Method for controlling a tank system in operation, tank system, computer program product, and computer-readable medium

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a tank system (100) in operation. The tank system has a plurality of tanks (12) and a line system (39). Each tank is provided with a valve (13), and the tank system supplies at least one load (40) with a fluid. The method has the following steps: a) supplying the at least one load from a first tank (12.1) of the plurality of tanks, b) when a defined target pressure is reached, closing the valve (13.1) of the first tank, c) detecting an expected pressure decrease, in particular below the first target pressure, by means of the line system, d) opening the valve of a second tank (12.2) of the plurality of tanks and carrying out steps a) to c) for the second tank, e) when the valve (13.2) of the second tank is opened, detecting an expected pressure increase by means of the line system, and f) repeating steps a) to e) for the rest of the tanks.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Method for controlling a tank system in operation, tank system, computer program product and computer-readable medium

[0004] The invention generally relates to the field of storage devices for fuels or gases. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for controlling an operating tank system, a tank system, a computer program product, and a computer-readable medium.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Fuel tank systems for motor vehicles typically have tanks or reservoirs containing a fluid to supply a consumer. To supply the consumer reliably and according to its needs, the tanks or reservoirs must be able to be opened or closed. A closing and / or opening function of a tank valve can also ensure a certain degree of safety when supplying the consumer. However, this requires the valve's closing and opening function to function flawlessly.

[0007] In practice, as a safety measure for a tank system, and in particular for a tank system for a motor vehicle, the switching behavior of the valve(s) in the tank system is regularly checked. So-called diagnostic procedures are therefore carried out. Known diagnostic procedures can lead to significantly increased requirements regarding the required number of switching cycles for the valves. This, in turn, can shorten the service life of the valves. Known diagnostic procedures also provide for the control of all valves in parallel so that the consumer is supplied from all tanks in the tank system. However, this results in reduced diagnostic capability for leaks in the tank system, since a leak in a completely open tank system (all tanks open) leads to a reduced drop in pressure in the line system and therefore also at a pressure sensor.At the same time, if the pipes crack or leak, large amounts of leakage can escape from the tank system, as the flow-limiting safety devices in the valves cannot always limit the mass flow. The limit, which should be triggered by a safety device, is not triggered due to the insufficient pressure drop in the pipe system.

[0008] Disclosure of the invention

[0009] The method according to the invention for controlling a tank system in operation with the features of independent claim 1 has the advantage that the tank system can be controlled and operated reliably and with high safety over a long period of time and that diagnostic processes can still be carried out with high regularity.

[0010] The proposed method therefore reduces the number of switching cycles for the tank system valves and enables improved diagnostic capability for both leaks in the tank system and faulty closing and / or opening functions. The proposed method enables the tank system to be controlled more efficiently, better, and more reliably than with existing methods.

[0011] Features, details, and advantages described in connection with the method according to the invention for controlling a tank system in operation naturally also apply in connection with the tank system, the computer program product, and / or the computer-readable medium, and vice versa, so that reference is or can always be made to the individual aspects of the invention in relation to one another in the disclosure. A first aspect of the present invention relates to a method for controlling a tank system in operation, in particular a gas tank system for a motor vehicle. The tank system has a plurality of tanks and a line system. Each tank is provided with a valve. The tank system supplies at least one consumer with a fluid.The method comprises the following steps: a) supplying the at least one consumer from a first tank of the plurality of tanks, b) upon reaching a predefined target pressure, closing the valve of the first tank, c) detecting an expected pressure drop, in particular below the first target pressure, by means of the line system, d) opening the valve of a second tank of the plurality of tanks and carrying out steps a) to c) with the second tank, and e) upon opening the valve of the second tank, detecting an expected pressure increase by means of the line system, f) repeating steps a) to e) with the remaining tanks of the plurality of tanks.

[0012] In other words, the tank system can be controlled in such a way that a diagnostic process can be carried out during operation of the tank system. The tank system can be controlled in such a way that it can be detected whether the valve of the first tank closes correctly and whether the valve of the second tank opens correctly. The diagnostic process of the functioning of the valves of the tanks made possible by the method can be based on measured or detected pressures. The method for controlling the tank system in operation can therefore also be referred to as a method for implementing an operating strategy for a tank system of a motor vehicle. It should be noted that when carrying out the method according to the invention, the tank system should be in operation. An operating tank system can refer to a tank system that (currently) supplies the consumer with fluid and / or that the consumer is also in operation.The tank system can be a fluid supply system for a consumer, in particular for a fuel system of a motor vehicle. The tank system can also be used in other applications. The tank system can be used, for example, in stationary applications or in construction machinery, marine applications, or rail vehicles. The tank system can be a hydrogen tank system. The tank system can be a tank system for a fluid, such as a liquid fuel or a gaseous fuel. The tank system can have two or more tanks. The tanks can have different tank volumes.

[0013] The tank may be a fluid reservoir or a container. Each tank is provided with a valve, whereby the term "valve" is to be understood broadly in the context of the present disclosure. The valve may be a valve device. For example, the valve may include a tank valve, a safety valve, and a check valve. The valve may be defined, for example, by its function, namely that it can close and open the corresponding tank. The valve may be configured to close the corresponding tank in a fluid-tight manner, so that no fluid can be drawn from the tank.

[0014] The line system of the tank system can detect pressure differences, for example, in lines of the tank system. The line system can comprise lines, sensors, and / or distributors. The line system can be configured to detect pressure differences, whether pressure increases or pressure decreases, on a filling path and / or removal path of the tanks. The line system can, in particular, comprise a main distributor, a pressure regulator unit, and at least one pressure sensor. The main distributor can be fluidly connected to a main filling path and to a tank path. Each of the tanks of the plurality of tanks can be fluidly connected to the main distributor via a line.

[0015] In step b), you can essentially wait until the pressure in the tank (and thus in the piping system) has dropped by a predefined pressure difference due to fluid withdrawal from the first tank. The target pressure can, for example, be defined based on a predefined pressure difference. In other words, by supplying the consumer from only one tank, the pressure in the corresponding tank (and thus in the piping system) drops.

[0016] When recording the expected pressure drop in step c), the pressure, also referred to as fluid pressure, can be recorded in the direction of flow downstream of the main distributor / a main distributor. The pressure drop can be referred to as the expected pressure drop because, if the valve of the first tank is functioning correctly, the pressure in the line system, in particular in the filling path of the first tank, should drop essentially abruptly when the valve is closed. Since it can be expected that the valve will function correctly, one can speak of an expected pressure drop. The same applies to the expected pressure increase in step e). If the valve of the second tank is functioning correctly, a pressure increase, in particular an essentially abrupt pressure increase, can be expected when the valve is opened.

[0017] Step f) can be understood to mean that a third tank can take on the role of the second tank the next time steps a) to e) are repeated, and the second tank can take on the role of the first tank, and so on. This allows the function of all valves of all tanks in the tank system to be checked for faults one after the other. Once all tanks have had a turn, i.e., all valves have been opened and closed once, the process can start again from the beginning. This allows a diagnostic process to be carried out uninterrupted. Alternatively, once all valves have been checked for function, the tank system can be operated or controlled freely for a predefined period of time, i.e., operated or controlled without any requirements regarding open and closed tanks. Preferably, however, the process is applied in a loop so that a faulty valve can be detected at any time and as quickly as possible.Whenever a valve is opened or closed, in the context of the present disclosure, the valve can be said to be energized or controlled.

[0018] Such a method can therefore enable fast, reliable, and precise diagnosis of the function(s) of the tank valves. This allows for immediate safe operation and / or control of the tank system. Furthermore, such a method can provide increased passive safety for serious failures involving large leaks.

[0019] It is advantageous if the method is repeated. With each repetition, a new target pressure is predefined, which is in particular lower than the target pressure predefined in the previous repetition. A repetition of the method can be understood in the context of the present disclosure to mean that all tanks of the plurality of tanks again assume the role of the first or second tank with each repetition. The method is preferably repeated when step f) has been completely carried out, i.e., when all tanks have already been able to assume the role of the first tank and the second tank in turn. In other words, a new target pressure can be defined with each repetition of the complete diagnostic process. This can result in particular from the fact that after steps a) to e) have been carried out with the remaining tanks, the pressures in all tanks have reached the (first) predefined target pressure.Therefore, when a tank is in line to take on the role of the first or second tank for the second, third or x-th time, it is advantageous to lower the predefined target pressure each time.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable to define a predefined pressure difference which is the same for each repetition of step f), ie, for each repetition of the entire process.

[0021] It is advantageous to check the closing function of at least the valve of the corresponding tank when recording the expected pressure drop. In other words, it can be verified whether the expected pressure drop has actually been or will be recorded. If the expected pressure drop is recorded, it can be concluded that the closing function of the valve of the corresponding tank is faultless.

[0022] It is advantageous to check the opening function of the valve of the second tank when an expected pressure increase is detected. In other words, it can be verified whether the expected pressure increase has actually been or will be detected. If the expected pressure increase is detected, it can be concluded that the opening function of the valve of the corresponding tank is faultless.

[0023] It should be noted that while a pressure drop can be expected, the expected pressure drop is usually not or cannot be quantified (in advance). The same applies analogously to the expected pressure increase.

[0024] It is advantageous if a valve signal is output based on the detected expected pressure drop and / or on the detected expected pressure increase in the line system. The valve signal can be a signal that contains diagnostic information. The valve signal can be configured to communicate to a user of the at least one consumer whether the valve of the corresponding tank is functioning correctly or not. If the expected pressure drop is detected in such a way that no or essentially no expected pressure drop could be detected, the valve signal can be regarded as an error signal. Such an error signal can provide a user of the at least one consumer and / or a control unit with the information that the closing function of the valve of the corresponding tank is faulty.Analogously, if the expected pressure increase is detected in such a way that no, or essentially no, expected pressure increase could be detected, the valve signal can also be considered an error signal. Such an error signal can provide a user of the at least one consumer and / or a control unit with information that the opening function of the valve of the corresponding tank is faulty.

[0025] It should be noted that the valve signal can also contain information about which of the valves in the plurality of tanks is being tested. The respective valve signal can essentially signal whether the closing and / or opening function of the tested valve is faulty or fault-free. This advantageously allows each valve to be tested individually. Thus, a separate signal can be output for each valve.

[0026] It is advantageous if, during step a), all valves of the remaining tanks of the plurality of tanks are closed. In other words, the supply to at least one consumer can be temporarily provided from only one tank.

[0027] It is advantageous if the closing and / or opening of a tank valve is controlled by the piping system, in particular by a pressure regulator unit of the piping system. In other words, the piping system can have a control unit, which can be combined with a pressure regulator unit, for example. This means that the closing and opening can be controlled via a control unit of the piping system depending on the detected pressure in the piping system.

[0028] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a tank system for supplying at least one consumer with a fluid. The tank system comprises a plurality of tanks and a line system. Each tank of the plurality of tanks is provided with a valve, also referred to as a valve device. The tank system is controllable according to a method as described above and below. The tank system can be a hydrogen tank system, so that the fluid can preferably be hydrogen. The line system can have, among other things, a high-pressure sensor, which can be configured to detect a pressure increase and / or a pressure drop in the line system. The plurality of tanks can comprise two or more tanks. The tanks can have different storage volumes.

[0029] Because the tank system can be controlled according to the method according to the invention, the tank system can be long-lasting. This method allows the number of tank valve switching operations to be kept to a minimum, while at the same time the tank system can be subjected to constant diagnostic testing.

[0030] All advantages which have been explained in connection with the method according to the first aspect of the invention apply equally to the tank system according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0031] It is advantageous if the line system has at least one pressure sensor, in particular a high-pressure sensor. Such a pressure sensor can be arranged, for example, in the flow direction of the fluid when supplying the at least one consumer, downstream of a main distributor of the line system. The line system can also have a high-pressure sensor and a medium-pressure sensor. Such a medium-pressure sensor can be arranged in a pressure control unit of the line system.

[0032] It is advantageous if at least one tank, preferably all of the tanks in the plurality of tanks, have a tank pressure sensor. This advantageously prevents any pressure information regarding the pressure in the tanks themselves from being lost. If no tank pressure sensor is provided, i.e., if no pressure sensor is arranged in the respective tanks, pressure information in the tanks may be lost in the event of backfilling.

[0033] It is advantageous if each of the plurality of tanks is connected to the piping system via a line. Each line has a filling path and a removal path. The filling path and the removal path can be designed as a single path. Alternatively, it is conceivable for the filling path to be separate from the removal path. Each line can be fluidically connected directly or indirectly (e.g., via a primary distributor) to a main distributor of the piping system.

[0034] It should be noted that a motor vehicle can be equipped with such a tank system. The at least one consumer can be a fuel system of the motor vehicle. Such a motor vehicle can also have all the advantages explained with regard to the tank system according to the invention and / or with regard to the method according to the invention.

[0035] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer unit of a control device, in particular a control device of a tank system, as described above and below, cause the computer unit to execute a method according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0036] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer-readable medium on which the computer program product as described above is stored.

[0037] drawing

[0038] In the following, embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the figures.

[0039] Figure 1 shows schematically a tank system according to an embodiment,

[0040] Figure 2 shows a flowchart according to a further embodiment of the method, and

[0041] Figure 3 shows schematically a tank system according to an embodiment.

[0042] Similar, similarly acting, identical, or equivalent elements are provided with similar or identical reference numerals in the figures. The figures are merely schematic and not to scale.

[0043] Description of the embodiments

[0044] Fig. 1 schematically shows a tank system 100 according to an embodiment. The tank system 100 of Fig. 1 can be part of a motor vehicle. The tank system 100 has a plurality of tanks 12 and a line system 39. Each tank 12 is provided with a (private) valve 13. A fluid is to be stored in the tanks 12 so that the tank system 100 can supply at least one consumer 40 with this fluid. The tanks 12 are fluidly connected to a distributor 14, 30 via a line 31, 32. A primary distributor 14 can be provided for a first group of tanks 12. The lines 31, which are fluidly connected to the tanks 12 of the first group, can be referred to as primary lines 31. The tanks 12 of the first group can be fluidly connected to a main distributor 30 via the primary distributor 14.Tanks 12 from a second group of tanks can be directly connected to the main manifold 30 via so-called secondary lines 32 for fluid communication. Alternative designs regarding the tanks 12 and the manifolds 14, 30 are also conceivable. The design shown in Fig. 1 is merely exemplary and should not be considered restrictive in any way.

[0045] The line system 39 generally comprises several elements and / or components, as indicated by the crossed-out box in Fig. 1. The line system 39 has at least one pressure sensor 36, which can be arranged, for example, on the main distributor 30. The line system 39 can have a line 31, 32. Furthermore, the line system 39 can have a tank path 34. The fluid can be made available to the consumer 40 via the tank path 34. A pressure regulator unit 42 can be provided on the tank path 34, which can serve to regulate the pressure with which the consumer 40 is supplied with fluid. It is conceivable that the pressure regulator unit 42 is combined with further control units. In the exemplary embodiment in Fig. 1, the consumer 40 is a fuel system. The tank system 100 or the line system 39 of the tank system 100 can further have a main filling path 33.The main distributor 30 is therefore fluidly connected to the main filling path and to the tank path 34. The line system 39 is configured to detect pressure changes in the lines 31, 32 and / or in the tank path 34. The line system 39 can be referred to as a high-pressure system, since the line system 39 is fundamentally configured to detect pressure changes or pressure gradients in the lines 31, 32 using a high-pressure sensor 36 (see Fig. 3).

[0046] Each valve 13 of the tanks 12 is configured to permit or prevent the removal or supply of a fluid from or into the tank 12. Each valve 13 serves to open and close the associated tank 12. Each valve 13 can be controlled by a control unit. Such a control unit can be part of the line system 39. The valves 13 can be controlled according to the method according to the invention.

[0047] Fig. 2 shows a flowchart according to another embodiment of the method. The method can be used to control an operating tank system 100. In particular, the method can be used to perform diagnostic processes for the valves 13 of the tanks 12.

[0048] In a first method step a), the at least one consumer is supplied with fluid from a first tank 12.1, i.e., from a single tank 12 of the plurality of tanks. During step a), therefore, only one valve 13, namely valve 13.1 of the first tank 12.1, is open. All remaining valves 13.2, 13.3, 13.4 are closed. While fluid is withdrawn from the first tank 12.1 and supplied to the consumer 40 via the tank path 34, the pressure in the corresponding tank 12.1 drops. As soon as the pressure in the first tank 12.1 has dropped by a predefined pressure difference, valve 13.1 of the first tank 12.1 is closed in a second method step b). In other words, when a predefined target pressure is reached, valve 13.1 of the first tank 12.1 is closed in the second method step b. By closing the valve 13.1 - provided the closure can be carried out without errors - the pressure in the line system 39, orin the corresponding line 32 of the tank system 100. Accordingly, in a third method step c), an expected pressure drop (i.e., with a fault-free valve 13.1) is detected by means of the line system 39. It should be noted that since all other valves 13 are closed anyway in steps a) to c), the pressure in the line 32 and in the tank path 34 is the same after the valve 13.1 of the first tank 12.1 is closed. By means of step c), it can be checked whether the closing function of the valve 13.1 of the first tank 12.2 is functioning correctly.

[0049] Subsequently, in a fourth process step d), which should be carried out as soon as possible after the third process step c), the valve 13.2 of a second tank 12.2 is opened. The second tank 12.2 therefore takes on the role of the first tank 12.1, so that the consumer (according to process step a)) is supplied exclusively from the second tank 12.2. In the fourth process step d), steps a) to c) are therefore repeated with the second tank 12.2. If the second tank 12.2 takes on the role of the first tank

[0050] 12.1, i.e., when opening the valve 13.2 of the second tank 12.2, a pressure increase in the line 31 and in the tank path 34 is to be expected - provided that the opening function of the valve 13.2 of the second tank 12.2 functions correctly. In a further fifth method step e), an expected pressure increase is therefore detected by means of the line system 39. Through step e), the opening function of the corresponding valve (here from the valve

[0051] 13.2 of the second tank 12.2) should be checked for errors.

[0052] In a sixth method step f), steps a) to e) are repeated with the remaining tanks 12 of the plurality of tanks. This is intended to ensure that each valve 13 can be checked for faulty closing and faulty opening functions. This means that when the second tank 12.2 is closed (see step b)) and an expected pressure drop is subsequently detected (see step c)), a third tank (if present) is opened, or the valve 13.3 of the third tank 12.3 is opened, in order to check the opening function of the valve 13.3 of the third tank 12.3. The consumer 40 is supplied with fluid only from the third tank 12.3, which is why the pressure in the line system 39 reaches a predefined target pressure. An expected pressure increase is detected when the valve 13.3 of the third tank 12.3 is opened via the line system 39.As soon as the consumer has been supplied by all tanks 12 (individually), step f) is completely completed and the process can be repeated from the beginning.

[0053] Fig. 3 schematically shows a tank system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Unless otherwise described, the tank system of Fig. 3 has the same elements and / or components as the tank system 100 of Fig. 1. The tanks 12 of the tank system 100 of Fig. 3 also each have an end plug 15, also known as an end plug. Such an end plug 15 can be designed with an additional safety device. The safety devices in the end plugs 15 are preferably temperature-controlled. Furthermore, tanks 12 can be provided with a temperature sensor 16. A tank pressure sensor 17 can detect the pressure prevailing in the corresponding tank at any time. Alternatively or additionally, tanks 12 of the plurality of tanks can be provided with a temperature sensor 16.

[0054] The pressure regulator unit 42 of the line system 39 is preferably equipped with a medium pressure sensor 41 and a pressure regulator 43.

[0055] Additionally, it should be noted that the terms "comprising" and "having" do not exclude other elements, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features and steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features and steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered limitations.

Claims

Claims 1 . Method for controlling a tank system (100) in operation, wherein the tank system has a plurality of tanks (12) and a line system (39), each tank (12) being provided with a valve (13), and wherein the tank system (100) supplies at least one consumer (40) with a fluid, the method comprising the following steps: a) supplying the at least one consumer (40) from a first tank (12.1) of the plurality of tanks, b) upon reaching a predefined target pressure, closing the valve (13.1) of the first tank (12.1), c) detecting an expected pressure drop, in particular below the first target pressure, by means of the line system (39), d) opening the valve (13.2) of a second tank (12.2) of the plurality of tanks and performing steps a) to c) with the second tank (12.2), and e) When opening the valve (13.2) of the second tank (12.2), detecting an expected pressure increase by means of the line system (39), f) repeating steps a) to e) with the remaining tanks (12) of the plurality of tanks.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method is repeated, wherein at each repetition of the method a new target pressure is predefined, which is in particular lower than the target pressure predefined in the previous repetition.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that when the expected pressure drop is detected, a closing function of at least the valve (13) of the corresponding tank (12) is checked.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when an expected pressure increase is detected, an opening function of the valve (13) of the second tank (12) is checked.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a valve signal is output based on the detected expected pressure drop and / or on the detected expected pressure increase in the line system (39).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in step a) all valves (13) of the remaining tanks (12) of the plurality of tanks are closed.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that closing and / or opening of a valve (13) of a tank (12) is controlled by means of the line system (39), in particular by means of a pressure regulator unit (42) of the line system (39).

8. Tank system (100) for supplying at least one consumer with a fluid, comprising a plurality of tanks (12) and a line system (39), wherein each tank (12) of the plurality of tanks is provided with a valve (13), and wherein the tank system (100) is controllable according to a method according to one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Tank system (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that that the line system (39) has at least one pressure sensor, in particular a high-pressure sensor (36).

10. Tank system (100) according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that at least one tank of the plurality of tanks has a tank pressure sensor.

11. Tank system according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that each tank (12) of the plurality of tanks is connected to the line system (39) by means of a line (31, 32), and wherein each line (31, 32) has a filling path and a removal path.

12. Computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer unit of a control device, in particular a control device of a tank system according to one of claims 8 to 11, cause the computer unit to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 7.

13. A computer-readable medium on which the computer program product according to claim 12 is stored.

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