DE102010006516A1 - High pressure gas i.e. high pressure hydrogen gas, storing device for use in vehicle, has deflation unit deflating storage vessel with breaking point that is disrupted by ignition of explosive charge under formation of discharge opening - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an active security system (60), a storage vessel and a deflation unit deflating the storage vessel, which is activated by an emptying signal of the active security system. The storage vessel includes a predetermined breaking point that is disrupted by an ignition of an explosive charge i.e. detonating cord, under formation of an extensive discharge opening. The storage vessel is designed as a cylindrical or conical pipe whose ends are closed by domes, and the deflation unit is arranged in a region of the domes. An independent claim is also included for a method for deflating high pressure gas storing device.

Description

The invention relates to a device for storing a high-pressure gas in a vehicle according to the closer defined in the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a method for emptying such a device. Finally, the invention also relates to the preferred use of the device and / or method.

From the general state of the art, vehicles are known which carry high pressure gases in a reservoir. These may be, for example, natural gas vehicles or, in particular, hydrogen vehicles, which carry hydrogen as fuel in a storage vessel under high pressure, for example more than 300 bar. As is usual in today's vehicles, the vehicles may also have an active safety system, which determines via a control unit or integrated into the vehicle control unit and suitable crash sensors, whether the vehicle is involved in an accident. About such an active safety system of the vehicle signals for triggering airbags, belt tensioners and the like are then effected in the event of a major accident.

US application 2007/0095392 A1 discloses a pressure vessel for receiving compressed gas in a vehicle. This has a safety valve, which is normally closed and only actuated when actuated via an electronic signal of the airbag system to open. In the event of a crash, as soon as the airbag triggers, can be achieved via the valve emptying of the compressed gas storage, such as a hydrogen storage. Thus, no uncontrolled explosion of the memory is expected by damage in the event of a crash more.

The system described in the US application has a serious disadvantage. The safety valve designed as a normally closed pressure valve must be actively opened in the presence of an emptying signal, in this case a signal for triggering the airbag. For this purpose, appropriate actuators are necessary. In the illustrated case, this is a system of springs and an electromagnet. However, it may happen that a deformation of the pressure vessel has already occurred in the event of a crash, so that the elements actuated by means of springs, mechanical tappets and the electromagnet are no longer or not actuatable in the desired manner. By normally closed state, the pressure valve will thus remain in this state and a safe and reliable emptying of the pressure prevailing in the storage tank pressure is not guaranteed.

Structures are also known from the further general state of the art in which pressurized gas reservoirs, in particular hydrogen accumulators, are equipped with thermally activated safety valves or pressure relief valves. Such thermally activated safety valves, also called PRD, activate themselves, for example by melting a solder mass or the like, as soon as a correspondingly high temperature is present in the area of the safety valve. About such safety valves can be achieved, for example, in case of fire, that the compressed gas tank is emptied before such a high internal pressure develops over a too high temperature in the region of the gas cylinder that it would explode. Such valves in general and in a particularly preferred embodiment are by the German application DE 10 2008 003 607 A1 described.

For further general state of the art, reference should also be made to US application 2009/0078706 A1. This also deals with the topic of the safety of compressed gas tanks, which are used in vehicles. The compressed gas tank has a manually operable drain valve, which must be emptied in the event of a crash by the operator or security personnel. In order to ensure the accessibility even with possibly deformed body of the vehicle, a plurality of such valves are arranged in different areas of each pressure accumulator.

The object of the present invention is now to provide a device for storing a high-pressure gas according to the aforementioned prior art, which circumvents the disadvantages mentioned there of the possible failure of the safety valve due to crash-induced deformations or the like and in each Case ensures a safe and reliable emptying of the device. In addition, a method for emptying such a device as well as a particularly preferred use for such a device should be specified.

This object is achieved by the device with the features in the characterizing part of claim 1. A method according to the invention is specified in claim 8. The preferred use is found in claim 9. Advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims for the device and the use.

In the device according to the invention, it is provided that the device for emptying the storage container is activated by the action of an explosive charge. The explosive charge is triggered by the active safety system of the vehicle analogously, for example, an airbag or a belt tensioner. By the explosive charge then a corresponding opening for emptying the storage container can be released. The advantage is that the storage container can be specifically emptied during the crash, so that poses no danger to the occupants of the vehicle and / or help hurrying people by a deformed or damaged storage container.

According to a particularly favorable and advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the storage container has predetermined breaking points along which it can be destroyed by the ignition of the at least one explosive charge to form a large-area discharge opening. From the memory so a predetermined part is blasted out or blown off by the ignition of the explosive charge, so that a large-scale discharge opening is formed, through which empties the gas under high pressure from the memory within a very short time. This ensures that after an accident of an optionally damaged storage container no danger.

Alternatively or additionally, according to a particularly advantageous further development of the device according to the invention, the device for emptying can be designed as a connection element on the storage container, in which an emptying opening is released by the ignition of the at least one explosive charge. The advantage of this design is that not parts of the memory element itself, but specifically a part of a connection element is blown out. This reduces the risk of flying parts, so that the safety when emptying the storage container can be further increased.

In a particularly favorable and advantageous development of this idea, it can also be provided that a per se known and conventional thermal fuse is mounted in the region of the connecting element. This thermal fuse, also referred to as PRD, serves to heat the storage container above a predetermined value to release a flow path for the gas from the storage container by melting or decomposing a material in the thermal fuse. According to the invention it can now be provided according to the advantageous embodiment that the flow-through cross-section can not only be released by a thermal overload of the fuse, but also actively activated by the ignition of the explosive charge. For a construction is achieved in which by a simple measure, such as a detonating cord as explosive charge in the field of thermal protection, the protection of the structure described above is achieved in the event of a crash. Due to the already existing thermal fuse the effort in the production of the device for storing a gas under high pressure is comparatively low, since only one, for example, connected to a trigger for an airbag explosive charge must be installed in the thermal fuse.

The inventive method for emptying such a device, it now provides that the active safety system of the vehicle triggers the emptying signal when at least one of the following cases occurs. In such a case, the at least one explosive charge is then ignited via the emptying signal.

As a typical trigger for the emptying signal, for example, crash sensors of the security system can be used. If these crash sensors respond, the triggering of the discharge signal can be effected in a similar manner to the triggering of an airbag. Similar to the use of an airbag different situations and / or impact speeds can be evaluated, so that in light collision accidents no triggering of the discharge signal takes place.

Alternatively or additionally, the triggering of the emptying signal can also be effected by a temperature sensor in the region of the storage container as soon as it detects a temperature above a predetermined limit temperature. Thus, a temperature fuse previously used in the manner of a thermal fuse, which prevents a strong pressure increase due to heating by fire or the like, are cushioned by the inventive method with. On such a thermal fuse can then be optionally waived or this can be present as a redundant system.

The same applies to a pressure sensor. Here too it is possible to monitor the pressure in the storage container via a pressure sensor arranged in the region of the storage container or in particular in the storage container. Once this sensor detects a value which is above a predetermined limit pressure, the discharge signal can be triggered to prevent bursting of the storage container due to excessive pressure increase.

In addition, it would of course also conceivable that the active safety system of the vehicle receives a predetermined signal for triggering the emptying signal radio signal. In this way, for example, by rescue workers, police and fire department when reaching an accident with a vehicle with such a storage container by a corresponding signal which is actively triggered by the security forces, be achieved that the emptying signal is triggered and the explosive charge is ignited, for example To protect security personnel from the eventual bursting of a storage container when recovering injured persons from the vehicle.

The processing of these signals in the active safety system of the vehicle can be carried out in the previously known and conventional type of signal processing. Thus, for example, individual signals can only be evaluated if other signals have already reached a certain level, for example, the pressure and temperature are used only in the event of an already made crash to trigger a discharge signal. Additionally or alternatively, the signals can also be used individually or only individually of the signals for the method according to the invention.

The preferred use of the device according to the invention and / or of the method according to the invention is now in a hydrogen-powered vehicle, wherein the hydrogen is the gas stored in the storage container under high pressure. In this construction of a hydrogen vehicle, for example with a hydrogen combustion engine or a fuel cell system for providing electrical drive power for the vehicle, the use of the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention is particularly useful. Due to the comparatively low energy density in hydrogen, unlike, for example, natural gas or the like, it is stored under very high pressures, generally well above 300 bar, so that it poses a particularly high risk in the event of a bursting of the storage container. Therefore, the method described here and the device described above for securing vehicles with such hydrogen storage plays a particularly important role.

Further advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention and the use will become apparent from the remaining dependent claims and will be apparent from the embodiments described below. These will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures.

Showing:

1 a highly schematically indicated vehicle with a fuel cell system;

2 a fuel cell system in a first possible embodiment;

3 a device for storing pressurized hydrogen in a) closed and b) open state;

4 an alternative embodiment of a device for storing pressurized hydrogen in a) closed and b) open state; and

5 a further alternative embodiment of a device for storing pressurized hydrogen in a) closed, b) first opened and c) second opened state.

In 1 is very heavily schematized a vehicle 1 represented, which via an electric drive motor 2 , which two wheels indicated here 3 drives, can be moved. The vehicle 1 has a fuel cell system 4 which is the electrical drive power for the engine 2 and ultimately to drive the vehicle 1 provides. This is in the presentation of 1 indicated by electrical lines, which the fuel cell system 4 and the drive motor 2 via an electronics unit 5 connect with each other. As indicated by the two dashed arrows, the electronics unit stands 5 also in correspondence with the fuel cell system 4 For example, values of sensors in the fuel cell system 4 , which monitor this in terms of pressure, temperature and the like to be able to interrogate. The electronics unit 5 is also in correspondence with a vehicle control unit 6 , which is provided in a conventional manner for controlling the vehicle. Also this vehicle control unit 6 is about not shown here sensors and actuators with the vehicle 1 in conjunction and can, for example, evaluate acceleration values, an accelerator pedal position as a reference for the driver's desired power demand and the like.

In the presentation of the 1 is in the range of the vehicle control unit 6 also an active security system 60 or a control unit for this purpose represented in principle. This active security system 60 is over dotted lines with a plurality of sensors 61 connected. These sensors, which are both in the range of the vehicle 1 as well as in the area of the fuel cell system 4 provide the active safety system with appropriate values about accelerations and decelerations, Temperatures, pressures and the like. They serve in a manner known per se, via the active security system 60 Airbags, belt tensioners or the like in the vehicle 1 trigger. Besides that, with the active security system 60 a radio receiver 62 whose functionality will be discussed in more detail later.

In the presentation of the 2 is now an exemplary fuel cell system 4 shown in more detail. The core of the fuel cell system 4 forms a fuel cell 7 , which should be constructed here as a stack of PEM fuel cells. According to this design, the fuel cell 7 a cathode compartment 8th and an anode compartment 9 on, which by the proton-conducting membranes 10 are separated from each other. The cathode compartment 8th is from an air conveyor 11 , which may be formed as a volumetric compressor, for example as a screw or Roots compressor or as a flow compressor, via an air supply line 12 provided an air mass flow. The oxygen contained in this air mass flow now at least partially reacts in the region of the fuel cell 7 with an anode compartment 9 the fuel cell 7 supplied fuel gas stream. This fuel gas stream should be a hydrogen stream in the embodiment shown here. This becomes the anode compartment 9 the fuel cell 7 from a storage tank 13 via a valve device 14 provided on a controllable predetermined pressure level. The storage tank 13 is in particular designed as a high-pressure accumulator, in which the hydrogen is stored under a very high pressure, for example 350 or 700 bar.

In the field of fuel cell 7 Now the oxygen in the air mass flow and the hydrogen react with each other, whereby the electrical power is generated, which then exceeds the in 1 illustrated electronic unit 5 continues to be used. In addition, arises in the field of fuel cell 7 , and in particular in the area of the cathode compartment 8th the fuel cell 7 , Product water, which with an exhaust gas flow through an exhaust pipe 15 from the cathode compartment 8th is dissipated.

In the anode room 9 the fuel cell 7 Typically, the hydrogen is not fully reacted, since even alone to supply all areas of the anode uniformly with hydrogen, a corresponding excess of hydrogen through the valve device 14 in the anode compartment 9 is dosed. The unused hydrogen is in the exemplary structure shown here via a recirculation line 16 and a recirculation conveyor 17 returned and passes with fresh from the storage device 13 originating hydrogen back into the anode compartment 9 , The recirculation conveyor 17 is intended in the embodiment shown here as a hydrogen circulation fan 17 be formed, which is driven by an electric motor.

Over time, inert gas accumulates in the area of this anode recirculation, which passes through the membranes 10 through out of the region of the cathode space 8th in the anode compartment 9 is diffused. In addition, a part of the product water is formed in the anode compartment 9 , In order to discharge this water and the inert gas from time to time from the anode recirculation is in the embodiment of the fuel cell system shown here 4 a valve 18 provided over which intermittently from time to time water and / or gas can be discharged from the field of anode recirculation. Instead of the one valve shown here 18 Which is used as a combined valve for the so-called drain (the discharge of water) and the purge (the discharge of gas), of course, two valves would be conceivable, which are provided on the one hand for the discharge of water and on the other hand for the discharge of gas , In a preferred variant, however, these two functionalities can be in the valve 18 be united, which is arranged for this purpose in a preferred manner in a water separator, which is not shown here. That over the valve 18 Drained water and / or gas then enters the area of the supply air line 12 to get along with the via the air conveyor 11 subsidized supply air into the cathode compartment 8th to get. In the cathode compartment 8th is in the over the valve 18 discharged gas possibly residual hydrogen at the local electrocatalysts with the oxygen of the air implemented so that no hydrogen emissions from the fuel cell system 4 to occur out. The registered water is in the dry and after the air conveyor 11 hot supply air evaporates and moisturizes accordingly. Excess water is mixed with the product water through the exhaust pipe 15 discharged.

In the presentation of the 2 is also an optional humidifier 19 to recognize. In such a humidifier 19 may for example be arranged for water vapor permeable, but impermeable to air and exhaust gas membranes. On one side of the membranes now flows the air mass flow in the supply air line 12 , while on the other side of the membranes of the humid exhaust gas flow laden with the product water in the exhaust pipe 15 flows. This results in a moisture balance between the individual mass flows, so that after the air conveyor 11 typically hot and dry supply air is humidified by the present in the exhaust gas product water. The so cooled and humidified supply air is for the membranes 10 far better tolerable, as a non-humidified air. Depending on the use of membrane material and temperature level, the optional humidifier shown here can be used 19 but also be waived.

Will the vehicle 1 While the car is now involved in an accident, the active safety system is activated in a manner known per se as of a certain severity of the accident 60 of the vehicle and the evaluation of the data from the sensors 61.1 to 61.3 appropriate security measures triggered, for example, activated airbags and / or belt tensioners. Because in the storage tank 13 now hydrogen under a very high pressure, for example under a pressure of 700 bar and there is such a storage container 13 is often located in the rear of the vehicle, for example, below a trunk or the like, this area can by the accident or the crash of the vehicle 1 to be concerned with. By doing that, the storage tank 13 If the accident can be deformed or damaged without hydrogen leakage, this latent damage poses a significant risk if the container is improperly continued. So it may, for example, to a bursting of the storage container 13 at the next refueling lead. Such uncontrolled rupture could be caused by flying parts of occupants of the vehicle 1 and / or substantially endanger bystanders.

To such a scenario with a threat from the storage tank 13 to avoid using the hydrogen under high pressure is in the area of the storage tank 13 a device for emptying the same provided. In the presentation of the 3 is such a device on an embodiment of the storage container 13 exemplified The 3a shows the storage tank 13 in its closed structure, as it is commonly used. The storage tank 13 consists essentially of a here cylindrical tubular body 13.1 and two domed domes 13.2 , which this tubular body 13.1 close at both ends. The structure of the storage tank 13 In particular, when used for hydrogen, typically consists of a composite material, such that metallic layers and layers of fiber composite material to the storage container 13 are joined together. The storage tank 13 typically in the region of at least one of the domes 13.2 while corresponding connection elements 20 on. The representation of the storage container 13 according to 3 exemplifies such a connection element 20 in the area of one of his dome 13.2 on. This connection element 20 is via a line element with the valve device 14 connected and serves the hydrogen supply of the fuel cell 7 , In the area of the other cathedral 13.2 dash-dotted is a breaking point 21 to recognize. In the area of this predetermined breaking point 21 between the cathedral 13.2 and the body 13.1 of the storage container 13 is also an explosive charge 22 arranged in the form of a detonating cord. This detonating cord is, as shown by the dashed arrow, with the active safety system 60 of the vehicle 1 connected. Is it now, as already mentioned above, an accident or crash of the vehicle 1 in which the active security system 60 For example, the airbags triggers, then can through the active safety system 60 also a discharge signal for the storage container 13 to be provided. Such a discharge signal is then directly or indirectly for driving the detonating cord 22 used. Igniting the detonating cord causes a break along the predetermined breaking point 21 , so, as in the detailed representation of the 3b represented, the dome 13.2 along the predetermined breaking point of the main body 13 aborts. This creates a comparatively large discharge opening, which by igniting the detonating cord 22 is released. The one in the storage container 13 remaining hydrogen can escape very quickly through this discharge opening, as indicated by the arrows. As a result, the risk of which is a latent damage to the storage container 13 could no longer exist. The escaping hydrogen escapes because it is extremely light, typically upwards and can in the vehicle 1 optionally be directed by appropriate line elements or cavities targeted to the outside of the vehicle. If there is an ignition of the hydrogen, it will generally not explode, since there is no hydrogen / oxygen ratio of 2: 1, but only burn. Due to the fact that the hydrogen is extremely light, it will at best come to a jet of flame vertically upwards. If the accident takes place outside of buildings, parking garages or the like, such a jet flame burning up very quickly is generally not critical for the vehicle, the occupants and any personnel rushing to the aid.

In the presentation of the 4 is now an alternative embodiment of the storage container 13 or a section thereof to recognize. In the 4a is in turn a part of the body 13.1 of the storage container 13 with his one dome 13.2 shown. In the area of the cathedral 13.2 is another connection element 20 in addition to the connection element 13 for connecting the storage container 13 with the fuel cell 7 arranged. This connection element 20 is designed so that in the area of the connecting element 20 a closure element 23 is arranged, which is the storage container 13 tightly closes.

It is also located in the area of the connection element 20 again an explosive charge 22 , For example, also in the form of a detonating cord, which this closure element 23 surrounds. If it now comes to a triggering of the discharge signal through the electronics of the active safety system 60 , so in this case is the explosive charge 22 ignited and the closure element is out of the region of the connection element 20 blown up. The storage tank 13 then receives an opening through which the high-pressure hydrogen can flow out, as indicated by the arrows. Through the defined opening in the area of the connecting element 20 here can be a derivative of hydrogen to outside the vehicle 1 be made comparatively easily. In the presentation of the 4b is the same structure again with blasted closure element 23 to recognize. By the still big, but opposite the opening of the storage container 13 along a predetermined breaking point 21 slightly smaller opening will drain the storage tank 13 take longer, which is to be weighed depending on the application.

The in the 3 and 4 illustrated structures of the memory element 13 with an explosive charge 22 which is indicated by an emptying signal from the control of the active safety system 60 the vehicle can be ignited, can be so in combination with the already described typical crash sensors, which in the 1 With 61.1 to 61.3 are used. It can be classified similarly to the triggering of an airbag based on the sensor values, how heavy the accident is, so not already in light rear-end collisions an ignition of the explosive charge 22 takes place for emptying the hydrogen tank. In addition to or in addition to these typical crash sensors, additional sensors may be present, which in the representation of 1 in the area of the fuel cell system 4 are arranged and with 61.4 and 61.5 were designated. These sensors 61.4 and 61.5 can in particular in the area of the storage container 13 be arranged. For example, the sensor 61.4 be designed as a temperature sensor in the region of the storage container. If the temperature in the region of the storage container rises above a permissible limit value, for example in the case of a fire or the like, then this sensor can also be used as an alternative or in addition to the crash sensors 61.1 to 61.3 a discharge signal can be activated, resulting in a release of the explosive charge 22 and thus to emptying the storage container 13 leads. The in the representation of the 1 With 61.5 designated sensor to represent a pressure sensor. Such a can also optionally in the area of - or in particular - in the storage container 13 to be available. Such a pressure sensor 61.5 can detect the pressure in the storage tank. If, for example, a fire or the like occurs, the pressure inside the storage container becomes 13 rise above a predetermined limit. If such a value above the limit value of the pressure sensor 61.5 is detected, then can through the active security system 60 also the direct or indirect ignition of the explosive charge 22 to be triggered.

In the presentation of the 5 is now another alternative embodiment of the storage container 13 or a section of the storage container 13 to recognize. Again, there is a connection element in the area of the cathedral 13.2 , In the connection element 20 is a thermal fuse shown in principle 24 arranged, which is also known as PRD. The functionality of the thermal fuse 24 is the case that when a temperature rises in the range of thermal fuse 24 at least part of the thermal fuse 24 , which may be formed, for example, as a fuse screw, liquefied or decomposed under the action of the high temperature so far that by the pressure of hydrogen and a flow channel 25 is released as it is in 5b can be seen. Through this flow channel 25 can then, as indicated by the arrow, in the storage container 13 located hydrogen escape analogous to the embodiments described above. When using such a thermal fuse 24 which is common in hydrogen tanks, may optionally be based on a temperature sensor 61.4 and a pressure sensor 61.5 in the area of the storage tank 13 be waived. The in the 5a and 5b illustrated construction of the thermal fuse 24 now has in addition to the usual from the prior art construction in the field of thermal protection 24 one or more of the explosive charges 22 on which with the active security system 60 are connected. In case that through the active security system 60 An emptying signal is triggered, here are the explosive charges 22 ignited and either the entire or part of the thermal fuse 24 or at least the fuse material in the channel 25 is removed, so that the hydrogen, as indicated by the arrow, can escape. This structure is comparatively easy to implement because thermal fuses in such storage containers 13 anyway known and customary. These can be achieved by using a simple detonating cord, which comes with the active safety system 60 connected, easy to use and without major additional structural measures, in addition to the pure thermal fuse 24 In addition, a device for emptying the storage container 13 through the active security system 60 provide.

The device for emptying the storage container 13 in case of emergency can via the sensors 61.1 to 61.5 and the active security system 60 be triggered in the event of a crash or when an overpressure or too high a temperature occurs. Additionally it is conceivable that the explosive charges 22 via a radio receiver 62 from outside the vehicle can be ignited. For this, the must also with the security system 60 connected radio receivers 62 receive a suitable signal, which is transmitted via the security system 60 generates a discharge signal. Such a signal can be triggered for example via a suitable radio transmitter, which can be carried by security forces, ambulance crews, paramedics or the fire department. Should this approach a vehicle with hydrogen tank and should not yet be clear whether from the storage tank 13 If there is a risk, then a discharge signal can be generated via a corresponding radio signal, provided that the explosive charges 22 not yet ignited, this ignites and thus for a targeted and planned emptying of the storage container 13 provides. After this is done, the rescue personnel, the fire department or the like can safely park near the vehicle 1 and / or inside the vehicle, for example in the vehicle 1 Exempt persons, medical care or the like.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102008003607 A1 [0005]

Claims (10)

Device for storing a high-pressure gas in a vehicle having an active safety system, with a storage container and a device for emptying the storage container, which can be activated by an emptying signal from the active safety system, characterized in that the device comprises at least one explosive charge ( 22 ). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage container ( 13 ) substantially as a cylindrical or conical tube ( 13.1 ) formed by two domes ( 13.2 ) is closed at its ends, wherein the means for emptying in at least one of the dome ( 13.2 ) is arranged. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the storage container ( 13 ) Predetermined breaking points ( 21 ) along which it passes through the ignition of the at least one explosive charge ( 22 ) with formation of at least one large-area discharge opening, is destructible. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the means for emptying as a connecting element ( 20 ) on the storage container ( 13 ) is formed, in which by the ignition of the at least one explosive charge ( 22 ) An emptying opening is releasable. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that in the region of the connecting element ( 20 ) a thermal fuse ( 24 ) is arranged, wherein at least their flow-through cross-section by igniting the explosive charge ( 22 ) is actively releasable. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the material flow of the emptied gas via line elements and / or cavities in the vehicle ( 1 ) in the exterior of the vehicle ( 1 ). Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one explosive charge ( 22 ) is designed as a detonating cord. Method for emptying a device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the active safety system ( 60 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ) triggers the emptying signal when one or more of the following occurs: 8.1 Crash sensors ( 61.1 . 61.2 . 61.3 ) of the security system ( 60 ) address; and / or 8.2 a temperature sensor ( 61.4 ) in the area of the storage container ( 13 ) detects a temperature above a predetermined limit temperature; and / or 8.3 a pressure sensor ( 60.5 ) in the region of the storage container, in particular in the storage container ( 13 ), detects a pressure value above a predetermined limit pressure; and / or 8.4 the active security system ( 60 ) receives a predetermined signal for triggering the emptying signal radio signal; after which at least indirectly the at least one explosive charge ( 22 ) is ignited. Use of the device according to one of claims 1 to 7 and / or the method according to claim 8, in a hydrogen-powered vehicle ( 1 ) wherein the hydrogen in the storage container ( 13 ) is stored. Use according to claim 9, characterized in that the hydrogen via a fuel cell system ( 4 ) is converted into electrical power which is then used to drive the vehicle ( 1 ) is being used.

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