PRESSURIZED FLUID STORAGE AND DISPENSING ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a pressurized fluid storage and dispensing assembly (1) for a vehicle, comprising: a plurality of pressurized fluid reservoirs (3), each reservoir (3) comprising a first end piece (13) provided with at least one fluid passage duct configured for dispensing fluid from the reservoir (3) and for filling the reservoir (3), a use collector duct (5) which comprises an opening (19) for supplying and/or dispensing fluid and a plurality of orifices, each orifice being configured to be fluidically connected to a reservoir (3) via its fluid passage duct, and an electrically operated valve (7) which is arranged at one end of the use collector duct (5) and selectively closes or opens the fluid passage through the opening (19).

The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such a storage and dispensing assembly (1).

Claims

1. A pressurized fluid storage and dispensing assembly for a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of pressurized fluid reservoirs, each reservoir comprising (i) a first end piece provided with at least one fluid passage duct configured for dispensing fluid from the reservoir and for filling the reservoir and (ii) a second end piece provided with a second fluid discharge duct configured to discharge fluid to the atmosphere, a use collector duct, which comprises an opening for supplying and/or dispensing fluid and a plurality of orifices, each orifice being configured to be fluidically connected to a reservoir via its fluid passage duct, an electrically operated valve, which is arranged at one end of the use collector duct and selectively closes or opens the fluid passage through the opening, and a second discharge collector duct, which comprises a second opening for discharging fluid to the atmosphere and a second plurality of orifices, each orifice being configured to be in fluid communication with a second end piece via its second fluid discharge duct.

2. The pressurized fluid storage and dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first end piece of each reservoir further comprises at least one functional element, which is arranged directly in the first end piece.

3. The pressurized fluid storage and dispensing assembly according to claim 2, wherein the at least one functional element is selected from the group consisting of: a pressure relief valve, optionally with thermal release; a flow limiter valve; a non-return valve; a manual shut-off valve; an injector; a filter; a temperature sensor; and a pressure sensor.

4. The pressurized fluid storage and dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first end piece of each reservoir comprises means for closing the passage duct, which are solely mechanical and are arranged directly in the first end piece.

5. The pressurized fluid storage and dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the reservoirs extend longitudinally and are arranged parallel to each other such that the use collector duct extends substantially in one plane.

6. The pressurized fluid storage and dispensing assembly according to claim 5, wherein the reservoirs are further aligned so that the use collector duct is substantially straight.

7. The pressurized fluid storage and dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first end piece of each reservoir is provided with a first fluid discharge duct configured to discharge fluid to the atmosphere, the storage and dispensing assembly further comprising: a first discharge collector duct, which comprises a first opening for discharging fluid to the atmosphere and a first plurality of orifices, each orifice being configured to be in fluid communication with a first end piece via its first fluid discharge duct.

8. (canceled)

9. The pressurized fluid storage and dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second discharge duct is, in normal operation, closed by a second pressure relief valve.

10. The pressurized fluid storage and dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the reservoirs are attached to a support structure whose main function is to secure the reservoirs together, and wherein the use collector duct is arranged in part of the support structure.

11. The pressurized fluid storage and dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the reservoirs are supported only by the use collector duct and by the second discharge collector duct.

12. The pressurized fluid storage and dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is only in the gaseous state in the pressurized fluid reservoirs.

13. The pressurized fluid storage and dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pressurized fluid storage and dispensing assembly is formed by assembling several storage and dispensing subassemblies.

14. The pressurized fluid storage and dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the storage and dispensing assembly is fitted with an impact protection.

15. A vehicle, comprising: a pressurized fluid storage and dispensing assembly according to claim 1, an energy conversion means configured to supply energy to the propulsion means of the vehicle, which is fluidically connected to the opening of the use collector duct so that it can be supplied with fluid, a fluid filling means, which is fluidically connected to the opening of the use collector duct, and a means for controlling the electrically operated valve, which drives the electrically operated valve so that it closes the opening of the use collector duct by default, and opens the use collector duct during a filling phase and/or during a vehicle startup phase.

16. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the pressurized fluid storage and dispensing assembly is housed in a housing of the vehicle configured to selectively removably house one between the storage and dispensing assembly and a battery pack.

17. The pressurized fluid storage and dispensing assembly according to claim 12, wherein the fluid in the gaseous state in the pressurized fluid reservoirs is hydrogen.

18. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the vehicle is a motor vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0048] The invention will be better understood upon reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0049] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a storage and dispensing assembly according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0050] FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a detail of a storage and dispensing assembly, namely a reservoir with a first variant of the first end piece;

[0051] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a detail of a storage and dispensing assembly, namely a reservoir with a second variant of the first end piece;

[0052] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a detail of a storage and dispensing assembly, namely a reservoir with a second end piece;

[0053] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a detail of a storage and dispensing assembly shown in FIG. 1;

[0054] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a detail of a storage and dispensing assembly shown in FIG. 1;

[0055] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a storage and dispensing assembly comprising several storage and dispensing subassemblies;

[0056] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a storage and dispensing assembly fitted with an impact protection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] FIG. 1 shows a storage and dispensing assembly 1 for pressurized fluid according to one embodiment of the invention. The fluid is for example gaseous hydrogen.

[0058] The storage and dispensing assembly 1 comprises a plurality of pressurized fluid reservoirs 3 secured together by a support structure 2, a use collector duct 5 and an electrically operated valve 7. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the reservoirs 3 are identical and the use collector duct 5 is arranged in part of the support structure 2.

[0059] As illustrated in the figures, each reservoir 3 is substantially cylindrical and is composed of an internal envelope, also called a liner 9. The liner 9 is for example made of polymer material, and comprises at least one opening in the form of a neck. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the liner 9 comprises a first opening in the form of a neck 11 at one of its ends, the neck 11 being surmounted by a first end piece 13. The liner 9 also comprises a second opening in the form of a neck 12 at the other of its ends, the neck 12 being surmounted by a second end piece 15. The first end piece 13 and the second end piece 15 are for example metallic, preferably aluminum. The liner 9, the first end piece 13 and the second end piece 15 are surrounded by a reinforcing structure 16, for example produced by winding strips of composite material based on polymer filled with glass or carbon fibers.

[0060] In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the reservoirs 3 extend longitudinally, are arranged parallel to each other and are also aligned. The reservoirs 3 have an admissible storage pressure greater than 350 bar, preferably greater than 700 bar.

[0061] In a first variant illustrated in FIG. 2, the first end piece 13 comprises a fluid passage duct 17 configured for dispensing fluid out of the reservoir 3 and/or for the filling of the reservoir 3. The passage duct 17 is thus fluidically connected to the use collector duct 5.

[0062] The use collector duct 5 comprises a plurality of orifices, each orifice being configured to be fluidically connected to a reservoir 3 via its fluid passage duct 17. The use collector duct 5 further comprises an opening 19 for supplying and/or dispensing fluid, which is arranged at one end of the use collector duct 5.

[0063] The use collector duct also bears the electrically operated valve 7, which is arranged at one end of the use collector duct 5 and selectively blocks or releases the passage of fluid through the opening 19.

[0064] The first end piece 13 further comprises functional elements arranged directly in the first end piece 13.

[0065] Thus, the passage duct 17 comprises a filter 21 and a manual shut-off valve 23, which is normally open, as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3 in the “N.O.” state.

[0066] The passage duct 17 further comprises a first branch 25 configured for filling the reservoir 3 with fluid, and a second branch 27 configured for dispensing fluid out of the reservoir 3.

[0067] The first branch 25 comprises a non-return valve 29 and an injector 31. The non-return valve 29 allows the passage of fluid from the manual shut-off valve 23 in the direction of the reservoir, and blocks the passage of fluid in the other direction. Thus, the first branch 25 allows filling of the reservoir 3.

[0068] The second branch 27 comprises a filter 33, a valve forming a flow limiter 35 and a non-return valve 37. The valve forming a flow limiter 35 is only mechanical and constitutes a means of automatic closing of the passage duct 17. The non-return valve 37 allows the passage of fluid from the reservoir toward the manual shut-off valve 23, and blocks the passage of fluid in the other direction. Thus, the second branch 27 allows dispensing of the fluid out of the reservoir 3.

[0069] The first end piece 13 also comprises a sensor 39. The sensor 39 is for example a temperature sensor and/or a pressure sensor.

[0070] The first end piece 13 further comprises a first fluid discharge duct 41 configured to discharge fluid to the atmosphere. The first discharge duct 41 is fluidically connected to a first discharge collector duct 43 of the storage and dispensing assembly 1. Thus, the first discharge collector duct 43 comprises a first opening 45 for discharging fluid to the atmosphere and a plurality of orifices, each orifice being configured to be fluidically connected with a first end piece 13 via its first fluid discharge duct 41. In normal operation, the first discharge duct 41 is closed by a first pressure relief valve 47, preferably thermally triggered via a fuse element 47f. In the event of an increase in temperature, for example due to a fire, the pressure increases within the reservoir 3. In order to avoid an explosion of the reservoir 3, the first relief valve 47 opens the first discharge duct 41 and allows a release of the fluid contained in the reservoir 3. This release is carried out at a predetermined rate, for example via a reduction in the section of the first discharge duct 41 or via a plug pierced with a hole placed in the first discharge duct 41. A pressure relief valve, also known as a Thermal and Pressure Relief Device (TPRD), is designed to rapidly release the entire contents of the reservoir. Such a device operates in the event of high temperature resulting for example from a fire to avoid weakening of the reservoir and rupture, which could have catastrophic consequences on equipment and personnel. The discharge flow rate of the gaseous hydrogen associated with the opening of a TPRD device is 70 g/s, which makes it possible to empty a reservoir of 200 liters of hydrogen at 350 bar in about ten minutes. In the event of a fire, only the reservoir whose temperature exceeds a certain threshold is emptied by opening the associated TPRD device. Neighboring reservoirs remain under pressure as long as their TPRD devices are not open.

[0071] In a second variant illustrated in FIG. 3, the first end piece 13 is similar to the first end piece 13 of the first variant illustrated in FIG. 2, but additionally comprises a branch duct in the form of a third branch 28 of the passage duct 17, which is configured to allow the emptying of the fluid from the reservoir 3. Thus, the third branch 28 connects the passage duct 17 from a point located between the filter 21 and the manual shut-off valve 23 to a point of the first discharge duct 41 located between the inside of the reservoir 3 and the first relief valve 47. The third branch 28 comprises a manual shut-off valve 48, which is normally closed, as shown in FIG. 3 in the “N.C.” state. Thus, if necessary, for example after the reservoir 3 has been disassembled, the manual shut-off valve 48 can be opened to allow the reservoir 3 to be emptied.

[0072] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the second end piece 15 comprises a second fluid discharge duct 49 configured to discharge fluid to the atmosphere. The second discharge duct 49 is thus fluidically connected to a second discharge collector duct 51 of the storage and dispensing assembly 1. In the example illustrated, particularly visible in FIG. 6, the second discharge collector duct 51 is arranged in a part of the support structure 2. The second discharge collector duct 51 comprises a second opening 53 for discharging fluid to the atmosphere and a plurality of orifices, each orifice being configured to be fluidically connected with a second end piece 15 via its second fluid discharge duct 49. The second discharge duct 49 is, in normal operation, closed by a second pressure relief valve 55, preferably thermally triggered via a fuse element 55f. In the event of an increase in temperature, for example due to a fire, the pressure increases within the reservoir 3. In order to avoid an explosion of the reservoir 3, the second relief valve 55 opens the second discharge duct 49 and allows the fluid contained in the reservoir 3 to be released. This release is carried out at a predetermined rate, for example via a reduction in the section of the second discharge duct 49 or via a plug pierced with a hole placed in the second discharge duct 49.

[0073] In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the reservoirs 3 are supported only by the use collector duct 5 and by the second discharge collector duct 51. The use collector duct 5 and the second discharge collector duct 51 are arranged in parallel and are connected by tie rods 52 in the form of metal rods, in order to stiffen the storage and dispensing assembly 1.

[0074] The reservoirs 3 are for example screwed, snapped or fixed by clamping, by their first end piece 13 to the use collector duct 5 and by their second end piece 15 to the second discharge collector duct 51. Preferably, the threads of the first end piece 13 and of the second end piece 15 are reversed so that, by rotation of a reservoir 3 about its longitudinal axis, the latter is screwed both into the use collector duct 5 and into the second discharge collector duct 51. The use collector duct 5, the first discharge collector duct 43 and the second discharge collector duct 51 are for example made of metal, preferably aluminum.

[0075] FIGS. 5 and 6 show details of a storage and dispensing assembly illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 shows a storage and dispensing assembly 1 formed by assembling several storage and dispensing subassemblies 56, each subassembly 56 comprising a fraction of the plurality of reservoirs 3. For example, in the case of a storage and dispensing assembly comprising nine reservoirs 3, these can be divided into three sub-assemblies 56 each comprising three reservoirs 3. In another example (not shown), the storage and dispensing assembly comprises twelve reservoirs 3, which are divided into three sub-assemblies 56 each comprising four reservoirs 3. This arrangement allows the storage and dispensing assembly to be made modular, that is to say, capable of adapting to different storage needs from one motor vehicle to another.

[0076] The sub-assemblies 56 are mechanically linked together by mechanical fasteners 57. Advantageously, there is a first relief valve 47 per sub-assembly 56, the first relief valve 47 being arranged in the first discharge collector duct 43 of the sub-assembly 56. Thus, the number of first relief valves 47 is minimized, which makes it possible to reduce the cost and the mass of the storage and dispensing assembly 1.

[0077] Advantageously, one or two fuse elements 47f are arranged per sub-assembly 56 rather than per reservoir 3, which allows the number of fuse elements to be minimized and thus allows the cost and the mass of the storage and dispensing assembly 1 to be reduced.

[0078] A storage and dispensing assembly 1 as mentioned above is for example placed on a vehicle (not shown), preferably a motor vehicle, which thus comprises the storage and dispensing assembly 1, and [0079] an energy conversion means configured to supply energy to the propulsion means of the vehicle, which is fluidically connected to the opening of the use collector duct 5 so that it can be supplied with fluid, [0080] a fluid filling means, which is fluidically connected to the opening of the use collector duct 5, and [0081] a means for controlling the electrically operated valve 7, which drives the electrically operated valve 7 so that it closes the opening of the use collector duct 5 by default, and opens the use collector duct 5 during a filling phase and/or during a motor vehicle operating phase.

[0082] In a particular embodiment of the vehicle (not shown), the storage and dispensing assembly 1 is housed in a housing of the vehicle configured to selectively removably house one of the storage and dispensing assembly 1 and a battery pack. This allows the vehicle to store both hydrogen gas and batteries, without the need to modify the vehicle. Owing to this arrangement, the same vehicle can be powered, as desired, by gaseous hydrogen or batteries.

[0083] “Battery pack” must be understood as a set composed of several battery modules that are in turn composed of several cells, as well as safety components, electrical interconnections, thermal management and battery management systems (BMS), the assembly being contained in a rigid case. FIG. 8 shows a storage and dispensing assembly 1 fitted with an impact protection. Indeed, in case of impact, for example during an accident of the vehicle equipped with the storage and dispensing assembly 1, due to the large mass of the storage and dispensing assembly 1, the internal mechanical connections to the use collector duct 5, to the second discharge collector duct 51 and to the functional elements of the first 13 and second 15 end pieces are at risk of deforming or breaking. To avoid this, provision is made to protect the use collector duct 5 and the second discharge collector duct 51 with means that reduce and absorb the effect of the impact, for example, an impact protection 58. The impact protection 58 is, for example, four rubber blocks arranged at the four corners of the storage and dispensing assembly 1; a block at each end of a collector duct 5, 51.

[0084] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described here, and other embodiments will become clearly apparent to a person skilled in the art. It is in particular possible to make the first discharge duct 41 in the form of a hole passing through the first end piece 13, so as to allow easy cleaning of the inside of the reservoir at the end of manufacture, then to arrange, in the first discharge duct 41, a plug pierced with a passage hole for the fluid and the first relief valve 47. It is in particular possible to make the second discharge duct 49 in the form of a hole passing through the second end piece 15, so as to allow easy cleaning of the interior of each reservoir at the end of manufacture and to quickly and easily carry out a pressure resistance test of each reservoir by filling the reservoir with fluid to a test pressure greater than the allowable storage pressure for the reservoir, the test pressure preferably being equal to 1.5 times the allowable storage pressure, then placing, in the second discharge duct 49, a plug pierced with a passage hole for the fluid and the second relief valve 55. The invention is not limited to hydrogen gas. Indeed, the invention also applies to other gases stored under pressure such as, for example, natural gas.

[0085] List of references [0086] 1: storage and dispensing assembly [0087] 2: support structure [0088] 3: reservoir [0089] 5: use collector duct [0090] 7: electrically operated valve [0091] 9: liner [0092] 11, 12: neck [0093] 13: first end piece [0094] 15: second end piece [0095] 16: reinforcing structure [0096] 17: passage duct [0097] 19: opening [0098] 21: filter [0099] 23: manual shut-off valve [0100] 25: first branch [0101] 27: second branch [0102] 28: third branch [0103] 29: non-return valve [0104] 31: injector [0105] 33: filter [0106] 35: flow limiter valve [0107] 37: non-return valve [0108] 39: sensor [0109] 41: first discharge duct [0110] 43: first discharge collector duct [0111] 45: first discharge opening [0112] 47: first relief valve [0113] 47f: fuse element [0114] 48: manual shut-off valve [0115] 49: second discharge duct [0116] 51: second discharge collector duct [0117] 52: tie rod [0118] 53: second discharge opening [0119] 55: second relief valve [0120] 55f: fuse element [0121] 56: storage and dispensing subassembly [0122] 57: mechanical fastener [0123] 58: impact protection