CONNECTION BLOCK

Abstract

A connection block including connections, which are connected to one another by connection channels. The connection block includes at least two fluid paths, which extend independently from one another through the connection block, which are each provided with a branching, and which each comprise a fluid inlet connection, a first fluid outlet connection and a second fluid outlet connection. For or each fluid path, at least one temperature sensor for measuring a temperature in the fluid path and/or at least one pressure sensor for measuring a pressure in the fluid path are provided.

Claims

1. A connection block (20;40) with connections (21-29; 41,42,44,45,47,48), which are connected to one another by connection channels (31,33;51-54), wherein the connection block (20;40) comprises at least two fluid paths (14;34-36), which extend independently from one another through the connection block (20;40), are each provided with a branching (16;32), and each comprise a fluid inlet connection (21-29;41,42), a first fluid outlet connection (24-26;44,47) and a second fluid outlet connection (27-29;47,48); wherein for each fluid path (14;34-36), at least one temperature sensor (71,72;101;102) for measuring a temperature in the fluid path and/or at least one pressure sensor (73,74;111,112) for measuring a pressure in the fluid path (14;34-36) are provided.

2. The connection block according to claim 1, wherein exactly one temperature sensor (71,72;101;102) and exactly one pressure sensor (73,74;111,112) are provided for each fluid path (14;34-36).

3. The connection block according to claim 1, wherein the fluid inlet connection (21-29;41,42) and the first fluid outlet connection (24-26;44,45) are connected to one another via a main channel (31;51,52) from which a secondary channel (33;53,54) to the second fluid outlet connection (27-29;47,48) is branched off at the branching (32).

4. The connection block according to claim 3, wherein the at least one temperature sensor (71,72;101;102) is designed to measure a temperature in the main channel (31;51,52) and/or the at least one pressure sensor (73,74;111,112) is designed to measure a pressure within the main channel (31;51,52).

5. The connection block according to claim 3, wherein the main channel (51,52) comprises a straight inlet portion, which extends from the fluid inlet connection (41,42) to the branching (32) of the secondary channel (53,54) and is angled at an obtuse angle from a straight outlet portion that extends from the branching (32) of the secondary channel (53,54) to the first fluid outlet connection (44,45), wherein the at least one temperature sensor (71,72;101;102) and/or the at least one pressure sensor (73,74;111,112) are arranged at least partially in the straight inlet portion.

6. The connection block according to claim 3, wherein the secondary channel (53,54) extends from the branching (32) straight to the second fluid outlet connection (47,48).

7. The connection block according to claim 3, wherein the main channel (51,52) has a larger flow cross-sectional area than the secondary channel (53,54).

8. The connection block according to claim 1, wherein the fluid paths (14;34-36) extending independently from one another through the connection block (20;40) are of the same length.

9. The connection block according to claim 1, wherein the connection block (20;40) is formed from one piece with the at least two fluid paths (34-36;14;51,52) extending independently from one another through the connection block (20;40).

10. The connection block according to claim 1, wherein the connection block (40) comprises at least one fastening region that allows a stable fastening of the connection block (40) to a supporting structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Further advantages, features and details of the invention arise from the following description, in which various exemplary embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawing.

[0024] Here:

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a cooling system of a fuel cell system;

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a perspective and partially translucent representation of a connection block according to one embodiment of the invention, with three independent fluid paths, each comprising a main channel from which a secondary channel branches off; and

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a connection block according to one embodiment of the invention, with two independent fluid paths.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In FIG. 1, a fuel cell subsystem 1 is shown schematically. The fuel cell subsystem 1 comprises a fuel cell stack 2 with a cooling system 3. The fuel cell subsystem 1 is constructed similarly to fuel cell systems described, for example, in the German published patent applications DE 10 2017 207 477 A1 and DE 10 2018 219 069 A1, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. As will be discussed below, a connection block 20, 40 according to the disclosure is used with the fuel cell subsystem 1.

[0029] An arrow 4 in FIG. 1 indicates that a cooling medium, which is, for example, liquid, is supplied to the fuel cell stack 2 for cooling purposes. The cooling medium is supplied to the fuel cell stack 2 via a filter device 5 with the aid of a pump 6. An arrow 7 indicates the cooling medium discharged from the fuel cell stack 2.

[0030] Via a valve 8, the cooling medium discharged from the fuel cell stack 2 can be directed through a radiator 9. The discharged cooling medium can also be conveyed past the radiator 9 in a bypass-like manner via the valve 8. An expansion tank 10 is connected to the radiator 9 and to an inlet of the pump 6.

[0031] If necessary, the cooling medium can be brought to the right temperature, in particular heated, in an auxiliary path 11. The auxiliary path 11 comprises an auxiliary pump 12 and a heating device 13.

[0032] An arrow between the pump 6 and the filter device 5 indicates a fluid path 14. The fluid path 14 comprises a main path 15 with a branching 16. The main path 15 connects an outlet of the pump 6 to the filter device 5.

[0033] A secondary path 17 branches off from the branching 16. For example, via the secondary path 17, a hydrogen heat exchanger 18 and an intermediate air cooler 19 are supplied with fluid medium. The hydrogen heat exchanger 18 is connected in series with the intermediate air cooler 19.

[0034] A fuel cell system used to drive a commercial vehicle, for example a truck, comprises two or three fuel cell subsystems 1. Each of the fuel cell subsystems, such as the fuel cell subsystem 1 in FIG. 1, is equipped with a separate fluid path 14.

[0035] Each of the fluid paths 14 comprises a main path 15 and a secondary path 17 branched off from the main path 15 at a branching 16. According to the invention, the two or three fluid paths 14 are conveyed independently from one another through a common connection block 20; 40.

[0036] Furthermore, a fluid path 202 is provided, comprising a main path from fuel cell stack 2 and a secondary path from hydrogen heat exchanger 18 and intermediate air cooler 19.

[0037] The fluid path 14 corresponds to a first possible position for installing the connection block according to the invention. The connection block is advantageously arranged between a fluid conveying means, in particular the pump 6, and the filter device 5, in particular a particulate filter, in a cooling system of a fuel cell system. The connection between an outlet of the fluid conveying device, in particular the pump 6, and the filter device 5 represents the main channel in the connection block.

[0038] The fluid path 202 corresponds to a second possible position of the connection block according to the invention. The connection block is advantageously arranged between the fuel cell stack 2 and the 3/2-way valve 8 in a cooling system of a fuel cell system. The connection between an outlet of the fuel cell system 2 and the 3/2-way valve 8 represents a main channel in the connection block.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a connection block, for example for use in the first position 14. It can be seen that the connection block comprises three fluid inlet connections 21 to 23, three first fluid outlet connections 24 to 26, and three second fluid outlet connections 27 to 29. The fluid inlet connections 21 to 23 and the fluid outlet connections 24 to 29 are also in short referred to as inlet connections and outlet connections.

[0040] The connection block 20 comprises three fluid paths 34, 35, 36, which extend independently from one another through the connection block 20. Each of the fluid paths 34 to 36 comprises a main channel 31 comprising a branching 32 where a secondary channel 33 is branched off.

[0041] The main channel 31 of the fluid path 34 connects the fluid inlet connection 21 to the first fluid outlet connection 24. The secondary channel 33 of the fluid path 34 extends from the branching 32 to the second fluid outlet connection 27.

[0042] The fluid paths 35, 36 also each comprise a main channel comprising a branching and a secondary channel.

[0043] The fluid inlet connections 21 to 23 are each associated with an outlet of a pump. The first fluid outlet connections 24 to 26 are each associated with a filter device 5. The second fluid outlet connections 27 to 29 are each associated with a hydrogen heat exchanger 18 and an intermediate air cooler 19.

[0044] For each of the three fluid paths 34, 35, 36, a temperature sensor 101, 102, 103 and a pressure sensor 111, 112, 113 are respectively provided, which measure a temperature or a pressure in the respective fluid paths 34, 35, 36 and output a signal. The signal may be received, for example, by a control device of a fuel cell system, which, for example, controls the pressure and/or the temperature in the fluid paths accordingly. Pressure and temperature sensors are each positioned downstream of the branch to the secondary circuit so that the sensors only sense the state of the fluid toward the stack, i.e., without influence of the secondary path.

[0045] In contrast to FIG. 2, the connection block 40 shown in FIG. 3, for example for use in the second position 202, comprises only two independent fluid paths (not denoted in more detail), each comprising a branching. A first fluid path connects an inlet connection 41 to a first outlet connection 44 and a second outlet connection 47. A second fluid path connects an inlet connection 42 to a first outlet connection 45 and a second outlet connection 48.

[0046] The first fluid path comprises a main channel 51 from which a secondary channel 53 is branched off. The second fluid path comprises a main channel 52 from which a secondary channel 54 is branched off.

[0047] The main channel 51 connects the inlet connection 41 to the first outlet connection 44. The main channel 52 connects the inlet connection 42 to the first outlet connection 45.

[0048] The directional arrows 61, 62; 64, 65; 67, 68 indicate different portions of the main channels 51, 52 and of the secondary channels 53, 54.

[0049] Inlet portions 61, 62 of the main channels 51, 52 are each arranged at an obtuse angle of approximately one hundred and thirty degrees to outlet portions 64, 65 of the main channels 51, 52.

[0050] Outlet portions 67, 68 of the secondary channels 53, 54 are each arranged at an obtuse angle of approximately one hundred and five degrees to the inlet portions 61, 62 of the main channels 51, 52.

[0051] The connection block 40 is designed in one piece and is equipped with a fastening region (not shown), which may, for example, comprise blind holes with a thread. With the aid of suitable fastening screws, the connection block 40 can then be easily stably fastened to a supporting structure of the fuel cell system.

[0052] The inlet connections 41, 42 and the first outlet connections 44, 45 are designed as standard connections, for example in accordance with German industry standard 3021-A. The second outlet connections 47, 48 are, for example, equipped with a connection geometry according to VDA or according to a standard designated SAE J2044.

[0053] For each of the three fluid paths, a temperature sensor 71, 72 and a pressure sensor 73, 74 is respectively provided, which measure a temperature or a pressure in the respective fluid paths and output a signal. The signal may be further processed by a control device of a fuel cell system, for example.