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CN-117501040-B - Method and control device for determining the state of a fluid reservoir

CN117501040BCN 117501040 BCN117501040 BCN 117501040BCN-117501040-B

Abstract

A method and control device (228) for determining the status of a primary fluid reservoir (127) or one or more secondary fluid reservoirs (129), each of the fluid reservoirs (127, 129) being arranged to contain a fluid or mixture of fluids available in liquefied and evaporated form and being connected to a second pressurized fluid conduit device (226). The control device (228) determines a pressure drop (Δp) associated with the fluid flow through the second pressurized fluid conduit device (226). When the pressure drop (Δp) exceeds a threshold value, the control device (228) blocks fluid flow from one (127, 129) of the fluid reservoirs (127, 129) to the second pressurized fluid conduit device (226). Based on the subsequently determined pressure drop (Δp), the control device (228) determines whether the one (127, 129) of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) is free of liquefied fluid.

Inventors

  • M. Glaldestor Handsk
  • J. Carrelius pine
  • J. LIND

Assignees

  • 斯堪尼亚商用车有限公司

Dates

Publication Date
20260508
Application Date
20220602
Priority Date
20210615

Claims (15)

  1. 1. A method for determining the status of a primary fluid reservoir (127) or one or more secondary fluid reservoirs (129), each of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) being arranged to contain a fluid or mixture of fluids available in liquefied and evaporated form, wherein The primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) are part of a pressurized portion (204) of a fluid system (202), wherein Each of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) has a first intake line (206, 208) with an inlet (210, 212) located inside the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129), the first intake line (206, 208) being part of the pressurized portion (204), wherein The inlet (210, 212) of the first inlet line (206, 208) is arranged to receive mainly liquid of the fluid, wherein The primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) are in vapor communication with each other via a first pressurized fluid conduit means (214) such that vapor of the fluid can travel from one of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) to the other of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129), the first pressurized fluid conduit means (214) being part of a pressurized portion (204) of the fluid system (202), wherein The first inlet line (206, 208) is arranged to be fluidly connected to a second pressurized fluid conduit means (226) and arranged to provide a fluid flow from the primary and secondary fluid storage tanks (127, 129) to the second pressurized fluid conduit means (226), the second pressurized fluid conduit means (226) being part of a pressurized portion (204) of the fluid system (202), wherein The fluid system (202) comprises one or more sensors (230) for determining one or more pressures of the fluid in the pressurized portion (204), wherein the method comprises: Determining (301) one or more pressure drops (Δρ) associated with the fluid flow through the second pressurized fluid conduit means by using the sensor; Blocking (303) the fluid flow from one of the primary fluid reservoir and the secondary fluid reservoir to the second pressurized fluid conduit means while continuing the fluid flow from the other of the primary fluid reservoir and the secondary fluid reservoir to the second pressurized fluid conduit means when the pressure drop (Δp) exceeds a threshold value, and Determining (304) a pressure drop (Δρ) associated with the fluid flow through the second pressurized fluid conduit device by using the sensor when the fluid flow from the one of the primary fluid reservoir and the secondary fluid reservoir to the second pressurized fluid conduit device is blocked while the fluid flow from the other of the primary fluid reservoir and the secondary fluid reservoir to the second pressurized fluid conduit device continues, wherein the method further comprises: Determining (305) that said one of said primary and secondary fluid tanks is free of liquefied fluid, if said pressure drop (Δρ) returns to a value below said threshold value, when said fluid flow from said one of said primary and secondary fluid tanks to said second pressurized fluid conduit means is blocked, or said method further comprises: When the fluid flow from the one of the primary and secondary fluid tanks to the second pressurized fluid conduit means is blocked, if the pressure drop (Δp) remains above the threshold value, blocking (306) the fluid flow from the other of the primary and secondary fluid tanks to the second pressurized fluid conduit means while allowing the fluid flow from the one of the primary and secondary fluid tanks having a previously blocked fluid flow to the second pressurized fluid conduit means; Determining (307) a pressure drop (Δp) associated with the fluid flow through the second pressurized fluid conduit device by using the sensor when the fluid flow from the other of the primary fluid reservoir and the secondary fluid reservoir to the second pressurized fluid conduit device is blocked while the fluid flow from the one of the primary fluid reservoir and the secondary fluid reservoir having a previously blocked fluid flow to the second pressurized fluid conduit device is allowed; Determining (308) that the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs are free of liquefied fluid if the pressure drop (Δρ) remains above the threshold value when the fluid flow from the other of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs to the second pressurized fluid conduit device is blocked; when the fluid flow from the other of the primary and secondary fluid tanks to the second pressurized fluid conduit means is blocked, determining (309) that the other of the primary and secondary fluid tanks is not liquefying fluid if the pressure drop (Δp) returns to a value below the threshold value.
  2. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the primary and secondary fluid tanks (127, 129) comprises a level sensor (248, 250) arranged to determine the height of the fluid flow within the primary and secondary fluid tanks (127, 129), wherein when the pressure drop (Δp) exceeds the threshold value, a first step of blocking (303) the fluid flow from one of the primary and secondary fluid tanks (127, 129) to the second pressurized fluid conduit means (226) comprises blocking (303) the fluid flow from the one of the primary and secondary fluid tanks (127, 129) to the second pressurized fluid conduit means (226), while the fluid flow from the other of the primary and secondary fluid tanks (127, 129) continues, the height of the fluid flow within the one of the primary and secondary fluid tanks (127, 129) being determined by the level of the fluid in the primary and secondary fluid tanks (127, 129) relative to the height of the fluid flow within the other of the primary and secondary fluid tanks (127, 129).
  3. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the method comprises comparing (302) the determined pressure drop (Δp) with the threshold value.
  4. 4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (230) comprises a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the fluid in the pressurized portion (204), and wherein the step of determining (301, 304, 307) the pressure drop (Δρ) associated with the fluid flow through the second pressurized fluid conduit arrangement (226) comprises measuring the pressure drop (Δρ) by using the pressure sensor.
  5. 5. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid comprises a fuel.
  6. 6. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid comprises liquefied natural gas, LNG.
  7. 7. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
  8. 8. A computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 6.
  9. 9. A control device (228) for determining a status of a primary fluid reservoir (127) or one or more secondary fluid reservoirs (129), each of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) being arranged to contain a fluid or mixture of fluids available in liquefied and evaporated forms, wherein The primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) are part of a pressurized portion (204) of a fluid system (202), wherein Each of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) has a first intake line (206, 208) with an inlet (210, 212) located inside the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129), the first intake line (206, 208) being part of the pressurized portion (204), wherein The inlet (210, 212) of the first inlet line (206, 208) is arranged to receive mainly liquid of the fluid, wherein The primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) are arranged in vapor communication with a ventilation connector (224) via a first pressurized fluid conduit means (214), such that vapor of the fluid can travel from one of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) to the other of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129), the first pressurized fluid conduit means (214) being part of a pressurized portion (204) of the fluid system (202), wherein The first inlet line (206, 208) is arranged to be fluidly connected to a second pressurized fluid conduit means (226) and arranged to provide a fluid flow from the primary and secondary fluid storage tanks (127, 129) to the second pressurized fluid conduit means (226), the second pressurized fluid conduit means (226) being part of a pressurized portion (204) of the fluid system (202), wherein The fluid system (202) comprises one or more sensors (230) for determining one or more pressures of the fluid in the pressurized portion (204), wherein the control device (228) is configured to: determining one or more pressure drops (deltap) associated with said fluid flow through said second pressurized fluid conduit means (226) by using said sensor (230), Blocking the fluid flow from one (127, 129) of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) to the second pressurized fluid conduit means (226) while continuing the fluid flow from the other (127, 129) of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) to the second pressurized fluid conduit means (226) when the pressure drop (Δp) exceeds a threshold value, When the fluid flow from said one (127, 129) of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) to the second pressurized fluid conduit means (226) is blocked, if the pressure drop (Δp) returns to a value below the threshold value, it is determined that said one (127, 129) of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) is free of liquefied fluid, When the fluid flow from said one of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) to the second pressurized fluid conduit means (226) is blocked, blocking the fluid flow from the other of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) to the second pressurized fluid conduit means (226) while allowing the fluid flow from said one of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) to the second pressurized fluid conduit means (226) with a previously blocked fluid flow if the pressure drop (Δp) remains above the threshold value, Determining that the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) are free of liquefied fluid when the fluid flow from the other (127, 129) of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) to the second pressurized fluid conduit means (226) is blocked, if the pressure drop (Δp) remains above the threshold value, and When the fluid flow from the other (127, 129) of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) to the second pressurized fluid conduit means (226) is blocked, it is determined that the other (127, 129) of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) is free of liquefied fluid if the pressure drop (Δρ) returns to a value below the threshold value.
  10. 10. A fluid system (202) comprising a pressurizing portion (204), the pressurizing portion (204) comprising A primary fluid reservoir (127) arranged to contain a fluid or mixture of fluids available in liquefied and vaporized forms, One or more secondary fluid reservoirs (129) arranged to contain a fluid or mixture of fluids available in liquefied and evaporated form, wherein each of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) has a first intake line (206, 208) with an inlet (210, 212) located inside the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129), the first intake line (206, 208) being part of the pressurized portion (204), wherein the inlet (210, 212) of the first intake line (206, 208) is arranged to receive mainly liquid of the fluid, A first pressurized fluid conduit means (214) arranged to fluidly connect the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) through a vent connector (224) of the first pressurized fluid conduit means (214), thereby providing vapor communication between the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) such that vapor of the fluid can travel from one of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129) to the other of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127, 129), and A second pressurized fluid conduit arrangement (226) arranged to be fluidly connected to the first intake line (206, 208), wherein the first intake line (206, 208) is arranged to provide a fluid flow from the primary and secondary fluid storage tanks (127, 129) to the second pressurized fluid conduit arrangement (226), wherein The fluid system (202) comprises one or more sensors (230) for determining one or more pressures of the fluid in the pressurized portion (204), and wherein the fluid system (202) comprises a control device (228) according to claim 9.
  11. 11. The fluid system (202) according to claim 10, wherein each of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs (127) has a vent outlet (216, 218) arranged to be fluidly connected to the first pressurized fluid conduit means (214), wherein when the primary fluid reservoir (127) is installed, an inlet (210) of a first inlet line (206) of the primary fluid reservoir (127) is located at a level below the vent outlet (216) of the primary fluid reservoir (127), and wherein when the secondary fluid reservoir (129) is installed, an inlet (212) of the first inlet line (208) of each secondary fluid reservoir (129) is located at a level below the vent outlet (218) of the secondary fluid reservoir (129).
  12. 12. The fluid system (202) according to claim 11, wherein the first pressurized fluid conduit means (214) comprises a primary valve means (220) and a secondary valve means (222), each of the primary and secondary valve means (220, 222) being arranged to be manually operated, and wherein the vent outlet (216) of the primary fluid reservoir (127) is fluidly connectable to the vent outlet (218) of the secondary fluid reservoir (129) via the primary and secondary valve means (220, 222).
  13. 13. The fluid system (202) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein each of the primary and secondary fluid tanks (127, 129) has a second inlet line (240, 242) with an inlet (244, 246) located within the primary and secondary fluid tanks (127, 129), the second inlet line (240, 242) being part of the pressurized portion (204), wherein the inlet (244, 246) of the second inlet line (240, 242) is arranged to receive vapor of the fluid, wherein the second inlet line (240, 242) is arranged to provide an evaporated fluid flow from the primary and secondary fluid tanks (127, 129) to the second pressurized fluid conduit means (226), wherein when the primary fluid tank (127) is installed, the inlet (210) of the first inlet line (206) of the primary fluid tank (127) is located below the inlet (244) of the primary fluid tank (127) and wherein when the secondary fluid tank (129) is installed, the inlet (212) of the first intake line (208) of the secondary fluid reservoir (129) is located at a level below the inlet (246) of the second intake line (242) of the secondary fluid reservoir (129).
  14. 14. The fluid system (202) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein each of the primary and secondary fluid tanks (127, 129) is arranged to contain a fluid in the form of liquefied natural gas, LNG.
  15. 15. A vehicle (100) comprising a fluid system (202) according to any one of claims 10 to 14.

Description

Method and control device for determining the state of a fluid reservoir Technical Field The present disclosure relates to the technical field of determining the state of a fuel tank containing a fluid or a mixture of fluids available in liquefied and evaporated form. Background Today, vehicles run on methane are produced. In general, fuel supply systems for methane are available in two different alternatives. According to a first alternative, methane is provided as compressed natural gas CNG. According to a second alternative, methane is provided as liquefied natural gas LNG. LNG has a higher density than CNG and thus provides a longer vehicle drive range. Generally, in a vehicle, such as a truck or tractor, LNG is stored in one or more cryogenic containers or tanks. Typically, two tanks are provided for LNG, one on each lateral side of the vehicle. Each of the two tanks holds or contains LNG in liquid and vapor phases and typically maintains a pressure of 10 to 16 bar, but the pressure may also be below 10 bar or above 16 bar. In addition to methane, LNG may also include some small amount of another gas or gases. Methane may be replaced by some other gas. LNG in the vapor phase may alternatively be referred to as a ram. Typically, the ram is used to push LNG out of the tank and supply it to the vehicle's engine. When filling the tank with LNG, a filling hose is connected to the inlet of the tank to supply LNG in the liquid phase. In order to be able to push the fuel into the tank, it may be necessary to reduce the pressure before filling. To enable venting of the tank, a manually operated valve means of the tank may be opened manually by a user or driver to reduce or balance the pressure of the tank. The vent hose may be connected to a vent connector of the tank, which in turn is connected to a manually operated valve device to direct LNG in the vapor phase away from the tank and back to the filling station. When two or more reservoirs are provided in the vehicle, the reservoirs may be fluidly connected to the same vent connector via manually operated valve means via which they are opened. Disclosure of Invention When filling two or more tanks, for example present in a vehicle, with liquid phase LNG, a manually operated valve device will be opened manually by an operator or driver in order to vent the tanks and to maintain the pressure of the tanks at a level allowing filling. Typically, the manually operated valve means is connected to one and the same ventilation connector to which the ventilation hose is connected. Thus, when the manually operated valve means is opened, the tanks are in vapor communication with each other. The manually operated valve means should be closed after the filling procedure. The inventors of the present invention have found that a manually operated valve device sometimes remains open after a filling procedure and thus remains open when the vehicle is driven. The inventors of the present invention have found that vapor communication between the tanks makes it difficult to determine the state of the tanks. It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution that alleviates or solves the drawbacks and problems of conventional solutions. The above and further objects are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for determining the status of a primary fluid reservoir or one or more secondary fluid reservoirs is provided. Each of the primary fluid reservoir and the secondary fluid reservoir being arranged to contain a fluid or mixture of fluids available in liquefied and evaporated form, wherein The primary and secondary fluid reservoirs are part of a pressurized portion of a fluid system, wherein Each of the primary and secondary fluid reservoirs has a first inlet line with an inlet located inside the fluid reservoir, the first inlet line being part of the pressurized portion, wherein The inlet of the first inlet line being arranged to receive mainly the liquid of the fluid, wherein The primary and secondary fluid storage tanks are in vapor communication with each other via a first pressurized fluid conduit means that is part of a pressurized portion of the fluid system such that vapor of the fluid can travel from one of the primary and secondary fluid storage tanks to the other of the primary and secondary fluid storage tanks, wherein The first inlet line is arranged to be fluidly connected to a second pressurized fluid conduit means and arranged to provide a fluid flow from the primary and secondary fluid storage tanks to the second pressurized fluid conduit means, the second pressurized fluid conduit means being part of a pressurized portion of the fluid system, and wherein The fluid system includes one or more sensors for determining one or more pressures of the fluid in the pressurized section. The met