WO2022263156A1

WO2022263156A1 - Tank valve device for at least one tank container, tank apparatus for a fuel, and method for operating a tank apparatus for a fuel

Info

Publication number: WO2022263156A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/064595
Authority: WO
Inventors: Udo Schaich; Andreas Rau; Joachim Soubari
Original assignee: Robert Bosch Gmbh
Priority date: 2021-06-18
Filing date: 2022-05-30
Publication date: 2022-12-22
Also published as: DE102021206257A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a tank valve device (1) for at least one tank container (TB), comprising a valve housing (G) with an outlet opening (AO) and an inlet region (EB) and a pilot control volume (VV), wherein the inlet region (EB) can be connected to the tank container (TB) and a fuel can be admitted into the inlet region (EB) from the fuel tank; a main valve body (HK) with a longitudinal channel (LK), wherein the main valve body (HK) is movable along a longitudinal direction (LR) upstream of the outlet opening (AO) towards and away again from the latter; a servo valve device (SV) which is arranged within the main valve body (HK) and is movable along the longitudinal direction (LR) in such a manner that a flow to the longitudinal channel (LK) from the pilot control volume (VV) for the fuel can be produced or can be closed; and a magnetic device (M) which can be used to generate a magnetic field (B) by means of which the servo valve device (SV) can be displaced along the longitudinal direction (LR) and the flow to the longitudinal channel (LK) can be produced to reduce the pressure in the pilot control volume (VV), wherein the main valve body (HK) is dimensioned and arranged in order, after the reduction in pressure, to be pushed into the pilot control volume (VV) along the longitudinal direction (LR) by a fuel pressure in the inlet region (EB) and to open the outlet opening (AO).

Description

description

title

Tank valve device for at least one tank container, tank device for a fuel and method for operating a tank device for a

fuel

The present invention relates to a tank valve device for at least one tank container, a tank device for a fuel and a method for operating a tank device for a fuel.

State of the art

In tank systems for hydrogen as compressed gas in mobile applications, a non-return valve for refueling and a shut-off valve for removing hydrogen to supply the propulsion system (e.g. fuel cells or hydrogen burners) with fuel are usually used.

A spring-loaded refueling check valve allows mass flow into the refueling system when the gas pressure upstream of the valve is higher than the pressure in the reservoir, which is normally the case during refueling. Otherwise the non-return valve seals the tank system. The shut-off valve (shut-off valve) usually works as an electrically controlled solenoid valve. In the event of removal, the magnet is electrically energized. The valve opens and hydrogen flows from the tank to the consumer. When the magnet is inactive, the valve remains closed and seals the tank system. A tank system can consist of several tank containers, with each container having its own non-return valve for refueling and its own shut-off valve. May have off-valve for removal. Mobile hydrogen tank systems for motor vehicles for converting the hydrogen in fuel cells or hydrogen internal combustion engines are known. In the event of a line break or an accident, it may be necessary to close the hydrogen tanks using the shut-off valve.

On the other hand, a servo valve with a small seat diameter can be opened magnetically in order to produce pressure equalization on a main valve, with the main valve being able to be opened by means of a mechanical driver.

On the other hand, a servo valve with a small seat diameter can be opened magnetically in order to produce pressure equalization on a main valve, with the main valve being able to be opened by means of magnetic force.

On the other hand, a servo valve with a small seat diameter can be opened magnetically to generate a pressure drop in a control chamber, comparable to common rail injectors.

Several principles can be known for the automatic closing function, in which case the main valve can be mechanically coupled to the servo valve, in which case the servo valve can close via a spring and can take the main valve with it.

On the other hand, the main valve can be electrically coupled to the servo valve, with the servo magnet being switched off and as a result a magnet of the main valve also being switched off and both valves being able to close via springs.

DE112006003013B4 describes a tank with a fitting and a valve, the valve being fixed in the fitting.

Disclosure of Invention The present invention provides a tank valve device for at least one tank container according to claim 1, a tank device for a fuel according to claim 8 and a method for operating a tank device for a fuel according to claim 11.

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 valve device for at least one tank container, a tank device for a fuel and a method for operating a tank device for a fuel, with the main valve body also being able to be moved through an opening in a servo valve device inside a main valve body and a flow of fuel through the main valve can be generated and/or closed.

By controlling a stroke of a servo valve device inside a main valve body, the stroke of the main valve body can also be controllable, thereby improving control of the strokes and opening of the valve.

According to the invention, the tank valve device for at least one tank container comprises a valve housing with an outlet opening and an inlet area and a pilot volume, the inlet area being connectable to the tank container and fuel being able to be admitted from the tank container into the inlet area; a main valve body with an inner area and with a longitudinal channel in the inner area, wherein the main valve body is arranged in the valve housing such that it can be moved back and forth along a longitudinal direction in front of the outlet opening, so that the outlet opening through the main valve body opposite the inlet area is sealable, and the longitudinal channel is aligned with the outlet opening; a servo valve device, which is arranged within the main valve body and is movable along the longitudinal direction, such that a flow to the longitudinal passage from the pilot volume for the Fuel can be generated and/or interrupted, the pilot volume being connected to the inlet region via a throttle for the fuel; and a magnet device, by which a magnetic field can be generated, by means of which the servo valve device can be displaced along the longitudinal direction and a pressure reduction can be generated in the pilot volume through the flow to the longitudinal channel, wherein the main valve body is dimensioned and arranged in such a way that, after the pressure reduction, To be pushed pilot volume along the longitudinal direction by a fuel pressure in the inlet area and to open the outlet port.

A servo valve with a small seat diameter can be opened magnetically in order to produce pressure equalization on a main valve, with the main valve being able to be opened by means of opening spring force.

In the basic principle according to the invention, a servo valve with a small seat diameter can be opened magnetically to generate a pressure drop in a control chamber (pilot control volume), comparable to common rail injectors.

A fuel can be at least partially drained from the tank container by the tank valve device. The fuel can be a gaseous fuel or a gas-liquid mixture.

The throttle can connect the inlet area with the pilot volume for a flow of the fuel, however, a delay in the pressure equalization between the pilot volume and the inlet area can be generated in order to pull the main valve body into a recess for the pilot valve and a sealing seat between the main valve body and the outlet opening at least up to one To open the pressure equalization between the inlet area and the pilot volume. The inlet area can partially surround the main valve body. The inlet area can have an outer side that is permeable to the fuel and that can be connected to an inflow of the fuel, for example this outer side can be an outer side of the valve housing and have holes for the fuel, which can then penetrate into the valve housing.

The tank valve device can be designed as a drain valve (so-called shut-off valve) and used for this purpose in a fuel tank and can be designed as a miniaturized shut-off valve. A small size can result in the smallest possible force application surface on components outside of the tank container and the space in the bottle neck of a tank container is sufficient for assembly, as a result of which an installation location with improved assembly stability can be achieved. By designing the servo valve in the main valve, a first stroke (to open) of the servo valve device can differ from a second stroke (to open) of the main valve, for example be larger or smaller. As a result, only one magnetic device can be used for both strokes and the size of the tank valve device can be reduced and costs can be saved.

The valve housing and the main valve body as well as a sealing seat at the outlet opening can be formed from a metal, as a result of which wear and, furthermore, leakage of the system can at least be reduced.

It is now possible to control two valves simultaneously with one magnetic circuit. By applying an electric current to the coil of the magnetic device, a magnetic field can be generated, which can influence the two magnetically conductive valve bodies. Due to the arrangement of the system, the servo valve first moves out of its seat against the spring force and releases a certain amount of fuel from the pilot volume, which can be fed via throttles from the inlet area as a high-pressure area, into the system via an outlet path (longitudinal channel via outlet opening ) as a low-pressure path. Due to this pressure relief of the pilot volume, the pressure conditions can be directed in such a way that the force vectors opening on the main valve, supported by the magnetic field, can also open the main valve completely along the longitudinal axis and the valve bank can remain stable in this, even with pressure and volume fluctuations opened Can hold position until the magnetic field is switched off and the spring can push both valves back into the closed position.

When open, the path from the high-pressure area of the tank to the outflow into the system (drain area) is free and the maximum volume flow can flow.

The servo valve (the servo valve body) can therefore move within the main valve body and, in addition to its own longitudinal movement, at the same time follows the longitudinal movement of the main valve. In this way, two different valve lifts can be implemented with one magnet.

Corresponding different quantity flows of fuel can be fulfilled via the first and/or second (valve) lift.

Compared to an arrangement of the valves in series, the valve lifts and the large forces, large magnets, large currents and large dimensions required for this can be reduced/reduced.

The immersion armature and/or the flat armature, as well as any area-wise cut-out of material on a side area of the main valve body, which can move in an area of the magnetic field lines, means that the magnetic field can have an effect on both or on at least one of the two valve bodies (main valve body, servo valve body) and modified when the material varies along the side (magnetic field optimization).

An optimal coupling of the magnetic field via the main valve to the servo valve can also be achieved during the longitudinal movement of the main valve. In addition to the plunger principle, a magnetic coupling based on the flat armature can also be formed on the main valve body, for example formed as a needle. In addition to optimizing the magnetic field (at the end, for example toward the recess), the magnetic field can thus be introduced into the servo valve in a targeted manner in the case of recesses or variations in materials on the side of the main valve body. A return spring attached to the front can provide an additional closing force in the direction of the two sealing seats of the valves (servo valve towards the longitudinal channel and main valve body towards the outlet opening) as soon as the magnetic field is switched off. In the rest position, there are always closing forces on the servo valves, so that the valves can be held in the seat with support from the tank pressure.

According to a preferred embodiment of the tank valve device, the servo valve device comprises a spill area which is connected to the longitudinal channel or faces it and through which the fuel can be drained into the longitudinal channel.

The (inner) control area can connect to the longitudinal channel. If the servo valve device assumes/exercises an internal stroke through a movement of the servo valve body towards the pilot volume, a free space, for example as a gap, can be created in or on the deactivation area, through which the fuel can then flow/flow from the pilot volume into the longitudinal channel. The resulting reduction in pressure in the pilot volume can then pull the main valve body a second stroke into the pilot volume or a recess of the housing in that direction. The two strokes can also be influenced by the magnetic field and a plunger of the servo valve device and a flat armature of the main valve body. The fuel can therefore flow into the longitudinal channel when the servo valve is pushed away from an inner sealing seat and from the longitudinal channel.

When the servo valve is open, the fuel can flow through a recess in the main valve body to the longitudinal channel, through and/or around the servo valve.

The deactivation area of the servo valve can therefore advantageously be connected to the deactivation area of the main valve. Both spill areas are connected to the line system to the pressure reducer. The servo valve can be used in accordance with the way a common rail injector works Pressure drop can be generated at a closing pressure surface of a main valve, which can lead to opening of the main valve.

According to a preferred embodiment of the tank valve device, the valve housing comprises a block of material which bears against the inlet area in the longitudinal direction and in which there is a recess which comprises the pilot control volume.

The block of material can form an area of the valve housing, such as that part in which the pilot volume and a line with a throttle between the pilot volume and the inlet area can be included.

According to a preferred embodiment of the tank valve device, the servo valve device comprises a plunger, which can be pushed into the recess from the inlet area in the longitudinal direction.

With a movement of the plunger into the recess, a magnetic flux through this plunger and through the servo valve can be changed, as a result of which a movement of the servo valve device within the recess can be controllable.

According to a preferred embodiment of the tank valve device, the main valve body comprises a flat armature which can be placed on the block of material when the main valve body moves in the longitudinal direction.

When the flat armature approaches, it can interact with the magnetic field and pull the flat armature towards the block of material, for example placing the flat armature directly on the block of material or leaving a gap between the block of material and the flat armature. A second stroke of the main valve body can then be controlled by this movement.

According to a preferred embodiment of the tank valve device, the magnetic device is arranged next to the recess and in the block of material. By positioning the magnetic device next to the recess, when the plunger is pushed in and/or the flat armature approaches the block of material, the magnetic field flow and the magnetic force on the plunger and/or flat armature can be influenced, advantageously increased and an attractive force into the recess (or at least towards the pre-tax volume) can be increased.

According to a preferred embodiment of the tank valve device, it includes a restoring spring, which is arranged in the pilot volume and is set up to exert a restoring force on the main valve body and/or on the servo valve device, which is directed along the longitudinal direction and toward the outlet opening.

When energization of the magnet device is terminated, the return spring can push the main valve body and/or the servo valve device (the servo valve body) back into an initial position in which the outlet opening through the main valve body and/or the longitudinal channel through the servo valve device (the servo valve body) for the Flow of the fuel can be closed.

According to the invention, the tank device for a fuel comprises a tank container with an opening, and a tank valve device according to the invention, which is arranged in the opening of the tank container or is connected or can be connected to it; and, and a control device, which is connected to the magnet device and is arranged to control it.

The solenoid device can be energized by the control device and a force can be generated in the direction of the pilot control volume, viewed from the main valve body and/or from the servo valve device (the servo valve body).

The tank device can be connected to a consumer, for example installed in a vehicle and connected to the engine. The vehicle may be a vehicle with an internal combustion engine or trade a fuel cell vehicle. The fuel can be a gaseous gas for operating a fuel cell, for example hydrogen or other gases that are possible for this purpose. On the other hand, the gas fuel can also be a gas for a gas-powered vehicle, such as CNG or LPG, and this can also be liquid gas.

According to a preferred embodiment of the tank device, it comprises a pressure reducer which is connected to the outlet opening.

The pressure reducer can generate a lower pressure in a discharge line from the valve housing than in the pilot volume and/or in the inlet area.

According to a preferred embodiment of the tank device, the tank container is a hydrogen tank.

According to the invention, in a method for operating a tank device for a fuel, a tank device according to the invention is provided; recognizing a need to drain the fuel and then energizing the magnetic device and thereby at least partially guiding the fuel out of the tank container and/or recognizing a need to close the tank valve device and interrupting a current at the magnetic device and thereby closing a flow of fuel through the tank valve device.

The magnetic device can have a coil that can be energized.

The tank device and/or tank valve device can also be characterized by the features mentioned in connection with 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 attached drawings. Brief description of the drawings

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

Show it:

1 shows a schematic representation of a tank device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

2 shows a schematic illustration of a tank valve device according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

3 shows a block diagram of method steps of the method for operating 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 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The tank device 10 for a fuel comprises a tank container TB with an opening OF, and a tank valve device 1 according to the invention, which is arranged in the opening OF of the tank container TB or is connected or can be connected to it; and a control device SE, which is connected to the magnet device and is set up to control it.

A fuel can be discharged into a low-pressure area, for example into an exhaust pipe and/or into an environment V, via the tank valve device 1 .

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a tank valve device according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The tank valve device 1 for at least one tank container TB comprises a valve housing G with an outlet opening AO and an inlet area EB and a pilot volume VV, the inlet area EB being able to be connected to the tank container TB and fuel from the tank container being able to be admitted into the inlet area EB; a main valve body HK, shaped approximately as a needle, with an inner area IB and with a longitudinal channel LK in the inner area IB, the main valve body HK being arranged in the valve housing G in such a way that it runs along a longitudinal direction LR in front of the outlet opening AO and back from it can be moved away, so that the outlet opening AO can be tightly closed by the main valve body HK in relation to the inlet area EB (via a sealing seat DS-A on the housing G), and the longitudinal channel LK is aligned with the outlet opening AO. Furthermore, the tank valve device 1 comprises a servo valve device SV, for example with an inner register valve, which is arranged inside the main valve body HK and can be moved along the longitudinal direction LR, such that a flow to the longitudinal channel LK can be generated from the pilot volume VV for the fuel and/or can be interrupted, the pilot volume VV being connected to the inlet area EB via a throttle (not shown) for the fuel; and a magnetic device M, by which a magnetic field B can be generated, by means of which the servo valve device SV can be displaced along the longitudinal direction LR and the flow to the longitudinal channel LK can be generated to reduce the pressure in the pilot volume VV (after the servo valve has been pulled out of a sealing seat on the longitudinal channel ), wherein the main valve body HK is dimensioned and arranged in such a way that, after the pressure reduction, it can be pushed into the pilot volume VV along the longitudinal direction LR by a fuel pressure in the inlet region EB and the outlet opening AO opened.

In other words, a shut-off valve with the servo principle is shown, with an opening force of the servo valve and the holding force on the main valve being able to be achieved by a single coil of the magnetic device M. After the servo valve has opened, the pressure on a closing pressure surface of the main valve can be lowered, for example at the transition to the recess AS, as a result of which the main valve body HK is pushed out of the rest position towards the pilot volume VV and away from the sealing seat DS-A at the outlet opening AO can and thus opens the main valve. Advantageously, the opening of the servo valve causes a region of the (primary) magnetic circuit to become saturated. The saturation magnetization is the maximum possible magnetization of a material.

As the opening movement increases, an air gap between the plunger and the flat armature FA and the material block (and the recess) decreases, and thus also the magnetic resistance, which can lead to an increase in the force at the interfaces between the material block MB and the main valve body and/or servo valve body and thus to a support of the opening movement at the main valve. As soon as the main valve reaches the stroke stop, the air gap is minimal and the resulting holding force keeps the main valve open against the closing spring force and any pressure drop with the resulting closing forces, even with relatively small flows.

It can be used in tank systems for mobile hydrogen applications.

The servo valve device (and/or the main valve body HK can include a discharge area AB, for example at the tip of the needle) can include a spill area AB-SV, which is connected to the longitudinal channel LK or faces it and through which the fuel can be discharged into the longitudinal channel LK is. The valve housing G can include a material block MB, which can lie against the inlet area EB in the longitudinal direction LR and in which there can be a recess AS, which includes the pilot volume VV or can at least be connected to the pilot volume VV on one end face of the servo valve device .

Furthermore, the servo valve device SV can include a plunger TA, which can be pushed into the cutout AS from the inlet area EB in the longitudinal direction LR when the magnet device M is energized and a magnetic field B generated thereby is present. The main valve body HK can include a flat armature FA, which upon movement of the main valve body HK in the longitudinal direction LR on the Material block MB can be placed or at least approached (tightened towards the pilot volume in support of pressure equalization) which can control a second stroke of the main valve body. The magnetic device M can be arranged next to the recess AS and in the material block MB. A restoring spring RF can be arranged in the pilot volume VV and set up to exert a restoring force RK on the main valve body HK and/or on the servo valve device SV, which can be directed along the longitudinal direction LR and towards the outlet opening AO. An exhaust line can be connected to a low-pressure pND and to a pressure reducer D, and can be subjected to a pressure that is lower than that in the inlet area and the pilot volume VV.

When the servo valve device SV is open and/or when the main valve body is open, a side area SB of the main valve body can have a lateral cutout lying sideways and lying against the material block, or another material can be present, with the magnetic field lines B being able to penetrate through this side area and due to a change in the material or the Recess compared to the rest of the material of the main valve body, a change in the magnetic force can be generated in this area and thus on the main valve body, the magnetic force and the second stroke can thus be influenced.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of method steps of the method for operating a tank device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In the method for operating a tank device for a fuel, a tank device according to the invention is provided S1; a detection S2 of a need to drain the fuel and then energizing the magnetic device and thereby at least partially guiding the fuel out of the tank container and/or a detection S3 of a need to close the tank valve device and interrupt a current at the magnetic device and thereby close a flow of fuel through the tank valve assembly. 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.

Claims

Expectations

1. Tank valve device (1) for at least one tank container (TB), comprising,

- a valve housing (G) with an outlet opening (AO) and an inlet area (EB) and a pilot volume (VV), whereby the inlet area (EB) can be connected to the tank container (TB) and a fuel from the tank container into the inlet area (EB ) can be admitted;

- A main valve body (HK) with an interior (IB) and with a longitudinal channel (LK) in the interior, the main valve body (HK) being arranged in the valve housing (G) in such a way that it is positioned in front of the outlet opening ( AO) can be moved back and forth away from it, so that the outlet opening (AO) can be closed tightly by the main valve body (HK) in relation to the inlet area (EB), and the longitudinal channel (LK) is aligned with the outlet opening (AO);

- A servo valve device (SV), which is arranged inside the main valve body (HK) and is movable along the longitudinal direction (LR), such that a flow to the longitudinal channel (LK) can be generated and/or interrupted by the pilot volume (VV) for the fuel , wherein the pilot volume (VV) is connected to the inlet region (EB) via a throttle for the fuel; and

- a magnetic device (M) by which a magnetic field (B) can be generated, by means of which the servo valve device (SV) can be displaced along the longitudinal direction (LR) and a pressure reduction in the pilot control volume (VV) can be generated by the flow to the longitudinal channel (LK). is, the main valve body (HK) being dimensioned and arranged in such a way that, after the pressure reduction, it can be pushed into the pilot volume (VV) along the longitudinal direction (LR) by a fuel pressure in the inlet region (EB) and the outlet opening (AO) opened .

2. Tank valve device (1) according to claim 1, in which the servo valve device (SV) comprises a spill area (AB) which is connected to the longitudinal channel (LK) or faces this and through which the fuel can be drained into the longitudinal channel (LK). .

3. Tank valve device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the valve housing (G) comprises a block of material (MB) which is attached to the inlet area (EB) in the longitudinal direction (LR) and in which there is a recess (AS) that includes the pilot volume (VV).

4. Tank valve device (1) according to claim 3, in which the servo valve device (SV) comprises a plunger (TA) which can be pushed into the recess (AS) from the inlet region (EB) in the longitudinal direction (LR).

5. Tank valve device (1) according to Claim 3 or 4, in which the main valve body (HK) comprises a flat armature (FA) which can be placed on the material block (MB) when the main valve body (HK) moves in the longitudinal direction (LR).

6. Tank valve device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, in which the magnetic device (M) is arranged next to the recess (AS) and in the material block (MB).

7. Tank valve device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 6, which comprises a restoring spring (RF) which is arranged in the pilot volume (VV) and is set up to exert a restoring force (RK) on the main valve body (HK) and/or or to be exerted on the servo valve means (SV) directed along the longitudinal direction (LR) and towards the outlet opening (AO).

8. Tank device (10) for a fuel, comprising:

- a tank container (TB) with an opening (OF), and

- A tank valve device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is arranged in the opening (OF) of the tank container (TB) or is connected or connectable thereto; and

- A control device (SE), which is connected to the magnet device (M) and is set up to control it.

9. Tank device (10) according to claim 8, which comprises a pressure reducer which is connected to the outlet opening (AO).

10. tank device (10) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the tank container (TB) is a hydrogen tank.

11. A method for operating a tank device (10) for a fuel, comprising the steps:

- Providing (Sl) a tank device (10) according to any one of claims 8 to 10;

- Recognizing (S2) a need to drain the fuel and then energizing the magnetic device (M) and thereby at least partially guiding the fuel out of the tank container (TB) and/or - Recognizing (S3) a need to close the tank valve device (1) and interrupting a current at the magnet means (M) and thereby closing a flow of fuel through the tank valve means (1).