MOBILE FLUID SUPPLY SYSTEM, A METHOD FOR SUPPLYING FLUID, A CONTROL UNIT AND A VEHICLE, VESSEL OR CRAFT COMPRISING THE MOBILE FLUID SUPPLY SYSTEM

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an electrically powered mobile fluid supply system (MFSS) for supplying fluid to a host unit. The MFSS comprises at least one pressurized fluid volume, a fluid dispenser fluidly connectable to the host unit and configured to supply fluid from the at least one pressurized fluid volume to the host unit in a fluid supply operation, and at least one compressor configured to build sufficient pressure for the fluid supply operation in the MFSS. The MFSS is configured to be electrically connected to the host unit and the at least one compressor is configured to be electrically connected to the MFSS and electrically powered by the host unit during the fluid supply operation.

The disclosure further relates to a method for supplying fluid to a host unit, to a control unit configured to control the fluid supply operation, and to the MFSS.

Claims

1. An electrically powered mobile fluid supply system for supplying fluid to a host unit, the mobile fluid supply system comprising: at least one pressurized fluid volume, a fluid dispenser fluidly connectable to the host unit and configured to supply fluid from the at least one pressurized fluid volume to the host unit in a fluid supply operation, at least one compressor configured to build sufficient pressure for the fluid supply operation in the mobile fluid supply system, wherein the mobile fluid supply system is configured to be electrically connected to the host unit and wherein the at least one compressor is configured to be electrically connected to the mobile fluid supply system and electrically powered by the host unit during the fluid supply operation.

2. The mobile fluid supply system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pressurized fluid volume comprises at least two pressurized fluid volumes, and wherein the at least one compressor is arranged to alternatingly pressurize each one of the at least two pressurized fluid volumes.

3. The mobile fluid supply system according to claim 2, wherein the at least two pressurized fluid volumes are high-pressure fluid volumes.

4. The mobile fluid supply system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pressurized fluid volume is a medium-pressure fluid volume and wherein the at least one compressor further comprises a booster compressor fluidly coupled and arranged between the at least one medium-pressure fluid volume and the fluid dispenser.

5. The mobile fluid supply system according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling device arranged between the at least one pressurized fluid volume and the fluid dispenser and configured to cool fluid being supplied in the fluid supply operation, and wherein the cooling device is electrically connected to the mobile fluid supply system and configured to be electrically powered by the host unit during the fluid supply operation.

6. The mobile fluid supply system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile fluid supply system is a mobile hydrogen supply system and wherein the at least one pressurized fluid volume is at least one pressurized hydrogen volume.

7. A method for supplying fluid to a host unit from a mobile fluid supply system according to claim 1, the method comprising: fluidly connecting the fluid dispenser to the host unit, electrically connecting the mobile fluid supply system to the host unit, in a fluid supply operation, supplying fluid to the host unit from the at least one pressurized fluid volume via the fluid dispenser, wherein the fluid supply operation is electrically powered by the host unit.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the at least one pressurized fluid volume comprises at least two pressurized fluid volumes, wherein the fluid supply operation comprises supplying fluid to the host unit from one of the at least two pressurized fluid volumes, and simultaneously pressurizing the at least one other pressurized fluid volumes using the at least one compressor.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the at least one pressurized fluid volume is at least one medium-pressure fluid volume and wherein the at least one compressor further comprises a booster compressor fluidly coupled and arranged between the at least one medium-pressure fluid volume and the fluid dispenser, wherein the fluid supply operation comprises pressurizing fluid being supplied from the at least one medium-pressure fluid volume to the fluid dispenser using the booster compressor.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the fluid supply operation further comprises cooling the fluid supplied from the at least one pressurized fluid volume.

11. A control unit configured to control the fluid supply operation according to the method of claim 7.

12. A computer program comprising program code to cause the control unit of claim 11 to execute the steps of the fluid supply operation of claim 7.

13. A computer readable medium having stored thereon the computer program of claim 12.

14. A vehicle, vessel or craft comprising the mobile fluid supply system according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Further objects and advantages of, and features of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description of one or more embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings, where:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a vehicle comprising a mobile fluid supply system according to the present disclosure,

[0040] FIG. 2 schematically shows an example of a mobile fluid supply system according to the present disclosure,

[0041] FIG. 3 schematically shows an example of an optional configuration of a mobile fluid supply system according to the present disclosure,

[0042] FIG. 4 schematically shows an example of an optional configuration of a mobile fluid supply system according to the present disclosure,

[0043] FIG. 5 schematically shows an example of an optional configuration of a mobile fluid supply system according to the present disclosure,

[0044] FIG. 6 schematically shows an example of an optional configuration of a mobile fluid supply system according to the present disclosure,

[0045] FIG. 7 schematically shows an example of an optional configuration of a mobile fluid supply system according to the present disclosure, and

[0046] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a method for supplying fluid to a host unit according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The present disclosure is developed in more detail below, referring to the appended drawings which show examples of embodiments. The disclosure should not be viewed as limited to the described examples of embodiments; instead, it is defined by the appended patent claims. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0048] FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile fluid supply system 100 according to the present disclosure. The mobile fluid supply system 100 may be a module 106 transportable by a vehicle, vessel or craft or it may be permanently installed on a vehicle, a vessel or a craft 400. In FIG. 1, a truck 400 is shown to carry the mobile fluid supply system 100. If using a transportable module 106, it may be in the form of a container or housing, which may be unloaded from the vehicle 400, and which comprises the mobile fluid supply system 100. The transportable module 106 might for instance be deployed in a convenient location of a construction site, where construction vehicles may go to refuel. Where the mobile fluid supply system is permanently installed on a vehicle 400, the vehicle 400 may travel to meet up with host units (not shown in FIG. 1) requiring fluid supply.

[0049] The mobile fluid supply system 100 may comprise an electrical connector 102 configured for electrically connecting with the host unit. The mobile fluid supply system 100 may further comprise a fluid connector 104 for fluidly connecting with an auxiliary pressurized fluid volume 112. The auxiliary pressurized fluid volume 112 may be a fluid storage, such as a low-pressure fluid volume. The low-pressure fluid volume may be mobile and may be carried or towed by the vehicle, vessel or craft 400. In FIG. 1, the auxiliary pressurized fluid volume is exemplified as installed on a trailer, towable by the truck 400, which truck 400 carries the mobile fluid supply system 100. The auxiliary pressurized fluid volume 112 may also be stationary, allowing the mobile fluid supply system 100 to dock and to fluidly connect with the auxiliary pressurized fluid volume 112 on site of the auxiliary pressurized fluid volume 112.

[0050] FIG. 2 schematically shows an example of a mobile fluid supply system 100 according to the present disclosure. The mobile fluid supply system 100 comprises at least one pressurized fluid volume 110, a fluid dispenser 120 fluidly connectable to the host unit (not shown in FIG. 2) and configured to supply fluid from the at least one pressurized fluid volume 110 to the host unit in a fluid supply operation. The fluid dispenser 120 may be fluidly connected, or connectable, to the at least one pressurized fluid volume 110. At least one compressor 130 is configured to build sufficient pressure for the fluid supply operation in the mobile fluid supply system 100. The mobile fluid supply system 100 is configured to be electrically connected to the host unit, e.g., via the electrical connector 102. The at least one compressor 130 is configured to be electrically connected to the mobile fluid supply system 100 and electrically powered by the host unit during the fluid supply operation.

[0051] It is optional to fluidly connect the mobile fluid supply system 100 to an auxiliary pressurized fluid volume 112, as exemplified in FIG. 1. The at least one pressurized fluid volume 110 may comprise enough fluid for a limited number of fluid supply operations. However, with access to an auxiliary pressurized fluid volume, the number of possible fluid supply operations is increased and the at least one pressurized fluid volume 110 may be kept at the intended pressure and be sooner ready for a subsequent fluid supply operation.

[0052] A control unit 500 (FIG. 1) may be comprised in the mobile fluid supply system 100 and configured to control the fluid supply operation. The control unit 500 may be connected to a computer readable medium (not shown) having stored thereon a computer program, which comprises program code to cause the control unit 500 to execute steps of the fluid supply operation described hereinbelow. The control unit 500 is configured to control the fluid supply operation by controlling the at least one compressor 130 and any further consumers of electric power. The control unit 500 may use the software/computer program to control switch on or switch off the at least one compressor 130 and may also control which pressurized fluid volume 110 to pressurize when the fluid supply system 100 comprises more than one pressurized fluid volume 110.

[0053] The control unit may further be used in the fluid supply management system, to communicate data between host units and the mobile fluid supply system, and to use the data to determine an optimal fluid supply schedule and amount of fluid needed for the host unit, and for communicating required settings for the host to be in an optimal status for fluid re-supply and to be prepared for electrically connecting the host unit with the mobile fluid supply system.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile fluid supply system may comprise at least two pressurized fluid volumes 110. The at least one compressor 130 may be arranged to alternatingly pressurize each one of the at least two pressurized fluid volumes 110. The at least two pressurized fluid volumes 110 may preferably be high-pressure fluid volumes.

[0055] Accordingly, when one pressurized fluid volume 110 is used in the fluid supply operation of a first host unit 300, the at least one compressor 130 may be arranged to pressurize the at least one other pressurized fluid volume 110 such that the at least one other pressurized fluid volume 110 is prepared for a subsequent fluid supply operation. This enables the mobile fluid supply system to be ready for supplying fluid to a further host unit 300 only a short time after suppling fluid to the first host unit 300. Thereby, a sequence of multiple fluid supply operations may be carried out more efficiently.

[0056] FIG. 4 exemplifies how the other pressurized fluid volume 110, which was previously not used in the fluid supply operation for host unit 300, is used in a subsequent fluid supply operation of a second host unit 300′.

[0057] As hinted to above, carrying high-pressure fluid volumes enables the mobile fluid supply system 100 to supply fluid to a limited number of host units 300 without requiring a much larger and cumbersome auxiliary pressurized fluid volume 112, such as a low-pressure fluid volume. In such a case, it may be possible to alternatingly pressurize the pressurized fluid volumes 110 using an inert gas. Alternatively, the pressurized fluid volumes 110 may each comprise a flexible compartment, e.g., a bladder or a movable wall, which would allow the pressurized fluid volumes 110 to be pressurized by the compressor 130 using air or some other available medium, instead of the auxiliary pressurized fluid volume 112.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows a mobile fluid supply system 100 wherein the at least one pressurized fluid volume 110 is a medium-pressure fluid volume. The at least one compressor 130 may further comprise a booster compressor 132 fluidly coupled and arranged between the at least one medium-pressure fluid volume and the fluid dispenser 120.

[0059] In case of carrying at least one medium-pressure fluid volume, the booster compressor 132 is capable of pressurizing the fluid supplied from the medium-pressure fluid volume to a higher pressure to more efficiently carry out the fluid supply operation. As shown in FIG. 5, such a booster compressor 132 may also be electrically powered by the host unit 300.

[0060] The mobile fluid supply system may further comprise a compressor for pressurizing the at least one medium-pressure fluid volume if an auxiliary pressurized fluid volume 112 is available and fluidly connected, such as via the fluid connector 104.

[0061] The medium-pressure fluid volume may comprise a greater amount of fluid as compared to a high-pressure fluid volume but may still be comprised in the mobile fluid supply system without requiring auxiliary pressurized fluid volume 112, which could be carried on an additional trailer or an additional vehicle, making the mobile fluid supply system 100 more versatile for a limited fluid supply operation.

[0062] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show a configuration similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, where the mobile fluid supply system 100 comprises at least two pressurized fluid volumes 110. The at least one compressor 130 is arranged to alternatingly pressurize each one of the at least two pressurized fluid volumes 110. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the illustrated pressurized fluid volumes 110 are medium-pressure fluid volumes. Accordingly, a booster compressor 132 is fluidly coupled and arranged between the at least two medium-pressure fluid volumes and the fluid dispenser 120 to increase the pressure in the fluid supply operation. \

[0063] FIG. 6 shows how one medium-pressure fluid volume is used in the fluid supply operation of a first host unit 300. Subsequently, in FIG. 7, the other medium-pressure fluid volume is used in the fluid supply operation of a second host unit 300′.

[0064] The mobile fluid supply system 100 shown in FIGS. 1-7 may be a mobile hydrogen supply system, such as a mobile hydrogen refueling system (MHRS). The at least one pressurized fluid volume 110 may be at least one pressurized hydrogen volume.

[0065] As illustrated in FIGS. 3-7, the mobile fluid supply system 100 may further comprise an optional cooling device 140 arranged between the at least one pressurized fluid volume 110 and the fluid dispenser 120. The cooling device 140 may be configured to cool fluid being supplied in the fluid supply operation. The cooling device 140 may be electrically connected to the mobile fluid supply system 100 and configured to be electrically powered by the host unit 300 during the fluid supply operation.

[0066] The cooling device 140, such as a heat exchanger, is especially advantageous in case the fluid is hydrogen because hydrogen increases in temperature as it expands. A hydrogen storage volume in the host unit 300 often comprises heat-sensitive plastic parts, such as linings, which may be damaged by temperatures exceeding 85° C. In order to efficiently supply fluid/hydrogen to the host unit 300, a cooling device 140 may be used to cool the fluid/hydrogen before it is dispensed into the storage volume of the host unit 300. Pre-compressed hydrogen may for instance be cooled to -45° C. by a heat exchanger before dispensing to the host unit 300. As an example, a host unit 300 supplied with hydrogen may, after the fluid supply operation, have a filled 700-bar (70 MPa) storage volume at 70° C. Without the cooling device, the fluid supply operation could still be carried out, but at a slower rate to avoid reaching damaging temperatures.

[0067] The control unit 500 may monitor the temperature of the dispensed fluid and control the cooling device 140 to adjust the temperature in a suitable manner.

[0068] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a method 200 for supplying fluid to a host unit 300 according to the present disclosure. The method comprises a first step 210 of fluidly connecting the fluid dispenser 120 to the host unit 300, a second step 220 of electrically connecting the mobile fluid supply system 100 to the host unit 300, and in a fluid supply operation, a third step 230 of supplying fluid to the host unit 300 from the at least one pressurized fluid volume 110 via the fluid dispenser 120. The fluid supply operation is electrically powered by the host unit 300.

[0069] As hinted to above, the fluid supply operation may be carried out without the use of a compressor 130 if the pressure of the at least one pressurized fluid volume 110 is higher than a pressure in a storage volume of the host unit 300. However, in order to carry out an efficient fluid supply operation, the compressor 130 is preferably used and is electrically powered by the host unit 300.

[0070] The fluid supply operation may optionally comprise supplying fluid to the host unit 300 from one of the at least two pressurized fluid volumes 110, and simultaneously pressurizing 240 the at least one other pressurized fluid volumes 110 using the at least one compressor 130.

[0071] As described above, a sequence of fluid supply operations may be made more efficient if at least two pressurized fluid volumes 110 are comprised in the mobile fluid supply system 100, where the method comprises an optional step 240 of pressurizing the at least one fluid volume 110 not being used to supply fluid in the fluid supply operation. The mobile fluid supply system 100 is thereby ready for supplying fluid to a second host unit 300′ only a short time after suppling fluid to the first host unit. The at least two pressurized fluid volume 110 may preferably comprise at least one, such as at least two high-pressure fluid volumes. However, the at least two pressurized fluid volume 110 may alternatively comprise at least one medium-pressure fluid volume, such as at least two medium-pressure fluid volumes, or at least one high-pressure fluid volume and at least one medium-pressure fluid volume.

[0072] When at least one pressurized fluid volume 110 is a medium-pressure fluid volume, the fluid supply operation may comprise a step 250 of pressurizing fluid being supplied from the at least one medium-pressure fluid volume to the fluid dispenser using the booster compressor 132.

[0073] When the mobile fluid supply system comprises a cooling device 140, the fluid supply operation may further comprise a step 260 of cooling the fluid supplied from the at least one pressurized fluid volume 110.

[0074] Modifications and other embodiments of the disclosed embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiment(s) is/are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.