Safety valve and tank

Abstract

The present invention relates to a safety valve, wherein the safety valve comprises: a valve body having a guide bore defining a longitudinal axis, a first opening formed at the bottom of the guide bore, and a second opening formed spaced apart from the bottom along the longitudinal axis and extending along a radial direction extending transversely to the longitudinal axis; a valve needle having a sealing surface facing the first opening and mounted axially movably within the guide bore of the valve body; a compression spring device having a spring that is compressed by an initial stress path and thereby applies an initial stress to the valve needle along the longitudinal axis to a sealing position where the sealing surface of the valve needle seals the first opening; and a thermally activable triggering unit having an extension size or length longer than the initial stress path along the longitudinal axis and formed to collapse when a triggering temperature is reached; wherein the compression spring device is supported against the triggering unit.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates particularly to safety valves and tanks for automobiles. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen is becoming increasingly important as an energy carrier. Hydrogen, or gases in general, are typically stored in closed containers at pressures higher than ambient pressure. In this case, safety valves are typically provided in the containers to enable controlled gas release when the pressure inside the container exceeds a limit value, or when necessary for other reasons, such as in the event of a fire.

[0003] US 5 632 297 A describes a safety valve that is triggered, for example, not only when overpressure occurs but also when a limit temperature is reached. Such a safety valve comprises: a valve body having a bore in which a first opening is formed at the bottom and a second opening is formed at the side perimeter, spaced apart from the bottom; a piston guided within the bore; a compression spring; a stopper; and a stopper that melts at the limit temperature. The compression spring is supported by the piston and by the stopper. As the stopper contacts the stopper, the spring presses the piston against the first opening in a sealing manner. When the stopper melts, the force applied to the stopper through the spring and the force applied to the piston through the gas pressurize to push out the material of the stopper, so that the piston can be lifted from the first opening through the gas.

[0004] According to the present invention, a safety valve having the features of claim 1 and a tank having the features of claim 10 are provided.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a safety valve is provided, in particular for a gas tank. Such a safety valve comprises: a valve body having a guide bore defining a longitudinal axis, a first opening formed at the bottom of the guide bore, and a second opening formed spaced apart from the bottom along the longitudinal axis and extending radially in a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis; a valve needle having a sealing surface facing the first opening and mounted axially movably within the guide bore of the valve body; a compression spring device having a spring that is compressed by an initial stress path in particular compared to a no-load state or a state in which the spring contacts a stop part, thereby applying an initial stress to the valve needle along the longitudinal axis to a sealing position where the sealing surface of the valve needle seals the first opening; and a thermally activable triggering unit having an extension size or length longer than the initial stress path along the longitudinal axis and formed to collapse when a triggering temperature is reached; wherein the compression spring device is supported against the triggering unit.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a tank is provided, particularly for an automobile. Such a tank comprises a container for receiving a gas, particularly hydrogen, and a safety valve according to a first aspect of the present invention.

[0007] One of the ideas forming the basis of the present invention is to match the dimensions of the triggering unit and the initial stress path of the spring, which collapse upon reaching the limit temperature, within a safety valve that is triggered not only upon exceeding the limit pressure but also upon exceeding the limit temperature, such that when the triggering unit collapses, the valve needle of the safety valve, which seals the opening toward the vessel, can move freely axially without being pressurized, particularly through the spring force. In the safety valve according to the present invention, the spring of the compression spring device is compressed by a specific initial stress path. That is, the spring is compressed by a specific path compared to the relaxed state or compared to the state supported by two axially opposite stops. An initial stress is applied to the valve needle to the sealing position through the spring force. In this case, the triggering unit is supported by the valve needle and the compression spring device, and the compression spring device is supported by the stop of the valve body. Alternatively, the compression spring device is supported directly by the triggering unit supported by the stop of the valve body and by the valve needle. In these two cases, the triggering unit is longer than the initial stress path of the spring. In other words, the triggering unit is configured to release a path longer than the initial stress path in the event of failure, for example. Through this, the spring and the valve needle are kinematically separated, and the valve needle is released axially.

[0008] With this configuration, the sealing position of the valve needle is released with enhanced reliability in the event of temperature-dependent triggering. In particular, the force that the gas flowing through the first opening of the valve body must exert on the valve body to separate it from the sealing position is preferably reduced, as spring force no longer needs to be overcome. Consequently, the safety of the valve is further enhanced.

[0009] According to a plurality of embodiments, the safety valve may include a locking body movably mounted within a locking recess of a valve body extending radially, and a locking device having a spring that applies initial stress radially toward the longitudinal axis to the locking body, a second opening of the valve body is arranged between the locking recess and the bottom with respect to the longitudinal axis, and the valve needle includes a locking groove positioned between the bottom of the valve body and the locking recess at a predetermined distance from the locking recess at the sealing position of the valve needle, and when the valve needle is retracted by a predetermined distance from the first opening, the locking body engages with the locking groove at a locking position that protrudes into a guide bore. Accordingly, a latching mechanism is provided to axially secure the valve body at the release position, and at the release position of the valve body, the sealing surface is arranged spaced apart from the bottom of the guide bore, and the locking groove is arranged at the level of the locking bore with respect to the longitudinal axis. Therefore, for example, when the triggering unit collapses, if the valve needle is lifted by a lift corresponding to the gap between the locking groove and the locking bore at the sealing position of the valve needle, it is reliably prevented from the sealing surface coming into contact with the bottom of the guide bore again and sealing the first opening. Through this, an irreversible opening or release process is ensured, and thus the reliability of the valve is further enhanced.

[0010] According to a plurality of embodiments, the locking body may be provided to be a ball. This preferably provides a structurally simple solution.

[0011] According to a plurality of embodiments, the compression spring device comprises a spring sleeve having a bottom and a collar positioned opposite to the bottom, and the spring is formed as a helical spring supported by the collar of the spring sleeve and a stop arranged to be positioned opposite to the bottom of the guide bore with respect to the longitudinal axis and fixed to the bottom, and a triggering unit may be provided to be supported by the bottom of the spring sleeve and supported by one end of a valve needle positioned opposite to the sealing surface. For example, the spring sleeve may comprise a sleeve body, the bottom is positioned at a first end of the sleeve body, and a collar protruding radially outward from the sleeve body is positioned at a second end of the sleeve body. The spring sleeve is preferably positioned within the valve body such that the collar faces the bottom of the guide bore with respect to the longitudinal axis. The stop where the spring is supported may be formed, for example, through a screw cover screwed to the valve body. The helical spring offers the advantage of being inexpensive to manufacture while allowing the initial stress to be set very accurately. An arrangement of the triggering unit in which the triggering unit is supported by the bottom of the sleeve and the valve needle is based on the premise that the triggering unit protrudes into the sleeve body. Thus, an axially compact structure is achieved. At the same time, the spring is spatially separated from the triggering unit through the spring sleeve, thereby preventing mutual functional degradation.

[0012] According to a plurality of embodiments, the valve body includes a shoulder surface surrounding one end of the guide bore positioned opposite to the bottom of the guide bore in relation to the radial direction, and the collar of the spring sleeve may be positioned facing the shoulder surface and spaced apart from the shoulder surface, and may be provided such that, in the event of a collapse of the triggering unit, the collar rests on the shoulder surface via the spring. The guide bore may lead to a plenum or cavity of the valve body in which, for example, the spring sleeve and the helical spring are arranged internally. The valve body includes a shoulder surface or a stop surface that defines the plenum in relation to the longitudinal axis and where the guide bore begins to extend. In the event of a collapse of the triggering unit, the spring presses the spring sleeve against the stop surface or the shoulder surface. Thus, further movement of the spring sleeve in the direction of the valve body is stopped via the shoulder surface, and thereby more reliably prevents the valve body from being unintentionally pressurized to a sealing position in the event of a collapse of the triggering unit.

[0013] According to a plurality of embodiments, the outer diameter of the valve needle and the inner diameter of the spring sleeve may be dimensioned in such a way that the valve needle can be inserted at least partially into the spring sleeve when the triggering unit collapses. Thus, the valve needle can be received at least partially within the spring sleeve after the collapse of the triggering unit. Through this, on the one hand, a compact structure is achieved. On the other hand, this makes kinematic separation of the compression spring device and the valve needle after the collapse of the triggering unit easier.

[0014] According to a plurality of embodiments, the compression spring device comprises a spring carrier, and the spring is formed as a disc spring connected to the spring carrier and supported at one end of a valve needle positioned opposite to a sealing surface, and the triggering unit may be provided to be supported by the spring carrier and a stop arranged to be positioned opposite to and fixed to the bottom of a guide bore with respect to the longitudinal axis. For example, the spring carrier may be formed substantially in the form of a plate. The disc spring offers the advantage of being very compact with respect to the axial direction. For example, the disc spring may include an extension in the range of 5% to 20%, particularly 7% to 12%, of the length of the triggering unit when relaxed with respect to the longitudinal axis. Thus, kinematic separation of the compression spring device and the valve needle after the collapse of the triggering unit is ensured in a structurally very simple manner.

[0015] According to a plurality of embodiments, the valve body may be provided with external threads that enable the valve body to be screw-coupled within the opening of the container. Accordingly, reliable coupling of the safety valve to the container is facilitated.

[0016] According to a plurality of embodiments, the triggering unit may be provided to include a glass ampoule filled with liquid. Such a glass ampoule may generally be a tubular, for example, cylindrical, hollow body containing the liquid. The glass ampoule is sealed, and the wall thickness of the glass ampoule is dimensioned in such a way that the glass ampoule collapses or ruptures if the liquid expands due to a temperature rise, causing the pressure inside the glass ampoule to exceed a limit value. This solution offers the advantage that a triggering unit having a relatively long axial extension can be implemented. Nevertheless, the limit temperature at which the triggering unit collapses can be set very precisely, for example, through the wall thickness of the glass ampoule and / or through the characteristics and / or volume of the liquid. Another advantage is that the liquid does not affect the function or mobility of the valve needle after the collapse of the glass ampoule. Unlike stoppers made of meltable materials, which are at risk of the molten material re-solidifying within the valve body, there is no need to take measures to transport such material or liquid out of the valve body. This also makes it easy to arrange a triggering unit inside the valve body.

[0017] With respect to direction indicators and axes, particularly direction indicators and axes applied to the progression curves of physical structures, the axis, direction, or progression curve of the structure that "follows" another axis, direction, or structure here means that the tangents appearing at each location of the structures, particularly, extend at an angle of less than 45 degrees, preferably less than 30 degrees, and particularly preferably parallel to each other.

[0018] With respect to direction indicators and axes, particularly direction indicators and axes applied to the progression curves of physical structures, the progression curve of an axis, direction, or structure that is "transverse" to another axis, direction, or structure here means that the tangents appearing at each location of the structures extend at an angle of at least 45 degrees, preferably at least 60 degrees, and particularly preferably perpendicular to each other.

[0019] The present invention is described below with reference to the drawings. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a safety valve according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which valve needles are arranged in a sealing position and the safety valve is fixed within the opening of a container. FIG. 2 is a drawing of the safety valve from FIG. 1, in which the triggering unit collapses and the valve needles are arranged in the release position. Figure 3 is a detailed view of the area indicated by the letter (Z) of the safety valve shown in Figure 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a safety valve according to an additional embodiment of the present invention, in which valve needles are arranged in a sealing position and the safety valve is fixed within the opening of a container. FIG. 5 is a drawing of the safety valve from FIG. 4, in which the triggering unit collapses and the valve needles are arranged in the release position. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0021] In the drawings, the same reference numerals represent identical or functionally identical components unless otherwise specified.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates, for example, a tank (200) equipped with a container (205) for receiving a gas such as hydrogen and a safety valve (100). The tank (200) may be mounted, for example, in a car (not shown) or other vehicle, for example, in a ship or aircraft. As illustrated, for example in FIG. 1, the container (205) includes an opening (210), and a safety valve (100) is secured within this opening. For example, as illustrated, for example in FIG. 1, an internal thread (211) may be provided in the opening (210), and the safety valve (100) is screwed into this internal thread by an external thread (19) provided on the outer circumference of the valve body (1) of the valve (100).

[0023] As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, the safety valve (100) comprises a valve body (1), a valve needle (2), a compression spring device (3), and a triggering unit (4). Optionally, as illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, a locking device (5) may also be provided. Likewise, optionally, a closing cap (60) may be provided.

[0024] As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, the valve body (1) may be a straight body extending between a first end (1A) and a second end (1B). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the valve body (1) includes a guide bore (10) defining a longitudinal axis (L1). The radial direction (R1) extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (L1). The valve body (1) may define a cavity extending, for example, along the longitudinal axis (L1), and this cavity is defined at one side by a shoulder surface (18a) extending transversely to the longitudinal axis (L1) and includes an end opening (12) at the second end (1B) of the valve body (1). As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1, the guide bore (10) may extend from the shoulder surface (18a) as a blocking hole. Accordingly, the guide bore (10) extends between the bottom (11) and the opposing bore opening (14) located within the area of ​​the first end (1A) of the valve body (1). Accordingly, the stop surface or shoulder surface (18a) surrounds one end of the guide bore (10) that is positioned opposite to the bottom (11) of the guide bore (10) in relation to the axial direction (R1).

[0025] As also illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, the valve body (1) comprises: a first opening (13) formed in the bottom (11) of the guide bore (10); and a second opening (15) extending along the radial direction (R1) and spaced apart from the bottom (11) of the guide bore (10) or the first opening (13) along the longitudinal axis (L1). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first opening (13) extends between the bottom (11) and the first end (1A) or the end surface of the valve body (1) forming the first end (1A). The second opening (15) extends between the inner circumferential surface defining the guide bore (10) and the outer circumferential surface of the valve body (1) positioned opposite to the inner circumferential surface with respect to the radial direction (R1).

[0026] As also illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, the valve body (1) may also include an optional locking recess (17) extending between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface of the valve body (1). As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, the locking recess (17) may be positioned such that a second opening (15) of the valve body (1) is arranged between the locking recess (17) and the bottom (11) with respect to the longitudinal axis (L1).

[0027] As previously mentioned, the valve body (1) may optionally include an external thread (19) formed on its outer circumference. As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, the external thread (19) may be formed within an intermediate region located between the first end and the second end (1A, 1B).

[0028] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when the safety valve (100) is fixed within the opening (210) of the container (205) by screwing the external thread (19) of the valve body (1) with the internal thread (211) of the opening (210) of the container (205), the first end (1A) of the valve body (1) and, accordingly, the first opening (13) of the valve body (1) face the internal chamber (201) of the container (205) as illustrated in FIG. 1. Additionally, the second opening (15) of the valve body (1) can be arranged to be in a straight line with the side opening (215) of the container (205) as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0029] As also illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, the valve body (1) may include an outer circumferential groove (16) formed on the outer circumferential surface within the area of ​​the first end (1A), and a sealing ring (7) is received within this outer circumferential groove. As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, the sealing ring (7) may come into contact with the inner surface of the container (205), particularly the opening (210).

[0030] As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, an optional closing cap (60) can be screwed into an internal thread (62) formed within the opening (12) of the valve body (1) within the area of ​​the second end (1B), for example, by an external thread (61).

[0031] As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, the valve needle (2) may be formed as a piston extending between a first end (21) and a second end (22). At the first end (21), the valve needle (2) includes a sealing surface (2a), which may be formed, for example, through the end surface of the valve needle (2) itself, or, as illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, through a sealing lining (23) connected to the end surface (2a), which may be, for example, formed of an elastomer material. As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, a recess (24) may be formed at the second end (22). Alternatively, as illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 4, the end surface forming the second end (22) may be flat.

[0032] As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, the valve needle (2) may also optionally include a locking groove (25), which is formed on the outer circumference of the piston spaced apart from the first end (21).

[0033] As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, the valve needle (2) is guided so as to be displaceable along the longitudinal axis (L1) within the guide bore (10) of the valve body (1). The sealing surface (2a) of the valve needle (2) is oriented toward the bottom (11) of the guide bore (10). FIG. 1 shows the valve needle (2) in a sealing position, in which the sealing surface (2a) contacts the bottom (11) of the guide bore (10). In the release position exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2, the sealing surface (2a) is arranged spaced apart from the bottom (11) of the guide bore (10) and releases the first opening (13), so that gas can be directed into the guide bore (10) through the first opening (13) and out of the guide bore through the second opening (15).

[0034] As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, the compression spring device (3) may include a spring (30) and may also include a spring sleeve (31). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the spring (30) may be, for example, a helical spring (30A). As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, the spring sleeve (31) may include a sleeve body (31C), a bottom (31A) is formed at a first end of the sleeve body, and a collar (31B) is formed at a second end positioned opposite to the first end, protruding radially outward from the sleeve body (31C). The collar (31B) is positioned toward the bottom (11) or shoulder surface (18a) of the guide bore (10).

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the compression spring device (3) may be arranged between the shoulder surface (18a) and the end opening (12) within the inner chamber or plenum of the valve body (1). As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, the sleeve body (31C) may be inserted into a helical spring (30A), and this helical spring (30A) contacts the collar (31B) and contacts the closing cap (60) or other fixed stop (6) positioned in relation to the valve body (1), particularly in relation to the bottom (11) of the guide bore (10).

[0036] The triggering unit (4) is formed to be thermally activable, so that it collapses when it reaches or exceeds a limit temperature. As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, for example, the triggering unit (4) may include a glass ampoule (40) filled with liquid. When the limit temperature is reached or exceeded, the ampoule (40) ruptures due to excessive internal pressure formed through the thermal expansion of the liquid.

[0037] As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, the glass ampoule (40) or generally the triggering unit (4) may be a tubular body extending between a first end (41) and a second end (42). The triggering unit has a predetermined length or longitudinal extension size between the first end (41) and the second end (42). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the triggering unit (4) may be arranged between the bottom (31A) of the spring sleeve (31) and the second end (22) of the valve needle (2) with respect to the longitudinal axis (L1). In particular, the triggering unit (4) is supported in this case at the bottom (31A) of the spring sleeve (31) and at the second end (22) of the valve needle (2). For example, the second end (42) of the triggering unit (4) may be received within a recess or depression (24) formed in the second end (22) of the valve needle (2). As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 1, the first end (41) of the triggering unit (4) may come into contact with the bottom (31A) of the spring sleeve (31) and, optionally, may be received within a corresponding recess.

[0038] In the state exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1, where the triggering unit (4) is not collapsed and is mechanically intact, the triggering unit (4) kinematically engages the compression spring device (3) with the valve needle (2). In particular, by compressing the spring (30) by the initial stress path (V), an initial stress is applied to the valve needle (2) in a sealing position along the longitudinal axis (L1). In this case, the extended size or length (l4) of the triggering unit (4) along the longitudinal axis (L1) is longer than the initial stress path (V) of the spring (30). The collar (31B) of the spring sleeve (31) facing the shoulder surface (18a) is arranged spaced apart from the shoulder surface (18a) in the state illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0039] When the pressure inside (201) of the container (205) exceeds a certain limit value having a size sufficient to overcome the initial stress of the spring (30), the valve needle (2) is moved axially to a release position so that gas can be discharged through the first opening (13) and the second opening (15) and, in some cases, through the side opening (215).

[0040] When the temperature reaches or exceeds the triggering temperature of the triggering unit (4), the triggering unit (4) collapses. This state is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2. Through the collapse of the triggering unit (4), the valve needle (2) is kinematically separated from the compression spring device (3) and can be freely axially displaced within the guide bore (10) because the extended size or length (l4) of the triggering unit (4) along the longitudinal axis (L1) is longer than the initial stress path (V) of the spring (30). As can also be seen in FIG. 2, when the triggering unit (4) collapses, the collar (31B) can be compressed against the shoulder surface (18a) through the spring (30). Thus, the shoulder surface (18a) forms a blocking stop that prevents the sleeve (31) from moving further in the direction of the valve needle (2). As can also be seen in FIG. 2, the outer diameter (d2) of the valve needle (2) and the inner diameter (d31) of the spring sleeve (31) or sleeve body (31C) can be dimensioned so that the valve needle (2) can be inserted at least partially into the spring sleeve (31) when the triggering unit (4) collapses.

[0041] FIG. 2 purely illustrates, as an example, that the valve needle (2) is locked in a release position via an optional locking device (5). This prevents the valve needle (2) from returning to a sealed position.

[0042] The optional locking device (5) is illustrated in detail in FIG. 3. As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 3, the locking device (5) comprises a locking body (50), which may be formed, for example, as a sphere, and a spring (51). The locking body (50) is movably mounted within the locking recess (17) of the valve body (1). The spring (51), which may be implemented, for example, as a spiral spring, is likewise received within the locking recess (17) and applies an initial stress to the locking body (50) in the direction of the guide bore (10) or the longitudinal axis (L1). For example, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 2, the spring (51) may be supported by a closing member (52) covering the locking recess (17) on the outer circumference of the valve body (1).

[0043] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the locking groove (25) of the valve needle (2) is positioned between the bottom (11) of the valve body (1) and the locking recess (17) at a predetermined distance from the locking recess (17) at the sealing position of the valve needle (2). As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, when the valve needle (2) is retracted to the release position so that the sealing surface (2a) is positioned at a predetermined distance from the bottom (11) of the guide bore (10), the locking groove (25) is positioned at the same level as the locking recess (17) with respect to the longitudinal axis (L1). As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in this case, the spring (51) applies initial stress to the locking body (50) at the locking position, and at this locking position, the locking body protrudes into the guide bore (10) and engages with the locking groove (25).

[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates another safety valve (100) fixed within the opening (210) of a container (205). The safety valve (100) illustrated in FIG. 4 differs from the safety valve (100) illustrated in FIG. 1 through 3 only in the structure of the compression spring device (3) and the arrangement of the triggering unit (4).

[0045] As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 4, the compression spring device (3) may include a spring carrier (33), and the spring (30) may be formed as a disc spring (30B). The spring carrier (33) may be implemented, for example, as a plate, and the disc spring (30B) contacts a first surface (33a) of the spring carrier (33). Optionally, as illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 4, the spring carrier (33) may include a recess (33C) formed on a second surface (33b) of the spring carrier (33) positioned opposite to the first surface (33a).

[0046] As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 4, the disc spring (30B) is supported at the second end (22) of the valve needle (2). For example, the triggering unit (4), which can protrude into the recess (33C) of the spring carrier (33), is supported by the spring carrier (33) and the closing cap (60), or by another stop (6) arranged to face and position the bottom (11) of the guide bore (10) with respect to the longitudinal axis (L1).

[0047] In FIG. 4, the triggering unit (4) is mechanically intact, and the valve needle (2) is positioned in its sealing position. The disc spring (30B) is positioned spaced apart from the shoulder surface (18a) and applies an initial stress to the valve needle (2) in the sealing position. As schematically illustrated in FIG. 5, if the triggering unit (4) collapses due to an excess of the triggering temperature, the compression spring device (3) is kinematically separated from the valve needle. In this case, the compression spring device (3) can freely exit into the cavity of the valve body (1) extending between the shoulder surface (18a) and the closing cap (60). Thus, the valve needle (2) can be moved to the release position without needing to act against the initial stress of the spring (30).

[0048] Although the present invention has been described illustratively by the above embodiments, it is not limited thereto and can be modified in various ways. In particular, combinations of the above embodiments may also be considered.

Claims

Claim 1 As a safety valve (100), the safety valve comprises: a valve body (1) having a guide bore (10) defining a longitudinal axis (L1), a first opening (13) formed in the bottom (11) of the guide bore (10), and a second opening (15) formed spaced apart from the bottom (11) along the longitudinal axis (L1) and extending along a radial direction (R1) extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis (L1); a valve needle (2) having a sealing surface (2a) facing the first opening (13) and mounted so as to be axially movable within the guide bore (10) of the valve body (1); and a compression spring device (3) having a spring (30) that applies an initial stress to the valve needle (2) along the longitudinal axis (L1) by an initial stress path (V), thereby causing the sealing surface (2a) of the valve needle (2) to seal the first opening (13) in a sealing position. and a thermally activable triggering unit (4) formed to collapse when a triggering temperature is reached, having an extension size (l4) longer than the initial stress path (V) along the longitudinal axis (L1); a compression spring device (3) is supported against the triggering unit (4); a locking body (50) is movably mounted within a locking recess (17) of a valve body (1) extending in the radial direction (R1); and a locking device (5) further comprises a spring (51) that applies an initial stress to the locking body (50) in the radial direction (R1) toward the longitudinal axis (L1); a second opening (15) of the valve body (1) is arranged between the locking recess (17) and the bottom (11) in relation to the longitudinal axis (L1); and a valve needle (2) is positioned between the bottom (11) of the valve body (1) and the locking recess (17) at a predetermined interval for the locking recess (17) at the sealing position of the valve needle (2). A safety valve (100) comprising a positioned locking groove (25), wherein when the valve needle (2) is retracted by a predetermined distance from the first opening (13), the locking body (50) engages with the locking groove (25) in a locking position that protrudes into the guide bore (10). Claim 2 delete Claim 3 In paragraph 1, the locking body (50) is a ball, safety valve (100). Claim 4 In claim 1 or 3, the compression spring device (3) comprises a spring sleeve (31) having a bottom (31A) and a collar (31B) positioned opposite to the bottom, and the spring (30) is formed as a helical spring (30A) supported by the collar (31B) of the spring sleeve (31) and a stop (6) arranged to be positioned opposite to the bottom (11) of the guide bore (10) in relation to the longitudinal axis (L1), and the triggering unit (4) is supported by the bottom (31A) of the spring sleeve (31) and supported by one end (22) of a valve needle (2) positioned opposite to the sealing surface (2a), safety valve (100). Claim 5 In paragraph 4, the valve body (1) includes a shoulder surface (18a) surrounding one end of the guide bore (10) positioned opposite to the bottom (11) of the guide bore (10) in relation to the radial direction (R1), and the collar (31B) of the spring sleeve (31) faces the shoulder surface (18a) and is arranged spaced apart from the shoulder surface (18a), and in the event that the triggering unit (4) collapses, the collar (31B) is positioned on the shoulder surface (18a) via the spring (30), safety valve (100). Claim 6 In paragraph 4, a safety valve (100) in which the outer diameter (d2) of the valve needle (2) and the inner diameter (d31) of the spring sleeve (31) are dimensioned such that the valve needle (2) can be inserted at least partially into the spring sleeve (31) when the triggering unit (4) collapses. Claim 7 In claim 1 or 3, the compression spring device (3) comprises a spring carrier (33), and the spring (30) is formed as a disc spring (30B) connected to the spring carrier (33) and supported on one end (22) of a valve needle (2) positioned to face the sealing surface (2a), and the triggering unit (4) is supported on the spring carrier (33) and on a stop (6) arranged to face the bottom (11) of the guide bore (10) in relation to the longitudinal axis (L1) and positioned fixed with respect to this bottom, safety valve (100). Claim 8 In claim 1 or 3, the valve body (1) comprises an external thread (19) that allows the valve body (1) to be screw-coupled within the opening (210) of the container (205), the safety valve (100). Claim 9 In claim 1 or 3, the triggering unit (4) comprises a safety valve (100) including a glass ampoule (40) filled with liquid. Claim 10 A tank (200) having a container (205) for receiving gas or hydrogen, and a safety valve (100) according to claim 1 or 3.

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