Tank systems with shut-off valves and shut-off valves

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Mobile hydrogen tank systems, for example for use in automobiles, have tank valves for filling with fuel, such as hydrogen, to supply a drive unit, such as a fuel cell or a hydrogen internal combustion engine. In the event of a line break or accident, the hydrogen tank must be automatically closed using so-called "Shut-Off-Ventils," or isolation valves, to prevent the fuel from leaking out uncontrollably. Summary of the Invention

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

[0004] The present invention is particularly useful for providing a compact shut-off valve that can be arranged in the neck of a pressure tank.Accordingly, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is proposed a shut-off valve for closing a tank, the shut-off valve comprising a control chamber, a pilot valve, a main valve, an electromagnet, a linkage, and a base plate.

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

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

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

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

[0009] In the context of the present invention, a linkage may be understood as a component that is movable and is configured to come into contact with a moving counterpart, such as a pilot valve provided according to the present invention, and to link with it at least regionally during movement. In particular, a linkage according to the present invention is a protrusion of the magnetic armature according to the present invention that is configured to engage with a protrusion of a pilot valve provided according to the present invention.

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

[0011] Since the electromagnet provided in accordance with the present invention is only required for the movement of the magnetic armature's small pilot valve stroke, the electromagnet can be made more compact compared to known shut-off valves that are provided with a larger pilot valve stroke. Accordingly, the proposed shut-off valve can be made very compact and can be placed in the neck of the tank pressure vessel.

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

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

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

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

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

[0017] The pilot valve is generally movably supported between an inoperative position in which the pilot valve seals the connection extending through the main valve in the control chamber against the low-pressure connection of the shut-off valve, a pilot control position, and a displaced position in which the connection is opened. Accordingly, the movement or pilot valve stroke of the pilot valve initiates leakage of fluid from the control chamber through the connection, thereby generating a main valve stroke of the main valve. Accordingly, the main valve stroke of the main valve is performed without current or electromagnet assistance, but solely driven by the pressure difference between the pressure in the high-pressure connection or in a tank connected to the shut-off valve and the pressure in the control chamber, which changes depending on the position of the pilot valve.

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

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

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

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

[0022] It may further be contemplated that the shut-off valve has a pilot valve spring that urges the pilot valve from the pilot control position to the inoperative position, and a positioning spring that urges the main valve toward the low-pressure connection of the shut-off valve, and that the shut-off valve further has a main valve spring that urges the main valve toward the pilot valve.

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

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

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

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

[0027] It may further be contemplated that the shut-off valve is located in the neck of the pressure vessel of the tank. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

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

[0029] Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description, which describes in detail several embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which the features set out in the claims and in the description are important for the invention both individually and in any combination.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0043] A shut-off valve 100 is located within the bottle neck 205 . [Explanation of symbols]

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

Claims

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

2. 2. The shut-off valve (100) of claim 1, wherein the pilot valve stroke (121) is less than the main valve stroke (135).

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

4. 3. The shut-off valve (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in a non-actuated position, the pilot valve (103) seals the connection between the low-pressure connection (123) of the shut-off valve (100) and the control chamber (101), which extends through the main valve (105), and in a pilot control position, opens this connection, whereby in the pilot control position, the low-pressure connection (123) can be filled in order to reduce the pressure in the control chamber (101) and move the main valve (105) by the main valve stroke (135) in a direction towards the base plate (111).

5. The shut-off valve (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a sealing element (133) that prevents inflow from a high-pressure system connected to the shut-off valve (100) into the control chamber (101) when the main valve (105) moves in a direction toward the base plate (111) by the main valve stroke (135).

6. 3. The shut-off valve (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a residual air gap disk (137) is arranged between the magnet armature (115) and the base plate (111).

7. the shut-off valve (100) has a pilot valve spring (117) that urges the pilot valve (103) into a non-operated position and a positioning spring (141) that urges the main valve (105) into a low-pressure connection (123) of the shut-off valve (100); The shut-off valve (100) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a main valve spring (131) that urges the main valve (105) in a direction toward the pilot valve (103).

8. A tank system (200) for storing a fluid, comprising: The tank system (200) A tank (201), A shut-off valve (100) according to claim 1 or 2; A tank system (200) for storing a fluid, comprising:

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

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

11. A tank system (200) as described in claim 9, characterized in that the shut-off valve (100) is arranged in the bottle neck (205) of the pressure vessel (203) of the tank (201).

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