KR101836606B1 - Apparatus for detecting leakage of hydrogen storage system for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for detecting leaks in a hydrogen storage system for a vehicle that can accurately detect leaks in a hydrogen storage system in place of a hydrogen detection sensor.
In particular, in the present invention, various information is collected or calculated in order to determine whether or not the hydrogen leak is detected without directly sensing the hydrogen leak using the specific sensor, and the hydrogen leak can be indirectly judged from the information, And to improve the precision of leak detection. The present invention also provides a leak detection apparatus and method for a hydrogen storage system for a vehicle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a leak detection apparatus and method for a hydrogen storage system for a vehicle,

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting leaks in a hydrogen storage system for a vehicle, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for detecting leaks by determining whether hydrogen is leaking in a hydrogen storage system of a fuel cell vehicle.

A hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is a vehicle that generates propulsion by driving a motor using electric energy generated by reacting hydrogen and oxygen with hydrogen as a fuel.

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles must be equipped with a hydrogen storage system that includes a hydrogen storage tank, and the 700 bar high pressure hydrogen tank, which has the highest commercialization performance, is being installed worldwide. From a high-pressure hydrogen storage tank to a fuel cell stack, there are pipes and fittings of various pressure levels depending on the configuration from high pressure (700 bar) to low pressure (1 bar), and a hydrogen sensor for detecting leakage is generally installed.

However, there are limits to the number of hydrogen sensing sensors that can be mounted in reality, and hydrogen leaks can not be detected anywhere in the hydrogen storage system. Thus, it may be insufficient to arrange the hydrogen sensing sensor by selecting an optimum position in the hydrogen storage system, but to detect leakage in all areas within the hydrogen storage system.

Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1393581 (Apr. 2014, 09)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for detecting leaks in a hydrogen storage system for a vehicle that can accurately detect leaks in a hydrogen storage system in place of a hydrogen detection sensor .

In order to achieve the above object, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, (a) a first hydrogen amount for hydrogen amount remaining in the hydrogen storage portion before starting the vehicle or immediately after starting the vehicle is calculated and stored in the controller step; (b) storing information on an accumulation time in which the purge is made until the start of the vehicle is completed, in the controller; (c) calculating a second amount of hydrogen with respect to the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen storage part after the start of the vehicle is completed after the start of the vehicle, and storing the calculated second amount of hydrogen in the controller; (d) multiplying the calculated fuzzy characteristic coefficient by the fuzzy accumulation time to predict the amount of purge water corresponding to the amount of hydrogen consumed due to the purge, and calculating the amount of stack consumption corresponding to the amount of hydrogen consumed in the stack; (e) determining leaks using the first hydrogen amount, the second hydrogen amount, the purge hydrogen amount, and the stack consumption amount.

Further, the method may further include determining a purge characteristic coefficient before the step (a), wherein the purge characteristic coefficient is a value obtained by subtracting the amount of hydrogen consumed in the stack from the difference in hydrogen storage amount from the start of the vehicle to the end of startup (N is an integer equal to or greater than 2), and then the calculated value is determined as an average of the calculated n values.

Also, in the step (d), the stack consumption amount is calculated by integrating the current generated in the stack, thereby providing a leakage detection method for a vehicular hydrogen storage system.

In the step (e), the leakage coefficient is determined by the following equation,

And comparing the determined leak coefficient with a preset reference value to determine whether or not the leak is leaked.

In addition, if any one of the group consisting of the travel distance, the number of starts, and the total consumed hydrogen amount exceeds a predetermined set value, the step of determining the purge characteristic coefficient is performed again, and the determined purge characteristic coefficient is supplied to the controller The method of detecting a leak of a hydrogen storage system for a vehicle according to claim 1,

The method may further include, after the step (c), detecting whether the fuel door is open, and terminating the leak condition without performing steps (d) and (e) when the fuel door is opened The present invention provides a leak detection method of a hydrogen storage system for a vehicle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, A stack for receiving hydrogen from the hydrogen storage unit and generating electrical energy; Purge valve for hydrogen purge; And a controller for controlling the purge valve and determining whether or not the hydrogen leak is present, wherein the controller is operable to calculate a first hydrogen amount for the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen storage after the vehicle is started, The amount of the second hydrogen with respect to the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen storage unit after the completion of the vehicle and the cumulative time at which the purging is performed until the start of the vehicle is terminated and the fuzzy cumulative time is multiplied by the pre- Estimates the amount of fuzzy hydrogen corresponding to the amount of consumed hydrogen and calculates the amount of stack consumption corresponding to the amount of hydrogen consumed in the stack, and the controller calculates the amount of the first hydrogen, the second hydrogen, And a leak detection unit for detecting a leak of the hydrogen storage system using the stack consumption amount.

The purge characteristic coefficient is calculated n times (n is 2 or more) by repeating the process of calculating the difference of the hydrogen storage amount from the start of the vehicle to the start of the vehicle minus the amount of hydrogen consumed in the stack by the hydrogen purging time , And a value determined by an average of the calculated n values.

Also, the stack consumption amount is calculated by accumulating the current generated in the stack by the controller, and provides a leakage sensing apparatus for a vehicular hydrogen storage system.

Further, the controller determines the leak coefficient by the following equation,

And comparing the determined leak coefficient with a predetermined reference value to determine whether or not the leak is detected.

The controller is further configured to determine again the purge characteristic coefficient and to store the determined purge characteristic coefficient when any one of the group consisting of the running distance, the starting frequency and the total consumed hydrogen amount exceeds a predetermined set value And the controller determines whether leakage is occurring using the newly determined fuzzy characteristic coefficient.

The controller may further include a fuel door opening / closing detection sensor for detecting whether the fuel door is open or closed. In the controller, when the fuel door is opened, the controller is configured to wait until restarting without determining whether the fuel door is leaking And a leak detection device for a hydrogen storage system for a vehicle.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the production cost of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle can be reduced because the number of expensive hydrogen sensing sensors can be reduced or completely replaced.

In addition, according to the present invention, when used in parallel with the hydrogen sensor, it is possible to confirm whether the hydrogen sensor is operating normally.

Further, in the present invention, the consumption amount of hydrogen and the actual use amount of hydrogen can be compared without using the flow rate sensor, and the leakage generated in the high pressure line can also be accurately detected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a leak detection apparatus for a hydrogen storage system for a vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a leak detection method of a hydrogen storage system for a vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
3 is a flowchart illustrating a leak detection method of a hydrogen storage system for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below and should be construed as embracing various embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a leak detection apparatus for a hydrogen storage system for a vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, with the construction of a typical hydrogen storage system, such as hydrogen storage 10, pressure sensor 50, pressure regulator 20, fuel cell stack 30 and purge valve 40, And a controller (60) for detecting and detecting a leak. The stack 30 receives hydrogen from the hydrogen storage part 10 to generate electrical energy, and is purged through the purge valve 40.

The pressure sensor 50 checks the pressure of the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage part 10 and the pressure regulator supplies the reduced pressure of the high pressure hydrogen to the stack 30 by reducing the pressure.

In addition, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fuel door opening / closing detection sensor 70 for detecting fuel door opening / closing may be further included. The fuel door opening / closing detection sensor 70 is configured to monitor whether the fuel door is open or closed, and to transmit it to the controller 60. The controller 60 collects information on the opening and closing of the fuel door, and determines whether or not to detect the leak according to whether the fuel door is open or closed.

On the other hand, the controller 60 controls the opening and closing of the purge valve 40 for hydrogen purging in the hydrogen storage part 10, and in particular, can be configured to control the hydrogen purging period for opening and closing the valve. Information such as the number of hydrogen purges, the time at which the purge is made, etc. may be recorded in the controller 60, and the amount of hydrogen discharged from the purge, that is, the purge amount, is calculated from the controller. The calculated purge amount is used to determine whether the controller is leaking.

Although not shown, the controller can be configured to be provided with information about the start-up or start-off of the vehicle, and is preferably configured to proceed after the start-off of the leak detection.

Therefore, the controller 60 compares the actual hydrogen consumption amount with the estimated hydrogen consumption amount before and after the engine is turned on, and detects whether or not the engine is leaking.

Specifically, the controller controls the purge valve to determine whether or not hydrogen leaks are present, and is configured to collect or calculate various information to determine whether the hydrogen leak is present, and to determine whether or not the hydrogen leaks from the information.

For example, the controller may calculate a first hydrogen amount for the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen storage part before starting the vehicle or immediately after starting the vehicle, a second hydrogen amount for the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen storage part after the start of the vehicle . In the case of the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen storage portion, the pressure and temperature inside the tank are detected, the internal density of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage portion is calculated according to the detected pressure and temperature, It can be configured to calculate a small amount. Also, the controller may be configured to store information on an accumulated time from the time point after the start of the vehicle to the end of the start of the vehicle, and the pre-calculated fuzzy feature coefficient. The controller multiplies the stored fuzzy feature coefficient by the fuzzy accumulation time to predict the amount of fuzzy number corresponding to the amount of hydrogen consumed due to the purging. In addition, the controller calculates the amount of stack consumption corresponding to the amount of hydrogen consumed in the stack. Preferably, the amount of stack consumption is calculated by integrating the current generated in the stack. Accordingly, the controller compares the amount of the first hydrogen, the amount of the second hydrogen, the amount of the purge water, and the amount of stack consumption to determine whether the leak is present.

In this regard, the fuzzy characteristic coefficient is a value indicating a characteristic fuzzy characteristic calculated for each vehicle. In the case of the purge valve installed in the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, even if the same time opening control is performed, the same flow rate of hydrogen is not always consumed due to the tolerance of the purge valve or the like. Thus, depending on the vehicle and the aging of the vehicle, the purge characteristics are slightly different.

In the present invention, the fuzzy characteristic coefficient related to the fuzzy characteristic is set, and the controller calculates and stores the fuzzy characteristic coefficient, and updates the stored fuzzy characteristic coefficient according to a predetermined criterion.

For example, the fuzzy characteristic coefficient is calculated by dividing a value obtained by subtracting the amount of hydrogen consumed in the stack by the hydrogen purging time from the difference of the hydrogen storage amount from the start of the vehicle to the end of starting, Then, the average of the calculated n values is determined as the fuzzy characteristic coefficient.

An example of a method for determining the fuzzy characteristic coefficient in the controller is as follows.

For the sake of convenience, the period from the start of the vehicle to the end of the start is defined as one run.

In order to ensure the reliability of data, the data up to 10 runs are ignored and the fuzzy characteristic coefficient is calculated and stored according to Equation (1) during an additional 10 runs from 11 times running, based on the new vehicle.

Then, the average of the fuzzy characteristic coefficients calculated 10 times is determined as the fuzzy characteristic coefficient, and the result is stored in the controller.

The controller is configured to update the fuzzy feature coefficient according to a preset reference. For example, the controller collects information on the travel distance, the number of starts, and the total amount of consumed hydrogen, and when the travel distance, the number of starts, or the total consumed amount of hydrogen exceeds a predetermined set value, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > fuzzy < / RTI >

The controller is configured to determine a leak coefficient according to Equation (2) below, and to compare the determined leak coefficient with a preset reference value to determine whether or not the leak is present.

Here, the amount of hydrogen crossover means the amount of hydrogen passing over the air electrode side for reasons such as the pressure difference between the air electrode and the hydrogen electrode. The initial value of the hydrogen pressure inside the stack (that is, the pressure value at the start time) That is, the pressure value at the start ending time) by the volume of the stacked negative electrode side of the stack.

In addition, the leak detection device of the hydrogen storage system for a vehicle according to the present embodiment may further include a fuel door opening / closing detection sensor for detecting whether the fuel door is open or closed. When the opening of the fuel door is sensed by the fuel door opening / closing detection sensor, the controller controls the ECU to terminate the leakage determination logic based on the fact that the hydrogen is charged. This is because the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen storage portion changes due to the hydrogen charging.

However, the controller may be configured to wait until the actual communication with the charging station is performed after the fuel door is opened. In this case, the leakage determination logic is terminated only when communication with the charging station is confirmed.

On the other hand, when charging is performed, the controller is configured to wait until restarting, and is configured to execute the leak detection logic again after the restart.

A specific method for detecting hydrogen leakage will be described with reference to FIG. 2 attached hereto.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are flowcharts illustrating a leak detection method of a hydrogen storage system for a vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, steps S110 and S120 are performed to calculate the first hydrogen amount for the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen storage part before starting the vehicle or immediately after starting the vehicle, and storing the calculated first hydrogen amount in the controller .

After the start of the vehicle, information on the accumulated time until the start of the vehicle is stored is stored (S130). That is, in this step, after the start of the vehicle, information related to the purging is continuously recorded in the controller. In the process of determining whether or not the vehicle is leaking after the completion of the startup, the fuzzy accumulation time is calculated through the recorded information, It is possible to apply the present invention to the purge characteristic coefficient so as to determine the purge amount. In addition, in step S130, the accumulated current value of the stack is stored together with the fuzzy information. Similarly, the cumulative current value is used to calculate the amount of hydrogen consumed in the stack.

Next, whether or not the start of the vehicle is completed is checked (S140). When the start of the vehicle is finished, the amount of the second hydrogen with respect to the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen storage unit after the start of the vehicle is calculated and stored (S150).

Finally, in step S160, it is determined whether or not leaks are present. In this step, the fuzzy number corresponding to the amount of hydrogen consumed by the fuzzy number is multiplied by the fuzzy cumulative time, The amount of stack consumption corresponding to the amount of hydrogen consumed is calculated. The leaks are determined by using the first hydrogen amount, the second hydrogen amount, the purge hydrogen amount, and the stack consumption amount calculated through the above process. have.

In particular, when the travel distance, the number of starts, or the total amount of hydrogen consumed exceeds a predetermined set value, the process of updating the purge characteristic coefficient can be performed as described above.

Meanwhile, FIG. 3 illustrates a leak detection method of a hydrogen storage system for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the steps S210 to S250 and S280 are the same as the steps S110 to S150 and S160 of FIG. 2, respectively, but the steps S260 and S270 are added.

That is, in this embodiment, after the step S250, it is detected whether or not the fuel door is opened (S260), and the leak determination logic is terminated without performing the step S280 when the fuel door is opened. Accordingly, after the fuel door is opened, the communication with the charging station is performed and the leak determination logic is terminated (S270). At this time, it may be determined whether or not communication with the actual charging station is performed.

On the other hand, when the fuel door is not opened, it is determined whether or not the fuel door is leaking as in the example of FIG. 2 (S280).

10: hydrogen storage part
20: Pressure regulator
30: Stack
40: purge valve
50: Pressure sensor
60:
70: Fuel door opening / closing detection sensor

Claims (12)

(a) calculating a first hydrogen amount with respect to an amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen storage portion before starting the vehicle, or immediately after starting the vehicle, and storing the calculated first hydrogen amount in the controller;
(b) storing information on an accumulation time in which the purge is made until the start of the vehicle is completed, in the controller;
(c) calculating a second amount of hydrogen with respect to the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen storage part after the start of the vehicle is completed after the start of the vehicle, and storing the calculated second amount of hydrogen in the controller;
(d) multiplying the calculated fuzzy characteristic coefficient by the fuzzy accumulation time to predict the amount of purge water corresponding to the amount of hydrogen consumed due to the purge, and calculating the amount of stack consumption corresponding to the amount of hydrogen consumed in the stack;
(e) determining leaks using the first hydrogen amount, the second hydrogen amount, the purge hydrogen amount, and the stack consumption amount;
/ RTI >
Further comprising the step of determining a purge characteristic coefficient prior to the step (a)
The fuzzy characteristic coefficient is calculated by dividing the difference of the hydrogen storage amount from the start of the vehicle after the start of the vehicle by the amount of hydrogen consumed in the stack by the hydrogen purging time and repeating n times (n is 2 or more) And a value determined by the average of the n values of the vehicle.
delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the stack consumption amount is calculated by integrating the current generated in the stack in the step (d).
The method according to claim 1,
In the step (e), the leak coefficient is determined by the following equation,

And comparing the determined leak coefficient with a predetermined reference value to determine whether or not the leak is leaking.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the step of determining the fuzzy feature coefficient is performed again if any one of the group consisting of the driving distance, the number of starts, and the total consumed hydrogen amount exceeds a predetermined set value, and the determined fuzzy feature coefficient is stored in the controller Wherein the leak detection method comprises the steps of:
The method according to claim 1,
The method may further include the step of detecting whether or not the fuel door is opened after the step (c), and terminating the determination of the leak condition without performing the steps (d) and (e) Of the hydrogen storage system.
A hydrogen storage part;
A stack for receiving hydrogen from the hydrogen storage unit and generating electrical energy;
Purge valve for hydrogen purge;
And a controller for controlling the purge valve and determining whether or not the hydrogen leak is present,
The controller calculates a first hydrogen amount for the amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen storage portion after the vehicle starts, a second hydrogen amount for the hydrogen amount remaining in the hydrogen storage portion after the start of the vehicle after the start of the vehicle is completed, The fuzzy number of the fuzzy number corresponding to the amount of hydrogen consumed due to the fuzzy is multiplied by the fuzzy cumulative time, The amount of stack consumption corresponding to the amount of hydrogen consumed is calculated,
Wherein the controller is configured to determine whether leakage is occurring using the first hydrogen amount, the second hydrogen amount, the purge hydrogen amount, and the stack consumption amount,
The fuzzy characteristic coefficient is calculated by dividing the difference of the hydrogen storage amount from the start of the vehicle after the start of the vehicle by the amount of hydrogen consumed in the stack by the hydrogen purging time and repeating n times (n is 2 or more) And a value determined by the average of the n values of the vehicle.
delete The method of claim 7,
Wherein the stack consumption is calculated by integrating the current generated in the stack by the controller.
The method of claim 7,
The controller determines the leakage coefficient by the following equation,

And to determine whether the leakage is leaking by comparing the determined leakage coefficient with a preset reference value.
The method of claim 7,
Wherein the controller is configured to again determine the purge characteristic coefficient and store the determined purge characteristic coefficient when any one of the group consisting of the driving distance, the number of starting times, and the total consumed hydrogen amount exceeds a predetermined set value, Wherein the controller determines whether the leak is leaking by using a newly determined fuzzy characteristic coefficient.
The method of claim 7,
And a fuel door opening / closing detection sensor for detecting whether the fuel door is open or closed. In the controller, when the fuel door is opened, the controller is configured to wait until restarting without determining whether the fuel door is open or closed. Leak detection device of a hydrogen storage system for a vehicle.

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