Vehicle Tank System for Storing a Fuel in an Extremely Cold State
AssigneeBayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
InventorsOliver KIRCHER, Klaas KUNZE, Bastian LANDECK
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle tank system for storing a fuel in an extremely cold state is provided. The vehicle tank system includes an inner tank that accommodates the fuel and an outer skin that surrounds the inner tank to form an insulation layer approximately constituting a vacuum. The vehicle tank system also includes a vacuum pump that is permanently provided in the vehicle and is connected to the insulation layer. The vacuum pump is configured to increase the quality of the vacuum if the quality of the vacuum does not meet predetermined requirements.
Claims16
A vehicle tank system for storing a fuel in an extremely cold state, the vehicle tank system comprising:
- an inner tank that accommodates the fuel;
- an outer skin that surrounds the inner tank while forming an insulation layer approximately representing a vacuum;
- and
- a vacuum pump that is permanently provided in a vehicle in which the vehicle tank system is arranged, wherein:
- the vacuum pump is connected to the insulation layer, and
- the vacuum pump is configured to enhance quality of the vacuum when the quality of the vacuum does not meet specified demands.
An operating method for a vehicle tank system for storing a fuel in an extremely cold state, wherein the vehicle tank system includes an inner tank that accommodates the fuel;
- an outer skin that surrounds the inner tank while forming an insulation layer approximately representing a vacuum;
- and a vacuum pump that is permanently provided in a vehicle in which the vehicle tank system is arranged, wherein the vacuum pump is connected to the insulation layer, and the vacuum pump is configured to enhance quality of the vacuum when the quality of the vacuum does not meet specified demands, the operating method comprising:
- determining that the quality of the vacuum does not meet the specified demands;
- and
- starting operation of the vacuum pump based on the determination,
- wherein the determination occurs when an amount of absolute pressure in the vacuum insulation layer or a replacement quantity positively correlating with the absolute pressure exceeds a limit value, or when a replacement quantity negatively correlating with the absolute pressure falls below the limit value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.