Method and device for determining a functional state of a fuel container, vehicle, computer program product and storage medium

Abstract

According to the invention, the disclosed technology relates to a method for determining a functional state of a fuel container (11) in a vehicle (12), comprising the steps of: determining functional data (13) of the fuel container (11) during use of the fuel container (11) in the vehicle (12); collecting the determined functional data (13) in a storage location (14) outside the vehicle (12); and determining the functional state of the fuel container (11) on the basis of the collected functional data (13). The technology further relates to a device (10), to a vehicle (12), and to a computer program product (17) for carrying out the method, as well as to a computer-readable storage medium (18) on which the computer program product (17) is stored.

Description

[0001] 24-1977

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Description

[0004] Method and apparatus for determining the functional state of a fuel container, vehicle, computer program product and storage medium

[0005] The technology disclosed herein relates to a method and a device for determining the functional state of a vehicle's fuel tank. The technology further relates to a vehicle with such a fuel tank, a computer program for executing the method, and a computer-readable storage medium on which such a computer program is stored.

[0006] Fuel tanks, especially pressure tanks and cryogenic tanks for vehicles, are well-known. These tanks are used to store fuels like hydrogen as safely as possible within the vehicle and to provide them as an energy source. Compared to stationary applications, fuel tanks in vehicles are subjected to increased stresses, which raises the risk of damage. The failure of a fuel tank, for example, by bursting, has serious consequences. Therefore, high safety factors are required in the design of fuel tanks. To ensure the safe operation of a fuel tank, it is regularly inspected and assessed. Damage calculators, for example, are known in the art and can be used to evaluate material fatigue and damage to fuel tanks.Furthermore, it is known to monitor the functional status of vehicle components in real time. If a current and / or impending malfunction is detected, the vehicle can generate a warning signal. The warning signal can be displayed in the vehicle and / or sent to a location outside the vehicle, for example, to a workshop.

[0007] The purpose of the present technology is to create methods and devices for the safe operation of fuel tanks with the longest possible operating time.

[0008] The foregoing problem is solved by the patent claims. In particular, the foregoing problem is solved by the method according to claim 1 and by the device, the vehicle, the computer program product, and the computer-readable storage medium according to the dependent claims. Further advantages of the disclosed technology will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the figures. Features described in connection with the method also apply in connection with 24-1977.

[0009] - 2 -

[0010] the device, the vehicle, the computer program product, the storage medium and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects, mutual reference is always made and / or can be made.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present technology, a method for determining the functional state of a vehicle's fuel tank is proposed. The method comprises the following steps:

[0012] - Determining functional data of the fuel tank during use of the fuel tank in the vehicle,

[0013] - Collecting the determined functional data at a storage location outside the vehicle and

[0014] - Determining the functional status of the fuel tank based on the collected functional data.

[0015] Within the framework of the technology proposed here, it was first recognized that the potential and / or specified service life of a fuel tank of a given type is usually longer than the average service life of the vehicle in which the fuel tank is installed. Furthermore, it was recognized that detailed monitoring of the fuel tank over its service life allows for meaningful conclusions to be drawn about its current functional state. Determining the functional state based on the collected functional data means that the functional state is determined not only based on current functional data of the fuel tank, but also specifically, predominantly, and / or exclusively based on functional data stored outside the vehicle—essentially, a functional data history.The functional state can be determined based on all recorded functional data. Collecting this functional data can be understood as logging it. This allows for a particularly accurate and reliable determination of the fuel tank's functional state. Therefore, the proposed technology provides a reliable and efficient solution for determining the fuel tank's functional state.

[0016] The proposed method allows for the centralized monitoring of the condition of safety-relevant fuel containers. The history of functional data allows conclusions to be drawn about the fuel container's life cycle state. For example, a damage model can be used to determine the condition based on the 24-1977 standard.

[0017] - 3 -

[0018] The history of the functional data allows for the determination of the fuel tank's life cycle status. Fuel tanks with conspicuous defects can be promptly taken out of service. The functional data can be stored in a standardized format. This enables the functional status to be assessed in a uniform format and according to standardized guidelines. As a result, the operational reliability of the vehicle and road safety in general can be improved.

[0019] The term "functional state" can refer to a damage state and / or a state of life or life cycle state. "Functional data" can refer to data that allows direct or indirect conclusions to be drawn about a malfunction of the fuel tank. Functional data can include predefined functional data such as...

[0020] - Data on the optical condition of the fuel tank,

[0021] - Data on pressure values ​​in the fuel tank, on the fuel tank and / or in the vehicle,

[0022] - Data on current, voltage and / or power values ​​in the vehicle,

[0023] - Data on temperatures in the fuel tank and / or in the vicinity of the fuel tank,

[0024] - Data on vibrations in and / or on the fuel tank,

[0025] - Data on the gas composition in and / or at the fuel tank,

[0026] - Data on forces acting in and / or on the fuel tank,

[0027] - Data on acoustic and / or electromagnetic waves emitted from the fuel container, possibly after prior active excitation of the waves,

[0028] be.

[0029] Determining the functional state of the fuel tank can be understood as diagnosing the fuel tank. Fuel tank diagnosing can be understood as a systematic process for identifying faults, malfunctions, and / or damage to the fuel tank. As part of the diagnosis, condition data can be acquired, analyzed, and compared with target values ​​and / or known patterns. To perform the diagnosis, sensors, actuators, measuring instruments, and / or software tools such as algorithms and / or virtual models can be used to obtain efficient and precise results. The term "fuel tank" can refer to a fuel storage container for hydrogen. The fuel tank can be configured as a high-pressure gas storage container. The fuel tank can be configured as a pressure vessel to store fuel such as hydrogen at 24-1977.

[0030] - 4 -

[0031] to store ambient temperatures permanently at a nominal operating pressure of at least 350 bar or at least 700 bar.

[0032] The acquisition of functional data during the use of the fuel tank in the vehicle can be understood as the acquisition of functional data while the fuel tank is being used in the vehicle in a manner intended. However, "use" can also refer to use of the fuel tank in a manner that is unintentional or possibly even intentional and not in accordance with its intended purpose. Such use could, for example, include improper refueling of the fuel tank, leading to over-pressurization and / or overfilling, which could damage the fuel tank. Thus, the functional data can be acquired, for example, while fuel is stored in a fuel tank installed in the vehicle and / or while fuel is being filled into a fuel tank installed in the vehicle.In this context, "determination" can encompass measuring, estimating, modeling, and / or calculating. The functional state can be determined using sensors and / or models. For example, measured values ​​can be obtained using sensors and / or a virtual model, which are then processed by a computing unit to infer the desired values ​​for determining the functional state. The functional data can be determined using a determination method and / or a determination device that is exclusively provided for this purpose. The determination device may include dedicated measuring instruments, such as sensors, actuators, and / or a hardware / software evaluation unit.

[0033] To collect the functional data, it can be transferred to the storage location and stored there in a computer-readable format. Collection can therefore be understood as the transfer and storage of the determined functional data over a longer period, for example, over several vehicle journeys, defined stationary situations, and / or multiple refueling operations. To collect the determined functional data, it can be sent to the external storage location in real time, particularly wirelessly and / or via the internet. Alternatively or additionally, the determined functional data can be sent to the storage location via cable, for example, during vehicle maintenance in a workshop. Furthermore, it is possible to transfer the data using an intermediate storage medium such as 24-1977.

[0034] - 5 -

[0035] For example, data from a flash drive can be transferred to the storage location. The determined functional state can be updated based on the collected functional data. This means that the functional state can not only be determined but also regularly updated based on the collected functional data. Determining the functional state based on the collected functional data can be understood as determining the functional state based on all collected data.

[0036] According to another embodiment of the technology described here, the method can determine the reusability of the fuel tank based on its assessed functional state. This means that when the vehicle reaches the end of its service life, a well-founded decision can be made about the future of the fuel tank based on its assessed functional state. Reusability can also be determined before the vehicle reaches the end of its service life. The end of the vehicle's service life does not necessarily coincide with the end of the fuel tank's service life, and vice versa. For example, misuse, such as a single instance of critical overfilling at a gas station, could immediately render the fuel tank unusable in the vehicle.However, reuse in a different application under different operating conditions may be permissible. The proposed method facilitates the reuse of fuel containers. Standard fuel containers are manufactured with significant time, cost, and material expenditure. Reuse can save the time, costs, and materials required to manufacture new fuel containers. Raw material consumption for fuel container production can be reduced. Based on the determined functional history, each fuel container can be tamper-proofed for potential reusability.Determining reusability can be understood as determining at least one reusability parameter based on which it can be determined whether the fuel container is reusable and, if so, for which purpose and / or for how long the fuel container can be reused. Reusability could, for example, be expressed as a percentage. If, for instance, a reusability of 40% is determined, this could be interpreted to mean that the fuel container still has 40% of its maximum service life remaining for its original purpose. However, reusability can also be determined and / or interpreted in a more complex way. For example, using a [24-1977]...

[0037] - 6 -

[0038] A virtual model, based on the operational history, can be used to determine for which application and / or for how long the fuel tank can be reused. Reusability can be particularly advantageous in the commercial vehicle sector. Commercial vehicles typically have more generous installation space for fuel cell tanks, making it easier to use fuel tanks that were not originally manufactured for a specific commercial vehicle. Therefore, based on the determined operational state, it is possible to identify at least one specific use case for reuse. For example, it can be determined that the fuel tank may only be reused for rail vehicles, only for low-pressure operation where the maximum gas pressure in the fuel tank is less than 100 bar, and / or only for stationary operation.Based on the determined reusability, a predefined action and / or action pattern can be triggered in the vehicle to bring the fuel tank into a defined safe or safer operating state.

[0039] Furthermore, it is possible to collect the functional data over several days using the method described here. The more data that is collected and combined, the more accurately the functional state of the fuel tank can be assessed. The functional data can be collected over several weeks, several months, several years, and / or over the entire operating life of the fuel tank.

[0040] Furthermore, it is possible to determine the functional data during a predefined operating phase of the fuel tank and / or the vehicle. This allows for the acquisition of particularly meaningful functional data, enabling a highly accurate determination of the operating condition. For example, the functional data can be specifically collected during operating conditions in which the fuel tank is under particular stress, in which the fuel tank is frequently found, and / or in which the fuel tank is susceptible to damage. Such operating conditions might include high-performance operation of the vehicle, refueling, parking (where the vehicle remains in the same location for an extended period), operation in particularly cold environments, and / or operation in particularly hot environments.As a predefined operating scenario, longer periods of vehicle inactivity with a full fuel tank can also be taken into account, allowing conclusions to be drawn about the tightness of the fuel tank. 24-1977.

[0041] - 7 -

[0042] Furthermore, the procedure described here allows for the online collection of functional data in a backend. Modern vehicles can collect this data quickly, easily, and reliably, as they are regularly connected wirelessly to the internet. This enables the automated collection of functional data with the desired frequency. The backend can be understood as a server that is not visible to the vehicle user. It can include local data storage. The backend can be installed locally within a company, such as an accredited organization like TÜV or DEKRA, or within a road safety authority like the KBA.The functional status can be determined by the respective company and / or authority and used, for example, to assess reusability and / or prohibit use. The collected functional data in the backend can be regularly updated based on the latest functional data.

[0043] According to another embodiment of the technology described here, it is possible for the functional data to be stored at a predefined regularity.

[0044] This allows for a particularly precise and easy determination of the vehicle's functional status. The functional data can be sent to and stored at the designated location daily, weekly, monthly, and / or on specific days. In addition to being time-dependent, the frequency can also be operational. For example, the functional data can be sent to and stored at the designated location every time the vehicle is parked, every time it is refueled, every time the vehicle remains stationary for more than a day or a week, and / or every time the vehicle is connected to a Wi-Fi network.

[0045] Furthermore, the procedure may include the following steps:

[0046] - Providing a serial number for the fuel tank and

[0047] - Assigning the collected functional data to the fuel tank's serial number. Using the serial number, the functional data can be assigned to the fuel tank particularly easily and reliably. The determined functional state can thus be assigned to a specific fuel tank just as easily and reliably.

[0048] Furthermore, it is possible that the procedure includes the following steps: 24-1977

[0049] - 8 -

[0050] - Providing a legal basis for the use of the fuel container and - Determining the reusability of the fuel container based on the provided legal basis.

[0051] This allows for a quick and easy determination of whether the fuel container can and / or may be reused in a specific country for a specific purpose. Considering country-specific legal regulations can also increase the operational safety of the fuel container during reuse, as the legal framework in some countries is based, for example, on the climatic conditions in the respective country. In addition to or as an alternative to the legal framework, current legal and / or technical guidelines can be considered to determine reusability.

[0052] The procedure described here may also include the following steps:

[0053] - Determining the geoposition of the fuel tank during the determination of functional data,

[0054] - Collecting the determined functional data with the associated geopositions at the storage location outside the vehicle and

[0055] - Determining the functional state of the fuel tank based on the collected functional data with the associated geopositions.

[0056] Based on the determined geoposition, meaningful functional data can be obtained, allowing for a precise assessment of the fuel cell tank's operating condition. Analyzing geopositions can identify systematic damage to the fuel tank caused by external influences, such as at a filling station and / or by climatic conditions. For example, frequent and / or prolonged operation of the fuel tank at particularly low and / or high ambient temperatures can negatively impact its reusability.

[0057] The functional data can be determined using image sensors, acoustic sensors, vibration sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, gas sensors, current sensors, voltage sensors, and / or force sensors in the method described here. The respective sensors can be integrated into the vehicle in which the fuel tank is installed. The image sensors can include a camera and / or a lidar system for detecting predefined optical features on and / or near the fuel tank. The acoustic sensors can include a microphone for detecting predefined sounds in and / or on the fuel tank.

[0058] - 9 -

[0059] The vibration sensors may include piezoelectric materials and / or mass-spring systems to convert mechanical vibrations into electrical signals. The pressure sensors may include a diaphragm that transmits gas pressure in the fuel tank to a strain gauge. The temperature sensors may include thermocouples that generate a voltage change proportional to temperature, or resistance thermometers. The gas sensors may include semiconductor layers for detecting specific gas molecules, as well as catalyst coatings. The current sensors may include Hall effect sensors and / or shunt resistors to measure a specific electrical current flow in the vehicle, while the voltage sensors may include voltage dividers and / or voltage amplifiers to determine specific voltages in the vehicle.The force sensors can include strain gauges and / or piezoelectric materials for detecting mechanical forces in and / or on the fuel container.

[0060] Another aspect of the present technology concerns a device with a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to execute a method as described above. The device thus offers the same advantages as described in detail with reference to the method. The control unit may comprise a control unit, an ECU, a computer, sensors as mentioned above, and / or actuators configured to perform the method.

[0061] The device can be configured to perform the aforementioned process steps. In particular, the device can be configured to perform the following steps:

[0062] - Determining functional data of the fuel tank during use of the fuel tank in the vehicle,

[0063] - Collecting the determined functional data at a storage location outside the vehicle,

[0064] - Determining the functional status of the fuel tank based on the collected functional data and / or

[0065] - Determining the reusability of the fuel container based on the determined functional state.

[0066] Another aspect of the proposed technology concerns a vehicle with an energy converter, a fuel tank to provide fuel for the 24-1977

[0067] - 10 -

[0068] Energy converter and a device as described above. The energy converter can be an internal combustion engine for converting chemical energy into mechanical energy or a fuel cell system for converting chemical energy into electrical energy in the vehicle. The vehicle can have at least one electric motor for propelling the vehicle, and the energy converter can be configured to supply power to the at least one electric motor. The term "vehicle" can refer to a motor vehicle such as a motorized two-wheeler, a passenger car, or a truck. It can also refer to a road vehicle, an aircraft, a watercraft, a rail vehicle, a spacecraft, or a robot. Furthermore, the term "vehicle" can refer to a purely electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle that, in addition to the at least one electric motor, has an internal combustion engine for propelling the vehicle.The vehicle in question can be a so-called FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle). The vehicle can have at least one fuel tank. For example, the vehicle can have several fuel tanks connected to each other via a manifold. The method and the device can be configured accordingly to determine the operating states of multiple fuel tanks in the vehicle. Here, it is possible, for example, to relieve the load on a heavily stressed fuel tank and / or a fuel tank closer to a defined end of its service life, perhaps via software, so that it operates more gently and / or demanding operating modes are assigned to less damaged fuel tanks.For example, tank management software can use the results of a damage assessment and / or a history of the fuel tank from the backend described above. The data from the backend can be accessed through regular data queries.

[0069] Furthermore, the technology disclosed herein comprises a computer program product and a computer-readable, in particular non-volatile, storage medium on which the computer program product is stored. Thus, the computer program product and the computer-readable storage medium also offer the advantages described above. The computer program product may include instructions which, when executed by a computer, for example, a computer of a vehicle control unit, cause the computer to execute the proposed method in a vehicle as described above. 24-1977

[0070] - 11 -

[0071] The computer program product can be implemented as machine-readable instruction code in any suitable programming language and / or machine language, such as Java, C++, C#, and / or Python. The computer program product can be stored on a machine-readable storage medium such as a data disk, removable drive, volatile or non-volatile memory, and / or built-in memory / processor. The instruction code can program a computer and other programmable devices to perform the desired functions. Furthermore, the computer program product can be made available on a network, such as the internet, from which it can be downloaded by a user as needed.The computer program product can be implemented using software, one or more special electronic circuits (i.e., in hardware), or in any hybrid form (i.e., using software components and hardware components).

[0072] Further features and combinations of features of the proposed technology will become apparent from the following description of various embodiments, which are schematically illustrated in the figures. All features and / or advantages arising from the claims, the description, and the figures, including design details and spatial arrangements, can be significant both individually and in combination with one another.

[0073] They each show schematically:

[0074] Fig. 1 shows a vehicle with a device for carrying out a method according to an embodiment of the present technology,

[0075] Fig. 2 shows a computer-readable storage medium with a computer program product stored thereon according to an embodiment of the present technology and

[0076] Fig. 3 is a flowchart to explain a method according to an embodiment of the present technology.

[0077] Fig. 1 shows a system with a vehicle 12 and a backend 19. The backend 19 is configured as a backend server with a storage location 14. The vehicle 12 shown is a passenger car. A computer-readable storage medium can be stored at storage location 14.

[0078] - 12 -

[0079] Internet access is understood. The vehicle 12 has an energy converter 16 in the form of a fuel cell stack and a fuel container 11 in the form of a high-pressure hydrogen tank for supplying fuel to the energy converter 16. The vehicle 12 also has a device 10 with a control unit 15, which is configured to carry out a procedure described later. In addition, the vehicle 12 has two electric motors 20 for driving the vehicle 12. The energy converter 16 is configured to generate electrical current in the vehicle 12, which can be used to power the electric motors 20. The vehicle 12 also has a transmitter 21, through which functional data 13, determined in the vehicle 12, can be wirelessly transmitted to a receiver 22 of the backend 19.

[0080] Fig. 2 shows a computer-readable and non-volatile storage medium 18 on which a computer program product 17 is stored. The storage medium 18 is in the form of a flash drive. The computer program product 17 comprises instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the procedure described below in the vehicle 12 shown in Fig. 1. The term "computer" can be understood to refer to a part of the control unit 15 described above.

[0081] With reference to Figures 3 and 1, a method for determining the functional state of the fuel tank 11 of the vehicle 12 is described below. In a first step S1, selected functional data 13 of the fuel tank 11 are determined using various sensors during predefined operating states of the fuel tank 11 over the operating time of the fuel tank 11. The functional data 13 are determined while the fuel tank 11 is in use in the vehicle 12. In a second step S2, the determined functional data 13 are collected at a storage location 14 outside the vehicle 12. For this purpose, the determined functional data 13 are sent online to the backend 19 and collected there centrally in a uniform format at the storage location 14. The functional data 13 are determined over the entire operating time of the fuel tank 11.In a third step S3, a functional state of the fuel container 11 is determined based on the collected functional data 13. In the third step S3, a previously determined functional state can also be updated based on newly determined functional data 13. In a fourth step S4, reusability for the 24-1977 is determined based on the determined functional state.

[0082] - 13 -

[0083] Fuel tank 11 has been determined. The fourth step S4 can be carried out after the end of the vehicle 12's operating time or before the end of the vehicle 12's operating time.

[0084] The technology disclosed here allows for further design principles in addition to the embodiments shown. That is to say, the technology should not be considered limited to the embodiments explained in relation to the figures. For example, the functional data 13 can be stored at a predefined regularity. Furthermore, it is possible that the collected functional data 13 are assigned a serial number of the fuel container 11 during collection and storage. It is also possible that a legal basis for the use of the fuel container 11 is provided and the reusability of the fuel container 11 is determined based on this legal basis.Furthermore, it is possible that at least one geoposition of the fuel tank 11 is determined during the acquisition of the functional data 13, that the acquired functional data 13, along with the associated geopositions, are collected at the storage location 14 outside the vehicle 12, and that the functional state of the fuel tank 11 is determined based on the collected functional data 13 and the associated geopositions. Additionally, it is possible that the functional data 13 are acquired using image sensors, acoustic sensors, vibration sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, gas sensors, current sensors, voltage sensors, and / or force sensors. The required sensors can be part of the vehicle 12 and / or part of a system outside the vehicle 12, for example, a satellite for determining a geoposition. The term transmitter 21 and receiver 22 can each be understood as a transmitter / receiver.The function data 13 can therefore also be actively queried by the transmitter / receiver of the backend 19 from the transmitter / receiver of the vehicle 12. Furthermore, it is possible for function data 13 to be transmitted from the backend 19 to the vehicle 12. This is possible, for example, in a so-called lockout, in which function data and / or other data are transmitted from the backend 19 to the vehicle 12 to trigger a defined safety response. Data transmission from the backend 19 to the vehicle can also be carried out when adjusting an operating strategy (load balancing) of the vehicle.

[0085] - 14 -

[0086] Reference symbol list

[0087] device

[0088] fuel tank

[0089] vehicle

[0090] Functional data

[0091] Storage location

[0092] Control unit

[0093] Energy converter

[0094] Computer program product

[0095] Storage medium

[0096] Backend

[0097] electric motor

[0098] Sender

[0099] Recipient

Claims

24-1977 - 15 - Patent claims 1. Method for determining the functional state of a fuel tank (11) of a vehicle (12), comprising: - Determining functional data (13) of the fuel tank (11) during use of the fuel tank (11) in the vehicle (12), - Collecting the determined functional data (13) at a storage location (14) outside the vehicle (12) and - Determining the functional state of the fuel tank (11) based on the collected functional data (13).

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising: - Determining the reusability of the fuel container (11) based on the determined functional state.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional data (13) are collected over several days.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional data (13) are determined during a predefined operation of the fuel tank (11) and / or the vehicle (12).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional data (13) are collected online in a backend (19).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional data (13) are stored at a predefined regularity.

7. A method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: - Providing a serial number of the fuel tank (11) and - Assigning the collected functional data (13) to the serial number of the fuel tank (11).

8. Method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, comprising: - Providing a legal basis for the use of the fuel container (11) and 24-1977 - 16 - Determining the reusability of the fuel container (11) based on the legal basis provided.

9. Method according to any one of claims 2 to 8, comprising: - Determining a geoposition of the fuel tank (11) during the determination of the functional data (13), - Collecting the determined functional data (13) with the associated geopositions at the storage location (14) outside the vehicle (12) and - Determining the functional state of the fuel tank (11) based on the collected functional data (13) with the associated geopositions.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional data (13) are determined by means of image sensors, acoustic sensors, vibration sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, gas sensors, current sensors, voltage sensors and / or force sensors.

11. Device (10) comprising a control unit (15) configured to perform a method according to any of the preceding claims.

12. Vehicle (12) comprising an energy converter (16), a fuel container (11) for providing fuel for the energy converter (16) and a device (10) according to claim 11.

13. Computer program product (17), comprising instructions which, when the computer program product (17) is executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute in a vehicle (12) according to claim 12 the method according to one of claims 1 to 10.

14. Computer-readable storage medium (18) with a computer program product (17) stored thereon according to claim 13.

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