Distributor and h2 high-pressure system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a distributor (110) for an H2 high-pressure system (100), wherein the distributor (110) comprises a main body (120) with a number of radial interfaces (124) in order to connect the distributor (110) to a refuelling infrastructure (150) and to the H2 high-pressure system (100), wherein the number of radial interfaces (124) along the main body (120) are fluid-communicatively connected to one another via a main bore (126), wherein the main body (120) comprises at least one throttle (170) between the main bore (126) and at least one of the number of radial interfaces (124), wherein the at least one throttle (170) has a throttle length (171) and a throttle diameter (172). The invention also relates to an H2 high-pressure system (100) which comprises at least one distributor (110).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Distributor and H2 high-pressure system

[0004] The present invention relates to a distributor for a high-pressure H2 system. Furthermore, the invention relates to a high-pressure H2 system with at least one distributor.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Common distributors for high-pressure hydrogen systems include various structures with one or more inlets and a number of outlets for distributing the hydrogen. Common distributors for high-pressure hydrogen systems are designed for pressures up to 700 bar, and even higher in the future. Using the distributors with a gas like hydrogen requires a careful selection of materials for the distributors.

[0007] Since the inner diameters of a manifold are designed to allow a favorable flow of the fluid through the manifold, these known manifolds tend to vary during the refueling process with regard to the uniformity of the flow, the pressure and / or the balanced distribution of the hydrogen through manifold outlets to tanks of the H2 high-pressure system.

[0008] High-pressure hydrogen systems are typically used in various applications, such as fuel supply systems for modern propulsion units in vehicles or for stationary power sources.

[0009] Disclosure of the Invention The invention claims a distributor for a high-pressure H2 system having the features of independent claim 1. Furthermore, the invention discloses a high-pressure H2 system having at least one distributor having the features of independent claim 10. Further advantages and details of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. In this context, features described in relation to the distributor according to the invention naturally also apply to the high-pressure H2 system according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure relating to the individual aspects of the invention, a reciprocal reference is or can always be made.

[0010] According to the first aspect of the invention, the invention discloses a distributor for a high-pressure H2 system, the distributor comprising a main body having a number of radial interfaces for connecting the distributor to a refueling infrastructure and the high-pressure H2 system, the number of radial interfaces being fluidly communicatively connected to one another along the main body via a main bore, the main body comprising at least one throttle between the main bore and at least one of the number of radial interfaces, the at least one throttle having a throttle length and a throttle diameter.

[0011] As described in detail later, the main body typically includes at least one axial interface, with the exception of 3D printed manifolds, which may not have an axial interface.

[0012] The distributor generally preferably has a tube-like shape and / or a cylindrical shape. The main function of the distributor is to distribute the hydrogen between interfaces. The axial and radial interfaces are preferably interchangeable with regard to their function as inlet and / or outlet interfaces. The plurality of radial interfaces extend radially from the main body. Preferably, the plurality of radial interfaces extend from the main body parallel to one another and / or in line with one another. The distributor preferably comprises at least one inlet interface, while the remaining interfaces are preferably used as outlet interfaces and / or are closed by, for example, screw plugs. The interfaces preferably each comprise fastening means for attaching the distributor to the refueling infrastructure and to the high-pressure H2 system.The interfaces are preferably to be understood as connecting means for connecting the distributor to the refuelling infrastructure and / or to the H2 high-pressure system.

[0013] The fluid is distributed to the interfaces via the main bore along the main body. The main bore is preferably understood as a drilled, reamed, and / or otherwise machined cavity along the main body. The main bore is preferably designed such that its diameter does not change within at least one region of the main body. Preferably, the main bore has a constant or almost constant inner diameter over its entire length or at least 90% of its length within the main body.

[0014] The high-pressure H2 system preferably comprises at least one hydrogen tank and / or at least one hydrogen consumption device, for example, an engine and / or a drive unit of a vehicle. The refueling infrastructure is preferably understood as a type of filling station, a stationary or mobile refueling unit, and / or another source of fuel, preferably hydrogen.

[0015] The distributor comprises the main body, which is preferably understood as a single piece of material. The main body comprises a main bore along the main body. The inner diameter of the main bore is preferably constant or almost constant over a large part of the main body. The main body is preferably understood as a linear main body and / or as a main body along a virtual axis. The axial interfaces of the distributor are preferably arranged in line with the virtual axis of the main body. The radial interfaces are preferably arranged radially to the virtual axis of the main body. The main body of the distributor is particularly advantageous because the at least one throttle is located between the main bore and at least one of the number of radial interfaces. Additionally or alternatively, the main body comprises at least one throttle between the main bore and at least one axial interface.The at least one throttle comprises a throttle length and a throttle diameter. The length of the throttle is understood along a gas flow through the throttle. The throttle diameter is understood as a width of a cross-section of the throttle. The throttle is preferably understood as a reduction of an inner diameter of a path for the hydrogen flow. In other words, the throttle is preferably machined to a smaller diameter than adjacent sections on the throttle or pressed into the manifold as a single attached component along a path for the hydrogen flow.

[0016] The throttle is particularly advantageous due to the arrangement of the throttle between the main bore and at least one axial interface and / or between the main bore and at least one of the plurality of radial interfaces. Preferably, the throttle is machined through or pressed into a respective axial interface and / or radial interface.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a manifold is provided, wherein the main body is made of, but not limited to, austenitic stainless steel and / or the manifold, or at least the main body, is manufactured by a forging process, a casting process, a machining process, a 3D printing process, and / or a die-casting process. The choice of austenitic stainless steel for the main body is particularly advantageous for use of the manifold with a high-pressure H2 system, as austenitic stainless steel offers favorable resistance to hydrogen embrittlement. Preferred methods for manufacturing the manifold include a machining process in combination with a forging process, a casting process, or 3D printing in order to reduce production costs, increase the quality of the manifold, and / or enable a simple and fast production cycle.A distributor formed in this way is particularly advantageous because it enables a favorable hydrogen flow, thus enabling a uniform hydrogen flow through the distributor and the throttle in a particularly simple manner. The distributor according to the invention offers high stability for the distribution of hydrogen for high-pressure H2 systems.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a distributor is provided, wherein the main body comprises at least one axial interface, wherein the main body comprises at least one throttle between the main bore and at least one axial interface and / or wherein the main body comprises at least one of the throttles between the main bore and each of the at least one axial interface and / or between the main bore and each of the plurality of radial interfaces. The possible features of the throttle have already been described above. It is particularly advantageous if the design of the distributor comprises a throttle between the main bore and each of the at least one axial interface and / or between the main bore and each of the plurality of radial interfaces. This advantageously increases the uniform hydrogen flow and the stability of the gas flow within the distributor.The throttles are preferably similarly or identically configured between the main bore and each of the at least one axial interface and / or between the main bore and each of the plurality of radial interfaces. This simplifies the production of the distributor, minimizes tool changes for machining the distributor, and reduces costs. The distributor formed in this way is particularly advantageous because the distributor enables a beneficial, uniform flow of hydrogen at high pressure, thus enabling uniform distribution of the hydrogen through the distributor in a particularly simple manner.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a distributor is provided, wherein the throttle length correlates with the throttle diameter by a factor between 1 and 4, in particular between 2 and 3. The throttle length is preferably longer than the throttle diameter. The throttle diameter is designed to ensure high stability and fatigue strength of the distributor and its main body, as well as advantageous throttling of a hydrogen flow. A factor between 1 and 4, in particular between 2 and 3, for the throttle length in relation to the throttle diameter enables the throttle to advantageously standardize the supply and distribution of hydrogen through the distributor, while simultaneously designing the distributor with a focus on high stability and reduced costs.The distributor thus formed is particularly advantageous because the distributor enables an advantageous uniform hydrogen flow at high pressure, thereby enabling a uniform distribution of the hydrogen through the distributor in a particularly simple manner.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a distributor is provided, wherein the throttle diameter correlates with the main bore by a factor between 0.1 and 0.9, in particular between 0.2 and 0.4, and / or the throttle diameter is less than 3 mm, preferably less than 2.4 mm. The throttle has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the main bore. Preferably, the throttle diameter correlates with 0.1 to 0.9, in particular between 0.2 and 0.4, times the diameter of the main bore. For example, the throttle diameter is less than 3 mm, preferably less than 2.4 mm, in order to ensure an advantageous uniform flow and distribution of hydrogen through the distributor.The distributor thus formed is particularly advantageous because the distributor enables an advantageous uniform hydrogen flow at high pressure, thereby enabling a uniform distribution of the hydrogen through the distributor in a particularly simple manner.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a distributor is provided, wherein an inner diameter of the main bore and an inner diameter of the at least one axial interface and / or an inner diameter of the number of radial interfaces are at least partially identical. Identical diameters are preferable because the number of tool changes during manufacture of the distributor is advantageously reduced. The distributor with the throttle according to the invention and main bore, at least one axial interface and / or at least one radial interface with at least partially identical inner diameter is capable of ensuring an advantageously uniform hydrogen flow, thereby enabling a uniform distribution of the hydrogen through the distributor in a particularly simple manner.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a distributor is provided, wherein the at least one axial interface and / or the number of radial interfaces comprises at least one connecting means for connecting the distributor to a pipe unit and / or the distributor and / or the H2 high-pressure system. The at least one connecting means is designed, for example, as a clamping means, screwing means and / or plug-in means for connecting a pipe unit to the respective interface. The pipe unit is defined either as part of the H2 high-pressure system or as part of the distributor, wherein the pipe unit can preferably be connected to and separated from the distributor by the at least one connecting means.The distributor thus formed is particularly advantageous because the distributor enables an advantageous uniform hydrogen flow at high pressure, thereby enabling a uniform distribution of the hydrogen through the distributor in a particularly simple manner.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a distributor is provided, wherein the main body comprises a bevelled and / or rounded and / or sharp edge transition section between the throttle and the main bore and / or between the throttle and the at least one axial interface and / or the at least one of the number of radial interfaces. The bevelled and / or rounded transition section between the throttle and the main bore and / or between the throttle and the at least one axial interface and / or the at least one of the number of radial interfaces enables a more uniform hydrogen flow through the distributor, in particular through the throttles of the distributor. By bevelling and / or rounding a transition section, turbulence in the distributor and the hydrogen flow are reduced.The distributor formed in this way is particularly advantageous because the distributor enables an advantageous, uniform hydrogen flow at high pressure, thereby enabling uniform distribution of the hydrogen through the distributor in a particularly simple manner. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a distributor is provided, wherein the at least one axial interface and / or the number of radial interfaces has / have at least one inner diameter, wherein the inner diameter is larger than the throttle diameter. It is an advantageous embodiment of the at least one axial interface and / or the number of radial interfaces to enlarge the inner diameter upstream and / or downstream of the throttle depending on the flow direction of the hydrogen. In other words, it is advantageous for the distributor to design the throttle diameter as the smallest diameter in the flow path of hydrogen in the distributor.Preferably, the inner diameter of the main bore correlates with or is identical to a diameter of a corresponding axial and / or radial interface behind the throttle of the respective axial and / or radial interface. The distributor thus formed is particularly advantageous because the distributor enables a favorable, uniform hydrogen flow, thereby enabling a uniform distribution of the hydrogen through the distributor in a particularly simple manner.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a distributor is provided, wherein the distributor comprises at least one pipe unit which is connected to the at least one axial interface and / or to at least one of the number of radial interfaces, wherein an inner diameter of the at least one pipe unit and an inner diameter of the main bore and / or an inner diameter of the respective at least one axial interface and / or the at least one respective radial interface are at least partially identical. The pipe unit is preferably understood as a pipe, line and / or another type of gas-carrying pipeline. The pipe unit preferably continues the distribution of the hydrogen from the refueling infrastructure to the H2 high-pressure system and / or within the H2 high-pressure system.The tube unit is very advantageous if an inner diameter of the at least one tube unit and an inner diameter of the main bore and / or an inner diameter of the respective at least one axial interface and / or of the at least one respective radial interface are at least partially identical. A distributor formed in this way is particularly advantageous because the distributor enables a favorable, uniform hydrogen flow, thereby enabling a uniform distribution of the hydrogen through the distributor in a particularly simple manner.

[0025] According to a second aspect of the invention, the invention discloses a high-pressure H2 system. According to the first aspect, the high-pressure H2 system comprises at least one distributor. The described high-pressure H2 system has all the advantages already described for the distributor according to the first aspect of the invention. The distributor and the high-pressure H2 system are preferably attached to one another, e.g., by screwing, pressing, or clamping.

[0026] A distributor for a high-pressure H2 system and a high-pressure H2 system according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The figures schematically show:

[0027] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a distributor of a high-pressure H2 system,

[0028] Figure 2 shows a detailed cross-sectional side view of a distributor of a high-pressure H2 system and

[0029] Figure 3 shows a detailed cross-sectional side view of an axial interface of a distributor.

[0030] Features with the same function or the same functional principle are provided with the same reference numerals in Figs. 1 to 3.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a distributor 110 of a high-pressure H2 system 100. The distributor 110 comprises a main body 120 with two axial interfaces 122 and three radial interfaces 124 to connect the distributor 110 to a refueling infrastructure 150 and to the high-pressure H2 system 100. The fluid is distributed via the main bore 126 along the main body 120 to the two axial interfaces 122 and the three radial interfaces 124. The main body 120 comprises four throttles 170 between the main bore 126 and one of the axial interfaces 122 and between the main bore 126 and the three radial

[0032] Interfaces 124.

[0033] Fig. 2 shows a detailed cross-sectional side view of a manifold 110 of a high-pressure H2 system 100. The manifold 110 is only partially shown and includes a main body 120 with axial interfaces 122 and radial interfaces 124 for connecting the manifold 110 to a refueling infrastructure 150 and to the high-pressure H2 system 100. The fluid is distributed via the main bore 126 along the main body 120 to the axial interface 122 and the radial interface 124. The main body 120 includes throttles 170 between the main bore 126 and the illustrated axial interface 122, as well as between the main bore 126 and the illustrated radial interface 124. The throttles 170 each have a throttle length 171 and a throttle diameter 172. The axial interface 122 includes a connecting means 130 for connecting the distributor 110 to a pipe unit 102.The axial interface 122 shown and the radial interface 124 shown have an inner diameter 125, wherein the inner diameters 125 are larger than the throttle diameter 172.

[0034] Fig. 3 shows a detailed cross-sectional side view of a distributor 110 of a high-pressure H2 system 100. The distributor 110 includes a main body 120 with an axial interface 122 shown. The fluid is distributed via the main bore 126 along the main body 120 to the axial interface 122 and the radial interface 124 (not shown). The main body 120 includes a throttle 170 shown between the main bore 126 and the illustrated axial interfaces 122.

Claims

Claims 1 . A distributor (110) for a high-pressure H2 system (100), the distributor (110) comprising a main body (120) having a number of radial interfaces (124) for connecting the distributor (110) to a refueling infrastructure (150) and the high-pressure H2 system (100), the number of radial interfaces (124) being fluidly communicatively connected to one another via a main bore (126) along the main body (120), the main body (120) comprising at least one throttle (170) between the main bore (126) and at least one of the number of radial interfaces (124), the at least one throttle (170) having a throttle length (171) and a throttle diameter (172).

2. Distributor (110) according to claim 1, characterized in that the main body (120) comprises at least one axial interface (122), wherein the main body (120) comprises at least one throttle (170) between the main bore (126) and at least one axial interface (122) and / or that the main body (120) comprises at least one throttle (170) between the main bore (126) and each of the at least one axial interface (122) and / or between the main bore (126) and each of the number of radial interfaces (124).

3. Distributor (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the throttle length (171) correlates with the throttle diameter (172) by a factor between 1 and 4, in particular between 2 and 3.

4. Distributor (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the throttle diameter (172) correlates with the main bore (126) by a factor between 0.1 and 0.9, in particular between 0.2 and 0.4, and / or that the throttle diameter (172) is less than 3 mm, preferably less than 2.4 mm.

5. Distributor (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inner diameter of the number of radial interfaces (124) and / or at least one of the axial interfaces^ 22) is at least partially identical and the throttle diameter (172) is at least partially identical.

6. Distributor (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one axial interface (122) and / or the number of radial interfaces (124) comprise / comprise at least one connecting means (130) for connecting the distributor (110) to a pipe unit (102) and / or the distributor (110) and / or the H2 high-pressure system (100).

7. Distributor (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main body (120) comprises a bevelled and / or rounded and / or sharp transition section between the throttle (170) and the main bore (126) and / or between the throttle (170) and the at least one axial interface (122) and / or the at least one of the number of radial interfaces (124).

8. Distributor (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one axial interface (122) and / or the number of radial interfaces (124) has / have at least one inner diameter (125), wherein the inner diameter (125) is larger than the throttle diameter (172).

9. Distributor (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distributor (110) comprises at least one pipe unit (102) which is connected to the at least one axial interface (122) and / or to at least one of the number of radial interfaces (124), wherein an inner diameter of the at least one pipe unit (102) and an inner diameter of the main bore (126) and / or an inner diameter of the respective at least one axial interface (122) and / or the at least one respective radial interface (124) are at least partially identical.

10. H2 high-pressure system (100), comprising at least one distributor (110) according to one of the preceding claims.

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