US 12,188,620 B2
Control unit and method for operating a pressure vessel valve of a pressure vessel
Klaus Szoucsek, Zirndorf (DE)
Assigned to Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Munich (DE)
Appl. No. 17/924,744
Filed by Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Munich (DE)
PCT Filed Apr. 20, 2021, PCT No. PCT/EP2021/060171
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Nov. 11, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/228508, PCT Pub. Date Nov. 18, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2020 112 830.4 (DE), filed on May 12, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0184388 A1, Jun. 15, 2023
Int. Cl. F17C 13/04 (2006.01); H01M 8/04082 (2016.01); H01M 8/04225 (2016.01)
CPC F17C 13/04 (2013.01) [H01M 8/04201 (2013.01); H01M 8/04225 (2016.02); F17C 2205/0323 (2013.01); F17C 2221/012 (2013.01); F17C 2250/03 (2013.01); F17C 2250/043 (2013.01); F17C 2270/0184 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A control unit for a pressure-vessel system which includes at least one pressure vessel with a pressure-vessel valve designed to supply fuel from the pressure vessel into a withdrawal line that supplies an energy converter, comprising:
the control unit, wherein the control unit is operatively configured to:
determine that a power-reduced mode of operation of the energy converter is present, wherein a mass flow of fuel supplying the energy converter in the power-reduced mode of operation is less than or equal to a predefined mass-flow threshold value;
induce the pressure-vessel valve to be opened intermittently during implementation of the power-reduced mode of operation, in order in each instance to direct a surge of fuel out of the pressure vessel into the withdrawal line, such that:
(i) a pressure in the withdrawal line does not exceed a predefined upper limiting pressure value; wherein the upper limiting pressure value is less than an internal pressure in the pressure vessel; and/or
(ii) the pressure in the withdrawal line is always lower than the internal pressure in the pressure vessel by at least a predefined offset value;
ascertain, after conclusion of the power-reduced mode of operation, line sensor data with respect to a development over time of the pressure in the withdrawal line, wherein the pressure-vessel valve is closed after conclusion of the power-reduced mode of operation;
detect, on the basis of the line sensor data, a rise in the pressure in the withdrawal line over time; and
based thereon, determine that the pressure-vessel valve is leaking.