SE542748C2

SE542748C2 - A Handle, a Fuel-Filler Compartment and a Method of Filling Liquid Fuel from a Fuel Pump station into a Fuel-Cell Powered Electric Vehicle

Info

Publication number: SE542748C2
Application number: SE1850753A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Björn Westerholm; Michael Glantz
Original assignee: Myfc Ab
Priority date: 2018-06-20
Filing date: 2018-06-20
Publication date: 2020-07-07
Also published as: WO2019245438A1; SE1850753A1

Abstract

A handle (100) for filling at least one liquid fuel component into a fuel-cell powered electric vehicle (460) has a nozzle piece (1 10). The nozzle piece (110) contains a set of output conduit openings (111, 112, 113) each configured feed a particular one of the fuel components into the vehicle (460). The conduit openings (111, 112, 113) are arranged in a first pattern relative to one another, which first pattern is adapted to match a second pattern of receiver conduit openings (211, 212, 213) in a fuel-filler compartment (200) of the vehicle (460) in a key-lock manner. Thereby, unintentional mixing of the fuel components can be avoided.

Description

A Handle, a Fuel-Filler Compartment and a Method of Filling Liquid Fuel from a Fuel Pump station into a Fuel-Cell Powered Electric Vehicle TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to energy replenishment in fuel cells. Especially, the invention relates to a handle for filling liquid fuel into a fuel-cell powered electric vehicle, a fuelfiller compartment for receiving liquid fuel into a fuel-cell powered electric vehicle, and a method of filling liquid fuel from a fuel pump station into a fuel cell powered electric vehicle.

BACKGROUND Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, for example due to the stricter requirements on reduced carbon dioxide emissions. One problem with today’s electric vehicles is that the charging stations are fairly few and distant from one another. The drivers are therefore often concerned with the risk of running out of battery power. To tackle this problem, in turn, the vehicle can be equipped with a so-called range extender. The range extender is an auxiliary power unit that drives an electric generator, which charges the electric vehicle’s battery. This arrangement is known as a series hybrid drivetrain. The most commonly used range extenders are based on internal combustion engine technology. Of course, from a carbon-dioxide emission perspective, this is a less attractive option. Therefore, a fuel-cell based power source is preferable, i.e. where electricity is produced based on hydrogen. Nevertheless, the production and distribution of hydrogen is associated with other problems. For instance, pollutants may be released at the production sites, where hydrogen is typically derived from reformed natural gas. Transporting and storing hydrogen may also create pollutants.

SUMMARY The object of the present invention is therefore to offer a solution for the above-referenced problems, thus providing an environmental-friendly and convenient way of fueling up a fuel cell based energy source in an electric vehicle.

According to one aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a handle for filling liquid fuel into a fuel-cell powered electric vehicle. The handle has a nozzle piece configured to feed at least one fuel component into the vehicle. Specifically, the nozzle piece contains a set of output conduit openings each of which is configured feed a particular one of at least two fuel components into the vehicle. For example, as will be elaborated upon below, a first output conduit opening may deliver a suspension containing aluminum particles, a second delivers water while a third delivers a sodium hydroxide solution. The conduit openings in the set of output conduit openings are arranged in a first pattern relative to one another. The first pattern is adapted to match a second pattern of receiver conduit openings in a fuel-filler compartment of the vehicle in a key-lock manner.

This handle is advantageous because it significantly reduces the risk that the fuel components are fed into the wrong container in the electric vehicle. Thus, the safety is improved for both the personnel and the equipment.

According to one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the nozzle piece contains a sealing sleeve that encircles the set of output conduit openings. The sealing sleeve is configured to be fitted with a mating member that encircles the set of input conduit openings in a manner analogous to that of the sealing sleeve so as to prevent leakage of the at least one fuel component from the nozzle piece when nozzle piece is fitted to the fuel-filler compartment.

According to another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the nozzle piece also contains an input conduit opening configured to receive at least one waste component from the vehicle. Preferably, the input conduit opening is arranged relative to the first pattern so as to match a dispatch opening in the fuelfiller compartment when the first pattern matches the second pattern in said key-lock manner. Thereby, for example sludge produced when generating electricity can be removed from the vehicle in a highly convenient manner According to still another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the handle has a user-operable activation member, e.g. a trigger or a button, configured to cause commands for initiating and aborting the feeding of the at least one fuel component into the vehicle. Thus, it is straightforward for an operator may start and stop the fuel filling.

According to yet another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the nozzle piece includes a first short-range wireless transceiver configured to exchange data with a second shortrange wireless transceiver in the fuel-filler compartment in conjunction with filling liquid fuel into the vehicle.

Preferably, the first short-range wireless transceiver is configured to receive fill-level data indicating a filling status of the at least two fuel components and/or cell-health data reflecting a fuel-cell status. It is further advantageous if the first short-range wireless transceiver is configured to transmit service data reflecting a maintenance status of the vehicle and/or authorization data specifying a permit status of a user of the vehicle. As a result, specific fuel-cell related information as well as general vehicle information can be exchanged with the fuel station, and an backbone network connected thereto.

According to another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the handle has at least one visual indicator e.g. a display and/or a LED, configured to show at least one aspect of the data being exchanged between the first and second wireless transceivers. Consequently, the fuel-filling progress can be illustrated along with various other parameters relating to the vehicle and/or the fuel cells.

According to a further embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the user-operable activation member may cause the feeding of the at least one fuel component into the vehicle to be initiated if only if the authorization data specify that the user of the vehicle is permitted fuel acquirer. Typically, here, adequate payment capacity is one prerequisite for authorization.

According to another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the nozzle piece contains at least one locking cavity, which is configured to engage with at least one locking member in the fuel-filler compartment so as to fixate the nozzle piece in the fuel-filler compartment when the nozzle piece is positioned such that the first pattern matches the second pattern in said key-lock manner. Thereby, when nozzle piece is correctly fitted to the vehicle, and for example, the user is found authorized, the handle can be secured in a leakage-safe manner before the fuel transfer is initiated.

According to another aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a fuel-filler compartment for receiving liquid fuel into a fuel-cell powered electric vehicle via a nozzle piece. The fuelfiller compartment contains a second set of input conduit openings each of which is configured receive a particular one of at least two fuel components into the vehicle. The conduit openings in the second set of input conduit openings are arranged in a second pattern relative to one another. The second pattern is adapted to match a first pattern of output conduit openings in the nozzle piece in a key-lock manner. The advantages of this fuelfiller compartment, as well as the preferred embodiments thereof, are apparent from the discussion above with reference to the handle.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a method of filling liquid fuel from a fuel pump station into a fuel-cell powered electric vehicle, where the fuel pump station is connected to a handle containing a nozzle piece for feeding at least one fuel component into the vehicle. The vehicle, in turn, is equipped with a fuel-filler compartment for receiving the at least one fuel component. The nozzle piece contains a set of output conduit openings each of which is configured feed a particular one of at least two fuel components into the vehicle. The fuel-filler compartment contains a set of input conduit openings each of which is configured receive a respective one the of at least two fuel components into the vehicle. The method involves positioning the nozzle piece in front of the fuel-filler compartment, such that a first pattern of the conduit openings in the set of output conduit openings matches a second pattern of receiver conduit openings in the fuel-filler compartment in a key-lock manner. The advantages of this method, as well as the preferred embodiments thereof, are apparent from the discussion above with reference to the handle.

Further advantages, beneficial features and applications of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is now to be explained more closely by means of preferred embodiments, which are disclosed as examples, and with reference to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 shows a handle with a nozzle piece according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a vehicle-mounted fuel-filler compartment according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows a display and indicator arrangement of the handle according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a cross section side view of the nozzle piece and the fuel-filler compartment according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 illustrates, by means of a flow diagram, the general method according to the invention; and Figure 6 represents a flow diagram of the method according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hydrogen is a key constituent when producing electric power in a fuel cell. However, extracting, transporting, handling and filling hydrogen is problematic for numerous reasons. Therefore, it is desirable if hydrogen itself is produced from other fuel components at the beginning of the energy-producing process; and then, electricity is generated based on this hydrogen.

It has been found that hydrogen can be produced safely and efficiently in a reaction between aluminum and water in the presence of sodium hydroxide, NaOH, or potassium hydroxide, KOH, which behave as catalysts. NaOH typically promotes a faster reaction and higher real yields than KOH. The main advantages of using aluminum for indirect energy storage are: recyclability, non-toxicity and easiness to shape.

In Figure 1, we see a handle 100 with a nozzle piece 110 according to one embodiment of the invention. The handle 100 is adapted for filling liquid fuel into a fuel-cell powered electric vehicle 460, the body of which is schematically illustrated in Figure 4. Referring to the above, the nozzle piece 110 is preferably configured to feed at least two fuel components into the vehicle 460; and further preferably, at least two fuel components, namely a suspension containing aluminum particles, water and a sodium hydroxide solution.

To this aim, the nozzle piece 110 contains a set of output conduit openings 111, 112 and 113 respectively. Each of these openings 111, 112 and 11 3 is configured feed a particular one of the fuel components into the vehicle 460. For example, a first conduit opening 111 may provide a suspension containing aluminum particles; a second conduit opening 112 may provide water and a third conduit opening 113 may provide a sodium hydroxide solution.

In any case, the conduit openings in the set of output conduit openings 111, 112 and 113 are arranged in a first pattern relative to one another. Referring now to Figure 2 showing a vehiclemounted fuel-filler compartment 200 according to one embodiment of the invention, we see that the first pattern is adapted to match a second pattern of receiver conduit openings 211, 212 and 213 in the fuel-filler compartment 200 in a key-lock manner. This means that there is one and only one way to fit the nozzle piece 110 into the fuel-filler compartment 200, namely such that the first output conduit opening 111 meets a first receiver conduit opening 211, the second output conduit opening 111 meets a second receiver conduit opening 212 and the third output conduit opening 113 meets a third receiver conduit opening 213 respectively.

It is further advantageous if the nozzle piece 11 0 contains a sealing sleeve 116 that encircles the set of output conduit openings 111, 112 and 113. The sealing sleeve 116 is configured to be fitted with a mating member 216 of the fuel-filler compartment 200, which mating member 216 encircles the set of input conduit openings 211, 212 and 213 in a manner analogous to the sealing sleeve 116. Thereby, when the nozzle piece 110 is fitted into the fuel-filler compartment 200, leakage of the fuel components from the nozzle piece 110 is prevented.

For efficiency, it is preferable if the nozzle piece 11 0 further contains an input conduit opening 114 configured to receive at least one waste component from the vehicle 460. Thereby, sludge resulting from the hydrogen production can be extracted from the vehicle 460. Naturally, for compatibility, the input conduit opening 114 should be arranged relative to the first pattern so as to match a dispatch opening 214 in the fuel-filler compartment 200 when the first pattern matches the second pattern in the key-lock manner. Consequently, when the nozzle piece 100 is positioned so that the conduit patterns 111, 112, 113 and 211, 212, 213 matches one another, the input conduit opening 114 meets the dispatch opening 214.

If one of the fuel components is more aggressive than the other, for example the liquid fuel component containing aluminum, it is advantageous if the conduit opening 211 in the set of input conduit openings 211, 212 and 213 of the fuel-filler compartment 200 that is configured for receiving this fuel component is encircled by a dedicated sealing member 211 s being configured to prevent leakage of that liquid fuel component when passing through the nozzle piece 110.

For practical reasons, the handle 100 preferably contains a useroperable activation member 145, for example in the form of a trigger, a button or a knob, which is configured generate commands arranged to control initiation and abortion respectively of the feeding of the at least one fuel component into the vehicle 460. As a result, an operator may indicate that he/she wishes to start refueling by triggering the activation member 145, and indicate that he/she wishes to stop the process by releasing the activation member 145.

To further enhance the safety, the user interaction and/or provide convenient authorization, the interface between the nozzlepiece and the fuel-filler compartment may be associated with a pair of wireless transceivers. Specifically, the nozzle piece 110 contains a first short-range wireless transceiver 115, the fuelfiller compartment 200 contains a second short-range wireless transceiver 215, and the first and second short-range wireless transceivers 115 and 215 are configured to exchange data with one another.

For example, the first short-range wireless transceiver 115 is preferably configured to receive at least one of fill-level data indicating a filling status of the at least two fuel components and/or cell-health data reflecting a fuel-cell status. The first short-range wireless transceiver 115 is further preferably configured to transmit service data reflecting a maintenance status of the vehicle 460 and/or authorization data specifying a permit status of a user of the vehicle 460.

Analogously, the second short-range wireless transceiver 215 is preferably configured to transmit fill-level data indicating a filling status of the at least two fuel components and/or cell-health data reflecting a fuel-cell status. Further preferably, the second shortrange wireless transceiver 215 is configured to receive service data reflecting a maintenance status of the vehicle 460 and/or authorization data specifying a permit status of a user of the vehicle 460.

To assist the user interaction, it is beneficial if the handle 100 contains one or more visual indicators. Figure 3 shows a display 310 and an indicator arrangement of a first, a second and a third LED, 311, 312 and 313 respectively. The first LED may show a red light before the operator has proven to be authorized, for example while a payment procedure is being completed, and a green light in response to successful authorization. The second LED may show a red light before the fuel-filling process has started, and a green light when it is in progress, and the third LED may flash during a subsequent cleaning procedure for the interface between the nozzle-piece and the fuel-filler compartment. The display preferably reflects further aspects of the data being exchanged between the first and second wireless transceivers 115 and 215, for instance relating to the fill-level of the fuel cells and/or their health statuses.

Due to authorization requirements, such as payment, it may not be sufficient that the user-operable activation member 145 is triggered to cause feeding of the at least one fuel component into the vehicle 460. Therefore, according to one embodiment of the invention, the user-operable activation member 145 may cause the feeding of the at least one fuel component into the vehicle 460 to be initiated if only if the authorization data specify that the user of the vehicle 460 is permitted fuel acquirer. The authorization data, in turn, may be based on a combination of information sent over the first and second wireless transceivers 115 and 215 and information received in the fuel station, via a backbone network.

For improved safety, and to obstruct manipulation, the nozzle piece 110 preferably contains at least one locking cavity 117 configured to engage with at least one locking member in the fuel-filler compartment 200. Figure 4 shows a cross section side view of the nozzle piece 110 when fitted to the fuel-filler compartment, however before the locking members 431 and 432 engages with the matching locking cavities in the nozzle piece 110. The at least one locking cavity 117 and the at least one locking member 431 and 432 renders it possible to fixate the nozzle piece 110 in the fuel-filler compartment 200 when the nozzle piece 110 is positioned such that the first pattern matches the second pattern in said key-lock manner. Consequently, it becomes very difficult to manipulate the interface between the nozzle piece 110 and the fuel-filling compartment 200.

Returning now to Figure 2 showing the vehicle-mounted fuelfiller compartment 200 according to one embodiment of the invention, we see that the fuel-filler compartment 200 contains the second set of input conduit openings 211, 212 and 213 respectively each of which is configured receive a particular one of the at least two fuel components into the vehicle 460. As mentioned above, the conduit openings in the second set of input conduit openings 211, 212 and 213 are arranged in a second pattern relative to one another. The second pattern is adapted to match a first pattern of output conduit openings 111, 112 and113 in the nozzle piece 11 0 in the key-lock manner.

Preferably, the fuel-filler compartment 200 also contains the dispatch opening 214 configured to discharge waste components, such as sludge, out from the vehicle 460. As mentioned earlier, the dispatch opening 214 is preferably arranged relative to the second pattern so as to match an input conduit opening 114 in the nozzle piece 110 when the first pattern matches the second pattern in the key-lock manner. Thereby, the risk of leaking, or unintentional mixing of the fuel components is rendered very low.

Referring now again to Figure 4 showing the cross section side view of the nozzle piece 110 and the fuel-filler compartment 200, we see one embodiment of the invention where fuel-filler compartment 200 contains a heating member 450 configured to warm up the nozzle piece 110 in conjunction with filling liquid fuel into the vehicle 460. Preferably, the heating member 450 encircles the mating member 216, so that all the openings 211, 212, 213, 214 and the nozzle piece 110 can be warmed up jointly. Further preferably, the heating member 450 is activated after transferring data between the first and second wireless interfaces 115 and 215 respectively, which data represents a successful authorization of the vehicle operator.

As mentioned earlier, the fuel-filler compartment 200 preferably contains at least one locking member, here represented by 431 and 432, configured to engage with at least one locking cavity in the nozzle piece 11 0. Thereby, the nozzle piece 11 0 can be fixated in the fuel-filler compartment 200 when the nozzle piece 110 is positioned such that the first pattern matches the second pattern in said key-lock manner. It is advantageous if the heating member 450 is activated first after that the nozzle piece 11 0 has be fixated in the fuel-filler compartment 200 because this reduces the risk of heat-related damages to personnel and equipment.

To further reduce the impairment risk and avoid manipulation of the openings 211, 212 and 213, and preferably 214, the fuel-filler compartment 200 may contain a selectably removable protective member 440, e.g. implemented as a rotatable disc with openings, which in a first rotation position leaves a free passage to the openings 211, 212 and 213, and preferably 214; and in a second rotation position covers these openings. The protective member 440 is configured to cover said openings when no nozzle piece 110 is fixated in the fuel-filler compartment 200, and exclusively allow the openings to be uncovered when the nozzle piece 110 is fixated in the fuel-filler compartment 200.

In order to sum up, and with reference to the flow diagram in Figure 5, we will now describe the general method according to the invention of filling liquid fuel from a fuel pump station into a fuel-cell powered electric vehicle. Here, it is presumed that the fuel pump station is connected to the handle 100 with the nozzle piece 110 for feeding at least one fuel component into the vehicle. It is further presumed that vehicle contains the above-described fuel-filler compartment 200 for receiving the at least one fuel component. Moreover, the nozzle piece 110 has a set of output conduit openings 111, 112 and 113 each of which is configured feed a particular fuel component into the vehicle. Analogously, the fuel-filler compartment 200 contains a set of input conduit openings 211, 212 and 213 each of which is configured receive a respective one of the fuel components into the vehicle.

In a first step 510, it is checked whether or not the nozzle piece 110 has been positioned in front of the fuel-filler compartment 200, such that a first pattern of the conduit openings in the set of output conduit openings 111, 112 and 113 matches a second pattern of receiver conduit openings 211, 212 and 213 in the fuel-filler compartment 200 in a key-lock manner. If the matching criterion is fulfilled, a step 520 follows which enables the fuelfilling procedure; and otherwise the procedure loops back and stays in step 510.

Figure 6 represents a flow diagram of the method according to one embodiment of the invention, which assumes that the abovedescribed steps 510 and 520 have been completed.

In a step 610, the nozzle piece 110 is fixated in the fuel-filler compartment 200 via the arrangement with locking member(s) of the fuel-filler compartment 200 engaging with the locking cavit/y/ ies of the nozzle piece 11 0.

Thereafter, in a step 620, it is checked if an initiation command has been received, for instance from a user-operable activation member. If the initiation command has been received, the procedure continues to a step 630, and otherwise it loops back and stays in step 620. As mentioned above, due to authorization requirements, such as payment, it may not be sufficient that the user-operable activation member 145 is triggered to cause feeding of the at least one fuel component into the vehicle 460. Therefore, before proceeding to step 630, it may be necessary to ascertain that the user of the vehicle 460 is permitted fuel acquirer.

In step 630, fuel components are fed into the vehicle via the nozzle piece 110 and the fuel-filler compartment 200. Preferably, in parallel with this, at least one visual indicator 310, 311, 312 and/or 313 shows one or more aspects data being exchanged between the pump station and the vehicle, such as data representing the fuel-filling progress. Said data are preferably exchanged via the first and second wireless transceivers 115 and 215 respectively.

In a subsequent step 640, it is checked if a user-generated abort command has been received, or if the fuel tanks are full. If so, a step 650 follows, or possibly a step 660. Otherwise the procedure loops back to step 630 for continued filling.

In step 660, the nozzle piece 110 is released from the fixating in the fuel-filler compartment 200. Thereafter, the procedure ends.

Preferably, between steps 640 and 660, i.e. after completing the feeding of the at least one fuel component into the vehicle and before releasing the nozzle piece 110 from the fixating in the fuel-filler compartment 200, there is a step 650. In this step, the fuel-filler compartment 200 is rinsed with a cleaning fluid, such as water from the output conduit 112 in the nozzle piece 110.

The term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components. However, the term does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more additional features, integers, steps or components or groups thereof.

The invention is not restricted to the described embodiments in the figures, but may be varied freely within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A handle (100) for filling liquid fuel into a fuel-cell powered electric vehicle (460), the handle (100) comprising a nozzle piece (110) configured to feed at least one fuel component into the vehicle (460), characterized in that the nozzle piece (110) comprises a set of output conduit openings (111, 112, 113) each configured to feed a particular one of at least two fuel components into the vehicle (460), and the conduit openings in the set of output conduit openings (111, 112, 113) are arranged in a first pattern relative to one another which first pattern is adapted to match a second pattern of receiver conduit openings (211, 212, 213) in a fuel-filler compartment (200) of the vehicle (460) in a key-lock manner, wherein the nozzle piece (110) comprises at least one locking cavity (117) configured to engage with at least one locking member (431, 432) in the fuel-filler compartment (200) so as to fixate the nozzle piece (110) in the fuel-filler compartment (200) when the nozzle piece (110) is positioned such that the first pattern matches the second pattern in said key-lock manner.

2. The handle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle piece (110) comprises a sealing sleeve (116) encircling the set of output conduit openings (111, 112, 113), the sealing sleeve (116) being configured to be fitted with a mating member (216) encircling the set of receiver conduit openings (211, 212, 213) so as to prevent leakage of the at least one fuel component from the nozzle piece (110).

3. The handle (100) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the nozzle piece (110) further comprises an input conduit opening (114) configured to receive at least one waste component from the vehicle (460).

4. The handle (100) according to claim 3, wherein the input conduit opening (114) is arranged relative to the first pattern so as to match a dispatch opening (214) in the fuel-filler compartment (200) when the first pattern matches the second pattern in said key-lock manner.

5. The handle (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a user-operable activation member (145) configured to cause commands to generated which commands are arranged to control initiation and abortion respectively of the feeding of the at least one fuel component into the vehicle (460).

6. The handle (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle piece (110) comprises a first shortrange wireless transceiver (115) configured to exchange data with a second short-range wireless transceiver (215) in the fuelfiller compartment (200) in conjunction with filling liquid fuel into the vehicle (460).

7. The handle (100) according to claim 6, wherein the first short-range wireless transceiver (115) is configured to: receive at least one of fill-level data indicating a filling status of the at least two fuel components and cell-health data reflecting a fuel-cell status; and transmit at least one of service data reflecting a maintenance status of the vehicle (460) and authorization data specifying a permit status of a user of the vehicle (460).

8. The handle (100) according to claim 7, comprising at least one visual indicator (310, 311, 312, 313) configured to show at least one aspect of the data being exchanged between the first and second wireless transceivers (115; 215).

9. The handle (100) according to any of claims 8 or 7 when claim 6 is dependent upon claim 5, wherein user-operable activation member (145) may cause the feeding of the at least one fuel component into the vehicle (460) to be initiated if and only if the authorization data specify that the user of the vehicle (460) is permitted fuel acquirer.

10. A fuel-filler compartment (200) for receiving liquid fuel into a fuel-cell powered electric vehicle (460) via a nozzle piece (110), characterized in that the fuel-filler compartment (200) comprising a second set of input conduit openings (211, 212, 213) each configured to receive a particular one of at least two fuel components into the vehicle (460), and the conduit openings in the second set of receiver conduit openings (211, 212, 213) being arranged in a second pattern relative to one another which second pattern is adapted to match a first pattern of output conduit openings (111, 112, 113) in the nozzle piece (110) in a key-lock manner, wherein the fuel-filler compartment (200) comprises at least one locking member (431, 432) configured to engage with at least one locking cavity (117) in the nozzle piece (110) so as to fixate the nozzle piece (110) in the fuel-filler compartment (200) when the nozzle piece (110) is positioned such that the first pattern matches the second pattern in said key-lock manner.

11. The fuel-filler compartment (200) according to claim 10, comprising a mating member (216) encircling the set of receiver conduit openings (211, 212, 213), the mating member (216) being configured to be fitted with a sealing sleeve (116) of the nozzle piece (110), which sealing sleeve (116) encircles the set of output conduit openings (111, 112, 113) such that when fitted with the mating member (216) leakage of the at least one fuel component from the nozzle piece (110) is prevented.

12. The fuel-filler compartment (200) according to any one of claims 10 or 11, further comprising a dispatch opening (214) configured to discharge at least one waste component out from the vehicle (460).

13. The fuel-filler compartment (200) according to claim 12, wherein the dispatch opening (214) is arranged relative to the second pattern so as to match an input conduit opening (114) in the nozzle piece (110) when the first pattern matches the second pattern in said key-lock manner.

14. The fuel-filler compartment (200) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, comprising a heating member (450) configured to warm up the nozzle piece (110) in conjunction with filling liquid fuel into the vehicle (460)

15. The fuel-filler compartment (200) according to any one of claims 10 to 14, comprising a second short-range wireless transceiver (215) configured to exchange data with a first short-range wireless transceiver (115) in the nozzle piece (110) in conjunction with filling liquid fuel into the vehicle (460).

16. The fuel-filler compartment (200) according to claim 15, wherein the second short-range wireless transceiver (215) is configured to: transmit at least one of fill-level data indicating a filling status of the at least two fuel components and cell-health data reflecting a fuel-cell status; and receive at least one of service data reflecting a maintenance status of the vehicle (460) and authorization data specifying a permit status of a user of the vehicle (460).

17. The fuel-filler compartment (200) according to claim 10, comprising a selectably removable protective member (440) configured to cover the conduit openings in the set of receiver conduit openings (211, 212, 21 3) when no nozzle piece (110) is fixated in the fuel-filler compartment (200) and exclusively allow the conduit openings in the set of input conduit openings (211, 212, 213) to be uncovered when the nozzle piece (110) is fixated in the fuel-filler compartment (200).

18. The fuel-filler compartment (200) according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein one conduit opening (211) in the set of receiver conduit openings (211, 212, 213) is configured to receive a liquid fuel component containing aluminum, said one conduit opening (211) being encircled by a sealing member (211s) configured to prevent leakage of the liquid fuel component when passing through an output conduit opening (111) of the nozzle piece (1 10).

19. A method of filling liquid fuel from a fuel pump station into a fuel-cell powered electric vehicle (460), the fuel pump station being connected to a handle (100) comprising a nozzle piece (110) for feeding at least one fuel component into the vehicle (460) and the vehicle (460) comprising a fuel-filler compartment (200) for receiving the at least one fuel component, characterized by: the nozzle piece (110) comprising a set of output conduit openings (111, 112, 113) each configured feed a particular one of at least two fuel components into the vehicle (460), and the fuel-filler compartment (200) comprising a set of receiver conduit openings (211, 212, 213) each configured receive a respective one the of at least two fuel components into the vehicle (460), and the method comprising: positioning the nozzle piece (110) in front of the fuel-filler compartment (200) such that a first pattern of the conduit openings in the set of output conduit openings (111, 112, 113) matches a second pattern of receiver conduit openings (211, 212, 213) in the fuel-filler compartment (200) in a key-lock manner, wherein the nozzle piece (110) comprises at least one locking cavity (117) and the fuel-filler compartment (200) comprises at least one locking member (431, 432) configured to engage with the at least one locking cavity (117), and when the nozzle piece (110) is positioned such that the first pattern matches the second pattern in said key-lock manner, and the method further comprises: fixating the nozzle piece (1 10) in the fuel-filler compartment (200) via the at least one locking cavity (117) engaging with the at least one locking cavity (11 7).

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the handle (100) comprises a user-operable activation member (145), after fixating the nozzle piece (110) in the fuel-filler compartment (200) and in response to an initiation command generated by the user-operable activation member (145), the method further comprises: feeding the at least one fuel component into the vehicle (460) via the set of output and receiver conduit openings (111, 112, 113; 211, 212, 213).

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the nozzle piece (110) comprises a first short-range wireless transceiver (115), the fuel-filler compartment (200) comprises a second short-range wireless transceiver (215), and after fixating the nozzle piece (110) in the fuel-filler compartment (200), the method further comprises: exchanging data between the first and second short-range wireless transceivers (115; 215) in conjunction with filling liquid fuel into the vehicle (460).

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the data exchange comprises at least one of: transmitting at least one of service data reflecting a maintenance status of the vehicle (460) and authorization data specifying a permit status of a user of the vehicle (460) from the first short-range wireless transceiver (115) to the second short-range wireless transceiver (215); and transmitting at least one of fill-level data indicating a filling status of the at least two fuel components and cell-health data reflecting a fuel-cell status from the second wireless transceiver (215) to the first short-range wireless transceiver (115).

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the handle (100) comprises at least one visual indicator (310, 311, 312, 313), and the method further comprises: showing at least one aspect of the data being exchanged between the first and second wireless transceivers (115; 215).

24. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein after the feeding of the at least one fuel component into the vehicle (460), the method comprises: releasing the nozzle piece (110) from the fixating in the fuel-filler compartment (200),

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein, the method comprises: stopping the feeding of the at least one fuel component into the vehicle (460) in response to at least one of an indication that a fuel tank in the vehicle (460) is full, and an abortion command caused by the user-operable activation member (145).

26. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein after the feeding of the at least one fuel component into the vehicle (460) and before releasing the nozzle piece (110) from the fixating in the fuel-filler compartment (200), the method comprises: rinsing the fuel-filler compartment (200) with a cleaning fluid.