DE102021203429A1 - Tank device for storing a gaseous medium for a vehicle, line system for supplying a vehicle with fuel and method for operating a line system and/or a tank device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a tank device (1) for storing a gaseous medium for a vehicle, comprising at least one tank container (TB) into which the gaseous medium can be filled and which has an outer wall; at least one deformation indicator (DI), which is arranged on the outer wall and extends at least partially along the outer wall and is set up to indicate a deformation of the outer wall in at least one spatial direction.

Description

The present invention relates to a tank device for storing a gaseous medium for a vehicle, a line system for supplying a vehicle with fuel and a method for operating a line system and/or a tank device.

State of the art

Safety devices and/or valves can be installed in known pressure storage tanks. For this purpose, fuel cell systems with tank arrangements or tanks for gaseous media are known. In order to at least partially stabilize pressure storage tanks in the event of an increase in the temperature of the storage medium or in the event of a leak and to prevent or at least reduce an outflow of the gas, these can be equipped with valves, for example. However, it can subsequently also be desirable to provide an active indicator system on the tank devices, through which a change in stability on the tank devices can at least be indicated. The operation of the vehicle can then be terminated, for example, and/or the tank contents can be drained, or the tank device can be repaired.

Fuel cell tank arrangements or tanks for gaseous media are known from the prior art and from invention disclosures.

In the DE 11 2006 003 013 B4 describes a tank with a fitting and a valve, the valve being mounted in the fitting.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a tank device for storing a gaseous medium for a vehicle according to claim 1, a line system for supplying a vehicle with fuel according to claim 9, and a method for operating a line system and/or a tank device according to claim 15.

Preferred developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

Advantages of the Invention

The idea on which the present invention is based is to specify a tank device for storing a gaseous medium for a vehicle, a line system for supplying a vehicle with fuel, and a method for operating a line system and/or a tank device, in which information about a Load can be generated and displayed on a tank device, such as a tank container, or in a line system. Such load information can be generated and displayed on the vehicle before or after a collision.

According to the invention, the tank device for storing a gaseous medium for a vehicle comprises at least one tank container into which the gaseous medium can be filled and which has an outer wall; at least one deformation indicator, which is arranged on the outer wall and extends at least partially along the outer wall and is set up to indicate a deformation of the outer wall in at least one spatial direction.

The gaseous medium and the fuel for the line system can be hydrogen or another gas for propelling a vehicle. The tank container, or several, can have a cylindrical shape or shapes deviating therefrom. The deformation indicator can be glued to the outer wall or can be arranged on the tank container using another fastening process. The tank container can expand to a small extent when the interior (gas) and/or the outer wall heats up, so that the outer wall can initially expand slightly in at least one spatial direction, along a surface of the outer wall (contraction can also be detected ). This expansion, which is initially small, can advantageously already be displayed by the deformation indicator.

By further determining derived variables, for example by calculations using a software product on a control unit, the information from the deformation indicator can also be used to draw conclusions about variables that cannot be measured directly, such as the torsional moment.

Furthermore, a plausibility check of the stress event can be carried out, for example by means of a further sensor and by the signal of at least one such sensor
further existing sensor thus the reliability of the indication of the deformation can be checked and / or increased.

The deformation indicator can be a strain gauge.

According to a preferred embodiment of the tank device, it is set up to store hydrogen.

According to a preferred embodiment of the tank device, the tank container comprises an upper end cap and/or a lower end cap, a filling valve and/or a drain valve for the fuel being arranged in the upper end cap and/or in the lower end cap.

The gaseous medium can advantageously be easily filled or drained into the tank container through the filling valve and/or drain valve.

According to a preferred embodiment of the tank device, the deformation indicator comprises a distortion strip.

The distortion stripe may extend at least partially along a direction along the surface of the outer wall of the tank container. Since a deformation in the event of heating or external influences can also run or occur along the surface along this direction, it is possible to indicate a change in the outer wall along this direction using the deformation indicator.

According to a preferred embodiment of the tank device, the distortion strip comprises an electrical conductor loop whose resistance or capacitance can be changed by an elongate deformation of the distortion strip.

The distortion strip may be connected to a measuring device (controller) which can then detect a change in the resistance or capacitance of the distortion strip's conductor loop. The extent of the change in the capacitance and/or the resistance can be used to draw conclusions about the extent of the longitudinal deformation of the distortion strip and the outer wall.

According to a preferred embodiment of the tank device, the distortion strip comprises an indicator material which is designed to form at least one crack in the indicator material in the event of a longitudinal deformation of the indicator material.

The indicator material can be applied to the outer wall as a colored material and, with small longitudinal loads and deformations, already form one or more cracks in the area of expansion, which can be detected optically with tools (camera or other sensors) and/or with the naked eye .

According to a preferred embodiment of the tank device, it comprises a control device which is connected to the electrical conductor loop and is set up to detect a deformation of the distortion strip by a change in capacitance and/or a change in resistance, or with an optical device for detecting crack formation in the indicator material is connected, which is comprised by the tank device, and is set up to detect a deformation of the distortion strip by cracking of the indicator material.

A coating as an indicator material can be used to provide information about cracks and/or cracks.

According to a preferred embodiment of the tank device, the control device is set up to infer the stability of the tank container from the detected deformation of the distortion strip.

The degrees of expansion can be known for the respective tank container. If an expansion is detected, a countermeasure can be taken, for example switching on a cooling device and/or partially or completely draining the gaseous medium from the tank containers.

According to the invention, the line system for supplying a vehicle with fuel comprises at least one fuel line which has an outer wall; at least one deformation indicator, which is arranged on the outer wall and extends at least partially along the outer wall and is set up to indicate a deformation of the outer wall in at least one spatial direction.

The fuel line may comprise one or more tubes, rigid or flexible.

According to a preferred embodiment of the line system, the deformation indicator comprises a distortion strip.

According to a preferred embodiment of the line system, the distortion strip comprises an electrical conductor loop whose resistance or capacitance can be changed by an elongate deformation of the distortion strip.

According to a preferred embodiment of the line system, the distortion strip comprises an indicator material which is designed to form at least one crack in the indicator material in the event of a longitudinal deformation of the indicator material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the line system, this includes a control unit device that is connected to the electrical conductor loop and is set up to detect a deformation of the distortion strip by a change in capacitance and/or change in resistance, or is connected to an optical device for detecting crack formation in the indicator material, which is comprised by the line system, and is set up to detect a deformation of the distortion strip by cracking of the indicator material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the line system, the control device is set up to infer stability of the fuel line from the detected deformation of the distortion strip.

According to the invention, in the method for operating a line system and/or a tank device, a tank device according to the invention and/or a line system according to the invention is provided; and determining a change in the deformation indicator and thereby detecting a deformation of the outer wall in at least one spatial direction.

The tank device can also be characterized by the features mentioned in connection with the line system or the method and its advantages and vice versa.

Further features and advantages of embodiments of the invention result from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

character list

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments given in the schematic figures of the drawing.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Tankvorrichtung zum Speichern eines gasförmigen Mediums für ein Fahrzeug gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines Leitungssystems zum Versorgen eines Fahrzeugs mit einem Treibstoff gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung einer Tankvorrichtung zum Speichern eines gasförmigen Mediums für ein Fahrzeug gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung eines Deformationsindikators für eine Tankvorrichtung oder für ein Leitungssystem; und
• 5 eine Blockdarstellung von Verfahrensschritten des Verfahrens zum Betreiben eines Leitungssystems und/oder einer Tankvorrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung.

Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a tank device for storing a gaseous medium for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• 2 a schematic representation of a line system for supplying a vehicle with a fuel according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• 3 a schematic representation of a tank device for storing a gaseous medium for a vehicle according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
• 4 a schematic representation of a deformation indicator for a tank device or for a line system; and
• 5 a block diagram of method steps of the method for operating a line system and/or a tank device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In the figures, the same reference symbols denote the same elements or elements with the same function.

1 shows a schematic representation of a tank device for storing a gaseous medium for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The tank device 1 for storing a gaseous medium for a vehicle comprises at least one tank container TB, into which the gaseous medium can be filled, and which has an outer wall; at least one deformation indicator DI, which is arranged on the outer wall and extends at least partially along the outer wall and is set up to indicate a deformation of the outer wall in at least one spatial direction. The tank container TB can include an upper cover OD and a lower cover DU, with a filling valve and/or a drain valve VE for the fuel being able to be arranged in the lower cover DU.

The lower end cap DU can be inserted into a lower opening of the tank container TB, and the interior of the tank container can be sealed off from the exterior with a sealing ring DR, for example.

The deformation indicator DI can include a distortion strip. In this case, the distortion strip can comprise an electrical conductor loop LS, the resistance or capacitance of which can be changed by an elongate deformation of the distortion strip. On the other hand, the distortion strip can comprise an indicator material which is designed to form at least one crack in the indicator material in the event of a longitudinal deformation of the indicator material. However, the deformation indicator can also include a plurality of conductor loops, for example three, in which case these conductor loops can be arranged in different directions, so that a longitudinal deformation of the outer wall along a first direction can therefore best be detected from a conductor loop which is the largest in this first direction can experience variation in capacitance and/or resistance. The at least one deformation indicator can serve as a load indicator on an H2 (hydrogen) tank to inform the system or container of a load and/or to measure a load.

2 shows a schematic representation of a line system for supplying a vehicle with a fuel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The line system 10 for supplying a vehicle with a fuel can comprise at least one fuel line TL (or more) which has an outer wall; at least one deformation indicator (not shown), which is arranged on the outer wall and extends at least partially along the outer wall and is set up to indicate a deformation of the outer wall in at least one spatial direction. The system shown can represent three fuel lines side by side, which can be attached to a housing wall GH with brackets HA, the circular cross-section of the fuel lines being shown. However, this can also involve the representation of three tank containers TB1, TB2 and TB3, which can be arranged parallel to one another and can be arranged with the holder in a housing GH.

A deformation indicator can be arranged on each of the fuel lines or tank containers, such as for example 1 described.

3 shows a schematic representation of a tank device for storing a gaseous medium for a vehicle according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

the 3 shows an arrangement similar to that 2 , in which, however, only a fuel line TL or a tank container TB is enclosed in a holder and a housing GH. The deformation indicator DI can be arranged in a wall of the housing and/or on the fuel line and/or on the tank container itself. Several deformation indicators DI can be arranged at different points of the housing and/or the fuel line and/or the tank container.

The deformation indicator DI as a load indicator can measure the load, for example as a measurement of the change in resistance of a strain gauge due to a change in length of the length dL (not shown) of the strain gauge and/or display the load, for example as a color change after crack formation using a crack detection color. The use of several strain gauges/deformation indicators also has the advantage that derived variables can be determined. A torsional moment Mt=F*L can be calculated from the distance L of several deformation indicators and the calculated forces F=k*dL, where is not a constant.

It can apply that the longer the tank or the holder HA or the housing GH, in other words the distance between the deformation indicators on the housing or the tank or the holder of the lines, i.e. the longer the length L, the greater the possible Strains dL (not shown), where dL = new L after a deformation - L (i.e. new L minus previous L).

The longer the tank with the length L, the greater the moment Mt, so Mt = F*L applies.

4 shows a schematic representation of a deformation indicator for a tank device or for a line system.

the 4 1 shows a deformation indicator DI on a fuel line TL or a tank container TB, in which the distortion strip comprises an indicator material which is designed to form at least one crack ST in the indicator material when the indicator material is longitudinally or laterally deformed. This crack can be visually recognizable, for example on an inside and/or outside of the tank container and/or the fuel line.

5 shows a block diagram of method steps of the method for operating a line system and/or a tank device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In the method for operating a line system and/or a tank device, a tank device according to the invention is provided S1a and/or a line system according to the invention is provided S1b; and determining S2 a change in the deformation indicator and thereby detecting a deformation of the outer wall in at least one spatial direction.

Although the present invention has been fully described above with reference to the preferred exemplary embodiment, it is not restricted thereto but can be modified in a variety of ways.

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

• DE 112006003013 B4 [0004]

Claims (15)

Tank device (1) for storing a gaseous medium for a vehicle, comprising: - At least one tank container (TB), into which the gaseous medium can be filled, and which has an outer wall; - At least one deformation indicator (DI), which is arranged on the outer wall and extends at least partially along the outer wall and is set up to indicate a deformation of the outer wall in at least one spatial direction. Tank device (1) after claim 1 , which is set up to store hydrogen. Tank device (1) after claim 1 or 2 , in which the tank container (TB) comprises an upper end cap (OD) and/or a lower end cap (DU), wherein the upper end cap (OD) and/or the lower end cap (DU) has a filling valve and/or a drain valve for the fuel is arranged. Tank device (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , in which the deformation indicator (DI) comprises a distortion stripe. Tank device (1) after claim 4 , in which the distortion strip comprises an electrical conductor loop (LS) whose resistance or capacitance is variable by an elongate deformation of the distortion strip. Tank device (1) according to one of Claims 4 or 5 wherein the distortion strip comprises an indicator material adapted to form at least one crack in the indicator material upon longitudinal deformation of the indicator material. Tank device (1) according to one of Claims 5 or 6 which comprises a control device which is connected to the electrical conductor loop (LS) and is set up to detect a deformation of the distortion strip by a change in capacitance and/or a change in resistance, or is connected to an optical device for detecting crack formation in the indicator material, which is included in the tank device (1) and is set up to detect a deformation of the distortion strip by crack formation in the indicator material. Tank device (1) after claim 7 , in which the control device is set up to infer the stability of the tank container from the detected deformation of the distortion strip. Line system (10) for supplying a vehicle with a fuel, comprising - At least one fuel line (TL), which has an outer wall; - At least one deformation indicator (DI), which is arranged on the outer wall and extends at least partially along the outer wall and is set up to indicate a deformation of the outer wall in at least one spatial direction. Line system (10) according to claim 9 , in which the deformation indicator (DI) comprises a distortion stripe. Line system (10) according to claim 10 , in which the distortion strip comprises an electrical conductor loop (LS) whose resistance or capacitance is variable by an elongate deformation of the distortion strip. Line system (10) according to one of Claims 10 or 11 wherein the distortion strip comprises an indicator material adapted to form at least one crack in the indicator material upon longitudinal deformation of the indicator material. Line system (10) according to one of Claims 11 or 12 , as far as related to claim 11 which comprises a control device which is connected to the electrical conductor loop (LS) and is set up to detect a deformation of the distortion strip by a change in capacitance and/or change in resistance, or is connected to an optical device for detecting crack formation in the indicator material, which is comprised by the line system (10) and is set up to detect a deformation of the distortion strip by crack formation in the indicator material. Line system (10) according to Claim 13 , in which the control device is set up to infer stability of the fuel line (TL) from the detected deformation of the distortion strip. Method for operating a line system (10) and/or a tank device (1), comprising the steps of: - providing (S1a) a tank device (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 8th and/or providing (S1b) a line system (10) according to one of claims 9 until 14 ; - Determine (S2) a change in the deformation indicator (DI) and thereby identify a Deformation of the outer wall in at least one spatial direction.

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