DE102017004261A1 - gas valve - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a gas valve (8, 11, 12, 14) having at least one valve seat and a valve body, with at least one substantially acting in the flow direction spring means (9, 16, 17, 18) which cooperates with the valve body in the manner in that the valve body is held towards or away from the valve seat by the spring means (9, 16, 17, 18) towards the valve seat. The gas valve according to the invention is characterized in that the at least one spring means (9, 16, 17, 18) has a degressive-progressive spring characteristic.

Description

The invention relates to a gas valve having at least one valve seat and a valve body with at least one substantially acting in the direction of flow spring means according to the closer defined in the preamble of claim 1. Art also relates to the use of such a gas valve.

In gas valves, the use of spring means to push a valve body against a valve seat or to lift it off a valve seat is known in principle. These spring means are acting substantially in the direction of flow. One of the force components of their spring force thus acts in the flow direction or parallel to the central center axis of the valve. Examples of such valves are check valves or so-called pipe rupture, which are preferably used in gas lines. If the pipe shears or breaks after the valve, the pressure drops rapidly. The valve body is then pressed by a spring on the valve seat, so that no more gas can flow out. The direction of action is thus essentially the reverse, as in a check valve.

Such valves have now been shown to have a rather narrow gap between the valve seat and the valve body when flowing in the desired direction with a corresponding load on the spring. Especially in applications with high pressure and resulting high flow velocities, it is now very easy to vibrate the valve body, which can go so far that this strikes the valve seat. This can result in damage to the valve body or the valve seat, so that ultimately destroys the valve or at least particles of the valve seat or valve body are registered in the following components. In particular, in filigree high-pressure applications such as a tank valve for a compressed gas storage, in particular for hydrogen under a nominal pressure of 70 MPa, this represents a significant problem.

The JP 2008 256 098 A knows the general state of the art, a pipe rupture protection, which has a complex structure with a transverse to the direction of flow acting plate spring.

The object of the present invention is now to provide a gas valve according to the preamble of claim 1, which remedies the problem described.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a gas valve with the features in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the subclaims dependent thereon as well as the use claims.

In the gas valve according to the invention, it is provided that the spring means have a degressive-progressive spring characteristic. Such a degressive-progressive spring characteristic allows, in contrast to the usual linear spring characteristic a targeted interpretation of the trip point, for example, the gas valve when used as a pipe rupture protection or check valve. By using such a spring means a clearly defined switching point is possible for a given biasing force. As a result, vibrations of the system of spring means and valve body can be avoided and circumvent the problems described above. Because of its design, the spring means permits a spring characteristic which, given a clearly defined spring force and thus a clearly defined force on the valve body coupled to the spring, allows an increasing spring travel, so that the opening cross section becomes so large that the danger of excitation of vibrations is virtually ruled out is.

According to an advantageous development of the idea, it is provided that the degressive-progressive spring characteristic is designed as degressive-horizontal-progressive spring characteristic. Such a degressive-horizontal-progressive spring characteristic allows even more influence to adapt the above-described response ideally in adaptation to the flow cross-sections and the pressures and velocities of the gas occurring during the flow.

Another very advantageous embodiment of the idea provides that the spring characteristic is further removed from the linear characteristic by the degressive-progressive spring characteristic is formed according to this development of the idea as degressive-negative-progressive spring characteristic. As a result, even with a decrease in the force on the spring in certain design ranges to an abrupt and greatly increasing spring travel, so that the above-mentioned effect can be realized even more efficient.

As a spring means, which has such a degressive-progressive or degressive-horizontal-progressive or degressive-negative-progressive spring characteristic, for example, so-called buckling springs can be used. These springs, which find their use for example in computer keyboards, are very well suited for the construction according to the invention. In addition, they can be built accordingly small, so they too inside a filigree gas valve, for example, within the valve body of a tank valve, can be used ideally.

An alternative embodiment provides that the spring is formed with the spring characteristic according to the invention as a plate spring. Disc springs can be realized very easily with non-linear characteristics, so that they are very well suited for the implementation of the invention. An advantageous development of the idea may also provide that the spring means consist of several stacked disc springs, which makes the structure even more efficient, since no spring with a corresponding spring characteristic must be maintained, but that by a suitable selection of disc springs, the spring characteristic virtually "set" during installation in the desired manner.

An extraordinarily favorable embodiment of the gas valve according to the invention provides that the force direction of the spring means is aligned parallel to a central axis of a line having the gas valve. This construction, axially aligned with the line elements adjoining the gas valve, is particularly efficient with regard to the installation space required in the radial direction, so that the gas valve can be used without causing a significant increase in the required installation space with regard to the diameter.

A particularly preferred use of the gas valve according to the invention is the use of the gas valve as a pipe rupture protection or as a check valve, in particular as a normally closed check valve. Another use for the gas valve according to the invention also lends itself to an electromagnetically driven metering valve. In particular, by a degressive-negative-progressive spring characteristic is obtained here the decisive advantage that the holding current for the electromagnetic actuation of the metering valve can be reduced after the opening of the valve. This results in a reduction of the parasitic power consumption, so that overall the system efficiency of a system in which such a gas valve is used can be increased.

Exemplary of such a tank valve is intended to the JP 2009-168165 A , the US 2009/0146094 A1 as well as in the embodiment as a pilot valve on the EP 1 682 801 B1 be pointed out.

Further advantageous embodiments of the gas valve according to the invention and its use also result from the exemplary embodiment, which is described in more detail below with reference to the figures.

• 1 ein prinzipmäßig angedeutetes Fahrzeug mit einem Druckgasspeicher für Wasserstoff;
• 2 eine mögliche Ausführungsform eines Tankventils an einem Druckgasbehälter; und
• 3 mögliche Federkennlinien.

Showing:

• 1 a principle indicated vehicle with a compressed gas storage for hydrogen;
• 2 a possible embodiment of a tank valve on a compressed gas tank; and
• 3 possible spring characteristics.

In the presentation of the 1 is a vehicle designated in its entirety by 1 indicated in principle. The vehicle is operated with hydrogen, which is stored in a hydrogen storage system designated by 2 or hydrogen storage. This hydrogen storage, in which the hydrogen is stored under high pressure, for example at a nominal pressure of 70 MPa, typically has several individual pressurized gas containers 3 on. Each of these compressed gas tanks 3 has a Einschraubventil in the embodiment shown here 4 which is also known as OTV (On Tank Valve). In the presentation of the 2 is such an OTV purely exemplary and greatly simplified indicated. It comprises a refueling path designated by 5 as well as a withdrawal path designated by 6. A gas connection 7 is both about the sampling path 6 as well as via the refueling path 5 with the in the representation of 2 above the screw-in valve 4 lying inside of the gas cylinder 3 connected.

In the case of refueling, it is now so that the gas through the gas connection 7 and the refueling path 5 flows. A designated 8 check valve is against the force of its spring means 9 pressed on before the gas via an inlet pipe 10 in the interior of the respective compressed gas tank 3 flows. When removing the check valve remains 8th closed, so the refueling path 5 as a whole remains closed. In this case, the gas flows through a designated 11 pipe rupture protection and a check valve 12 , which in the case of refueling the sampling path 6 closes, and via a filter 13 to a withdrawal valve designated in its entirety by 14. This bleed valve has an electromagnetic drive, which by a coil 15 is indicated in principle. The valve may in particular be a so-called pilot valve, for example according to the above-mentioned prior art.

In practice, it is now so that at the relatively high pressures, for example, 70 MPa in the pressurized gas container 3 correspondingly high volume flows occur. These can be used with the typically used linear spring means 9 in the check valve 8th and the spring means 16 in the pipe rupture protection 11 . 17 in the check valve 12 as well as 18 in the withdrawal valve 14 to a swinging of the respective valve body lead the valve seat. In practice, this is highly undesirable, since on the one hand it can generate pressure pulsations in the volume flows and, in particular, it can lead to damage of the components. Namely, when the valve seat and the valve body hit one another, particle abrasion may occur. These particles settle in subsequent components and may impair their functionality. This is a serious disadvantage.

Therefore, in the place of spring means 9 . 16 . 17 and 18 with linear characteristics spring means 9 . 16 . 17 and 18 used, which have at least a degressive-progressive spring characteristic, in particular a degressive-horizontal-progressive spring characteristic or even a degressive-negative-progressive spring characteristic. An exemplary characteristic curve for such characteristics is shown in the illustration of 3 to recognize. The solid spring characteristic represents the degressive-progressive course of the spring force F on the y-axis relative to the spring travel s on the x-axis, the dotted spring characteristic the degressive-horizontal-progressive course and the dashed spring characteristic the degressive-negative-progressive course , Such spring characteristics are now ideal in the two check valves 12 . 8th as well as the pipe burst protection 16 and the extraction valve 14 deploy. In the check valves 8th . 12 this leads to the fact that, for example, the check valve 8th in the filling path 5 , which is designed as normally closed check valve, a structure can be achieved, which on the one hand allows a clear switching point, ie a clear pressure, from which the check valve 8th opens. It is then fully open, especially when using a degressive-negative-progressive spring characteristic at a clearly defined spring force of the travel abruptly and greatly increases, so that a high degree of opening the check valve can be achieved. This reduces the flow resistance and the risk of a swinging of the valve body relative to the valve seat. The check valve 12 which in the case of filling the removal path 6 closes and this opens in Abnahmefall is in the normal state, ie without pressure, also closed. Even at a low flow rate of the removal should be the largest possible opening of the check valve 12 be achieved, so that here also a degressive-negative-progressive spring characteristic an ideal structure can be achieved. As a result, a clear switching point and the most complete opening of the valve are possible. Again, this ultimately leads to vibrations of the valve body relative to the valve seat are reduced accordingly.

In the pipe rupture protection 11 a similar spring characteristic can be used. Here, this is to be interpreted so that also a clearly defined switching point arises, from which the valve body of the pipe rupture protection 11 is pressed against the valve seat and the valve closes completely. On the other hand, when the pipe rupture protection is open 16 , So in normal operation, a correspondingly large flow cross-section are available, on the one hand again to reduce the risk of Aufschwingens and on the other hand to ensure the most efficient flow possible. The pipe rupture protection 11 and the check valve 12 can also be combined, as in the older application DE 10 2016 008 442 the applicant is described.

Also in the case of the electromagnetically controlled extraction valve 14 offers the use of a degressive-negative-progressive spring characteristic. The valve is controlled by an electrical control of the electromagnetic coil 15 opened accordingly. Normally, it must be against the force of the spring means 18 be kept open, resulting in a correspondingly high electrical power to the electric coil 15 needed. A suitable spring characteristic with degressive-negative-progressive characteristic, this holding current can be significantly reduced after opening the valve, the valve then despite the reduced holding current to the coil 15 remains open. This allows the power consumption of the component and thus ultimately the parasitic power in the vehicle 1 reduce what makes this accordingly more efficient.

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

• JP 2008256098 A [0004]
• JP 2009168165 A [0014]
• US 2009/0146094 A1 [0014]
• EP 1682801 B1 [0014]
• DE 102016008442 [0021]

Claims (10)

Gas valve (8, 11, 12, 14) having at least one valve seat and a valve body, with at least one substantially acting in the flow direction spring means (9, 16, 17, 18), which cooperates with the valve body in the manner that the valve body held in the direction of the valve seat to or from the valve seat by the spring means (9, 16, 17, 18), characterized in that the at least one spring means (9, 16, 17, 18) has a degressive-progressive spring characteristic. Gas valve (8, 11, 12, 14) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one spring means (9, 16, 17, 18) has a degressive-horizontal-progressive spring characteristic. Gas valve (8, 11, 12, 14) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one spring means (9, 16, 17, 18) has a degressive-negative-progressive spring characteristic. Gas valve (8, 11, 12, 14) after Claim 1 . 2 or 3 , characterized in that the at least one spring means (9, 16, 17, 18) has at least one buckling spring. Gas valve (8, 11, 12, 14) after Claim 1 . 2 or 3 , characterized in that the at least one spring means (9, 16, 17, 18) has at least one plate spring. Gas valve (8, 11, 12, 14) after Claim 5 , characterized in that the at least one spring means (9, 16, 17, 18) is formed by a package of disc springs. Gas valve (8, 11, 12, 14) after one of the Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the direction of force of the spring means (9, 16, 17, 18) is aligned parallel to a central axis of the gas valve (8, 11, 12, 14) having line. Use of the gas valve (8, 11, 12, 14) according to one of Claims 1 to 7 as a pipe burst protection (11). Use of the gas valve (8, 11, 12, 14) according to one of Claims 1 to 7 as a check valve (8, 12), in particular normally closed. Use of the gas valve (8, 11, 12, 14) according to one of Claims 1 to 7 as an electromagnetically actuated removal valve (14).

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