Service device for a pressure vessel system

Abstract

A service device for a pressure vessel system of a motor vehicle includes a service-device-side refueling coupling part which is connectable to a motor-vehicle-side refueling coupling part of the motor vehicle and a controller for activating the pressure vessel system. A method for the service of the pressure vessel system includes producing a connection between the service device and the pressure vessel system and activating the pressure vessel system by the service device.

Claims

1. A service device for providing a service to a motor vehicle, wherein the service device is not a part of the motor vehicle and wherein the service is not a refueling operation of a pressure vessel system of the motor vehicle which is performed at a filling station, comprising: a service-device-side refueling coupling part which is connectable to a motor-vehicle-side refueling coupling part and/or to a service port of the motor vehicle; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to send control signals to a control unit of the motor vehicle to activate an actuator system of the pressure vessel system of the motor vehicle based on the control signals.

2. The service device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to process information about a state of the pressure vessel system.

3. The service device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the state is a pressure, a temperature, or a filling level.

4. The service device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator system is a shut-off valve of a pressure vessel of the pressure vessel system.

5. The service device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to: activate the pressure vessel system such that fuel stored in the pressure vessel system is at least partially removed from the motor vehicle; and/or empty a pressure vessel of the pressure vessel system up to a minimal minimum pressure or entirely.

6. The service device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is connectable to a diagnostic interface of the motor vehicle which serves as a diagnostic interface for vehicle parameters which do not relate to the pressure vessel system.

7. The service device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the service-device-side refueling coupling part is configured to open a non-return valve of the motor-vehicle-side refueling coupling part or of the service port.

8. A method for providing a service to a pressure vessel system of a motor vehicle by a service device, wherein the service device is not a part of the motor vehicle and wherein the service is not a refueling operation of the pressure vessel system of the motor vehicle which is performed at a filling station, comprising the acts of: providing a connection between the service device and the pressure vessel system; and sending control signals to a control unit of the motor vehicle by a controller of the service device and activating an actuator system of the pressure vessel system of the motor vehicle based on the control signals.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) The FIGURE schematically shows the pressure vessel system disclosed here.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(2) The FIGURE schematically shows the pressure vessel system disclosed here. Fuel, e.g., hydrogen, is stored in the pressure vessel 200 at 700 bar. The pressure vessel 200 provides hydrogen for a fuel cell stack having a multiplicity of fuel cells 300 which are operated at a lower pressure level, e.g., 0.5 to 1 barg (=overpressure in relation to the atmospheric pressure). A shut-off valve 210 is provided at one end of the pressure vessel 200. Instead of just one pressure vessel 200 with a shut-off valve 210, a plurality of pressure vessels 200 having a plurality of shut-off valves 210 could also be provided. Furthermore, two pressure stages which each operate with a pressure reducer 211, 212 are provided in the system illustrated here. The first pressure stage reduces the pressure from 700 bar to an average pressure level of, for example, 11 to 13 bar (average pressure range). The second pressure stage reduces the pressure from the average pressure to the low pressure of the fuel cells. A mechanical proportional pressure regulator is used here as the first pressure reducer 211. In the second pressure stage, various technologies can be used for the second pressure regulator 212, e.g., injectors, Venturi nozzles and mechanical pressure regulators. In order to prevent bursting of the pipes should the pressure reducers 211, 212 malfunction, a pressure relief valve 213, 214 is provided in each case on the average pressure side and low pressure side. During the refueling of the pressure vessel system, fuel flows through the motor-vehicle-side refueling coupling part 221 and the refueling line portion 220 into the pressure vessel 200. Furthermore, a service port 219 is provided. The service port 219 is arranged in the average pressure range and serves for defueling the pressure vessel system. The service-device-side refueling coupling part K of the service device can be connectable to the motor-vehicle-side refueling coupling part 221 and/or to the service port 219. The components shown here with the reference signs 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 219, 220 and 221 (and sometimes) 300 are part of the anode subsystem A. The direction of flow of the fuel is illustrated here by an arrow.

(3) Furthermore, the pressure vessel system shown here includes a control unit 400 which is designed to control the pressure vessel system. The control unit 400 is connected to a master control unit 500 of the motor vehicle, or is integrated therein. The information with regard to the pressure vessel system can be transmitted by the control unit 400 or by the master control unit 500 to a diagnostic interface 600, to which the service device is connectable. Alternatively or in addition, the service device can be connectable to one of the control units 400, 500.

(4) The service-side refueling coupling part K can open a non-return valve of the motor-vehicle-side refueling coupling part 221 or of the service port 219 such that the at least one pressure vessel can be defueled. For example, this can be undertaken mechanically, for example, by a pin in the refueling coupling part K pushing open the blocking mechanism counter to the closing direction of the non-return valve.

(5) The service device can advantageously activate the pressure vessel system in such a manner that a valve of the anode subsystem prevents the supply of fuel to the at least one fuel cell. The pressure vessel can advantageously then be reliably defueled via the refueling line portion without the entire system having to be defueled. In parallel, that part of the anode subsystem which is arranged downstream of the valve could be further operated via the service port 219. For example, the fuel cell could be operated for further tests. This part of the anode subsystem could also be defueled separately at a later time.

(6) The FIGURE shows a CGH2 system. However, the technology disclosed can also be applied to a CcH2 system.

(7) The preceding description of the present invention serves only for illustrative purposes and not for the purpose of restricting the invention. Various amendments and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention and the equivalence thereof.

(8) The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.