Calibration device, means of transportation, refuelling system, calibration set and method for calibrating a gas pressure sensor

Abstract

The invention relates to a calibration device for calibrating a first gas pressure sensor, to a means of transportation, to a refuelling system, to a calibration set and to a method for calibrating a first gas pressure sensor. The calibration device for calibrating a first gas pressure sensor of a hydrogen tank comprises a data input, an evaluation unit and a data output. The calibration device is connected, for sensor data exchange, to the first gas pressure sensor via the data input, which first gas pressure sensor is designed to ascertain a gas pressure currently prevailing in the hydrogen tank, and can be temporarily connected, for sensor data exchange, to a control device of a filling device which is temporarily connected to the hydrogen tank by means of a fluid guide, which control device provides second sensor data from a second gas pressure sensor as reference sensor data relating to a current refuelling pressure. The calibration device is designed to receive first sensor data from the first gas pressure sensor and the second sensor data, to determine, by programming, a deviation of the first sensor data from the second sensor data by means of the evaluation unit, and, in response to the determination of the deviation, to apply a calibration curve to the data ascertained by the first sensor.

Description

[0001] Calibration device, means of transport,

[0002] Refueling system, calibration set and method for calibrating a gas pressure sensor

[0003]

[0001] The invention relates to a calibration device, a means of transport, a refueling system, a calibration set and a method for calibrating a gas pressure sensor.

[0004]

[0002] Hydrogen-powered vehicles, such as trucks, cars, and the like, are known in the prior art. For refueling the hydrogen-powered vehicles, refueling devices are provided, by means of which a tank of the vehicle is filled from a stationary gas reservoir of the refueling device.

[0005]

[0003] Gas pressure sensors, among others, are used to monitor system parameters. Gas pressure sensors are known that are arranged in and / or on the tank of the vehicle. Hydrogen pressure sensors, in particular, are used to determine the gas pressure of hydrogen.

[0006]

[0004] Laboratory tests have shown that a large number of hydrogen pressure sensors used in the prior art experience a loss of accuracy over the course of their service life. Currently, there is no standard testing to determine whether and to what extent a hydrogen sensor's loss of accuracy has occurred. If a hydrogen pressure sensor fails, it is generally replaced.

[0005] The loss of accuracy results in particular from the diffusion of hydrogen through a membrane of the gas pressure sensor. This diffusion can cause, in particular, damage to the electronics of the hydrogen pressure sensor. A loss of accuracy can lead to a tolerance measuring range being exceeded. It has been proven that the damage is particularly present in gas pressure sensors used for hydrogen, whereas the tested gas pressure sensors react insensitively to other gases.

[0007]

[0006] The known prior art has the particular disadvantage that losses in the accuracy of hydrogen pressure sensors in vehicles are often not detected. Furthermore, the known prior art also has the disadvantage that a hydrogen gas pressure sensor must be replaced after a loss of accuracy is detected.

[0008]

[0007] The object of the invention is to improve the state of the art.

[0009]

[0008] The object is achieved by a calibration device according to claim 1.

[0010]

[0009] Advantageously, the calibration device according to the invention checks the accuracy of a gas pressure sensor in a tank of the vehicle, also called a hydrogen pressure sensor or pressure sensor, during essentially every refueling process of the vehicle. Furthermore, the accuracy of the gas pressure sensor is advantageously optimized and / or restored using the calibration curve after a detected deviation.

[0011]

[0010] A key idea is based in particular on the fact that a test of a gas pressure sensor of a vehicle is not carried out as part of a special test, but the gas pressure sensor is checked in operation, during a standard process, and its functionality is optimized if necessary.

[0012]

[0011] The following terms are explained:

[0013]

[0012] A "calibration device" is understood to mean, in particular, a technical device which carries out a check of the accuracy of the gas pressure sensor and / or an optimization of the accuracy of the gas pressure sensor. The calibration device can be used additionally or alternatively for fuel cell controls, controls for hydrogen combustion engines and / or controls for hydrogen tank systems.

[0014]

[0013] The calibration device according to the invention has, in particular, a data input, an evaluation unit and a data output. The evaluation unit can be programmed to carry out evaluation processes. Additionally or alternatively, the calibration device can be connected to a memory which can, in particular, provide predefined parameters and / or data. The calibration device is connected via the data input, in particular for exchanging sensor data, to a gas pressure sensor which is arranged in a hydrogen tank, in particular a hydrogen tank which is assigned to a means of transport. In other words, the gas pressure sensor sends a measurement signal via the data input to the evaluation unit which represents a current gas pressure in the hydrogen tank.The calibration device can additionally or alternatively be connectable, in particular temporarily, to a control device of a filling device so as to exchange sensor data, in particular at a time at which the hydrogen tank is, in particular temporarily, also fluidically connected to the filling device and the filling device provides sensor data of a second gas pressure sensor. The sensor data of the second gas pressure sensor can be determined in a tank assigned to the filling device. The second sensor data can be used by the evaluation unit, in particular as reference sensor data for calibrating the first sensor data. In other words, for example, second sensor data of a current gas pressure in a tank are made available to a filling device and first sensor data of a gas pressure in the hydrogen tank are compared with these.

[0015]

[0014] In this way, a reference sensor signal is advantageously provided during refueling of the hydrogen tank, which represents second sensor data and on the basis of which the accuracy of the first sensor data can be determined. In this way, an inaccuracy of the first gas pressure sensor is advantageously detected without an additional testing process.

[0015] Detecting a deviation and, in particular, reacting to the deviation in a programmatic manner, in such a way that the deviation is essentially relativized, is understood as "calibration."

[0016]

[0016] A "first gas pressure sensor", also called a "pressure sensor", "hydrogen pressure sensor" and / or "sensor", is understood to be an aid which detects a change in the state of a pressure, in particular gas pressure, and / or determines a defined state and is configured to output a measurement signal representing the determined measured values. In a pressure sensor, in particular a membrane is used as a pressure-sensitive element which reacts with an expansion when pressure is applied, which can be measured and output as a measurement signal.

[0017]

[0017] For the second gas pressure sensor, in particular, the same feature options apply as for the first

[0018] Gas pressure sensor .

[0019]

[0018] A "hydrogen tank", also called a tank, is understood in particular to be a container which is designed to receive and store hydrogen. Hydrogen is present under normal conditions, in particular in gaseous form. The hydrogen tank can have devices for its emptying and filling, measuring instruments and other elements or can be associated with them.

[0020]

[0019] "Sensor data exchanging" is understood to mean, in particular, a bidirectional transmission of sensor data. The transmission can be wired and / or wireless. A radio-based transmission of sensor data can be carried out using an antenna and corresponding transmitting devices. A radio-technical, temporary sensor data exchanging connection can be initiated by the presence of a spatial proximity of the calibration device to the filling device. The radio-technical, temporary sensor data exchanging connection can be established automatically.

[0021]

[0020] The temporary connection of the hydrogen tank to the filling device using a fluid guide is in particular a fluidic connection between the hydrogen tank and the filling device. The fluid guide can be established by means of a refueling hose. The refueling hose can be fixedly arranged on the filling device and the hydrogen tank can be designed such that the refueling hose can be temporarily arranged on the hydrogen tank and thus creates a fluid tightness, so that the hydrogen can be transferred from the filling device into the hydrogen tank essentially with no loss of hydrogen.

[0022]

[0021] A "calibration curve" is understood to mean, in particular, a value that can be stored in memory, a collection of values, a function and / or a parameter that is to be used to calibrate the first gas pressure sensor.

[0023]

[0022] Advantageously, the imposition of a calibration curve corresponding to the detected deviation facilitates a simple restoration of improved accuracy of the first gas pressure sensor. Thus, the first gas pressure sensor advantageously does not need to be replaced after the inaccuracy has been detected, since imposition using the calibration curve achieves a sufficient restoration of accuracy.

[0024]

[0023] In one embodiment, the second sensor data are determined by the filling device during a filling process of the hydrogen tank. The efficiency of using the hydrogen tank is thus advantageously optimized by determining the second sensor data during the filling process.

[0025]

[0024] In one embodiment, the second gas pressure sensor can be arranged on a filling tank of the filling device, also called a filling hydrogen tank. The second gas pressure sensor can additionally or alternatively be arranged in a filling tank of the filling device and / or in a filling line.

[0026]

[0025] The second gas pressure sensor is in particular designed to determine a current gas filling pressure. The existing gas filling pressure corresponds in particular to a gas pressure in a fluid line between a hydrogen tank being filled and the hydrogen tank to be filled. When the gas filling pressure is reached in the hydrogen tank to be filled, or shortly before, the filling process is completed. At this point in time, the first sensor value and the second sensor value are in particular comparable. In this way, an accuracy of the sensor data of the first gas pressure sensor can advantageously be determined by comparing a measured value of the second gas pressure sensor, which corresponds to the gas filling pressure. In other words, the second gas pressure sensor specifies the reference value on the basis of which an accuracy of the first gas pressure sensor can be determined.

[0027]

[0026] Due to the fact that gas pressure sensors of filling devices are subject to regular maintenance, the second sensor data are advantageously valid. Thus, the accuracy of a single pressure sensor can be advantageously verified for a large number of pressure sensors using calibration devices and maintenance according to the invention.

[0028]

[0027] In one embodiment, the filling device is a hydrogen tank unit with a filling tank and a second gas pressure sensor. The hydrogen tank unit can additionally or supplementarily have further filling elements and / or billing elements. The filling process can be carried out manually. Additionally or alternatively, the filling process can be carried out automatically. The hydrogen tank can be connected to a control device which controls and / or initiates and / or terminates a filling process. The filling device can be configured to simultaneously fill several hydrogen tanks and / or to provide second sensor data to several hydrogen tanks.

[0029]

[0028] In one embodiment, the calibration device is assigned to a tank control unit for exchanging sensor data. The tank control unit can be configured to control a refueling process of the hydrogen tank.

[0030] Additionally or alternatively, the tank control unit may be configured to store the imposed calibration curve and to adapt raw sensor data received from a first gas pressure sensor using the calibration curve in such a way that the loss of accuracy is compensated.

[0031]

[0029] Advantageously, in a previously described embodiment of the calibration device, the first gas pressure sensor does not need to have any additional storage and / or programming device for imprinting the calibration curve, which advantageously enables the use of cost-effective gas pressure sensors. Advantageously, calibration can thus be implemented using the tank control unit, which can be implemented by a programming extension of the tank control unit's functionality.

[0032]

[0030] To determine the deviation of the first sensor data from the second sensor data, the evaluation unit can, in one embodiment, use a self-learning algorithm. Advantageously, the use of a self-learning algorithm can result in improved detection and / or improved detection accuracy over the number of measurements.

[0033]

[0031] In a further aspect, the object is achieved by a means of transport according to claim 7.

[0032] The means of transport has a hydrogen tank with a first gas pressure sensor and a calibration device according to the invention.

[0034]

[0033] The features of the second aspect and the advantages correspond to those in connection with the first-mentioned aspect of the invention.

[0035]

[0034] In a further aspect, the object is achieved by a refueling system according to claim 8.

[0036]

[0035] The refueling system comprises a first means of transport with a hydrogen tank having a first gas pressure sensor and a calibration device, and a second means of transport with a gas pressure sensor and a calibration device, as well as a hydrogen tank. Furthermore, the refueling system comprises a hydrogen tank section, which has at least one filling tank with a control device and a gas pressure sensor connected to the control device.The hydrogen tank parts provide, by means of the control device, a signal representing a first gas filling pressure present in the filling tank at a first point in time at which a hydrogen tank of the first means of transport is temporarily fluidically connected by means of a fluid guide for receiving hydrogen to the filling tank of the hydrogen tank parts and a calibration device of the first means of transport is temporarily connected to the control device of the hydrogen tank parts in a sensor data-exchanging manner.At a second point in time, at which the hydrogen tank of the second means of transport is temporarily fluidically connected to the filling tank of the hydrogen tank parts by means of the fluid guide for receiving hydrogen, and a calibration device of the second means of transport is temporarily connected to the control device of the hydrogen tank parts in a sensor-data-exchanging manner, the control device provides a signal representing a second gas filling pressure present in the filling tank. The first point in time can correspond to the second point in time.

[0037]

[0036] Thus, the refueling system can advantageously be used to calibrate a plurality of gas pressure sensors arranged on hydrogen tanks, which in particular are location-independent. In other words, the static hydrogen tank part provides sensor data to a respective means of transport connected to the hydrogen tank part. In this way, optimal hardware utilization can advantageously be realized. Using standards, means of transport can be equipped with a calibration device according to the invention regardless of the manufacturer and can communicate with the corresponding devices of the hydrogen tank parts, so that advantageously a plurality of means of transport and the gas pressure sensors installed in the means of transport can be tested in this way and their accuracy can be optimized if necessary.

[0038]

[0037] In a further aspect, the object is achieved by a calibration set according to claim 9.

[0038] The features of the aspect and the resulting advantages correspond to those mentioned in connection with the first-mentioned aspect of the invention.

[0039]

[0039] Finally, the object is achieved in a further aspect by a method according to claim 10.

[0040]

[0040] Advantageously, the method realizes a use of the calibration device according to one of claims 1 to 6. The features of this aspect also correspond to those mentioned in the first-mentioned aspect of the invention.

[0041]

[0041] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments.

[0042] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a hydrogen tank connected to a tank device with a calibration device according to the invention,

[0043] Figure 2 shows a refueling system according to the invention,

[0044] Figure 3 shows a calibration set according to the invention, as well as

[0045] Figure 4 is a flow diagram of an inventive

[0046] procedure .

[0047]

[0042] A calibration device 101 has an evaluation unit 105 with a data input 103 and a data output 107. An antenna 109 for data exchange with an external device and a connection for connecting a data cable 111 are arranged at the data input 103. The calibration device 101 is connected to a first gas pressure sensor 121 by means of the data cable 111. The gas pressure sensor 121 determines a gas pressure in a first hydrogen tank 123.

[0048]

[0043] A first hydrogen tank 123 to be filled is temporarily fluidically connected to a filling tank 139 by means of a tank hose 137. A second gas pressure sensor 135 is arranged on the filling tank 139 and is configured to determine a gas filling pressure W2. The second gas pressure sensor 135 is connected to a control unit 131 for sensor data exchange. The control unit 131 has an antenna 109 and is configured to transmit a signal representing the gas filling pressure W2. Alternatively, the gas pressure sensor 135 can be configured to transmit the signal representing the gas filling pressure W2.

[0049]

[0044] During the filling of the first hydrogen tank 123 to be filled via the tank hose 137, it is pressurized with hydrogen having the gas filling pressure W2 until the gas pressure W1 in the first hydrogen tank 123 to be filled actually essentially corresponds to the gas filling pressure W2. During the filling, the calibration device 101 and the hydrogen tank parts 133 are connected by radio technology to exchange sensor data at least via an antenna 109 arranged at the data input 103 of the calibration device 101 and the antenna 109 arranged on the control device 131.

[0045] At the end of a filling process, a gas pressure W1 is present in the now filled first hydrogen tank 123, which is determined by means of the first gas pressure sensor 121.A signal corresponding to the gas pressure W1 determined by the first gas pressure sensor 121 is transmitted by the gas pressure sensor 121 via the data cable 111 via the data input 103 of the calibration device 101 to the evaluation unit 105 of the calibration device 101. In addition, the calibration device 101 receives the signal transmitted by the control unit 131, which represents the gas filling pressure W2, so that the evaluation unit 105 now has information about the determined gas pressure W1 of the filled first hydrogen tank 123 and about the gas filling pressure W2 of the filling tank 139.

[0050]

[0046] The evaluation unit 105 is programmed to determine the accuracy of the first gas pressure sensor 121 based on the provided gas filling pressure W2 and the provided gas pressure W1, to determine a calibration curve corresponding to the accuracy, and to store this calibration curve in memory and to imprint it on all future sensor data received from the first gas pressure sensor 121. For storage purposes, the calibration device 101 has a rewritable memory (not shown).

[0051]

[0047] The second filling tank 139 with the second gas pressure sensor 135 and the control unit 131 are components of a hydrogen tank part 133. The hydrogen tank part 133 also has the tank hose 137, by means of which the filling tank 139 and the first hydrogen tank 123 and / or further hydrogen tanks can be fluidically connected.

[0052]

[0048] The calibration device 101 can be arranged in a tank control unit 125. In other words, the tank control unit 125 maps the functionality of the calibration device 101. In one embodiment, the tank control unit 125 is assigned to a hydrogen-powered truck 129.

[0053]

[0049] A tank system 141 comprises the truck 129, the hydrogen tank parts 133, and a second truck 151, wherein the second truck 151 is also equipped with a calibration device according to the invention. Thus, the hydrogen tank parts 133 can be connected to the truck 129 at a first time by means of the tank hose and provide reference data for calibrating the first gas pressure sensor 121, and at a second time by means of the tank hose 137, can be fluidly connected to the second truck 151 and can exchange data with the calibration device of the second truck 151 for calibrating a gas pressure sensor (not shown) of the second truck 151.

[0054]

[0050] A calibration set 143 comprises in particular a calibration device 101 and the first gas pressure sensor 121.

[0055]

[0051] In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the calibration device 101 receives 901 first sensor data at a first time. At a second time, the calibration device 101 receives 901b second sensor data. Taking into account the first and second sensor data, the calibration device 101 determines 903 a deviation of the second sensor data from the first sensor data at a third time, which may correspond to the second time. In a further step, the calibration device 101 imprints a calibration curve 905 on the first gas pressure sensor 121.

[0056] Reference symbol list

[0057] 101 Calibration device

[0058] 103 Data input

[0059] 105 Evaluation unit

[0060] 107 Data output

[0061] 109 Antenna

[0062] 111 data cables

[0063] 121 first gas pressure sensor

[0064] 123 first hydrogen tank

[0065] 125 tank control unit

[0066] 129 trucks

[0067] 131 Control unit

[0068] 133 hydrogen tank parts

[0069] 135 second gas pressure sensor

[0070] 137 tank hose

[0071] 139 Filling tank

[0072] 141 Tank system

[0073] 143 Calibration set

[0074] 151 second truck

[0075] W1 gas pressure

[0076] W2 Gas filling pressure

[0077] 901 Receiving first sensor data

[0078] 901b Receive second sensor data

[0079] 903 Detecting a deviation of the second sensor data from the first sensor data

[0080] 905 Imprinting a calibration curve

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Calibration device (101) for calibrating a first gas pressure sensor (121) of a hydrogen tank (123), comprising a data input (103), an evaluation unit (105) and a data output (107), wherein the calibration device (101) is connected via the data input (103) to the first gas pressure sensor (121) in a sensor data-exchanging manner, which is configured to determine a gas pressure (Wl) currently present in the hydrogen tank (123) and is temporarily connectable to a control device (131) of a filling device (133) temporarily connected to the hydrogen tank (123) by means of a fluid guide (137), which provides second sensor data of a second gas pressure sensor (135) as reference sensor data of a current refueling pressure, characterized in that the calibration device (101) is configured to (121) and to receive the second sensor data,by means of the evaluation unit (105) to programmatically determine a deviation of the first sensor data from the second sensor data and, in response to the determination of the deviation, to impose a calibration curve on the data determined by the first sensor (121).

2. Calibration device (101) according to the preceding claim, wherein the second sensor data are determined during a filling process of the hydrogen tank (123) by the filling device (133).

3. Calibration device (101) according to one of the preceding Claims, wherein the second gas pressure sensor (135) is connected to a Filling tank (139) of the filling device (133) is arranged and a present in the filling tank (139) Gas filling pressure (W2) is determined.

4. Calibration device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filling device (133) is a hydrogen tank part.

5. Calibration device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the calibration device (101) is assigned to a tank control unit (125) for exchanging sensor data.

6. Calibration device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluation unit (105) has a self-learning algorithm for determining the deviation of the first sensor data from the second sensor data.

7. Means of transport (129) comprising a Hydrogen tank (123) with a first gas pressure sensor (121) and a calibration device (101) according to one of claims 1 - 6, which is connected to the first gas pressure sensor (121) via a data output (103) for exchanging sensor data and can be connected to a control device (131) of a filling device (133) for exchanging sensor data, which control device provides second sensor data of a second gas pressure sensor (135) as reference sensor data of a current refueling pressure.

8. A refueling system (141) comprising a first Means of transport (129) according to claim 7, a second means of transport (151) according to claim 7, a hydrogen tank part (133) which has at least one Filling tank (139) with a gas pressure sensor (135) connected to a control device (131) for exchanging sensor data and by means of the control device (131) is designed to provide, at a first point in time, at which a hydrogen tank (123) of the first means of transport (129) is temporarily fluidically connected by means of a fluid guide (137) for receiving hydrogen to the filling tank (139) of the hydrogen tank parts (133) and a calibration device (101) of the first means of transport (129) is temporarily connected to the control device (131) of the hydrogen tank parts (133) in a sensor-data-exchanging manner, to the calibration device (101) of the first means of transport (129) by means of the second gas pressure sensor (131) with second sensor data of a current gas filling pressure (W2) and at a second point in time,to which a hydrogen tank of the second means of transport (151) is temporarily fluidically connected by means of the fluid guide (137) for receiving hydrogen to the filling tank (139) of the hydrogen tank parts (133), and a calibration device of the second means of transport (151) is temporarily connected to the control device (131) of the hydrogen tank parts (133) in a sensor-data-exchanging manner, to provide the calibration device of the second means of transport (151) with third sensor data of a current gas filling pressure (W2) determined by means of the second gas pressure sensor (135).

9. Calibration set (143) comprising a Calibration device (101) according to claims 1 - 6 and a first gas pressure sensor (121).

10. Method for in-situ calibration of a hydrogen tank (123) of a first means of transport (129) by means of a calibration device (101) according to one of claims 1 - 6, while the first means of transport (129) receives hydrogen from a filling tank (139) of a hydrogen tank part (133) and exchanging sensor data with a control device (131) of the hydrogen tank parts (133), comprising the steps: - receiving (901a) first sensor data of the first gas pressure sensor (121) of the hydrogen tank (123), representing a current gas pressure (Wl) in the hydrogen tank (123) and receiving (901b) second sensor data from a control device (131) of the Sensor data provided by hydrogen tank parts (133) and representing a current gas filling pressure (W2) by means of the calibration device (101) of the means of transport (129), - Determining (903) a deviation of the second sensor data from the first sensor data by means of an evaluation unit (105) of the calibration device (101) and in response to the determination, - Impressing (905) a calibration curve corresponding to the detected deviation onto the first gas pressure sensor (121) by means of the calibration device (101).

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