WO2004014683A1 - Safety device for vehicles with gas fuelled engines - Google Patents

Safety device for vehicles with gas fuelled engines Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2004014683A1
WO2004014683A1 PCT/IT2003/000466 IT0300466W WO2004014683A1 WO 2004014683 A1 WO2004014683 A1 WO 2004014683A1 IT 0300466 W IT0300466 W IT 0300466W WO 2004014683 A1 WO2004014683 A1 WO 2004014683A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vehicle
safety device
cylinder
temperature
gas
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IT2003/000466
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Francesco Gobbi
Battista Gobbi
Original Assignee
Emer S.R.L.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Emer S.R.L. filed Critical Emer S.R.L.
Priority to AU2003253278A priority Critical patent/AU2003253278A1/en
Publication of WO2004014683A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004014683A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/02—Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment
    • F17C13/026—Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment having the temperature as the parameter
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/12—Arrangements or mounting of devices for preventing or minimising the effect of explosion ; Other safety measures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
    • F17C2201/0109—Shape cylindrical with exteriorly curved end-piece
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
    • F17C2201/0119—Shape cylindrical with flat end-piece
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0123—Mounting arrangements characterised by number of vessels
    • F17C2205/013—Two or more vessels
    • F17C2205/0134—Two or more vessels characterised by the presence of fluid connection between vessels
    • F17C2205/0142—Two or more vessels characterised by the presence of fluid connection between vessels bundled in parallel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0123—Mounting arrangements characterised by number of vessels
    • F17C2205/013—Two or more vessels
    • F17C2205/0134—Two or more vessels characterised by the presence of fluid connection between vessels
    • F17C2205/0146—Two or more vessels characterised by the presence of fluid connection between vessels with details of the manifold
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F17C2205/0326—Valves electrically actuated
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F17C2205/0332—Safety valves or pressure relief valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/033—Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/035—Propane butane, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2223/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0302—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating
    • F17C2227/0304—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating using an electric heater
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/03—Control means
    • F17C2250/032—Control means using computers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
    • F17C2250/0439—Temperature
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/07—Actions triggered by measured parameters
    • F17C2250/072—Action when predefined value is reached
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/04—Reducing risks and environmental impact
    • F17C2260/042—Reducing risk of explosion
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/04—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling using an independent energy source, e.g. battery
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0165—Applications for fluid transport or storage on the road
    • F17C2270/0168—Applications for fluid transport or storage on the road by vehicles

Definitions

  • This invention concerns in general gas equipment for fuelling vehicles using natural compressed gas, liquid petroleum gas or other gaseous fuel, and refers in particular to an improved thermal safety device for vehicles equipped with this type of gas equipment.
  • State of the Art concerns in general gas equipment for fuelling vehicles using natural compressed gas, liquid petroleum gas or other gaseous fuel, and refers in particular to an improved thermal safety device for vehicles equipped with this type of gas equipment.
  • each cylinder In vehicles which can be fuelled by gas, the compressed gas is loaded into at least one cylinder placed on board the vehicle.
  • the cylinders or containers for the compressed gas are made of either steel, aluminium, composite materials or other synthetic materials, and are usually equipped with a valve unit to enable loading of the gas under pressure and to control the flow of said gas towards the engine of the vehicle.
  • each cylinder should be equipped directly or indirectly with a discharge unit suitable for automatically opening a release passage and exit for the gas into the atmosphere so as to avoid the cylinder exploding in the presence of a fire or however if the temperature around it tends to exceed, for some reason, a set temperature threshold.
  • thermal safety devices which associate with a cylinder as an automatic gas release, at least one, solid or non solid, heat sensitive element, which maintains its state up to a required safety temperature, e.g. about 90 to 120°.
  • the heat sensitive element can be housed in the valve unit of the cylinder or form a group of its own, positioned in one or more parts of the cylinder, in communication with the inside of the latter.
  • the heat- sensitive element is positioned and enclosed in a chamber to close a discharge hole or conduit in communication with the inside of the gas cylinder, and modifies its state on reaching the preset safety temperature threshold, thus opening the gas discharge to empty the cylinder.
  • thermal safety devices are certainly efficient when the heat source causing an anomalous rise in temperature, usually a fire onboard the vehicle, is either in direct contact with the unit enclosing the heat sensitive element or the gas cylinder. But there is also the possibility of the fire developing in zones which are distant from the cylinder or a wind or a physical obstacle prevents the heat from spreading to the cylinder. In this case the thermal safety device, that is the heat sensitive element, may not be reached or is actuated in delay, thus failing to remove potentially dangerous conditions quickly.
  • the primary objective of this invention is to create the conditions for a timely intervention of the thermal safety device associated with compressed gas cylinders for fuelling vehicles as soon as any irreversible cause develops leading to an anomalous rise in temperature in any part of a vehicle equipped with gas equipment.
  • Another objective of the invention is to provide a thermal safety system for compressed gas cylinders or containers for fuelling vehicles, which can be actuated and therefore automatically come into operation even in the presence of anomalous sources of heat at a distance from the cylinders and reasons which tend to avoid the fire directly reaching the cylinders themselves.
  • a safety device which includes, in combination with each compressed gas cylinder on a vehicle with an engine fuelled by gas, at least one gas discharge unit incorporating a heat sensitive element designed to change its state at a preset safety temperature to open a gas discharge conduit from the cylinder towards the external of the latter, and which has - at least one electric heating element associated with said heat sensitive element and connected with a normally open electric circuit, and
  • the assembly may also include a means for receiving and managing the, signals arriving from the temperature sensors placed in various zones and close the circuit on the electric heating means if the readout temperature of one of said sensors is above threshold.
  • Fig. 1 shows a diagram of the safety device with two compressed gas cylinders
  • Fig. 2 shows one gas cylinder with two safety devices
  • Fig. 3 shows an example of a valve housing a plug fuse associated with an electric heating element.
  • FIG. 1 shows two compressed gas cylinders 11 which can be assembled on the same vehicle with a gas fuelled engine.
  • Each cylinder 11 is equipped with a valve 12 housing a thermal safety device indicated generically by 13 and forming an automatic discharge unit of the gas from the cylinder.
  • FIG. 2 shows a gas cylinder 11' which also has a valve 12 housing an automatic gas discharge unit and in addition another thermal safety device 13 * placed in a conduit 13" connected to the inside of the cylinder in a different part in respect to the deployment of valve 12.
  • Valve 12 is well known and does not require describing.
  • a condiut 14 is formed in the body of said valve, as can be seen in Fig. 3, so as to connect the inside of the cylinder 11 with a discharge passage 15.
  • the safety device 13 is associated with this discharge passage 15 and includes, in the known way, a heat sensitive element 16 which will modify physically at a preset safety temperature, for example between about 90 to 120°C.
  • the heat sensitive element 16 can be either a material in a solid state, but which fuses on reaching a safety temperature or a liquid or paste material in a capsule which breaks on reaching the safety temperature.
  • the heat sensitive element 16 As long as the heat sensitive element 16 remains in its initial state, it will act as a stop and obstruct the discharge passage 15 preventing the gas from discharging. When on the other hand it changes its state on reaching the preset safety temperature, it frees the discharge passage 15, permitting the release of the gas from the cylinder with the possible additional help of a small piston 17 in expelling the material making up the heat sensitive element.
  • the heat sensitive element 16 is placed in a body or capsule so as to block the passage formed by the conduit itself.
  • the heat sensitive element 16 is associated with an electric heating means 18 placed in an electric circuit 19 which is normally open and connected to a powering battery 20.
  • the heating means 18 can be made up an electric heater or some other suitable means placed around or however adjacent to the heat sensitive element and chosen on the basis of the mass of the latter. It must be powered continuously even when the vehicle is switched off, consequently the battery 20 to power it can be the one usually on board the vehicle or an auxiliary dedicated battery.
  • temperature sensors 21 which can be made up of heat probes or any heat sensitive electronic device each capable of sending a signal indicating the temperature in their respective part of the vehicle. The quantity and position of the heat sensors 21 can be chosen according to the type of vehicle, the location of the gas cylinders in the vehicle etc.
  • Each heat sensor 21 will be set up to provoke the closing of the electric power circuit 19 powering the heat sensitive element 16 of the heating means 18, when the temperature in the zone it controls, reaches a preset threshold as indicated above.
  • the heat sensors 21 can be connected and governed by an electronic controller 22 -Fig. 1- able to elaborate the signals coming from each sensor and enable closing of the electric circuit 19 on the heating means 18 when at least one of said sensors signals an increase in temperature above the preset safety threshold.
  • the heat sensitive element 16 will then be heated so as to change its state and allow the gas to be discharged from the cylinder through the discharge passage 15, or the discharge conduit 13", not only when the cylinder is directly involved by an unwelcome increase in temperature, but also if and when a fault and irreversible increase in temperature is found which involves zones of the vehicle distant from the cylinder or cylinders positioned on the vehicle.
  • the electrically powered heating means 18 is actuated and causes a change in the state of the heat sensitive element 16 which leads to a discharge of gas from the cylinder as soon as one of the heat sensors 21 finds a temperature above the preset safety threshold.

Abstract

This invention concerns a safety device for vehicles with engines fuelled with compressed gas loaded in at least one cylinder on board the vehicle and where the cylinder is equipped, with a valve housing a plug fuse to open a gas discharge passage. The device includes at least one electric heating means (16) powered by means of an electric circuit (19) normally open, and temperature sensors (21), placed in at least some zones of the vehicle, each one supplying a signal indicating the temperature in the respective zone of the vehicle and provoking the closing of the electric circuit on the heating element to cause the fusion of the plug fuse so as to open the gas discharge passage when at least one of the signal has reached the preset safety limit.

Description

"SAFETY DEVICE FOR VEHICLES WITH GAS FUELLED ENGINES"
* * * *
Field of the invention
This invention concerns in general gas equipment for fuelling vehicles using natural compressed gas, liquid petroleum gas or other gaseous fuel, and refers in particular to an improved thermal safety device for vehicles equipped with this type of gas equipment. State of the Art
In vehicles which can be fuelled by gas, the compressed gas is loaded into at least one cylinder placed on board the vehicle. The cylinders or containers for the compressed gas are made of either steel, aluminium, composite materials or other synthetic materials, and are usually equipped with a valve unit to enable loading of the gas under pressure and to control the flow of said gas towards the engine of the vehicle. According to safety regulations in force in the field, each cylinder should be equipped directly or indirectly with a discharge unit suitable for automatically opening a release passage and exit for the gas into the atmosphere so as to avoid the cylinder exploding in the presence of a fire or however if the temperature around it tends to exceed, for some reason, a set temperature threshold.
In fact, according to the state of the technique, thermal safety devices have already been provided which associate with a cylinder as an automatic gas release, at least one, solid or non solid, heat sensitive element, which maintains its state up to a required safety temperature, e.g. about 90 to 120°. The heat sensitive element can be housed in the valve unit of the cylinder or form a group of its own, positioned in one or more parts of the cylinder, in communication with the inside of the latter. At all events, the heat- sensitive element is positioned and enclosed in a chamber to close a discharge hole or conduit in communication with the inside of the gas cylinder, and modifies its state on reaching the preset safety temperature threshold, thus opening the gas discharge to empty the cylinder.
These thermal safety devices are certainly efficient when the heat source causing an anomalous rise in temperature, usually a fire onboard the vehicle, is either in direct contact with the unit enclosing the heat sensitive element or the gas cylinder. But there is also the possibility of the fire developing in zones which are distant from the cylinder or a wind or a physical obstacle prevents the heat from spreading to the cylinder. In this case the thermal safety device, that is the heat sensitive element, may not be reached or is actuated in delay, thus failing to remove potentially dangerous conditions quickly.
Moreover, there could be more than one compressed gas cylinder assembled on a vehicle, in which case, the fire will not necessarily come into direct contact with each of the cylinders, actuating the safety devices at the same time.
In this case, at least one of the cylinders could remain in the danger of explosion condition. In the attempt to avoid this situation, at present, walls separating the cylinders are used but without eliminating the possible danger. Objecs and Summary of the Invention
The primary objective of this invention is to create the conditions for a timely intervention of the thermal safety device associated with compressed gas cylinders for fuelling vehicles as soon as any irreversible cause develops leading to an anomalous rise in temperature in any part of a vehicle equipped with gas equipment.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a thermal safety system for compressed gas cylinders or containers for fuelling vehicles, which can be actuated and therefore automatically come into operation even in the presence of anomalous sources of heat at a distance from the cylinders and reasons which tend to avoid the fire directly reaching the cylinders themselves.
These objectives and the implicit advantages deriving from them are achieved, according to the invention, by a safety device which includes, in combination with each compressed gas cylinder on a vehicle with an engine fuelled by gas, at least one gas discharge unit incorporating a heat sensitive element designed to change its state at a preset safety temperature to open a gas discharge conduit from the cylinder towards the external of the latter, and which has - at least one electric heating element associated with said heat sensitive element and connected with a normally open electric circuit, and
- heat sensors positioned in different zones of the vehicle, each one supplying a read out of the temperature present in that part of the vehicle and commanding the closing of the electric circuit on said heating means to actuate it and cause the change in state of the heat sensitive element so as to open the discharge conduit of the gas from the cylinder when, in at least one of said zones of the vehicle, the temperature reaches a preset safety limit threshold. Advantageously, the assembly may also include a means for receiving and managing the, signals arriving from the temperature sensors placed in various zones and close the circuit on the electric heating means if the readout temperature of one of said sensors is above threshold. Brief Description of Drawings
Further details of the invention will become more evident in the continuation of this description made in reference to the enclosed, indicative and non-limiting drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a diagram of the safety device with two compressed gas cylinders;
Fig. 2 shows one gas cylinder with two safety devices; Fig. 3 shows an example of a valve housing a plug fuse associated with an electric heating element. Detailed Description of the Invention
The diagram in Fig. 1 shows two compressed gas cylinders 11 which can be assembled on the same vehicle with a gas fuelled engine. Each cylinder 11 is equipped with a valve 12 housing a thermal safety device indicated generically by 13 and forming an automatic discharge unit of the gas from the cylinder.
The diagram in Fig. 2 shows a gas cylinder 11' which also has a valve 12 housing an automatic gas discharge unit and in addition another thermal safety device 13* placed in a conduit 13" connected to the inside of the cylinder in a different part in respect to the deployment of valve 12.
Valve 12 is well known and does not require describing. When it houses the safety device 13, a condiut 14 is formed in the body of said valve, as can be seen in Fig. 3, so as to connect the inside of the cylinder 11 with a discharge passage 15. The safety device 13 is associated with this discharge passage 15 and includes, in the known way, a heat sensitive element 16 which will modify physically at a preset safety temperature, for example between about 90 to 120°C. The heat sensitive element 16 can be either a material in a solid state, but which fuses on reaching a safety temperature or a liquid or paste material in a capsule which breaks on reaching the safety temperature. As long as the heat sensitive element 16 remains in its initial state, it will act as a stop and obstruct the discharge passage 15 preventing the gas from discharging. When on the other hand it changes its state on reaching the preset safety temperature, it frees the discharge passage 15, permitting the release of the gas from the cylinder with the possible additional help of a small piston 17 in expelling the material making up the heat sensitive element.
When the thermal safety device 13' is associated with a conduit 13" connected to the cylinder, the heat sensitive element 16 is placed in a body or capsule so as to block the passage formed by the conduit itself.
In both cases, the heat sensitive element 16 is associated with an electric heating means 18 placed in an electric circuit 19 which is normally open and connected to a powering battery 20. The heating means 18 can be made up an electric heater or some other suitable means placed around or however adjacent to the heat sensitive element and chosen on the basis of the mass of the latter. It must be powered continuously even when the vehicle is switched off, consequently the battery 20 to power it can be the one usually on board the vehicle or an auxiliary dedicated battery. In addition, at least in some zones of the vehicle and possibly close to each cylinder 11 there are temperature sensors 21 which can be made up of heat probes or any heat sensitive electronic device each capable of sending a signal indicating the temperature in their respective part of the vehicle. The quantity and position of the heat sensors 21 can be chosen according to the type of vehicle, the location of the gas cylinders in the vehicle etc.
Each heat sensor 21 will be set up to provoke the closing of the electric power circuit 19 powering the heat sensitive element 16 of the heating means 18, when the temperature in the zone it controls, reaches a preset threshold as indicated above. But preferably, the heat sensors 21 can be connected and governed by an electronic controller 22 -Fig. 1- able to elaborate the signals coming from each sensor and enable closing of the electric circuit 19 on the heating means 18 when at least one of said sensors signals an increase in temperature above the preset safety threshold.
The heat sensitive element 16 will then be heated so as to change its state and allow the gas to be discharged from the cylinder through the discharge passage 15, or the discharge conduit 13", not only when the cylinder is directly involved by an unwelcome increase in temperature, but also if and when a fault and irreversible increase in temperature is found which involves zones of the vehicle distant from the cylinder or cylinders positioned on the vehicle. In the second case in fact, the electrically powered heating means 18 is actuated and causes a change in the state of the heat sensitive element 16 which leads to a discharge of gas from the cylinder as soon as one of the heat sensors 21 finds a temperature above the preset safety threshold.

Claims

"SAFETY DEVICE FOR VEHICLES WITH GAS FUELLED ENGINES"
* * * *
C L A I M S 1. Safety device for vehicles with an engine fuelled by compressed gas loaded in at least one cylinder placed onboard the vehicle, comprising at least one automatic gas discharge unit placed along and closing a gas discharge passage (15) from the cylinder towards the outside and housing a heat sensitive element which will change its state at a preset safety temperature so as to free said gas discharge passage, characterised by at least one electric heating means (18) associated with the heat sensitive element (16) and powered by a normally open electric circuit (19), and peripheral temperature sensors (21) placed at least in some zones of the vehicle, installed so that each one sends a signal indicating the temperature in its zone of the vehicle and commanding the closing of the electric circuit (19) on said heating means (18) so as to actuate it and cause the change of state of the heat sensitive element (16) thus opening the discharge passage of the gas cylinder when, in at least one of said zones in the vehicle, the temperature has reached the preset safety limit.
2. Safety device for vehicles with an engine fuelled by compressed gas loaded in at least one cylinder placed onboard the vehicle, comprising at least one automatic gas discharge unit placed along and closing a gas discharge passage (15) from the cylinder towards the outside and housing a heat sensitive element which will change its state at a preset safety temperature so as to free said gas discharge passage, characterised by - at least one electric heating means (18) associated with the heat sensitive element (16) and powered by a normally open electric circuit
(19),
- peripheral temperature sensors (21) placed at least in some zones of the vehicle, installed so that each one sends a signal indicating the temperature in its zone of the vehicle, and
- at least one means (22) for managing the signals coming from said temperature sensors (21) and closing the circuit (19) of said means of electric heating (18) so as to actuate it and cause the change of state of said heat sensitive element (16) opening the gas discharge passage from the cylinder in reply to an increase in temperature signal above the preset safety limit in at least of said zones in the vehicle.
3. Safety device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the means (22) for managing the signals coming from the temperature sensors (22) is an electronic controller.
4. Safety device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the heating means (18) is at least one electric heater or one electronic element and is placed either around or adjacent to the heat sensitive element.
5. Safety device according to any one of the claims 1-4, wherein the peripheral temperature sensors (21) are made up of heat probes or heat sensitive electronic elements.
6. Safety device according to claim 5, in which the temperature sensors (21) are positioned in various zones of the vehicle and in the vicinity of each compressed gas cylinder on board the vehicle.
7. Safety device according to any one of the previous claims where, the electric circuit (19) of the heating means (18) is connected and powered directly by a vehicle battery under the control of either each temperature sensor or an electronic controller managing the signals coming from said sensors.
8. Safety device according to any of claims 1-6, where the electric circuit of the heating means (18) is connected and autonomously powered by an auxiliary battery under the control of either each temperature sensor or an electronic controller managing the signals coming from said sensors.
9. Safety device according to any one of the previous claims, where the gas discharge unit is associated with a discharge hole machined in a valve attached to the gas cylinder.
10. Safety device according to any one of the previous claims, where the gas discharge unit is associated with a discharge conduit connected either directly or indirectly to an outlet of the gas cylinder.
PCT/IT2003/000466 2002-08-13 2003-07-28 Safety device for vehicles with gas fuelled engines WO2004014683A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003253278A AU2003253278A1 (en) 2002-08-13 2003-07-28 Safety device for vehicles with gas fuelled engines

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000074A ITBS20020074A1 (en) 2002-08-13 2002-08-13 SAFETY DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES WITH ONE SYSTEM
ITBS2002A000074 2002-08-13

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2004014683A1 true WO2004014683A1 (en) 2004-02-19

Family

ID=31503931

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IT2003/000466 WO2004014683A1 (en) 2002-08-13 2003-07-28 Safety device for vehicles with gas fuelled engines

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2003253278A1 (en)
IT (1) ITBS20020074A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004014683A1 (en)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008010045A2 (en) * 2006-07-12 2008-01-24 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Storage tank system and method of decompressing the storage tank system
EP1925864A1 (en) * 2004-04-30 2008-05-28 Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A. Vehicle with gaseous fuel and automatic purge system
DE102007022610B4 (en) * 2006-05-19 2010-04-08 GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit Compressed gas storage system with pressure relief device on a thermobattery basis and method for heat-activated pressure relief
WO2015144359A1 (en) * 2014-03-27 2015-10-01 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft System for storing a pressurized gas and method for emptying a storage container for a pressurized gas
WO2018219660A1 (en) * 2017-05-29 2018-12-06 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Pressure vessel system for a vehicle
DE102017212491A1 (en) * 2017-07-20 2019-01-24 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Method for pressure relief of at least one fuel-carrying component and pressure vessel system
WO2019160803A1 (en) * 2018-02-14 2019-08-22 Hexagon Technology As System for multiple pressure relief device activation
WO2021018457A1 (en) * 2019-07-31 2021-02-04 Robert Bosch Gmbh Tank system
US11187336B2 (en) 2019-11-25 2021-11-30 Agility Fuel Systems Llc Pressure relief device
WO2021240456A1 (en) * 2020-05-29 2021-12-02 Omb Saleri S.P.A. Cylinder assembly for a hydrogen fuel cells autotraction system
US11260744B2 (en) 2017-09-14 2022-03-01 Agility Fuel Systems Llc Systems for monitoring volatile fuel system components

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4177863A (en) * 1975-02-18 1979-12-11 Sydney Simon Safety liquid dispenser
JPH07269797A (en) * 1994-03-31 1995-10-20 Shirakawa Denki Doboku Kk Alarm device for handling container for high pressure gas and the like
EP1070620A2 (en) * 1999-07-20 2001-01-24 MTM- Meccanica Tecnica Moderna S.r.l. Multivalve for a vehicle gaseous fuel tank
US20010018929A1 (en) * 2000-03-02 2001-09-06 Hamai Industries Limited Safety valve
JP2001317645A (en) * 2000-03-02 2001-11-16 Hamai Industries Ltd Safety valve and integral valve

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4177863A (en) * 1975-02-18 1979-12-11 Sydney Simon Safety liquid dispenser
JPH07269797A (en) * 1994-03-31 1995-10-20 Shirakawa Denki Doboku Kk Alarm device for handling container for high pressure gas and the like
EP1070620A2 (en) * 1999-07-20 2001-01-24 MTM- Meccanica Tecnica Moderna S.r.l. Multivalve for a vehicle gaseous fuel tank
US20010018929A1 (en) * 2000-03-02 2001-09-06 Hamai Industries Limited Safety valve
JP2001317645A (en) * 2000-03-02 2001-11-16 Hamai Industries Ltd Safety valve and integral valve

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1996, no. 02 29 February 1996 (1996-02-29) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 2002, no. 03 3 April 2002 (2002-04-03) *

Cited By (32)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1925864A1 (en) * 2004-04-30 2008-05-28 Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A. Vehicle with gaseous fuel and automatic purge system
US7748399B2 (en) 2004-04-30 2010-07-06 Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.A. Gaseous fuel vehicle and automatic vent system
US7762272B2 (en) 2004-04-30 2010-07-27 Conception Et Developpement Michelin S.A. Gaseous fuel vehicle and automatic vent system
DE102007022610B4 (en) * 2006-05-19 2010-04-08 GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit Compressed gas storage system with pressure relief device on a thermobattery basis and method for heat-activated pressure relief
US7743785B2 (en) 2006-05-19 2010-06-29 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Passive pressure relief device system based on thermobattery for a compressed gas storage tank
DE112007001582B4 (en) * 2006-07-12 2017-10-05 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Storage tank system and method for decompressing the storage tank system
WO2008010045A3 (en) * 2006-07-12 2008-03-27 Toyota Motor Co Ltd Storage tank system and method of decompressing the storage tank system
CN101484744B (en) * 2006-07-12 2011-07-20 丰田自动车株式会社 Storage tank system and method of decompressing the storage tank system
US8627841B2 (en) 2006-07-12 2014-01-14 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Storage tank system and method of decompressing the storage tank system
WO2008010045A2 (en) * 2006-07-12 2008-01-24 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Storage tank system and method of decompressing the storage tank system
CN105874262A (en) * 2014-03-27 2016-08-17 宝马股份公司 System for storing a pressurized gas and method for emptying a storage container for a pressurized gas
US20170016579A1 (en) * 2014-03-27 2017-01-19 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft System for Storing a Pressurized Gas and Method for Emptying a Storage Container for a Pressurized Gas
US10359150B2 (en) * 2014-03-27 2019-07-23 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft System for storing a pressurized gas and method for emptying a storage container for a pressurized gas
WO2015144359A1 (en) * 2014-03-27 2015-10-01 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft System for storing a pressurized gas and method for emptying a storage container for a pressurized gas
WO2018219660A1 (en) * 2017-05-29 2018-12-06 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Pressure vessel system for a vehicle
CN110809692A (en) * 2017-05-29 2020-02-18 宝马股份公司 Pressure vessel system for vehicle
US11662064B2 (en) 2017-05-29 2023-05-30 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Pressure vessel system for a vehicle
CN110809692B (en) * 2017-05-29 2022-04-15 宝马股份公司 Pressure vessel system for vehicle
DE102017212491A1 (en) * 2017-07-20 2019-01-24 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Method for pressure relief of at least one fuel-carrying component and pressure vessel system
US11260744B2 (en) 2017-09-14 2022-03-01 Agility Fuel Systems Llc Systems for monitoring volatile fuel system components
WO2019160803A1 (en) * 2018-02-14 2019-08-22 Hexagon Technology As System for multiple pressure relief device activation
US10942533B2 (en) 2018-02-14 2021-03-09 Hexagon Technology As System for multiple pressure relief device activation
EP3869084A1 (en) * 2018-02-14 2021-08-25 Hexagon Technology AS System for multiple pressure relief device activation
JP7138715B2 (en) 2018-02-14 2022-09-16 ヘキサゴン テクノロジー アーエス System for actuation of multiple pressure relief devices
KR20200121290A (en) * 2018-02-14 2020-10-23 헥사곤 테크놀로지 에이에스 Multiple pressure reducing device activation system
KR102563665B1 (en) 2018-02-14 2023-08-04 헥사곤 테크놀로지 에이에스 Multiple decompression device activation system
DE102019211422A1 (en) * 2019-07-31 2021-02-04 Robert Bosch Gmbh Tank system
WO2021018457A1 (en) * 2019-07-31 2021-02-04 Robert Bosch Gmbh Tank system
CN114450516A (en) * 2019-07-31 2022-05-06 罗伯特·博世有限公司 Tank system
US11187336B2 (en) 2019-11-25 2021-11-30 Agility Fuel Systems Llc Pressure relief device
US11692635B2 (en) 2019-11-25 2023-07-04 Agility Fuel Systems Llc Pressure relief device
WO2021240456A1 (en) * 2020-05-29 2021-12-02 Omb Saleri S.P.A. Cylinder assembly for a hydrogen fuel cells autotraction system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2003253278A1 (en) 2004-02-25
ITBS20020074A1 (en) 2004-02-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10359150B2 (en) System for storing a pressurized gas and method for emptying a storage container for a pressurized gas
KR101509789B1 (en) Compressed Gas Safety System
WO2004014683A1 (en) Safety device for vehicles with gas fuelled engines
CN101484744B (en) Storage tank system and method of decompressing the storage tank system
CN106972217B (en) Battery system and method for extinguishing or preventing a battery module from firing
US11083918B2 (en) Extinguishing system for a high-voltage battery of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle with an extinguishing system for a high-voltage battery
EP0863528B1 (en) Electric circuit breaker for vehicle
US4132237A (en) Excess flow shutoff valve for hazardous fluids
US11260744B2 (en) Systems for monitoring volatile fuel system components
JP4631648B2 (en) Gas fuel tank structure for vehicles
CN114450516A (en) Tank system
US20040084193A1 (en) Automatic anti-fire apparatus for vehicles
JP6810145B2 (en) Safety device
IT201900001735A1 (en) AUXILIARY SAFETY SYSTEM FOR A MODULAR BATTERY IN AN UNDERWATER VEHICLE AND ITS BATTERY
US20190193658A1 (en) Modular safety kit
CZ297964B6 (en) Regulating and control system of a tank for liquid fuel in the form of liquefied gas
CN103595085A (en) Monitoring device and method, discharge device, storage battery system and motor vehicle
US2508231A (en) Fusible and frangible plug for safety systems
JP2001355831A (en) Device equipped with internal pressure explosion preventing structure
JPH10241523A (en) Electric circuit breaker
US4914313A (en) Power interruption system
CN215398189U (en) High-voltage memory and vehicle having a high-voltage memory
US9414522B2 (en) Flameproof pressure-tight encapsulated housing with cooling device
KR102466535B1 (en) Equipment attached automatic fire extinguisher
CN219415221U (en) Electric heater

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ OM PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SK SL TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Country of ref document: JP

DPE2 Request for preliminary examination filed before expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed from 20040101)