DE102020128478A1 - Pressure vessel system and method for heating a pressure vessel and/or an extraction line of a pressure vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the invention, the technology disclosed here relates to a pressure vessel system (20) for installation in a motor vehicle (10), the pressure vessel system (20) having a pressure vessel (30) for storing a fuel for driving the motor vehicle (10), a withdrawal line (40) for Extraction of fuel from the pressure vessel (30) and a heating device (50) for heating the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30), the heating device (50) for conducting gas or gas mixture to the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30) is designed in a non-circulation for transferring heat from the gas or the gas mixture to the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30).

Description

The technology disclosed herein relates to a pressure vessel system and method for heating a pressure vessel and/or a pressure vessel extraction line.

When fuel, such as hydrogen, is stored under high pressure in a pressure vessel in an automobile, the fuel cools as it is removed from the pressure vessel. This also cools the sampling line, the components it contains, such as a pressure regulator and/or valves, and the pressure vessel. This leads to severe (structural) stress on the sampling line, the components it contains and the pressure vessel due to the low temperatures that occur.

It is a preferred object of the technology disclosed herein to mitigate or obviate at least one disadvantage of a previously known solution or to propose an alternative solution. In particular, it is a preferred object of the technology disclosed here to provide a pressure vessel system and a method in which cooling of the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel is reduced by the extraction of the fuel from the pressure vessel. Other preferred objects may arise from the beneficial effects of the technology disclosed herein. The object(s) is/are solved by the subject matter of patent claim 1, the subject matter of patent claim 12 and the subject matter of patent claim 13 of the independent patent claims. The dependent claims represent preferred embodiments.

In particular, the object is achieved by a pressure vessel system for installation in a motor vehicle, the pressure vessel system having a pressure vessel for storing fuel for driving the motor vehicle, an extraction line for extracting fuel from the pressure vessel and a heating device for heating the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel wherein the heating device is designed to conduct gas or gas mixture to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel in a non-circulation for transferring heat from the gas or the gas mixture to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel.

An advantage of this is that the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel can be heated in a technically simple manner. It is also advantageous that there is no circuit of a fluid, so that the device is technically particularly simple and there is no risk of leaks in a circuit or a return line or the like. The extraction line and the components it contains, e.g. pressure reducer or pressure regulator, valves and/or the pressure vessel, are therefore not cooled down too much by the fuel extracted from the pressure vessel. Consequently, the extraction line, the components contained in it and/or the pressure vessel do not have to withstand very low temperatures. The pressure vessel system can thus be designed in a technically simple and particularly cost-effective manner. By heating the extraction line or the pressure vessel, the fuel in the extraction line or in the pressure vessel is of course also heated. This also reliably prevents fuel that is too cold from reaching a fuel cell or similar from the pressure vessel, for example. It is also conceivable that only a certain area or a certain point of the extraction line, e.g. a valve, is heated by the gas or gas mixture.

In addition to the line through which the fuel is conducted from the pressure vessel, the removal line can include other components, such as a pressure reducer or pressure regulator, valves.

The fuel can be hydrogen.

Conducting a gas or gas mixture in a non-circulation can mean in particular that the gas or gas mixture is not transported back and forth between two points, but rather the gas or gas mixture is only conducted or conducted from a first point to a second point will. The gas or gas mixture thus moves from the first point to the second point. An active or targeted return movement/feedback of the gas or gas mixture from the second point back to the first point does not take place. In particular, there is no closed circuit and consequently no return line for the gas or gas mixture.

A non-circulation can mean in particular that the system is open, i.e. new gas or gas mixture is constantly entering the system and is being conducted/conducted to the surface of the extraction line or to the surface of the pressure vessel. In the case of non-circulation, where the gas or gas mixture ends up after the extraction line or pressure vessel has been heated is not controlled.

The extraction line can in particular be a line that is directly connected to the pressure vessel. It is possible that there are no other lines between the pressure vessel and the extraction line. In particular, it is possible that there is no expansion machine or type of energy (re) recovery device is present.

A heating device can in particular be a device that leads the gas or gas mixture to the extraction line or the pressure vessel and transfers heat from the gas or gas mixture to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel. The heating device can be used in particular to heat the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel and the fuel located therein.

In particular, the object is also achieved by a motor vehicle comprising a pressure vessel as described above.

In particular, the object is also achieved by a method for heating a pressure vessel and/or an extraction line of a pressure vessel for storing a fuel in a motor vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: conducting gas or gas mixture to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel in a Non-circulation for transferring heat from the gas or gas mixture to the extraction line and/or pressure vessel.

The advantage of this method is that the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel is/are heated in a technically particularly simple manner. In addition, no circuit of a fluid for transporting the heat is necessary or present for this method, so that the device is technically particularly simple and there is no risk of leaks in a circuit or a return line or the like. This procedure reliably prevents the sampling line and the components it contains, e.g. pressure reducer or pressure regulator, valves, and/or the pressure vessel from being cooled down too much by the fuel. Thus, with this method, the sampling line, the components contained in it and/or the pressure vessel do not have to withstand very low temperatures. The method can therefore be carried out with a technically particularly simple and cost-effective pressure vessel system. By heating the extraction line or the pressure vessel, the fuel in the extraction line or in the pressure vessel is of course also heated. This method therefore reliably prevents fuel that is too cold from reaching a fuel cell or the like, for example. It is possible that this process only heats a certain area or point of the extraction line, e.g. a valve, through the gas or gas mixture.

According to one embodiment of the pressure vessel system, the heating device is designed to conduct gas or gas mixture over a surface of the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel in a non-circulation for transferring heat from the gas or the gas mixture to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel. The advantage here is that the pressure vessel system can be technically particularly simple. In addition, the removal line or the pressure vessel does not necessarily have to be specially designed.

The surface of the extraction line or the pressure vessel can be the outer or outermost surface of the extraction line or the pressure vessel. The gas or gas mixture can thus flow outside via the extraction line or the pressure vessel. It is also conceivable that the gas or gas mixture is guided at least partially in a type of tunnel or line. The gas or gas mixture also flows over part of the surface of the extraction line or the pressure vessel and heats the latter. It is conceivable that there is a heat exchanger in which the gas or gas mixture flows over the surface of the extraction line or the pressure vessel.

According to one embodiment of the pressure vessel system, the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel has an enlarged surface for transferring heat from the gas or gas mixture flowing over the surface to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel. An advantage of this is that a particularly efficient heat transfer takes place from the gas or gas mixture to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel. The surface is increased, i.e. the surface of the extraction line has a larger surface area than it should actually have or what is physically necessary to close off the extraction line or the pressure vessel and to enclose the fuel.

According to one embodiment of the pressure vessel system, the pressure vessel system is designed such that the gas or gas mixture was at least partially heated by the waste heat from an engine of the motor vehicle before it flowed to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel. Since the motor, for example an electric motor or a petrol engine, generates waste heat anyway, the waste heat can be used in this way. Thus, no additional heat has to be generated in the motor vehicle to heat the extraction line or the pressure vessel. In addition, this allows the motor to be cooled, which increases the efficiency of the motor. The gas or gas mixture can before flowing over the surface of the sampling line and / or the pressure vessel Holders are at least partially heated by the waste heat from an engine of the motor vehicle.

According to one embodiment of the pressure vessel system, the pressure vessel system is designed in such a way that the gas or the gas mixture has been at least partially heated by the waste heat of a fuel cell of the motor vehicle before it flows to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel. One advantage of this is that no additional heat has to be generated to heat up the extraction line or the pressure vessel. The fuel in the pressure vessel can be hydrogen, for example. The pressure vessel system can thus be of particularly simple technical design. The efficiency of the fuel cell can be increased as a result. The gas or the gas mixture can be at least partially heated by the waste heat of a fuel cell of the motor vehicle before it flows over the surface of the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel.

According to one embodiment of the pressure vessel system, the gas mixture comprises or is ambient air. The advantage of this is that the ambient air provides an infinite source of heat in practice, since the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel are usually cooled well below the ambient temperature by the extraction of the fuel. In addition, the ambient air can be routed to the extraction line or the pressure vessel in a particularly simple manner from a technical point of view. The ambient air can be the relative wind when the motor vehicle is being moved. This means that the relative wind is guided in such a way that it flows over the surface of the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel. Before the ambient air is conducted to the pressure vessel and/or the extraction line or over the surface of the pressure vessel and/or the extraction line, the ambient air can be used to cool the engine and/or the fuel cell of the motor vehicle. As a result, the ambient air is heated.

According to one embodiment of the pressure vessel system, the increased surface area of the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel comprises outwardly protruding ribs. As a result, the enlarged surface can be designed in a particularly simple manner from a technical point of view. In addition, the heat is transferred particularly efficiently from the gas or gas mixture to the extraction line or the pressure vessel.

According to one embodiment of the pressure vessel system, the surface of the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel comprises or consists of a material with a high coefficient of thermal conductivity. One advantage of this is that the fuel in the extraction line and/or in the pressure vessel can be heated particularly efficiently by the gas or gas mixture. Another advantage of this is that the heat can be efficiently transferred from the extraction line to the fuel or other components of the extraction line, e.g. pressure regulators or valves, and/or the pressure vessel. Thus, a gas or gas mixture that is not routed directly through the pressure regulator or the valve can also heat up the pressure regulator or the valve.

According to one embodiment of the pressure vessel system, the extraction line has a length that is greater than the length of a shortest connection from the pressure vessel to a fuel sink or to a pressure valve. One advantage of this is that the fuel or the extraction line can be heated over a particularly large distance or heat can be transferred from the gas or gas mixture to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel over a particularly large area. This means that a particularly large amount of heat can be transferred.

A fuel sink can include or be another line or a fuel cell.

A fuel sink can in particular be a location at which fuel is consumed or from which the fuel is forwarded by means of a further line. This means that fuel that is transported to the fuel sink does not usually collect there, but instead travels away from the fuel sink.

According to one embodiment of the pressure vessel system, the pressure vessel system has a temperature measuring device for detecting a temperature of the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel and/or the fuel therein, with the gas or gas mixture flowing to the extraction line and/or the Pressure vessel for transferring heat from the gas or gas mixture is directed to the extraction line and / or the pressure vessel. The advantage here is that the conducting of the gas or gas mixture can be carried out depending on the temperature of the pressure regulator or the valve or the extraction line or the pressure vessel. Thus, when a particularly low temperature is detected, gas or gas mixture can be passed over the surface of the extraction line. It is possible that at a temperature higher than the specified temperature, no gas or gas mixture is routed to the extraction line or the pressure vessel. Consequently, the minimum temperature of the sampling line or the pressure vessel can be limited.

According to one embodiment of the pressure vessel system, the heating device comprises a fan and/or a blower for moving the gas or gas mixture to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel for transferring heat from the gas or gas mixture to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel. One advantage of this is that the gas or gas mixture can be routed to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel independently of any movement of the motor vehicle. In addition, more gas or gas mixture can be routed to the extraction line and/or to the pressure vessel than purely by a relative wind. The extraction line and/or the pressure vessel can thus be heated to a particularly high degree. The fan or blower can direct the gas or gas mixture over the surface of the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel.

According to one embodiment of the method, the gas or gas mixture is at least partially heated by the waste heat from an engine of the motor vehicle before it flows to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel. With this method, since the engine such as an electric motor or a gasoline engine generates waste heat anyway, the waste heat thereof can be used efficiently. Therefore, no additional heat has to be generated in the motor vehicle to heat the extraction line or the pressure vessel. In addition, this allows the motor to be cooled, which increases the efficiency of the motor. The motor can be designed to drive the motor vehicle.

According to one embodiment of the method, the gas or the gas mixture is at least partially heated by the waste heat of a fuel cell of the motor vehicle before it flows to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel. The advantage of this method is that no additional heat has to be generated to heat up the sampling line or the pressure vessel. The fuel in the pressure vessel can be hydrogen, for example. Consequently, the method or the pressure vessel system used in the method can be technically particularly simple. The efficiency of the fuel cell can be increased by this method.

According to one embodiment of the method, the gas mixture comprises or is ambient air. An advantage of this method is that, in the form of the ambient air, a practically infinite source of heat is available, since the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel are usually cooled well below the ambient temperature by the extraction of the fuel. In the method, the ambient air can be routed to the extraction line or the pressure vessel in a particularly simple manner from a technical point of view. The ambient air can be the relative wind when the motor vehicle is being moved. This means that in this method the relative wind is guided in such a way that it flows to the surface of the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel, in particular over the surface thereof. In this method, the ambient air can be used to cool the engine and/or the fuel cell of the motor vehicle before the ambient air is routed to the pressure vessel and/or the extraction line. As a result, the ambient air is heated.

According to one embodiment of the method, the method further comprises the following steps: detecting a temperature of the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel and/or the fuel in the extraction line and/or in the pressure vessel; and comparing the detected temperature with a specified temperature, with the gas or gas mixture being conducted to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel to transfer heat from the gas or gas mixture to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel if the determined temperature falls below the predetermined temperature and/or the amount of gas or gas mixture fed to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel for transferring heat from the gas or gas mixture to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel is increased. One advantage of this method is that the gas or gas mixture is conducted as a function of the temperature of the pressure regulator or the valve or the extraction line or the pressure vessel or the fuel therein. Consequently, with this method, gas or gas mixture can be routed to the sampling line or the pressure vessel at a detected particularly low temperature. It is possible with this method that no gas or gas mixture is fed to the extraction line and/or the pressure vessel at a temperature higher than the predetermined temperature. Consequently, the minimum temperature of the sampling line or the pressure vessel can be limited by this method.

The technology disclosed here relates to a fuel cell system with at least one fuel cell. The fuel cell system is intended, for example, for mobile applications such as motor vehicles (e.g. passenger cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles), in particular for providing the energy for at least one drive unit for moving the motor vehicle. In its simplest form, a fuel cell is an electrochemical energy converter that converts fuel (e.g., hydrogen) and oxidants (e.g., air, oxygen, and peroxides) into reaction products, producing electricity and heat in the process.

The fuel cell system disclosed here includes at least one cooling circuit that is set up to control the temperature of the fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system. The cooling circuit expediently comprises at least one heat exchanger, at least one coolant conveyor and at least one fuel cell. A plurality of fuel cells are preferably combined to form a fuel cell stack through which the coolant flows. The at least one heat exchanger is, for example, a cooler through which air flows and can be supported by a fan. The cooling circuit is generally designed in such a way that coolant can circulate between the heat exchanger and the at least one fuel cell. In particular, the coolant heated in the at least one fuel cell can flow from the fuel cell into the at least one heat exchanger, where it then cools down before it then flows back into the fuel cell. Although we are talking about coolant here, this coolant is not just limited to cooling. Rather, the coolant can also be used for heating or generally for tempering the at least one fuel cell. Water with appropriate additives is preferably used as the coolant. The cooling system can also be used for the equal distribution of heat (ie the avoidance of higher temperature gradients) within the fuel cells or within the fuel cell stack.

The technology disclosed here relates to a compressed hydrogen storage system for a motor vehicle (e.g. passenger cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles). The pressure vessel system is used to store fuel that is gaseous under ambient conditions. The pressure vessel system can be used, for example, in a motor vehicle that is operated with compressed (also called Compressed Natural Gas or CNG) or liquefied (also called Liquid Natural Gas or LNG) natural gas or with hydrogen.

Such a pressure vessel system comprises at least one pressure vessel. The pressure vessel can be, for example, a cryogenic pressure vessel or a high-pressure gas vessel.

High-pressure gas tank systems are designed to store fuel (e.g. hydrogen) essentially at ambient temperatures permanently at a nominal operating pressure (also known as nominal working pressure or NWP) of at least 350 barg (= excess pressure compared to atmospheric pressure) or at least 500 barg or at least 700 barg.

The cryogenic pressure vessel system includes a cryogenic pressure vessel. The cryogenic pressure vessel can store fuel in the liquid or supercritical aggregate state. A supercritical state of aggregation is a thermodynamic state of a substance that has a higher temperature and pressure than the critical point. The critical point denotes the thermodynamic state in which the densities of the gas and liquid of the substance coincide, i.e. the substance is present in a single phase. While one end of the vapor pressure curve is marked by the triple point in a pT diagram, the critical point represents the other end. For hydrogen, the critical point is at 33.18 K and 13.0 bar. A cryogenic pressure vessel is particularly suitable for storing the fuel at temperatures that are well below the operating temperature (meaning the temperature range of the vehicle environment in which the vehicle is to be operated) of the motor vehicle, for example at least 50 Kelvin, preferably at least 100 Kelvin or At least 150 Kelvin below the operating temperature of the motor vehicle (usually approx. - 40°C to approx. +85°C). The fuel can be hydrogen, for example, which is stored in the cryogenic pressure vessel at temperatures of approx. 34 K to 360 K. The cryogenic pressure vessel can in particular comprise an inner vessel which is designed for a nominal operating pressure (also called nominal working pressure or NWP) of approx. 350 bar overpressure (= excess pressure compared to atmospheric pressure), preferably approx 700 barg or more. The fuel is stored in the inner container. The outer container preferably closes off the pressure container from the outside. The cryogenic pressure vessel preferably comprises a vacuum with an absolute pressure in the range from 10 ^-9 mbar to 10 ^-1 mbar, more preferably from 10 ^-7 mbar to 10 ^{-3 mbar} and particularly preferably from approx the inner container and the outer container in an evacuated (intermediate) space or vacuum V is arranged. Storage at temperatures (just) above the critical point has the advantage over storage at temperatures below the critical point that the storage medium is single-phase. For example, there is no interface between liquid and gaseous.

A combination of a solenoid operated valve, a manually operated valve and a thermal pressure relief device (TPRD) is typically referred to as an on-tank valve (OTV). The electromagnetically actuated valve and the manually actuated valve can in particular be connected in series, one of which can represent a tank shut-off valve. Furthermore, an on-tank valve includes type-safe Also known as a bleed port or bleed valve. A bleed port is typically a connection through which gas can be released from a pressure vessel even if the valves fail. A bleedvalve is a valve with such functionality. The on-tank valve is typically the valve assembly mounted directly at one end of the pressure vessel and in direct fluid communication with the interior of the pressure vessel.

The technology disclosed herein also relates to a tank shut-off valve. The tank shut-off valve is the valve whose inlet pressure (substantially) corresponds to the tank pressure. The tank shut-off valve is in particular a controllable or regulatable and in particular normally closed valve. The tank shut-off valve is usually integrated into an on-tank valve. In Regulation (EU) No. 406/2010 of the Commission of April 26, 2010 for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No. 79/2009 of the European Parliament and Council on the type approval of hydrogen-powered motor vehicles, such a tank shut-off valve is also referred to as the first valve.

The pressure vessel system disclosed herein includes at least one pressure relief valve or blow-off valve (ABV) for blowing off fuel. The overpressure valve can be a device that is activated and can be closed again by the pressure in the pressure vessel. In particular, the pressure relief valve allows the fuel to gradually escape into the environment or into a collection device external to the vehicle. Such a collection device can be used, for example, in the case of service. Downstream of the pressure relief valve, a so-called blow-off management system or boil-off management system (hereinafter: BMS) can be used, for example. A BMS may include a catalytic converter that synthesizes fuel (e.g., hydrogen) with oxygen from ambient air into water. The pressure relief valve preferably opens as soon as the pressure in the pressure vessel system is slightly above the maximum operating pressure, e.g. 10% above the maximum operating pressure.

The pressure vessel system disclosed herein further includes at least one pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve relieves the pressure vessel system if the pressure in the pressure vessel system reaches or exceeds the release pressure of the pressure vessel system. The pressure relief valve is preferably a mechanical valve which can be opened and closed again. The triggering pressure is greater than the maximum operating pressure, e.g. about 10% to about 20% greater than the maximum operating pressure. In particular, the pressure relief valve is designed in such a way that the pressure relief valve usually triggers before excessive pressure could damage the components of the pressure vessel system.

The technology disclosed herein further includes at least one pressure reducer. The pressure reducer is arranged downstream of the at least one pressure vessel and upstream of the at least one fuel cell in the anode subsystem. The pressure reducer is designed to reduce the fuel inlet pressure present at the inlet of the pressure reducer to a fuel outlet pressure or rear pressure present at the outlet of the pressure reducer. In the simplest form, this can be a choke. As a rule, the pressure reducer includes a pressure reducing valve which, despite different input pressures, ensures that a specific output pressure is not exceeded on the output side. The fuel expands in the pressure reducer. A first pressure reducer (also known as a high pressure regulator) and a second pressure reducer (e.g. fuel injector) downstream are preferably used.

The technology disclosed here relates to a motor vehicle (e.g. passenger car, motorcycle, commercial vehicle) comprising the pressure vessel system disclosed here.

In other words, the technology disclosed herein relates to a pressure vessel system or a method in which gas or gas mixture is passed to the pressure vessel or the extraction line in a non-circulation for heating the pressure vessel and/or the extraction line.

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform der hier offenbarten Technologie; und
• 2 eine schematische Ansicht einer zweiten Ausführungsform der hier offenbarten Technologie.

The technology disclosed here will now be explained with reference to the figures. Show it:

• 1 a schematic view of a first embodiment of the technology disclosed herein; and
• 2 Figure 12 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the technology disclosed herein.

1 Figure 12 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of the technology disclosed herein.

The pressure vessel system 20 is designed to be installed in a motor vehicle 10 . The pressure vessel system 20 includes a pressure vessel 30 in which a fuel, such as hydrogen, may be or is stored. The fuel can be used to operate a fuel cell 70 in the motor vehicle 10 . The fuel or fuel cell 70 may be used to power the motor vehicle 10 .

The fuel is removed from the pressure vessel 30 by means of a removal line 40 . The extraction line 40 is in fluid communication with the interior of the pressure vessel 30 or can be brought into fluid communication with the interior of the pressure vessel 30 by opening a valve. The extraction line 40 can lead the fuel from the pressure vessel 30 to a fuel sink, ie to a location where the fuel is consumed (eg the fuel cell 70) or from which it is subsequently transported further.

In addition to the actual line for conducting the fuel, the withdrawal line 40 can have one or more valves, one or more pressure regulators 60 or pressure reducers and/or one or more distribution elements for dividing the fuel. The pressure regulator 60 or pressure reducer is typically not an expansion machine, so during expansion, as a rule, no energy is recovered or work is performed by the fuel. The valve or valves can include or be, for example, the tank shut-off valve, the pressure relief valve and/or the on-tank valve.

When fuel is removed from the pressure vessel 30, the fuel in the pressure vessel 30 cools down as a result of expansion, and thus also the fuel that is removed from the pressure vessel 30. As a result, the pressure vessel 30 and the removal line 40 (and, if present, the pressure reducer and/or the valves) are also cooled. In order to prevent these elements from cooling down too much, which leads to mechanical or thermal stress, at least parts of the elements, i.e. sampling line 40, pressure reducer, valves and/or pressure vessel 30, are filled with a gas or a gas mixture according to the technology disclosed here heated. In this way, of course, the fuel itself in the pressure vessel 30 or in the removal line 40 is also heated. This also prevents fuel that is too cold from reaching the fuel cell.

To heat pressure vessel 30 and/or extraction line 40, at least while the fuel is being extracted from pressure vessel 30 through extraction line 40, a gas or gas mixture is conducted or conducted to pressure vessel 30 or extraction line 40 by means of a heating device 50. In particular, to heat the pressure vessel 30 and/or the extraction line 40, the gas or the gas mixture can be conducted or allowed to flow over the surface or part of the surface of the pressure vessel 30 or the extraction line 40.

Heat can be transferred from the gas or gas mixture to the Pressure vessel 30 and / or the extraction line 40 (and of course on the fuel therein) are transferred. The gas or gas mixture cools down by flowing over the surface of the pressure vessel 30 or the extraction line 40, while the extraction line 40 and/or the pressure vessel 30 are heated.

The gas or gas mixture can be or have been heated by the waste heat of the fuel cell 70 and/or a motor 80 (e.g. an electric motor that is supplied with electricity by the fuel cell 70) before the gas or gas mixture is sent to the pressure vessel 30 and/or or the extraction line 40, in particular over the surface of the pressure vessel 30 or the extraction line 40, respectively. It is also conceivable that the gas or gas mixture is additionally heated by means of a heater.

The heating by the gas or gas mixture by means of the heating device 50 prevents the pressure vessel 30 and/or the extraction line 40 or the fuel therein from cooling down too much. By heating the extraction line 40 or the valves and/or pressure reducers, which are part of the extraction line 40, by means of the heating device 50, the valves and/or the pressure reducers are reliably prevented from becoming leaky. In addition, this extends the service life of the components.

In the case of the heating device 50 , the gas or gas mixture is conducted in a non-circulation to the pressure vessel 30 or the removal line 40 . This means that the gas or gas mixture is not, at least not actively or not specifically, after the gas or gas mixture has flowed to the pressure vessel 30 and/or to the extraction line 40, in particular over the surface of the pressure vessel 30 and/or the extraction line 40, is fed back to the heat source for heating the gas or gas mixture. The gas or gas mixture is thus not “trapped” or imprisoned in a closed circuit between the pressure vessel 30 or removal line 40 and the heat source for heating the gas or gas mixture.

For example, the gas mixture can be air. The air is conveyed from the heat source, e.g. the fuel cell 70 or a heat exchanger of a cooling circuit of the fuel cell 70, which emits heat, to the pressure vessel 30 or the extraction line by appropriate structural design of the pressure vessel system 20 and/or by active fans or ventilators or the like 40 or passed over the surface of the pressure vessel 30 or the removal line 40. By flowing over the surface, at least partial heat equalization takes place between the gas or gas mixture and the surface of the pressure vessel 30 or the extraction line 40 . The gas or gas mixture here has a higher temperature than the surface of the pressure vessel 30 or the extraction line 40, since the latter are cooled by the fuel extraction.

In 1 a hot air line 55 is shown for illustration purposes, through which the gas or gas mixture is conducted from the heat source to the pressure vessel 30 or to the extraction line 40 . The hot air duct 55 is optional.

As an alternative to this, the gas or gas mixture can be conducted to the extraction line 40 and/or the pressure vessel 30 by the arrangement of the heat source and the extraction line 40 or the pressure vessel 30 and the spatial configuration of the enclosing space.

The gas mixture can include or be ambient air and/or headwind that arises when motor vehicle 10 is moving. The ambient air or the relative wind can flow directly to the extraction line 40 and/or the pressure vessel 30 . It is conceivable that the ambient air or the relative wind first flows over the heat source or over the surface of the heat source before the ambient air or relative wind is routed or routed to the extraction line 40 and/or the pressure vessel 30 .

The heat source that heats the gas or gas mixture before the gas or gas mixture flows or is conducted over the surface of the extraction line 40 or the pressure vessel 30 can be the fuel cell 70 . The gas or gas mixture can cool the fuel cell 70 directly or can cool a heat exchanger of a cooling circuit of the fuel cell 70 . The heat can thus be conducted from the fuel cell 70 to the vicinity of the extraction line 40 or the pressure vessel 30 through the cooling circuit, and is then moved to the extraction line 40 or the pressure vessel 30 by the flow or conduction of the gas or gas mixture.

The extraction line 40 or the pressure vessel 30 (and the fuel therein) are heated by means of the heating device 50 by convection. The convection mainly takes place in one direction (in a non-circulation), i.e. the gas or gas mixture is not (actively) returned to the heat source after heat has been given off to the extraction line 40 or the pressure vessel 30, as is shown in a cooling/heating circuit usually takes place.

Because the heating device does not have a circuit or there is no circuit, the pressure vessel system 20 is technically particularly simple. In addition, the problem of circuit leakage does not exist with the technology disclosed here.

The surface of the extraction line 40 (or the valves and/or the pressure reducer that are part of the extraction line 40) and/or the pressure vessel 30 can have a material with a high coefficient of thermal conductivity λ. As a result, the extraction line 40 and/or the pressure vessel 30 can conduct the heat particularly efficiently to the fuel in the extraction line 40 or in the pressure vessel 30 . Thus, the extraction line 40 and/or the pressure vessel 30 can absorb the heat from the gas or gas mixture particularly efficiently. The coefficient of thermal conductivity can be at least approximately 5 W/(m*K), in particular at least 10 W/(m*K), preferably more than 100 W/(m*K). The surface of the extraction line 40 or of the pressure vessel 30 can, for example, have or consist of aluminum and/or an aluminum alloy.

The pressure vessel system 20 may include a temperature sensing device for sensing the temperature of a portion of the extraction line 40 (e.g., the temperature of the pressure regulator and/or the valve) and/or the pressure vessel 30 and/or the fuel therein. If it is determined by comparing the detected temperature with a predetermined temperature value that a part of the extraction line 40 and / or the pressure vessel 30 and / or the fuel is too cold or too warm, the amount of gas or gas mixture via the surface of the extraction line 40 and/or the pressure vessel 30 is conducted or allowed to flow, increased (if the temperature of the extraction line 40 and/or the pressure vessel 30 and/or the fuel is too low) or reduced (if the temperature of the extraction line 40 and/or the fuel is too high) or the pressure vessel 30 and/or the fuel). In this way, the temperature of the extraction line 40 and/or the pressure vessel 30 can be kept within a predetermined temperature range.

The temperature measuring device can, for example, control flaps and/or fans or ventilators to increase or decrease the quantity of gas or gas mixture that is fed to the extraction line 40 and/or the pressure vessel 30, in particular via the surface of the extraction line 40 and/or the pressure vessel 30 , is directed.

The extraction line 40 and/or the pressure vessel 30 can have an increased surface area. In this context, enlarged means that the extraction line 40 and/or the pressure vessel 30 have a larger surface area than would be physically necessary in order to allow a certain quantity of fuel to flow through the extraction line 40 or to store a certain quantity of fuel in the pressure vessel 30. For example, the increased surface area may include ribs that protrude outward. As a result, the heat transfer per unit of time from the gas or gas mixture to the extraction line 40 and/or the pressure vessel 30 can be increased.

The removal line 40 can be designed to be particularly long. This means that the extraction line 40 has a greater length than the length that would be physically necessary to transport the fuel from the pressure vessel 30 to a specific or predetermined location. For example, the sampling line 40 can have additional windings, curves or the like. This increases the surface area of the removal line 40 over which the gas or gas mixture can flow. Thus, the heat transfer per unit of time between gas or gas mixture and heat conduction is increased.

For example, the removal line 40 has heat conducting plates, via which the gas or the gas mixture that has been heated by the waste heat from the fuel cell 70 is conducted.

In the following description of the in 2 illustrated alternative embodiment are for features that compared to in 1 illustrated first embodiment are identical and / or at least comparable in their design and / or mode of operation, the same reference numerals are used. If these are not explained again in detail, their configuration and/or mode of action corresponds to the configuration and/or mode of action of the features already described above.

2 Figure 12 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of the technology disclosed herein.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the waste heat from the fuel cell 70 is not used to heat the gas or gas mixture (as shown and explained in the first embodiment), but rather the waste heat from an electric motor is used to heat the gas or Gas mixture is used, which is supplied by the fuel cell 70 with electricity and voltage or energy. The waste heat from the electric motor is used to heat the gas or gas mixture before the gas or gas mixture flows or is allowed to flow or is conducted to the extraction line 40 or the pressure vessel 30 . The electric motor can be the drive motor of the motor vehicle 10 .

For reasons of legibility, the expression “at least one” has been partially omitted for the sake of simplicity. If a feature of the technology disclosed here is described in the singular or indefinitely (e.g. the/a pressure vessel 30, the/a sampling line 40, the/a valve, the/a pressure reducer, etc.), the plural number should also be disclosed at the same time (e.g. the at least one pressure vessel 30, the at least one extraction line 40, the at least one valve, the at least one pressure reducer, etc.).

In the context of the technology disclosed here, the term “essentially” (e.g. “essentially vertical axis”) includes the precise property or value (e.g. “vertical axis”) as well as deviations that are insignificant for the function of the property/value (e.g. "tolerable deviation from vertical axis").

The foregoing description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention and its equivalents.

Reference List

10

motor vehicle

20

pressure vessel system

30

pressure vessel

40

sampling line

50

heating device

55

warm air duct

60

pressure regulator

70

fuel cell

80

engine

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was 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.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 406/2010 [0039]
• EC 79/2009 [0039]

Claims (18)

Pressure vessel system (20) for installation in a motor vehicle (10), the pressure vessel system (20) a pressure vessel (30) for storing a fuel for powering the motor vehicle (10), an extraction line (40) for extracting fuel from the pressure vessel (30) and comprises a heating device (50) for heating the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30), whereby the heating device (50) for conducting gas or gas mixture to the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30) in a non-circulation for transferring heat from the gas or the gas mixture to the extraction line (40) and/or the Pressure vessel (30) is formed. Pressure vessel system (20) after claim 1 , wherein the heating device (50) for passing gas or gas mixture over a surface of the extraction line (40) and / or the pressure vessel (30) in a non-circulation for transferring heat from the gas or the gas mixture to the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30) is formed. Pressure vessel system (20) after claim 1 or 2 , wherein the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30) has an enlarged surface for transferring heat from gas or gas mixture flowing over the surface to the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30). Pressure vessel system (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure vessel system (20) is designed such that the gas or gas mixture before flowing to the extraction line (40) and / or the pressure vessel (30) at least partially from the waste heat of an engine ( 80) of the motor vehicle (10) was heated. Pressure vessel system (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure vessel system (20) is designed such that the gas or the gas mixture before flowing to the extraction line (40) and / or the pressure vessel (30) at least partially from the waste heat of a fuel cell (70) of the motor vehicle (10) was heated. Pressure vessel system (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas mixture comprises or is ambient air. Pressure vessel system (20) according to one of claims 3 - 6 wherein the increased surface area of the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30) comprises outwardly projecting ribs. Pressure vessel system (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface of the extraction line (40) and / or the pressure vessel (30) comprises a material with a high thermal conductivity coefficient or consists of a material with a high thermal conductivity coefficient. Pressure vessel system (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the extraction line (40) has a length which is greater than the length of a shortest connection from the pressure vessel (30) to a fuel sink or to a pressure valve. Pressure vessel system (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure vessel system (20) has a temperature measuring device for detecting a temperature of the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30) and/or the fuel therein, wherein if the temperature falls below a predetermined the detected temperature directs the gas or gas mixture to the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30) for transferring heat from the gas or gas mixture to the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30). Pressure vessel system (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating device (50) comprises a fan and/or a blower for moving the gas or gas mixture to the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30) for transferring heat from the gas or gas mixture on the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30). Motor vehicle (10) comprising a pressure vessel system (20) according to one of the preceding claims. Method for heating a pressure vessel (30) and/or an extraction line (40) of a pressure vessel (30) for storing a fuel in a motor vehicle (10), the method comprising the following steps: conducting gas or gas mixture to the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30) in a non-circulation for transferring heat from the gas or gas mixture to the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30). procedure after Claim 13 , wherein the gas or gas mixture via a surface of the extraction line (40) and / or the pressure vessel (30) in a non-circulation for transferring heat from the gas or gas mixture to the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30). procedure after Claim 13 or 14 , wherein the gas or gas mixture before flowing to the extraction line (40) and / or the pressure vessel (30) is at least partially heated by the waste heat of an engine (80) of the motor vehicle (10). Procedure according to one of Claims 13 - 15 , wherein the gas or the gas mixture before flowing to the extraction line (40) and / or the pressure vessel (30) is at least partially heated by the waste heat of a fuel cell (70) of the motor vehicle (10). Procedure according to one of Claims 13 - 16 , wherein the gas mixture comprises or is ambient air. Procedure according to one of Claims 13 - 17 , the method further comprising the steps of: detecting a temperature of the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30) and/or the fuel therein; and comparing the detected temperature with a specified temperature, with the gas or gas mixture to the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30) for transferring heat from the gas or gas mixture to the extraction line if the determined temperature falls below the predetermined temperature (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30) and/or the amount of gas or gas mixture that is fed to the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30) for transferring heat from the gas or gas mixture to the extraction line (40) and/or the pressure vessel (30) is passed, is increased.

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