JP2002372191A - Gas supplying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the fill-up accuracy of a dispenser unit having several fill-up nozzles and fill-up hoses. SOLUTION: A control device 16 of a gas supplying device 11 switches a solenoid three-way valve 30 to communicate one fill-up nozzle 49 or 50 detected by a nozzle switch 58 or 59 with a gas supplying system. In the gas supplying device 11, pressure of the only first fill-up hose 35 or a second fill-up hose 43 to be used this time can be stepped up to the fill-up pressure by previously filling before starting the fill-up. A fill-up start switch 55 is turned on to start the fill-up to a fuel tank 13 at the same time with the operation for opening a cut-off valve 27, and the gas quantity supplied to the fuel tank 13 coincides with the flow measured by a mass flow meter 26 to improve the fill-up accuracy.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas supply apparatus, and more particularly, to a gas supply system in which a plurality of filling nozzles are provided, and gas is supplied to a container to be filled through one of the plurality of filling nozzles. The invention relates to a gas supply device configured to be filled.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a gas supply apparatus for supplying compressed natural gas (CNG) or the like obtained by compressing natural gas to another tank, a gas supplied to a gas supply tank by a compressor to a pressure higher than a predetermined pressure (for example, 25 MPa). The gas stored in the gas supply tank is supplied to a fuel tank (filled tank) of the vehicle, and is filled until the pressure in the fuel tank reaches a predetermined pressure (for example, 20 MPa).

In this type of gas supply device,
A case in which a filling nozzle is provided on each of the left and right side surfaces of the housing is being studied. As described above, in a gas supply device having a plurality of filling nozzles, gas can be filled using any of the filling nozzles, so that the filling nozzle can be selected according to the position of the filling port of the fuel tank of the automobile. There are advantages.

On the other hand, the filling nozzle is connected to the gas supply pipe via a bendable rubber filling hose, and the filling hose is bent and adjusted in position in accordance with the position of the connection coupler of the automobile. The filling nozzle is provided with a filling coupler at an end. The filling coupler is configured to be connected by being pressed by a connecting coupler of a fuel tank of an automobile.

[0005]

As described above, in the conventional gas supply device, when the gas filling into the fuel tank is stopped during the filling (before the pressure in the fuel tank reaches a predetermined pressure), Since the gas filling into the fuel tank is started after the pressure inside the filling nozzle and the filling hose is increased to a predetermined pressure or more (for example, 25 MPa), the time required to complete the filling is delayed due to the delay of the filling. There was a problem of being extended.

Further, in a gas supply apparatus of the type in which the pressure is reduced each time one of the plurality of filling nozzles is completely filled, the pressure of the plurality of filling nozzles is reduced to substantially the atmospheric pressure each time. Before the filling is started, the pre-filling amount for raising the gas supply system to a plurality of filling nozzles to a predetermined pressure will increase, and the gas discharge amount by the depressurizing operation and the gas filling amount in the preparation stage before the filling will increase. However, there is a possibility that the filling time is further extended and the filling work efficiency is reduced. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gas supply device that solves the above problems.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following features. The present invention is provided in a gas supply system with a nozzle detection unit that detects a filling nozzle used this time among a plurality of filling nozzles, and selectively communicates a gas supply system with one of the plurality of filling nozzles. A switching valve for switching the communication path, and valve control means for switching the switching valve so as to communicate one of the filling nozzles detected by the nozzle detecting means with the gas supply system. The gas is supplied only to the filling nozzle. Accordingly, by preventing gas supply to other unused filling nozzles and reducing the amount of pre-filling before the start of filling, the filling time can be shortened.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a system configuration of a first embodiment of a gas supply device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a gas supply device 11 is installed at a gas supply station that supplies compressed natural gas (CNG) obtained by compressing city gas to a predetermined pressure into a fuel tank (filled container) 13 of an automobile 12, for example. The above-described compressed natural gas is an example, and the gas handled by the gas supply device 11 is not limited to this, and includes other gases that are used by being compressed in a range from atmospheric pressure to a high pressure of about 20 MPa.

The gas supply device 11 includes a pressure generating unit 14 for increasing the city gas to a predetermined pressure, a dispenser unit 15 for supplying the gas compressed by the pressure generating unit 14 to the fuel tank 13, The control unit 16 controls each device of the generating unit 14 and the dispenser unit 15.

The pressure generating unit 14 is provided with a multistage type through a medium pressure pipe (not shown) through which city gas is supplied at a medium pressure (higher than the pressure used at home) and an upstream pipe 17. It is supplied to the compressor 18 and compressed. The compressor 18 is provided with, for example, a plurality of (three or four) cylinders for compressing gas, and pressurizes the gas compressed by the preceding cylinder to a higher pressure by the next cylinder. , The gas supplied from the medium pressure line is compressed stepwise.

Further, the discharge port of the compressor 18
The gas supply line 19 is connected, and the gas supply line 19 is provided with a check valve 20 for preventing the compressed gas from flowing back to the compressor 18. Gas supply line 1
9 is connected to the gas accumulator 21. In addition, the gas accumulator 21 is also generally referred to as “gas accumulator” in literatures and the like.

In this embodiment, when the maximum pressure of the fuel tank 3 is 20 MPa, the maximum pressure of the gas accumulator 13 is set to 25 MPa. Therefore, the compressor 18 is supplied with city gas (about 0.5 to
0.8 MPa) to set the pressure of the gas accumulator 21 to the set pressure.

An on-off valve 23 composed of a solenoid valve is disposed in a discharge line 22 for discharging gas from the gas accumulator 21. The discharge line 22 communicates with a gas supply line 24, and the gas accumulator 21 is connected to the fuel tank 13 via the gas supply line 24.

The gas supply line 24 has a gas accumulator 2
A primary pressure transmitter 25 for detecting a pressure of a gas supplied from the fuel tank 1, a mass flowmeter 26 for measuring a gas supply amount supplied to the fuel tank 13, a gas supply opening / closing valve 27 composed of an electromagnetic valve, A pressure control valve 28 for adjusting the gas pressure supplied to the tank 13 to a predetermined pressure, a secondary pressure transmitter 29 for measuring the pressure of the supplied gas supplied to the fuel tank 13, an electromagnetic three-way valve (switching valve) 30, Are arranged.

The electromagnetic three-way valve 30 is connected to the first gas charging path 5
It is provided at a branch point between the first and second gas filling paths 52. The electromagnetic three-way valve 30 at the branch point has ports a, b, and c, and the gas supply pipe 24 is connected to the port a.
A first gas filling path 51 is connected to the port, and a second gas filling path 52 is connected to the port c. Further, the electromagnetic three-way valve 30 has an electromagnetic actuator, and a first filling mode in which the a and b ports are communicated by a switching signal output from the control device (valve control means) 16;
Alternatively, the operation is performed so as to switch to one of the second filling modes that communicate the ports a and c.

The first gas filling path 51 includes a three-way solenoid valve 3
A first filling line 31 communicated with the port a of port 0;
Pressure relief three-way valve 33, first filling hose 35,
And a filling nozzle 49. The first filling nozzle 49 has a first manual three-way valve 36 and a first connection coupler 37.

The first depressurizing three-way valve 33 includes an a port to which an end of the first filling pipe 31 is connected, a b port to which an end of the first filling hose 35 is connected, and a low pressure pipe. The end of the passage 47 has a port c with which it is communicated. Further, the first three-way valve 33 for depressurization is configured to perform a switching operation by a control signal from the control device 16, and is configured to be in a filling mode in which ports a and b are connected or a depressurization mode in which ports a and c are connected. It operates so as to switch to one of the modes. still,
The low-pressure line 47 communicates with the gas recovery container or the atmosphere, and when the first manual three-way valve 36 is depressurized after the filling is completed, the gas remaining in the first filling hose 35 is recovered to the low-pressure side. Then, the pressure in the first filling hose 35 is reduced.

The first manual three-way valve 36 provided in the first filling nozzle 49 has a port a to which the end of the first filling hose 35 communicates and a port b to which the first connection coupler 37 communicates. It has a port and a port c to which one end of the atmosphere discharge pipe 42 communicates. Further, the first manual three-way valve 36 is configured to be switched when the operator rotates the handle for manual operation at the time of starting the filling, and the first manual three-way valve 36 is configured to be in a filling mode in which the a and b ports are communicated, or a or c. The operation is performed so as to switch to one of the depressurization modes for communicating the ports.
Note that the other end of the atmosphere discharge pipe 42 is communicated with the atmosphere, and when the first manual three-way valve 36 is depressurized after filling is completed, the first manual three-way valve 36 to the check valve 41 are turned off. The gas remaining in the path between is discharged to the outside, and the pressure in the path is reduced.

The first connection coupler 37 is connected to the vehicle 1
The second fuel tank 13 is connected to a vehicle-side connecting coupler 38 of a filling pipe 39 communicating with the second fuel tank 13. This connection coupler 37,3
Numeral 8 has a built-in valve (not shown) that closes by a spring force, and each valve is opened and held in a communicating state by coupling, and each valve is closed by releasing the coupling. To prevent outflow of gas.

The filling line 39 of the automobile 12 is provided with a manual on-off valve 40 and a check valve 41. The manual on-off valve 40 is opened when a gas filling operation is performed. The check valve 41 prevents the gas filled in the fuel tank 13 from flowing back. When the pressure of the gas to be filled becomes higher than the pressure of the fuel tank 13, the check valve 41 is opened so that the gas can be filled. .

The second gas filling path 52 has the same configuration as the first gas filling path 51, and includes a second filling pipe 32 connected to the port c of the electromagnetic three-way valve 30, and a second gas filling path 52. The second pressure relief three-way valve 34, the second filling hose 43, and the second filling nozzle 50. The second filling nozzle 50 includes a manual three-way valve 44 and a second connecting coupler 4.
And 5.

The second three-way valve 34 for depressurizing includes an a port to which an end of the second filling pipe 32 is connected, a b port to which an end of the second filling hose 43 is connected, And a c-port to which the end of the low-pressure line 48 communicates. Further, the second three-way valve 34 for depressurization is configured to perform a switching operation by a control signal from the control device 16, and is configured to be in a filling mode in which the a and b ports are connected or a depressurizing mode in which the a and c ports are connected. It operates so as to switch to one of the modes.

The second manual three-way valve 44 provided in the second filling nozzle 50 has a port a to which the end of the second filling hose 43 communicates and a port b to which the second connecting coupler 45 communicates. It has a port and a c port to which one end of the atmosphere discharge pipe 46 communicates. Further, the second manual three-way valve 44 is configured to be switched when the operator rotates the handle for manual operation at the time of starting the filling, and the second manual three-way valve 44 is configured to be in the filling mode in which the a and b ports are communicated, or in the a and c modes. The operation is performed so as to switch to one of the depressurization modes for communicating the ports.

The dispenser unit 15 has a filling nozzle 49 provided in the first gas filling path 51 and a filling nozzle 50 provided in the second gas filling path 52. Filling nozzle 4 according to
It is possible to select which of the filling nozzles 9 and 50 is used.

The controller 16 is connected to each of the above-described devices, and includes a card reader 53, a display 54, a filling start switch 55, a filling stop switch 56, an emergency stop switch 57, and a first filling nozzle 49. A first nozzle switch (nozzle detecting means) 58 for detecting that the nozzle 15 is engaged with the second nozzle 15;
Is connected to a second nozzle switch (nozzle detecting means) 59 for detecting that the nozzle is hooked on the dispenser unit 15. The memory 60 of the control device 16 has
As will be described later, the electromagnetic three-way valve 30 is switched so as to communicate the first filling nozzle 49 or the second filling nozzle 50 detected by the first nozzle switch 58 or the second nozzle switch 59 with the gas supply system. A valve control program (valve control means) is stored.

Here, an example of the external shape of the dispenser unit 15 will be described. FIG. 2 is a front view of the dispenser unit 15. FIG. 3 is a right side view of the dispenser unit 15. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dispenser unit 15 includes a first filling hose 35 and a first filling nozzle 49 provided on a left side surface 62 a of a vertical casing 62. On the right side surface 62b,
A second filling hose 43 and a second filling nozzle 50 are provided. Further, left and right side surfaces 62a, 62
Nozzle hooks 64, 65 for hooking the filling nozzles 49, 50 are attached to b. The nozzle hooks 64, 65 are provided with first and second nozzle switches 58, 59 for detecting the presence or absence of the filling nozzles 49, 50. Note that the nozzle switches 58 and 59 are
When 9, 50 is locked, it turns off and the filling nozzle 4
When 9, 50 are removed, the detection signal is turned on and off by operating to switch on.

On the right side surface 62b of the housing 62, the display portions 25 of the primary pressure transmitter 25 and the secondary pressure transmitter 29 are provided.
a, 29a and a card reader 66 for reading data recorded on a customer's prepaid card.

Further, on the front face 62c of the housing 62, a display 54 for displaying a filling amount, a filling start switch 55, a filling stop switch 56, and an emergency stop switch 57 are arranged.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration inside the housing 62 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, inside the housing 62, the gas supply pipe 24, the primary pressure transmitter 25, the mass flow meter 26, the gas supply opening / closing valve 27, the pressure control valve 28, and the secondary pressure Transmitter 29, electromagnetic three-way valve 30,
A first decompression three-way valve 33 and a second decompression three-way valve 34 are provided.

As an example of the arrangement of each device, a primary pressure transmitter 25, a mass flow meter 26, a gas supply opening / closing valve 27, a pressure control valve 28, and a secondary pressure transmitter 29 are disposed at a lower portion of a housing 62. And the three-way solenoid valve 30 and the first three-way valve 3
Third, the second three-way valve 34 for depressurization is arranged on the upper part of the housing 62. The electromagnetic three-way valve 30 provided at a branch point between the first gas filling path 51 and the second gas filling path 52
Are arranged at the center, and the first and
The second three-way valves 33 and 34 for depressurization are arranged so as to be located.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the filling process of the first embodiment executed by the control device 16. As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 16 executes step S11.
In step (hereinafter, “step” is omitted), it is checked whether the first nozzle switch 58 is off. In S11, when the first nozzle switch 58 is off, the first filling nozzle 49 is hung on the nozzle hook 64, so the process proceeds to S12, and it is checked whether the second nozzle switch 59 is off. I do. In S12, when the second nozzle switch 59 is off, the second filling nozzle 50 is hooked on the nozzle hook 65, so the process returns to S11 and the processes of S11 and S12 are repeated.

If the first nozzle switch 58 is turned on in S11, it is detected that the first filling nozzle 49 has been removed from the nozzle hook 64, and the process proceeds to S13.
Then, the electromagnetic three-way valve 30 is switched so as to supply gas to the first filling hose 35 side (a and b port communication).

If the second nozzle switch 59 is ON in S12, it is detected that the second filling nozzle 50 has been removed from the nozzle hook 65, and the process proceeds to S14.
Then, the electromagnetic three-way valve 30 is switched so as to supply gas to the second filling hose 43 side (a and c port communication).

In the next step S15, the shut-off valve 27 is opened and gas is supplied to the first filling hose 35 or the second filling hose 43 for performing the current filling to supply the first filling hose 35 or the second filling hose 35. The pressure of the hose 43 is increased to a predetermined filling pressure (preliminary filling starts). In S16, the secondary pressure transmitter 29
Is read, and it is checked whether or not the pressure in the hose has reached a preset pressure. When the pressure in the hose reaches the preset pressure in S16, the process proceeds to S17, in which the shut-off valve 27 is closed to end the pre-filling (pre-filling end).

In the next S18, the charging start switch 5
Check if 5 has been turned on. The operator operates the first filling nozzle 49 or the second filling nozzle 50.
Of the first connection coupler 28 (or the second connection coupler 4
5) is connected to the vehicle-side connecting coupler 38, and a, a of the first manual three-way valve 36 (or the second manual three-way valve 44) is connected.
After communicating the port b, the charging start switch 55 is turned on. When the filling start switch 55 is turned on in S18, the process proceeds to S19,
The shutoff valve 27 is opened to start filling the fuel tank 13 with gas.

Subsequently, in S20, the filling amount is calculated by integrating the gas supply amount measured by the mass flow meter 26, and in S21, the pressure value detected by the secondary pressure transmitter 29 is read.

At S22, it is checked whether the pressure value detected by the secondary pressure transmitter 29 has reached a preset target pressure. In S22, when the pressure value detected by the secondary pressure transmitter 29 reaches the target pressure,
It is determined that the gas filling of the fuel tank 13 has been completed, and the process proceeds to S23, where the shut-off valve 27 is closed to terminate the gas filling.

Thereafter, in S24, the first three-way depressurizing valve 33 (or the second three-way depressurizing valve 34) of the charging path used this time is switched to the depressurizing mode (communication between the a and c ports). Thereby, the first filling hose 3 used this time
5 (or the second filling hose 43) is supplied to the low pressure line 4
7 or 48 and discharged through the first filling hose 35
(Or the second filling hose 43) is reduced in pressure. At this time, the operator operates the first connection coupler 49 used this time.
(Or the second manual coupler 35) (or the second manual coupler 50), the operating handle of the first manual three-way valve 36 (or the second manual three-way valve 44) is rotated to operate the first manual three-way valve 36 (or the second manual three-way valve 36). Of the manual three-way valve 44) is switched to the depressurization mode (a, c port communication). Thereby, the pressure of the first filling nozzle 49 (or the second filling nozzle 50) used this time is released into the atmosphere via the conduit 42 or 46, and the first filling nozzle 49 (or the second filling nozzle 50) is discharged to the atmosphere.
The pressure between the manual three-way valve 36 (or the second manual three-way valve 44) and the first connection coupler 37 (or the second connection coupler 45) is reduced to the atmospheric pressure.

In S25, it is checked whether or not the elapsed time after the start of depressurization has reached a preset depressurization time t. In S25, when the depressurization time t has elapsed, S
Proceeding to 26, the first depressurizing three-way valve 33 (or the second depressurizing three-way valve 34) of the filling path used this time is switched to the filling mode (a, b port communication). Thus, a series of filling control ends.

Further, the operator operates the operation handle of the first manual three-way valve 36 or the second manual three-way valve 44 provided on the first filling nozzle 49 (or the second filling nozzle 50) used this time. By rotating the first three-way valve 33 for depressurization
(Or the second three-way valve for depressurization 34) in the filling mode (a,
switch to b port communication).

As described above, the plurality of filling nozzles 49, 50
In the gas supply device 11 having the following, only the first filling hose 35 (or the second filling hose 43) used this time is
First filling hose 35 pre-filled before starting filling
The pressure in the fuel tank 1 (or the second filling hose 43) can be increased to the filling pressure, and the filling start switch 55 is turned on to open the shut-off valve 27 and the fuel tank 1 simultaneously.
Since the filling into the fuel tank 3 is started, the amount of gas supplied to the fuel tank 13 matches the flow rate measured by the mass flow meter 26, so that the filling accuracy can be further improved.

The first filling hose 35 (or the second filling hose 35)
The filling start switch 55 is turned on to open the shut-off valve 27 in step S19 in a state where the filling hose 43) has reached the predetermined filling pressure by the pre-filling. At the same time, the fuel tank 13
Is started, and the filling time can be shortened as compared with the case where the first filling hose 35 or the second filling hose 43 is started to be filled at atmospheric pressure.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, inside the housing 62,
Instead of the electromagnetic three-way valve 30 at the branch point, first and second electromagnetic valves 70 and 72 are provided in the filling conduits 31 and 32. The first and second solenoid valves 70 and 72 are normally closed, and are configured to be opened by being excited by a signal from the control device 16. That is, when one of the first and second nozzle switches 58 and 59 is turned on, the first solenoid valve 70 or the second solenoid valve 72 corresponding to the turned on nozzle switch is opened.

In the second embodiment, the primary pressure transmitter 2
5, a mass flow meter 26, a gas supply opening / closing valve 27, a pressure control valve 28, and a secondary pressure transmitter 29 are disposed at a lower portion of the housing 62, and the first and second solenoid valves 70 and 72 and the first The three-way valve 33 for depressurizing and the second three-way valve 34 for depressurizing are arranged on the upper part of the housing 62. Then, gas filling paths 51, 52
The first and second solenoid valves 70 and 72 for opening and closing the valve are disposed on both sides of the branch point, and the first solenoid valve 70 or the second solenoid valve 72 on the unused filling nozzle side is closed. Therefore, it is configured such that a relatively small amount of gas is supplied to another filling path during gas filling.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the filling process of the second embodiment executed by the control device 16. As shown in FIG. 7, the control device 16 checks whether or not the first nozzle switch 58 is off in S31. S
If the first nozzle switch 58 is off at 31, the first filling nozzle 49 is hung on the nozzle hook 64, so the process proceeds to S 32 to check whether the second nozzle switch 59 is off. I do. In S32,
When the second nozzle switch 59 is off, the second filling nozzle 50 is hooked on the nozzle hook 65, so the process returns to S31 and the processes of S31 and S32 are repeated.

If the first nozzle switch 58 is ON in S31, it is detected that the first filling nozzle 49 has been removed from the nozzle hook 64, and the process proceeds to S33.
Then, the first solenoid valve 70 is opened to supply gas to the first filling hose 35 side.

If the second nozzle switch 59 is ON in S32, it is detected that the second filling nozzle 50 has been removed from the nozzle hook 65, and S34 is detected.
Then, the second solenoid valve 72 is opened to supply gas to the second filling hose 43 side.

In the next step S35, the shut-off valve 27 is opened to supply gas to the first filling hose 35 or the second filling hose 43 for performing the current filling, and the first filling hose 35 or the second filling hose 35 is charged. The pressure of the hose 43 is increased to a predetermined filling pressure (preliminary filling starts). In S36, the secondary pressure transmitter 29
Is read, and it is checked whether or not the pressure in the hose has reached a preset pressure. When the pressure in the hose reaches the preset pressure in S36, the process proceeds to S37, in which the shut-off valve 27 is closed to end the pre-filling (pre-filling end).

In the next S38, the charging start switch 5
Check if 5 has been turned on. The operator connects one of the first and second connection couplers 28 and 45 of the first and second filling nozzles 49 and 50 to the vehicle-side connection coupler 3.
After connecting the a and b ports of the manual three-way valves 36 and 44 of the connected filling nozzles 49 and 50,
The charging start switch 55 is turned on. And
When the filling start switch 55 is turned on in S38, the process proceeds to S39, in which the shut-off valve 27 is opened to start filling the fuel tank 13 with gas.

Subsequently, in S40, the supply amount of gas measured by the mass flow meter 26 is integrated and the charged amount is calculated by performing the integration. In S41, the pressure value detected by the secondary pressure transmitter 29 is read. .

In S42, it is checked whether the pressure value detected by the secondary pressure transmitter 29 has reached a preset target pressure. In S42, when the pressure value detected by the secondary pressure transmitter 29 reaches the target pressure,
It is determined that the gas filling into the fuel tank 13 has been completed, and the process proceeds to S43, where the first solenoid valve 70 or the second solenoid valve 72 used for the current filling is closed, and the shutoff valve 27 is closed. Close the valve to end gas filling.

Thereafter, in S44, the three-way valve 33 or 34 for depressurization of the charging path used this time is set to the depressurization mode (a,
switch to (c port communication). As a result, the gas of the filling hose 35 or 43 used this time is discharged through the low-pressure line 47 or 48, and the filling hose 35 or 43 is used.
The pressure of is reduced. At this time, the operator operates the manual three-way valve 36 provided on the filling nozzle 49 or 50 used this time.
Or, rotate the operation handle 44 to operate the manual three-way valve 3.
6 or 44 is switched to the depressurization mode (a, c port communication). As a result, the pressure of the filling nozzle 49 or 50 used this time is released into the atmosphere via the line 42 or 46, and the manual three-way valve 36 or 44 and the connecting coupler 37 are connected.
Or the pressure between 45 is reduced to atmospheric pressure.

In S45, it is checked whether or not the elapsed time after the start of depressurization has reached a preset depressurization time t. In S45, when the depressurization time t has elapsed, S
Proceeding to 46, the three-way valve 3 for depressurizing the charging path used this time
Switch 3 or 34 to filling mode (a, b port communication). Thus, a series of filling control ends.

The operator operates the manual three-way valve 36 or 44 provided in the filling nozzle 49 or 50 used this time.
Rotate the operating handle of the manual three-way valve 36 or 4
4 is switched to the filling mode (a, b port communication).

As described above, in the case of the second embodiment, similarly to the above-described first embodiment, in the gas supply device 11 having the plurality of filling nozzles 49 and 50, the filling hose 3 used this time is used.
Only at 5 or 43, pre-filling can be performed before the start of filling to increase the pressure in the filling hose 35 or 43 to the filling pressure, and the filling start switch 55 is turned on to open the shut-off valve 27. At the same time, the filling of the fuel tank 13 is started, and the amount of gas supplied to the fuel tank 13 matches the flow rate measured by the mass flow meter 26, so that the filling accuracy can be further improved.

Also, in the case of the second embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, the shut-off valve 27 is opened in step S39 in a state where the filling hose 35 or 43 has reached a predetermined filling pressure due to the preliminary filling. At the same time as the charging start switch 55 is turned on and the shut-off valve 27 is opened, gas charging to the fuel tank 13 is started, and the charging hose 35 or 43 is in an atmospheric pressure state. It is possible to shorten the filling time as compared with the case where the filling is started. In the above embodiment, a nozzle switch is used as the nozzle detecting means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a switch (nozzle detecting means) for specifying a filling nozzle is provided, and the filling nozzle used by this operation is provided. May be detected.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where compressed natural gas (CNG) obtained by compressing city gas is supplied as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to supply gas such as butane and propane. Of course, it can be applied.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the compressed gas is filled in the fuel tank 13 of the automobile 12 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to an apparatus configured to be installed in the middle of a pipeline for supplying compressed gas to another place.

In the above embodiment, the city gas is compressed from the medium-pressure pipe before branching to the home. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The gas may be taken out from the pipeline.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention, the nozzle detecting means for detecting the currently used filling nozzle among the plurality of filling nozzles is provided in the gas supply system. A switching valve that switches a communication path so as to selectively communicate with one of the nozzles, and a valve control unit that switches a switching valve so as to communicate one gas filling system and one filling nozzle detected by the nozzle detection unit, By supplying gas to the filling nozzle to be used among the plurality of filling nozzles, it is possible to prevent gas supply to other filling nozzles that are not used and to perform preliminary filling only to the used filling nozzle. By doing so, it is possible to increase the gas filling accuracy by reducing the amount of pre-filling before the start of filling.
Furthermore, by preliminarily pre-filling the pressure on the side of the filling nozzle to be used and increasing the pressure, the filling time when the filling is started can be shortened.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a system configuration of a first embodiment of a gas supply device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the dispenser unit 15;

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the dispenser unit 15;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration inside a housing 62 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a filling process of a first embodiment executed by a control device 16;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a filling process according to a second embodiment, which is executed by the control device 16;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 11 gas supply device 12 automobile 13 fuel tank 14 pressure generating unit 15 dispenser unit 16 controller 18 compressor 19, 24 gas supply line 21 gas accumulator 22 discharge line 23 on-off valve 25 primary pressure transmitter 26 mass flow meter 27 Gas supply on-off valve 28 Pressure control valve 29 Secondary pressure transmitter 30 Electromagnetic three-way valve 33 First three-way depressurizing valve 34 Second three-way depressurizing valve 35 First filling hose 36,44 Manual three-way valve 37 First Connection coupler 38 Vehicle-side connection coupler 45 Second connection coupler 49 First filling nozzle 50 Second filling nozzle 51 First gas filling path 52 Second gas filling path 55 Fill start switch 56 Fill stop switch 58 First Nozzle switch 59 second nozzle switch 62 housing 70 first solenoid valve 72 second Solenoid valves

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A gas supply device, wherein a plurality of filling nozzles are provided in one gas supply system, and one of the plurality of filling nozzles is connected to a container to be filled and supplies gas. A nozzle detecting means for detecting a filling nozzle to be used this time among the filling nozzles; and a communication path provided in the gas supply system so as to selectively communicate the gas supply system with one of the plurality of filling nozzles. And a valve control means for switching the switching valve so as to communicate the one filling nozzle detected by the nozzle detection means and the gas supply system. Feeding device.