CRYOGENIC TANK-FILLING ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD

Abstract

A cryogenic tank-filling arrangement having a coupling device and a receptacle, wherein the coupling device and the receptacle are designed to be complementary to each other, wherein the cryogenic tank-filling arrangement can be brought with the aid of a pressure change in the intermediate space from an unlocked statein which the coupling device and the receptacle are accommodated in each other at least in sections, so that the coupling device and the receptacle enclose an intermediate space which is closed off relative to an environment of the cryogenic tank-filling arrangement and which is arranged between an end face of the coupling device and an end face of the receptacleinto a locked state, in which the end face of the coupling device is pressed against the end face of the receptacle due to the pressure change.

Claims

1. A cryogenic tank-filling arrangement having a coupling device and a receptacle, wherein the coupling device and the receptacle are designed to be complementary to each other, wherein the cryogenic tank-filling arrangement can be brought from an unlocked statein which the coupling device and the receptacle are accommodated in each other at least in sections, so that the coupling device and the receptacle enclose an intermediate space which is closed off relative to an environment of the cryogenic tank-filling arrangement and which is arranged between an end face of the coupling device and an end face of the receptacleinto a locked state by means of a pressure change in the intermediate space, in which locked state the end face of the coupling device is pressed against the end face of the receptacle due to the pressure change.

2. The cryogenic tank-filling arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the coupling device has a counter-receiving section, wherein the receptacle has a receiving section complementary to the counter-receiving section, and wherein the counter-receiving section is accommodated in the receiving section not only in the unlocked state but also in the locked state at least in sections.

3. The cryogenic tank-filling arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the counter-receiving section and the receiving section are in each case cylindrical.

4. The cryogenic tank-filling arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first end face and the second end face are in each case annular.

5. The cryogenic tank-filling arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first end face is provided on a housing of the coupling device, and wherein the second end face is provided on a housing of the receptacle.

6. The cryogenic tank-filling arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising an aggregate for generating the pressure change in the intermediate space.

7. The cryogenic tank-filling arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a locking device for locking the coupling device and the receptacle as soon as the cryogenic tank-filling arrangement is in the locked state.

8. The cryogenic tank-filling arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the locking device comprises an engagement element and a counter-engagement element into which the engagement element engages in a form-fitting manner in the locked state.

9. The cryogenic tank-filling arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the locking device is controlled electrically, electromagnetically, mechanically, pneumatically, or hydraulically.

10. A method for operating a cryogenic tank-filling arrangement having a coupling device and a receptacle, wherein the coupling device and the receptacle are complementary to each other, with the following steps: a) accommodating the coupling device and the receptacle in each other in sections, so that the coupling device and the receptacle enclose an intermediate space which is closed off relative to an environment of the cryogenic tank-filling arrangement and is arranged between an end face of the coupling device and an end face of the receptacle, and b) generating a pressure change in the intermediate space, so that the end face of the coupling device is pressed against the end face of the receptacle due to the pressure change.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, after or in step b), the coupling device and the receptacle are locked to each other electrically, electromagnetically, mechanically, pneumatically, or hydraulically with the aid of a locking device.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein steps a) and b) are carried out in an automated manner.

Description

[0043] Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the cryogenic tank-filling arrangement and/or of the method are the subject matter of the subclaims and of the exemplary embodiments described below of the cryogenic tank-filling arrangement and/or of the method. The cryogenic tank-filling arrangement and/or the method are explained below in more detail on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the enclosed figures.

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a cryogenic tank-filling arrangement;

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a further schematic view of the cryogenic tank-filling arrangement according to FIG. 1;

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a further schematic view of the cryogenic tank-filling arrangement according to FIG. 1; and

[0047] FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a method for operating the cryogenic tank-filling arrangement according to FIG. 1.

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

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a cryogenic tank-filling arrangement 1. FIGS. 2 and 3 show further schematic views of the cryogenic tank-filling arrangement 1. In the following, reference is made simultaneously to FIGS. 1 through 3.

[0050] The cryogenic tank-filling arrangement 1 can also be referred to as a cryogenic refueling arrangement. The cryogenic tank-filling arrangement 1 is suitable for filling a storage tank with a cryogen or a cryogenic medium, for example. The cryogen can, for example, be liquid hydrogen, monosilane, ethylene, or the like.

[0051] The cryogenic tank-filling arrangement 1 comprises a coupling device 2 which can be accommodated at least in sections in a receptacle 3. For example, the receptacle 3 can be a tank nozzle. The coupling device 2 and the receptacle 3 are essentially cylindrical. The coupling device 2 comprises a cylindrical housing 4. The coupling device 2 is coupled to a flexible refueling hose 5. The receptacle 3 has a cylindrical housing 6 with a tubular receiving section 7. The receiving section 7 is suitable for accommodating the coupling device 2 therein, at least in sections.

[0052] Conversely, the receiving section 7 can also be provided on the coupling device 2, and in particular on the housing 4. In this case, the receptacle 3 can then be accommodated in the coupling device 2. The receiving section 7 can have a cylindrical, and in particular a hollow-cylindrical, geometry.

[0053] The cryogenic tank-filling arrangement 1 is assigned a middle axis or axis of symmetry 8. The coupling device 2 and the receptacle 3 can be constructed to be essentially rotationally symmetrical to the axis of symmetry 8. The cryogenic tank-filling arrangement 1 is also assigned an axial direction A, which is oriented along the axis of symmetry 8, and a radial direction R. The radial direction R is oriented to be perpendicular to the axis of symmetry 8 and away from it.

[0054] In order to connect the coupling device 2 to the receptacle 3, the coupling device 2, as shown in FIG. 2, is initially inserted into the receiving section 7 up to the point that a gap or intermediate space 11 is provided between an end face 9 of the coupling device 2 and an end face 10 of the receiving section 7. When viewed along the radial direction R, the intermediate space 11 is delimited by the receiving section 7. When viewed along the axial direction A, the intermediate space 11 is delimited by the end faces 9, 10.

[0055] The end faces 9, 10 are in each case annular. The end faces 9, 10 can also be referred to as ends. The first end face 9 is assigned to the housing 4 of the coupling device 2. The second end face 10 is assigned to the housing 6 of the receptacle 3.

[0056] In this case, the intermediate space 11 is sealed in a fluid-tight manner relative to an environment U of the cryogenic tank-filling arrangement 1. That is to say, when the coupling device 2 is inserted into the receiving section 7, a fluid-tight connection is first established between the coupling device 2 and the receptacle 3 so that the intermediate space 11 is closed off from the environment U. The cryogenic tank-filling arrangement 1 is now in an unlocked state E.

[0057] When viewed along the axial direction A, the intermediate space 11 is delimited or defined on both sides by the end faces 9, 10. When viewed along the radial direction R, the intermediate space 11 is delimited or defined by the receiving section 7.

[0058] A pressure change, and in particular a pressure reduction, is then generated in the intermediate space 11. In particular, a vacuum is generated in the intermediate space 11. For this purpose, an aggregate 12 is provided for generating the pressure change. The aggregate 12 is a vacuum pump. With the aid of the pressure change in the intermediate space 11, the coupling device 2 and the receptacle 3 are pulled together into a locked state V, shown in FIG. 3, in which the end faces 9, 10 abut each other. The pressure change generates a force acting on the coupling device 2. The cryogenic tank-filling arrangement 1 is now in the locked state V.

[0059] Finally, the coupling device 2 and the receptacle 3 are locked together in the locked state V. A locking device 13 is provided for this purpose. The locking device 13 is an electrical, electromagnetic, mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic locking device. The locking device 13 can have an engagement element 14 assigned to the coupling device 2, which engagement element is designed, in the locked state V, to engage in a form-fitting manner in a counter-engagement element 15 assigned to the receptacle 3. For example, the engagement element 14 is a displaceably mounted pin. The counter-engagement element 15 can be a corresponding recess.

[0060] The disconnection of the coupling device 2 from the receptacle 3 takes place in reverse and is fully automatable, so that, in case of an emergency, the coupling device 2 can be safely unlocked and disconnected from the receptacle 3.

[0061] The housing 4 of the coupling device 2 is in particular tubular or hollow-cylindrical and has an inner wall 16 extending completely around the axis of symmetry 8. On the outside of the housing 4, i.e., facing away from the inner wall 16, a counter-receiving section 17 is provided. The counter-receiving section 17 can be accommodated in the receiving section 7. Alternatively, the counter-receiving section 17 can also be provided on the receptacle 3. In this case, the receiving section 7 is then provided on the coupling device 2. The first end face 9 is, seen in the radial direction R, delimited by the inner wall 16 and the counter-receiving section 17. This results in the annular shape of the first end face 9.

[0062] The coupling device 2in particular, its counter-receiving section 17and the receptacle 3in particular, its receiving section 7are designed to be complementary to each other. In this context, complementary means in particular that the coupling device 2in particular, the counter-receiving section 17and the receptacle 3in particular, the receiving section 7can be plugged into each other according to a plug-socket principle. In this case, either the coupling device 2 can be plugged into the receptacle 3 or, conversely, the receptacle 3 can be plugged into the coupling device 2.

[0063] This can be achieved by a suitable geometry of the receiving section 7 and of the counter-receiving section 17. For example, the receiving section 7 and the counter-receiving section 17 are in each case cylindrical, and in particular hollow-cylindrical, and can thus be plugged into each other. In cross-section, the receiving section 7 and the counter-receiving section 17 can also in each case have a polygonalin particular, hexagonalor a star-shaped geometry.

[0064] The housing 6 of the receptacle 3 is, in particular, likewise tubular or hollow-cylindrical and has an inner wall 18 extending completely around the axis of symmetry 8. The inner wall 18 can have a smaller diameter than the receiving section 7. The receiving section 7 can be an inner wall which extends completely around the axis of symmetry 8 and is cylindrical. The receiving section 7 can thus be rotationally symmetrical with respect to the axis of symmetry 8. Likewise, the counter-receiving section 17 can be rotationally symmetrical with respect to the axis of symmetry 8.

[0065] FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a method for producing the cryogenic tank-filling arrangement 1. In a step S1, the coupling device 2 is accommodated in the receptacle 3 in such a way that, between the coupling device 2 and the receptacle 3, the intermediate space 11 closed off from the environment U of the cryogenic tank-filling arrangement 1 is provided. Conversely, in step S1, the receptacle 3 can also be accommodated in the coupling device 2. The cryogenic tank-filling arrangement 1 is now in the unlocked state E.

[0066] In a step S2, a pressure change, and in particular a pressure reduction, is generated in the intermediate space 11, so that the coupling device 2 is pressed against the receptacle 3 due to pressure. In particular, a vacuum is generated in the intermediate space 11. In particular, the end faces 9, 10 are pressed against each other. The coupling device 2 is pulled into the receptacle 3. After or in step S2, the coupling device 2 is locked on the receptacle 3 electrically, electromagnetically, mechanically, pneumatically, or hydraulically with the aid of the locking device 13. Steps S1, S2 can be carried out automatically.

[0067] 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

[0068] 1 Cryogenic tank-filling arrangement [0069] 2 Coupling device [0070] 3 Receptacle [0071] 4 Housing [0072] 5 Refueling hose [0073] 6 Housing [0074] 7 Receiving section [0075] 8 Axis of symmetry [0076] 9 End face [0077] 10 End face [0078] 11 Intermediate space [0079] 12 Aggregate [0080] 13 Locking device [0081] 14 Engagement element [0082] 15 Counter-engagement element [0083] 16 Inner wall [0084] 17 Counter-receiving section [0085] 18 Inner wall [0086] A Axial direction [0087] E Unlocked state [0088] R Radial direction [0089] S1 Step [0090] S2 Step [0091] U Environment [0092] V Locked state