Shut-off valve and hydrogen tank system equipped with shut-off valve

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shut-off valve (1) for a hydrogen tank system, the shut-off valve (1) having a housing (2) in which an annular electromagnetic coil (3) is received for acting on a magnetic armature (4) configured as a flat armature of a control valve (5) and on a magnetic armature (6) configured as a cylindrical armature of a main valve (7), the two magnetic armatures (4, 6) being arranged coaxially and together defining a control chamber (8) formed in the magnetic coil (3), the control chamber (8) being pneumatically connected on the one hand to a control valve chamber (9) and on the other hand to a main valve chamber (10), and at least one spring (11, 12) for resetting the two magnetic armatures (4, 6) is received in the control chamber (8). The present invention further relates to a hydrogen tank system equipped with a shut-off valve (1) according to the present invention.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shut-off valve for a hydrogen tank system. The present invention further relates to a hydrogen tank system equipped with a shut-off valve according to the invention. [Background technology]

[0002] Hydrogen tank systems for automobiles or mobile hydrogen tank systems used to supply hydrogen to fuel cells or internal combustion engines are known. In order to prevent uncontrolled release of hydrogen in the event of a malfunction, such as a pipeline break or an accident, each individual container of the hydrogen tank system must be closable by a shut-off valve. Therefore, the shut-off valves used must be configured as valves that automatically close when no current is applied.

[0003] Currentless automatic shut-off valves are known in the prior art. These shut-off valves are servo-controlled, i.e., have a main valve that is indirectly controlled via a control valve. The control chamber defined by the valve member of the main valve is depressurized by opening the control valve. This also relieves the load on the valve member, resulting in a pressure compensation that creates a pneumatic force balance. The main valve can be opened using the spring force of a spring or the magnetic force of a magnetic armature. Closing of the main valve can also be achieved using spring force or magnetic force. However, these valves generally have the disadvantage of requiring more space for installation. This is because a large stroke, which again requires a larger and / or more magnetic armature, increases the installation space and costs.

[0004] The space provided within a mobile hydrogen tank system is limited. This is particularly true for hydrogen tank systems that have a pressurized gas container with a narrow section in which a shut-off valve is installed, because the narrow section provides a sturdy and therefore reliable installation location. Therefore, a shut-off valve with a small installation space requirement is required. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a miniaturized shut-off valve for hydrogen tank systems that allows a large stroke with only one small magnet mover due to optimized magnetic flux line guidance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve this object, a shut-off valve is provided having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims. Furthermore, a hydrogen tank system is provided which comprises at least one shut-off valve according to the invention.

[0007] The control valve has a housing, and an annular electromagnetic coil is disposed in the housing to act on the magnetic mover configured as a flat mover of the control valve and the magnetic mover configured as a cylindrical mover of the main valve. Accommodated A shut-off valve for a hydrogen tank system is proposed, in which two magnet movers are arranged coaxially and together define a control chamber formed in an electromagnetic coil, which is pneumatically connected to a control valve chamber on the one hand and to a main valve chamber on the other hand. At least one spring for resetting the two magnet movers is located in the control chamber. Accommodated It is being done. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] Therefore, the proposed shut-off valve is a servo-controlled solenoid valve. When the main valve opens, magnetic and pneumatic forces create a pressure and thus a force ratio on the magnetic armature of the main valve that changes with the opening of the control valve. Therefore, only a small magnetic force is required for opening. Moreover, only one solenoid coil is required to operate the control valve and the main valve. As a result, the installation space can be reduced.

[0009] In this case, the magnetic armature of the main valve as a cylindrical armature is advantageous, since with a cylindrical armature the magnetic force decreases only slightly as the distance between the magnetic armature and the stationary stroke stop increases compared to a flat armature design, and this measure therefore contributes to a more compact magnetic circuit design.

[0010] The particularly compact design of the proposed shut-off valve allows for a classic installation as a screw-in valve with an externally located solenoid coil, as well as an installation in which the solenoid coil of the shut-off valve is located in the narrow section of the bottle neck of a bottle-shaped pressure gas container. This arrangement is advantageous because the narrow section has particularly high dimensional stability, so that the shut-off valve is optimally protected against external influences, for example in the event of an accident.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnetic armature, which is configured as a flat armature, is radially spaced annularly from the housing, so that the magnetic flux lines of the magnetic circuit are guided exclusively through the axial working air gap, which results in high force action in the control valve.

[0012] It is further proposed that the magnetic armature configured as a flat armature forms or has a control valve piston which cooperates with the control valve seat, i.e. the control valve piston and the magnetic armature are configured as one piece or are rigidly connected, so that the control valve piston and the magnetic armature move together.

[0013] The magnetic armature of the main valve, preferably configured as a cylindrical armature, is guided in the electromagnetic coil via a guide, and the control chamber is pneumatically throttled and connected to the main valve chamber via the guide and / or a channel formed in the region of the guide. The guide is, for example, created via a pole body or a sleeve integrated into the electromagnetic coil. The pneumatic connection between the control chamber and the main valve via the guide is particularly simple and therefore inexpensive to manufacture. At the same time, the throttle can be implemented in a simple manner via the guide. The pneumatic throttle connection ensures that less gas flows back into the control chamber at the open control valve than flows out through the open control valve, in order to create the pressure drop in the control chamber required to operate the main valve. Alternatively or additionally, as long as the pneumatic throttle connection is implemented via a channel formed in the region of the guide, the magnetic armature or the magnetic armature may have a longitudinal groove or at least one flattened portion in the region of the guide.

[0014] According to another preferred embodiment, a sealing element is arranged in the guide region. The pneumatic connection between the control chamber and the main valve chamber, which is necessary for securely closing the main valve, is preferably effected via a throttle hole in the magnet armature. Instead of a throttle hole, at least one groove or a ground surface can be provided in the magnet armature. Alternatively, at least one groove can be formed in the coil body or housing forming the guide.

[0015] More preferably, the magnetic armature configured as a cylindrical armature additionally has a cylindrical shape with geometric shapes and / or elements for forming a stroke stop. The stroke stop limits the maximum stroke of the magnetic armature, so that the stroke stop can be moved back and forth between two defined end positions. The geometric shapes provided for this purpose can be configured, for example, as local thickenings in the peripheral area of ​​the magnetic armature. Alternatively or additionally, the magnetic armature can be connected to an additional element, for example, in the form of a ring or sleeve. This element can be made of a different material from the magnetic armature, in particular a non-magnetic material, in order to counteract the magnetic adhesion of the magnetic armature. In the form of a ring or sleeve, this element can be easily attached to the magnetic armature, in particular by crimping or screwing.

[0016] To ensure a pneumatic connection between the control chamber and the main valve chamber throughout the entire stroke of the magnetic armature, it is proposed that the stroke stop be non-tight. To this end, the geometric shapes and / or elements constituting the stroke stop preferably have at least one flow passage on the contact surface facing the electromagnetic coil for pneumatically connecting the control chamber and the main valve chamber. For example, at least one radially extending flow passage may be formed on this contact surface. In order to avoid lateral forces acting on the magnetic armature, it is preferred that a plurality of radially extending flow passages are provided at equal angular intervals from one another.

[0017] Furthermore, the magnetic armature of the main valve, configured as a cylindrical armature, is connected or can be connected to the main valve piston to open and close the main valve seat. Ideally, the magnetic armature can be separated from the main valve piston, so that the magnetic armature and the main valve piston can move independently of each other. In this way, the main valve piston can realize a flow-limiting function, since while the main valve piston is generally pressure compensated, it only opens once the pressure on the end side has increased. To ensure reliable opening, a further improvement is proposed in which the main valve piston is biased toward the magnetic armature by the force of a spring.

[0018] In a preferred form, at least two springs arranged coaxially in the control chamber are Accommodated The springs are a first spring supported by the magnetic armature of the control valve and a second spring supported by the magnetic armature of the main valve. Therefore, the resetting of the two magnetic armature can be performed by separate springs. This allows the resetting of the magnetic armature of the control valve to be performed by a significantly smaller spring, so that a significantly smaller spring force only needs to be overcome to open the control valve. In other words, only a small magnetic force is required, which has a favorable effect on the installation space required for the electromagnetic coil.

[0019] More preferably, the control valve has a control end area connected to the control end area of ​​the main valve, and by opening the control valve, the pressure in the two control end areas is increased until the pressure ratio and therefore the force ratio at the main valve opens the main valve.

[0020] Since the shut-off valve according to the invention is preferably used in a hydrogen tank system, there is further proposed a hydrogen tank system having at least one pressurized gas container and a shut-off valve according to the invention for isolating the pressurized gas container, which hydrogen tank system can be used in particular in fuel cell vehicles or vehicles with a hydrogen combustion device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1a] 3A-3C are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of a first shut-off valve of the present invention in various switching positions. [Figure 1b] 3A-3C are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of a first shut-off valve of the present invention in various switching positions. [Figure 1c] 3A-3C are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of a first shut-off valve of the present invention in various switching positions. [Figure 1d] 3A-3C are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of a first shut-off valve of the present invention in various switching positions. [Figure 1e] 3A-3C are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of a first shut-off valve of the present invention in various switching positions. [Figure 1f] 3A-3C are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of a first shut-off valve of the present invention in various switching positions. [Figure 2a] 3A-3C are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of a second shut-off valve of the present invention in various switching positions. [Figure 2b] 3A-3C are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of a second shut-off valve of the present invention in various switching positions. [Figure 2c] 3A-3C are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of a second shut-off valve of the present invention in various switching positions. [Figure 2d] 3A-3C are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of a second shut-off valve of the present invention in various switching positions. [Figure 2e] 3A-3C are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of a second shut-off valve of the present invention in various switching positions. [Figure 2f]3A-3C are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of a second shut-off valve of the present invention in various switching positions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The preferred embodiments and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] The shut-off valve 1 shown in Figures 1a) to 1f) has a housing 2, in which an annular electromagnetic coil 3 is incorporated for acting on a first magnetic mover 4 and a second magnetic mover 6. The two magnetic movers 4, 6 are arranged coaxially with an axial gap between them, and move in opposite directions.

[0024] The first magnetic armature 4 is associated with the control valve 5 and is designed as a flat armature. The magnetic armature 4 simultaneously forms a control valve piston 14 which cooperates with a control valve seat 13. A through-hole 24 is formed in the magnetic armature 4, which ensures a pneumatic connection between the control valve chamber 9 and the rear control chamber 8 during the entire stroke of the magnetic armature 4. The magnetic armature 4 is biased by a spring 11 in the direction towards the control valve seat 13.

[0025] The second magnetic mover 6 is arranged in correspondence with the main valve 7 and is configured as a cylindrical mover, guided so as to be able to move in a stroke direction via a guide 15 formed in the electromagnetic coil 3. The geometric shape of a local thickened portion provided in the outer peripheral region of the magnetic mover 6 forms a stroke stopper 16 with a stop surface 17, within which a number of flow passages 18 are formed. As a result, the stroke stopper is configured non-airtight, so that a pneumatic connection between the rear control chamber 8 and the main valve chamber 10 is maintained via the guide 15 and the number of flow passages 18 during the entire stroke of the magnetic mover 6.

[0026] The second magnetic armature 6 can be connected to a main valve piston 19 which cooperates with a main valve seat 20. This allows the magnetic armature 6 and the main valve piston 19 to move independently of each other. In this way, a flow restriction function is incorporated into the main valve 7. To ensure that the main valve 7 opens, the main valve piston 19 is biased by a spring 21 in the direction towards the magnetic armature 6. The reset of the magnetic armature 6 and the main valve piston 19 is performed by means of a pressure sensor 21 in the control chamber 8. Accommodated This is caused by a spring 11 which is attached to the

[0027] The control valve 5 and the main valve 7 are connected via control end regions 22 and 23 on the control end side.

[0028] 1a) shows the state in which the electromagnetic coil 3 is not energized and the shut-off valve 1 is therefore closed. Gas flows into the main valve chamber 10 via the high-pressure line 25, so that a high pressure pHD prevails in this chamber as well as in the control chamber 8 and the control valve chamber 9. A low pressure pND prevails in the control end regions 22, 23.

[0029] When the electromagnetic coil 3 is energized, a magnetic field is generated, and the magnetic force of this magnetic field moves the magnetic armature 4 of the control valve 5 in a direction toward the electromagnetic coil 3 (see Figure 1b). Because the magnetic armature 4 of the control valve 5 is radially spaced a from the housing 2, the magnetic flux lines of the magnetic circuit extend mainly through the axial working air gap, and therefore a strong magnetic force acts on the magnetic armature 4, allowing the control valve 5 to open with little energy required or a relatively small electromagnetic coil 3.

[0030] When the control valve 5 is opened, gas flows from the control valve chamber 9 into the control end region 22. At the same time, gas flows backward from the control chamber 8 through the through-hole 24 in the magnetic armature 4, causing the pressure in the control chamber 8 to decrease. This is because more gas flows out through the through-hole 24 and the control valve seat 13 than flows backward from the main valve chamber 10 via the guide 15. The pressure decrease in the control chamber 8 causes the force acting on the magnetic armature 6 of the main valve 7—composed of the magnetic force generated by the electromagnetic coil 3 and the air pressure acting to open it—to be sufficient to overcome the spring force of the spring 11, causing the magnetic armature 6 to move away from the main valve piston 19 toward the electromagnetic coil 3 (see FIG. 1c). The main valve piston 19 still closes the main valve seat 20 because a high pressure pHD still prevails in the main valve chamber 10 and a low pressure pND prevails in the control end region 23. If the main valve piston 19 is sufficiently pressure compensated, the pressure in the end control area 23 must be increased before the spring 21 can open the main valve 7 (see FIG. 1d). In the open position of the main valve 7, pressure compensation is achieved between the main valve chamber 10 and the end control area 23. At full pressure compensation, the main valve 7 and the control valve 5 are held open solely magnetically against the spring force of the spring 11.

[0031] To close the shut-off valve 1, the electromagnetic coil 3 is de-energized, and the spring 11 returns the magnetic armature 4 or control valve piston 14 of the control valve 5 to the control valve seat 13 (see FIG. 1e). When the control valve 5 is closed, the control chamber 8 is filled with gas from the main valve chamber 10 via the flow passage 18 and the guide 15, so the pressure in the control chamber 8 rises again. The same applies to the pressure in the main valve chamber 10, because gas flows backward from the high-pressure line 25. As a result, the air pressure acting on the magnetic armature 6 in the closing direction and the spring force of the spring 11 return the magnetic armature 6 of the main valve 7 to its initial position. In this case, the magnetic armature 6 carries the main valve piston 19 with it, so that the main valve piston 19 returns to the main valve seat 20 (see FIG. 1f).

[0032] The embodiment of the shut-off valve 1 of FIGS. 1a) to 1f) will now be explained with the aid of FIGS. 2a) to 2f).

[0033] The shut-off valve 1 of Figures 2a) to 2f) has an additional spring 12. This additional spring 12 is located in the control chamber 8, just like the spring 11. Accommodated 1, the control valve 5 is provided with an additional spring 12, which is used to reset the magnet armature 4 of the control valve 5. The resetting of the magnet armature 6 of the main valve 7 is furthermore brought about by a spring 11. By providing the additional spring 12, it is possible to select a relatively small spring 12, so that only a small force is required to open the control valve 5. Accordingly, opening is achieved using a small electromagnetic coil 3, so that further installation space is saved.

[0034] Otherwise, the function of the shut-off valve 1 of FIGS. 2a) to 2f) corresponds to the function of the shut-off valve 1 of FIGS. 1a) to 1f), so reference is made to the corresponding description. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 Shut-off valve 2. Housing 3. Electromagnetic coil 4 First magnet mover 5 Control Valve 6 Second magnet mover 7 Main Valve 8. Control Room 9 Control valve chamber 10 Main valve chamber 11 Spring 12 Second Spring 13 Control valve seat 14 Control valve piston 15 Guide 16 Stroke stopper 17 Stopper surface 18 Flow path 19 Main valve piston 20 Main valve seat 21 Spring 22,23 Control end area 24 Through hole 25 High-pressure pipeline a interval pHD High Pressure pND Low Pressure

Claims

1. A shut-off valve (1) for a hydrogen tank system, comprising: a control valve (5) actuated by a first magnet armature (4) and having a control valve piston (14) cooperating with a control valve seat (13); a main valve (7) actuated by a second magnet armature (6) and having a main valve piston (19) cooperating with a main valve seat (20); and a housing (2); The housing (2) accommodates an annular electromagnetic coil (3) for acting on the first magnetic mover (4) configured as a flat mover of the control valve (5) and the second magnetic mover (6) configured as a cylindrical mover of the main valve (7), the two magnetic movers (4, 6) being coaxially arranged and together defining a control chamber (8) formed in the electromagnetic coil (3), the control chamber (8) being connected to a control valve chamber (9) on the one hand and to a main valve chamber (10) on the other hand; The main valve chamber (10) is connected to a high-pressure piping line (25), and the control end region (22) of the control valve (5) is connected to the control end region (23) of the main valve (7), At least one spring (11, 12) is accommodated in the control chamber (8) to urge the first magnet mover (4) in a direction toward the control valve seat (13) and to urge the second magnet mover (6) in a direction toward the main valve seat (20). Shut-off valve for hydrogen tank system (1).

2. 2. The shut-off valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first magnetic armature (4) configured as a flat armature is annularly spaced apart from the housing (2) by a radial distance (a).

3. 3. The shut-off valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first magnetic armature (4) configured as a flat armature forms or has the control valve piston (14) cooperating with the control valve seat (13).

4. 3. The shut-off valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second magnetic armature (6), configured as a cylindrical armature, is guided within the electromagnetic coil (3) via a guide (15), and the control chamber (8) is connected in a throttling manner to the main valve chamber (10) via the guide (15) and / or a flow passage formed in the area of ​​the guide (15).

5. 3. The shut-off valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second magnetic armature (6) configured as a cylindrical armature has a cylindrical shape with geometric shapes and / or elements for additionally forming a stroke stop (16).

6. 6. The shut-off valve (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the stroke stop (16) is designed to be non-tight and the geometric shapes and / or elements for forming the stroke stop (16) have at least one flow passage (18) on a stop surface (17) facing the electromagnetic coil (3) for connecting the control chamber (8) to the main valve chamber (10).

7. 3. The shut-off valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second magnetic armature (6) configured as a cylindrical armature is connected or connectable to the main valve piston (19) to open and close the main valve seat (20), and the main valve piston (19) is biased in a direction toward the second magnetic armature (6) by the spring force of a spring (21).

8. 3. The shut-off valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least two springs (11, 12) arranged coaxially in the control chamber (8) are accommodated, and these springs (11, 12) include a first spring (11) supported on the second magnetic armature (6) of the main valve (7) and a second spring (12) supported on the first magnetic armature (4) of the control valve (5).

9. 3. A hydrogen tank system comprising at least one pressurized gas container and a shut-off valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2 for isolating said pressurized gas container.

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