Gas pressure regulating system for a manned or unmanned underwater vehicle having a fuel cell device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gas pressure regulating system (10) for operating a fuel cell device (11), in particular for pressure regulation of the supplied gas.

Description

[0001] Gas pressure control system for a manned or unmanned underwater vehicle with fuel cell device

[0002] The invention relates to a gas pressure control system for operating a fuel cell device, in particular the pressure regulation of the gases to be provided.

[0003] In conventional submarines, fuel cell devices are currently used as an air-independent power supply. Since fuel cells typically use hydrogen and oxygen, and only a small, enclosed gas volume is available inside the pressure hull, the safety of the gas system is comparatively important to prevent the generation of flammable gases inside a submarine, as venting hydrogen or oxygen into a larger environment is not feasible. Therefore, specific protective valves are used that shut off the system when the permissible pressure is exceeded, thus safely and reliably protecting the fuel cell from overload. These protective valves must then usually be manually reopened by the crew after inspection and, if necessary, troubleshooting.This manual opening naturally represents an independent security element, as it cannot be caused by a software error.

[0004] However, unmanned underwater vehicles are becoming increasingly interesting. Here, too, the fuel cell represents a good air-independent energy source. However, the safety concept for the gas flow must be modified in such a way that manual steps can be eliminated while maintaining safety levels.

[0005] A further requirement for the pressure control system is compliance with very tight tolerances of the pressures to be regulated in order to ensure optimal operation of the fuel cell.

[0006] A closed-loop fuel cell system for an AUV is known from CN 101740 796 A. An emission-free system for oxygen-hydrogen fuel cells is known from CN 112 820 902 A.

[0007] A fuel supply unit is known from DE 10 2015 225 520 A1.

[0008] An aircraft with a fuel cell is known from DE 10 2005 012 120 A1.

[0009] A fuel cell system is known from DE 11 2007 001 753 T5.

[0010] A fuel supply and a pressure reduction device are known from DE 10 2015 2009 226 A1.

[0011] The object of the invention is to provide a gas pressure control system which is suitable for supplying a fuel cell device on an unmanned underwater vehicle.

[0012] This object is achieved by the gas pressure control system having the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous further developments emerge from the subclaims, the following description, and the drawing.

[0013] For the purposes of the invention, "in front of" and "behind" always refer to the direction of gas flow through the line, i.e., from the gas source (with the highest pressure) to the gas consumer (with the lowest pressure). An object positioned in front of another is thus closer to the gas source or on the higher-pressure side of the other object.

[0014] The gas pressure control system according to the invention for a fuel cell device can be used, for example, and in particular, in an unmanned underwater vehicle, since it offers sufficient safety for the limited gas space available and eliminates the need for manual emergency procedures. The gas pressure control system is connected to an anode gas reservoir and a cathode gas reservoir, as well as to a fuel cell device. In the simplest case, the anode gas reservoir is a hydrogen pressure gas reservoir; for example, the anode gas reservoir can be constructed from one or more commercially available compressed gas cylinders connected in parallel. Alternatively, it can also be a metal hydride reservoir. Other anode gases, such as ammonia or hydrocarbons, are also conceivable. The anode gas is tailored to the fuel cell device.In the simplest case, the cathode gas storage unit is a compressed oxygen gas storage unit. For example, the cathode gas storage unit can be constructed from one or more commercially available compressed gas cylinders connected in parallel. Alternatively, the oxygen can also come from a liquid oxygen tank with an evaporator. Since, unlike a manned submarine, an unmanned submarine does not have a continuous supply of oxygen, but liquid oxygen always escapes into gaseous oxygen due to the incoming heat, this variant is only advantageous if a comparatively high and continuous energy demand is expected. Cascaded fuel cell devices or closed-loop fuel cell devices can be used as fuel cell devices. Fuel cell devices can also be used for various anode gases, such as hydrogen or ammonia.The fuel cell device can be a PEM fuel cell, for example. The gas pressure control system has an anode gas line and a cathode gas line. The anode gas is fed from the anode gas reservoir to the anode side of the fuel cell device via the anode gas line, and the cathode gas is fed from the cathode gas reservoir to the cathode side of the fuel cell device via the cathode gas line. The anode gas line has a first anode control valve and a second anode control valve. The cathode gas line has a first cathode control valve and a second cathode control valve. The first anode control valve and the second anode control valve are arranged in series. The first cathode control valve and the second cathode control valve are arranged in series.The first anode control valve, the second anode control valve, the first cathode control valve, and the second cathode control valve are each designed as a shut-off valve and a throttle valve. While it is known that a shut-off valve and a throttle valve are connected in series, it is advantageous according to the invention that both valves connected in series can reliably perform both tasks, thus creating redundancy. This redundancy is particularly important in enclosed environments, for example, in a submarine. Furthermore, this redundancy is also important when no human intervention is possible, i.e., particularly on unmanned vehicles.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the gas pressure regulation system comprises a control system. The control system is designed to adjust the pressure of the first anode control valve, the second anode control valve, the first cathode control valve, and the second cathode control valve. The connection between the control system and the control valves can be electrical, for example, if the control valves are electrically adjustable.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first anode control valve, the second anode control valve, the first cathode control valve, and the second cathode control valve are electrically controllable valves. The control system is designed to electrically control the first anode control valve, the second anode control valve, the first cathode control valve, and the second cathode control valve.

[0017] In a further alternative and preferred embodiment of the invention, the first anode control valve, the second anode control valve, the first cathode control valve, and the second cathode control valve are dome pressure reducers. The first anode control valve and the second anode control valve are connected in series. The first cathode control valve and the second cathode control valve are connected in series. Both control valves are set to pressures that are tolerable for the fuel cell, preferably to the same pressure. If one of the two control valves exhibits a deviation, this does not lead to an overload of the fuel cell. Connecting the dome pressure reducers in series provides redundancy. Each one on its own is sufficient for pressure adjustment.The series connection, however, ensures that overloading of the fuel cell device due to excessive gas pressure is safely and easily avoided. At the same time, dome pressure reducers are particularly well-suited for reliable pressure adjustment due to their ability to adjust the supplied pressure via a control pressure system. An optional pressure gauge is installed downstream of the first anode control valve or the first cathode control valve in an optional design. This gauge can detect faults in the upstream control valve. This allows for targeted repair of a defective control valve. The gas pressure control system has a first control pressure adjustment device.The first control pressure adjustment device can be used to specifically adjust the control pressure to the desired value, which then applies the control pressure to the dome pressure reducer, so that the dome pressure reducer then generates the desired target pressure for the anode gas or cathode gas. The first control pressure adjustment device is connected to the first anode control valve via a first anode control pressure connection, to the second anode control valve via a second anode control pressure connection, to the first cathode control valve via a first cathode control pressure connection, and to the second cathode control valve via a second cathode control pressure connection. Thus, only one control pressure adjustment device is used to control and regulate these four dome pressure reducers.The first anode control pressure connection has a first anode switching valve, which is normally closed and is only briefly opened to change the control pressure in the first anode control valve. The second anode control pressure connection has a second anode switching valve, which is normally closed and is only briefly opened to change the control pressure in the second anode control valve. The first cathode control pressure connection has a first cathode switching valve, which is normally closed and is only briefly opened to change the control pressure in the first cathode control valve. The second cathode control pressure connection has a second cathode switching valve, which is normally closed and is only briefly opened to change the control pressure in the second cathode control valve.This makes it possible to selectively and controlledly adjust all dome pressure reducers with only one first control pressure adjustment device.

[0018] Dome pressure reducers are used interchangeably with the term dome pressure regulator in this text and are used to adjust the pressure of the gases supplied to the fuel cell system. As already implicitly described, dome pressure regulators are controlled by gas pressure. In contrast to spring-loaded pressure regulators, the opening force of the valve required to reduce the pressure is not generated by a spring, but rather by the control pressure of a so-called control gas. The control pressure of the control gas is adjusted by the control pressure system. The control gas is, for example, an inert gas, but can also be the gas to be regulated itself.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the gas pressure regulation system is connected to an inert gas reservoir. Nitrogen is preferably used as the inert gas, but it can also be argon, carbon dioxide, or another inert gas. A compressed gas reservoir, such as a commercially available compressed gas cylinder, is therefore preferably used as the inert gas reservoir. Inert gas is sometimes required for purging in fuel cell devices. The gas pressure regulation system has an inert gas line. The inert gas can be fed from the inert gas reservoir into the fuel cell device via the inert gas line as needed. The inert gas line has an inert gas control valve. Since the inert gas is less critical than the anode gas and cathode gas, the gas pressure regulation system has only a single inert gas control valve and not two control valves connected in series, as is the case with the anode gas and the cathode gas.This is especially true since inert gas is required less frequently and in smaller quantities. Therefore, a reduction in the number of components used is advantageous. The first control pressure adjustment device is connected to the inert gas control valve via an inert gas control pressure connection, and the inert gas control pressure connection has an inert gas switching valve. Thus, the same control pressure adjustment device is used for the inert gas, making the overall system comparatively simple, robust, and compact.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first anode control pressure connection has a first anode safety valve. The anode safety valve is arranged between the first anode switching valve and the first anode control valve. The first cathode control pressure connection has a first cathode safety valve. The cathode safety valve is arranged between the first cathode switching valve and the first cathode control valve. This safety system is based on the fact that the anode control valve and the cathode control valve are each dome pressure reducers, i.e., the set pressure downstream of the dome pressure reducer is set by the control gas pressure. The control gas can be easily vented to the atmosphere through the anode safety valve and the cathode safety valve. This causes the control pressure in the dome pressure reducer to drop to the ambient pressure, thus closing the dome pressure reducer.However, this simple and reliable safety circuit can be relatively easily canceled by generating a new control gas pressure, thus restarting the entire energy generation system without human intervention. Since the respective switching valve is located upstream of each safety valve, an unintentional renewed pressure application and thus an unintentional opening of a dome pressure reducer is impossible.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first anode safety valve and the cathode safety valve are actively closed valves, in particular 3 / 2-way valves with three ports and two switching positions. This means they are preferably solenoid valves that require an active current flow to be actively kept closed. If, for example, the electronics fail completely, the safety valves return to the non-actively closed, i.e., open, state, thus opening the control gas pressure to the environment and thus automatically closing the dome pressure reducers in the event of a system failure, since the control pressure then drops to the ambient pressure.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, the anode gas line has an anode pressure reducer. The anode pressure reducer is arranged upstream of the first anode control valve and the second anode control valve. The anode pressure reducer is not adjustable. The anode pressure reducer serves to implement a first rough pressure reduction stage, for example, from 400 bar to 20 bar.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, the cathode gas line has a cathode pressure reducer. The cathode pressure reducer is arranged upstream of the first cathode control valve and the second cathode control valve. The cathode pressure reducer is not adjustable. The cathode pressure reducer serves to implement a first rough pressure reduction stage, for example, from 400 bar to 20 bar. Due to the pressure reduction at large pressure differences, the Joule-Thomson effect leads to cooling in oxygen. The fuel cell should not be supplied with gases below the freezing point. To improve this, a heater, preferably a heat exchanger, can preferably be arranged downstream of the cathode pressure reducer. A heat exchanger is not absolutely necessary on the anode side, since hydrogen lies within a permissible temperature range after pressure reduction.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the invention, the anode gas line comprises an anode switching valve group. The anode switching valve group is designed to switch the anode gas flow on or off. The anode switching valve group comprises a first anode ball valve and a second anode ball valve connected in series. The anode switching valve group comprises a first

[0025] Anode bypass line for bridging the first anode ball valve and the second anode ball valve. The first anode bypass line has a first

[0026] Anode solenoid valve and a flow regulator connected in series. The anode switching valve group has a second anode bypass line to bypass the second anode ball valve. The second anode bypass line has a check valve. The first anode ball valve and the second anode ball valve serve to completely shut off the anode gas line. Two valves provide redundancy. However, since ball valves can cause problems when opening if the pressure on both sides is very different, there are two bypass lines. In the first anode bypass line, a first anode solenoid valve is located, which is normally always closed. It is only opened before the first anode ball valve and the second anode ball valve are to be opened.The flow regulator connected in series limits the anode current, but allows the pressure to equalize, allowing the first anode ball valve and the second anode ball valve to open without any problems.

[0027] Anode bypass line only adjusts the pressure behind the second anode ball valve to the pressure before the first anode ball valve, there is also the second

[0028] Anode bypass line. However, gas can only flow through this if the pressure downstream of the second anode ball valve is higher than upstream of the second anode ball valve. During normal operation, the pressure will always be higher upstream of the second anode ball valve due to the flow resistance of the second anode ball valve, causing the check valve to close. Thus, during normal operation, both bypass lines are closed, but before opening, they lead to pressure equalization, thus ensuring the safe opening of the ball valves.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first anode ball valve, the second anode ball valve, and the first anode solenoid valve are actively opened valves. This means that these valves close automatically without active control, for example, in the event of a system failure in which they are no longer actively held open, thus preventing the ingress of gas.

[0030] In a further embodiment of the invention, the cathode gas line comprises a cathode switching valve group. The cathode switching valve group is designed to switch the cathode gas flow on or off. The cathode switching valve group comprises a first cathode ball valve and a second cathode ball valve connected in series. The cathode switching valve group comprises a first cathode bypass line for bypassing the first cathode ball valve and the second cathode ball valve. The first cathode bypass line comprises a first cathode solenoid valve and a flow regulator connected in series. The cathode switching valve group comprises a second cathode bypass line for bypassing the second cathode ball valve. The second cathode bypass line comprises a check valve. The first cathode ball valve and the second cathode ball valve serve to completely shut off the cathode gas line. Redundancy is provided by two valves.However, since ball valves can cause problems when opening if the pressure on both sides is very different, there are two bypass lines. In the first cathode bypass line there is a first cathode solenoid valve which is normally always closed. It is only opened before the first cathode ball valve and the second cathode ball valve are to be opened. The flow regulator connected in series limits the cathode current, but the pressure can equalize so that the first cathode ball valve and the second cathode ball valve can be opened without any problems. Since the first cathode bypass line only equalizes the pressure downstream of the second cathode ball valve to the pressure upstream of the first cathode ball valve, there is also a second cathode bypass line. However, gas can only flow through this if the pressure downstream of the second cathode ball valve is higher than upstream of the second cathode ball valve.During normal operation, the pressure will always be higher upstream of the second cathode ball valve due to the flow resistance of the second cathode ball valve, causing the check valve to close. Thus, during normal operation, both bypass lines are closed, but they lead to pressure equalization before opening, thus ensuring the safe opening of the ball valves.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first cathode ball valve, the second cathode ball valve, and the first cathode solenoid valve are actively opened valves. This means that these valves close automatically without active control, for example, in the event of a system failure in which they are no longer actively held open, thus preventing the ingress of gas.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the invention, the gas pressure regulation system comprises a control system. The control system is connected to the first regulation pressure setting device for setting a regulation pressure. The control system is connected to the first anode switching valve, the second anode switching valve, the first cathode switching valve, and the second cathode switching valve for opening these valves. The control system can thus adjust the regulation pressure in the first anode control valve, the second anode control valve, the first cathode control valve, and the second cathode control valve. The anode gas line has at least one first anode gas pressure gauge. The first anode gas pressure gauge is arranged downstream of the second anode control valve and upstream of the fuel cell and measures the pressure in the anode gas line. The first anode gas pressure gauge is connected to the control system, and thus the control system is able to regulate the exact pressure at the anode gas pressure gauge.The cathode gas line has at least one first cathode gas pressure gauge. The first cathode gas pressure gauge is arranged downstream of the second cathode control valve and upstream of the fuel cell and measures the pressure in the cathode gas line. The first cathode gas pressure gauge is connected to the control system, enabling the control system to precisely regulate the pressure at the cathode gas pressure gauge. This enables targeted control of the outlet pressure of both the anode gas and the cathode gas. The control system can, for example, also be part of a control system of the fuel cell device. The goal of the control system is thus the demand-based provision of the anode gas and the cathode gas for the fuel cell device. This can be achieved simply by using only one control pressure adjustment device and the control valves.

[0033] In a further embodiment of the invention, the anode gas line has at least one second anode gas pressure gauge. The second anode gas pressure gauge is arranged at the beginning of the anode gas line. The second anode gas pressure gauge is connected to the control system. The cathode gas line has at least one second cathode gas pressure gauge. The second cathode gas pressure gauge is arranged at the beginning of the cathode gas line. The second cathode gas pressure gauge is connected to the control system. Especially in compressed gas storage tanks, the pressure is directly proportional to the fill level (assuming an ideal gas and constant temperature). Therefore, the initial pressure changes with the fill level, and at the same time, the fill level can be detected very easily via the pressure.

[0034] In a further embodiment of the invention, the gas pressure control system has a second control pressure adjustment device. The second control pressure adjustment device is connected in parallel with the first control pressure adjustment device. The second control pressure adjustment device thus serves to provide redundancy for the first control pressure adjustment device, so that the gas pressure control system remains fully functional even if the first control pressure adjustment device fails.

[0035] In a further aspect, the invention relates to an underwater vehicle, preferably an unmanned underwater vehicle, with a fuel cell device and a gas pressure control system according to the invention.

[0036] In a further embodiment of the invention, the anode gas reservoir is a pressurized hydrogen gas reservoir, and the cathode gas reservoir is a pressurized oxygen gas reservoir. In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for pressure regulation using a gas pressure control system according to the invention. The first anode control valve and the second anode control valve are controlled to a first anode pressure. The first cathode control valve and the second cathode control valve are controlled to a first cathode pressure. The first anode pressure and the first cathode pressure can be the same. The advantage of identical pressures on the anode and cathode sides is that no pressure is exerted on the membrane. Nevertheless, it may be expedient to set different pressures for efficiency or purging reasons.

[0037] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first anode control valve and the second anode control valve are simultaneously controlled to a first anode pressure. In particular, this is achieved by a common control process, for example, the application of a common voltage or a common control pressure. The first cathode control valve and the second cathode control valve are simultaneously controlled to a first cathode pressure. In particular, this is achieved by a common control process, for example, the application of a common voltage or a common control pressure. In a further embodiment, the first anode control valve, the second anode control valve, the first cathode control valve, and the second cathode control valve are simultaneously controlled to the same pressure.

[0038] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first anode control valve and the second anode control valve are successively regulated to a first anode pressure. The first cathode control valve and the second cathode control valve are successively regulated to a first cathode pressure. This has the advantage that, for example, in the event of a defective diaphragm, for example, in a dome pressure reducer, excessive control pressure cannot pass from the defective control valve into the still functioning control valve.

[0039] The gas pressure control system according to the invention is explained in more detail below using an embodiment shown in the drawing.

[0040] Fig. 1 Schematic diagram. Gas connections are shown with solid lines, data and control connections with dotted lines. Intersecting and connected connections are indicated by an additional circle.

[0041] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of the gas pressure control system 10. The gas pressure control system 10 is roughly divided into two sections: a first section with the switching valve groups 80, 90 and a second section with the control valves 31, 32, 33, 34, 35. The gas pressure control system 10 is further subdivided into three gas streams: anode gas, cathode gas, and inert gas. The reservoirs, the anode gas reservoir 12, the cathode gas reservoir 13, and the inert gas reservoir 14, are shown on the left. The fuel cell device 11 is shown on the right. The gas stream thus flows from left to right in the drawing, so left is "front" and right is "back."

[0042] The anode gas line 21 has a second anode gas pressure gauge 104 at its beginning for measuring the pressure of the anode gas coming from the anode gas reservoir 12. The anode switching valve group 80 is connected downstream of the second anode gas pressure gauge 104. An anode pressure reducer 71 is arranged downstream of the anode switching valve group 80, to which the first anode control valve 31 and the second anode control valve 32 are then connected. The first anode control valve 31 and the second anode control valve 32 serve to adjust the anode gas pressure required by the fuel cell device 11. This pressure is monitored at the end of the anode gas line 21 with the first anode gas pressure gauge 101.

[0043] The cathode gas line 22 has a second cathode gas pressure gauge 105 at its beginning for measuring the pressure of the cathode gas coming from the cathode gas reservoir 13. The cathode switching valve group 90 is connected downstream of the second cathode gas pressure gauge 105. A cathode pressure reducer 72 is located downstream of the cathode switching valve group 90. A heat exchanger 77 is arranged downstream of the cathode pressure reducer 72, to which the first cathode control valve 33 and the second cathode control valve 34 are then connected. The first cathode control valve 33 and the second cathode control valve 34 serve to adjust the cathode gas pressure required by the fuel cell device 11. This pressure is monitored at the end of the cathode gas line 22 with the first cathode gas pressure gauge 102.

[0044] The target pressure of the gases is set using the gas control valves 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, which can be individually controlled and adjusted via the switching valves 51, 52, 53, 54, 55. To set the anode gas pressure, a control gas pressure is set by the control device 100, for example using the first control pressure setting device 40, and then the first anode switching valve 51 is opened, thus setting the control gas pressure in the first anode control valve 31. Subsequently or simultaneously, the second anode switching valve 52 is opened, thus setting the control gas pressure in the second anode control valve 32. Both anode control valves 31, 32 are preferably set to the same pressure. The same procedure is followed for setting the cathode gas pressure. A control gas pressure is set via the control device 100, for example using the first control pressure setting device 40.The first cathode switching valve 53 is then opened, thus setting the control gas pressure in the first cathode control valve 33. Subsequently or simultaneously, the second cathode switching valve 54 is opened, thus setting the control gas pressure in the second cathode control valve 34. Both cathode control valves 33, 34 are preferably set to the same pressure. The inert gas pressure is set in a similar manner, except that only one inert gas control valve 35 is used here. To set this inert gas control valve 35, a control gas pressure is set via the control device 100, for example by means of the first control pressure setting device 40. The inert gas switching valve 55 is then opened, thus setting the control gas pressure in the inert gas control valve 35.

[0045] Should the first control pressure adjustment device 40 fail, the second control pressure adjustment device 110 can be used as a substitute.

[0046] The anode switching valve group 80 serves to completely open or close the anode gas line 21. For safety reasons, two anode ball valves 81, 82 are connected in series. Since opening ball valves is not without problems under large pressure differences, the anode switching valve group 80 has a first anode bypass line 83 in which a first anode solenoid valve 84 and a flow regulator 85 are connected in series. When the first anode ball valve 81 and the second anode ball valve 82 are closed, the first anode solenoid valve 84 can be opened, and a slow pressure equalization occurs.To ensure pressure equalization between the first anode ball valve 81 and the second anode ball valve 82, the anode switching valve group 80 additionally has a second anode bypass line 86 with a check valve 87, which allows gas to flow from behind the second anode ball valve 82 to in front of the second anode ball valve 82 and behind the first anode ball valve 81 if, exceptionally, the pressure conditions are reversed when the first anode solenoid valve 84 is open. This allows for easy, unsafe opening of the first anode ball valve 81 and the second anode ball valve 82. The first anode solenoid valve 84 is then immediately closed again. When the normal pressure conditions are restored, the check valve 87 also blocks the second anode bypass line 86.

[0047] The cathode switching valve group 90 serves to completely open or close the cathode gas line 21. For safety reasons, two cathode ball valves 91, 92 are connected in series. Since opening ball valves is not without problems under large pressure differences, the cathode switching valve group 90 has a first cathode bypass line 93, in which a first cathode solenoid valve 94 and a flow regulator 95 are connected in series. When the first cathode ball valve 91 and the second cathode ball valve 92 are closed, the first cathode solenoid valve 94 can be opened, and a slow pressure equalization occurs.To ensure pressure equalization between the first cathode ball valve 91 and the second cathode ball valve 92, the cathode switching valve group 90 additionally has a second cathode bypass line 96 with a check valve 97, which allows gas to flow from behind the second cathode ball valve 92 to in front of the second cathode ball valve 92 and behind the first cathode ball valve 91 if, exceptionally, the pressure conditions are reversed when the first cathode solenoid valve 94 is open. This allows for easy, unsafe opening of the first cathode ball valve 91 and the second cathode ball valve 92. The first cathode solenoid valve 94 is then immediately closed again. Upon restoration of normal pressure conditions, the check valve 97 also blocks the second cathode bypass line 96.

[0048] The inert gas line 23 has a simpler design than the anode gas line 21 and the cathode gas line 22. Inert gas is usually only required for purging processes in the fuel cell device 11 and is therefore only required very rarely. Therefore, the inert gas line 23 has only a second inert gas pressure gauge 106, followed by a first inert gas pressure reducer 73 and a second inert gas pressure reducer 74. A complex switching valve group is omitted because inert gas does not pose a significant hazard. Downstream of the inert gas pressure reducers 73, 74, a partial gas flow branches off to supply the first control pressure adjustment device 40 and the second control pressure adjustment device 110. The main flow is reduced in the inert gas control valve 35 to the desired target pressure, which is then checked with the first inert gas pressure gauge 103.

[0049] The control device 100 is preferably connected to the valves 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 61, 63, the control pressure adjustment devices 40, 110, and the pressure gauges 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, and serves to open and close the valves to adjust the reactant gas pressure required by the fuel cell device. The control system 100 is preferably also connected to the ball valves 81, 82, 91, 92, and the solenoid valves 84, 94, although these have been omitted here for reasons of clarity. If the control system 100 fails, the loss of active control causes the first anode safety valve 61 and the first cathode safety valve 63 to open, causing the pressure in the first anode control pressure connection 41 and the first cathode control pressure connection 43 to drop to ambient pressure, which in turn causes the first anode control valve 31 and the first cathode control valve 33 to close.This ensures that in an emergency no further gases are fed to the fuel cell device 11.

[0050] Furthermore, the gas pressure control system 100 may comprise further components, in particular further pressure gauges. Reference numerals

[0051] 10 Gas pressure control system

[0052] 11 Fuel cell device

[0053] 12 anode gas storage

[0054] 13 cathode gas storage

[0055] 14 inert gas storage

[0056] 21 Anode gas line

[0057] 22 Cathode gas line

[0058] 23 Inert gas line

[0059] 31 first anode control valve

[0060] 32 second anode control valve

[0061] 33 first cathode control valve

[0062] 34 second cathode control valve

[0063] 35 Inert gas control valve

[0064] 40 first control pressure adjustment device

[0065] 41 first anode control pressure connection

[0066] 42 second anode control pressure connection

[0067] 43 first cathode control pressure connection

[0068] 44 second cathode control pressure connection

[0069] 45 inert gas control pressure connection

[0070] 51 first anode switching valve

[0071] 52 second anode switching valve

[0072] 53 first cathode switching valve

[0073] 54 second cathode switching valve

[0074] 55 Inert gas switching valve

[0075] 61 first anode safety valve

[0076] 63 first cathode safety valve

[0077] 71 Anode pressure reducer

[0078] 72 cathode pressure reducer

[0079] 73 first inert gas pressure reducer

[0080] 74 second inert gas pressure reducer

[0081] 77 heat exchangers

[0082] 80 Anode switching valve group first anode ball valve second anode ball valve first anode bypass line first anode solenoid valve flow regulator second anode bypass line check valve

[0083] Cathode switching valve group first cathode ball valve second cathode ball valve first cathode bypass line first cathode solenoid valve flow regulator second cathode bypass line check valve

[0084] Control system first anode gas pressure gauge first cathode gas pressure gauge first inert gas pressure gauge second anode gas pressure gauge second cathode gas pressure gauge second inert gas pressure gauge second control pressure setting device

Claims

Patent claims 1. Gas pressure control system (10) for a fuel cell device (11), wherein the gas pressure control system (10) is connected to an anode gas reservoir (12) and a cathode gas reservoir (13) as well as to a fuel cell device (11), wherein the gas pressure control system (10) has an anode gas line (21) and a cathode gas line (22), wherein the anode gas line (21) has a first anode control valve (31) and a second anode control valve (32), wherein the cathode gas line (22) has a first cathode control valve (33) and a second cathode control valve (34), wherein the first anode control valve (31) and the second anode control valve (32) are arranged in series, wherein the first cathode control valve (33) and the second cathode control valve (34) are arranged in series, wherein the first Anode control valve (31 ), the second anode control valve (32),the first cathode control valve (33) and the second cathode control valve (34) are each designed as a shut-off valve and a throttle valve., 2. Gas pressure control system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas pressure control system (10) has a control system (100), wherein the control system (100) is designed to adjust the pressure of the first anode control valve (31), the second anode control valve (32), the first cathode control valve (33) and the second cathode control valve (34).

3. Gas pressure control system (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first anode control valve (31), the second anode control valve (32), the first cathode control valve (33) and the second cathode control valve (34) are electrically controllable valves, wherein the control system (100) is designed for the electrical control of the first anode control valve (31), the second anode control valve (32), the first cathode control valve (33) and the second cathode control valve (34).

4. Gas pressure control system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the first anode control valve (31), the second anode control valve (32), the first cathode control valve (33) and the second Cathode control valve (34) are dome pressure reducers, wherein the gas pressure control system (10) has a first control pressure adjusting device (40), wherein the first control pressure adjusting device (40) is connected to the first anode control valve (31) via a first anode control pressure connection (41), wherein the first control pressure adjusting device (40) is connected to the second anode control valve (32) via a second anode control pressure connection (42), wherein the first control pressure adjusting device (40) is connected to the first cathode control valve (33) via a first cathode control pressure connection (43), wherein the first control pressure adjusting device (40) is connected to the second cathode control valve (34) via a second cathode control pressure connection (44), wherein the first anode control pressure connection (41) has a first anode switching valve (51), wherein the second anode control pressure connection (42) has a second anode switching valve (52),wherein the first cathode control pressure connection (43) has a first cathode switching valve (53), wherein the second cathode control pressure connection (44) has a second cathode switching valve (54).

5. Gas pressure control system (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the Gas pressure control system (10) is connected to an inert gas reservoir (14), wherein the gas pressure control system (10) has an inert gas line (23), wherein the inert gas line (23) has an inert gas control valve (35), wherein the first control pressure setting device (40) is connected to the inert gas control valve (35) via an inert gas control pressure connection (45), wherein the Inert gas control pressure connection (45) has an inert gas switching valve (55).

6. Gas pressure control system (10) according to one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the first anode control pressure connection (41) has a first anode safety valve (61), wherein the anode safety valve (61) is arranged between the first anode switching valve (51) and the first anode control valve (31), wherein the first cathode control pressure connection (43) has a first cathode safety valve (63), wherein the cathode safety valve (63) is arranged between the first cathode switching valve (53) and the first cathode control valve (33).

7. Gas pressure control system (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the first anode safety valve (61) and the cathode safety valve (63) are actively closed valves.

8. Gas pressure control system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anode gas line (21) has an anode pressure reducer (71), wherein the anode pressure reducer (71) is arranged upstream of the first anode control valve (31) and the second anode control valve (32), wherein the anode pressure reducer (71) is not controllable.

9. Gas pressure control system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cathode gas line (22) has a cathode pressure reducer (72), wherein the cathode pressure reducer (72) is arranged upstream of the first cathode control valve (33) and the second cathode control valve (34), wherein the cathode pressure reducer (72) is not controllable.

10. Gas pressure control system (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that a heat exchanger (77) is arranged behind the cathode pressure reducer. 11 . Gas pressure control system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anode gas line (21) has an anode switching valve group (80), wherein the anode switching valve group (80) is designed to switch the anode gas flow on or off, wherein the anode switching valve group (80) has a first anode ball valve (81) and a second anode ball valve (82) connected in series, wherein the anode switching valve group (80) has a first anode bypass line (83) for bridging the first anode ball valve (81) and the second anode ball valve (82), wherein the first anode bypass line (83) has a first anode solenoid valve (84) and a flow regulator (85) connected in series, wherein the anode switching valve group (80) has a second anode bypass line (86) for bridging the second anode ball valve (82), wherein the second anode bypass line (86) has a check valve (87).

12. Gas pressure control system (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the first anode ball valve (81), the second anode ball valve (82) and the first anode solenoid valve (84) are actively opened valves.

13. Gas pressure control system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cathode gas line (22) has a cathode switching valve group (90), wherein the cathode switching valve group (90) is designed to switch the cathode gas flow on or off, wherein the cathode switching valve group (90) has a first cathode ball valve (91) and a second cathode ball valve (92) connected in series, wherein the cathode switching valve group (90) has a first cathode bypass line (93) for bridging the first cathode ball valve (91) and the second cathode ball valve (92), wherein the first cathode bypass line (93) has a first cathode solenoid valve (94) and a flow regulator (95) connected in series, wherein the cathode switching valve group (90) has a second cathode bypass line (96) for bridging the second cathode ball valve (92), wherein the second cathode bypass line (96) has a check valve (97).

14. Gas pressure control system (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the first cathode ball valve (91), the second cathode ball valve (92) and the first cathode solenoid valve (94) are actively opened valves.

15. Gas pressure control system (10) according to claim 2 in conjunction with claim 4 or one of the claims dependent on claim 2 and claim 4, characterized in that the gas pressure control system (10) comprises a control system (100), wherein the control system (100) is connected to the first control pressure setting device (40) for setting a control pressure, wherein the control system (100) is connected to the first anode switching valve (51), the second anode switching valve (52), the first cathode switching valve (33), and the second cathode switching valve (54) for opening these valves, wherein the anode gas line (21) comprises at least one first anode gas pressure gauge (101), wherein the first anode gas pressure gauge (101) is arranged downstream of the first anode control valve (31) and the second anode control valve (32), wherein the first anode gas pressure gauge (101) is connected to the control system (100), the cathode gas line (22) has at least a first cathode gas pressure gauge (102), wherein the first cathode gas pressure gauge (102) is arranged downstream of the first cathode control valve (33) and the second cathode control valve (34), wherein the first cathode gas pressure gauge (102) is connected to the control system (100).

16. Gas pressure control system (10) according to claim 15, characterized in that the anode gas line (21) has at least one second anode gas pressure gauge (104), wherein the second anode gas pressure gauge (104) is arranged at the beginning of the anode gas line (21), wherein the second anode gas pressure gauge (104) is connected to the control system (100), wherein the cathode gas line (22) has at least one second cathode gas pressure gauge (105), wherein the second cathode gas pressure gauge (105) is arranged at the beginning of the cathode gas line (22), wherein the second cathode gas pressure gauge (105) is connected to the control system (100).

17. Gas pressure control system (10) according to claim 4 or one of the claims dependent on claim 4, characterized in that the gas pressure control system (10) has a second control pressure setting device (110), wherein the second control pressure setting device (110) is connected in parallel to the first control pressure setting device (40).

18. Underwater vehicle with a fuel cell device (11) and a gas pressure control system (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

19. Underwater vehicle according to claim 18, characterized in that the anode gas storage (12) is a hydrogen pressure gas storage and the cathode gas storage (13) is an oxygen pressure gas storage.

20. Method for pressure regulation by means of a gas pressure control system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the first anode control valve (31) and the second anode control valve (32) are set to a first Anode pressure is regulated, wherein the first cathode control valve (33) and the second cathode control valve (34) are regulated to a first cathode pressure.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that the first anode control valve (31) and the second anode control valve (32) are simultaneously controlled to a first anode pressure, wherein the first cathode control valve (33) and the second cathode control valve (34) are simultaneously controlled to a first cathode pressure.

22. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that the first Anode control valve (31) and the second anode control valve (32) are successively controlled to a first anode pressure, wherein the first cathode control valve (33) and the second cathode control valve (34) are successively controlled to a first cathode pressure.

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