DE102023211716A1 - Pressure control unit for a hydrogen supply system of an internal combustion engine, method for producing the pressure control unit and hydrogen supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

Pressure control unit (30) for a hydrogen supply system (10) for pressure control and supply of gaseous hydrogen from a high-pressure tank (12) to a consumer (42), comprising a housing (52), an inlet nozzle (54) and an outlet nozzle (56), a fluid channel (58) extending from the inlet nozzle (54) to the outlet nozzle (56) through the housing (52), and at least one valve (32, 36) by means of which a flow of hydrogen through the fluid channel (58) can be throttled or blocked, wherein the valve (32, 36) has a valve body (101) which fixes a valve seat (102) and in which a valve element (103) is movably received, wherein the valve body (101) is arranged in a bore (104) of the housing (52) which is fluidically connected to the fluid channel (58), and wherein between the bore (104) and the valve body (101) a first sealing point (111) is provided, which is designed as a weld seam (120), and a second sealing point (112) is designed, which comprises an O-ring (121).

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a pressure control unit for a hydrogen supply system of an internal combustion engine for supplying and regulating the pressure of hydrogen.

From the republished DE 10 2022 212 773 A1 The applicant already knows a pressure control unit which comprises a housing and a pressure control valve arranged in the housing, wherein the housing comprises a steel material and is connected to the pressure control valve in a fluid-tight manner by welding.

Disclosure of the invention

The present invention develops the previously published prior art mentioned at the beginning.

According to the invention, a pressure control unit for a hydrogen supply system for pressure control and supply of gaseous hydrogen from a high-pressure tank to a consumer comprises a housing, an inlet nozzle, and an outlet nozzle. The inlet nozzle and the outlet nozzle can, for example, be mounted directly on the housing or on a component that is itself directly or indirectly fixed to the housing.

According to the invention, the pressure control unit further comprises a fluid channel which extends from the inlet nozzle to the outlet nozzle through the housing, and at least one valve by means of which a flow of hydrogen through the fluid channel can be throttled or blocked.

The at least one valve can therefore be a shut-off valve, for example a switching valve, or a pressure control valve, for example a proportional valve. Alternatively, the pressure control unit can also comprise a pressure control valve and a shut-off valve, or two pressure control valves, which are connected in parallel, for example, and additionally comprise a shut-off valve. All of these valves, or only a subset of these valves, can have the properties associated with the component referred to herein simply as a "valve."

The invention further provides that the valve has a valve body that fixes a valve seat. The valve seat can thus be part of the valve body or be rigidly connected to the valve body. The invention further provides that a valve element is movably accommodated in the valve body. For example, the valve element can be acted upon by an elastic spring and/or can experience forces in the opening and/or closing direction from an electromagnet cooperating with the valve, resulting in corresponding movements of the valve element.

It is further provided according to the invention that the valve body is arranged in a bore of the housing which is fluidically connected to the fluid channel, wherein a first sealing point is provided between the bore and the valve body, which is designed as a weld seam, and a second sealing point is formed which comprises an O-ring.

The first sealing point, designed as a weld seam, creates a permanent connection through a material bond. Its strength can be improved compared to a screw connection, for example. Its tightness can be high, for example, equivalent to helium tightness. The design of the first sealing point as a weld seam also enables a compact design of the pressure control device and effectively prevents electrochemical infiltration of the first sealing point, which is generally exposed to environmental influences.

The type of weld and the circumstances of its production are not necessarily restricted by the invention. For example, it can be a weld produced by laser radiation ("laser welding") or a weld based on heating the joining position with electric current ("resistance welding", "CE welding"). In the latter case, different welding geometries are generally possible, for example, ring projection welding and/or ring edge welding.

The first sealing point seals in particular the bore and the fluid channel to the outside so that the hydrogen passed through the pressure control unit cannot escape from the hydrogen supply system.

The second sealing point comprises an O-ring, resulting in a flexible connection. This connection can accommodate relative movements between the housing and the valve body, for example, resulting from welding or temperature fluctuations, or can shift accordingly within the bore.

The second sealing point seals in particular between the valve body and the fluid channel of the ensures that a bypass around the valve is reliably excluded within the fluid channel.

The first sealing point can be provided, in particular, in the area of the bore's exit, i.e., at the location on the outer surface of the housing where a twist drill would have first cut the housing during the imaginary drilling of the bore. This is where the bore starts, and this is the area where it exits.

For example, the bore can have a chamfer in its exit area. This makes it easier to insert the valve body into the bore.

The housing and valve body can be made of steel, for example stainless steel.

The weld seam can be produced, for example, by means of capacitor discharge press-fit welding, which has advantages as explained in more detail below.

A pressure control unit which is further developed in that the valve body tapers via an annular shoulder pointing away from the housing, wherein the annular shoulder is coplanar with the outer surface of the housing in the region of the outlet of the bore, is particularly suitable for introducing a magnetic flux, which is generated by an electromagnet cooperating with the valve, through the valve body into the housing.

• - Das Ventil und das Gehäuse werden zunächst separat voneinander bereitgestellt, wobei auf dem Ventilkörper ein O-Ring bereits montiert ist, sodann
• - wird der Ventilkörper gemäß eines radialen Übermaßes, das er im Vergleich zu der Bohrung aufweist, zunächst unvollständig in die Bohrung eingeführt, sodann
• - wird eine Elektrode auf dem Ringabsatz aufgesetzt wird, sodann
• - wird über die Elektrode und über den Ventilkörper ein elektrischer Strom in das Gehäuse eingeleitet, sodass der Ventilkörper und/oder das Gehäuse im Bereich der ersten Dichtstelle aufschmelzen, und zugleich
• - wird über die Elektrode eine Kraft in den Ventilkörper eingeleitet, die in Richtung des Gehäuses wirkt, sodass der Ventilkörper weiter in die Bohrung eingeführt wird, solange bis die Elektrode an einem mechanischen Anschlag anschlägt, wobei
• - sich der O-Ring während des weiteren Einführens des Ventilkörpers in die Bohrung entlang des Fluidkanals mitverschiebt.

Such a pressure control unit can be manufactured using the following steps or the valve can be joined in the bore using the following steps:

• - The valve and the housing are initially provided separately from each other, with an O-ring already mounted on the valve body, then
• - the valve body is initially incompletely inserted into the bore due to a radial oversize that it has compared to the bore, then
• - an electrode is placed on the ring shoulder, then
• - an electric current is introduced into the housing via the electrode and the valve body, so that the valve body and/or the housing melt in the area of the first sealing point, and at the same time
• - a force is introduced into the valve body via the electrode, which acts in the direction of the housing, so that the valve body is inserted further into the bore until the electrode hits a mechanical stop, whereby
• - the O-ring moves along the fluid channel as the valve body is further inserted into the bore.

Finally, the electromagnet can be mounted, for example pressed, on the tapered part of the valve body - i.e. spatially outside the housing.

• - Das Ventil und das Gehäuse werden zunächst separat voneinander bereitgestellt, wobei auf dem Ventilkörper ein O-Ring bereits montiert ist, sodann
• - wird der Ventilkörper gemäß eines radialen Übermaßes, das er im Vergleich zu der Bohrung aufweist, zunächst unvollständig in die Bohrung eingeführt, sodann
• - wird eine plane Elektrode so auf dem Ringabsatz aufgesetzt wird, dass sie über den Ringabsatz radial übersteht, sodann
• - wird über die Elektrode und über den Ventilkörper ein elektrischer Strom in das Gehäuse eingeleitet, sodass der Ventilkörper und/oder das Gehäuse im Bereich der ersten Dichtstelle aufschmelzen, und zugleich
• - wird über die Elektrode eine Kraft in den Ventilkörper eingeleitet, die in Richtung des Gehäuses wirkt, sodass der Ventilkörper weiter in die Bohrung eingeführt wird, solange bis die Elektrode an der Außenfläche des Gehäuses anschlägt, wobei
• - sich der O-Ring während des weiteren Einführens des Ventilkörpers in die Bohrung entlang des Fluidkanals mitverschiebt.

Such a pressure control unit can be manufactured in particular with the following steps or the joining of the valve in the bore can be carried out with the following steps:

• - The valve and the housing are initially provided separately from each other, with an O-ring already mounted on the valve body, then
• - the valve body is initially incompletely inserted into the bore due to a radial oversize that it has compared to the bore, then
• - a flat electrode is placed on the ring shoulder in such a way that it projects radially beyond the ring shoulder, then
• - an electric current is introduced into the housing via the electrode and the valve body, so that the valve body and/or the housing melt in the area of the first sealing point, and at the same time
• - a force is introduced into the valve body via the electrode, which acts in the direction of the housing, so that the valve body is inserted further into the bore until the electrode hits the outer surface of the housing, whereby
• - the O-ring moves along the fluid channel as the valve body is further inserted into the bore.

Finally, the electromagnet can be mounted, for example pressed, on the tapered part of the valve body - i.e. spatially outside the housing.

It can be provided that the bore has a first diameter in the area of the first sealing point and a second diameter in the area of the second sealing point. If the ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter is selected such that it is not less than 1.05 and not greater than 1.4, the effect is that the O-ring mounted on the valve body, which lies sealingly in the bore in the area of the second sealing point, projects slightly over the area of the can be inserted into the bore beyond the first sealing point.

It can be provided that the second sealing point is arranged within the bore at a distance in the bore direction from the bore outlet, and that the bore has a first diameter in the region of the first sealing point. If the ratio of the first diameter to the distance in the bore direction from the bore outlet is not less than 0.7 and not greater than 1.4, this has the technical effect that the O-ring is at least far enough away from the weld seam that the amount of heat introduced into the valve housing during the production of the weld seam reliably does not damage the O-ring.

It can be provided that the bore has a second diameter in the area of the second sealing point, and that the valve housing has a housing diameter in the area of the second sealing point. If the housing diameter is smaller than the second diameter, an electrical shunt between the valve housing and the housing is avoided, for example, during resistance welding.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Brennstoffversorgungssystems zur Versorgung einer Brennkraftmaschine mit gasförmigem Brennstoff mit einer Druckregeleinheit mit zwei Druckregelventilen;
• 2 eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung der Druckregeleinheit von 1;
• 3 eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung einer alternativen Druckregeleinheit mit nur einem einzigen Druckregelventil;
• 4 einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch die Druckregeleinheit von 3;
• 5 einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch eine abgewandelte Ausführungsform der Druckregeleinheit von 3 und
• 6 eine Detaillierung der Bereiche der Druckregeleinheiten aus den 4 und 5, in denen Ventile durch Schweißverbindung mit dem Gehäuse verbunden sind.

Embodiments of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• 1 a schematic representation of a fuel supply system for supplying an internal combustion engine with gaseous fuel with a pressure control unit with two pressure control valves;
• 2 a schematic perspective view of the pressure control unit of 1 ;
• 3 a schematic perspective view of an alternative pressure control unit with only a single pressure control valve;
• 4 a schematic longitudinal section through the pressure control unit of 3 ;
• 5 a schematic longitudinal section through a modified embodiment of the pressure control unit of 3 and
• 6 a detail of the pressure control unit areas from the 4 and 5 in which valves are connected to the housing by welding.

A fuel supply system contributes to 1 overall the reference number 10. It serves to supply an internal combustion engine, not shown, with a gaseous fuel, in this case for example with gaseous hydrogen.

The hydrogen is stored under high pressure, for example, below 700 bar, in a tank-like fuel storage unit 12. This can be filled via a filling connection 14. Also arranged on the fuel storage unit 12 is an integrated unit 16 comprising a tank valve for filling and discharging hydrogen into and from the fuel storage unit 12 and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the hydrogen coming from the fuel storage unit 12.

The hydrogen first flows via a pressure line 18 to a filter 20 and from there to a high-pressure pressure regulator 22. This reduces the pressure of the gaseous hydrogen to, for example, a pressure in the range of 40 bar. The pressure line 18 leads from the high-pressure pressure regulator 22 to a pressure sensor 24, another filter 26, and an optional temperature control device 28, finally to a low-pressure pressure regulator unit 30 (short: "pressure regulator unit").

The low-pressure pressure control unit 30 comprises, in this example, two hydraulically parallel pressure control valves 32, a low-pressure pressure sensor 34, and a safety valve in the form of a shut-off valve device 36. The two pressure control valves 32 are identically constructed and, in this case, are proportional control valves. The low-pressure pressure control unit 30 further reduces the pressure in the pressure line 18 from the inlet-side pressure of approximately 40 bar, in this example, to a pressure of, for example, approximately 15 bar.

Downstream of the low-pressure pressure control unit 30, the pressure line 18 leads to a fuel distribution device 38, which can be configured, for example, as an elongated tube similar to a typical fuel rail, as is known from gasoline and diesel fuel systems. The gas pressure prevailing in the fuel distribution device 38 is detected by a pressure sensor 40.

Connected to the fuel distribution device 38 are several injectors 42, which inject the gaseous hydrogen directly into combustion chambers 44 of the internal combustion engine, as an example here. The gaseous hydrogen is mixed with atmospheric oxygen in the combustion chambers 44, and this mixture is ignited by a respective ignition device 46. Typically, the internal combustion engine is a 2-stroke or 4-stroke piston internal combustion engine of a largely conventional design. For example, such an internal combustion engine is used to power a motor vehicle. However, it can also be used stationary, for example, to drive a generator for power generation.

The fuel supply system 10 and its components are controlled by an electronic control and regulating device 48, which has one or more corresponding microprocessors, a memory for program code, etc. The control and regulating device 48 receives signals from, among others, the temperature sensor (installed in the integrated unit 16), the pressure sensor 24, the pressure sensor 34, the pressure sensor 40, etc. The control and regulating device 48 controls various components of the fuel supply system 10, including the low-pressure pressure regulating device 30, the safety valve 36, and the ignition devices 46. Furthermore, a control device 50 is also controlled by the control and regulating device 48, which in turn specifically controls or regulates the operation of the fuel storage device 12.

In 2 The low-pressure pressure control unit 30 is shown in greater detail. It comprises a block-like housing 52 with an inlet-side connection piece 54 and an outlet-side connection piece 56. In the illustrated installation position, the two pressure control valves 32 are arranged with their longitudinal direction essentially vertically. Hydraulically, the two pressure control valves 32 are connected in parallel, as already mentioned above. The outlet-side connection 56 leads to the fuel distribution device 38. It can be seen that in the exemplary embodiment shown here, the low-pressure pressure control unit 30 forms an integrated unit that comprises the two pressure control valves 32, the shut-off valve device 36, and the pressure sensor 34. This integrated unit is also referred to as a HIPR (Hydrogen Injection Pressure Regulator).

The housing 52 is made of a steel material, in this case, for example, stainless steel. As will be shown below, the two pressure control valves 32 are connected to the housing 52 of the pressure control unit 30 in a fluid-tight manner by welding. Likewise, the connecting pieces 54 and 56 and the housing of the shut-off valve device 36 can be welded to the housing 52 in a fluid-tight manner. The pressure sensor 34 can also be welded to the housing 52 in a fluid-tight manner. The welds can be produced by capacitor discharge welding (KEEP process) or by laser welding.

The 3 The alternative embodiment of a pressure control unit 30 shown is basically identical to that of the 2 , however, it comprises only a single pressure control valve 32. The following are described with reference to the 4 and 5 further details of the pressure control unit 30 of the embodiment of the 3 explained, whereby these details also apply to the 2 shown embodiment applies.

One can see in 4 from left to right, schematically first the inlet-side connection piece 54, then the shut-off valve device 36, then the housing 52, into which the pressure sensor 34 and next to it the pressure control valve 32 are inserted in regions from above, and finally the outlet-side connection piece 56. In the housing 52, a fluid channel 58 is drawn schematically and only in regions, which extends from the inlet-side connection piece 54 via the shut-off valve device 36, the pressure sensor 34 and the pressure control valve 32 to the outlet-side connection piece 56.

For the partial accommodation of pressure sensor 34 and pressure control valve 32 in the housing 52, the latter comprises receiving openings 60 and 62, whose longitudinal axes 64 and 66, in the present example, run orthogonally to a longitudinal axis 68 of the fluid channel 58. The shut-off valve device 36, the pressure sensor 34 and the pressure control valve 32 have respective housings 70, 72 and 74, which in 4 however, are only drawn schematically. At least the housing 74 of the pressure control valve 32 is preferably also made of a steel material or stainless steel.

At the 4 In the embodiment of a pressure control unit 30 shown, only the pressure control valve 32 with its housing 74 is welded to the housing 52 of the pressure control unit 30. The connecting pieces 54 and 56, however, are connected to the housing 52 by screw connections (not shown). The seal between the inlet-side connecting piece 54 and the housing 70 of the shut-off valve device 36 (the housing 70 of the shut-off valve device 36 forms, in this case, for example, a section of the housing 52 of the pressure control unit 30) is achieved by an annular sealing element 78, which in this case can be, for example, a flat sealing ring. Analogously, the seal between the outlet-side connecting piece 56 and the housing 52 is achieved by an annular sealing element 80, which in this case can also be, for example, a flat sealing ring. EPDM or FKM (EPDM = ethylene propylene diene (monomer) rubber, FKM = fluororubber) can be used as a material for the flat sealing ring.

The connection of the housing 70 with the remaining area of the housing 52 takes place in the 4 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the fluid seal between the housing 70 and the remaining area of the The sealing of the housing 52 in the region of the fluid channel 58 is effected by a sealing element 82, in this case, for example, in the form of an O-ring. EPDM or FKM, for example, can be used as a material for the O-ring. The pressure sensor 34 can, in this case, for example, form a metallic seal with the housing 52. For example, the housing 72 of the pressure sensor 34 can have a biting edge (not shown) that interacts with the housing 52. However, it is also possible for a sealing element to be used to seal between the pressure sensor 34 and the housing 52.

The 5 The schematically shown embodiment of a pressure control unit 30 differs from that of the 4 Among other things, this is achieved by not only the pressure control valve 32, but also the two connecting pieces 54 and 56 being welded fluid-tight to the housing 52. Preferably, the two connecting pieces 54 and 56 are also made of a steel material, in particular a stainless steel, preferably the same material as the housing 52.

In addition, the design of the 5 the shut-off valve device 36 is also inserted from above into a receiving opening 84 of the housing 52 and is welded to the housing 70 in a fluid-tight manner, also on the housing 52. 5 In the embodiment shown, separate sealing elements, for example in the form of O-rings or flat sealing rings, can therefore be completely dispensed with.

It is understood that in an embodiment not shown, the pressure control unit 30 may also comprise only the housing, pressure control valve 32, and connecting pieces 54, 56. The connecting pieces 54, 56 could also be manufactured integrally with the housing 52 of the pressure control unit 30.

In the 6 is again shown in detail the connection of a valve (namely the pressure control valve 32 from 4 or 5 or the shut-off valve device 36 5 ) with the housing 52.

Accordingly, it is provided that the valve 32, 36 has a valve body 101 which fixes a valve seat 102 and in which a valve element 103 is movably received. The valve body 101 is arranged in a bore 104 of the housing 52 which is fluidically connected to the fluid channel 58 and which is located in the 6 vertically, starting from the outer surface 52E of the housing 52, into the housing 52. Between the bore 104 and the valve body 101, a first sealing point 111 is provided, which is designed as a weld seam 120. It is located in the 6 above the fluid channel 58 at the outlet 104A of the bore 104 and seals the fluid channel 58 against the exterior 100 of the pressure control unit 30.

Between the bore 104 and the valve body 101, a second sealing point 112 is formed, which comprises an O-ring 121. This sealing point 112 is located in a 6 vertically extending part of the fluid channel 58 and ensures that there is no shunt to the valve 32, 36 within the fluid channel 58.

The valve 32, 36 has a valve body 101, in which in the 6 lower part, a valve seat body 102K is accommodated. The valve seat body 102K has an axially centric passage 106 and a valve seat 102 is formed on it

In the valve body 101, a valve element 103 is further accommodated and displaceable between a 6 lower position in which the valve element 103 rests against the valve seat 102 of the valve seat body 102K and thus closes the through-channel 106, and one in the 6 upper position in which the valve 32, 36 is open.

The valve body 101 is tapered by an annular shoulder 101R pointing away from the housing 52, wherein the annular shoulder 101R is coplanar with the outer surface 52E of the housing 52 in the region of the outlet 104A of the bore 104.

An electromagnet 105, which cooperates with the valve 32, 36 and which, viewed in the longitudinal direction, is mounted only at the level of the tapered part of the valve body 101, is in the 6 only shown schematically.

• - Das Ventil 32, 36 und das Gehäuse 52 werden zunächst separat voneinander bereitgestellt, wobei auf dem Ventilkörper 101 ein O-Ring 112 bereits montiert ist, sodann
• - wird der Ventilkörper 101 gemäß eines radialen Übermaßes, das er im Vergleich zu der Bohrung 104 aufweist, zunächst unvollständig in die Bohrung 104 eingeführt, sodann

• - wird eine Elektrode auf dem Ringabsatz 101R aufgesetzt, sodann
• - wird über die Elektrode und über den Ventilkörper 101 ein elektrischer Strom in das Gehäuse 52 eingeleitet, sodass der Ventilkörper 101 und/oder das Gehäuse 52 im Bereich der ersten Dichtstelle 111 aufschmelzen, und zugleich
• - wird über die Elektrode eine Kraft in den Ventilkörper 101 eingeleitet, die in Richtung des Gehäuses 52 wirkt, sodass der Ventilkörper 101 weiter in die Bohrung 104 eingeführt wird, wobei
• - sich der O-Ring 121 während des weiteren Einführens des Ventilkörpers 101 in die Bohrung 104 entlang des Fluidkanals 58 mitverschiebt.

A valve 32, 36, which as in the 6 shown, can be mounted in a housing 52 as follows:

• - The valve 32, 36 and the housing 52 are initially provided separately from each other, with an O-ring 112 already mounted on the valve body 101, then
• - the valve body 101 is initially incompletely inserted into the bore 104 according to a radial oversize that it has compared to the bore 104, then

• - an electrode is placed on the ring shoulder 101R, then
• - an electric current is introduced into the housing 52 via the electrode and the valve body 101, so that the valve body 101 and/or the housing 52 melt in the area of the first sealing point 111, and at the same time
• - a force is introduced into the valve body 101 via the electrode, which acts in the direction of the housing 52, so that the valve body 101 is inserted further into the bore 104, whereby
• - the O-ring 121 moves along the fluid channel 58 during further insertion of the valve body 101 into the bore 104.

Finally, the electromagnet 105 can be mounted, for example pressed, on the tapered part of the valve body 101 - i.e. spatially outside the housing 52 and the bore 104.

The insertion of the valve body 101 into the bore 104 can be achieved with a travel limit. The travel limit can be achieved by an actuator advancing the electrode stopping the advancement of its own accord or according to its electronic control.

Alternatively, the insertion path of the valve body 101 into the bore 104 can be limited by a mechanical stop. This can be a stop formed in the bore 104 or temporarily introduced, against which the valve body 101 strikes, or a stop formed on the pressure control unit 30, against which the electrode strikes or against which the actuator advancing the electrode strikes. On the other hand, it can also be a stop separate from the pressure control unit 30, against which the electrode strikes or against which the actuator advancing the electrode strikes.

Advantageously, the stop not only stops the mechanical advance of the valve body 101 into the bore 104, but also creates an electrical shunt past the first sealing point 111, so that a current flow through the sealing point 111 and the associated heat generation - and thus the welding process - comes to a standstill.

In the example, the bore 104 has a first diameter dk in the region of the first sealing point 111, which is, for example, 24 mm, and a second diameter ds in the region of the second sealing point 112, which is, for example, 21 mm. The valve housing 101 has a housing diameter db in the region of the second sealing point 112, which is, for example, 18 mm. The second sealing point 112 is arranged within the bore at a distance Is in the bore direction from the outlet of the bore 104, which is 20 mm.

• - Das Ventil 32, 36 und das Gehäuse 52 werden zunächst separat voneinander bereitgestellt, wobei auf dem Ventilkörper 101 ein O-Ring 112 bereits montiert ist, sodann
• - wird der Ventilkörper 101 gemäß eines radialen Übermaßes, das er im Vergleich zu der Bohrung 104 aufweist, zunächst unvollständig in die Bohrung 104 eingeführt, sodann
• - wird eine plane Elektrode so auf dem Ringabsatz 101 R aufgesetzt, dass sie über den Ringabsatz 101R radial übersteht, sodann
• - wird über die Elektrode und über den Ventilkörper 101 ein elektrischer Strom in das Gehäuse 52 eingeleitet, sodass der Ventilkörper 101 und/oder das Gehäuse 52 im Bereich der ersten Dichtstelle 111 aufschmelzen, und zugleich
• - wird über die Elektrode eine Kraft in den Ventilkörper 101 eingeleitet, die in Richtung des Gehäuses 52 wirkt, sodass der Ventilkörper 101 weiter in die Bohrung 104 eingeführt wird, solange bis die Elektrode an der Außenfläche 52E des Gehäuses 52 anschlägt, wobei
• - sich der O-Ring 121 während des weiteren Einführens des Ventilkörpers 101 in die Bohrung 104 entlang des Fluidkanals 58 mitverschiebt.

A valve 32, 36, which as in the 6 shown, can be mounted in a housing 52 as follows, according to an example:

• - The valve 32, 36 and the housing 52 are initially provided separately from each other, with an O-ring 112 already mounted on the valve body 101, then
• - the valve body 101 is initially incompletely inserted into the bore 104 according to a radial oversize that it has compared to the bore 104, then
• - a flat electrode is placed on the ring shoulder 101R in such a way that it projects radially beyond the ring shoulder 101R, then
• - an electric current is introduced into the housing 52 via the electrode and the valve body 101, so that the valve body 101 and/or the housing 52 melt in the area of the first sealing point 111, and at the same time
• - a force is introduced into the valve body 101 via the electrode, which force acts in the direction of the housing 52, so that the valve body 101 is inserted further into the bore 104 until the electrode strikes the outer surface 52E of the housing 52, whereby
• - the O-ring 121 moves along the fluid channel 58 during further insertion of the valve body 101 into the bore 104.

Finally, the electromagnet 105 can be mounted, for example pressed, on the tapered part of the valve body 101 - i.e. spatially outside the housing 52 and the bore 104.

QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10 2022 212 773 A1 [0002]

Claims (15)

Pressure control unit (30) for a hydrogen supply system (10) for pressure control and supply of gaseous hydrogen from a high-pressure tank (12) to a consumer (42), comprising a housing (52), an inlet nozzle (54) and an outlet nozzle (56), a fluid channel (58) extending from the inlet nozzle (54) to the outlet nozzle (56) through the housing (52), and at least one valve (32, 36) by means of which a flow of hydrogen through the fluid channel (58) can be throttled or blocked, wherein the valve (32, 36) has a valve body (101) which fixes a valve seat (102) and in which a valve element (103) is movably received, wherein the valve body (101) is arranged in a bore (104) of the housing (52) which is fluidically connected to the fluid channel (58), and wherein between the bore (104) and the valve body (101) a first sealing point (111) is provided, which is designed as a weld seam (120), and a second sealing point (112) is designed, which comprises an O-ring (121). Pressure control unit (30) according to Claim 1 , wherein the valve (32, 36) is a shut-off valve or a proportional valve. Pressure control unit (30) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the first sealing point (111) is provided in the region of the outlet (104A) of the bore (104). Pressure control unit (30) according to Claim 1 , 2 or 3 , characterized in that the second sealing point (112) is provided in the fluid channel (58). Pressure control unit (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bore (104) has a chamfer (104F) in its outlet region (104A). Pressure control unit (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weld seam (120) results from capacitor discharge press-in welding. Pressure control unit (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (52) and the valve body (101) are made of steel. Pressure control unit (30) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bore (104) has a first diameter (dk) in the region of the first sealing point (111) and wherein the bore (104) has a second diameter (ds) in the region of the second sealing point (112) and wherein the ratio of the first diameter (dk) to the second diameter (ds) is not less than 1.05 and not greater than 1.4. Pressure control unit (30) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second sealing point (112) is arranged within the bore (104) at a distance (Is) in the bore direction from the outlet of the bore (104) and wherein the bore (104) has a first diameter (dk) in the region of the first sealing point (111) and wherein the ratio of the first diameter (dk) to the distance (Is) in the bore direction from the outlet of the bore (104) is not less than 0.7 and not greater than 1.4. Pressure control unit (30) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bore (104) has a second diameter (ds) in the region of the second sealing point (112) and wherein the valve housing (101) has a housing diameter (db) in the region of the second sealing point (112) and wherein the housing diameter (db) is smaller than the second diameter (ds). Pressure control unit (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body (101) tapers via an annular shoulder (101R) pointing away from the housing 52, wherein the annular shoulder (101R) is coplanar with the outer surface (52E) of the housing (52) in the region of the outlet of the bore (104A). Pressure control unit (30) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the valve (32, 36) cooperates with an electromagnet (105) which, viewed in the longitudinal direction, is mounted only at the level of the tapered part of the valve body (101). Method for producing a pressure control unit (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for joining the valve (32, 36) in the bore (104), - the valve (32, 36) and the housing (52) are initially provided separately from one another, wherein an O-ring (121) is already mounted on the valve body (101), then - the valve body (101) is initially incompletely inserted into the bore (104) according to a radial oversize that it has compared to the bore (104), then - an electrode is placed on the valve body (101), then - an electric current is introduced into the housing (52) via the electrode and via the valve body (101), so that the valve body (101) and/or the housing (52) melt in the region of the first sealing point (111), and at the same time - a force is introduced into the valve body (101) via the electrode, which force acts in the direction of the housing (52), so that the valve body (101) is inserted further into the bore (104) until the electrode or the valve body (101) or an actuator pushing the electrode strikes a stop, wherein - the O-ring (121) is displaced along the fluid channel (58) during the further insertion of the valve body (101) into the bore (104). Method for producing a pressure control unit (30) according to one of the two Claims 11 and 12 , characterized in that for joining the valve (32, 36) in the bore (104), - the valve (32, 36) and the housing (52) are initially provided separately from one another, an O-ring (121) being already mounted on the valve body (104), then - the valve body (101) is initially incompletely inserted into the bore (104) according to a radial oversize that it has in comparison to the bore (104), then - a flat electrode is placed on the annular shoulder (101R) in such a way that it projects radially beyond the annular shoulder (101R), then - an electric current is introduced into the housing (52) via the electrode and via the valve body (101), so that the valve body (101) and/or the housing (52) melt in the region of the first sealing point (111), and at the same time - a force is applied to the valve body via the electrode (101) is introduced, which acts in the direction of the housing (52), so that the valve body (101) is inserted further into the bore (104) until the electrode strikes the outer surface (52E) of the housing (52), wherein - the O-ring (121) is displaced along the fluid channel (58) during the further insertion of the valve body (101) into the bore (104). Hydrogen supply system (10) with a pressure control unit (30) according to one of the Claims 1 until 12 , wherein a high-pressure tank (12) is provided upstream of the pressure control unit (30) and a consumer, for example a fuel distribution device (38) with one or more injectors (42), is provided downstream of the pressure control unit (30).

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