Tank system and framework for a tank system

Abstract

The invention relates to a tank system (100) comprising at least one gas tank (12) and a framework (200), which is designed for storing the gas tank (12) and has a plurality of profiles (10) which form a holding frame (11), wherein the gas tank (12) has a first thermal pressure-relief valve (17) which, with respect to the intended installation position of the tank system (100), is arranged on a lower portion (15) of the gas tank (12). According to the invention, at least one of the profiles (10) of the framework (200) is formed at least in part as a hollow profile (101), has a connection (18) for a venting line (19) for directly or indirectly connecting to the first thermal pressure-relief valve (17), is designed to channel gas which is released from the gas tank (12) into the hollow profile (101) via the first thermal pressure-relief valve (17), and has an outlet (20) which is designed to discharge the gas.

Description

[0001] Tank system and frame of a tank system

[0002] Technological background

[0003] The present invention relates to a tank system comprising at least one gas tank and a frame which is designed to support the gas tank and has a plurality of profiles which form a holding frame, wherein the gas tank has a first thermal pressure relief valve which is arranged on a lower section of the gas tank with respect to the intended installation position of the tank system.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a frame for storing a gas tank of such a tank system.

[0005] A tank system and a frame of the type mentioned above are known in the art. The tank system usually has several safety devices. In particular, the first thermal pressure relief valve of the at least one gas tank is connected to a vent line that runs up to the lid of the gas tank and / or to the upper end of the tank system (based on the installed state or operating state) and thus, in the event of temperature-related gas release (e.g. in the event of a fire), the gas is released above the tank system or above the frame. If the tank system has several gas tanks, each having a first thermal pressure relief valve, these are run in parallel up to the lid and / or to the upper end of the tank system and connected to one another there, e.g. via T-pieces.

[0006] The installation of the vent lines is disadvantageously associated with considerable material usage and assembly effort, making this safety device a cost driver. Furthermore, suitable space must be provided for the vent lines, which, particularly in confined spaces, cannot be used for other purposes. Description of the invention. Object, solution, advantages.

[0007] Based on this, the object of the invention is to propose a tank system and / or a frame of such a tank system which reduces the material used in ventilation lines, reduces the assembly effort of the tank system and saves installation space.

[0008] This object is achieved by the tank system according to claim 1 and the frame according to claim 29. According to the invention, at least one of the profiles of the frame is designed at least in sections as a hollow profile, has a connection for a vent line for indirect or direct connection to the first thermal pressure relief valve (Thermally Activated Pressure Relief Devices, TPRD), is designed to conduct gas that is released from the gas tank via the first thermal pressure relief valve into the hollow profile, and has an outlet that is designed to discharge the gas.

[0009] The inventive design of the tank system and / or the frame limits the length of the installed vent line, thereby reducing material usage and assembly effort. Material and assembly costs can thus be significantly reduced, and the unused installation space for the at least one vent line can be used for other purposes, such as a larger gas tank.

[0010] Advantageous further developments of the invention are specified below and in the subclaims.

[0011] According to a first advantageous development of the invention, the frame is designed for the removable or non-replaceable storage of the gas tank. With removable storage of the gas tank, the gas tank is detachably connected to the frame so that, if it becomes completely empty, it can be removed from the frame and replaced with a filled gas tank, which is then connected to the vent lines and other connecting lines. With non-replaceable storage of the gas tank, the gas tank has connection options for filling the gas tank, so that the gas tank can be refilled after it has become completely empty and does not need to be replaced.

[0012] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the at least one gas tank is designed as a hydrogen tank.

[0013] Preferably, the tank system is designed to supply fuel to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, a commercial vehicle, a truck, a bus, a train, a boat, or a tram. In this case, the tank system is expediently installed and / or attached on board the vehicle, either permanently or removably. Preferably, the vehicle can further comprise a fuel cell for generating electrical power to drive the vehicle. Alternatively, the tank system is designed to supply fuel to a mobile or stationary power generation system (generator).

[0014] The outlet is preferably located at an upper section of the frame, relative to the intended installation position of the tank system. The upper section of the frame preferably extends along the upper 30%, in particular along the upper 20% or along the upper 10%, of the tank system and / or the frame. Alternatively, the outlet can also be located at the upper end of the frame.

[0015] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the gas tank is designed as a cylindrical gas cylinder. In the intended installation position of the tank system, the longitudinal axis of the gas cylinder is preferably aligned substantially parallel to the z-axis of a vehicle coordinate system. If the tank system is designed to supply fuel to a mobile or stationary power generation system, it is preferably provided that the longitudinal axis of the gas cylinder is aligned substantially perpendicular to the earth's surface in the intended installation position. In both cases, tank systems with upright gas cylinders are therefore addressed. The first thermal pressure relief valve is preferably connected directly to the connection of the hollow profile via a vent line.

[0016] With respect to the intended installation position of the tank system, the connection of the hollow profile is preferably arranged on a side surface, in particular on the side surface facing the gas tank, preferably the gas cylinder. Such an installation position is possible because no temperature-related linear expansion of the gas tank needs to be taken into account at the lower section of the gas tank. This results in further space savings because the vent line can be connected directly to the profile. Furthermore, the gas tanks are preferably firmly clamped to the frame in their lower section (with respect to the installed state or the operating state). This also contributes to ensuring that no temperature-related linear expansion occurs in the lower section of the gas tank.

[0017] Irrespective of this, an alternative embodiment provides that the connection of the hollow profile is arranged on an underside of the hollow profile with respect to the intended installation position of the tank system.

[0018] Preferably, the outlet, which is located particularly at the upper end of the frame, is designed as a valve, particularly a check valve. The valve seals the interior of the hollow profile from the outside, preventing foreign matter from entering the hollow profile, thus ensuring the long-term functionality of the vent line.

[0019] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the tank system comprises a plurality of gas tanks, each having a first thermal pressure relief valve, wherein all first thermal pressure relief valves or at least a subset thereof are directly connected to separate connections of the hollow profile via separate vent lines. Alternatively, the tank system comprises a plurality of gas tanks, each having a first thermal pressure relief valve, wherein all first thermal pressure relief valves or at least a subset thereof are connected to a common connection of the hollow profile via a common vent line, which reduces the required line length compared to the first-mentioned embodiment. The at least one connection is preferably designed as an adapter that is screwed into the hollow profile by means of a thread.Alternatively, it is provided that the at least one connection has an elastic sleeve which is connected to the hollow profile and is designed to receive the vent line.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the first thermal pressure relief valve is designed as an end-plug valve and is thus arranged at the bottom of the gas tank, in particular at the bottom of the gas cylinder. According to an alternative embodiment, the first thermal pressure relief valve is designed as a remote valve and is thus arranged on a side surface of the gas tank, in particular on a side surface of the gas cylinder. With respect to the intended installation position of the tank system and the height of the gas tank, the lower section of the gas tank preferably extends along the lower half, in particular along the lower third.

[0021] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the gas tank, with respect to the intended installation position of the tank system, has a second thermal pressure relief valve at an upper section of the gas tank, in particular on the upper end face of the gas tank. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the gas tank, with respect to the intended installation position of the tank system, has a high-pressure shut-off valve at the upper section of the gas tank, in particular on the upper end face of the gas tank. The second thermal pressure relief valve and the high-pressure shut-off valve can form a combination valve, which is designed in particular as an on-tank valve (OTV).

[0022] Preferably, the second thermal pressure relief valve and the high pressure shut-off valve are connected to a common or separate vent lines configured to release vented gas relative to the intended installation position of the tank system above the frame.

[0023] The profiles of the tank system or frame are preferably made of aluminum or steel. Frames made of such profiles offer sufficient stability for their intended use. Furthermore, such profiles can be particularly easily connected to sheet metal, which the frame preferably has for cladding.

[0024] Short description of the characters

[0025] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. They show:

[0026] Fig. 1 to 6 schematic cross-sectional views of different tank systems.

[0027] Detailed description of the characters

[0028] 1 to 6 each show a tank system 100 with a frame 200 having a plurality of profiles 10 forming a holding frame 11 for four gas tanks 12. In the illustrated embodiments, the gas tanks 12 are designed as hydrogen tanks 121 in the form of gas cylinders 13, each extending along a longitudinal axis A. The illustrated tank systems 100 can be designed to supply fuel to a vehicle (not shown). In the intended installation position, the longitudinal axes A of the gas tanks 12 are aligned parallel to the z-axis of a vehicle coordinate system. Alternatively, the illustrated tank systems 100 can be designed to supply fuel to a mobile or stationary power generation plant (not shown). The longitudinal axes A of the gas cylinders 13 are then arranged perpendicular to the earth's surface 14 in the intended installation position.In both cases, the gas tanks 12 have a lower section 15 and an upper section 16 with respect to the intended installation position. A first thermal pressure relief valve 17 is arranged on the lower section 15, which vents the gas tank 12 in the event of overheating. At least one of the profiles 10 of the frame 200 is partially designed as a hollow profile 101, has a connection 18 for a vent line 19 for direct or indirect connection to the first thermal pressure relief valve 17, is designed to conduct gas released from the gas tank 12 via the first thermal pressure relief valve 17 into the hollow profile 101, and has an outlet 20 designed to discharge the gas. In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet 20 is arranged at the upper end of the frame and closed by a valve 21.

[0029] Different embodiments are provided for connecting the first thermal pressure relief valves 17 to the hollow profiles 101.

[0030] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment in which the first thermal pressure relief valves 17 are directly connected to a common hollow profile 101 via separate vent lines 19 with separate connections 18.

[0031] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment in which the first thermal pressure relief valves 17 are directly connected to different hollow profiles 101 via separate vent lines 19 with separate connections 18. The connections of the hollow profile 101 are arranged independently of this on the side surfaces 22 of the hollow profile 101 facing the gas cylinders 13.

[0032] Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the tank system 100 in which all first thermal pressure relief valves 17 are connected to a common connection 18 of the hollow profile 101 via a common vent line 19.

[0033] Fig. 4, in contrast, shows an embodiment in which only the three gas tanks 12 arranged on the left side have a common vent line 19 connected to the hollow profile 101 shown on the left side. The gas tank 12 shown on the right side, in contrast, is connected to another hollow profile 101 of the frame 200 via a separate vent line 19. The connections 18 of the hollow profile 101 are arranged independently of this on the side surfaces 22 of the hollow profile 101 facing the gas cylinders 13.

[0034] Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the tank system 100 in which all first thermal pressure relief valves 17 are connected to a common connection 18 of the hollow profile 101 via a common vent line 19. Fig. 6, in contrast, shows an embodiment in which only the three gas tanks 12 arranged on the left side have a common vent line 19, which is connected to the hollow profile 101 shown on the left side. The gas tank 12 shown on the right side, in contrast, is connected to another hollow profile 101 of the frame 200 via a separate vent line 19. Independently of this, the connections of the hollow profile 101 are arranged on the underside 23 of the hollow profile 101 in the embodiments shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0035] The gas tanks 12 of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 each have a combination valve 24 with a second thermal pressure relief valve 25 and a high-pressure shut-off valve 26 on their upper end faces. In the three combination valves 24 shown on the left, the second thermal pressure relief valves 25 and the high-pressure shut-off valves 26 are connected to a common vent line TI. In the combination valve 24 shown on the right, it is shown by way of example that the second thermal pressure relief valves 25 and the high-pressure shut-off valves 26 are connected to separate vent lines TI. Independently of this, the vent lines TI project upwards above the frame 200 and therefore discharge released gas above the frame 200.

[0036] List of reference symbols

[0037] 100 tank system

[0038] 200 frame

[0039] 10 Profile

[0040] 101 hollow profile

[0041] 11 Holding frame

[0042] 12 gas tank

[0043] 121 hydrogen tank

[0044] 13 gas bottles

[0045] 14 Earth's surface

[0046] 15 lower section of the gas tank

[0047] 16 upper section of the gas tank

[0048] 17 first thermal pressure relief valve

[0049] 18 connection

[0050] 19 Ventilation line

[0051] 20 Outlet

[0052] 21 Valve

[0053] 22 Side surface of the hollow profile

[0054] 23 Underside of the hollow profile

[0055] 24 combination valve

[0056] 25 second thermal pressure relief valve

[0057] 26 High pressure shut-off valve

[0058] 28 Ventilation line

[0059] A Longitudinal axis

Claims

Claims 1. Tank system (100) with at least one gas tank (12) and a frame (200) which is designed to support the gas tank (12) and has a plurality of profiles (10) which form a holding frame (11), wherein the gas tank (12) has a first thermal pressure relief valve (17) which, with respect to the intended installation position of the tank system (100), is arranged on a lower section (15) of the gas tank (12), characterized in that at least one of the profiles (10) of the frame (200) a) is designed at least in sections as a hollow profile (101), b) has a connection (18) for a vent line (19) for indirect or direct connection to the first thermal pressure relief valve (17), c) is designed to conduct gas which flows from the gas tank (12) via the first thermal pressure relief valve (17) into the hollow profile (101) is discharged, and d) has an outlet (20) which is designed to discharge the gas.

2. Tank system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (200) is designed for replaceable or non-replaceable storage of the gas tank (12).

3. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one gas tank (12) is designed as a hydrogen tank (121).

4. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tank system (100) is designed to supply fuel to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, a commercial vehicle, a truck, a bus, a train, a boat or a tram.

5. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tank system (100) is designed to supply fuel to a mobile or stationary power generation plant.

6. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the outlet (20) is arranged on an upper section (16) of the frame (200) with respect to the intended installation position.

7. Tank system (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper section (16) of the frame (200) extends along the upper 30%, in particular along the upper 20%, particularly preferably along the upper 10%, with respect to the height of the frame (200).

8. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the outlet (20) is arranged at the upper end of the frame (200).

9. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the gas tank (12) is designed as a cylindrical gas bottle (13).

10. Tank system (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the longitudinal axis (A) of the gas cylinder (13) of a tank system (100) designed to supply fuel to a vehicle is aligned substantially parallel to the z-axis of a vehicle coordinate system in the intended installation position.

11. Tank system (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the longitudinal axis (A) of the gas cylinder (13) of a tank system (100) which is designed to supply fuel to a mobile or stationary power generation plant is aligned substantially perpendicular to the earth's surface (14) in the intended installation position.

12. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the first thermal pressure relief valve (17) is connected directly to the connection (18) of the hollow profile (101) via a vent line (19).

13. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the connection (18) of the hollow profile (101) is arranged on a side surface (22) with respect to the intended installation position of the tank system (100), in particular on the side surface (22) facing the gas tank (12), preferably the gas cylinder (13).

14. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the connection (18) of the hollow profile (101) is arranged on an underside (23) of the hollow profile (101) with respect to the intended installation position of the tank system (100).

15. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the outlet (20), which is arranged in particular at the upper end of the frame (200), is designed as a valve (21).

16. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the tank system (100) has a plurality of gas tanks (12), each having a first thermal pressure relief valve (17), wherein all first thermal pressure relief valves (17) or at least a subset thereof are connected directly via separate vent lines (19) to separate connections (18) of the hollow profile (101).

17. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the tank system (100) has a plurality of gas tanks (12), each having a first thermal pressure relief valve (17), wherein all first thermal pressure relief valves (17) or at least a subset thereof are connected via a common vent line (19) to a common connection (18) of the hollow profile (101).

18. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the at least one connection (18) is designed as an adapter which is screwed into the hollow profile (101) by means of a thread.

19. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the at least one connection (18) has an elastic sleeve which is connected to the hollow profile (101) and is designed to receive the vent line (19).

20. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the first thermal pressure relief valve (17) is designed as an end-plug valve and is thus arranged at the bottom of the gas tank (12), in particular at the bottom of the gas cylinder (13).

21. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the first thermal pressure relief valve (17) is designed as a remote valve and is thus arranged on a side surface of the gas tank (12), in particular on a side surface of the gas cylinder (13).

22. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the lower section (15) of the gas tank (12) extends along the lower half, in particular along the lower third, with respect to the intended installation position of the tank system (100) and the height of the gas tank (12).

23. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the gas tank (12) has a second thermal pressure relief valve (25) on an upper section of the gas tank (12), in particular on the upper end face of the gas tank (12), with respect to the intended installation position of the tank system (100).

24. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the gas tank (12) has a high-pressure shut-off valve (26) on the upper section of the gas tank (12), in particular on the upper end face of the gas tank (12), with respect to the intended installation position of the tank system (100).

25. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 23 and 24, characterized in that the second thermal pressure relief valve (25) and the high-pressure shut-off valve (26) form a combination valve (24) which is designed in particular as an on-tank valve.

26. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that the second thermal pressure relief valve (25) and the high-pressure shut-off valve (26) are connected to a common or separate vent line (27) which is designed to release released gas with respect to the intended installation position of the tank system (100) above the frame (200). TI . Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the profiles (10) are designed as aluminum or steel profiles.

28. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to TI, characterized in that the frame (200) is covered by metal sheets which are connected to the profiles (10).

29. Frame (200), characterized in that the frame (200) is designed as a frame (200) of a tank system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 28.

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