Storage system for storing a fluid medium, preferably hydrogen, and method for the pressure-tight assembly of the storage system

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage system (1) for storing a fluid medium, preferably hydrogen, comprising at least one tank vessel (200) which has a cylindrical basic shape and has two ends (202) for storing fluid medium, in particular hydrogen, wherein the tank vessel (200) comprises an inner shell element (10) and an outer shell element (28). The outer shell element (28) surrounds the inner shell element (10), and the tank vessel (200) comprises a flange element (18). Furthermore, the inner shell element (10) is press-fitted into the flange element (18) within a recess (180) of the flange element (18) by means of a tensioning device (164), and is braced thereto. The invention also relates to a method for pressure-tight assembly of the storage system.

Description

[0001] R. 416869

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Description

[0004] Storage system for storing a fluid medium, preferably hydrogen; method for pressure-tight assembly of the storage system

[0005] The invention relates to a storage system for storing a fluid medium, for example, hydrogen. This system is used, for example, in vehicles with fuel cell propulsion or in vehicles with a hydrogen combustion engine as a drive system. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for pressure-tight assembly of the storage system.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] Today's hydrogen tank systems for mobile applications typically consist of several tank containers, which are made, for example, from a carbon fiber reinforced material.

[0008] The tank containers can also comprise different materials, for example a liner with fiber reinforcement or a monolithic steel body.

[0009] DE 10 2021 207 190 A1 describes, for example, such a hydrogen tank system for mobile applications with multiple tank containers.

[0010] The connection between individual storage tanks, or between them and extraction or filling units, requires a complete seal that can withstand dimensional changes resulting from pressure fluctuations and / or temperature variations. In particular, hydrogen pressure storage systems experience storage pressures of up to 700 bar, for example. These pressure changes cause significant dimensional changes in both the radial and axial directions for all tank materials. R. 416869

[0011] - 2 -

[0012] Advantages of the invention

[0013] The storage system according to the invention with the characterizing features of claim 1 has the advantage of achieving a pressure-tight and safe storage system.

[0014] The storage system for storing a fluid medium, preferably hydrogen, comprises at least one tank container, cylindrical in its basic form, with two ends for storing the fluid medium, particularly hydrogen. The tank container has an inner shell element and an outer shell element, the latter surrounding the inner shell element. Furthermore, the tank container has a flange element. The inner shell element is pressed into a recess in the flange element by means of a clamping device and clamped to it.

[0015] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for pressure-tight assembly of the storage system comprising the following steps: a. Inserting the clamping ring element into a recess between the flange element and the inner shell element, b. Pressing the flange element into the inner shell element, c. Clamping the clamping ring element in the flange element by means of the clamping adapter element, d. Applying the outer shell element around the inner shell element and the flange element.

[0016] Thus, the present geometry allows for a good seal and connection of the inner and outer shell elements to a flange element in a structurally simple manner. R. 416869

[0017] - 3 -

[0018] Depending on the design and requirements, this cylinder connection can be integrated into a maintenance concept. The combination of mechanically connected individual components ultimately allows for easier disassembly and thus simplified recycling of the individual components.

[0019] In a first advantageous embodiment, the clamping device comprises a clamping adapter element and a clamping ring element. The clamping mechanism shown accordingly allows for both larger variations in tolerances and secure clamping, as well as potentially large contact areas.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is advantageously provided that the inner shell element comprises plastic, a polymer liner and a fiber reinforcement.

[0021] In an advantageous further development, it is provided that the outer shell element comprises a fiber composite material, in particular a carbon fiber composite material.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is advantageously provided that the clamping ring element comprises an elastic and / or thermoplastic material. The elastic clamping rings prevent the tube geometry from contacting stiff and sharp edges, thus preventing thermal expansion and other deformations from damaging the fiber reinforcement of the printing cylinder. Furthermore, the use of an elastic material simplifies and facilitates maintenance.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment, the flange element is provided with a through-opening. Advantageously, the outer shell element has a through-channel. This allows for the simple extraction and filling of gaseous media, particularly hydrogen, into the tank. R. 416869

[0024] - 4 -

[0025] In an advantageous further development, the clamping device is provided with a screw connection by which the clamping device is firmly connected to the flange element and / or the outer shell element. This allows for retightening, particularly with a closed, cylindrical outer shell element, if the screw connection extends outwards through the flange element geometry.

[0026] The described storage system is preferably suitable for use in a fuel cell system for storing hydrogen for the operation of a fuel cell.

[0027] The described storage system is preferably suitable for use in a hydrogen combustion engine system for the provision of hydrogen.

[0028] The described storage system is preferably suitable for a fuel cell-powered vehicle for storing hydrogen for the operation of a fuel cell.

[0029] The described storage system is particularly suitable for use in a hydrogen-powered vehicle to provide hydrogen.

[0030] Drawings

[0031] The drawing shows exemplary embodiments of a storage system according to the invention for storing a fluid medium, in particular hydrogen. It shows in

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of a storage system according to the invention for storing a gaseous medium in a simplified schematic view, R. 416869

[0033] - 5 -

[0034] Fig. 2 shows a possible embodiment of a single tank container of the storage system according to the invention from Fig. 1 in longitudinal section in an enlarged view.

[0035] Fig. 3 Flowchart for the method for pressure-tight assembly of the storage system according to the invention,

[0036] Fig. 4a Process diagram for the method for pressure-tight assembly of the storage system according to the invention from Fig. 2 in longitudinal section,

[0037] Fig. 4b Process diagram for the method for pressure-tight assembly of the storage system according to the invention from Fig. 2 in longitudinal section,

[0038] Fig. 4c Process diagram for the method for pressure-tight assembly of the storage system according to the invention from Fig. 2 in longitudinal section,

[0039] Fig. 4d Process diagram for the method for pressure-tight assembly of the storage system according to the invention from Fig. 2 in longitudinal section,

[0040] Fig. 5 shows another possible embodiment of a single tank container of the storage system according to the invention from Fig. 1 in longitudinal section in an enlarged view.

[0041] Fig. 6 shows a hydrogen-powered vehicle with a storage system according to the invention in a simplified schematic view,

[0042] Fig. 7 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.

[0043] The description of the exemplary embodiments 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, such as a fuel cell system 70 or a hydrogen combustion engine system 71 (see Fig. 6 or Fig. 7), in a schematic view. The storage system 1 here has several tank containers 200, which in this embodiment are accommodated in a frame element 205. In an alternative embodiment, the storage system 1 has, for example, only one tank container 200. R. 416869

[0044] - 6 -

[0045] Fig. 2 shows a possible embodiment of the storage system 1 according to the invention from Fig. 1 in the area of ​​the tank 200 in an enlarged view. The tank 200 is cylindrical in its basic form, has a longitudinal axis 400, and in this embodiment has two hemispherical ends 202. Furthermore, the tank 200 has an inner shell element 10, which forms a tank interior 201, an outer shell element 28, and a flange element 18. The inner shell element 10 comprises plastic, a polymer liner, and a fiber reinforcement, whereas the outer shell element 28 comprises a fiber-reinforced plastic, in particular a carbon fiber composite. The outer shell element 28 surrounds the inner shell element 10 and the flange element 18.

[0046] Furthermore, the inner shell element 10 is pressed into a recess 180 of the flange element 18 by means of a clamping device 164 and clamped to it. The clamping device 164 has a clamping adapter element 16 and a clamping ring element 14. The clamping ring element 14 comprises an elastic and / or thermoplastic material. The clamping device 164 also has a screw connection 50 by which the clamping device 164 is firmly connected to the flange element 18.

[0047] For the extraction and / or filling of the tank interior 201 with fluid medium, in particular hydrogen, the flange element 18 has a through-opening 32 and the outer shell element 28 has a through-channel 26.

[0048] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the pressure-tight assembly of the storage system 1 according to the invention, comprising the following steps, which are illustrated in a flowchart in Fig. 3: a. Inserting 500 of the clamping ring element 14 and the clamping adapter element 16 into the recess 180 between the flange element 18 and the inner shell element 10, b. Pressing 501 of the flange element 18 into the inner shell element 10, R. 416869

[0049] - 7 - c. Clamping 502 of the clamping ring element 14 in the flange element 18 by means of the clamping adapter element 16, d. Applying 503 of the outer shell element 28 around the inner shell element 10 and the flange element 18 by means of the screw connection 50.

[0050] Figures 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d show the aforementioned steps in a longitudinal section process diagram. The clamping ring element 14 and the clamping adapter element 16 are pulled over the inner shell element 10 and inserted between the flange element 18 and the inner shell element 10. The flange element 18 is pressed into the inner shell element 10, thereby expanding the inner shell element 10. If necessary, a suitable measure can be taken to reduce the circumferential stiffness, such as heating or the introduction of stress-relieving slots. Furthermore, if necessary, suitable fixing or support can be used during the pressing-in process to prevent stability failure of the tank during assembly. The clamping ring element 14 is inserted into the flange element 18 and clamped using the clamping adapter element 16.To absorb the axial loads, the outer shell element 28 is attached around the inner shell element 10 and the flange element 18 by means of the screw connection 50.

[0051] Fig. 5 shows another possible embodiment of a single tank container 200 of the storage system 1 according to the invention from Fig. 1 in longitudinal section in an enlarged view. This embodiment essentially corresponds to the embodiment from Fig. 2. They differ in the design of the screw connection 50. While in the embodiment in Fig. 2 the clamping device 164 is firmly connected to the flange element 18 by the screw connection 50, i.e., the clamping adapter element 16 is firmly connected to the flange element 18 by the screw connection 50, in the embodiment from Fig. 5, in addition to the flange element 18, the outer shell element 28 is also firmly connected to the clamping adapter element 18. The outward-facing screw connection 50 allows for retightening of the clamping device 164 in a structurally simple manner. R. 416869

[0052] - 8 -

[0053] Figures 6 and 7 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 with a storage system 1 according to the invention in a simplified schematic view. In Figure 6, the storage system 1 is integrated by way of example into the underbody of the chassis of a vehicle.

Claims

R. 416869 - 9 - Claims 1. Storage system (1) for storing a fluid medium, preferably hydrogen, comprising at least one tank container (200) in a basic cylindrical form with two ends (202) for storing fluid medium, in particular hydrogen, wherein the tank container (200) has an inner shell element (10) and an outer shell element (28), the outer shell element (28) surrounding the inner shell element (10), wherein the tank container (200) has a flange element (18), characterized in that the inner shell element (10) is in a recess (180) of the flange element (18) is pressed into the flange element (18) by means of a clamping device (164) and clamped to it.

2. Storage system (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the clamping device (164) comprises a clamping adapter element (16) and a clamping ring element (14).

3. Storage system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner shell element (10) comprises plastic, a polymer liner and a fiber reinforcement.

4. Storage system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer shell element (28) comprises a fiber composite material, in particular a carbon fiber composite material.

5. Storage system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping ring element (14) comprises an elastic and / or thermoplastic material.

6. Storage system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flange element (18) has a through-opening (32). R. 416869 - 10 - 7. Storage system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer shell element (28) has a through channel (26).

8. Storage system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device (164) has a screw connection (50) by which screw connection (50) the clamping device (164) is firmly connected to the flange element (18) and / or the outer shell element (28).

9. 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 8.

10. Hydrogen combustion engine system (71) with a storage system (1) for providing hydrogen according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. 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 8.

12. Hydrogen-powered vehicle (73) with a storage system (1) for providing hydrogen according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

13. Method for pressure-tight assembly of the storage system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the following steps: a. Inserting (500) the clamping ring element (14) into a recess (180) between the flange element (18) and the inner shell element (10), b. Pressing (501) the flange element (18) into the inner shell element (10), c. Clamping (502) the clamping ring element (14) in the flange element (18) by means of the clamping adapter element (16), R. 416869 - 11 - d. Applying (503) the outer shell element (28) around the inner shell element (10) and the flange element (18).

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