Patent Description:
For the background of the invention, reference is made to the following literature:.

Literature [<NUM>] relates to a different field, namely the field of thermal management through thermally insulating elements or even materials, the latent heat of which is used such as phase change materials. This document discloses an assembly comprising at least one first pocket containing insulating material and in which a first controlled atmosphere prevails and at least one second pocket which surrounds the first pocket and in which a second controlled atmosphere, different from the first atmosphere, prevails. The insulation material contained in the pocket is a rigid panel made from open porous material. Cavities within the panel form a network of channels so that air included in the cavities can be evacuated efficiently in order to form vacuum panels. Such rigid panels for forming vacuum panels are available on the market and well know.

From [<NUM>] different core materials for vacuum isolation panels are known which are available on the market. All these core materials form rigid panels with a network of cavities that can be easily evacuated when forming a vacuum isolation panel.

discloses a hydrogen storage tank for a hydrogen fueled aircraft. The tank has a spherical shape and a wall made from layers of aerogel sections around a hard shell layer, sealed within a flexible outer layer, and having the air removed from a vacuum. A hard shell of the tank is tiled with packaged sections of aerogel using a convenient tiling pattern; for example, the spherical tank is covered by <NUM> tiles. For the spherical tank, a soccer-ball-like tiling pattern is proposed.

discloses a pressure container for storing hydrogen in a car comprising an inner tank made from CFC material. The CFC inner tank wall is made from a transporting layer with channels for transport and a support layer. Further, a detection detergent is encapsulated within the CFC inner tank.

discloses a hydrogen tank for an aircraft. Hydrogen leaking from an inner tank is caught in a space between the inner and an outer tank wall and is released to the outer environment.

discloses a transport ystem for hydrogen by means of trucks. Pipeshaped hydrogen tanks are immersed in a water tank. Hydrogen leaking into the water tank is released to the outer environment.

Lightweight energy storage is a key topic for next generation aircrafts. Storage systems with high energy density are one of the key challenges for future electrical propulsion-based systems. Different energy storage systems are available today, whereas pressurized (~<NUM> bar) or cryogenic Hydrogen (<NUM> < T < <NUM>) paired with fuel cells or direct burn are interesting solutions for next flight vehicles. Hydrogen (H2) is the molecule with lowest density and smallest diameter in nature, which is why the storage in tanks is very complex and hardly achievable without leakage over longer durations.

Hydrogen offers high energy densities, whereas the storage technique (cryogenic, compressed, solid state/absorbed) is a key issue. Hydrogen can be compressed and/or cooled down to cryogenic temperatures to increase the volumetric and gravimetric energy density. Usually, complex tank systems are needed with individual requirements to the materials, design and working principle e.g., regarding operational safety.

Compressed and cryogenic hydrogen are the techniques of choice for today's vehicles, like cars or airplanes. Cryogenic tanks can achieve the lowest added weight wherein, with the present known technologies, about <NUM> - <NUM> tank weight is needed per kg stored H2. Conventional tanks work with applied inner pressure to avoid gas ingress from outside. As tank material typically metals, metal alloys and composites are in use. Full composite tanks can be challenging because of the long in-service life of civil aircraft. Hydrogen leakage may also be an issue.

It is the object of the invention to improve hydrogen tanks for use in vehicles, such as aircraft.

The object is achieved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are subject-matter of the dependent claims.

The invention provides a hydrogen tank assembly for a vehicle, the hydrogen tank assembly comprising.

The hydrogen collector surrounds the inner tank wall.

, The hydrogen collector includes at least one hydrogen collector ply.

The hydrogen collector includes a rigid element that forms together with the rigid inner tank wall the at least one cavity configured as a hydrogen flow channel, wherein the at least one cavity is separated toward the outer atmosphere.

Preferably, the at least one collector ply is or includes a permeable layer.

Preferably, the at least one collector ply is or includes a micro porous material.

Preferably, the at least one collector ply is or includes a non-woven fabric.

Preferably, the at least one collector ply is or includes a bulky non-woven fabric.

Preferably, the at least one collector ply is or includes a permeably fabric.

Preferably, the at least one collector ply is or includes a permeable dry fabric.

Preferably, the at least one collector ply is or includes a woven fabric.

Preferably, the at least one collector ply is or includes an open-porous foam.

Preferably, the at least one collector ply is or includes a ply with several layers with non-uniform thickness.

Preferably, the at least one collector ply is or includes a material with flow channels.

Preferably, the at least one collector ply is or includes a material with flow channels with different flow channel density in different areas.

Preferably, the at least one collector ply is or includes a fabric with incorporated drainage pipes.

Preferably, the at least one collector ply is or includes an open porous insulation material.

Preferably, the at least one collector ply is or includes a combination of at least two of a permeable layer, a micro porous material, a non-woven fabric, a bulky non-woven fabric, a permeably fabric, a permeable dry fabric, an open-porous foam, a ply with several layers with non-uniform thickness, a material with flow channels, a material with flow channels with different flow channel density in different areas, a fabric with incorporated drainage pipes, a woven fabric, and an open porous insulation material.

Preferably, the at least one rigid element is or includes a permeable layer.

Preferably, the at least one rigid element is or includes a macro porous material.

Preferably, the at least one rigid element is or includes a folded core.

Preferably, the at least one rigid element is or includes a combination of a folded core with insulation material.

Preferably, the at least one rigid element is or includes an arrangement of perforated honeycombs.

Preferably, the at least one rigid element is or includes a rigid element with several cavities.

Preferably, the at least one rigid element is or includes a tile with drainage channels.

Preferably, the at least one rigid element is or includes a plurality of elements covering the inner tank wall in one or several layers.

Preferably, the at least one rigid element is or includes a plurality of polyhedral elements covering the inner tank wall in one or several layers.

Preferably, the at least one rigid element is or includes an element being at least partly covered by dry textiles.

Preferably, the at least one rigid element is or includes a tile suitable for a soccer-ball-shaped tiling pattern.

Preferably, the at least one rigid element is or includes an element containing an insulation core containing vacuum or glass bubbles.

Preferably, the at least one rigid element is or includes an element containing an insulation core containing an aerogel.

Preferably, the at least one rigid element is or includes a combination of at least two of a permeable layer, a macro porous material, a folded core, an arrangement of perforated honeycombs, a rigid element with several cavities, a tile with drainage channels, a plurality of tiles covering the inner tank wall in one or several layers; an element being at least partly covered by dry textiles, an element containing an insulation core comprising vacuum or glass bubbles, an element containing an insulation core comprising an aerogel.

Preferably, the at least one rigid element comprises an additional gas tight layer.

Preferably, an outer side of the at least one rigid element is sealed by a gas tight layer.

Preferably, the at least one rigid element is arranged between the inner tank wall and an outside layer, wherein the hydrogen tank assembly comprises an atmosphere control device configured to control the atmosphere between the inner tank wall and the outside layer.

Preferably, several of the rigid elements cover the inner tank wall in one or several layers.

Preferably, several of the rigid elements are at least partly connected to adjacent layers, especially by an adhesive, by welding and/or by a form-fit connection.

Preferably, the at least one cavity is defined by a plurality of cavities forming at least one interconnected channel system.

Preferably, the at least one cavity is part of a channel system having at least one outlet tube.

Preferably, the at least one cavity is defined by a plurality of cavities connected such that they form several channel systems wherein each channel system has at least one outlet tube.

Preferably, the at least one cavity is configured to be influenced, especially flushed, by a flushing medium.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a modular hydrogen tank comprising several hydrogen tank assemblies according to any of the aforementioned embodiments as tank modules.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a propulsion system for an aircraft comprising a hydrogen tank assembly according to any of the aforementioned embodiments and a hydrogen powered engine as hydrogen consumer and/or a hydrogen powered fuel cell as hydrogen consumer and an electric motor.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a vehicle, especially aircraft, comprising a hydrogen tank assembly according to any of the aforementioned embodiments, a modular hydrogen tank according to the aforementioned embodiment and/or a propulsion system according to the aforementioned embodiment.

Preferred embodiments of the invention relate to tank arrangements for storing hydrogen and for use in vehicles, especially aircrafts.

Preferred embodiments of the invention refer to hydrogen collector materials for innovative tank systems.

According to several embodiments of the invention, different solutions for H2 storage can be used. In principle, there are especially two different solutions for H2 storage - pressurized or cryogenic H2. The tanks are preferably manufactured with high strength carbon-fibre based composites with or without additional metal or polymer liners. Hence, different tank types can be used.

A tank according to some embodiments of the invention is based on an accepted leakage of the inner tank wall, whereas a certain amount of gaseous H2 (GH2) is accepted to permeate through the inner tank wall. In order to increase H2 safety and efficiency, the GH2 is stored and evacuated, in a so-called collector ply, which surrounds the inner tank wall. For a better evacuation, the collector ply can be purged with Helium or other inert gases which are gaseous at cryogenic temperatures (<NUM>). For more details referring to a possible supply of a flush medium to the hydrogen collector, reference is made to the EP patent application with the application no. Some embodiments of the invention are equipped with the technology described in this previously filed EP patent application.

The collector ply as used in some of the embodiments of the invention has at least one or several of the following features in order to adapt it better to the corresponding system requirements.

Several technical solutions are feasible which base on different materials and combinations as described in more detail below. Potential solutions according to preferred embodiments of the invention are based on nano-/micro- (wovens, non-wovens, open porous foams, aerogels, etc.) and/or macro-porous materials (cellular materials like foams, lattices, level surface core structures, etc.). Some embodiments combine different basic concepts to optimize the material properties to the requirements e.g., a foam filled folded core in adapted geometry with high mechanical properties, sufficient permeability, adapted CTE, GH2 barrier to the insulation material.

Embodiments of the invention comprise a rigid element that together with a rigid tank wall forms at least one cavity (especially configured such that it or they form H2 flow channels). These cavities are separated towards the outer atmosphere.

Preferably, the cavities form one or more interconnected networks.

Preferably, each network has at least one outlet "tube".

Preferably, the cavity serves as to remove leaked tank content.

Preferably, the cavity can be influenced by using a flushing media, see for more details for possible technologies: <CIT>.

Preferably, the rigid element can be a folded core.

Preferably, the rigid element can be an insulation material.

Preferably, the rigid element may be a combination of a folded core and of an insulation material.

Preferably, the element comprises an additional gas tight layer.

Preferably, the element can be surrounded by a gas tight layer. Preferably, the element surrounded by a thin film becomes rigid by the (negative) pressure difference between inside and outside (applicable for e.g., Glass-spheres).

Preferably, the element is placed between two layers with controlled atmosphere whereas one layer is the tank wall.

According to some embodiments, a plurality of the elements e.g., polyhedral, may cover in one or several layers the tank and can be overlapping.

According to some embodiments, the element(s) may be at least partly covered by dry textiles.

According to some embodiments, the element(s) may at least be partly connected to the adjacent layers (adhesive, welded, form-fit).

According to some embodiments, the hydrogen collector includes, e.g. as the rigid elements, tiles with channels.

Some embodiments provide tiles with single / double curvature, especially in order to cover cylindrical or spherical tank modules. Tiling patterns for such a covering are generally known, for example from <CIT>. For more details, how spherical tank module can be configured and used, reference is made to the <CIT>. Some embodiments of the invention are configured as mentioned in this prior EP patent application together with a hydrogen collector as described in more detail below.

According to some embodiments, soccer-ball shaped patter of tiles with channels are provided, wherein the tiles have at least five different geometries in order to cover cylindrical tanks with spherical end caps.

According to some embodiments, the rigid element includes surface integrated H2 collector cavities in different shapes - such as spiral, channel systems, lines, etc..

Some embodiments provide rigid elements such as tiles with collector, insulation and structural functionality. Preferred functionalities are for example:.

Some embodiments provide a hydrogen collector for a H2 capturing skin for liquid H2 (LH2) storage systems. Some embodiments relate to a functionalized integrated composite tank wall with allowed but controlled / monitored permeability including H2 collector and thermal insulation functionalities. Some advantages of the solution according to these embodiments are for example:.

Embodiments of the invention are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

<FIG> and <FIG> show several possible embodiments of a hydrogen tank assembly <NUM> for a vehicle <NUM>; an example for such a vehicle <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> shows a possible element used in the hydrogen tank assembly <NUM> according embodiments of the invention.

As visible from <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the hydrogen tank assembly <NUM> comprises an inner tank wall <NUM> and an outer hydrogen collector <NUM> and at least one hydrogen outlet <NUM> connected to the outer hydrogen collector <NUM>.

The inner tank wall <NUM> defines a hydrogen tank volume <NUM> configured for storing liquid hydrogen LH2. The inner tank wall <NUM> is made from fibre reinforced plastic, especially CFRP. The hydrogen tank volume <NUM> is connected to at least one main tank pipe <NUM> for filing and/or emptying the hydrogen tank. Although only one main tank pipe <NUM> is shown, there may be one filling tank pipe which is connected to a hydrogen tank nuzzle (not shown). The at least one main tank pipe <NUM> may be connected to a hydrogen consumer <NUM> such as an engine <NUM> for direct burning the hydrogen or a fuel cell (not shown) for generation of electric power.

The outer hydrogen collector <NUM> is arranged adjacent to the inner tank wall <NUM> such that it defines, together with the inner tank wall <NUM>, at least one cavity <NUM>. Gaseous hydrogen GH2 leaking through the inner tank wall <NUM> is collected in the at least one cavity <NUM> and may be led through the hydrogen outlet <NUM> to a further hydrogen storage (not shown) or into the main tank pipes <NUM> or directly to the hydrogen consumer <NUM>.

The inner tank wall <NUM> and the outer hydrogen collector <NUM> are preferably parts of a tank wall assembly <NUM> which surrounds the hydrogen tank volume <NUM>.

A possible embodiment of the tank wall assembly <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The hydrogen tank volume <NUM> contains liquid hydrogen LH2 and gaseous hydrogen GH2. The hydrogen tank assembly <NUM> may be configured as a cryogenic hydrogen tank for storing liquid hydrogen LH2 at a low temperature of, e.

The use of composite material for an LH2 tank is advantageous for saving weight. Life-time tightness may be a challenge. The hydrogen tank assembly <NUM> preferably uses a functionalised integrated composite inner tank wall <NUM> with an allowed permeability of hydrogen H2. Hydrogen H2 leaking through the inner tank wall <NUM> is collected in the hydrogen collector <NUM>. Preferably, permeability of hydrogen is allowed but controlled and/or monitored. As shown in <FIG>, one possible embodiment of the hydrogen tank assembly <NUM> has the tank wall assembly <NUM> which includes the inner tank wall <NUM>, the hydrogen collector <NUM>, thermally insulating material <NUM> and a gas tight layer <NUM>.

The inner tank wall <NUM> may be an CFRP skin <NUM>. The hydrogen collector <NUM> may include a hydrogen collector ply <NUM>. Further, several sensors <NUM> for monitoring a GH2 leakage rate and/or a LH2 level may be arranged in or at the hydrogen collector <NUM>. The sensors <NUM> are part of a fully covered monitoring system for monitoring the GH2 leakage rate and the LH2 level.

The hydrogen outlet <NUM> may also be monitored by sensors. Further, the atmosphere in the hydrogen collector <NUM> may be controlled for controlling the permeability. Especially, the hydrogen collector <NUM> may be influenced by inert gases as described and shown in the European patent application with the application number <CIT>. These inert gases may also be used as flushing media for flushing the LH2 from the at least one cavity <NUM> into the hydrogen outlet <NUM>. The ventilated GH2 may be reused in the aforementioned or a further hydrogen consumer <NUM> such as a turbine <NUM> or a fuel cell (not shown).

<FIG> shows an aircraft, especially an airplane <NUM> as an example for the vehicle <NUM> in which the hydrogen tank assembly <NUM> is used. The airplane <NUM> has a propulsion system with turbines <NUM> as engines <NUM>. The turbines <NUM> are configured to burn hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank assembly <NUM>. Further, the airplane <NUM> may be equipped with fuel cells (not shown), wherein hydrogen is supplied to the fuel cells from the hydrogen tank assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a possible embodiment of the hydrogen tank assembly <NUM> in the form of a cylindrical tank <NUM>. Hydrogen is supplied from the tank <NUM> via the main tank pipe <NUM> to the hydrogen consumers <NUM>. The tank <NUM> may be filled via a filling connection <NUM>. The main pipe <NUM> is connected to a gas diffuser <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the detailed arrangement of the tank wall assembly <NUM> of the tank <NUM> of <FIG>.

The wall assembly <NUM> includes the CFRP skin <NUM> as inner tank wall <NUM>, the hydrogen collector <NUM> and an outer film, skin or shell as outer gas tight layer <NUM>. The hydrogen collector <NUM> is configured as multifunctional material core combining the function of H2 collection, thermal insulation and structural support for the inner tank wall <NUM>. The hydrogen collector <NUM> includes at least one rigid element <NUM> which defines, together with the inner tank wall <NUM>, the at least one cavity <NUM>. The rigid element <NUM> is a composite structure, for example a composite sandwich structure. It may include the hydrogen collector ply <NUM> which may be made from micro-porous material <NUM> such as non-woven or woven fabric, foams, etc..

Further, the hydrogen collector <NUM> may include macro-porous materials <NUM> such as fold-cores <NUM>, perforated honeycombs, or other rigid elements with cavities.

As visible in <FIG>, GH2 leaking through the inner tank wall <NUM> is collected via the hydrogen collector ply <NUM> and led into the cavities <NUM> of the hydrogen collector <NUM>. Several cavities <NUM> are connected to each other to form at least one channel system <NUM>. Each individual channel system <NUM> is connected to at least one hydrogen outlet <NUM> so that leaking LH2 is lead to the hydrogen outlet <NUM> and, for example via the main tank pipe <NUM>, to the at least one hydrogen consumer <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of the hydrogen tank assembly <NUM> which forms a spherical tank <NUM>. Further details, how such a spherical tank <NUM> can be used in a modular tank system are described in the European patent application with the application number <CIT>. The hydrogen tank assembly <NUM> according to the embodiment of <FIG> includes the spherical inner tank wall <NUM>, formed by the CFRP skin <NUM>, which is, as in the other embodiments, surrounded by the hydrogen collector <NUM> which further is surrounded by the outer gas tight layer <NUM>, such as an outer skin. The main tank pipe <NUM> is connected to the inner hydrogen tank volume <NUM> and leads to the at least one hydrogen consumer <NUM>. The hydrogen collector <NUM> includes the hydrogen collector ply <NUM> and the thermally insulating material <NUM>. The hydrogen collector ply <NUM> is made from micro-porous material <NUM> for defining the cavities <NUM> and flow channels of the network <NUM>. The hydrogen collector ply <NUM> contacts directly the outer side of the inner tank wall <NUM> and functions as a drainage layer.

The micro-porous material <NUM> is preferably made from a bulky permeable dry non-woven fabric. Especially, the fabric is made from several layers of non-woven fibers. Preferably, the thickness of these non-woven layers is variable to ensure that flow channels also exist under load. The density of the flow channels may be different in different areas of the hydrogen collector ply <NUM>. For example, the flow channel density is increased towards the leakage pipe <NUM> which defines the hydrogen outlet <NUM>. Drainage pipes (not shown) can be incorporated in the non-woven. Further, supporting elements, such as springs (not shown), can be incorporated in the hydrogen collector ply <NUM> to carry the weight of the inner tank. Further, the insulation layer - thermally insulating material <NUM> - may be provided with flow channels as a part of the network <NUM>. The fibers may be hollow in order to provide a better permeability.

The sensors <NUM> may be included in the hydrogen collector ply <NUM>. Several sensors <NUM> can be used such as sensors for detecting crack sounds, temperature, H2, pressure loss,. Further, continuous fabrics made from Kevlar can be included in the wall assembly <NUM> for enhancing the structural strength of the wall assembly enclosing the inner tank wall <NUM>. Electrically conductive fibers (intrinsic or by coating) can be used to establish new functions.

Low and high CTE fibers can be mixed in woven fabrics to establish a tolerance compensation due to thermal shrinkage of the insulation. Further, different CTEs may be compensated by many elastic materials.

The hydrogen collector <NUM> preferably includes several permeable layers and especially a combination of micro-porous materials <NUM> as referred in the embodiment of <FIG>, as well macro-porous materials <NUM>. An example is shown in <FIG>, where rigid elements with cavities <NUM> such as fold-core <NUM> and a layer with flow channels <NUM> is combined with a further gas tight barrier <NUM> and a thermally insulating material <NUM>.

The micro-porous materials <NUM> and the macro-porous materials <NUM> can be combined to a lay-up as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> or in <FIG>. <FIG> and <FIG> show a folded core material <NUM> covered by an additional barrier sheet <NUM> and partly filled with a micro-porous material <NUM>, for example an open-porous foam <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another example for such a lay-up of a combination of micro/macro-porous materials <NUM>, <NUM>. The wall assembly <NUM> of the hydrogen tank assembly <NUM> of the embodiment as shown in <FIG> includes the inner tank wall <NUM> which defines the hydrogen tank volume <NUM> covered by a dry fabric <NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM> and the rigid element <NUM> which is here a rigid tile <NUM> with channels <NUM> integrated between the inner tank wall <NUM> and the outer tank wall <NUM>. The tile can be made from any suitable material as this is known from [<NUM>] to [<NUM>] as mentioned above. Such materials are available in the market. In more detail, the rigid element may be made from micro-porous materials generally known from [<NUM>] and [<NUM>] as mentioned above as core materials for vacuum panels. Such core materials are available from the market. Other as in vacuum panels, the porosity of such core can be used here to collect and transport hydrogen. Hence, the core material does not necessarily be enclosed by a gas tight sealing material. Further, at least one additional channel <NUM> is integrated in such material. <FIG> shows an example of the form of such channel <NUM>.

According to one example, the tile <NUM> may be made from thermally insulation material, such as PU foam or aerogel, wherein additional macrochannels <NUM> are provided for leading leaking hydrogen to the at least one hydrogen outlet <NUM>.

Further, the tile <NUM> of the embodiment of <FIG> is covered by dry fabric <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> for example a fleece <NUM>, a barrier <NUM> which defines an outer gas tight layer <NUM>, and further layer of dry fabric <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>.

<FIG> shows a further example of the hydrogen tank assembly <NUM> defining a spherical tank <NUM> as an example of special use of several of the tiles <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The hydrogen tank assembly <NUM> of <FIG> includes the following layers (seen from inside to outside): the CFRP skin <NUM> forming the inner tank wall <NUM>, a first layer <NUM>-<NUM> of dry fabric <NUM>, a first tile layer <NUM>-<NUM> formed by an arrangement of several of the tiles <NUM>, a second layer <NUM>-<NUM> of dry fabric <NUM>, a barrier ply <NUM>, a third layer <NUM>-<NUM> of dry fabric, a second tile layer <NUM>-<NUM> formed by an arrangement of tiles <NUM>, an outer skin as outer tank wall <NUM> and an outer barrier ply <NUM>. The dry fabric <NUM> is an example for the micro-porous material <NUM>.

As this is generally known from [<NUM>], the tiles <NUM> forming the tile layers <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> are tiles with double curvature in order to be adapted to the spherical form. When using such lay-up in a cylindrical tank <NUM> such as shown in <FIG>, tiles with single curvature may be used.

As shown in <FIG>, the rigid element <NUM>, such as the tile <NUM>, may have H2 collector cavities <NUM> in the form of spiral channels <NUM>, other shapes are possible, such as a network shape, lines, etc. Preferably, the channel <NUM> or a channel system is distributed over the rigid element <NUM> and has one central outlet opening for leading the hydrogen to the hydrogen outlet <NUM>.

A sensor <NUM> may be provided at the central outlet of the channel <NUM> or the channel system. Thus, one sensor <NUM> can be used for monitoring the condition (e.g. leakage rate) over the whole area of the channel <NUM> or the channel system.

<FIG> shows the channel <NUM> provided on the side of the rigid element <NUM> facing the inner tank wall <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A hydrogen tank assembly (<NUM>) for a vehicle (<NUM>), the hydrogen tank assembly (<NUM>) comprising an inner tank wall (<NUM>) defining a hydrogen tank volume (<NUM>) configured for storing liquid hydrogen (LH2) wherein the inner tank wall (<NUM>) is made from fibrereinforced plastic, especially CFRP with or without additional metal or polymer liners; characterized by
an outer hydrogen collector (<NUM>) surrounding the inner tank wall (<NUM>) and defining, together with the inner tank wall (<NUM>), at least one cavity (<NUM>) outside of the hydrogen tank volume (<NUM>), wherein the hydrogen collector (<NUM>) includes at least one hydrogen collector ply (<NUM>) and a rigid element (<NUM>) that forms together with the rigid inner tank wall (<NUM>) the at least one cavity (<NUM>) configured as a hydrogen flow channel, wherein the at least one cavity (<NUM>) is separated toward the outer atmosphere and includes at least one hydrogen outlet (<NUM>) for leading gaseous hydrogen (GH2) which leaks from the hydrogen tank through the inner tank wall (<NUM>) into the at least one cavity (<NUM>) to a hydrogen storage or a hydrogen consumer (<NUM>).