Pressure vessel system for a motor vehicle

Abstract

A pressure vessel system for a motor vehicle has at least one pressure vessel, to which an extraction line is connected. The extraction line has a connection point, to which a connection line leading to a consumer is connected. The connection point of the extraction line includes a first coupling part of a quick coupling, to which a second coupling part of the quick coupling, arranged on the connection line, is connected. The first coupling part has a non-return valve, which closes the extraction line when the second coupling part is decoupled.

Claims

1. A pressure vessel system having at least one pressure vessel for a motor vehicle, comprising: an extraction line that connects to the pressure vessel, wherein the extraction line has a connection point; a pressure reducing device along the extraction line upstream from the connection point and downstream from the pressure vessel; and a connection line that leads to a consumer, wherein the connection line connects to the connection point, wherein the consumer is an anode space of a fuel cell stack and the connection line is an anode supply line leading to an anode inlet of the fuel cell stack, a second connection line that leads to an extraction or supply device, wherein the connection point of the extraction line comprises a first coupling part of a quick coupling, a second coupling part of the quick coupling arranged on the connection line connects to the first coupling part, the first coupling part comprises a check valve which closes the extraction line when the second coupling part is uncoupled, the second coupling part comprises a check valve which closes the connection line when the first coupling part is uncoupled, and a third coupling part connected to the extraction or supply device by the second connection line is attachable to the first coupling part or the second coupling part.

2. The pressure vessel system according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling part is integrated in a valve device.

3. The pressure vessel system according to claim 2, wherein the valve device comprises a safety valve.

4. The pressure vessel system according to claim 3, wherein the first coupling part constitutes a structural unit with the safety valve and/or with the pressure reducing device.

5. The pressure vessel system according to claim 2, wherein the valve device comprises the pressure reducing device.

6. The pressure vessel system according to claim 1, wherein the check valve is configured as a check valve which opens independently of the coupling of the second coupling part to the first coupling part.

7. The pressure vessel system according to claim 1, wherein the quick coupling is a plug-in coupling.

8. The pressure vessel system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second coupling parts have respective screw threads configured to be screwed together.

9. The pressure vessel system according to claim 1, wherein a partial region of the connection line attaching to the second coupling part and/or a partial region of the extraction line leading to the first coupling part is configured as a flexible line.

10. The pressure vessel system according to claim 9, wherein the flexible line is a hose.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates, in schematic representation, components of a pressure vessel system according to the prior art.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates, in an excerpt, components of an improved pressure vessel system.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates, schematically, the pressure vessel system with the components of FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates, coupling parts of a quick coupling of the pressure vessel system of FIG. 2, which is designed as a plug-in coupling.

(5) FIG. 5A illustrates, schematically, attachment of a third coupling part, which is connected to a line of a supply and/or extraction device, to the first coupling part along the extraction line.

(6) FIG. 5B illustrates, schematically, attachment of the third coupling part, which is connected to a line of a supply and/or extraction device, to the second coupling part along the connection line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(7) For the explanation of the circumstances regarding FIG. 1, refer to the remarks in the introductory passage of the present specification.

(8) FIG. 2 shows components of an improved exemplary pressure vessel system 8 intended for a motor vehicle, which is shown schematically in FIG. 3. The pressure vessel system 8 comprises a pressure vessel 9, in which in the present instance hydrogen for example can be stored under a pressure of around 700 bar. From the pressure vessel 9, an extraction line 10 leads to a pressure regulator 11 or pressure reducer. At one free end of the extraction line 10 there is arranged a first coupling part of a quick coupling 13, which in one exemplary embodiment is shown as a plug-in coupling in FIG. 4, once in the connected state and once in the uncoupled state of the two coupling parts 12, 14.

(9) The first coupling part 12 may be designed for example for the inserting of the second coupling part 14. However, the first coupling part 12 may also be inserted into the second coupling part 14. In variants, furthermore, the coupling parts 12, 14 of the quick coupling 13 may have screw threads and be joined together by screwing.

(10) The first coupling part 12 comprises a check valve 15. In similar fashion, the second coupling part 14 comprises a check valve 16. This ensures that when the second coupling part 14 is uncoupled from the first coupling part 12, the extraction line 10 is closed. Furthermore, a connection line 17 is also closed by the check valve 16 when the second coupling part 14 is uncoupled from the first coupling part 12. The connection line 17 in the present exemplary embodiment of the pressure vessel system 8 leads to an anode space of a fuel cell stack 18. A partial region of the connection line 17 attaching to the second coupling part 16 is designed in the present instance as a flexible hose 19.

(11) The first coupling part 12 of the quick coupling 13 may also be used as a service port. A coupling part 20 of a supply device 21 corresponding to the second coupling part 14 may be connected to this service port. However, the supply device 21 may also be designed as an extraction device, if the hydrogen is meant to be released from the pressure vessel 9 after connecting the coupling part 20 to the coupling part 12 of the quick coupling 13.

(12) The supply device 21 may be designed for example as an inert gas source, in order to render the fuel cell stack 18 inert with inert gas such as nitrogen or helium. Furthermore, the coupling part 20 of the supply device 21 may be designed for attachment to the coupling part 14 of the connection line 17, for example when the fuel cell stack 18 needs to be supplied with outside hydrogen. This may be provided for example during servicing, a maintenance or overhauling, or during a repair of the fuel cell stack 18.

(13) A valve device 22 of the pressure vessel system 8, which may comprise a safety valve 23, may be composed of the pressure regulator 11 and the free end of the extraction line 10 with the first coupling part 12.

(14) Thanks to providing the quick coupling 13 as a connection point or interface for the coupling of the extraction line 10 to the connection line 17, a consumer such as the fuel cell stack 18 shown in the present case can be optionally attached to the extraction line 10. Alternatively, when using the first coupling part 12 as a service port, the supply device 21 or extraction device can be attached to the extraction line 10. The coupling part 20 of the supply device 21 also comprises a check valve 24 in the present case.

(15) The coupling part 20 is furthermore connected by a line 25 to the supply device 21 or extraction device. Moreover, the line 25 leading to the supply device 21 or extraction device may also comprise a flexible partial region or hose 26. Upon releasing the coupling parts 12, 14, 20 from each other, however, the line connected to the coupling part 12, 14, 20 always remains closed due to the check valve 15, 16, 24.

(16) When the coupling part 14 is uncoupled from the coupling part 12, accordingly, the extraction line 10 and the connection line 17 remain closed by the check valves 15, 16. In a similar manner, upon uncoupling the coupling part 20 from the coupling part 12 (or from the coupling part 14), the line 25 remains closed by the check valve 24. In this way, no blind plug or the like needs to be provided, and the cost of assembly or maintenance is reduced. Furthermore, no gas can escape from the pressure vessel system 8 during inerting or filling with hydrogen, for example.

(17) It can be seen from FIG. 3 that the extraction line 10 can be connected to the pressure vessel 9 via a valve 27 arranged at the pressure vessel 9, also called an on-tank valve. A tank shutoff valve 28 may be integrated in the valve 27.

(18) The on-tank valve is the valve unit directly mounted at one end of the pressure vessel 9 and directly fluidically connected to the interior of the pressure vessel. In regulation (EU) No. 406/2010 of the Commission of Apr. 26, 2010 to implement the regulation (EC) No. 79/2009 of the European Parliament and the Council on type approval of hydrogen-operated motor vehicles, such a tank shutoff valve is also called the first valve. Furthermore, the pressure vessel system 8 may comprise a pressure release device 29, especially a TPRD device (thermal pressure release device).

(19) Instead of the plug-in coupling shown for example in FIG. 4 as the quick coupling 13, the coupling parts 12, 14, 20 may also be joined together by screwing, and preferably after the screwing together the respective check valve 15, 16, 24 can be opened.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

(20) 1 extraction line 2 pressure regulator 3 connection point 4 connection line 5 fuel cell stack 6 service port 7 blind plug 8 pressure vessel system 9 pressure vessel 10 extraction line 11 pressure regulator 12 coupling part 13 quick coupling 14 coupling part 15 check valve (non-return valve) 16 check valve (non-return valve) 17 connection line 18 fuel cell stack 19 hose 20 coupling part 21 supply device 22 valve device 23 safety valve 24 check valve (non-return valve) 25 line 26 hose 27 valve 28 tank shutoff valve 29 pressure release device

(21) 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.