COUPLING DEVICE AND CRYOGENIC REFUELLING ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A coupling device (1) for a cryogenic refueling arrangement (3), having a valve (9), which is arranged between an inlet (5) and an outlet (7) of the coupling device (1), a primary drive mechanism (11) for opening and closing the valve (9), and a secondary drive mechanism (13) separate from the primary drive mechanism (11), wherein the primary drive mechanism (11) has a switch (10) which is connected upstream of the valve (9), and wherein the secondary drive mechanism (13) opens the switch (10) in order to close the valve (9) as soon as a pulling force (F) acting on the coupling device (1) exceeds a predetermined value.

Claims

1. A coupling device for a cryogenic refueling arrangement, having a valve which is arranged between an inlet and an outlet of the coupling device, a primary drive mechanism for opening and closing the valve, and a secondary drive mechanism separate from the primary drive mechanism, wherein the primary drive mechanism has a switch upstream of the valve, and wherein the secondary drive mechanism opens the switch in order to close the valve as soon as a pulling force acting on the coupling device exceeds a predetermined value.

2. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the valve is closed in an initial state, and wherein the valve opens with the aid of the primary drive mechanism.

3. The coupling device according to claim 2, wherein the valve automatically moves into the initial state as soon as the secondary drive mechanism opens the switch.

4. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the valve is pneumatically controlled.

5. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the switch is a pneumatic switch.

6. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the secondary drive is implemented electrically, pneumatically, hydraulically, or with the aid of a cable pull.

7. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the primary drive mechanism is pneumatic or hydraulic.

8. A cryogenic refueling arrangement having a coupling device according to claim 1 and a receiver nozzle for receiving the coupling device.

9. The cryogenic refueling arrangement according to claim 8, further comprising a signal transmitter that converts the secondary drive mechanism into a signal for opening the switch.

10. The cryogenic refueling arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the signal transmitter is provided on the coupling side or on the receiver side.

11. The cryogenic refueling arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the signal transmitter acts as a force buffer.

12. The cryogenic refueling arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined value of the pulling force is adjustable with the aid of an exchanging of components of the signal transmitter.

13. The cryogenic refueling arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the signal transmitter has a spring element and/or sensors to control the switch as soon as the pulling force acting on the coupling device exceeds the predetermined value.

14. The cryogenic refueling arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the coupling device and the receiver nozzle can be moved from a locked state to an unlocked state and vice versa, and wherein the secondary drive mechanism opens the switch before a moving of the coupling device and the receiver nozzle from the locked state to the unlocked state in order to close the valve.

15. The cryogenic refueling arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the moving of the coupling device and the receiver nozzle from the locked state to the unlocked state takes place with the aid of the secondary drive mechanism.

Description

[0047] The FIGURE shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a cryogenic refueling arrangement.

[0048] In the FIGURE, identical or functionally equivalent elements have been provided with the same reference signs unless otherwise indicated.

[0049] The FIGURE shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a coupling device 1. The coupling device 1 can engage in a corresponding receiver nozzle 2. The receiver nozzle 2 can be provided on a vehicle. For example, the receiver nozzle 2 can be a tank nozzle. The coupling device 1 and the receiver nozzle 2 together form a cryogenic refueling arrangement 3.

[0050] The cryogenic refueling arrangement 3 can also be referred to as a cryogenic refueling arrangement. The cryogenic refueling arrangement 3 is suitable for refilling a storage container with a cryogen or a cryogenic medium, for example. The cryogen can be, for example, liquid hydrogen, monosilane, ethylene, or the like.

[0051] The coupling device 1 comprises a housing 4. For example, a user can grip the housing 4 in order to insert it into the receiver nozzle 2. The coupling device 1 comprises an inlet 5 to which a tank hose 6 can be coupled. Furthermore, the coupling device 1 has an outlet 7. The inlet 5 is coupled to the outlet 7 via a line 8. A controllable valve 9 is arranged in the line 8. The valve 9 can be an on-off valve. This means that the valve 9 is either completely opened or completely closed. The valve 9 can be a pneumatic valve. In particular, the valve 9 is closed in an initial state thereof (normally closed). For example, the valve 9 is opened by applying compressed air. As soon as the supply of compressed air is interrupted, the valve 9 closes automatically. The valve 9 can be spring-reset or spring-preloaded in the direction of the initial state.

[0052] A switch 10 is assigned to the valve 9. Via a primary drive mechanism 11, the valve 9 can be controlled when the switch 10 is closed in order to open and close the valve 9. The primary drive mechanism 11 can be a pneumatic line. However, the primary drive mechanism 11 can also be an electrically conductive cable or a fiber optic line. It is assumed below that the primary drive mechanism 11 is a pneumatic line. The switch 10 is part of the primary drive mechanism 11. The switch 10 can be moved from a closed state (shown by dashed lines) into an open state (shown by solid lines) and vice versa.

[0053] A signal transmitter 12 is also assigned to the valve 9. The signal transmitter 12 can also be provided on the receiver nozzle 2. A secondary drive mechanism 13 is coupled to the signal transmitter 12, which in turn is operatively connected to the switch 10. The switch 10, the primary drive mechanism 11, the signal transmitter 12 and the secondary drive mechanism 13 together form an emergency separation mechanism 14 of the coupling device 1. The switch 10 can also be part of the secondary drive mechanism 13. This means in particular that the switch 10 can be part of both drive mechanisms 11, 13. The emergency separation mechanism 14 can also comprise the valve 9. The signal transmitter 12 is suitable for opening or closing the switch 10 as a function of the secondary drive mechanism 13.

[0054] In the simplest case, the signal transmitter 12 can be a spring element. However, the signal transmitter 12 can also comprise a sensor, for example an optical sensor, or can be a sensor. The signal transmitter 12 can operate optically, for example in the form of a light curtain. The signal transmitter 12 can comprise sensors which are provided in or on a support arm and/or in or on the tank hose 6.

[0055] In the closed state of the switch 10, the primary drive mechanism 11 applies pressure to the valve 9 so that the valve 9 is opened. As soon as the signal transmitter 12 opens the switch 10 with the aid of the secondary drive mechanism 13, the pneumatic pressure is no longer applied to the valve 9 and the valve closes automatically. In normal operation, the valve 9 integrated in the coupling device 1 is controlled via the primary drive mechanism 11. In normal operation, the coupling device 1 is in engagement with the receiver nozzle 2 and the valve 9 is open so that the cryogen flows into the storage container. The coupling device 1 is fixedly connected to the receiver nozzle 2 by means of a locking mechanism (not shown).

[0056] When a pulling force F is applied to the coupling device 1, for example when the tank hose 6 is fully deployed and is under tension, it is desirable to prevent an excessive loading of the locking mechanism, the coupling device 1, and/or the receiver nozzle 2. In this way, damage to the locking mechanism, the coupling device 1, the receiver nozzle 2, the storage container, and/or a receiver pipeline system can be prevented.

[0057] The secondary drive mechanism 13, the signal transmitter 12, and the switch 10 are provided in order to achieve this goal. Independently of the primary drive mechanism 11, the secondary drive mechanism 13 can open the switch 10 in order to close the valve 9. The secondary drive 13 can take place for example electrically, pneumatically or with the aid of a cable pull. In the case in which the secondary drive mechanism 13 is a cable pull, it can be dimensioned by its length such that it is tensioned and activates the signal transmitter 12 and thus opens the switch 10 before the tank hose 6 is fully deployed, and in this way the pulling force F acts on the coupling device 1 or on the tank hose 6. The secondary drive mechanism 13 can also be used with the aid of an infrared light barrier, microwaves or with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification).

[0058] The signal transmitter 12 thus acts as a force buffer. That is, as long as the acting pulling force F does not increase beyond a predetermined value, the signal transmitter 12 does not open the switch 10. The switch 10 is only opened and the valve 9 closed when the predetermined value of the pulling force F is reached or exceeded.

[0059] With the aid of the secondary drive mechanism 13, it is thus possible to control the valve 9 independently of the primary drive mechanism 11. Opening the switch 10 results in the valve 9 being brought into a safe state, namely into the closed state. With the opening of the switch 10, the locking mechanism can be released at the same time or with a short time delay so that the coupling device 1 slips out of the receiver nozzle 2 or is ejected therefrom before excessive forces can be transmitted to said nozzle.

[0060] The secondary drive mechanism 13 with the signal transmitter 12 and the switch 10 can be used for further processes independently of the primary drive mechanism 11 of the coupling device 1. For example, a triggering of a pressure relief or an inerting can be realized. Furthermore, the secondary drive mechanism 13 can also be used for safe unlocking and ejection of the coupling device 1.

[0061] The pulling force F is not introduced into the receiver nozzle 2. Rather, the coupling device 1 can comprise a damping system, the compensation forces of which are adjustable. The pulling force F acting on the tank hose 6 is compensated in a guided spring which is integrated directly in the coupling device 1. A spring travel that results depending on the pulling force F is transmitted mechanically to the secondary drive mechanism 13, which interrupts the pneumatic supply of the valve 9 with the aid of the switch 10 at a maximum permissible stroke. As a result, the valve 9 can be closed and the fluid flow of the cryogen can thereby be stopped.

[0062] An unintentionally occurring pulling force F, which could cause damage to the coupling device 1 and/or the receiver nozzle 2, is thus converted purely mechanically into a pneumatic signal. This in turn can be further processed with actions for bringing about a safe system state. In addition, starting from a force latency to be set the pulling force F is transmitted to the locking mechanism in such a way that the fixed locking is released and the coupling device 1 falls away from the receiver nozzle 2. It is advantageously possible to close the valve 9 before a separation process of the coupling device 1 and the receiver nozzle 2 is initiated.

[0063] Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many ways within the scope of the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS USED

[0064] 1 Coupling device [0065] 2 Receiver nozzle [0066] 3 Cryogenic refueling arrangement [0067] 4 Housing [0068] 5 Inlet [0069] 6 Tank hose [0070] 7 Outlet [0071] 8 Line [0072] 9 Valve [0073] 10 Switch [0074] 11 Primary drive mechanism [0075] 12 Signal transmitter [0076] 13 Secondary drive mechanism [0077] 14 Emergency separation mechanism [0078] F Pulling force