U.S. patent application number 11/657688 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-23 for high pressure gas container with an auxiliary valve and process for filling it.
Invention is credited to Ulrich Klebe, Friedel Michel.
Application Number | 20070193647 11/657688 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37023143 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070193647 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Klebe; Ulrich ; et
al. |
August 23, 2007 |
High pressure gas container with an auxiliary valve and process for
filling it
Abstract
A high pressure gas container with a container body for storing
gas and at least one first valve for discharging the stored gas,
further includes an auxiliary valve for introducing the gas into
the container body and for temporarily closing the container body
until the container body is sealed permanently, wherein the first
valve and the auxiliary valve are in fluid connection with the
container body. A process for filling a high pressure gas container
having a container body for storing gas, at least one first valve
for discharging the stored gas and an auxiliary valve wherein the
first valve and the auxiliary valve are in fluid connection with
the container body, includes the following steps: The gas is
introduced into the container body through the auxiliary valve, the
auxiliary valve is at least temporarily closed, the auxiliary valve
is sealed permanently.
Inventors: |
Klebe; Ulrich; (Kerken,
DE) ; Michel; Friedel; (Erkrath, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YOUNG & THOMPSON
745 SOUTH 23RD STREET
2ND FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Family ID: |
37023143 |
Appl. No.: |
11/657688 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F17C 2205/0311 20130101;
F17C 2250/0636 20130101; F17C 2221/017 20130101; F17C 5/00
20130101; F17C 2223/033 20130101; F17C 2265/025 20130101; F17C
2270/0184 20130101; F17C 2201/0109 20130101; F17C 2223/0123
20130101; F17C 2270/059 20130101; F17C 2223/036 20130101; F17C
2270/0763 20130101; F17C 2221/014 20130101; F17C 2250/0621
20130101; Y02E 60/321 20130101; F17C 2227/04 20130101; F17C
2205/0323 20130101; F17C 2223/0161 20130101; F17C 2201/058
20130101; F17C 2221/016 20130101; Y02E 60/32 20130101; F17C
2209/221 20130101; F17C 2270/0181 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/018 |
International
Class: |
B65B 3/04 20060101
B65B003/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 27, 2006 |
EP |
06001696.1 |
Claims
1. High pressure gas container (1) with a container body (26) for
storing gas and at least one first valve (27) for discharging the
stored gas, characterized by further comprising an auxiliary valve
(5) for introducing the gas into the container body (26) and for
temporarily closing the container body (26) until the container
body (26) is sealed permanently, wherein the first valve (27) and
the auxiliary valve (5) are in fluid connection with the container
body (26).
2. Gas container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the first valve (27) and the auxiliary valve (5) are connected to
the container body (26) with separate fluid connection lines (28,
29).
3. Gas container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the first valve (27) and the auxiliary valve (5) are connected to
the container body (26) in a fluid series connection (30).
4. Gas container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the first valve (27) is non-reversibly openable.
5. Gas container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the auxiliary valve (5) is reversibly openable and closable.
6. Gas container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a
sealing portion (31) is provided at the auxiliary valve (5) for
permanently closing the auxiliary valve (5).
7. Gas container (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that
the sealing portion (31) is provided in the fluid connection
between the auxiliary valve (5) and the container body (26).
8. Gas container (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that
the auxiliary valve (5) is provided in the fluid interconnection
between the sealing portion (31) and the container body (26).
9. Gas container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the auxiliary valve (5) is one of the following valves: a ball
cock, a ball valve, a bibcock, a butterfly valve, a gate valve, a
globe valve, check valve, a rotary valve, a piston valve.
10. Gas container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the first valve (27) is a membrane valve.
11. Gas container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the high pressure gas container (1) is for an air bag system.
12. Gas container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the high pressure gas container (1) is for a fuel cell.
13. Process for filling a high pressure gas container (1) having a
container body (26) for storing gas, at least one first valve (27)
for discharging the stored gas and an auxiliary valve (5), wherein
the first valve (27) and the auxiliary valve (5) are in fluid
connection with the container body (26), comprising the following
steps: the gas is introduced into the container body (26) through
the auxiliary valve (5), the auxiliary valve (5) is at least
temporarily closed, the auxiliary valve (5) is sealed
permanently.
14. Process according to claim 13, characterized in that the
auxiliary valve (5) is sealed by welding.
15. Process according to claim 13, characterized in that the
auxiliary valve (5) is sealed by the first valve (27).
16. Process according to claim 13, characterized in that prior to
filling the container body (26) with gas, the first valve (27) is
provided and is configured at the gas container (1).
17. Process according to claim 14, characterized in that the
auxiliary valve (5) is sealed by the first valve (27).
Description
[0001] The invention concerns a high pressure gas container
comprising a container body for storing gas and a process for
filling a high pressure gas container having a container body for
storing gas and at least one first valve for discharging the stored
gas.
[0002] For cold filling pressure containers, according to DE 101 07
895 a filling gas is cooled before its introduction into the
pressure container, wherein on completion of the filling process
the pressure container is sealed in a pressure-tight manner. As the
gas warms up the pressure in the pressure container rises
rapidly.
[0003] According to DE 198 17 324 a fuel gas is filled into a light
weight tank made with a liner of chrome nickel steel inside of a
fibre reinforced shell, wherein the fuel is introduced in deep
cooled liquid form and is stored at a pressure above 300 bar.
[0004] According to WO 2005/043033 a pressure vessel, for example
of an airbag system, is filled with a gas or a gas mixture at a
temperature which is higher than the boiling point thereof, closing
the cold vessel and a pressure is produced in the filled and closed
vessel by heating it to ambient temperatures.
[0005] According to WO 2005/059431 a pressure container is filled
with a gas mixture, wherein a gas mixture is introduced in its
gaseous state or in its liquefied state or at least one gas
component of a gas mixture is introduced in its gaseous state or in
its liquefied state in a cooled pressure gas container.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 1,414,359 discloses a process for filling
compressed gas containers, wherein a given quantity of liquefied
gas is placed in a vessel of low specific heat capacity that is
suspended within the container, the container is closed, and the
walls of the container are maintained at a temperature above
0.degree. C. until the enclosed substance has been converted into
gaseous form.
[0007] DE 101 19 115 discloses a pressure container particularly
suited for filling with low boiling permanent gases or gas mixtures
at low temperatures which is provided on its inner surface with a
material having a low heat conducting coefficient.
[0008] EP 0 033 386 discloses a process for transporting and
storing permanent gases, in particular hydrogen, under pressure in
pressure containers, wherein the gases are cooled to low
temperatures above their boiling point and are transported and
stored in isolated pressure containers.
[0009] It is known, that airbags in vehicles are increasingly using
new types of gas generators, which in the event of an accident
inflate the airbag within a few milliseconds. High pressure gas
storage systems are used as gas generators.
[0010] Three different types of gas generators are currently in
use: [0011] Chemical generators which generate gas by reaction of a
chemical solid with ambient air; [0012] Hybrid generators which use
both a fuel solid and gas that is stored in a pressurized high
pressure gas container; [0013] Cold gas generators that store gas
in pressurized gas containers at high pressures up to 700 bar at
15.degree. C.
[0014] The gas generators, which are filled with various gases at
ambient temperatures, provide for considerable technical problems,
both in terms of their production and their filling with pressures
of up to 700 bar or above. The heat of compression in particular
during a rapid filling leads to undefined temperature conditions
which usually considerably affect the metering precision with which
the amount of gas is introduced into the gas containers. To meet a
high metering standard is important with respect to the subsequent
inflation characteristics of the airbag. Very expensive and complex
piston or diaphragm compressors are required to generate the very
high pressures. This entails high investment and high maintenance
costs. In addition, a correspondingly complex and expensive
downstream gas supply is required for these pressures.
[0015] The known cold filling techniques avoid the problem
originating from the filling of high pressures, however, these
techniques usually work at extremely low temperatures which makes
multiple adaptations of conventional process steps, such as the
sealing of the gas container, to the low temperature conditions
necessary, which is not desirable with respect investment and
maintenance costs.
[0016] It is desirable that the density of the gas stored in a gas
container is as high as possible, wherein the filling of the gas
container should be reliable, reproducible, save and economical.
The amount of gas filled into the container should be precisely
metered and the throughput of gas filling facility should be as
high as possible.
[0017] With respect to high temperature gas filling processes, that
use high pressures above 300 bar, the known solutions to tightly
connect a gas filling device with the gas container are
challenging. The high pressures put high demands on safety and
rigid connections and thick walled pipes are required to cope with
the high pressure conditions.
[0018] With respect to the low temperature gas filling, the high
pressure induced mechanical instabilities are less prominent, yet
problems of thermal insulation, thermal tension and thermal
expansion due to strong temperature gradients appear. In
particular, the positioning of the gas containers at the gas supply
station is not easy as the thermal contraction respectively
expansion makes fine control of the spatial positioning system
difficult.
[0019] Filling processes at room temperature operate at pressures
above 300 bar and closing the filled pressurized gas containers is
a difficult task. Usually complex high pressure vessels are used.
The gas containers are brought into the high pressure vessel and
are filled and closed under a high pressure. Usually the container
comprises a membrane which is welded to the container. The closing
process is technically complex and economically inefficient as the
pressure vessel needs to be pressurized and depressurized for each
loading cycle.
[0020] Gas filling at cold temperatures does not entail the problem
of the pressure induced mechanical instabilities but needs to be
performed at very low temperatures of usually below 100.degree. K.
Due to the low temperature and temperature gradients thermal
induced stress and thermal expansion respectively contraction
requires complex adaptation of the closing mechanism. It should be
noted that in particular for airbag systems precise control of the
amount of gas to be filled and stored in the gas container is
indispensable for a reliable functioning of the airbag system.
[0021] An object of the present invention is to provide for a high
pressure container with a container body for storing gas and a
process for filling a high pressure gas container having a
container body for storing gas, that allow for efficient,
reproducible, reliable and economical filling of pressure gas
containers.
[0022] This and other problems are solved according to the
invention by a high pressure gas container and the process for
filling a high pressure gas container as defined in the claims
below. Further advantageous embodiments and developments, which can
be employed individually or in any suitable combination, are also
provided.
[0023] According to the invention the high pressure gas container
with a container body for storing gas and with at least one first
valve for discharging the stored gas is characterized by further
comprising an auxiliary valve for introducing the gas into the
container body and for temporarily closing the container body until
the container body is sealed permanently, wherein the first valve
and the auxiliary valve are in fluid connection with the container
body.
[0024] The first valve is used for discharging the stored gas, when
the container body is sealed permanently. For example the first
valve may be at a membrane valve that is opened when the stored gas
is needed, e.g. during an accident which makes the operation of the
airbag system necessary. In connection with airbag systems the
first valve may be a membrane valve that bursts when the stored gas
is needed for inflating an airbag.
[0025] The first valve is gas tight on a permanent time basis, e.g.
for over 15 years. Usually the first valve is closed by
welding.
[0026] The auxiliary valve also helps to facilitate the supplying
respectively introducing of gas into the container body. For
instance after supplying a first gas or after introducing a second
gas, the container body is temporarily closed. and transported to a
closing unit which closes the container body permanently.
[0027] Furthermore the auxiliary valve may, if connected in a fluid
series connection with the first valve at the gas container, be
used for controlling the gas flow during an discharge operation.
For example during an accident the amount of gas per unit time that
is used for inflating an airbag may be suitably and precisely
controlled.
[0028] The auxiliary valve may help to avoid gas leakage during the
transport of the gas container for the time after the completion of
the filling step until the gas container is permanently sealed.
[0029] The high pressure gas container may withstand pressures
above 300 bar, for example up to 1300 bar, in particular in between
500 bar to 800 bar.
[0030] The gas to be introduced into the container may be a pure
gas or a mixture of gases and may be an inert gas such as an noble
gas in applications such as airbag systems. The gas may also be a
fuel gas such as hydrogen in connection with fuel cell systems. The
gas container may be filled with a cryogenically solidified or a
cryogenically liquefied gas and high pressure may be obtained by
closing the gas container shortly after its filling and letting the
gas container warm up to room temperature.
[0031] The first valve and the auxiliary valve may be connected to
the container body in fluid series connection, wherein the
auxiliary valve may be in the fluid series connection between the
first valve and the container body.
[0032] The first valve and the auxiliary valve may be connected to
the container body with separate fluid connection lines. The first
valve may be provided at the container body prior to its filling
with gas. In this case the gas is to be introduced through the
auxiliary valve into the container body.
[0033] The first valve may be non-reversibly openable. The
auxiliary valve may be reversibly openable and closable.
[0034] In order to close the gas container permanently a sealing
portion is provided at the auxiliary valve for permanently closing
the auxiliary valve. The sealing portion may be provided in the
fluid connection between the auxiliary valve and the container
body, or, the auxiliary valve may be provided in the fluid
interconnection between the sealing portion and the container
body.
[0035] By closing the auxiliary valve the gas container may be
sealed permanently with the sealing machine operating at ambient
pressure and at ambient temperature.
[0036] Complex pressure vessels or specific adaptations to
extremely low temperatures are not required anymore. Advantageously
conventional sealing techniques such as welding may be used for
closing the gas container permanently.
[0037] The auxiliary valve may be one of the following valves: a
ball cock, a ball valve, a bibcock, a butterfly valve, a gate
valve, a globe valve, a check valve, a rotary valve, a piston valve
etc.
[0038] The auxiliary valve may be designed to be comparatively
inexpensive as its purpose is solely for temporarily closing the
container body. Usually it suffices when the auxiliary valve is
able to retain the content of the gas container sufficiently
constant for several minutes as usually the gas container may be
permanently sealed shortly after its filling.
[0039] The first valve may be a membrane valve. The high pressure
gas container may be particularly intended for use in connection
with an airbag system.
[0040] It should be noted that the high pressure gas container may
be used for a fuel cell. In this case the gas container stores a
fuel gas such as hydrogen.
[0041] According to the invention the process for filling a high
pressure gas container having a container body for storing gas, at
least one first valve for discharging the stored gas and an
auxiliary valve, wherein the first valve and the auxiliary valve
are in fluid connection with the container body, comprises the
following steps: The gas is introduced into the container body
through the auxiliary valve, the auxiliary valve is at least
temporarily closed, the auxiliary valve is sealed permanently.
[0042] The auxiliary valve helps to reduce losses due to
evaporation out of the gas container by temporarily closing the
container body until it is permanently sealed.
[0043] The first valve may be provided at the container body prior
to its filling with gas. In this case the gas container is filled
through the auxiliary valve and the auxiliary valve is then
permanently sealed.
[0044] The first valve may also be provided at the container body
after its filling with gas. In this case the filled container body
is filled through the auxiliary valve, then the auxiliary valve is
temporarily closed and then the first valve is affixed to auxiliary
valve opposite to the gas container such that a rising pressure in
the gas container does neither influence the affixing of the first
valve nor lead to gas losses.
[0045] Thus the first valve may be provided at the gas container
without the need of placing the gas container inside of a
pressurized pressure vessel.
[0046] The auxiliary valve may be sealed by welding. The auxiliary
valve may be sealed by the first valve in particular when the first
valve is in series fluid connection with the auxiliary valve and
the container body.
[0047] Advantageously prior to filling the container body with gas,
the first valve is provided and is configured at the gas
container.
[0048] Further details and favourable aspects, which may be applied
alone or may be combined in any suitable manner, will be explained
with respect to the following drawings, which shall not restrict
the scope of the present invention but shall schematically and
exemplarily illustrate the invention.
[0049] FIG. 1 shows the two-step process according to the
invention;
[0050] FIG. 2 shows a high pressure gas container to be used
according to the invention shown in cross section;
[0051] FIG. 3 shows further high pressure gas container to be used
according to the invention shown in cross section;
[0052] FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of a supplying unit of a
filling device according to the invention; and
[0053] FIG. 5 shows a supplying unit of a further embodiment of the
filling device according to the invention.
[0054] FIG. 1 shows schematically the two-step process for filling
a high pressure gas container 1 with a first gas 2 and a second gas
3 using a supplying unit 7 for supplying the first gas 2 into the
gas container 1 and an introducing unit 9 for introducing the
second gas 3 into the gas container 1. The gas container 1
comprises a container body 26 for receiving the first gas 2 and the
second gas 3 and is connected to an auxiliary valve 5. The gas
container 1 is connected to a cooling bath 4 which comprises a
third gas 6 which is liquefied in order to precool the gas
container 1 down to 86.degree. K. The third gas 6 is liquid
nitrogen which is kept under a slight pressure in the cooling bath
4 in order to provide for 86.degree. K in the cooling bath 4. This
precooling is performed using a precooling unit 24 which at least
partially immerses the gas container 1 in the cooling bath 4. The
gas container 1 is then transported with a transport mechanism 12
to a supplying unit 7 for supplying liquid argon as first gas 2
into the gas container 1. Then the auxiliary valve 5 is closed in
order to diminish evaporation losses of the first gas 2.
Subsequently the cooling of the gas container 1 is stopped by
disconnecting the gas container 1 from the cooling bath 2 by a
stopping unit 8 and is transported to an introducing unit for
introducing the second gas 3 in its gaseous state. The second gas 3
such as helium is taken from a second container 22 and is
evaporated by an evaporator 25 and is introduced through the
auxiliary valve 5. After completion of the introducing the
auxiliary valve 5 is temporarily closed until the gas container 1
is permanently closed using a unit 10 for closing the gas container
1. The unit 10 for closing comprises a sealing device 11 which
seals the gas container 1 by welding. Both the introducing unit 9
and the unit 10 for closing may be of a conventional type meaning
that they do not need to be adapted for cryogenical temperatures
and do not need to be capable of coping with high pressures above
300 bar. The second gas 3 is introduced at ambient temperature into
the gas container 1. After closing the gas container 1 the gas
container 1 are allowed to warm up to ambient temperatures such
that the pressure inside of the container body 26 rises to a
well-defined pressure around 600 bar. The first gas 2 may be
supplied at a pressure ranging from 0.5 bar to 3 bar and the second
gas 3 may be introduced at 15 bar. The amount of gas supplied
respectively introduced into the gas container 1 may be controlled
volumetrically, gravimetrically or by an opening time of a metering
valve. The second gas may be metered according to the partial
pressure that is eventually desired at room temperature. This
metering may be performed outside of the cooling bath 4 for
instance in the sealing device 11.
[0055] FIG. 2 shows a gas container 1 in cross section to be used
according to the invention. The gas container 1 comprises the
auxiliary valve 5 in a first connection line 28 to the container
body 26 and a first valve 27 in a second connection line 29 to the
container body 26. The first valve 27 is provided at the container
body 26 before the beginning of the filling process. The first
valve 27 is a membrane valve and is adapted to be opened at the
instance of operation of the gas container 1 for example during the
operation of the airbag system (not shown). The first valve 27
operates non-reversibly, i.e. opens only once. The first valve 27
may be welded to the container body 26 respectively to the second
connection line 29. The auxiliary valve 5 is for facilitating the
supplying of the first gas 2 respectively the introducing of the
second gas 3 into the container body 26. The auxiliary valve 5 is
for temporarily closing the container body 26 such that evaporation
losses are reduced. After the supplying step of the first gas 2
respectively after the introducing step of the second gas 3, the
auxiliary valve 5 is closed. The auxiliary valve 5 may also be
closed in between the supplying and the introducing step. Once the
container body 26 is completely filled with a gas 2, 3 or with a
mixture of gases 2, 3 the first connection line 28 is closed using
a sealing portion 31 by welding. The closing portion 31 makes sure
that after the closing of the gas container 1, gas may not escape
from the container body 26 through the first connection line 28.
The sealing portion 31 allows for using inexpensive auxiliary
valves 5 without limiting the advantages of temporarily closing the
container body 26.
[0056] FIG. 3 shows a further gas container 1 in cross section to
be used according to the invention, wherein the first valve 27 and
the auxiliary valve 5 are in a fluid series connection 30. In this
case the permanent closing of the container body 26 is realized by
the first valve 27 which is closed after the filling of the
container body 26 with a gas 2, 3 or a mixture of gases 2, 3. The
auxiliary valve 5 is used for facilitating the supplying of the
first gas and/or the introducing of the second gas 3.
[0057] FIG. 4 shows schematically the supplying unit 7 comprising a
gas supply station 13 with a flexible filling tube 14 which is to
be connected to the container 1. For connecting the filling tube 14
with the gas container 1, a tube head 15 is provided which
comprises a metering valve 17. The tube head 15 is positioned at
the gas container 1 with a positioning device 16. Due to the
flexibility of the filling tube 14 a gas tight connection between
the gas supply station 13, respectively the supplying unit 7, and
the gas container 1 is established in a short time. The filling
tube 14 is thermally isolated and comprises a gas channel 18 for
supplying the first gas 2 into the gas container 1. The gas channel
18 is isolated by means of an insulation vacuum. For this purpose
the filling tube 14 is doubled walled. For further reducing a heat
transfer through radiation within the insulation vacuum a heat
shield 19 is introduced, which is at least partially actively
cooled. The moveable tube head 15 allows for a fast connection
which is important if a multiplicity of gas containers 1 need to be
filled.
[0058] FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of a supplying unit 7 of
the device for filling gas containers 1. Liquid argon is stored as
first gas 2 in a large supply tank 33 and is supplied through a
supply tube 32 into a first container 21 which also serves as phase
separator 20. The liquid argon from the phase separator 20 is
precooled in a second precooling unit 35 for precooling the second
gas 2. The liquid argon is cooled to 2.degree. K below its boiling
point in order to avoid any formation of gas bubbles within the
liquid phase, which might affect the metering precision of the
amount of gas supplied into the gas container 1. The second
precooling unit 35 uses liquid nitrogen as third gas 6 from a third
container 23 which is connected to the second precooling unit 35
with conduits 34. The precooled liquid argon is then supplied with
the filling tube 14 to the gas container 1. For this purpose the
filling tube 14 comprises a moveable tube head 15 which may be
positioned precisely at the gas container 1. The gas container 1 is
transported through the cooling bath by a transport mechanism 12.
The cooling bath 4 is closed with a cover 36 in order to establish
a pressure in the cooling bath 4 with which the temperature in the
cooling bath is precisely controlled.
[0059] In the following, further aspects, which are related to the
present invention, are described. These individual aspects may be
employed individually and separately or in any suitable combination
with each other respectively one another:
[0060] An advantageous process for filling high pressure gas
containers 1 comprises the steps: Supplying a liquefied or
solidified first gas 2 from a gas supply station 13 through a
thermally insulated filling tube 14 with a movable tube head 15 to
the high pressure gas container 1. During the supplying step of the
first gas 2, the gas container 1 may be cooled, in particular by a
cooling bath 4. The filling tube 14 is in particular cooled at
least partially along its length, in particular by the cooling bath
4. The filling tube 14 may be filled using a two step filling
process, in which after the supplying step of the first gas 2, a
gaseous second gas 3, in particular Helium, is introduced into the
gas container 1, wherein in particular during the supplying step of
the first gas 2, the gas container 1 is cooled, in particular by a
cooling bath 4, and before or during the introducing step of the
second gas 3 the cooling of the gas container 1 is stopped, in
particular the gas container 1 is taken out of the cooling bath 4.
Advantageously high pressure gas containers 1 for air bag systems
or for fuel cells are filled. The first gas 2 and/or the second gas
3 may be a mixture of gases.
[0061] An advantageous process of batch filling of high pressure
gas containers 1 with gas, comprises the step cooling multiple gas
containers 1 in parallel, which are filled sequentially using the
process according to the invention.
[0062] An advantageous arrangement for filling high pressure gas
containers 1 with gas comprises a gas supply station 13 and
multiple high pressure gas containers 1, wherein the gas supply
station 13 comprises at least one thermally insulated filling tube
14 with a movable tube head 15 for gas filling of the gas
containers 1, wherein the arrangement may comprise a positioning
device 16 for moving the tube head 15 to the individual gas
containers 1. Advantageously, a metering valve 17 for controlling a
gas flow through the filling tube 14 may be provided in the tube
head 15. The gas supply station 13 may comprise a cooling bath 4
for cooling the gas containers 1, wherein the filling tube 14 may
be at least partially immersed in the cooling bath 4 and wherein
the arrangement may further comprise a transport mechanism 12 for
transporting the gas containers 1 through the cooling bath 4. In a
useful embodiment, the filling tube 14 may be at least doubled
walled and may comprise an insulation vacuum for thermal
insulation. The filling tube 14 may be actively cooled by a cooling
medium, in particular a liquefied third gas 6 and/or may comprise a
gas channel 18 and a tubular heat shield 19 at least partially
around the gas channel 18, wherein the heat shield 19 is cooled by
the cooling medium. Tube head 15 may comprise an auxiliary valve 5
for temporarily closing the gas container 1. The gas filling tube
14 is in particular for filling a liquefied first gas 2 into the
gas containers 1. The gas supply station 13 may comprise a first
container 21 for a liquefied first gas 2. The gas supply station 13
may advantageously comprise an introducing unit 9 for introducing a
gaseous second gas 3 into the gas container 1. The gas supply
station 13 may comprise a second container 22 for a liquefied
second gas 3, wherein the gas supply station 13 may comprise an
evaporator 25 for converting the liquefied second gas 3 into its
gaseous state. The gas supply station 13 may comprise a third
container 23 for a liquefied third gas 6 as cooling medium.
[0063] An advantageous gas supply station 13 for filling high
pressure gas containers 1 with gas is adapted and in particular
destined for use in the arrangement according to the invention.
[0064] An advantageous process for filling a high pressure gas
container 1, comprises the following steps: Supplying a liquefied
or solidified first gas 2 into a gas container 1 while the gas
container 1 is being cooled; stopping the cooling of the gas
container 1 after the supplying step of the first gas; then
introducing a gaseous second gas 3 into the gas container 1;
closing the gas container 1, wherein in particular the cooling of
the gas container 1 may be performed in a cooling bath 4, in
particular a cooling bath 4 of liquid nitrogen, and the cooling is
stopped by disconnecting the gas container 1 from the cooling bath
4. The first gas 2 and/or the second gas 3 may be a mixture of
plural gases. The first gas 2 and/or the second gas 3 may be an
inert gas, in particular a noble gas. After the supplying step of
the first gas 2 and before the introducing step of the second gas 3
the gas container 1 may be temporarily closed. The gas container 1
is in particular temporarily closed using an auxiliary valve 5. The
closing of the gas container 1 may be performed by welding. The gas
containers 1 are in particular for air bag systems or for fuel
cells. The supplying of the first gas 2 may be performed at a
pressure in the range from 0.2 bar to 15 bar, in particular in the
range from 0.5 bar to 4 bar. The supplying of the second gas 3 may
be performed at a pressure in the range from 2 bar to 100 bar, in
particular, in the range from 5 bar to 50 bar, for example in the
range from 10 bar to 20 bar. The first gas 2 may be supplied in a
liquid state into the gas container 1 and solidifies in the gas
container 1. The first gas 2 may be supplied at a temperature lower
than its boiling temperature, in particular at least 1.degree. K,
preferably at least 2.degree. K, lower than its boiling
temperature, and at a temperature higher than its freezing
temperature, in particular at least 1.degree. K, preferably at
least 2.degree. K, higher than its freezing temperature. After the
supplying step of the first gas 2 and before the introducing step
of the second gas 3, the gas container 1 may be connected to a
sealing device 11, in particular a welding apparatus 12, and after
the introducing step of the second gas 3 the gas container 1 may be
sealed by the sealing device 11, in particular by welding. The
cooling is in particular performed using a liquefied third gas 6,
in particular liquid nitrogen, wherein in particular the
temperature of the third gas 6 may be controlled by controlling the
pressure in the third gas 6. The gas container 1 may be cooled
before the supplying step of the first gas 2.
[0065] An advantageous device for filling high pressure gas
containers 1, comprises: A supplying unit 7 for supplying a
liquefied or solidified first gas 2 into a gas container 1 while
the gas container 1 is being cooled; a stopping unit 8 for stopping
the cooling of the gas container 1; an introducing unit 9 for
introducing a gaseous second gas 3 into the gas container 1 after
the supplying step of the first gas; a unit 10 for closing the gas
container 1, wherein in particular the device further comprises a
cooling bath 4 for cooling the gas container 1, wherein in
particular the device further comprises a transport mechanism 12
for transporting the gas containers 1 through the cooling bath 4.
The unit 10 for closing the gas container 1 may be a welding
apparatus 12. The device is in particular for filling high pressure
gas containers 1 for air bag systems or for fuel cells. The device
in particular further comprises a gas supply station 13 and at
least one thermally insulated filling tube 14 with a tube head 15
that is in fluid connection with the gas supply station 13, wherein
the filling tube 14 is for supplying the first gas 2 to the gas
containers 1, wherein the device in particular further comprises a
positioning device 16 for positioning the tube head 15 at the gas
containers 1.
[0066] The invention concerns a high pressure gas container 1 with
a container body 26 for storing gas and at least one first valve 27
for discharging the stored gas, characterized by further comprising
an auxiliary valve 5 for introducing the gas into the container
body 26 and for temporarily closing the container body 26 until the
container body 26 is sealed permanently, wherein the first valve 27
and the auxiliary valve 5 are in fluid connection with the
container body 26. The invention also concerns a process for
filling a high pressure gas container 1 having a container body 26
for storing gas, at least one first valve 27 for discharging the
stored gas and an auxiliary valve 5 wherein the first valve 27 and
the auxiliary valve 5 are in fluid connection with the container
body 26, comprising the following steps: The gas is introduced into
the container body 26 through the auxiliary valve 5, the auxiliary
valve 5 is at least temporarily closed, the auxiliary valve 5 is
sealed permanently. The invention allows for reliable, economical,
reproducible and precise filling of high pressure gas containers
using a conventional sealing apparatus without the need of its
adaptation to either high pressure or low temperature
appliance.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0067] 1 gas container [0068] 2 first gas [0069] 3 second gas
[0070] 4 cooling bath [0071] 5 auxiliary valve [0072] 6 third gas
[0073] 7 supplying unit [0074] 8 stopping unit [0075] 9 introducing
unit [0076] 10 unit for closing [0077] 11 sealing device [0078] 12
transport mechanism [0079] 13 gas supply station [0080] 14 filling
tube [0081] 15 tube head [0082] 16 positioning device [0083] 17
metering valve [0084] 18 gas channel [0085] 19 heat shield [0086]
20 phase separator [0087] 21 first container [0088] 22 second
container [0089] 23 third container [0090] 24 precooling unit
[0091] 25 evaporator [0092] 26 container body [0093] 27 first valve
[0094] 28 first connection line [0095] 29 second connection line
[0096] 30 fluid series connection [0097] 31 sealing portion [0098]
32 supply tube [0099] 33 supply tank [0100] 34 conduits [0101] 35
second precooling unit [0102] 36 cover
* * * * *