FLUID ENERGY MACHINE

Abstract

A fluid energy machine, comprising a crank drive (A) and a drive device which is mechanically connected to the crank drive, wherein the drive device has two electric motors, the respective output members of which are mechanically connected to the crank drive is disclosed. The fluid energy machine is arranged within a housing which seals the fluid energy machine with respect to the surroundings and which is connected to a pressure-holding system. A method for operating a fluid energy machine of this type is further disclosed.

Claims

1. A fluid energy machine comprising a crank drive and a drive device that is mechanically connected to the crank drive, wherein the drive device comprises two electric motors, the respective output members of which are mechanically connected to the crank drive, characterized in that the fluid energy machine is arranged within a housing, which seals the fluid energy machine relative to the environment and is connected to a pressure retention system.

2. The fluid energy machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing is divided into multiple compartments, wherein the compartments are connected to one another.

3. The fluid energy machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing is connected to the pressure retention system by means of an inlet and an outlet.

4. The fluid energy machine according to claim 1, characterized in that that an excess pressure between 0.01 and 50 mbar.

5. A method for operating a fluid energy machine comprising a crank drive and a drive device that is mechanically connected to the crank drive, wherein the drive device comprises two electric motors, the respective output members of which are mechanically connected to the crank drive, characterized in that the fluid energy machine is arranged within a housing, through which a pressurized medium flows.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that an inert gas selected from the group consisting of air and nitrogen is used as pressurized medium.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the pressurized medium flows through the housing with an excess pressure between 0.01 and 50 mbar.

8. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the excess pressure of the pressurized medium is maintained with a pressure retention system.

9. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the housing is divided into multiple compartments, which are connected to one another and through which the pressurized medium flows successively.

10. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the fluid energy machine is used for generating a hydrogen volume flow and/or for compressing hydrogen.

11. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the pressurized medium flows through the housing with an excess pressure of 2.5 mbar.

Description

[0029] The housing is divided into compartments 1-5, wherein the compartments are connected to one another. The compartment 1 encloses the crank drive A. The compartment 2 and the compartment 4 respectively represent the outer compartments of the respective electric motors M. The respective magnets, coils and power electronics are particularly accommodated in these compartments. The compartment 3 and the compartment 5 respectively form the inner compartments of the two electric motors M. The connection of the respective shaft for the power transmission of the respective motor is located within these compartments. These compartments are sealed relative to the atmosphere by means of additional cover caps W with special seals.

[0030] All hollow spaces within the respective compartments are fluidically accessible through bores. Consequently, all hollow spaces within the housing can be reached by a pressurized medium and thereby flushed.

[0031] A pressurized medium is introduced into the housing through the supply line for the pressurized medium E, which is arranged in the compartment 1 in this exemplary embodiment. The pressurized medium successively flows through all compartments 1-5 and is once again returned to the pressure retention system in the compartment 5 through an outlet D.

[0032] The pressure retention system is designed for maintaining the pressurized medium at a pressure of 2.5 mbar. In case pressurized medium escapes into the environment due to small leaks, additional pressurized medium can be supplied by means of the pressure retention system. An emergency shutdown is initiated if a pressure drop in the pressure retention system or an excessively high hydrogen content of the pressurized medium is detected. The motors are stopped and deenergized. In this way, the motors no longer represent an ignition. source. The system can be restarted after corresponding maintenance work has been performed.

[0033] When the pressure retention system is initially started or restarted after a standstill, the pressure retention system is flushed with an increased mass flow of the pressurized medium for a defined period of time, particularly 2 min. Any hydrogen that has escaped from the pump or the lines into the housing during the standstill is thereby removed or at least diluted.