Tank Valve

Abstract

The invention relates to a tank valve (4) for installation at a pressure gas tank (3), having a base body (5), including a first base body section (5.1), which in the assembled state projects into the pressure gas tank (3) and is sealingly connected with the same, and which includes a second base body section (5.2), which in the assembled state remains outside the pressure gas tank (3), further having a plurality of functional sub-groups (9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 22, 23, 26, 27) for refueling the pressure gas tank (3) via a refueling path, for the extraction of gas from the pressure gas tank (3) via an extraction path and for implementing safety and operating functions, at least some of the functional sub-groups (9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 22, 23, 26, 27) at least partially being disposed in the base body (5). The tank valve according to the present invention is characterized by the fact that in the first base body section (5.1) or on the side facing the interior of the pressure gas tank (3) functional sub-groups (13, 22, 23, 26, 27) are disposed at the first base body section (5.1).

Claims

1. A tank valve (4) for installation at a pressure gas tank (3), having a base body (5), comprising a first base body section (5.1), which in the assembled state projects into the pressure gas tank (3) and is sealingly connected with the same, and which comprises a second base body section (5.2), which in the assembled state remains outside of the pressure gas tank (3), further having a plurality of functional sub-groups (9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 22, 23, 26, 27) for refueling the pressure gas tank (3) via a refueling path, for the extraction of gas from the pressure gas tank (3) via an extraction path and for implementing safety and operating functions, wherein at least some of the functional sub-groups (9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 22, 23, 26, 27) at least partially are disposed in the base body (5), characterized in that in the first base body section (5.1) or on the side facing the interior of the pressure gas tank (3), at the first base body section (5.1) functional sub-groups (13, 22, 23, 26, 27) are disposed.

2. The tank valve (4) as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the functional sub-groups (13, 22, 23, 26, 27) comprise in or on the first base body section (5.1) a nonreturn valve (23) in the refueling path.

3. The tank valve (4) as recited in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the functional sub-groups (13, 22, 23, 26, 27) comprise in or on the first base body section (5.1) a pipe burst protection (22) in the extraction path.

4. The tank valve (4) as recited in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the functional sub-groups (13, 22, 23, 26, 27) comprise in or on the first base body section (5.1) a rigid cover (27) in a line segment (28) leading to or from a safety valve (13).

5. The tank valve (4) as recited in claims 1 through 4, characterized in that the functional sub-groups (13, 22, 23, 26, 27) comprise in or on the first base body section (5.1) a safety valve, in particular a thermally actuated safety valve (13).

6. The tank valve (4) as recited in claims 1 through 4, characterized in that further functional sub-groups (9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17) are disposed in the second base body section (5.2), wherein all functional sub-groups (9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17) disposed in the second base body section (5.2) are situated in relation to their primary axial alignment (9a, 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, 16a) and their actuation direction within one plane (IV-IV) in the second base body section (5.2).

7. The tank valve as recited in claim 6, characterized in that the plane (IV-IV) is situated perpendicular to a central axis (A) of the first base body section (5.1) and, in particular, of the pressure gas tank (3).

8. The tank valve (4) as recited in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the functional sub-groups (9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17) disposed in the second base body section (5.2) comprise at least an extraction valve, in particular in the form of a pilot valve (9), which preferably is magnetically actuatable; a safety valve, in particular a thermally actuated safety valve (13); a shut-off valve, preferably a manually actuatable shut-off valve (11); a drain valve, in particular a manually actuatable drain valve (12); a filter (17), in particular an inlet filter; a gas connection (16) for refueling with gas and/or extracting gas; a discharge connection (14), which in particular is connectable to a line segment serving to discharge gas, which escapes via the safety valve and/or the drain valve.

9. The tank valve (4) as recited in one of claims 1 through 8, characterized in that the base body (5) is manufactured from an aluminum alloy.

10. The tank valve (4) as recited in one of claims 1 through 9, characterized in that the base body (5) is formed by forging.

11. The use of a tank valve (4) as recited in one of claims 1 through 9, at a pressure gas tank (3) for storing hydrogen or natural gas as fuel, in particular for a nominal pressure of more than 65 MPa, in a vehicle (1).

Description

[0029] In the drawing,

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a principle illustration of a vehicle having a storage system for compressed gas as a fuel;

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional illustration of a possible embodiment of a tank valve according to the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a part of a pressure gas tank having an installed tank valve;

[0033] FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view according to line IV-IVI in FIG. 3;

[0034] FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view through the area of a tank valve according to the present invention, which in the installed state projects into the pressure gas tank;

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional view through the area of a tank valve according to the present invention, which in the assembled state projects into the pressure gas tank, and according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

[0036] FIG. 7 shows in a pneumatic flow sheet a schematic view of the mode of operation of a tank valve according to the present invention including all its functional sub-groups.

[0037] In the illustration in FIG. 1, a vehicle 1 is indicated simply as a matter of example. The vehicle is to be actuated by a gaseous fuel, for example by compressed natural gas or compresses hydrogen. For this purpose, the fuel can be converted into power used for actuation in an internal combustion engine or, in particular when using hydrogen, preferably also in a fuel cell system. For storing the compressed gas, a storage device, in its entirety referenced with reference character 2, is provided in vehicle 1. This storage device is made up of a plurality of individual pressure gas tanks 3, each of which carries a tank valve 4. This tank valve 4 is also referred to as on tank valve or abbreviated as OTV. In this instance, individual pressure gas tanks 3 together with their tank valves 4 can be connected to one another via a common pipe, for example such as it is known from the prior art mentioned at the outset, so that gas from storage device 2 can be used in the vehicle. In particular when storing hydrogen, for example for the preferred application in a fuel cell system, in this instance, the nominal pressure for such pressure gas tanks 3 having their tank valves 4 is typically in the order of 70 MPa. In addition to the safety requirements with regard to individual pressure gas tanks 3 as well as their tank valves 4, moreover high demands with regard to tightness but also with regard to the potential of producing the same in a secure, reliable and cost-effective manner, have to be made.

[0038] In the illustration in FIG. 2, a three-dimensional illustration of a tank valve 4 can be seen. For this purpose, tank valve 4 includes a base body 5, which substantially is made up of two sections. A first base body section 5.1 is formed in such a manner that it, in the subsequent assembled state of tank valve 4, projects into respective pressure gas tank 3. For this purpose, the first base body section in the exemplary embodiment shown here has a thread denoted by reference character 6, which correspondingly acts together with a respective thread in a receiving element 7 of pressure gas tank 3, which is partially indicated in the illustration of FIG. 3. Moreover, this first base body section 5.1 has a sealing device indicated in the illustration of FIG. 2, for example made from one or a plurality of sealing rings and/or support rings. A second base body section 5.2 can be seen, in the illustration of FIG. 2, in the lower region of tank valve 4. This second base body section 5.2 after the installation of tank valve 4 is located outside of pressure gas tank 3, as for example indicated in FIG. 3 in a schematic side view. For this purpose, second base body section 5.2 has a plurality of so-called functional sub-groups of tank valve 4. The functional sub-groups in second base body section 5.2 in this instance include an electromagnetically actuated pilot valve 9 as an extraction valve for extracting gas from pressure gas tank 3. The pilot valve is actuated by an electromagnetic coil denoted by 10, and in the illustration in FIGS. 2 and 3 only electromagnetic coil can be seen. In the illustration in FIG. 4, pilot valve 9 itself is schematically indicated. With regard to the functionality of such a pilot valve, the embodiments in DE 10 2013 019 978 A1 of the applicant can be highlighted as an example.

[0039] In the illustration of FIG. 2, further functional sub-groups, integrated in second base body section 5.2 or installed at the second base body section in the direction of the interior of pressure gas tank 3, can be seen. For example, these functional subgroups are two manual valves 11, 12 situated in parallel to each other, manual valve 11 being formed as manual shut-off valve 11 and manual valve 12 configured as manual drain valve 12. Manual shut-off valve 11 and manual drain valve 12 are also again indicated in the illustration of FIG. 4. The valves can be constructed in such a way that they are identically realized in their construction. The installation is carried out as such that manual shut-off valve 11 in the installed state and in the normal state is open and that manual drain valve 12 in the installed state and in the normal state is correspondingly closed. Details of the functionality are discussed in greater detail within eh framework of the description of the illustration in FIG. 4.

[0040] Moreover, as a further functional sub-group in second base body section 5.2, the part of a thermally actuated safety valve 13 can now be seen. Such thermally actuated safety valves in principle are known from the general prior art. In a conventional embodiment, here a screw is inserted having a central boring. A solder or a retaining element held above a solder is located in the central bore. If the area of tank valve 4 or thermally actuated safety valve 13 is heated above the melting temperature of the solder, the through hole in the screw is released and the gas in the interior of pressure gas tank 13, which is in permanent connection with the screw, can outflow. An alternative, which in particular is very frequently used in the European and the American market, is a construction, in which a valve body is held in position by a glass ampoule having a boiling liquid. The boiling point of the liquid in the glass ampoule is coordinated in such a way that the liquid at a critical temperature of thermally actuated safety valve 13 starts to boil. Owing to an increase in volume when boiling, the glass ampoule is destroyed and releases the valve body vis--vis the valve seat. The pressure of the gas in the pressure gas tank, which rests at the valve body, the pressure is moved into an open position away from the valve seat so that the gas can outflow from pressure gas tank 3. In the illustration on FIGS. 2 and 4, a discharge connection denoted by reference character 14, which upon a response of thermally actuated safety valve 13 is connected to the interior of pressure gas tank 3, serves this purpose. Next to discharge connection 14 or its opening in second base body section 5.2 of tank valve 4, a threaded hole in the figures denoted by reference character 15, which is suited for accommodating a screw. Here, a so-called discharge connection or venting tube can simply and reliably be screwed on, for example in such a manner as described in the German patent publication DE 10 2013 015 515 A1 of the applicant.

[0041] As a further functional sub-group, a gas connection 16 in the region of second base body section 5.2 can be seen in the illustration of FIG. 2. This gas connection, for example, can be used for extracting gas from the pressure gas tank via pilot valve 9 and/or for refueling pressure gas tank 3. In the illustration in FIG. 4, it moreover can be seen that, integrated in gas connection 16, a filter denoted by reference character 17 is disposed, which, in particular when using gas connection 16 for refueling pressure gas tank 3, filters out contaminations in the gas flowing in pressure gas tank 3.

[0042] A further element in the area of second base body section 5.2 or in the region of electromagnetic coil 10 visible in the illustration of FIG. 2, in this instance, is a plug connector denoted by reference character 18, via which, on the one hand, electromagnetic coil 10 and, for this reason, pilot valve 9, and on the other hand, measuring data, for example those of a temperature sensor denoted by reference character 19, can be transferred. For this purpose, in particular tank valve 4 has plug connector 18 as the only electrical connection, so that the wiring of storage device 2 can be correspondingly designed in a simple and efficient manner.

[0043] Next to temperature sensor 19 and in the region of first base body section 5.1, a slightly bent pipe section 21 installed on this first base body section in the direction of the interior of pressure gas tank 3 can moreover be seen. For this purpose, the design of the pipe section is selected so that the pipe section distributes the inflowing gas when refueling pressure gas tank 3, if at all possible, in such a manner that a mixing of gases and, in so doing, a reliable measuring by temperature sensor 19 results. In this instance, an outlet opening 42 of bent pipe section 21 is ideally narrowed vis--vis the nominal diameter in the flow cross section to support a jet formation of the gas inflowing into pressure gas tank 3. In so doing, a better mixing of the gases with the residual gas located in the interior of the pressure gas tank results so that in total a more homogeneous temperature distribution is achieved. This benefits the reliable measuring of the temperature by temperature sensor 19.

[0044] In FIG. 2, it moreover can be seen that on first base body section 5.1 a component in total denoted by reference character 43, which subsequently is also referred to as assembly filter 43, is installed. This assembly filter includes a filter 20, and a pipe burst protection 22 and a nonreturn valve 26. For this purpose, pipe burst protection 22 and nonreturn valve 26 are some of the functional sub-groups which, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, are not integrated in first base body section 5.2, but are installed onto the same. The functionality of these two functional sub-groups, pipe burst protection 22 and nonreturn valve 26, is subsequently described in detail by its also-conceivable integrated construction.

[0045] In this instance, further functional sub-groups also can be configured in an integrated manner in the interior of first base body section 5.1.

[0046] For this purpose, the functional sub-groups, which are, after installation of tank valve 4 in the interior of pressure gas tank 3, disposed in a correspondingly protected way, include at least pipe burst protection 22 and a nonreturn valve 23 in a refueling line 24, which runs into pipe section 21. Furthermore, a further nonreturn valve 26 can be disposed in the extraction path featuring pipe burst protection 22, which ensures that in the case of refueling, the gas inflows via refueling line 24 and pipe section 21 into pressure gas tank 3, and that, in the case of an extraction of gas via pilot valve 9, the flow takes place through filter 20 and extraction line 25. Via nonreturn valve 26, when pilot valve 9 is deactivated, it is thus selected whether the flow of the gas occurs through refueling line 24 or through extraction line 25. Thus, nonreturn valve 26 could also be referenced as selection valve for the flow path.

[0047] As already mentioned, nonreturn valve 26, pipe burst protection 22 and filter 20 can be integrated as an assembly filter and be installed in the direction of the interior of pressure gas tank 3 at first base body section 5.1. In the flow direction of the gas when extracting, valve devices 22, 26 are positioned in front of filter 20 so that possibly in the area of valve devices 22, 26 rubbed-off particles of filter 20 are retained and cannot get into the area of pilot valve 9.

[0048] Alternatively, these components can also be configured in an integrated manner in first base body section 5.1, as it is partially indicated in the illustration of FIG. 5.

[0049] In the illustration in FIG. 5, furthermore visible is a dashed optional functional sub-group in the form of a rigid cover 27 in an indicated line segment 28 leading to a thermally actuated safety valve 13. In this instance, line segment 28 is connected without further valve devices at one end of first base body section 5.1 to the interior of pressure gas tank 3. At its other end, the line segment is in connection with thermally actuated safety valve 13 so that, in the case of malfunctioning of a further valve device, it is ensured by all means that when the thermally actuated safety valve responds, the gas will outflow from pressure gas tank 3 as desired.

[0050] The alternative illustration in FIG. 6 shows that, in principle, safety valve 13 can also be disposed in first base body section 5.1 rather than in second base body section 5.2, for example, in the flow direction of the outflowing gas behind cover 27, as it is indicated in the illustration of FIG. 6, or also in the flow direction before cover 27, if this were advantageous with regard to the installation space within first base body section 5.1. As a functional group, safety valve 13 can thus be integrated in first base body section 5.1, as it is shown in the illustration in FIG. 6, but also be provided in second base body section 5.2, as it can be seen in the illustrations in FIGS. 2 and 5. In the following, the safety valve is, depending on the configuration of the respective Figure, therefore correspondingly mentioned in the two installation variants.

[0051] Functional sub-groups 13, 22, 23 and optionally 27, as well as supplementally functional sub-group 26, different from the example according to FIG. 2, are here disposed in first base body section 5.1 of tank valve 4. If individual pressure gas tanks 3 and their tank valves 4 in the event of damage to storage device 2 are negatively impacted, then in particular a shearing of tank valve 4 from pressure gas tank 3 can result. In this case, for example second base body section 5.2 would be completely or partially sheared off. Without damaging pressure gas tank 3 itself, typically first functional sub-group 5.1 would remain in the interior of receiving element 7 of the pressure gas tank, with which it is screw-connected. Functional sub-groups 13, 22, 23, 27, 26 there disposed are thus particularly well protected, which represents in particular for safety-relevant functional sub-groups 13, 22 and 23 a decisive safety advantage.

[0052] Functional sub-groups 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 situated in second base body section 5.2 and electromagnetic coil 10 communicating with pilot valve 9 and acting together with the same in an aligned manner, into which a part of pilot valve 9 correspondingly projects, are, in relation to their in the illustration in FIG. 4 respectively indicated, primary axial alignment indicated by respective axes 9a, 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, 16a, arranged in one single plane, namely sectional plane IV-IV shown in the illustration of FIG. 4, which also can be recognized from the illustration of FIG. 3. This positioning of functional sub-groups 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 located in second base body section 5.2 enables an extraordinarily compact arrangement of the entire assembly in axial direction a in relation to axis A, which is shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Thickness D of second base body section 5.2, which is drawn into the illustration of FIG. 3, in particular, is less than 40 mm. In this instance, second base body section 5.2 by welding ideally is formed as a single piece together with first base body section 5.1 from an aluminum alloy. The functional sub-groups are then integrated into the base body. In the illustration of FIG. 2, this is carried out from above, thus from the side which is later located within pressure gas tank 3. The other elements correspondingly are installed in the plane illustrated in FIG. 4, for example, in that the individual functional sub-groups are screw-connected as pre-installed elements in second base body section 5.2. In this instance, the functional sub-groups typically are made from suitable materials suited for this purpose, such as, in particular, stainless steel and, in the area of the seal seat, optionally also plastic materials. The arrangement in one plane IV-IV already mentioned multiple times allows to realize the desired very compact construction.

[0053] The illustration in FIG. 7 in an implied manner again shows base body 5 of tank valve 4 including first base body section 5.1, which in the assembled state is located in the interior of the pressure gas tank, and second base body section 5.2, which typically remains outside of the pressure gas tank. In this instance, pilot valve 9, including its electromagnetic coil 10 and a thermoelectric safety device denoted by reference character 29, is at the core of tank valve 4. Manual shut-off valve 11, manual drain valve 12, thermally actuated safety valve 13, as well as gas connection 13 and filter 17 can be recognized as further functional sub-groups. Pipe burst protection 22, nonreturn valve 23 in refueling line 24 and nonreturn valve 26 in extraction line 25 are located in first base body section 5.1. As already mentioned above and as can be seen from the illustration of FIG. 2, nonreturn valve 26 and pipe burst protection 22 can, preferably together with filter 20, also be installed at first base body section 5.1 on the side facing the interior of pressure gas tank 3 as assembly filter 43.

[0054] Extraction line 25, which cannot be seen in the illustration of FIG. 4, but in principle would run from below into the area of pilot valve 9, is then in connection with gas connection 16 via the line segment denoted by reference character 30 in FIGS. 4 and 7. Located in between is manual shut-off valve 11, which, as can be seen in the illustration of FIG. 7, is normally open. In the illustration of FIG. 4, manual shut-off valve 11, for example, can correspondingly act along its axis 11a onto the cross sectional extension of line segment 30, for example, in that this cross sectional extension is formed as valve seat for a not-shown valve body of shut-off valve 11. Past manual shut-off valve 11, extraction line 25 and refueling line 24 moreover branch off. In the illustration of FIG. 7, pipe section 21, temperature sensor 19 and filter 20 for extraction line 25 can moreover be seen.

[0055] In the following, the individual functionalities are now to be explained on the basis of the example shown in FIG. 7.

[0056] When refueling pressure gas tank 3, gas flows via gas connection 16 and filter 17 through open manual shut-off valve 11. The pressure then touches in refueling line 24 and also at pilot valve 9 via line segment 30. Furthermore, the pressure touches at normally closed manual drain valve 12 via a line segment denoted by reference character 31. The normal path of the gas is now the one via refueling line 24 through nonreturn valve 23, which is opened by the pressure of the gas, and through pipe section 21 into the pressure gas tank. For pilot valve 9, a secure sealing is not to be ensured during an oncoming flow in the opposite direction, and not always to be ensured for a higher pressure difference. For this reason, nonreturn valve 26, which prevents that gas during refueling flows via extraction line 25 into pressure gas tank 3, is located in extraction line 25, which via pilot valve 9 is in connection with line segment 30. This would be particularly undesirable because, on the one hand, a very strong through flowing of pilot valve 9 against the planned flow direction could result in damaging elements of the pilot valve. Moreover, the gas via filter 20 would escape from tank valve 4 in an area, in which the gas would come into direct contact with temperature sensor 19. Temperature sensor 19, which delivers one of the most significant shut-off criteria when refueling pressure gas tank 3, would unnecessarily then be cooled down considerably so that refueling in the worst case would end too early.

[0057] In the reverse case, the extraction of gas occurs out in such a way that nonreturn valve 23, supported by the indicated spring, locks. The gas then flows into extraction line 25. The gas flows, via open pipe burst protection 22 open in the normal state and nonreturn valve 26 open in the case of extraction, to filter 20 and from there to pilot valve 9. The desired amount of gas is realized by a corresponding electric actuation of electromagnetic coil 10 and via electric plug connector 18. The desired extraction amount then flows again via line segment 30 and manual shut-off valve 11 open in the normal case to gas connector 16 and from there, for example, to a pressure regulator, and then into an internal combustion engine, a fuel cell system, a hot gas turbine or another useful application.

[0058] Via manual shut-off valve 11, as it is implied by the name, can manually shut-off tank valve 4. For this purpose, the manual shut-off valve is moved from its open normal position shown in FIG. 7 to the other position and thus correspondingly shuts off line segment 30 and, for this reason, the extraction path, as well as refueling line 24, in that it separates the refueling line from gas connection 16. For example, this can be put to good use within the framework of servicing, a fault or the like.

[0059] Via line segment 31, the manual extraction valve remains connected to gas connection 16. In the illustration of FIG. 7, the manual extraction line is shown in its normal closed position. At its other end, the manual extraction line is connected to line segment 28, which connects the interior of pressure gas tank 3 to thermally actuated safety valve 13which as mentioned could also be disposed in first base body section 5.1and which can have mentioned rigid cover 27. If pressure gas tank 3 is now to be emptied, the manual extraction valve can be moved from its closed position shown in FIG. 7 into the open position. The gas then outflows via line segment 28 and line segment 31 via gas connector 16.

[0060] A further conceivable scenario would be the triggering of thermally actuated safety valve 13. For example, if a glass ampoule having a slightly boiling liquid is destroyed in thermally actuated safety vale 13, then the thermally actuated safety valve, as it already has been described above, changes from its normally closed position shown in FIG. 7 into the other, open position. Via line segment 28, the gas then can flow to discharge connection 14. In this area, typically a further line segment, a so-called venting tube, is connected, which discharges the gas, in particular in automotive applications, into an uncritical area. In this regard, the mentioned German patent application of the applicant can be referenced.