ARRANGEMENT FOR DRIVING A VEHICLE COUPLED TO A TRAILER

Abstract

An arrangement for driving a vehicle coupled to a trailer has a vehicle with a traction engine for driving the vehicle and a trailer which is connected to the vehicle and has a tank in which a gas-bound energy source is stored. The vehicle has a galvanic cell as an energy generation unit, using which, by means of a chemical reaction of the gas-bound energy source that is continuously fed to it with an oxidant, drive energy is formed and fed to the traction engine for driving purposes. The vehicle and the trailer are connected to one another via a transmission line such that the gas-bound energy source passes from the tank of the trailer to the energy generation unit of the vehicle. The transmission line is coupled to a protection device such that, during operation of the vehicle connected to the trailer, damage to the transmission line is prevented.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A configuration for propelling a vehicle coupled with a trailer, the configuration comprising: said vehicle having a traction motor for propelling said vehicle; said trailer being connected to said vehicle and having a tank storing a gas-bound energy-carrier; said vehicle having a galvanic cell being an energy-generation unit, with said energy-generation unit propulsive energy is created by a chemical reaction of the gas-bound energy-carrier, supplied to said energy-generation unit continuously, with an oxidizing agent and is supplied to said traction motor for a purpose of propulsion; a transmission line, wherein said vehicle and said trailer are connected to one another via said transmission line, so that the gas-bound energy-carrier passes from said tank of said trailer to said energy-generation unit of said vehicle; and a protective device, wherein said transmission line is coupled with said protective device such that damage to said transmission line during operation of said vehicle connected to said trailer is prevented by said protective device.

15. The configuration according to claim 14, wherein said transmission line is surrounded, at least in a region between said vehicle and said trailer, by a protective jacket being said protective device.

16. The configuration according to claim 15, wherein: said protective jacket has a form of a flexible bellows, capable of being displaced into itself; and/or said flexible bellows is grounded.

17. The configuration according to claim 15, wherein: said protective jacket has a form of a flexible metallic fabric or a flexible, mechanically loadable hollow body; and/or said protective jacket has electrically conducting structures for grounding.

18. The configuration according to claim 15, further comprising a cardanic suspension, said protective jacket is fastened to said vehicle and/or to said trailer via said cardanic suspension.

19. The configuration according to claim 14, wherein said protective device is a resilient unit, said transmission line is connected to said vehicle and/or to said trailer via said resilient unit which functions as said protective device for said transmission line.

20. The configuration according to claim 19, wherein said resilient unit is configured for resilient support and fastening of said transmission line and, for tightening said transmission line to a predetermined mechanical tensile stress.

21. The configuration according to claim 14, wherein in a region between said vehicle and said trailer said transmission line has a two-part coupling which functions as said protective device for said transmission line, in order to avoid an uncontrolled detachment of said transmission line in an event of a separation of a combination of said vehicle and said trailer outside of operation.

22. The configuration according to claim 21, wherein said two-part coupling is constructed such that in an event of a separation outside of operation where said two-part coupling is opened, in each instance one coupling part of said two-part coupling remains at a respectively assigned end of said transmission line and seals said respectively assigned end of said transmission line in a pressure-tight manner.

23. The configuration according to claim 14, wherein said protective device is a signal line, said transmission line is coupled with said signal line functioning as said protective device for said transmission line, and monitors a separation of said transmission line.

24. The configuration according to claim 23, wherein said signal line is connected to said vehicle and to said trailer such that in an event of an impending separation of a combination of said vehicle and said trailer, said signal line is damaged by a mechanical tensioning, and therefore indicates an impending separation in good time.

25. The configuration according to claim 24, further comprising switchable shut-off valves, which are closed as a consequence of a damaged said signal line, wherein said switchable shut-off valves are disposed in said vehicle and/or in said trailer and/or in a region between them as part of said transmission line.

26. The configuration according to claim 14, wherein: said traction motor of said vehicle is an electric traction motor; and/or said vehicle is a rail vehicle; and/or said gas-bound energy-carrier is gas bound hydrogen or natural gas; and/or said galvanic cell is a fuel cell with which electrical propulsive energy, which is supplied to said electric traction motor for a purpose of propulsion, is created by a chemical reaction of the gas-bound hydrogen, supplied to said fuel cell continuously, with the oxidizing agent.

Description

[0063] The invention will be elucidated in more detail in exemplary manner in the following with the aid of a drawing:

[0064] FIG. 1 shows an overview of the arrangement according to the invention,

[0065] FIG. 2 shows, with reference to FIG. 1, a vertical section, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, of the arrangement according to the invention,

[0066] FIG. 3 shows, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a plan view, or a horizontal section, of the arrangement according to the invention,

[0067] FIG. 4 shows, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a detailed view of the coupling, and

[0068] FIG. 5 shows, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, an additional configuration of the arrangement according to the invention.

[0069] FIG. 1 shows an overview of the arrangement according to the invention with a rail vehicle 10 by way of vehicle, which is connected to a trailer 10A.

[0070] The vehicle 10 exhibits an electric traction motor FM which has been designed to propel the vehicle 10, whereas the trailer 10A exhibits a tank TK in which hydrogen by way of gas-bound energy-carrier ET is stored.

[0071] The vehicle 10 exhibits a fuel cell by way of energy-generation unit EEE, with which propulsive energy, which is supplied to the traction motor FM for the purpose of propulsion, is created by a chemical reaction of the gas-bound energy-carrier ET, supplied to said unit continuously, with oxygen.

[0072] The vehicle 10 and the trailer 10A are connected to one another via a transmission line 20 taking the form of a hose line, so that the gas-bound energy-carrier passesto be more exact, is transmittedfrom the trailer 10A to the vehicle 10.

[0073] The transmission line 20 interacts with protective devices described below, or has been coupled therewith, in such a manner that during the operation of the vehicle 10 connected to the trailer 10A the protective devices prevent damage to the transmission line.

[0074] The transmission line 20 is surrounded, at least in the region between the vehicle 10 and the trailer 10A, by a protective jacket 30 which therefore constitutes a protective device for the transmission line 20.

[0075] The protective jacket 30 takes the form of a flexible bellows, capable of being displaced into itself, which is grounded.

[0076] The protective jacket 30 is fastened to the vehicle and/or to the trailer 10A via a cardanic suspension.

[0077] The hose line, or transmission line 20, is under high pressure, typically p>350 bar, and is capable of being coupled between the vehicle 10 and the trailer 10A. Details relating to this are explained further in the following figures.

[0078] FIG. 2 shows, with reference to FIG. 1, a vertical section, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, of the arrangement according to the invention.

[0079] The transmission line 20 is connected to the vehicle 10 and to the trailer 10A via a respective resilient unit 40 which constitutes a further protective device for the transmission line 20.

[0080] In the region between the vehicle 10 and the trailer 10A the transmission line 20 exhibits a two-part coupling 21.

[0081] The resilient unit 40 on the side defined by the vehicle 10 will be described below in representative manner. The resilient unit 40 has two functionalities: a suspension function and a tightening function.

[0082] The resilient unit 40 exhibits the following components:

[0083] A tightening clip 41 which has been clamped onto the transmission line 20 in non-slip manner. With this clip, forces for adjusting a tensile stress are transmitted from the tightening clip 41 to the transmission line 20.

[0084] A tightening plate 42 which adjoins the tightening clip 41. With this plate, compressive forces are transmitted that act in the direction of the tightening clip 41.

[0085] A tightening spring 43 which is supported on the tightening plate 42. The tightening spring has been mounted between the vehicle 10 and the tightening plate 42 and is subjected to pressure. As a result, it is ensured that the tightening spring 43 tightens the transmission line 20, so that the downward flexure thereof is reduced.

[0086] A guide unit 44 by which the transmission line 20 is guided from the vehicle region or from the trailer region into a region between the vehicle 10 and the trailer 10A. The guide unit 44 consists of two guide rollers 45 extending horizontally and two guide rollers 45 extending vertically, which are smooth-running and arranged peripherally in relation to the transmission line 20 (for example, at the top, at the bottom, to the left and to the right).

[0087] With the guide unit 44, relative motions arising in operation between the transmission line 20 and the vehicle 10, or the trailer 10A, are compensated, or friction effects leading to the wear of the transmission line 20 are avoided.

[0088] By virtue of these components of the resilient unit 40, relative motions between the vehicle 10 and the trailer 10A are compensated with regard to the effect thereof on the transmission line.

[0089] The described resilient unit 40 has been dimensioned in such a way that a predetermined minimum bending radius of the transmission line 20 is maintained.

[0090] In addition, the resilient unit 40 has been dimensioned in such a way that during the operation of the vehicle 10 and the trailer 10A a contact of the connecting line 20 with the surrounding protective jacket 30 is prevented.

[0091] During normal operation of the vehicle 10 and the trailer 10A, the two-part coupling 21 arranged in the region between the vehicle 10 and the trailer 10A is pressure-tight in relation to the environment, or toward the outside, and gas-permeable when considered from the trailer 10A toward the vehicle 10.

[0092] The two-part coupling 21 constitutes a further protective device for the transmission line 20, with which an uncontrolled detachment of the transmission line 20 in the event of a separation outside of operation is avoided.

[0093] Details relating to this are described in FIG. 3, which shows, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a plan view, or a horizontal section, of the arrangement according to the invention.

[0094] The two-part coupling 21 has been constructed in such a manner that in the event of a separation outside of operation the two parts of the coupling take on the functionality of a predetermined breaking-point: the two-part coupling 21 opens, whereby in each instance one coupling part remains at a respectively assigned end of the transmission line 20 and seals this end of the transmission line 20 in pressure-tight manner.

[0095] In order to ensure the functionality of the predetermined breaking-point, a first coupling part has preferably been connected to the vehicle 10 via a cable 52 and a cable fastening 53.

[0096] Corresponding remarks apply to the second coupling part, which is connected to the trailer 10A via a cable and a cable fastening.

[0097] For this purpose, an opening clip 51, which is firmly connected to a coupling opener 22, is located on the coupling 21.

[0098] Two opening cables 52, firmly connected and arranged symmetrically, are located on the opening clip 51. By means of a symmetrical pull on the two opening cables 52, the coupling opener 22 is actuated and the coupling 21 is uncoupled.

[0099] In accordance with the invention, the length of the opening cables 52 is such that operational relative motions of the vehicle 10 and of the trailer 10A do not pull the opening cables 52 taut. Only in the event of a train separation outside of operation does such a large spacing arise between the vehicle 10 and the trailer 10A that the opening cables 52 displace the coupling opener 22 and uncouple the coupling 21. At the same time, the flow in respect of the gaseous energy-carrier is thereby shut off.

[0100] The lengths of the opening cables 52 are such that the opening cables 52 always first come into engagement in the event of a train separation outside of operation. The remaining hose system has been designed in such a way that no other component is overloaded up until the uncoupling of the coupling 21 by the opening cables 52.

[0101] The opening cables 52 are fastened on the vehicle side to a cable fastening 53 configured as an opening rocker. A train separation outside of operation at a switch or on a curve has the consequence that the coupling 21 is in lateral misalignment with respect to the vehicle 10. If the opening cables 52 were connected to the vehicle 10 in permanently fixed manner, an asymmetrical application of force by only one opening cable 52 would occur, and in an extreme case the coupling opener 22 might get jammed. By virtue of the linkage of the opening cables 52 via the opening rocker 53, asymmetrical applications of force into the coupling opener 22 are prevented, inasmuch as the opening rocker 53 compensates for the asymmetry until such time as both opening cables 52 have been tensioned and transmit forces for uncoupling the coupling 21. Consequently a symmetrical actuation of the coupling opener 22 is guaranteed in all track sections.

[0102] FIG. 4 shows, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a detailed view of the coupling 21 with a coupling opener 22 and with a coupling seat 23 in which a shut-off mechanism and a coupling mechanism have been integrated (not represented in detail).

[0103] The coupling opener 22 uncouples the coupling 21 when the coupling opener 22 is axially displaced in the direction of the arrow. In this case, the coupling 21 simultaneously shuts off the flow of the gaseous energy-carrier.

[0104] FIG. 5 shows, with reference to figures FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, an additional configuration of the arrangement according to the invention with a signal line 60 which has been designed to be pneumatic or electric and has been coupled with the transmission line 20.

[0105] The signal line 60 constitutes a further protective device for the transmission line 20, and monitors the latter for a separation outside of operation.

[0106] The signal line is connected both to the vehicle 10 and to the trailer 10A by fastenings 62; it has been routed and dimensioned in such a manner that it follows operational motions of the combination of vehicle 10 and trailer 10A without suffering damage.

[0107] In the event of a looming separation of the combination 10-10A, the transmission line 60 is tensioned and a predetermined tensile-stress value is exceeded, while at this moment the signal line 60 is already being damaged as a result of its routing and dimensioning, and therefore indicates the impending separation in good time.

[0108] As a result of the damage to the signal line 60, a signal (drop in pressure, idling) is generated which closes switchable shut-off valves 61 which have been provided in the vehicle 10 and in the trailer 10A as part of a delivery line or as part of the transmission line 20 for the gas-bound energy-carrier, in accordance with the known fail-safe principles.

[0109] With switchable shut-off valves 61 closed, in the event of a train separation outside of operation the transmission line 20 is also subsequently separated as described above. Also in the configuration described here, the opening cables 52 described above come into operation.