A COMPARTMENTALIZED HEADER TANK FOR LIQUID COOLANT, A MULTI-ENGINE HEADER TANK ARRANGEMENT, AND A POWER PLANT AND A MARINE VESSEL EQUIPPED WITH SUCH MULTI-ENGINE HEADER TANK ARRANGEMENT

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present disclosure relates to header tanks for liquid coolant, and more particularly to compartmentalized header tanks for use in a liquid coolant system of a multi-engine arrangement. The present disclosure further concerns a multi-engine header tank arrangement, a power plant and a marine vessel equipped with such multi-engine header tank arrangement.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] In multi-engine arrangements, such as power plants or marine vessels equipped with more than one engine, it is desirable to have a combined cooling liquid system, particularly a header tank, shared by the multiple engines. This reduces the number of needed components and piping, thus requiring less space for installation.

[0003] However, recent development of safety regulations regarding ships carrying liquified gasses in bulk demands that each engine shall be fitted with vent systems independent of other engines for, among other, cooling systems. This can not be achieved with conventional header tank arrangements shared by multiple engines and has resulted in each engine being equipped individual cooling systems, thus requiring an increased number of components and piping, further resulting in an increase amount space required for installation. JP H10 266856 A discloses a compartmentalized header tank for liquid coolant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a header tank for liquid coolant that can be shared by multiple engines, while still enabling independent venting of each engine for the cooling system. The purpose of the header tank is to allow for the heat expansion of the liquid coolant and to separate any gaseous content form the liquid coolant.

[0005] It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide a multi-engine header tank arrangement, and a power plant and a marine vessel equipped with such multi-engine header tank arrangement, which enable using a shared header tank for the cooling system while providing independent venting of each engine for the cooling system.

[0006] The objects of the disclosure are achieved by the compartmentalized header tank for liquid coolant, the multi-engine header tank arrangement, the power plant and the marine vessel, which are characterized by what is stated in the respective independent claims. The preferred embodiments of the disclosure are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0007] The disclosure is based on the idea of providing a header tank having an upper portion with laterally fluid impermeable partitions for each associated engine. Each partition has a tank coolant inlet for receiving liquid coolant from the associated engine, and above this, a tank gas outlet for venting any gas entrained with the liquid coolant. The partitions are open towards a lower portion of the header tank, such that the partitions are in fluid communication via said lower portion of the header tank. In addition, a tank coolant outlet is arranged at the lower portion for providing liquid coolant for the multiple engines.

[0008] As the liquid coolant from each engine is received independently at the associated partitions, any gaseous contents entrained with the liquid coolant rises to the top of the partition corresponding to the engine from which the gaseous contents originates from. From the top of the partitions, the separate venting lines, equipped with gas detectors, may be provided, thus enabling identifying the engine from the gaseous contents originates from, and further, targeting any necessary action to this engine. Moreover, as at least one tank coolant outlet is arranged below the tank coolant inlets, suitably at the lower portion of the header tank, any gaseous contents is not entrained along with the liquid coolant flowing out of the header tank.

[0009] An advantage of the solution according the disclosure is that independent venting of each engine for the cooling system may be achieved while still reducing the number of components, the amount of piping and required installation space by having a shared cooling liquid header tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] In the following the disclosure will be described in greater detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a multi-engine header tank arrangement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a multi-engine header tank arrangement according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a compartmentalized header tank 1 for liquid coolant is provided. Such a header tank 1 has an intended upright position when in use. In the context of this disclosure such terms as upper, lower, above and below refer to relative positions of objects when the header tank 1 is oriented in the intended upright position.

[0012] The header tank 1 comprises a container 2 having an upper portion 2a and a lower portion 2b on an inside thereof. The upper portion 2a is laterally divided into fluid impermeable partitions by at least one downwardly extending divider element 3. That is, the partitions are fluid impermeable in the lateral direction. The partitions are open towards the lower portion 2b, the lower portion 2b being defined by the inside of the container below the at least one divider element 3. Suitably, such a divider element extends from a top of the container 2 up to a distance from the bottom of the container 2. If more than one divider elements 3 are provided, they preferably extend up to an equal distance from the bottom of the container 2.

[0013] The header tank 1 comprises at least two tank gas outlets 4, each tank gas outlet 4 being positioned in a respective partition of the container's 2 upper portion 2a. Suitably, such tank gas outlets 4 are arranged on the top of the container 2.

[0014] The header tank 1 comprises at least two tank coolant inlets 5, each corresponding to its respective tank gas outlet 4, and being positioned below thereof in the respective partition of the corresponding tank gas outlet 4. The at least two tank coolant inlets 5 being intended for receiving liquid coolant.

[0015] Furthermore, the header tank 1 comprises a tank coolant outlet 6 positioned in a lower portion 2b of the container 2 for liquid coolant.

[0016] Any gaseous content entrained along with liquid coolant entering the header tank 1 rises upwards, as such gaseous content is less dense than the liquid coolant. Consequently, such gaseous content cannot escape laterally or downwardly from the respective partition at which it is received, as the partition is delimited by the divider elements. Therefore, such gaseous content can be independently vented from each partition via separate tank gas outlets 4, while liquid coolant can flow form each partition downwardly to the common tank coolant outlet 6 for liquid coolant. Naturally, multiple tank coolant outlets 6 may be provided at the lower portion 2b of the container 2, if necessary.

[0017] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, each tank gas outlet 4 may be equipped with a separate respective gas detector 7 for detecting a presence of gaseous content within said tank gas outlet. Suitably, such a gas detector 7 is configured to detect the presence of gaseous fuel, such as methane.

[0018] Preferably, but not necessarily, the tank gas outlets 4 are merged into a common breather duct 8 downstream of the separate respective gas detectors 7.

[0019] In another embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the header tank 1 comprises a liquid level sensor 9 arranged to sense a liquid level within the container 2 below a predetermined minimum liquid level, and subsequently, generate a signal indicative of a liquid level below the predetermined minimum liquid level. Suitably, the predetermined liquid level corresponds to liquid level at which each of the divider elements 3 are at least partly submerged.

[0020] In a further embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, at least one divider element 3 is provided as a laterally extending divider wall defining a partition on at least one side thereof.

[0021] In still a further embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, at least one divider element 3 may be provided as a downwardly extending protrusion having a closed cross-sectional profile defining at least a partition therein. Alternatively, or in combination, a partition may be defined outside of the closed cross-sectional profile. For example, a divider element 3 may be provided as a downwardly extending tubular profile, such as a pipe.

[0022] It should be noted that multiple types of divider elements 3 may be provided in the header tank 1. That is, the header tank 1 may comprise a laterally extending divider wall in addition to a downwardly extending protrusion having a closed cross-sectional profile.

[0023] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the header tank 1 comprises a tank overflow outlet 13 provided below the tank gas outlets 4, and preferably above each of the tank coolant inlets 5.

[0024] In another embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the header tank 1 comprises a tank feed inlet 14 for adding liquid coolant into the header tank.

[0025] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a multi-engine header tank arrangement is provided. Such a multi-engine header tank arrangement comprises a compartmentalized header tank 1 according to any of the embodiments, or variations thereof, of the first aspect of the disclosure, as discussed above.

[0026] Particularly, the header tank 1 has a number of tank gas outlets 4 and a number of tank coolant inlets 5, each corresponding at least to the number of engines 10. That is, for each engine 10, the header tank 1 has at least one tank coolant inlet 5 for liquid coolant coming from said engine, and at least one tank gas outlet 4, corresponding to said engine 10.

[0027] As already implied above, the multi-engine header tank arrangement comprises multiple engines 10, each being equipped with a respective liquid coolant system having an engine coolant inlet 11 and an engine coolant outlet 12. The engine coolant inlet 11 of each engine 10 is in fluid communication with a tank coolant outlet 6 of the header tank 1 for receiving liquid coolant therefrom. The engine coolant outlet 12 of each engine is in fluid communication with the tank coolant inlet 5 of the header tank 1 corresponding to its respective engine 10, for receiving liquid coolant form the engine 10 into the header tank 1.

[0028] In an embodiment according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the header tank arrangement has an intended liquid level L within the header tank 1, such that said intended liquid level L resides in the upper portion 2a of the header tank 1 below each tank gas outlet 4. That is, if tank gas outlets 4 are situated at different vertical positions, the intended liquid level L resides below the lowest tank gas outlet 4.

[0029] Suitably, but not necessarily, the intended liquid level L resides above each tank coolant inlet 5 of the compartmentalized header tank 1.

[0030] Alternatively, the intended liquid level L resides below each tank coolant inlet 5 of the compartmentalized header tank 1.

[0031] It should be noted, however, that if tank coolant inlets 5 are positioned at different vertical levels, the intended liquid level L may reside above one tank coolant inlet 5 and below another tank coolant inlet 5.

[0032] In an embodiment according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the engines 10 is a reciprocating internal combustion piston engine capable of using gaseous fuel as main fuel.

[0033] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a powerplant is provided. Particularly, such a powerplant comprises the multi-engine header tank arrangement according to any of the embodiments, or variations thereof, of the second aspect of the disclosure, as discussed above.

[0034] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a marine vessel is provided. Particularly, such a marine vessel comprises the multi-engine header tank arrangement according to any of the embodiments, or variations thereof, of the second aspect of the.

[0035] Preferably, but not necessarily, the marine vessel is a ship carrying at least a liquified gas in bulk. Suitably, such liquified gas is gaseous fuel used by at least one of the engines.

[0036] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a multi-engine header tank arrangement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] A compartmentalized header tank 1 having a container 2 is depicted in its intended upright position, i.e. the position when in use. The inside of the container 2 has an upper portion 2a and a lower portion 2b. The upper portion 2b is divided into laterally fluid impermeable portions by downwardly extending divider elements 3 in the form of lateral divider walls. The lower portion 2b is defined by the inside of the container 2b below the dividing elements 3. Moreover, the partitions are open towards the lower portion.

[0038] Each of the portions has a tank gas outlet 4 for venting gaseous content entrained (and separated from the liquid coolant within said portion) along with the liquid content received from the tank coolant inlet 5. As can be seen from Fig. 1, one or more tank coolant inlets 5, corresponding to a single engine may be arranged within each portion. A common tank coolant outlet 6 for liquid coolant is provided at the bottom portion 2b of the container.

[0039] The header tank 1 is equipped with a liquid level sensor 9 for detecting a liquid level within the container below a predetermined minimum liquid level. In the arrangement of Fig. 1, the liquid level sensor 9 is configured such that this minimum liquid level is defined above the lower portion 2b, i.e. above the bottom end of the divider elements 3.

[0040] Moreover, the dashed line denoted by L indicates an intended liquid level defined at the upper portion 2a below each tank gas outlet 4, and above each tank coolant inlet 5.

[0041] The tank gas outlets 4 are each equipped with a gas detector 7, and the tank gas outlets are merged into a common venting duct 8 downstream of the gas detectors 7.

[0042] In the arrangement of Fig. 1, three separate engines 10 are provided. Each engine 10 has one or more engine coolant outlets 12 for liquid coolant, coupled with the tank coolant inlets 5 of the container 2 corresponding to the partition associated to the respective engine 10. Moreover, each of the engines 10 has an engine coolant inlet 11 for liquid coolant coupled to the common tank coolant outlet 6 of the container.

[0043] In addition, the header tank 1 is equipped with a tank overflow outlet 13, for draining overflowing liquid coolant and a tank feed inlet 14 for introducing liquid coolant into the header tank 1. The tank overflow outlet 13 is positioned below the tank gas outlets 4 and above the tank coolant inlets 5, namely above the intended liquid level L. The tank feed inlet 14 is depicted at the top of the container 2 but may alternatively be arranged at other positions.

[0044] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a multi-engine header tank arrangement according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Particularly, the arrangement of Fig. 2 is similar to that of Fig. 1, with the exception of the divider elements 3 being provided as downwardly extending protrusions having a closed cross-sectional profile defining partitions therein. Namely, the divider elements 3 are provided as tubular profiles extending downwards, such that the tank coolant inlets 5 associated to the respective partition extends within the tubular profile.

Claims

1. A compartmentalized header tank (1) for liquid coolant, the header tank having an intended upright position, when in use, characterized by comprising

- a container (2) having an upper portion (2a) and a lower portion (2b) on an inside thereof, wherein the upper portion (2a) being laterally divided into fluid impermeable partitions by at least one downwardly extending divider element (3), said partitions being open towards the lower portion (2b), and wherein the lower portion (2b) being defined by the inside of the container below the at least one divider element (3);

- at least two tank gas outlets (4), each tank gas outlet (4) being positioned in a respective partition of the container's upper portion (2a);

- at least two tank coolant inlets (5), each tank coolant inlet (5) corresponding to a tank gas outlet (4), and being positioned below thereof in the respective partition of the corresponding tank gas outlet (4), and

- a tank coolant outlet (6) positioned in a lower portion of the container.

2. The header tank according to Claim 1, characterized by each tank gas outlet (4) being equipped with a separate respective gas detector (7) for detecting a presence of at least gaseous fuel within said tank gas outlet (4).

3. The header tank according to Claim 2, characterized by the tank gas outlets (4) being merged into a common breather duct (8) downstream of the separate respective gas detectors (7).

4. The header tank according to any of the preceding Claims 1-3, characterized by comprising a liquid level sensor (9) arranged to sense a liquid level within the container (2) below a predetermined minimum liquid level, and subsequently, generate a signal indicative of a liquid level below the predetermined minimum liquid level.

5. The header tank according to any of the preceding Claims 1-4, characterized by at least one divider element (3) being provided as a laterally extending divider wall defining a partition on at least one side thereof.

6. The header tank according to any of the preceding Claims 1-5, characterized by at least one divider element (3) being provided as a downwardly extending protrusion having a closed cross-sectional profile defining at least a partition therein.

7. The header tank according to any of the preceding Claims 1-6, characterized by comprising a tank overflow outlet (13) provided below each of the tank gas outlets (4) and above each of the tank coolant inlets (5).

8. The header tank according to any of the preceding Claims 1-7, characterized by comprising a tank feed inlet (14) for adding liquid coolant into the header tank.

9. A multi-engine header tank arrangement, characterized by comprising:

- a compartmentalized header tank (1) according to any of the preceding Claims 1-8, wherein the header tank (1) has a number of tank gas outlets (4) and a number of tank coolant inlets (5) each corresponding at least to the number of engines (10), and

- multiple engines (10), each being equipped with a respective liquid coolant system having an engine coolant inlet (11) and an engine coolant outlet (12), said engine coolant inlet (11) being in fluid communication with a tank coolant outlet (6) of the header tank (1), and respectively, said engine coolant outlet (12) being in fluid communication with the tank coolant inlet (5) of the header tank (1) corresponding to a respective engine (10).

10. The multi-engine header tank arrangement according to Claim 9, characterized by the header tank arrangement having an intended liquid level (L) within the header tank, such that said intended liquid level (L) resides in the upper portion (2a) of the header tank (1) below each tank gas outlet (4).

11. The multi-engine header tank arrangement according to Claim 10, characterized in that the intended liquid level (L) resides above each tank coolant inlet (5) of the compartmentalized header tank (1).

12. The multi-engine header tank arrangement according to Claim 10, characterized in that the intended liquid level (L) resides below each tank coolant inlet (5) of the compartmentalized header tank (1).

13. The multi-engine header tank arrangement according to any of the preceding Claims 9-12, characterized at least one of the engines (10) is reciprocating internal combustion piston engine capable of using gaseous fuel as main fuel.

14. A powerplant, characterized by comprising the multi-engine header tank arrangement according to any of the preceding Claims 9-13.

15. A marine vessel, characterized by comprising the multi-engine header tank arrangement according to any of the preceding Claims 9-13, wherein the marine vessel is a ship carrying at least a liquified gas in bulk.

Ansprüche

1. Unterteilter Sammeltank (1) für flüssiges Kühlmittel, wobei der Sammeltank bei Gebrauch eine vorgesehene vertikale Stellung einnimmt, gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass er umfasst:

- einen Behälter (2), der innenseitig einen oberen Abschnitt (2a) und einen unteren Abschnitt (2b) aufweist, wobei der obere Abschnitt (2a) seitlich durch mindestens ein abwärts verlaufendes Teilerelement (3) in fluidundurchlässige Abteilungen geteilt ist, wobei die Abteilungen zum unteren Abschnitt (2b) hin offen sind, und wobei der untere Abschnitt (2b) unterhalb des mindestens einen Teilerelements (3) durch die Innenseite des Behälters definiert ist;

- mindestens zwei Tankgasauslässe (4), wobei jeder Tankgasauslass (4) in einer jeweiligen Abteilung des oberen Behälterabschnitts (2a) positioniert ist;

- mindestens zwei Tankkühlmitteleinlässe (5), wobei jeder Tankkühlmitteleinlass (5) einem Tankgasauslass (4) entspricht und unterhalb desselben in der jeweiligen Abteilung des entsprechenden Tankgasauslasses (4) positioniert ist, und

- einen in einem unteren Abschnitt des Behälters positionierten Tankkühlmittelauslass (6).

2. Sammeltank nach Anspruch 1, gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass jeder Tankgasauslass (4) mit einem separaten jeweiligen Gasdetektor (7) ausgerüstet ist, um das Vorhandensein von mindestens gasförmigem Kraftstoff im Tankgasauslass (4) zu erkennen.

3. Sammeltank nach Anspruch 2, gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass die Tankgasauslässe (4) abströmseitig nach den separaten jeweiligen Gasdetektoren (7) in eine gemeinsame Entlüftungsleitung (8) zusammengeführt werden.

4. Sammeltank nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 3, gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass er einen Füllstandssensor (9) umfasst, der dazu eingerichtet ist, einen Flüssigkeitsfüllstand im Behälter (2) unterhalb eines vorherbestimmten Mindestfüllstands zu erfassen und anschließend ein Signal, das einen den vorherbestimmten Mindestfüllstand unterschreitenden Flüssigkeitsfüllstand anzeigt, zu erzeugen.

5. Sammeltank nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 4, gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass mindestens ein Teilerelement (3) als eine seitwärts verlaufende Trennwand vorgesehen ist, die eine Abteilung auf mindestens einer Seite definiert.

6. Sammeltank nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 5, gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass mindestens ein Teilerelement (3) als eine abwärts verlaufende Einragung mit geschlossenem Querschnittsprofil vorgesehen ist, die darin mindestens eine Abteilung definiert.

7. Sammeltank nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 6, gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass er einen Tanküberlaufauslass (13) umfasst, der unterhalb jedes der Tankgasauslässe (4) und oberhalb jedes der Tankkühlmitteleinlässe (5) vorgesehen ist.

8. Sammeltank nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 7, gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass er einen Tankzuführungseinlass (14) umfasst, um flüssiges Kühlmittel in den Sammeltank einzutragen.

9. Mehrmotor-Sammeltankanordnung, gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass sie umfasst:

- einen unterteilten Sammeltank (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 8, wobei der Sammeltank (1) eine Anzahl von Tankgasauslässen (4) und eine Anzahl von Tankkühlmitteleinlässen (5) umfasst, die jeweils mindestens der Anzahl der Motoren (10) entsprechen, und

- mehrere Motoren (10), die jeweils mit einem entsprechenden Kühlflüssigkeitssystem mit einem Motorkühlmitteleinlass (11) und einem Motorkühlmittelauslass (12) ausgerüstet sind, wobei der Motorkühlmitteleinlass (11) fluidtechnisch mit einem Tankkühlmittelauslass (6) des Sammeltanks (1) verbunden ist beziehungsweise der Motorkühlmittelauslass (12) fluidtechnisch mit dem einem jeweiligen Motor (10) entsprechenden Tankkühlmitteleinlass (5) des Sammeltanks (1) verbunden ist.

10. Mehrmotor-Sammeltankanordnung nach Anspruch 9, gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass die Sammeltankanordnung einen vorgesehenen Flüssigkeitsfüllstand (L) im Sammeltank aufweist, so dass sich der vorgesehene Flüssigkeitsfüllstand (L) im oberen Abschnitt (2a) des Sammeltanks (1) unterhalb jedes Tankgasauslasses (4) befindet.

11. Mehrmotor-Sammeltankanordnung nach Anspruch 10, gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass sich der vorgesehene Flüssigkeitsfüllstand (L) oberhalb jedes Tankkühlmitteleinlasses (5) des unterteilten Sammeltanks (1) befindet.

12. Mehrmotor-Sammeltankanordnung nach Anspruch 10, gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass sich der vorgesehene Flüssigkeitsfüllstand (L) unterhalb jedes Tankkühlmitteleinlasses (5) des unterteilten Sammeltanks (1) befindet.

13. Mehrmotor-Sammeltankanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 9 bis 12, gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass mindestens einer der Motoren (10) eine Hubkolben-Verbrennungskraftmaschine ist, der in der Lage ist, als Hauptkraftstoff einen gasförmigen Brennstoff zu verwenden.

14. Kraftwerk, gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass es die Mehrmotor-Sammeltankanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 9 bis 13 umfasst.

15. Wasserfahrzeug, gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass es die Mehrmotor-Sammeltankanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 9 bis 13 umfasst, wobei das Wasserfahrzeug ein Schiff ist, das mindestens ein verflüssigtes Gas als Massengut befördert.

Revendications

1. Réservoir collecteur compartimenté (1) pour liquide réfrigérant, ledit réservoir collecteur présentant une position verticale voulue pendant l'utilisation, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend :

- un récipient (2) présentant une partie supérieure (2a) et une partie inférieure (2b) à l'intérieur, dans lequel la partie supérieure (2a) est divisée latéralement en des compartiments imperméables aux fluides par au moins un élément diviseur (3) s'étendant vers le bas, lesdits compartiments étant ouverts vers la partie inférieure (2b), et dans lequel la partie inférieure (2b) est définie par l'intérieur du récipient en dessous dudit au moins un élément diviseur (3);

- au moins deux sorties de gaz de réservoir (4), chaque sortie de gaz de réservoir (4) étant positionnée dans un compartiment respectif de la partie supérieure (2a) du récipient;

- au moins deux entrées de réfrigérant de réservoir (5), chaque entrée de réfrigérant de réservoir (5) correspondant à une sortie de gaz de réservoir (4) et étant positionnée sous celle-ci dans le compartiment respectif de la sortie de gaz de réservoir (4) correspondante, et

- une sortie de réfrigérant de réservoir (6) positionnée dans une partie inférieure du récipient.

2. Réservoir collecteur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que chaque sortie de gaz de réservoir (4) est équipée d'un détecteur de gaz séparé (7) respectif pour détecter une présence au moins de carburant gazeux dans ladite sortie de gaz de réservoir (4).

3. Réservoir collecteur selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que les sorties de gaz de réservoir (4) sont réunies dans un conduit d'évent commun (8) en aval des détecteurs de gaz séparés (7) respectifs.

4. Réservoir collecteur selon l'une des revendications précédentes 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un capteur de niveau de liquide (9) agencé pour détecter un niveau de liquide dans le récipient (2) en dessous d'un niveau de liquide minimum prédéterminé et pour générer ensuite un signal indiquant un niveau de liquide en dessous d'un niveau de liquide minimum prédéterminé.

5. Réservoir collecteur selon l'une des revendications précédentes 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins un élément diviseur (3) est prévu comme cloison de séparation à extension latérale qui définit un compartiment sur au moins un côté.

6. Réservoir collecteur selon l'une des revendications précédentes 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins un élément diviseur (3) est prévu comme partie saillante s'étendant vers le bas avec un profil de section transversale fermée qui y définit au moins un compartiment.

7. Réservoir collecteur selon l'une des revendications précédentes 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une sortie de trop-plein de réservoir (13) prévue en dessous de chacune des sorties de gaz de réservoir (4) et au-dessus de chacune des entrées de réfrigérant de réservoir (5).

8. Réservoir collecteur selon l'une des revendications précédentes 1 à 7, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une entrée d'alimentation de réservoir (14) pour amener du liquide réfrigérant dans le réservoir collecteur.

9. Agencement de réservoir collecteur multimoteur, caractérisée en ce qu'il comprend :

- un réservoir collecteur compartimenté (1) selon l'une des revendications précédentes 1 à 8, dans lequel le réservoir collecteur (1) présente un nombre de sorties de gaz de réservoir (4) et un nombre d'entrées de réfrigérant de réservoir (5) qui correspondent, chacun, au moins au nombre de moteurs (10), et

- plusieurs moteurs (10), chacun étant équipé d'un système de liquide réfrigérant respectif présentant une entrée de réfrigérant de moteur (11) et une sortie de réfrigérant de moteur (12), ladite entrée de réfrigérant de moteur (11) étant en communication fluidique avec une sortie de réfrigérant de réservoir (6) du réservoir collecteur (1), et respectivement ladite sortie de réfrigérant de moteur (12) étant en communication fluidique avec l'entrée de réfrigérant de réservoir (5) du réservoir collecteur (1) correspondant à un moteur (10) respectif.

10. Agencement de réservoir collecteur multimoteur selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que l'agencement de réservoir collecteur présente un niveau de liquide voulu (L) dans le réservoir collecteur de sorte que le niveau de liquide voulu (L) réside dans la partie supérieure (2a) du réservoir collecteur (1) en dessous de chaque sortie de gaz de réservoir (4).

11. Agencement de réservoir collecteur multimoteur selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que le niveau de liquide voulu (L) réside au-dessus de chaque entrée de réfrigérant de réservoir (5) du réservoir collecteur compartimenté (1).

12. Agencement de réservoir collecteur multimoteur selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que le niveau de liquide voulu (L) réside en dessous de chaque entrée de réfrigérant de réservoir (5) du réservoir collecteur compartimenté (1).

13. Agencement de réservoir collecteur multimoteur selon l'une des revendications précédentes 9 à 12, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins l'un des moteurs (10) est un moteur à piston à combustion interne alternatif capable d'utiliser un carburant gazeux en tant que carburant principal.

14. Centrale électrique caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend l'agencement de réservoir collecteur multimoteur selon l'une des revendications précédentes 9 à 13.

15. Vaisseau marin caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend l'agencement de réservoir collecteur multimoteur selon l'une des revendications précédentes 9 à 13, ledit vaisseau marin étant un navire qui transporte au moins un gaz liquéfié en vrac.

Drawing