Replaceable cartridge, cartridge system and method for connecting cartridges

Abstract

A replaceable cartridge for storing a fluid includes a pressure vessel for holding the fluid; a connecting line extending from the pressure vessel to a first connection surface on an external side of the cartridge; and a valve system comprising a first shut-off member disposed in the connecting line; wherein the connecting line has a taper in a direction of the first connection surface.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A replaceable cartridge for storing a fluid, comprising: a pressure vessel for holding the fluid; a connecting line extending from the pressure vessel to a first connection surface on an external side of the cartridge; and a valve system comprising a first shut-off member disposed in the connecting line; wherein the connecting line has a taper in a direction of the first connection surface.

17. The cartridge according to claim 16, and further comprising a through line connecting the first connection surface to a second connection surface disposed on the external side of the cartridge, wherein a second shut-off member of the valve system is disposed in the through line.

18. The cartridge (10) according to claim 17, wherein the through line is formed as a mechanical strut or is arranged substantially within the pressure vessel.

19. The cartridge according to claim 17, wherein a third shut-off member of the valve system is disposed in a common part of the through line and the connecting line.

20. The cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the valve system is disposed in an interior of the pressure vessel.

21. The cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the cartridge has a substantially cylindrical housing having a shell surface and two end faces, wherein the first connection surface is disposed on one of the end faces.

22. The cartridge according to claim 16, wherein a locking element for establishing a safe connection to a fluid consumer or a further cartridge is disposed in a region of the first connection surface.

23. The cartridge according to claim 16, wherein a transmission unit is configured in a region of the first connection surface, the transmission unit having a communications interface or a current transmission interface connected to a communications unit, the communications interface preferably being configured as a current transmission interface.

24. The cartridge according to claim 23, wherein the communications unit is connected to the valve system for activating one or a plurality of shut-off members.

25. The cartridge according to claim 23, wherein a first communications interface, configured as part of a first transmission unit, is connected to a second communications interface configured as part of a second transmission unit through the communications unit.

26. The cartridge according to claim 23, wherein the communications unit is connected to at least one sensor, the at least one sensor preferably being configured as an interior temperature sensor, an exterior temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a gas sensor or a gas leak sensor.

27. The cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the cartridge is configured in such a manner that the first shut-off member opens in the event of a positive pressure differential between the connecting line and the pressure vessel, or wherein the cartridge is configured in such a manner that the first shut-off member closes when being mechanically separated from a fluid consumer or a further cartridge.

28. A cartridge system of at least one cartridge configured according to claim 16, and a valve control unit for controlling the valve system by way of a communications unit, wherein a fluid consumer is connected to the first connection surface of the cartridge.

29. The cartridge system according to claim 27, and including a further cartridge which is connected to the cartridge, wherein a first connection surface of the further cartridge is connected to the second connection surface of the cartridge.

30. The cartridge system as in claim 17, wherein the through line is at least partially formed as part of the connecting line.

31. The cartridge system as in claim 18, wherein the through line is arranged along a central axis of the pressure vessel.

32. The cartridge system as in claim 22, wherein the locking element is configured as a permanent magnet.

33. The cartridge system as in claim 28, wherein the valve control unit is configured as part of the fluid consumer.

34. A method for connecting a cartridge to a further cartridge, each being configured according to claim 24, the method comprising the following steps: establishing a mechanical connection between a second connection surface of the cartridge and a first connection surface of the further cartridge; establishing an electronic connection between a second transmission unit of the cartridge and a first transmission unit of the further cartridge; establishing a connection between a first communications unit of the cartridge and a second communications unit of the further cartridge for activating a valve system by way of the first and the second communications unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a cartridge according to the invention;

[0047] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a schematic view of a cartridge system according to the invention having a cartridge, a further cartridge, and a fluid consumer a) prior to being plugged to one another, and b) in a state plugged to one another; and

[0048] FIGS. 3a-3c show a schematic illustration of the use of a cartridge according to the invention as a hydrogen reservoir for a bicycle in three scenarios.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a replaceable cartridge 10 according to the invention for storing a fluid in an advantageous embodiment. Elements of identical type of further cartridges 10′, 10″ according to the invention are provided with reference signs having corresponding index marks.

[0050] The substantially cylindrical cartridge 10 extends between a first connection surface 10a and a second connection surface 10b, and in the interior has a pressure vessel 11 for receiving a fluid. The cartridge 10 is configured in such a manner that a fluid can be received and stored in the pressure vessel 11 and dispensed again when required. The cartridge 10 is thus suitable for transporting and storing a pressurized fluid.

[0051] The cartridge 10 has a housing 20 having a substantially cylindrical housing shape having two opposite end faces. The first and the second connection surface 10a, 10b are configured on the opposite end faces. The cartridge 10 can be connected to a correspondingly configured mating component by way of the first and/or the second connection surface 10a, 10b. The correspondingly configured mating component can be a fluid consumer, one or a plurality of further cartridges 10′, 10″, a filling device or an automatic swapping device. However, one (first) connection surface 10a is already sufficient for the cartridge 10 according to the invention.

[0052] The replaceable cartridge 10 comprises a pressure vessel 11 having a substantially cylindrical shape. The pressure vessel 11 can however also have a spherical shape. The pressure vessel 11 can be composed of metal or a plastics material. The pressure vessel 11 extends across almost the entire width of the housing 20 of the cartridge 11, so as to achieve an ideally large storage volume. Depending on the intended use, the pressure vessel 11 can be conceived for different pressures. The surrounding housing 20 can be configured as a carbon fiber casing, a glass fiber casing, or from (injection-molding) plastics material, so as to protect the pressure vessel 11 against internal influences and/or additionally have the effect of a reinforcement at high pressures. The fluid to be stored can be a gas such as, for example, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen or natural gas, or a gas mixture or a liquid.

[0053] The pressure vessel 11 of the cartridge 10 in the embodiment shown is filled with hydrogen. The cartridge can thus be used as a (refillable) hydrogen reservoir for connecting to a fuel cell as a fluid consumer. The pressure vessel 11 for the use as a hydrogen reservoir is conceived for pressures of up to 700 bar.

[0054] Proceeding from the pressure vessel 11, a connecting line extends to a first connection surface 10a on an external side of the cartridge 10. The pressure vessel 11, by way of the connecting line 12 configured as a pressurized pipeline, is fluidically connected to a mating component connected to the connection surface 10a. A fluid can be transported from or to the pressure vessel 11 by way of the connecting line 12. A first shut-off member 14a as part of a valve system 14 is disposed in the connecting line 12. The first shut-off member 14a in this exemplary embodiment is configured as a magnetic valve and is controlled by an electromagnet (not illustrated). When the first shut-off member 14a is opened, the pressure vessel 11 can be filled or emptied by way of the connecting line 12. When the first shut-off member 14a is closed, a fluid can be stored in the pressure vessel 11.

[0055] In order to guarantee that a user can safely use the cartridge 10, for example connect the cartridge 10 to a mating component or remove said cartridge 10 from the latter, the transmission of force in the use of the cartridge 10 (such as filling or emptying the pressure vessel 11, respectively) must stay below an established maximum value. To this end, the cross-sectional area of the connecting line is correspondingly reduced according to the invention. To this end, the connecting line 12 has a taper 12a. Depending on the established maximum value for the transmission of force, a diameter of the connecting line in the region of the taper is reduced/tapered by more than 80%. The taper 12a can be disposed at any location in the connecting line 12, but it is advantageous for the taper 12a to be disposed directly ahead of the end of the connecting line 12, so as to be close to the first connection surface 10a, in order to prevent losses within the pressurized pipeline. The taper according to the invention guarantees that a user can safely handle the cartridge 10 at any time.

[0056] The cartridge 10 is furthermore configured in such a manner that the first shut-off member 14a in the event of a positive pressure differential between the connecting line 12 and the pressure vessel 11 opens automatically. In this way, the cartridge 10 can be filled in a rapid and simple manner.

[0057] The cartridge 10 moreover has a through line 13. The through line 13, likewise configured as a pressurized pipeline, extends from the first connection surface 10a to the second connection surface 10b. The through line 13 in this embodiment has a common first portion 13a with the connecting line 12, and is configured as a mechanical stay, both however not being mandatory. In this first portion 13a of the through line 13 the latter is configured as part of the connecting line 12, and in a second portion 13b the through line 13 establishes a connection between the connecting line 12 and the second connection surface 10b. The through line 13, for the same reason as the connecting line 12, in each of the first and the second portion 13a, 13b has a taper.

[0058] A second shut-off member 14b, configured as part of the valve system 14, is disposed in the through line 13. The second shut-off member 14b is disposed in the second portion 13b of the through line and permits the through line 13 to be closed. In the event of a closed second shut-off member 14b the cartridge can be used as described above. In the event of an opened second shut-off member 14b and closed first shut-off member 14a the through line 13 can be used as a bypass line for transporting fluid while bypassing the pressure vessel 11.

[0059] The through line 13 can furthermore have a third shut-off member 14c, configured as part of the valve system 14. The third shut-off member 14c is disposed in the common portion 13a of the through line and connecting line 12, 13. In the event of a closed position of the third shut-off member 14c and simultaneously opened first and second shut-off member 14a, 14b, the second portion 13b of the through line 13 can be used as a connecting line, so to speak, and the cartridge 10 can also be filled or emptied by way of a transport interface of the second connection surface 10b.

[0060] The first, the second and the third shut-off member 14a, 14b, 14c are part of the valve system 14 which is connected to the one communications unit 18 and can be controlled by the latter. The individual shut-off members 14a, 14b, 14c can be activated individually or in combination by the communications unit 18. To this end, the communications unit 18 is connected to an external valve control unit 30. The connection between the valve control unit 30 and the communications unit 18 can also take place by way of a communications interface 18a, 18b which is explained hereunder. The valve control unit 30 is preferably configured as an external component, for example as part of a fluid consumer which is connected to the cartridge 10.

[0061] In the embodiment shown, the cartridge 10 has a first transmission unit 20a, disposed in the region of the first connection surface 10a, and a second transmission unit 20b, disposed in the region of the second connection surface 10b. However, one (first) transmission unit 20a is already sufficient for the use of the cartridge 10 according to the invention. The first and the second transmission unit 20a, 20b each extend about (a) transport interface(s) configured at the end of the connecting line 12 and optionally at the ends of the through line 13, the fluid being able to be transported by way of said transport interface(s). The connection surfaces 10a, 10b including the transmission units 20a, 20b can be configured according to the plug/socket principle. The cartridge 10 can thus be easily plugged to a correspondingly configured mating component.

[0062] By way of the transmission unit 20a, 20b it can be ensured that a transmission of the fluid takes place only once a connected mating component is certified so as to be compatible. The transmission unit 20a in this exemplary embodiment to this end has a communications interface 18a which is connected to the communications unit 18. The communications interface 18a serves for the communication of the cartridge 10′ of a connected identically configured mating component such as a further cartridge 10′, 10″ or a fluid consumer. The transmission unit 20a in this embodiment moreover has a current transmission interface 19a. The current transmission interface 19a serves for supplying the electrical components of the cartridge 10 with electric power. The communications interface 18a and the current transmission interface 19a can also be configured as a common interface. The communications and/or current transmission interface 18a, 19a can also be configured so as to be wireless. In the embodiment of the cartridge 10 shown, the communications unit 18 is additionally connected to a second communications interface 18b which is disposed in the second transmission unit 20b and is likewise configured as a current transmission interface 19b.

[0063] In order to prevent the cartridge 10 from being unintentionally released from a connected mating component, the cartridge 10 in the region of the connection surfaces 10a, 10b additionally has in each case one locking element 16a, 16b. In the embodiment shown, the locking elements 16a, 16b are configured as annular permanent magnets which extend about the transport interface. The cartridge by means of the permanent magnet can be safely attached to a correspondingly configured mating component and be removed from the latter again in a simple manner. By virtue of the annular configuration of the permanent magnet the locking action can be performed at any orientation of the cartridge 10.

[0064] As has already been discussed, the controlling of the valve system 14 is performed by way of the communications unit 18 of the cartridge 10. For this purpose, the communications unit 18 can be additionally connected to various sensors of the cartridge 10. In the embodiment shown, the cartridge 10 has an interior temperature sensor 21, an exterior temperature sensor 22, a pressure sensor 23, a gas sensor 24 and a gas leak sensor 25. The communications unit 18 can perform the controlling of the valve system 14 based on the received measuring data of the sensors. The sensor data, proceeding from the communications unit 18, can also be transmitted beyond the communications interfaces 18a, 18b.

[0065] The interior temperature sensor 21 serves for determining the gas temperature in the interior of the gas pressure vessel 11. The interior temperature sensor is however preferably attached to the metallic pressure vessel 11 from the outside, so as to draw conclusions pertaining to the gas temperature by way of the vessel temperature. The exterior temperature sensor 22 can be evaluated in combination with the interior temperature sensor 21 so as to gain conclusions pertaining to a potential increase in the gas temperature. The pressure sensor 23 can be configured as a strain gauge on the external wall of the pressure vessel 11. The combination of the pressure sensor 23 and the interior temperature sensor 21 permits the filling level of the pressure vessel 11 to be detected. The gas sensor 24 can be utilized for determining the fluid. This is expedient when the same cartridge 11 is used for different fluids. A warning in the event of a leak or a malfunction of the cartridge 10 can take place by way of the gas leak sensor 25.

[0066] The illustrated cartridge 10 on the external side moreover has a filling level display 28. This display device is configured in the form of an ink paper display and possesses a dedicated power supply in the form of a solar cell 29. Alternatively, the filling level display 28 can also be connected to a current supply interface 19a, 19b. As a further display device, the cartridge 10 can have an operating state display (not illustrated) in the form of a multi-colored light emitting diode. It can thus be immediately seen from the outside whether the cartridge 10 is currently being filled or emptied, for example.

[0067] The illustrated cartridge 10 moreover has a heating element 26 and a cooling element 27. Depending on the envisaged use of the cartridge 10, a stored fluid can be adjusted to a predetermined temperature with the aid of the heating or cooling element 26, 27. In the use of the cartridge 10 as an oxygen reservoir, for example, the oxygen prior to an application as a respiratory gas can be brought to a temperature close to the ambient temperature or the body temperature.

[0068] The cartridge 10 can furthermore have an identification unit (not illustrated) which permits the cartridge 10 to be unequivocally identified. This here can be a unique identification number (UIN), for example.

[0069] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a cartridge system according to the invention composed of a cartridge 10, a further cartridge 10′, and a fluid consumer 40. The fluid consumer 40 in the exemplary embodiment illustrated is a fuel cell. The cartridges 10, 10′ are in each case configured according to the cartridge 10 shown in FIG. 1 but are illustrated in a highly simplified manner. The cartridge system is shown prior to being plugged together in FIG. 2a. The cartridge system plugged together is shown in FIG. 2b.

[0070] The fluid consumer 40, disposed at the bottom in FIG. 2, has a transmission unit 40b which is configured in a manner compatible to that of the transmission unit 20b described above. Therefore, the cartridge 10 by way of the transmission unit 20a, configured in the region of the first connection surface 10a, can thus be plugged into the transmission unit 40b of the fluid consumer 40 according to the plug/socket principle. The connecting line 12 of the plugged-in cartridge 10 in this instance is fluidically connected to a pressurized pipeline of the fluid consumer 40, and a fluid can be transmitted between the cartridge 10 and the fluid consumer 40.

[0071] According to the same principle, a further cartridge 10′, which in the region of the first connection surface 10a′ has a first transmission unit 20a′, can be plugged onto a transmission unit 20b of the cartridge 10 that is configured in the region of the second connection surface 10b. The further cartridge 10′ by way of the connecting line 12′ thereof is fluidically connected to the through line 13 of the cartridge 10 and by way of the latter also to the fluid consumer 40. Further cartridges 10″ can be plugged on according to the same principle, said further cartridges 10″ conjointly forming a scalable tank.

[0072] The fluid consumer 40 furthermore has a valve control unit 30 for controlling the valve systems 14 and 14′. The transmission unit 40b of the fluid consumer 40 has a communications interface 40c which is connected to the valve control unit 30 (dashed line in FIG. 2). In the cartridge system illustrated in FIG. 2, all communications interfaces 40c, 18a, 18b, 18a′, 18b′ are also configured as current transmission interfaces.

[0073] When the cartridge 10′ is connected to the fluid consumer 40, the communications interface 40c is in contact with a first communications interface 18a of the cartridge 10′. The first communications interface 18a, by way of a communications unit 18, in turn is in contact with a second communications interface 18b of the cartridge 10 (dashed line). The communications unit 18 of the cartridge 10 is thus in contact with the valve control unit 30. According to the same principle, a communications unit 18′ of the further cartridge is also in contact with the communications unit 18 of the cartridge 10 and the valve control unit 30.

[0074] Sequential or parallel emptying of the cartridges 10, 10′ can thus be controlled by way of the valve control unit 30. The pressure vessel 11′ of the further cartridge 10′, by means of the through line 13 can be used for transporting a fluid while bypassing the pressure vessel 11 or in parallel to the latter. A further cartridge 10′, which is connected to the second connection surface 10b of the cartridge 10, by way of the through line 13 of the cartridge 10 can dispense a fluid to a fluid consumer 40 which is connected to the first connection surface 10a of the cartridge 10.

[0075] The individual components of the plugged-together cartridge system can be mutually separated at any time by overcoming the holding force of the locking elements (not illustrated). The communications units 18, 18′ are configured such that the first shut-off members 14a, 14a′ of the valve systems 14, 14′ automatically close in this event and fluid can no longer exit from the pressure vessels 11, 11′.

[0076] The method for connecting the cartridge 10 and the further cartridge 10′ thus takes place by first establishing a mechanical connection between the second connection surface 10b and the first connection surface 10a in the form of a plug-connection between the cartridges 10, 10′. Once the cartridges 10, 10′ are mechanically connected to one another, said cartridges 10, 10′ are fluidically connected. An electronic connection between the second transmission unit 20b and the first transmission unit 20a′ is simultaneously established, wherein the electronic connection is performed between the communications interfaces 18b and 18a′ configured as current transmission interfaces. In this embodiment of the cartridges 10, 10′, the connection between the communications units 18, 18′ of the cartridges 10, 10′ is likewise simultaneously established by way of the communications interfaces 18b, 18af. The valve systems 14, 14′ of the cartridges 10, 10′ can be activated by way of the communications units 18, 18′.

[0077] FIG. 3 shows the use of a cartridge 10, 10′, 10″ according to the invention as a refillable hydrogen reservoir (H2 reservoir) for a (load-carrying) bicycle 50 in three different scenarios.

[0078] Bicycles with electronic pedaling assistance are known, but a complete charging procedure at a mains plug in most instances takes several hours. For this reason, bicycles 70 which by way of a fuel cell 41 (as the fluid consumer) produce the current for the electric motor on-board are particularly advantageous. To this end, the fuel cell 41 accommodated on the bicycle 70 has to be supplied with hydrogen in tanks. To this end, one or a plurality of cartridges 10, 10′, 10″ according to the invention, filled with hydrogen, can be plugged onto the fuel cell 41 of the bicycle 70 in a simple and safe manner, said fuel cell 41 being designed according to the invention, and once the hydrogen has been consumed be removed again in a likewise simple and safe manner. The number of required cartridges 10, 10′ depends inter alia on the distance which is to be travelled by the bicycle 70.

[0079] In each of the scenarios shown in FIGS. 3a-3c the supply of hydrogen to the bicycle 70 using the replaceable cartridges 10, 10′ takes place by way of an automatic swapping device 60. The automatic swapping device 60 can be, for example, a filling station or a kiosk. Cartridges 10, 10′, 10″ filled with hydrogen are kept available in sufficient numbers in the automatic swapping device 60. A (registered) user can retrieve the cartridges 10, 10′ in the required numbers from the automatic swapping device 60 as required, or exchange said cartridges 10, 10′ for empty cartridges 10, 10′, respectively. As opposed to a hydrogen filling station 62, automatic swapping devices 60 have the advantage that the latter can be set up in a flexible manner as required, almost at any locations and with the required capacity (independently of the hydrogen filling station or any other hydrogen infrastructure). The cartridge 10, 10′ according to the invention can be replaced by a user himself/herself in a simple and safe manner. The replacement of an empty cartridge 10, 10′ by a full cartridge 10, 10′ on a bicycle 70 thus takes place by a user within a few seconds.

[0080] To this end, the automatic swapping device 60, or the cartridges 10, 10′ kept available therein, have to be regularly supplied with hydrogen (H2) or be filled with new or refilled cartridges.

[0081] In a first scenario (a) the delivery of the new or refilled cartridges 10, 10′, 10″, respectively, and the collection of the empty cartridges 10, 10′, 10″ takes place by means of a transport vehicle 61 which transports the cartridges 10, 10′, 10″ back and forth between a hydrogen filling station 62 and the automatic swapping device 60. The cartridges 10, 10′, 10″ can be refilled in a simple and rapid manner at the hydrogen filling station 63, and from there be distributed to different automatic swapping devices 60 as required.

[0082] According to a second scenario (b) the hydrogen supply takes place with the aid of external hydrogen bottles 63 which are brought to the automatic swapping device 60. The hydrogen bottles 63 can either be connected directly to the automatic swapping device 60 and thus serve for filling all cartridges 10, 10′ that are disposed in the automatic swapping device (and are not already fully filled), or the individual cartridges 10, 10′ are individually connected to the hydrogen bottle 63 as the filling device on site and then (re-)filled.

[0083] According to a third scenario (c) the hydrogen supply takes place with the aid of a dedicated hydrogen production device 64 which is set up so as to be physically close to the automatic swapping device 60. This is particularly preferable when the automatic swapping device 60 has a high and regular turnover of hydrogen. The dedicated hydrogen production device 64 according to scenario (b) can likewise be connected directly to the automatic swapping device 60, or for filling be in each case connected to the individual cartridges 10, 10′.

[0084] All three scenarios have the advantage that returned cartridges which have not been completely emptied can be topped up or filled again without residual hydrogen still in the cartridge being lost. Moreover, cartridges 10, 10′ of different sizes can be kept available in the automatic swapping device 60.

[0085] The invention is thus said to provide a system of cartridges for the pressurized storage of fluid, said cartridges being able to be replaced in a safe and simple manner.