Arrangement for driving a vehicle coupled to a trailer

Abstract

An arrangement for driving a vehicle coupled to a trailer has a vehicle with a traction engine for driving the vehicle and a trailer which is connected to the vehicle and has a tank in which a gas-bound energy source is stored. The vehicle has a galvanic cell as an energy generation unit, using which, by means of a chemical reaction of the gas-bound energy source that is continuously fed to it with an oxidant, drive energy is formed and fed to the traction engine for driving purposes. The vehicle and the trailer are connected to one another via a transmission line such that the gas-bound energy source passes from the tank of the trailer to the energy generation unit of the vehicle. The transmission line is coupled to a protection device such that, during operation of the vehicle connected to the trailer, damage to the transmission line is prevented.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A configuration for propelling a vehicle coupled with a trailer, the configuration comprising:
 said vehicle having a traction motor for propelling said vehicle;   said trailer being connected to said vehicle and having a tank storing a gas-bound energy-carrier;   said vehicle having a galvanic cell being an energy-generation unit, with said energy-generation unit propulsive energy is created by a chemical reaction of the gas-bound energy-carrier, supplied to said energy-generation unit continuously, with an oxidizing agent and is supplied to said traction motor for a purpose of propulsion;   a transmission line, wherein said vehicle and said trailer are connected to one another via said transmission line, so that the gas-bound energy-carrier passes from said tank of said trailer to said energy-generation unit of said vehicle; and   a protective device, wherein said transmission line is coupled with said protective device such that damage to said transmission line during operation of said vehicle connected to said trailer is prevented by said protective device.   
     
     
         15 . The configuration according to  claim 14 , wherein said transmission line is surrounded, at least in a region between said vehicle and said trailer, by a protective jacket being said protective device. 
     
     
         16 . The configuration according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 said protective jacket has a form of a flexible bellows, capable of being displaced into itself; and/or   said flexible bellows is grounded.   
     
     
         17 . The configuration according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 said protective jacket has a form of a flexible metallic fabric or a flexible, mechanically loadable hollow body; and/or   said protective jacket has electrically conducting structures for grounding.   
     
     
         18 . The configuration according to  claim 15 , further comprising a cardanic suspension, said protective jacket is fastened to said vehicle and/or to said trailer via said cardanic suspension. 
     
     
         19 . The configuration according to  claim 14 , wherein said protective device is a resilient unit, said transmission line is connected to said vehicle and/or to said trailer via said resilient unit which functions as said protective device for said transmission line. 
     
     
         20 . The configuration according to  claim 19 , wherein said resilient unit is configured for resilient support and fastening of said transmission line and, for tightening said transmission line to a predetermined mechanical tensile stress. 
     
     
         21 . The configuration according to  claim 14 , wherein in a region between said vehicle and said trailer said transmission line has a two-part coupling which functions as said protective device for said transmission line, in order to avoid an uncontrolled detachment of said transmission line in an event of a separation of a combination of said vehicle and said trailer outside of operation. 
     
     
         22 . The configuration according to  claim 21 , wherein said two-part coupling is constructed such that in an event of a separation outside of operation where said two-part coupling is opened, in each instance one coupling part of said two-part coupling remains at a respectively assigned end of said transmission line and seals said respectively assigned end of said transmission line in a pressure-tight manner. 
     
     
         23 . The configuration according to  claim 14 , wherein said protective device is a signal line, said transmission line is coupled with said signal line functioning as said protective device for said transmission line, and monitors a separation of said transmission line. 
     
     
         24 . The configuration according to  claim 23 , wherein said signal line is connected to said vehicle and to said trailer such that in an event of an impending separation of a combination of said vehicle and said trailer, said signal line is damaged by a mechanical tensioning, and therefore indicates an impending separation in good time. 
     
     
         25 . The configuration according to  claim 24 , further comprising switchable shut-off valves, which are closed as a consequence of a damaged said signal line, wherein said switchable shut-off valves are disposed in said vehicle and/or in said trailer and/or in a region between them as part of said transmission line. 
     
     
         26 . The configuration according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 said traction motor of said vehicle is an electric traction motor; and/or   said vehicle is a rail vehicle; and/or   said gas-bound energy-carrier is gas bound hydrogen or natural gas; and/or   said galvanic cell is a fuel cell with which electrical propulsive energy, which is supplied to said electric traction motor for a purpose of propulsion, is created by a chemical reaction of the gas-bound hydrogen, supplied to said fuel cell continuously, with the oxidizing agent.