connected to separate tanks, the method comprising a step of cooling in one and the same common temperature regulating member the gas transferred from the source towards the downstream end, the method comprising a step of transferring the gas to separate tanks connected to each downstream end, the flow rate and / or pressure of the gas transferred to the tanks being independently controlled via separate respective regulating members located at the downstream ends.

[0013] The invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the above or below features falling within the scope of the claims.

[0014] Other details and advantages will become apparent from reading the following description, given with reference to the figures. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic partial view illustrating an example of the structure and operation of a filling device according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 4 is a schematic partial view illustrating another example of the structure and operation of a filling device according to the present invention; [Diagram 3] 4 is a schematic partial view illustrating another example of the structure and operation of a filling device according to the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 depicts a characteristic curve of an example of filling according to the prior art; [Diagram 5] 1 depicts a characteristic curve of an example of filling according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The pressurized gas tank filling device 1 depicted diagrammatically in FIG. 1 may be a filling station, inter alia, for filling vehicle hydrogen tanks 7 .

[0017] The device conventionally comprises a fluid transfer circuit 8 equipped with an upstream end connected to at least one source 2 (preferably at least two sources) of pressurized gas and at least two parallel downstream ends 6, 16, 26 (e.g. distribution hoses fitted with nozzle guns or equivalent) intended to be connected to separate tanks 7 to be filled.

[0018] The transfer circuit 8 comprises a temperature adjustment member 9 for adjusting the temperature of the gas transferred from the source 2 towards one or more downstream ends. This temperature adjustment member 9 is designed in particular to bring the transferred gas to a defined temperature, as will be explained in more detail below. In particular, the adjustment member 9 may be configured to cool the gas from the source 2 (when the gas from the source is at a temperature higher than the defined temperature) and / or to warm the gas (when the gas from the source is at a temperature lower than the defined temperature).

[0019] The gas temperature adjustment member 9 is arranged in the transfer circuit 8 upstream of at least two downstream ends 6, 16, 26. This means that the gas temperature adjustment member 9 is common to several of the downstream ends 6, 16, 26. Thus, the gas transferred at each of the downstream ends to the tanks 7 to be filled (simultaneously or not) is temperature regulated by one and the same common member 9.

[0020] In addition, the downstream ends 6, 16, 26 of the transfer circuit 8 each include a respective control member 15 for controlling the flow rate and / or pressure of the gas being transferred and configured to independently control the flow rate and / or pressure at each of the downstream ends 6, 16, 26.

[0021] This allows the cooling of several distributors to be carried out jointly, while at the same time allowing optimized charging to be achieved for individual situations by adjusting the flow rate or expansion of the cooled high pressure gas upstream.

[0022] The members 15 for controlling the flow rate and / or pressure of each downstream end 6, 16, 26 may comprise, for example, controlled valves 15 for controlling pressure or any other suitable members allowing to regulate the flow rate and / or pressure downstream. The filling device 1 preferably comprises an electronic controller 17 arranged to control said valves 15 or equivalent. The controller 17 may comprise a computer or a set of microprocessors or any other suitable data storage and data processing electronic device capable of controlling at least the valves 15.

[0023] Controller 17 may be configured (programmed) to, among other things, control the valve 15 according to one or more rapid-fill algorithms that establish identical or distinct respective pressure increase rates in the tanks being filled.

[0024] Preferably, a temperature sensor 18 is provided at each downstream end 6, 16, 26 to measure the temperature of the gas, said sensors 18 being connected to the controller 17. Preferably, a temperature sensor 18 is located downstream of each flow control and / or pressure control member 15 to measure the temperature of the gas after expansion / flow conditioning just before it is transferred to the tank 7.

[0025] In particular, the controller 17 may be advantageously configured to control the flow control and / or pressure control member 15 for each downstream end 6, 16, 26 as a function of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 18 for said downstream end 6, 16, 26.

[0026] For example, the controller 17 may be configured to increase the filling rate of the tank 7 connected to the downstream end 6, 16, 26 when the temperature measured by the sensor 18 for measuring the temperature at said end decreases, and to decrease the filling rate of the tank connected to said end when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 18 at the downstream end 6, 16, 26 increases.

[0027] Preferably, the device comprises a flow meter 19 for measuring the flow rate of gas at each of the downstream ends 6, 16, 26 (see FIG. 2), said flow meter 19 being connected to a controller 17, which is configured to control the flow control and / or pressure control member 15 per end as a function of the flow rate measured by said flow meter 19 for said downstream ends 6, 16, 26. For example, the controller 17 is configured to calculate the average temperature of the quantity of gas transferred to each tank 7 connected to the downstream ends 6, 16, 26 based on measurements from the temperature sensor 18 and from the flow meter (19). The controller 17 may be configured to control the flow control and / or pressure control member 15 per end as a function of this average temperature of the quantity of gas transferred, in particular to increase the filling rate of the tank connected to the downstream end when the average temperature of the quantity of gas transferred decreases and to decrease the filling rate of the tank connected to the downstream end when the average temperature of the quantity of gas transferred increases. Preferably, the controller 17 does not adjust the temperature adjustment member 9 (member 9 is preferably independent).

[0028] The flow meter 19 is not limited to being a component that directly measures the flow rate of gas in the circuit: alternatively or in combination, this flow rate can be calculated using known measurements, especially from pressure and temperature measurements downstream of each regulating valve 15, in the circuit and / or in the tank to be filled.

[0029] The controller 17 may be configured, inter alia, to control the flow control and / or pressure control member 15 using feedback control.

[0030] The device 1 therefore cools the gas upstream of the circuit 8 at the service station, which makes it possible to commonize the cooling to the various downstream distributors 6, 16, 26. By independently controlling the filling flow rate for each of the downstream ends 6, 16, 26 (preferably in real time and with feedback control as a function of the temperature of the gas at the distributor), the device makes it possible to independently compensate for the temperature variations due to the Joule-Thomson effect associated with the pressure variations specific to each distributor. This arrangement makes it possible to avoid overheating of the tank 7 to be filled.

[0031] Thus, the device 1 provides cooling of the gas at high pressure (i.e. before expansion in each distributor 6, 16, 26). As explained above, this regulated temperature can be chosen and calculated as a function of at least one of the following: -Desired fill rate - the expected Joule-Thomson effect due to expansion (depending on the pressure level of the tank 7 to be filled) -Known heat losses along the line.

[0032] The number of pressure (cascade) levels available at the service station influences the level of expansion. The more pressure levels available, the less expansion is required downstream. For example, if two pressure levels (e.g. 450 bar and 900 bar) are available, at a temperature difference of 0 to 20 degrees Celsius, the regulated temperature will be adjusted between -45 and -40 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, if three different pressure levels (e.g. 300 bar, 600 bar, 900 bar) are available, the temperature difference may be comprised between 0 and 14 degrees Celsius, and the temperature may be adjusted between -35 and -40 degrees Celsius.

[0033] For example, for a service station 1 in which hydrogen is stored in two buffer stores at respective pressure levels of 450 bar and 900 bar at the source 2, the Joule-Thomson effect causes heating of the order of 0-20 degrees Celsius for hydrogen. To have, on average, -33 degrees Celsius at the downstream outlet from the distributors 6, 16, 26, the hydrogen needs to be cooled upstream prior to its expansion to a temperature typically comprised between 45 degrees Celsius and -40 degrees Celsius.

[0034] This temperature may vary with different pressure levels at the station.

[0035] In the example of Fig. 2, the gas source comprises a gas reservoir 3 (several gas containers in parallel containing gas at a pressure, for example comprised between 50 and 500 bar). Downstream of the transfer circuit 8, a first compressor 22 enables a first buffer reservoir 4 to be filled (for example at a pressure comprised between 200 and 700 bar). Downstream of the first buffer reservoir 4, a second compressor 23 may be provided to fill a second buffer reservoir 5 at a higher pressure (for example comprised between 500 and 900 bar).

[0036] Thus, the hydrogen coming from the source 2 can be compressed by one or more compressors 22, 23 so that it can be stored in the buffer stores at different pressures with a view to transferring the gas to the tank 7 by successive (cascaded) pressure equalization operations. Thus, the buffer stores 4, 5 can be connected in parallel (and in series) to each of the downstream ends 6, 16, 26 of the transfer circuit 8. A cooling exchanger 10 is provided to cool the gas remaining in each buffer store 4, 5 before it is fed to the downstream ends 6, 16, 26.

[0037] As illustrated, the heat exchanger 10 may be an exchanger that provides an exchange of heat between the gas of the circuit 8 and a cold source 21, such as a cooling fluid that may or may not circulate in a loop. The gas temperature adjustment member 9 may thus comprise or consist of this heat exchanger 10.

[0038] As illustrated, the transfer circuit 8 preferably comprises a section comprising at least two separate parallel pipes 28 between its upstream and downstream ends 6, 16, 26. Each of said parallel pipes 28 comprises a respective gas temperature adjustment member 9, in this example a cooling exchanger 10. These two parallel pipes are connected upstream to the outlets of the two buffer reservoirs 4, 5, respectively. These two parallel pipes 28 are connected downstream to all downstream ends 6, 16, 26 of the distribution circuit 8 via a set of valves 27.

[0039] The downstream ends 6, 16, 26 are thus connected in parallel to each of the two parallel pipes 28 of the circuit. In this way, the tanks 7 connected to the downstream ends 6, 16, 26 can be supplied with gas from one or the other (or both) buffer reservoirs 4, 5 (in this example there are two buffer reservoirs, but there may be more than two) having in each example a common upstream cooling section 9, 10.

[0040] These valves 27 make it possible to select the cooled hydrogen coming from the source 2 that has the most appropriate pressure level to fill the tank 7 .

[0041] For example, hydrogen may be drawn from the so-called medium pressure line (upper pipe 28 in FIG. 2) if the required pressure is below this pressure in the corresponding medium pressure buffer store 4. This hydrogen may then be expanded to the required pressure downstream of valve 15. Due to the Joule-Thomson effect, the expanded hydrogen will preferably have a temperature between −40 and −25 degrees Celsius.

[0042] As indicated diagrammatically by the discontinuous lines, all components of the transport circuit 8 up to the temperature adjustment members 9, 10 may form part of an upstream entity or "upstream station."

[0043] Similarly, all components downstream of the temperature adjustment member 9 may form part of a (user accessible) downstream distribution entity. Between these two entities, one or more cooled gas transfer lines may be thermally insulated and / or cooled.

[0044] In the example of Figure 3, the source 2 comprises a liquefied gas store 20 supplying, via a respective valve or pump 14, two parallel pipes 28, each equipped with a respective gas temperature adjustment member 9. As before, these two parallel pipes 28 are all connected downstream, via a set of valves 27, to the downstream ends 6, 16, 26 of the distribution circuits 8, respectively.

[0045] In addition, a cross pipe 24 (fitted with an optional valve 29 ) may be provided to transfer fluid from one pipe 28 to the other upstream of the gas attemperating member 9 .

[0046] Downstream of the pump 14 and upstream of the respective temperature regulating element 9, each pipe 28 may be equipped with an optional valve 29. This means that the pipe 24 and the valves 25 and 29 can be omitted.

[0047] The gas temperature adjustment member 9 may comprise part of a duplicated transfer circuit 8 with two parallel branches, one of which comprises an exchanger 11 for warming the fluid. The temperature adjustment member 9 further comprises a set of valves 12, 13 configured to control the distribution of the fluid coming from the liquefied gas store 20 to the two parallel branches in order to adjust the temperature of the fluid to a defined temperature. This means that the pressurized fluid is distributed between the warming exchanger 11 and a bypass bypassing this exchanger 11 in order to adjust its temperature downstream. This gas at the desired temperature can be fed to the respective buffer store 12 and / or to the downstream pipes leading to the downstream distribution ends 6, 16, 26.

[0048] Thus, liquid hydrogen can be withdrawn (pumped) from the liquid reservoir 2 and stored in the buffer reservoirs 12, 13 at different pressures (either at ambient temperature or kept cold at a controlled temperature).

[0049] Thus, by mixing cold hydrogen coming directly from the pump 14 with warmer hydrogen coming from the buffer stores 12, 13, hydrogen of a defined temperature can be obtained, in a manner known per se.

[0050] More specifically, the temperature adjustment can be achieved by performing a suitable mix of relatively warm and relatively cold hydrogen. The relatively warm hydrogen comes, for example, from a pressurized gas buffer storage and / or from a cold source via a warming operation (for example using a heat exchanger). The colder hydrogen comes, for example, from a cryogenic liquid source and / or from a source of fluid that is warmer but cooled by a cooling system (for example cooled by a cold fluid such as liquid nitrogen). Any other type of suitable temperature adjustment can be envisaged.

[0051] As illustrated, a temperature sensor 30 may be disposed in each pipe 28 downstream of the buffer reservoirs 12 , 13 and of the temperature regulating member 9 .

[0052] In the above example, two buffer reservoirs are foreseen. Naturally, alternatively, one or more than two (especially three) buffer reservoirs can be foreseen. These buffer reservoirs can be filled with gas at different pressure levels. During filling of one or more tanks 7, hydrogen is drawn from the one or more buffer reservoirs, preferably at the closest higher pressure level, to the tank to be filled. Once the pressure between this first buffer reservoir and the tank 7 to be filled is equalized (pressure and / or flow differential below a threshold value), the device 1 uses another buffer reservoir (change of pressure bank).

[0053] This allows heating due to the Joule-Thomson effect to be minimized. The high pressure gas is cooled in the upstream station and conveyed to the distributor (downstream end 6, 16, 26) where it is expanded in the distributor (valve 15) before being conveyed to the receiving tank.

[0054] It should be noted that this cascading gas transfer may be supplemented and / or substituted and / or replaced by at least one other pressure source, such as, for example, a compressor.

[0055] The architecture thus allows for the combination of common upstream cooling, cascaded charging, prior to expansion / conditioning, while at the same time allowing for control of the charging at each downstream end. Preferably, the pressure at each downstream end 6, 16, 26 is controlled via a rapid-fill algorithm. For example, the controller controls the expansion valve 15 according to the so-called "MC" charging method, described inter alia in document US2011259469A. The calculation of the charging ratio can therefore be based on this average temperature, according to theoretical or empirical equations, inter alia those described by the MC method or the standard SAE J2601 charging protocol.

[0056] As before, control over the filling rate in the tank 7 is preferably achieved via a pressure ramp at the corresponding valve 15 (for example a valve of the PCV "Pressure Control Valve" type). This control over the downstream filling rate can be achieved dynamically as a function of the measurement 18 of the actual temperature of the gas at the downstream distributor. The temperature at the distributors 6, 16, 26 can be measured at any time. An average temperature weighted by the mass carried can be calculated. This makes it possible to estimate the amount of energy introduced into the filled tank 7 and the extent to which this tank 7 is heated. The filling rate (pressure ramp) can be controlled using a feedback control at the distributor as a function of this average temperature. Filling is accelerated when this average temperature is low and vice versa.

[0057] Alternatively or in combination, control over the downstream filling rate can be achieved dynamically as a function of the temperature of the tank and / or of the temperature of the gas in the tank, which can be communicated to the controller by the tank 7 and / or estimated by the controller as a function of other parameters, for example as described in the results published by the European "HyTransfer" project (see, inter alia, the document entitled "Pre-Normative Research for Thermodynamic Optimization of Fast Hydrogen Transfer" from the Hytransfer project (https: / / www.fch.europa.eu / project / pre-normative-research-thermodynamic-optimization-fast-hydrogen-transfer)).

[0058] The apparatus and methods described herein above allow for simplifying the construction or operation of high capacity service stations by minimizing the number of connections between the upstream portion of the station and the downstream distributor.

[0059] The device 1 also makes it possible to limit the number, cost and complexity of cooling components, especially for service stations with liquefied gas sources where a mix of cold and hot is difficult to achieve.

[0060] This configuration makes it possible to improve the modular nature of the station, in particular by making it possible to easily add one or more distributors without modifying the entire upstream architecture of the circuit.

[0061] The bulk of the downstream distributor may also be reduced.

[0062] Compared to conventional filling, the proposed filling can be more irregular, but achieves the same filling time without precise control over the temperature of the downstream expansion fluid.

[0063] Characteristic curves of the parameters measured at the downstream end as a function of time: pressure P (reflecting the pressure in the tank 7), gas flow rate Q, temperature T can be seen in Figs. 4 and 5, respectively, as an example of filling a tank according to the prior art and according to the invention.

[0064] As can be seen in FIG. 4, the rise in pressure P is linear and the temperature T of the gas at the distributor remains approximately constant, but the flow rate Q increases before decreasing.

[0065] In the example according to the invention in FIG. 5, the rise in pressure P is less linear, the change in flow rate Q is more irregular, and the temperature T of the gas at the downstream end experiences discontinuities when changing buffer reservoirs in the cascade.

[0066] Thus, according to the invention, the temperature of the filling gas can be relatively low before the change of pressure bank (e.g. about 200-400 bar). This leads to a high filling rate at these pressures where the flow rate of the filling is maximum. This high filling flow rate compensates for the later stages of the pressure bank change where the flow rate drops due to the high temperature in the distributor.

[0067] Advantageously, the station can therefore integrate a source of fluid gas (hydrogen). It is interesting to generate cold by mixing a cryogenic gas with a hotter gas (eg ambient temperature) through a temperature control device.

[0068] In a first possibility of integration, the same valve or valves perform both the temperature control and the pressure ramp control (eg amount of gas per unit time) of the gas transferred to the tank to be filled.

[0069] In this case, it may be necessary to provide a set of interconnecting pipes and valves for each end that is to be connected to a tank.

[0070] According to a possible peculiarity (in combination with the above aspects or independently of them), at least two buffer tanks for separate lines can be used for the same filling line. If two (or more) buffer tanks are at the same pressure (for example one buffer tank has a pressure of up to 180 bar and another one at this pressure), these buffer tanks can be used in parallel. Their respective valves are opened simultaneously and the tanks remain interconnected.

[0071] This prevents excessively large pressure differentials and limits the number of valves that open and close over the life of the component, which extends the life of the component. Electronic control is also simplified. Station performance is improved. The following is a summary of the claims as originally filed: [1] A filling device for filling pressurized gas tanks, in particular vehicle hydrogen tanks, comprising a fluid transfer circuit (8) with an upstream end intended to be connected to a source of gas (2) and at least two parallel downstream ends (6, 16, 26) intended to be connected to separate tanks (7) to be filled, said transfer circuit (8) comprising a gas temperature adjustment member (9) for adjusting the temperature of the gas transferred from said source (2) towards said downstream end, said gas temperature adjustment member (9) being arranged in said transfer circuit (8) upstream of said at least two downstream ends (6, 16, 26), meaning that said gas temperature adjustment member (9) is common to said at least two downstream ends (6, 16, 26); the at least two downstream ends (6, 16, 26) of the transfer circuit each comprise a control member (15) for controlling the flow rate and / or pressure of the gas being transferred, each control member (15) being configured to independently control the flow rate and / or pressure at each of the downstream ends (6, 16, 26); said control member for controlling flow and / or pressure at each downstream end (6, 16, 26) comprises a controlled pressure control valve and / or flow control valve (15); the filling device (1) comprising an electronic controller (17) configured to control the pressure control valve and / or the flow control valve (15); 4. The filling device according to claim 3, wherein the electronic controller (17) is configured to control the pressure control valve and / or the flow control valve (15) according to one or more rapid filling algorithms that establish identical or distinct respective pressure increase rates in the tank (7). [2] The filling device described in [1], characterized in that at each downstream end (6, 16, 26), a temperature sensor (18) is provided for measuring the temperature of the gas, the temperature sensor (18) being connected to the electronic controller (17). [3] The filling device described in [1] or [2], characterized in that the temperature sensor (18) is arranged downstream of the flow rate control member and / or the pressure control member (15), respectively. [4] The filling device according to [2] or [3], characterized in that the electronic controller (17) is configured to control the flow control member and / or the pressure control member (15) for each downstream end (6, 16, 26) as a function of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (18) for that downstream end (6, 16, 26). [5] The filling device described in [4], characterized in that the electronic controller (17) is configured to increase the filling rate of the tank connected to the downstream end (6, 16, 26) when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (18) measuring the temperature at the downstream end decreases, and to decrease the filling rate of the tank connected to the downstream end (6, 16, 26) when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (18) measuring the temperature at the downstream end increases. [6] The filling device according to any one of [3] to [5], characterized in that each of the downstream ends (6, 16, 26) is provided with a flow meter (19) for measuring a flow rate of gas, the flow meter (19) being connected to the electronic controller (17), and the electronic controller (17) is configured to control the flow control member and / or the pressure control member (15) for each of the downstream ends (6, 16, 26) as a function of the flow rate measured by the flow meter (19) for each of the downstream ends (6, 16, 26). [7] The filling device according to [6], characterized in that the electronic controller (17) is configured to calculate an average temperature of the quantity of gas transferred at each downstream end (6, 16, 26) based on measurements from the temperature sensor (18) and from the flow meter (19), and the electronic controller (17) is configured to control the flow control member and / or the pressure control member (15) for each end as a function of this average temperature of the quantity of gas transferred, in particular to increase the filling rate of the tank connected to the downstream end when this average temperature of the quantity of gas transferred decreases and to decrease the filling rate of the tank connected to the downstream end when this average temperature of the quantity of gas transferred increases. [8] A filling device described in any one of [5] to [7], characterized in that the electronic controller (17) is configured to control the flow control member and / or the pressure control member (15) using feedback control. [9] The filling device according to any one of [1] to [8], characterized in that the transfer circuit (8) comprises a section comprising at least two parallel separate pipes (28) between the upstream end and the downstream end (6, 16, 26), the parallel separate pipes (28) each comprising a respective gas temperature adjusting member (9), the parallel separate pipes (28) each having a first end intended to be connected to the supply source (2) and a second end connected to each of the downstream ends (6, 16, 26) of the transfer circuit (8) via a respective set of valves (27).

[10] A filling device as described in any one of [1] to [9], characterized in that it comprises a supply (2) comprising one or more pressurized gas storage units (4, 5, 12, 13) connected in series and / or in parallel to the upstream end of the transport circuit (8).

[11] The filling device according to any one of [1] to

[10] , characterized in that the source (2) comprises at least two sets of fluids at different temperatures and the gas temperature adjusting member (9) comprises a mixer configured to mix fluids from the at least two sets to achieve a defined temperature.

[12] The filling device according to

[10] or

[11] , characterized in that the supply (2) comprises several storage tanks (4, 5, 12, 13) of gas under pressure connected in parallel to the upstream end of the transfer circuit (8), at least two of the storage tanks each intended to supply a separate downstream end, but which can be used interchangeably for the same downstream end, in particular when these tanks are at the same pressure, and which can be used simultaneously for the same downstream end.

[13] A system comprising a supply (2) having at least one liquefied gas reservoir (20), the gas temperature regulating member (9) comprising part of a duplicated transfer circuit (8) having two parallel branches, one of the branches comprising an exchanger (11) for heating a fluid, The filling device according to any one of claims [1] to

[12] , characterized in that the gas temperature regulating member (9) further comprises a set of valves (12, 13) configured to direct the distribution of fluid coming from the liquefied gas reservoir (20) into the two parallel branches in order to regulate the temperature of the fluid mixture downstream of the gas temperature regulating member.

[14] The filling device as described in

[13] , characterized in that the valve assembly (12, 13) configured to control the distribution of fluid from the liquefied gas storage (20) to the two parallel branches in order to regulate the temperature of the fluid mixture downstream of the gas temperature regulating member also provides a pressure ramp control of the gas transferred to the tank to be filled, i.e. the same valve performs both the temperature regulation and the regulation of the respective pressure increase rates in the tanks.

[15] A filling device as described in any one of [1] to

[14] , characterized in that the gas temperature regulating member (9) comprises a heat exchanger (10) for exchanging heat between the gas in the transport circuit (8) and a cold source (21) such as a cooling fluid.

[16] A method for filling several pressurized gas tanks (7), in particular vehicle hydrogen tanks, via an apparatus (1) comprising a fluid transfer circuit (8) equipped with an upstream end connected to at least one gas source (2) and at least two parallel downstream ends (6, 16, 26) intended to be connected to separate tanks (7), the method comprising: cooling the gas transferred from the source (2) towards the downstream end (6, 16, 26) in one and the same common temperature adjustment member (9), transferring the gas to separate tanks (7) connected to the respective downstream ends (6, 16, 26); wherein the flow rate and / or pressure of the gas transferred to the tank (7) is independently controlled via separate respective regulating members (9) located at the downstream ends (6, 16, 26) to establish identical or separate respective pressure increase rates in the tanks (7).

Claims

1. A filling device for filling pressurized gas tanks, comprising a fluid transport circuit (8) with an upstream end intended to be connected to a source of gas (2) and at least two parallel downstream ends (6, 16, 26) intended to be connected to separate tanks (7) to be filled, said transport circuit (8) comprising a gas temperature adjustment member (9) for adjusting the temperature of the gas transported from said source (2) towards said downstream ends, said gas temperature adjustment member (9) being arranged in said transport circuit (8) upstream of at least two of said downstream ends (6, 16, 26), meaning that said gas temperature adjustment member (9) is common to at least two of said downstream ends (6, 16, 26), said gas temperature adjustment member (9) being configured to cool said gas when the gas from said source (2) is at a temperature higher than a defined temperature and to warm said gas when the gas from said source is at a temperature lower than a defined temperature, at least two of said downstream ends (6, 16, 26) of said transfer circuit each comprise a control member (15) for controlling the flow rate and / or pressure of the gas transferred, each control member (15) being configured to independently control the flow rate and / or pressure at each of said downstream ends (6, 16, 26); said control member for controlling flow and / or pressure at each of said downstream ends (6, 16, 26) comprises a controlled pressure control valve and / or flow control valve (15); the filling device (1) comprising an electronic controller (17) configured to control the pressure control valve and / or the flow control valve (15); 13. The filling device according to claim 12, wherein the electronic controller (17) is configured to control the pressure control valve and / or the flow control valve (15) according to one or more rapid filling algorithms that establish identical or distinct respective pressure increase rates in the tank (7).

2. 2. The filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that at each downstream end (6, 16, 26) there is provided a temperature sensor (18) for measuring the temperature of the gas, said temperature sensors (18) being connected to said electronic controller (17).

3. 3. The filling device according to claim 2, characterized in that the temperature sensor (18) is arranged downstream of the flow control valve and / or the pressure control valve (15), respectively.

4. 4. The filling device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the electronic controller (17) is configured to control the flow control valve and / or the pressure control valve (15) for each downstream end (6, 16, 26) depending on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (18) for the downstream end (6, 16, 26).

5. 5. The filling device according to claim 4, characterized in that the electronic controller (17) is configured to increase the filling rate of the tank connected to the downstream end (6, 16, 26) when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (18) measuring the temperature at the downstream end decreases, and to decrease the filling rate of the tank connected to the downstream end (6, 16, 26) when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (18) measuring the temperature at the downstream end increases.

6. 6. The filling device according to claim 3, further comprising a flow meter (19) for measuring a flow rate of gas at each of the downstream ends (6, 16, 26), the flow meter (19) being connected to the electronic controller (17), the electronic controller (17) being configured to control the flow control valve and / or the pressure control valve (15) for each downstream end depending on the flow rate measured by the flow meter (19) for the downstream end (6, 16, 26).

7. 7. The filling device according to claim 6, characterized in that the electronic controller (17) is configured to calculate an average temperature of the quantity of gas transferred at each downstream end (6, 16, 26) based on measurements from the temperature sensor (18) and from the flow meter (19), and the electronic controller (17) is configured to control the flow control valve and / or the pressure control valve (15) for each downstream end depending on this average temperature of the quantity of gas transferred in order to increase the filling rate of the tank connected to the downstream end when this average temperature of the quantity of gas transferred decreases and to decrease the filling rate of the tank connected to the downstream end when this average temperature of the quantity of gas transferred increases.

8. 8. The filling device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the electronic controller (17) is configured to control the flow control valve and / or the pressure control valve (15) using feedback control.

9. 9. The filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the transfer circuit (8) comprises a section comprising at least two parallel separate pipes (28) between the upstream end and the downstream end (6, 16, 26), the parallel separate pipes (28) each comprising a respective gas temperature adjusting member (9), the parallel separate pipes (28) each comprising a first end intended to be connected to the supply (2) and a second end connected to each of the downstream ends (6, 16, 26) of the transfer circuit (8) via a respective set of valves (27).

10. 10. The filling device according to claim 1, further comprising a supply (2) comprising one or more pressurized gas reservoirs (4, 5, 12, 13) connected in series and / or in parallel to the upstream end of the transfer circuit (8).

11. 11. The filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the source (2) comprises at least two sets of fluids at different temperatures and the gas temperature adjusting member (9) comprises a mixer configured to mix fluids from the at least two sets to achieve a defined temperature.

12. 12. The filling device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the supply (2) comprises several storage tanks (4, 5, 12, 13) of gas under pressure connected in parallel to the upstream end of the transfer circuit (8), at least two of the storage tanks each intended to supply a separate downstream end but can be used interchangeably for the same downstream end.

13. a supply (2) comprising at least one liquefied gas reservoir (20), said gas temperature regulation member (9) comprising part of said duplicated transfer circuit (8) having two parallel branches, one of said branches comprising an exchanger (11) for heating a fluid, 13. The filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the gas temperature regulating member (9) further comprises a set of valves (12, 13) configured to direct the distribution of fluid coming from the liquefied gas reservoir (20) into the two parallel branches in order to regulate the temperature of the fluid mixture downstream of the gas temperature regulating member.

14. 14. The filling device according to claim 13, characterized in that the valve assembly (12, 13) configured to control the distribution of fluid from the liquefied gas storage (20) to the two parallel branches in order to regulate the temperature of the fluid mixture downstream of the gas temperature regulating member also provides a pressure ramp control of the gas transferred to the tank to be filled, i.e. the same valve performs both the temperature regulation and the regulation of the respective pressure increase rates in the tanks.

15. 15. The filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the gas temperature regulating member (9) comprises a heat exchanger (10) which performs an exchange of heat between the gas in the transport circuit (8) and a cold source (21), such as a cooling fluid.

16. A method for filling several pressurized gas tanks (7) through a device (1) comprising a fluid transfer circuit (8) equipped with an upstream end connected to at least one gas source (2) and at least two parallel downstream ends (6, 16, 26) intended to be connected to separate tanks (7), the method comprising the steps of: cooling the gas transferred from the source (2) towards the downstream end (6, 16, 26) in one and the same common temperature adjustment member (9), the temperature adjustment member (9) being configured to cool the gas when the gas from the source (2) is at a temperature higher than a defined temperature and to warm the gas when the gas from the source is at a temperature lower than a defined temperature, The method comprises the steps of transferring the gas to separate tanks (7) connected to each downstream end (6, 16, 26), wherein the flow rates and / or pressures of the gases transferred to the tanks (7) are independently controlled via separate respective control members (15) located at the downstream ends (6, 16, 26) to establish identical or separate respective pressure increase rates in the tanks (7).

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