VALVE UNIT, ON-TANK VALVE AND GAS PRESSURE TANK SYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR FOR FUEL CELL SYSTEMS, AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A LEAKAGE

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a valve unit for a fuel supply system which is preferably adapted to supply a fuel cell system with fuel, comprising: at least one temperature detector, at least one pressure detector, and a safety valve integrated into a line section, wherein the safety valve can be adjusted between an open position, in which gas is able to flow through the line section, and a closed position, in which gas is not able to flow through the line section, wherein the temperature detector and the pressure detector are so disposed that they are able to detect a temperature and a pressure of the gas flowing through the line section in a state in which the gas is present at the closed safety valve in such a manner that it exerts pressure. The present disclosure relates further to an on-tank valve which can have all the features described in relation to the valve unit and differs from the valve unit only in that it is able to be mounted directly on a gas pressure tank. The present disclosure relates further to a gas pressure tank system for storing fuel, comprising: at least one gas pressure tank and a valve unit. Finally, the present disclosure relates to a method for detecting a possible leakage in a fuel supply system, and to a valve assembly.

Claims

1. A valve unit which is usable for a fuel supply system or a fire extinguishing system, comprising: at least one temperature detector, at least one pressure detector, and a safety valve integrated into a line section, wherein the safety valve can be adjusted between an open position, in which gas is able to flow through the line section, and a closed position, in which gas is not able to flow through the line section, wherein the temperature detector and the pressure detector are so disposed that they are able to detect a temperature and a pressure of the gas flowing through the line section in a state in which the gas is present at the closed safety valve in such a manner that it exerts pressure, and the valve unit is further adapted to conduct a tightness test of the line section of a gas pressure tank system connected to the line section, on the basis of the detected temperature and pressure values in the closed state of the safety valve.

2.-4. (canceled)

5. The valve unit according to claim 1, wherein an excessive flow valve or throttle valve is provided before the safety valve in a direction of flow of the gas or fuel from the gas pressure tank towards a consumer, and wherein the valve unit further includes a pressure regulating valve which is disposed after the safety valve in the direction of flow and is adapted to reduce or to regulate, or both, a gas pressure tank pressure to an operating pressure of a consumer that is to be supplied with the fuel.

6. The valve unit according to claim 1, further having an excess pressure device which is adapted to limit the operating pressure regulated by the pressure regulating valve to a preset limit value or to protect a gas pressure tank connected to the valve unit from excess pressure.

7. (canceled)

8. The valve unit according to claim 1, further having a thermal pressure relief device which is adapted, at a predetermined temperature limit value, to release the fuel stored under pressure in a gas pressure tank connected to the valve unit to the surrounding air via a discharge port.

9. (canceled)

10. The valve unit according to claim 1, further having a control device which is adapted to receive measurement signals of at least one of the temperature detector, the pressure detector, external sensors, and a temperature sensor provided on a gas pressure tank, to process those signals and to output corresponding control signals to at least one of the safety valve, the pressure regulating valve, and the thermal pressure relief device.

11. The valve unit according to claim 10, wherein the control device is adapted, in order to conduct a tightness test of the line section of a gas pressure tank system connected to the line section, to bring the safety valve into a closed position and then, for a predetermined time period, to determine a plurality of temperature and pressure values of the gas or fuel present at the safety valve via the temperature detector and the pressure detector, and to conduct the tightness test on the basis of the determined temperature and pressure values.

12.-16. (canceled)

17. The valve unit according to claim 10, further comprising a temperature-control device which is adapted to condition the fuel flowing through the valve unit after it has been reduced to the operating pressure by the pressure regulating valve, to a predetermined operating temperature.

18. (canceled)

19. The valve unit according to claim 1, further comprising a leakage detection unit which is adapted to test the tightness of at least one component of the valve unit, wherein the component is selected from the group of: safety valve, excessive flow valve, filter, pressure regulating valve, first excess pressure device, second excess pressure device, thermal pressure relief device, temperature-control device, temperature detector, and pressure detector.

20. The valve unit according to claim 1, further comprising an orientation detection unit which is adapted to detect the absolute geometric orientation in space of the valve unit of the at least one gas pressure tank connected to the valve unit, wherein the orientation detection unit has at least one sensor selected from the group of: accelerometer, gyroscope and geomagnetic sensor.

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. The valve unit according to claim 1, further comprising a power generation device comprising: a converter which is adapted to convert flow energy of the fuel flowing into the valve unit, into mechanical energy, and a generator which is adapted to convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy.

24.-29. (canceled)

30. A method for detecting a possible leakage in a fuel supply system including a gas pressure tank system for storing fuel, which is adapted to supply a fuel cell system with fuel, comprising the steps of: closing a safety valve integrated into a line section, wherein the safety valve can be adjusted between an open position, in which gas is able to flow through the line section, and a closed position, in which gas is not able to flow through the line section, detecting a temperature and a pressure of the gas flowing through the line section in a state in which the gas is present at the closed safety valve in such a manner that it exerts pressure, conducting a tightness test of the line section of a gas pressure tank system connected to the line section, on the basis of the detected temperature and pressure values.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein a plurality of temperature and pressure values are determined within a predetermined time period, wherein the temperature and pressure values are determined inside a connected pressure tank or at a plurality of measurement points inside a connected gas pressure tank system, or both.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the plurality of determined temperature and pressure values are compared with one another in order to determine a characteristic value of the stability or a trend, or both, if the characteristic value of the stability or the trend, or both lies within a predetermined range, the line section of the gas pressure tank system connected to the line section, is tight.

33. (canceled)

34. A valve assembly of a valve unit, which is used for a fire extinguishing system which uses nitrogen as the extinguishing agent, comprising: a main supply line, a main valve integrated into the main supply line, wherein the main valve is adjustable between an open position, in which gas is able to flow through the main supply line, and a closed position, in which gas is not able to flow through the main supply line, and a pressure regulating valve which is adapted to reduce or to regulate, or both, a pressure of the gas flowing through the main supply line, wherein the main valve is able to be brought or switched indirectly into the open position by a pulse-controlled actuating valve, wherein the valve assembly is configured such that the main valve remains in the open position even if actuation by the pulse-controlled actuating valve is released or interrupted, or both.

35. The valve assembly according to claim 34, wherein the main valve is able to be brought into the open position by manual actuation of the pulse-controlled actuating valve, wherein the actuating valve is a pulse-controlled solenoid valve.

36. The valve assembly according to claim 34, wherein the main valve is able to be actuated by the actuating valve indirectly via a piston system, wherein the piston system has a control piston with a plunger and a pressure member.

37. (canceled)

38. The valve assembly according to claim 34, wherein the main valve has a closing member which is subjected to force by the pressure member of the piston system against a conical valve seat, whereby the main valve is closed in the unactuated state, wherein the pressure member is pushed by a spring in the direction towards the valve seat.

39. (canceled)

40. The valve assembly according to claim 34, further having a check valve which is disposed in the feed line for supplying the piston system before the actuating valve in the direction of flow and which prevents the compressed air or control air, or both, present at the control piston from escaping.

41. The valve assembly according to claim 34, wherein a size of the piston area of the control piston is chosen such that the main valve remains in the open position even if the pressure on the pressure side of the control piston falls to a predetermined minimum pressure as a result of leakage or failure of the actuating valve.

42. The valve assembly according to claim 34, further having a release valve that is at least one of a needle valve, a ball valve or a slowly opening valve, which is adapted, on actuation to reduce the pressure present on the pressure side of the control piston, whereby the main valve returns to the closed state.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0114] Further features and advantages of a device, a use and/or a method will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0115] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a high-pressure vessel unit according to the prior art,

[0116] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a fuel supply system according to the prior art,

[0117] FIG. 3 shows, in simplified form, an embodiment of a valve unit according to the disclosure,

[0118] FIG. 4 shows a pipeline and instrument flow diagram of an embodiment of a valve unit according to the disclosure,

[0119] FIG. 5 shows, in simplified form, an embodiment of a gas pressure tank system according to the disclosure,

[0120] FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of a valve unit according to the disclosure, wherein the valve unit shown is a further development of the valve unit shown in FIGS. 3 to 5,

[0121] FIG. 7 is a perspective view, in schematic form, of an embodiment of a gas pressure tank system according to the disclosure,

[0122] FIG. 8 is a perspective view, in schematic form, of a further embodiment of a gas pressure tank system according to the disclosure, and

[0123] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a valve unit according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0124] Identical reference numbers which are given in different figures denote identical, mutually corresponding or functionally similar elements.

[0125] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a high-pressure vessel unit 10 according to the prior art. The high-pressure vessel unit 10 shown has a box-like case 22, a plurality of cylindrical vessels 18 which are disposed in a row inside the case 22, wherein each vessel 18 includes an opening 30B at an end portion on one side in the axial direction, a coupling member 20 which connects the openings 30B in order to couple the plurality of vessels 18 with one another, and which includes a flow passage which connects the interiors of the plurality of vessels 18 with one another so that they communicate. The described high-pressure vessel unit 10 further has a lead-out pipe 32 which leads from the coupling member 20 through a through-hole 46A formed in the case 22 to the exterior of the case 22, wherein there is connected to the lead-out pipe 32 a valve 34 which is able to open and close the flow passage.

[0126] As described, the high-pressure vessel unit 10 shown can close the respective vessels 18 (gas pressure tanks) not separately but only together via the valve 34, in the event of a leakage/defect of a vessel 18 and/or of a coupling member 20 the entire high-pressure vessel unit 10 accordingly fails.

[0127] FIG. 2 further shows a diagram of a fuel supply system 110 according to the prior art, which can be used, for example, in an aircraft. The described fuel supply system 110 has a fuel tank 112, a feed line 114 which connects the fuel tank 112 to an inlet 116 of a fuel cell 118, a tank isolation valve 128 disposed in the feed line 114, a removal line 146 which connects an outlet 120 of the fuel cell 118 to an unpressurized region of the aircraft and/or the outer atmosphere, and a sensor 144 for detecting an electrical voltage in the fuel cell 118.

[0128] Although it is here possible to shut off, as it were to isolate, the single fuel tank 112 by means of the tank isolation valve 128, the tank isolation valve 128 is not installed directly on the fuel tank 112, whereby, in the event of a leakage between the fuel tank 112 and the tank isolation valve 128, there is no possibility of closing the gas leak by closing the tank isolation valve 128. After the tank isolation valve 128 has been closed, it is also not possible to give information about the integrity of the fuel tank 112 and the connecting pipeline.

[0129] FIG. 3 further illustrates, in simplified form, an embodiment of a valve unit 100 according to the disclosure, which in the illustrated embodiment is implemented as an on-tank valve (OTV) 200, in particular as an OTV-R, that is to say an on-tank valve having a pressure regulating valve 107. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the on-tank valve 200 has a temperature detector 101 and a pressure detector 102. The temperature detector 101 is directly fastened to a connecting piece 111 of the on-tank valve 200, by means of which the on-tank valve is fastened to, in particular screwed into, a gas pressure tank 300. The temperature detector 101 is provided at the end of the connecting piece 111 that projects into the gas pressure tank 300. Accordingly, the temperature detector 101 is in direct contact with the fuel stored in the gas pressure tank 300.

[0130] The pressure detector 102, on the other hand, is accommodated in an external component which is connected to, in particular screwed to, the on-tank valve 200 in a gas-tight manner. The pressure detector 102 is in contact with the stored fuel (fuel gas or hydrogen) via an independent fluid line, which extends at least in part through the connecting piece 111. Accordingly, the pressure detector 102 is able to directly detect or measure the pressure prevailing in the gas pressure tank 300 (gas pressure tank pressure P.sub.1).

[0131] The illustrated on-tank valve 200 further has a safety valve 104 integrated into a line section 103, wherein the safety valve 104, which is preferably pulse-controlled, can be adjusted between an open position, in which gas is able to flow through the line section 103, and a closed position, in which gas is not able to flow through the line section 103. In the embodiment shown, the line section 103 serves to provide the fuel stored under high pressure (up to 900 bar) in the gas pressure tank 300 via a supply port A2 to a downstream consumer (not shown).

[0132] As can be seen from FIG. 3, the temperature detector 101 and the pressure detector 102 are so disposed that they are able to detect a temperature and a pressure of the gas flowing through the line section 103 in a state in which the gas is present at the closed safety valve 104 in such a manner that it exerts pressure. In other words, the two detectors, which are configured as sensors, can directly detect the temperature and the pressure of the fuel confined in the gas pressure tank by the safety valve 104.

[0133] If the safety valve 104 is opened, the fuel stored in the gas pressure tank under high pressure, about 350 bar, 700 bar, 875 bar or 900 bar, flows via the line section 103 in the direction towards the supply port A2, whereby the stored fuel is provided to a downstream consumer. Before it reaches the safety valve 104, the stored fuel first flows through a filter 106 in order to remove contaminants present in the stored fuel. The fuel then flows through an excessive flow valve 105, whereby the maximum flow of the fuel flowing out of the gas pressure tank 300 is limited, in particular is limited such that the maximum flow is determined so as to be slightly higher than the maximum flow required by the connected consumer.

[0134] In this manner, on the one hand a sufficiently great fuel flow for supplying the downstream consumer or the downstream consumers is ensured, on the other hand the flow is limited as far as possible so that an undesirably large amount of fuel does not escape in the event of a fault.

[0135] After the safety valve 104 in the direction of flow S1 there is provided in the line section 103 the pressure regulating valve 107, which reduces and/or regulates the gas pressure introduced by the gas pressure tank 300 (gas pressure tank pressure P.sub.1) to an operating pressure P.sub.2 which is preset or adapted to the operating load of the downstream consumer.

[0136] Between the safety valve 104 and the pressure regulating valve 107 there is disposed a check valve such that a return flow from the pressure regulating valve 107 in the direction towards the safety valve 104 is prevented.

[0137] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, a further, preferably magnetic, safety valve is disposed after the pressure regulating valve 107, wherein it is possible by means of this safety valve to block or confine the fuel already reduced to the operating pressure P.sub.2 in the valve unit 100, in particular the on-tank valve 200, and to run the consumer, for example a fuel cell system, disposed thereafter empty. In other words, to remove the fuel from the fuel cell system and thus reduce the pressure that is present. It is further advantageous if the further safety valve is configured such that it is able to open only up to a predetermined pressure, such as, for example, 50 bar, that is to say a pressure which on the one hand is lower than the maximum pressure of 350 bar, 700 bar, 875 bar or 900 bar prevailing in the gas pressure tank 300 and on the other hand is greater than the operating pressure P.sub.2 required by the downstream consumer.

[0138] The illustrated on-tank valve 200 further has a first excess pressure device 110 in the form of an excess pressure valve, which in the embodiment shown is set to a pressure of 19 bar, thus the operating pressure P.sub.2 present at the downstream consumer is limited to 19 bar. If the pressure regulating valve 107 has a fault and reduces, for example, the pressure of the fuel only to 50 bar, the excess pressure valve 110 opens and discharges the excess fuel to the environment via the discharge port A3.

[0139] As can further be seen from FIG. 3, the illustrated on-tank valve 200 further has a second excess pressure device 108 which is configured as a rupture disk and is adapted to protect the gas pressure tank 300 connected to the on-tank valve 200 from excess pressure.

[0140] The on-tank valve 200 further has a thermal pressure relief device 109 which is adapted to open at a predetermined temperature limit value, that is to say to open a valve of the pressure relief device 109 that is closed by default, in order to release the fuel stored in the gas pressure tank 300 to the environment via the discharge port A3. The pressure relief device 109 is configured such that the fuel cannot escape too quickly, in order to protect the gas pressure tank 300 from damage, but nevertheless to allow the fuel to escape at a sufficiently high speed, generally within from 3 to 5 minutes, so that the integrity of the gas pressure tank 300 can be ensured until it is completely empty.

[0141] The pressure relief device 109 can be disposed, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, parallel to the second excess pressure device 108 (rupture disk) and the pressure detector 102 in a fluid line which connects the discharge port A3 to the interior (storage chamber) of the gas pressure tank 300 so as to carry fluid. The pressure relief device 109 can further be irreversibly actuated, that is to say opened, by rupturing of a glass body, wherein the rupturing of the glass body is so set that rupturing occurs at a predetermined temperature and optionally only after the predetermined temperature has been present for a specified time period. It is advantageous for safety reasons if the actuation or triggering of the pressure relief device takes place irreversibly, in order that undesirable closing can be ruled out after the pressure relief device has been actuated or triggered once. Actuation of the pressure relief device can, however, also take place by an external pulse or by activation.

[0142] As is further shown in FIG. 3, the illustrated on-tank valve has a control device 120 which can serve to evaluate and optionally to log the values detected by the detectors 101 and 102 and to determine a state of integrity of the gas pressure tank 300 and of the on-tank valve 200 on the basis of the detected values. The control device 120 is further adapted to control a fuel supply operation of the downstream consumer, in particular to correspondingly open or close the pressure regulating valve 107, on the basis of the detected values. In order to be able to establish different pressures, the pressure regulating valve can also be partially opened or closed, so that degrees of opening of between 0% and 100% are likewise possible.

[0143] The on-tank valve 200 illustrated in FIG. 3 further has a communication device which has, for example, a Bluetooth and a WLAN antenna, by means of which the on-tank valve 200 can communicate wirelessly with external clients. The on-tank valve shown further has a leakage detection unit as already described in detail above.

[0144] Finally, the on-tank valve 200 shown has a refueling port (filling port) A1, by means of which the gas pressure tank can be filled with gas, in particular fuel. For this purpose, the illustrated on-tank valve 200 has a separate refueling channel in which the fuel introduced is guided in the direction of flow S2 into the gas pressure tank 300. In the refueling channel there is again provided a filter in order to prevent contaminants present in the fuel to be introduced from entering the gas pressure tank 300 and accumulating therein. After the filter in the flow direction S2 there is further disposed a check valve or a plurality of check valves connected one after the other, which prevent(s) the fuel introduced from flowing back to the filter. A further check valve is further provided at the end of the refueling channel facing the gas pressure tank 300, which prevents the fuel introduced from escaping via the refueling port A1.

[0145] FIG. 4 shows a pipeline and instrument flow diagram of an embodiment of a valve unit 100 according to the disclosure, wherein the illustrated valve unit 100 corresponds in terms of its fundamental construction to the on-tank valve 200 illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0146] As can be seen from FIG. 4, the valve unit 100, in particular gas handling unit, shown has six interfaces with which the valve unit 100 can be connected to external components, in particular can be connected so as to carry fluid. The interface 1, for example, serves to connect a single gas pressure tank 300 or a gas pressure tank system 400 to the valve unit 100. Accordingly, the interface 1 has a feed line (secondary supply line) via which the gas pressure tank 300 can be filled with fuel, a main supply line via which the fuel stored under high pressure in the gas pressure tank 300 can be fed to a consumer, and two measurement and diagnosis paths. The first measurement and diagnosis path connects the interior (fuel filling) of the gas pressure tank 300 to a temperature element (temperature detector 101) which is provided in the valve unit and by means of which the temperature of the fuel in the gas pressure tank 300 can be detected. The second measurement and diagnosis path is divided between three paths/lines arranged in parallel, on one of the three paths there is formed on the one hand an interface 5 to which an exchangeable/mountable pressure sensor element (pressure detector 102) is connected. The pressure sensor element connected to the interface 5 detects the pressure inside the gas pressure tank 300 via the second measurement and diagnosis path. In a second path there is disposed a rupture disk (excess pressure device 108) which protects the connected gas pressure tank 300 from excess pressure. In other words, if, for example during filling of the gas pressure tank, the pressure inside the gas pressure tank 300 reaches a predetermined limit value, for example 900 bar, as a result of a faulty refueling system, the rupture disk breaks and thereby opens the access to the interface 4 (discharge port A3), via which the fuel can be discharged to the surrounding air.

[0147] At the third path there is provided a thermal pressure relief device (TPRD) which, when a predetermined limit value/maximum temperature is reached, for example in the event of an accident resulting in a fire, likewise opens an access to the interface 4 (discharge port A3), whereby the fuel stored in the gas pressure tank 300 can be discharged/released to the environment in a controlled manner. A channeled release to the environment can take place. This is to be understood as meaning that the direction of release is chosen such that the outflowing fuel is released in a direction in which no components and/or persons are endangered.

[0148] As can further be seen from FIG. 4, there are disposed inside the gas pressure tank 300 a filter F2, a check valve CV2 and an excessive flow valve EFV, the function of which has already been described in connection with FIG. 3.

[0149] There are disposed in the main supply line, in the direction of flow to an interface 3 to which a downstream consumer such as, for example, a fuel cell system can be connected, a safety valve SV1, a check valve CV3, a pressure regulating valve PR and a further safety valve SV2, wherein the two safety valves are configured as solenoid valves.

[0150] There is further connected, after the second safety valve SV2 in the direction of flow, an excess pressure device PRV which triggers when a preset maximum pressure, which is so chosen that the downstream consumer cannot be damaged, is reached and in the actuated state opens an access to the interface 4 (discharge port A3), whereby the excess fuel can be released to the outside.

[0151] The valve unit 100 shown additionally has an interface 2 via which, for example, a refueling system can be connected to the valve unit 100 for filling the gas pressure tank 300. A filter F1, a check valve CV1 and the check valve CV2 provided in the gas pressure tank 300 are disposed in the direction of flow from the interface 2 to the interface 1, to which the gas pressure tank 300 is connected. The feed line (secondary supply line) is advantageously connected via a check valve CV4 to the main supply line, in particular between the check valve CV3 and the pressure regulating valve PR.

[0152] Interface 6 illustrates a signal connection by means of which the safety valves SV1 and SV2, the pressure regulating valve PR and the sensor elements PT, TE can be connected to a control unit, wherein the control unit can also be integrated into the valve unit 100.

[0153] FIG. 5 shows, in simplified form, an embodiment of a gas pressure tank system 400 according to the disclosure, which consists by way of example of two gas pressure tanks 300, two on-tank valves 200, each of which is screwed into a gas pressure tank 300, and a valve unit 100, which is configured as a gas handling unit. The gas handling unit comprises all the components or associated functions described in relation to the on-tank valve 200 shown in FIG. 3.

[0154] The two illustrated on-tank valves 200, on the other hand, are limited to minimally necessary safety functions. For example, the two on-tank valves 200 each have a safety valve 204 by means of which an undesired outflow of the fuel from the individual gas pressure tanks 300 can be prevented, in particular in the event of an accident. Accordingly, the protection valves 204, like the protection valve 104 of the gas handling unit 100, are self-closing valves. The on-tank valves 200 further each comprise an excessive flow valve 206 which is adapted to limit the outflow of the fuel to a predetermined maximum value. The on-tank valves 200 further have a refueling channel 207 which is provided with a check valve. A filter 205 is further disposed before the safety valve 204, in particular before the excessive flow valve 206. Finally, the two on-tank valves 200 also have a temperature and/or pressure detecting unit 201.

[0155] The gas handling unit 100 disposed downstream of the on-tank valves 200 in the outflow direction S1 likewise has an excessive flow valve 106 which serves to limit the flow of fuel accumulated by the plurality of connected gas pressure tanks 300 (here two). The gas handling unit 100 further has a connection region 150 by means of which the two on-tank valves 200 are electrically and electronically connected to the gas handling unit 100, in particular the control unit 120 thereof. In this manner, the control unit 120 can access the values or data determined by means of the temperature and/or pressure detecting unit 201 and if necessary actuate the safety valves 204 accordingly.

[0156] FIG. 6 shows a pipeline and instrument flow diagram of a further embodiment of a valve unit 100 according to the disclosure, wherein the valve unit shown is a further development of the valve unit shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. The valve unit shown in FIG. 6 likewise has the interfaces 1 to 4, only the interfaces 5 (pressure detector 102) and 6 (signal connection) are absent. This is because the control device 120 and the pressure detector 102 are integrated directly into the valve unit 100.

[0157] As can be seen from FIG. 6, in the illustrated embodiment of the valve unit 1, in the direction of flow from the interface 1 to the interface 3, to which a consumer can likewise be connected, there are in the main supply line an excessive flow valve EFV1.1, a first manual valve (safety valve) MV1.1, a filter F1.1, a solenoid valve XV 1.1, a pressure regulating valve PRV1.1, a second filter F1.2 and a second manual valve MV1.4. Here too, as in FIG. 4, an excess pressure device PSV1 is provided after the pressure regulating valve PRV1.1, which can release excess fluid to the outside via the interface 4.

[0158] The major difference relative to the valve unit described in FIG. 4 is on the one hand that not only are a pressure sensor PT1.1 and a temperature sensor TT1.1 provided before the pressure regulating valve PRV1.1, but a pressure sensor PT1.2 and a temperature sensor TT1.2 are also provided after the pressure regulating valve PRV1.1 in the direction of flow. This configuration is advantageous in particular when the valve unit 100 has a temperature-control device 170. In this case, the state (temperature and pressure) of the fuel after pressure reduction has been carried out by the pressure regulating valve PRV1.1 can be detected by means of the second sensor pair PT1.2, TT1.2, and the temperature-control device 170 can be controlled accordingly. In this manner it is possible to optimally condition the fuel for the following consumer. Furthermore, the state information additionally determined can be used for conducting the tightness test. In this manner, the tightness test, in particular the tightness test of the gas pressure tank 300 and/or of the gas pressure tank system 400, can be conducted more reliably in particular during operation of the downstream consumer, in particular of the fuel cell system, that is to say while the fuel stored in the gas pressure tank 300 is continuously flowing out.

[0159] FIG. 7 is a perspective view, in schematic form, of an embodiment of a gas pressure tank system 400 according to the disclosure. The illustrated gas pressure tank system 400 consists of four gas pressure tanks 300 disposed side by side, each of which is provided with an on-tank valve 200 (OTV), which are in turn connected to one another via a fluid line.

[0160] As can be seen from FIG. 7, the four on-tank valves 200 (OTVs), which are attached to the front side of the gas pressure tanks 300, each have a thermal pressure relief device (TPRD), a temperature and a pressure detector (TT, PT) and a solenoid valve (SV). The four on-tank valves 200 are further connected via lines to a common pressure regulating valve, which reduces the pressure in the gas pressure tanks 300 to an operating pressure. After the pressure regulating valve (PR), which likewise has a pressure detector (PT), the channeled fuel is guided via a line to a manual valve, which is coupled with a safety valve. The four gas pressure tanks are further channeled to a feed line, via which the four gas pressure tanks 300 can be refueled or filled. The discharge outlets of the four thermal pressure relief devices (TPRDs) are likewise channeled in order to allow the fuel which flows out in an emergency to flow out via a common line in a channeled and directed manner, in particular in a required direction.

[0161] FIG. 8 is a perspective view, in schematic form, of a further embodiment of a gas pressure tank system 400 according to the disclosure. The illustrated gas pressure tank system 400 has in principle the same components as the gas pressure tank system 400 illustrated in FIG. 7. However, the gas pressure tank system 400 illustrated in FIG. 8 differs in that a plurality of components that are relevant in terms of safety, which were configured separately in the gas pressure tank system 400 of FIG. 7, are integrated in a unit, namely in a gas handling unit 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the pressure regulating valve (PR), the manual valve and the safety valve are integrated in the gas handling unit. In addition, the solenoid valves (SV) provided in FIG. 7 in each of the on-tank valves 200 (OTVs) are realized in the gas handling unit 100 as a single solenoid valve (SV). In this manner it is possible on the one hand to integrate the individual components in a compact manner in a valve block, and on the other hand to reduce the outlay in terms of cabling and piping and thus the costs and the outlay in terms of maintenance.

[0162] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a valve unit 100 according to the disclosure. FIG. 9 is in principle to illustrate the concrete implementation of a main valve which is preferably used in valve units which are used, for example, for fire extinguishing systems which preferably use nitrogen as the extinguishing agent.

[0163] As can be seen from FIG. 9, the valve assembly 500 of such a valve unit has a main supply line 501, a main valve 502 integrated into the main supply line, wherein the main valve is adjustable between an open position, in which gas is able to flow through the main supply line 501, and a closed position, in which gas is not able to flow through the main supply line 501, and a pressure regulating valve 503 which is adapted to reduce and/or to regulate a pressure of the gas flowing through the main supply line. The main valve 502 is able to be actuated indirectly by means of a pulse-controlled actuating valve 504, which is configured as a solenoid valve, via a piston system 505, wherein the piston system 505 has a control piston 506 with a plunger and a pressure member 507.

[0164] If the actuating valve 504 is actuated, it opens a feed line 508 via which the control piston 506, in particular a pressure side of the control piston, is supplied with or subjected to compressed air or control air. A check valve 510 is disposed before the actuating valve 504 in the direction of flow of the compressed or control air, which, even when the actuating valve is actuated for only a short time or triggers as a result of a defect, prevents that the pressure present on the pressure side of the control piston falls.

[0165] As can further be seen from FIG. 9, in a closed position of the main valve 502 the pressure member 507 of the control piston 506 is urged by the force of a spring 512 in the direction towards the control piston 506, in particular in the direction towards a valve seat, whereby a closing member 509 of the main valve 502 is pressed into the valve seat by the pressure member 507 and the main valve 502 is moved into the closed state.

[0166] If the actuating valve 504 is now actuated, and if compressed air or control air is present on the pressure side of the control piston 506, the control piston is pushed in the direction towards the main valve 502, in particular towards the closing member 509 of the main valve 502, and, because the piston force generated by the control piston 506 is greater than the spring force of the spring 512, the plunger of the control piston 506 pushes the pressure member 507 against the spring 512, whereby the closing member 509 is freed and pushed away from the valve seat by the pressure exerted by the gas (useful gas). The main valve 502 is in the open position.

[0167] The valve assembly 500, in particular a size of the piston area of the control piston 506, is chosen such that the main valve 502 remains in the open position even if the pressure on the pressure side of the control piston falls to a predetermined minimum pressure, which can occur, for example, as a result of a leakage and failure of the actuating valve. In other words, the piston force which is generated and which acts on the pressure member via the plunger is greater than the opposing spring force/closing force even at the predetermined minimum pressure.

[0168] If the main valve 502 is intentionally to be released, a release valve 511 is to be actuated manually. If the release valve 511 is actuated, the pressure present on the pressure side of the control piston is reduced, whereby the main valve 502 returns to the closed state.

[0169] It is clear to the person skilled in the art that individual features each described in different embodiments can also be implemented in a single embodiment, provided that they are not structurally incompatible. Equally, different features which are described within the scope of a single embodiment can also be provided in a plurality of embodiments individually or in any suitable subcombination.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0170] 100 valve unit [0171] 101 temperature detector [0172] 102 pressure detector [0173] 103 line section [0174] 104 safety valve [0175] 105 excessive flow valve [0176] 106 filter [0177] 107 pressure regulating valve [0178] 108 second excess pressure device [0179] 109 thermal pressure relief device [0180] 110 first excess pressure device/excess pressure valve [0181] 111 connecting piece [0182] 120 control device [0183] 130 communication device [0184] 140 electrical and/or electronic interface [0185] 150 connection region [0186] 160 leakage detecting unit (sniffer) [0187] 170 orientation detecting unit [0188] 180 temperature-control device [0189] 200 on-tank valve [0190] 201 temperature and/or pressure detector [0191] 204 safety valve [0192] 205 excessive flow valve [0193] 206 filter [0194] 207 refueling channel [0195] 211 connecting piece [0196] 300 gas pressure tank [0197] 301 connecting piece [0198] 302 temperature sensor [0199] 400 gas pressure tank system [0200] 500 valve assembly [0201] 501 main supply line [0202] 502 main valve [0203] 503 pressure regulating valve [0204] 504 actuating valve [0205] 505 piston system [0206] 506 control piston [0207] 507 pressure member [0208] 508 feed line [0209] 509 closing member [0210] 510 check valve [0211] 511 release valve [0212] 512 spring

[0213] The present application claims priority to International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2021/065626 filed on Jun. 10, 2021 and German Patent Application No. 10 2020 207 253.1 filed on Jun. 10, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0214] In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.