Storage system for storing a gaseous medium, preferably hydrogen, fuel cell system, hydrogen combustion engine system, fuel cell-powered vehicle, hydrogen-powered vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage system (1) for storing a gaseous medium, preferably hydrogen, wherein the storage system comprises: a plurality of tank containers (2) having a longitudinal axis (42), a first medium collector block (4), and a second medium collector block (6). On each of the tank containers (2), one end (15) opens into the first medium collector block (4) and another end (16) opens into the second medium collector block (6), and the ends are fixed and sealed therein. In addition, the first medium collector block (4) and / or the second medium collector block (6) each have a force introduction element (25) with a defined surface structure (22), by means of which structure the tank containers (2) are integrated into the first medium collector block (4) or the second medium collector block (6) via a frictional connection (220).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Storage system for storing a gaseous medium, preferably hydrogen, fuel cell system, hydrogen combustion engine system, fuel cell-powered vehicle, hydrogen-powered vehicle

[0003] The invention relates to a storage system for storing a gaseous medium, for example hydrogen. This is used, for example, in vehicles with fuel cell propulsion or in vehicles with a hydrogen combustion engine as a drive system.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Today's hydrogen tank systems for mobile applications typically consist of at least one tank, which is made, for example, of a carbon fiber reinforced material. This is typically pressurized with hydrogen at a nominal pressure of, for example, 350 bar or 900 bar.

[0006] The tank containers can also contain metallic materials, for example.

[0007] DE 10 2017 212 485 A1 describes a device for storing compressed fluids, in particular hydrogen, which serve as fuel for a vehicle, wherein the device has at least two tubular tank modules, which are made of steel, for example.

[0008] Due to the typical bottleneck shape of the tank containers, the mechanical design leads to complicated manufacturing and high costs. This poses potential challenges, particularly for the installation of the tank system in the underbody of a vehicle's chassis. Advantages of the invention

[0009] The device according to the invention with the characterizing features of claim 1 has the advantage that an improved structural design of the entire storage system is achieved within the storage system through optimized force application.

[0010] The storage system for a gaseous medium, preferably hydrogen, comprises several tanks with a longitudinal axis, a first medium collector block, and a second medium collector block. Furthermore, one end of each tank opens into the first medium collector block and the other end into the second medium collector block, where they are fixed and sealed. In addition, the first medium collector block and / or the second medium collector block each have a force introduction element with a defined surface structure. This defined surface structure allows the tanks to be firmly integrated into the first medium collector block and / or the second medium collector block, respectively, by means of a frictional connection.

[0011] The ends of the tank containers can thus be inserted into and sealed within the first and second media collector blocks. Force transmission occurs through a frictional connection with a defined surface structure of the force application element in the contact areas with the tank containers. This differential manufacturing process allows for cost savings in materials for the storage system, as inexpensive fiber-reinforced plastic composite pipe blanks can be used.

[0012] In a first advantageous embodiment, the defined surface structure of the force introduction element is designed to be serrated. This allows for a simple interlocking connection between the force introduction element of the first or second media collector block and the respective end of the tank. This results in a high degree of tightness and sealing at the contact points. In a further embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous for the defined surface structure of the force introduction element to be formed on an inner surface of the force introduction element.

[0013] In an advantageous further development, the defined surface structure of the force introduction element is formed on an outer surface of the force introduction element.

[0014] Advantageously, the storage system has a transfer element which surrounds the respective tank container and the force application element and fixes them against each other.

[0015] This makes it easy to achieve a tight seal between the force application element and the tank container.

[0016] In an advantageous further development, it is provided that sealing ring elements are arranged between the force introduction element and the respective tank container.

[0017] In an advantageous further development, it is provided that a sealing bond is arranged between the force introduction element and the respective tank container by means of heat-melted plastic particles.

[0018] The use of sealing ring elements and / or a sealing adhesive further supports the tightness between the force introduction element and the respective tank container.

[0019] In a further advantageous design, the tank containers are provided to be tubular in shape. Advantageously, the tank containers have different pipe diameters d, d' and / or different pipe lengths I, l'. This ensures optimal use of the available installation space and achieves an optimal structural design of the tank containers with regard to thermal and mechanical loads on the individual components.

[0020] In an advantageous further development, it is provided that the first medium collector block and / or the second medium collector block is cuboid in shape, wherein the first medium collector block and the second medium collector block have a height H, h, a width B, b and a depth T, t, which depth T, t is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tank containers.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is advantageously provided that the tank containers, together with the first and second medium collector blocks, have a rectangular cross-section. This allows for simple installation of the entire storage system, for example, in the underbody of a vehicle chassis, while simultaneously minimizing the complexity of the storage system's design. Furthermore, this allows, for example, the chassis of a battery-powered vehicle to also be used for a vehicle powered by hydrogen.

[0022] The described storage system is preferably suitable for use in a fuel cell system for storing hydrogen for the operation of a fuel cell.

[0023] The described storage system is preferably suitable for use in a hydrogen combustion engine system for the provision of hydrogen.

[0024] The described storage system is preferably suitable for a fuel cell-powered vehicle for storing hydrogen for the operation of a fuel cell.

[0025] The described storage system is particularly suitable for supplying hydrogen in a hydrogen-powered vehicle. Drawings

[0026] The drawing shows exemplary embodiments of a storage system according to the invention for storing a gaseous medium, in particular hydrogen. It shows in

[0027] Fig. 1a shows a possible embodiment of a storage system according to the invention for storing a gaseous medium in a schematic view.

[0028] Fig. 1b shows a further possible embodiment of a storage system according to the invention for storing a gaseous medium in a schematic view.

[0029] Fig. 1c shows an exemplary tank container of the storage system according to the invention from Fig. 1a or Fig. 1b in a schematic view,

[0030] Fig. 2 shows another possible embodiment of a storage system according to the invention for storing a gaseous medium in a schematic view.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows an enlarged section of the storage system according to the invention from Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b or Fig. 2 in the area of ​​the end of a tank container with a force introduction element,

[0032] Fig. 4 shows an enlarged section of the storage system according to the invention from Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b or Fig. 2 in the area of ​​the end of a tank container with a force introduction element and a transfer element.

[0033] Fig. 5 shows an enlarged section of the storage system according to the invention from Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b or Fig. 2 in the area of ​​the end of a tank container with a force introduction element and sealing ring elements.

[0034] Fig. 6 shows an enlarged section of the storage system according to the invention from Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b or Fig. 2 in the area of ​​the end of a tank container with a force introduction element and a sealing adhesive,

[0035] Fig. 7 shows a hydrogen-powered vehicle with a storage system according to the invention in a simplified schematic view, Fig. 8 shows a hydrogen-powered vehicle with a fuel cell system or a hydrogen combustion engine system with a storage system according to the invention in a simplified schematic view.

[0036] Description of the exemplary implementations

[0037] Fig. 1a shows a possible embodiment of a storage system 1 according to the invention for storing a gaseous medium, in particular hydrogen, for a consumer system 31, such as a fuel cell system 70 or a hydrogen combustion engine system 71 (see Fig. 8), in a schematic view. The storage system 1 has several tank containers 2 with a longitudinal axis 42. Furthermore, the storage system 1 has a first medium collector block 4 and a second medium collector block 6. One end 15 of each tank container 2 opens into the first medium collector block 4 and another end 16 of the tank container 2 opens into the second medium collector block 6, the tank containers 2 being fixed and sealed therein. The first medium collector block 4 and / or the second medium collector block 6 each have a force introduction element 25, which is shown in enlarged view in Figs. 3 to 6.

[0038] The first medium collector block 4 and the second medium collector block 6 are cuboid in shape, each with a height H, h, a width B, b, and a depth T, t, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis 42 of the tank containers 2. The tank containers 2, together with the first medium collector block 4 and the second medium collector block 6, have a rectangular cross-section. This allows, for example, the chassis of a battery-powered vehicle to be used for a hydrogen-powered vehicle in a structurally simple manner. In alternative configurations, the first medium collector block 4 and / or the second medium collector block 6 can have other geometric shapes.

[0039] Fig. 1b shows a further possible embodiment of a storage system 1 according to the invention for storing a gaseous medium, in particular hydrogen, in a schematic view. It corresponds essentially to the embodiment from Fig. 1a. They differ only in the number and arrangement of the tank containers 2 between the first medium collector block 4 and the second medium collector block 6.

[0040] Fig. 1c shows a schematic view of an exemplary tank 2 of the storage system 1 according to the invention, as shown in Fig. 1a or Fig. 1b. The tanks 2 are tubular and have pipe diameters d, d' and pipe lengths I, l'. The pipe diameters d, d' of the tanks 2 can be different (d*d') or the same (d=d'). Likewise, the pipe lengths I, l' can be different (l*l') or the same (l=l').

[0041] Fig. 2 shows a further possible embodiment of a storage system 1 according to the invention for storing a gaseous medium in a schematic view. It essentially corresponds to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1a. They differ in that the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 includes an additional medium collector block 8. In alternative embodiments, further medium collector blocks can be arranged to further minimize the mechanical and / or thermal stresses within the storage system 1.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows an enlarged section of the storage system 1 according to the invention from Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b, or Fig. 2 in the region of the end 15, 16 of the tank container 2 with the force introduction element 25. The force introduction element 25 has a defined surface structure 22 by which the tank containers 2 are firmly integrated into the first medium collector block 4 and the second medium collector block 6 by means of a friction-fit connection 220. The defined surface structure 22 of the force introduction element 25 is jagged in this case. Furthermore, the surface structure 22 of the force introduction element 25 can be toothed and / or pointed. The force introduction element 25 surrounds at least partially the end 15, 16 of the respective tank container 2, so that a tight integration of the tank container 2 into the first medium collector block 4 or the second medium collector block 6 is achieved.

[0043] In this embodiment, the defined surface structure 22 of the force introduction element 25 is formed on an inner surface 250 of the force introduction element 25.

[0044] The tank containers 2 also have a reinforcement 21 and are made of a plastic. Figure 2 also shows an enlarged section of the inventive design.

[0045] Storage system 1 from Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b, or Fig. 2 in the region of the end 15, 16 of the tank container 2 with the force introduction element 25. This embodiment essentially corresponds to that of Fig. 3. They differ in that, in the embodiment of Fig. 4, the defined surface structure 22 of the force introduction element 25 is formed on an outer surface 251 of the force introduction element 25. Furthermore, a retaining element 23 is provided, which surrounds the respective tank container 2 and the force introduction element 25 and fixes them against each other. Fig. 4 also shows an enlarged section of the inventive system.

[0046] Storage system 1 from Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b, or Fig. 2 in the region of the end 15, 16 of the tank container 2 with the force introduction element 25. This embodiment essentially corresponds to that of Fig. 3. They differ in that, in the embodiment of Fig. 5, sealing ring elements 26 are arranged between the force introduction element 25 and the respective tank container 2. This allows the tightness of the tank container 2 in the first medium collector block 4 or in the second medium collector block 6 to be optimized. Fig. 5 also shows an enlarged section of the inventive system.

[0047] Storage system 1 from Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b or Fig. 2 in the region of the end 15, 16 of the tank container 2 with the force introduction element 25. This embodiment essentially corresponds to that of Fig. 3. They differ in that in the embodiment of Fig. 6 a sealing bond 27' is arranged between the force introduction element 25 and the respective tank container 2 by means of plastic particles 27 melted by heat 28. In this way, a high tightness of the tank container 2 can also be achieved in the first medium collector block 4 or in the second medium collector block 6. Fig. 1 and Fig. 8 show, by way of example, a hydrogen-powered vehicle 73 with a fuel cell system 70, a fuel cell-powered vehicle 72, or a hydrogen combustion engine system 71 as a consumer system 31 with a storage system 1 according to the invention in a simplified schematic view. In Fig.7 shows the storage system 1 integrated, for example, into the underbody of a vehicle's chassis.

Claims

Claims 1. Storage system (1) for storing a gaseous medium, preferably hydrogen, with several tank containers (2) having a longitudinal axis (42), a first medium collector block (4) and a second medium collector block (6), wherein one end (15) of each tank container (2) opens into the first medium collector block (4) and another end (16) of the tank containers (2) opens into the second medium collector block (6) and is fixed and sealed therein, characterized in that the first medium collector block (4) and / or the second medium collector block (6) each have a force introduction element (25), which force introduction element (25) has a defined surface structure (22), through which defined surface structure (22) the tank containers (2) are firmly integrated into the first medium collector block (4) or the second medium collector block (6) by means of a friction-fit connection (220).

2. Storage system (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the defined surface structure (22) of the force introduction element (25) is jagged.

3. Storage system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the defined surface structure (22) of the force introduction element (25) is formed on an inner surface (250) of the force introduction element (25).

4. Storage system (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the defined surface structure (22) of the force introduction element (25) is formed on an outer surface (251) of the force introduction element (25).

5. Storage system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the storage system (1) has a transfer element (23) which transfer element (23) surrounds the respective tank container (2) and the force introduction element (25) and fixes them against each other.

6. Storage system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that sealing ring elements (26) are arranged between the force introduction element (25) and the respective tank container (2).

7. Storage system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a sealing bond (27') is arranged between the force introduction element (25) and the respective tank container (2) by means of plastic particles (27) melted by heat (28).

8. Storage system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tank containers (2) are tubular in shape.

9. Storage system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tank containers (2) have different pipe diameters d, d' and / or different pipe lengths I, l'.

10. Storage system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first medium collector block (4) and / or the second medium collector block (6) is cuboid in shape, wherein the first medium collector block (4) and the second medium collector block (6) have a height H, h, a width B, b and a depth T, t, which depth T, t is formed parallel to the longitudinal axis (42) of the tank containers (2).

11. Storage system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tank containers (2) together with the first medium collector block (4) and the second medium collector block (6) have a rectangular shape in cross-section.

12. Fuel cell system (70) with a storage system (1) for storing hydrogen for the operation of a fuel cell according to one of claims 1 to 11.

13. Hydrogen combustion engine system (71) with a storage system (1) for providing hydrogen according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

14. Fuel cell-powered vehicle (72) with a storage system (1) for storing hydrogen for the operation of a fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

15. Hydrogen-powered vehicle (73) with a storage system (1) for providing hydrogen according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Images