JP2005053358A - High pressure gas storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high pressure gas storage device generating no dispersion in pressure of every tank. <P>SOLUTION: The high pressure gas storage device is provided with a first tank 10 and a second tank 20 storing a fuel gas; a pressure reduction valve 7 arranged at the second tank 20 and pressure-reducing and releasing the fuel gas in the second tank 20; a feed pipe 32 connected to the second tank 20 through the pressure reduction valve 7 and transporting the fuel gas to a destination of the fuel gas; and a communication pipe 33 for communicating the first tank 10 and the second tank 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a high-pressure gas storage device, and in particular, a high-pressure gas storage for storing fuel gas to be supplied to a fuel cell or an engine, which is mounted on a fuel cell vehicle or a compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle. Relates to the device.

  Generally, a vehicle using hydrogen gas or natural gas as a fuel is equipped with a high-pressure gas storage device for storing this gas (hereinafter referred to as “fuel gas”). This high-pressure gas storage device is mainly used to supply fuel gas from a tank for storing fuel gas and a supply destination such as a fuel cell or an engine (hereinafter referred to as “fuel cell”) from the tank. And a filling pipe for filling the tank with fuel gas.

Conventionally, as a high-pressure gas storage device, one using a tank provided with a pressure reducing valve is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this high-pressure gas storage device, even if the tank is filled with high-pressure fuel gas, the pressure of the fuel gas supplied from the tank toward the fuel cell or the like is reduced by the pressure reducing valve. High pressure piping may not be used.
US Pat. No. 6,041,762 (column 2, line 24 to column 3, line 55, FIG. 3)

  By the way, as such a high pressure gas storage device, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of tanks 50 provided with pressure reducing valves are provided in order to extend the travel distance of the vehicle per fuel gas filling operation. Can be considered. In this high-pressure gas storage device C, hydrogen gas is filled into the tanks 50 and 50 through the filling pipes 52 and 52, and the hydrogen gas filled into the tanks 50 and 50 is fed through the supply pipes 53 and 53. To be released. However, in this high-pressure gas storage device C, when the fuel gas is discharged from the tanks 50, 50, the pressures in the tanks 50, 50 vary due to variations in the performance of the pressure reducing valves 51, 51. In other words, the amount of fuel gas released from the tanks 50 and 50 varies depending on the performance variation of the pressure reducing valves 51 and 51. Therefore, in the high-pressure gas storage device C, the usage frequency of the tanks 50 and 50 is biased. There was a problem. In addition, when the pressures in the tanks 50 and 50 vary as described above, pressure sensors used for calculating the remaining amount of fuel gas (the distance that the vehicle can travel) in the tanks 50 and 50 are replaced with the tanks 50 and 50, respectively. There was a problem that it had to be arranged every 50.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the high pressure gas storage apparatus which does not produce variation in the pressure for every tank.

  The high-pressure gas storage device according to claim 1 for solving the above-described problem is configured to connect a plurality of tanks in which fuel gas is stored and a plurality of the tanks in parallel to fill the tank with the fuel gas. A pipe and a plurality of the tanks are connected in series, the fuel gas in the tank is supplied to a supply destination, and the tank is arranged on the most downstream side of the fuel gas. And a pressure reducing valve that depressurizes the fuel gas in the tank disposed on the most downstream side and supplies the decompressed fuel gas to the supply destination.

  According to the high-pressure gas storage device, when the fuel gas stored in a plurality of tanks is supplied to a supply destination such as a fuel cell through a pipe connecting the tanks in series, the most downstream side The fuel gas supplied from the tank arranged on the side toward the fuel cell or the like is depressurized by the pressure reducing valve. In this high-pressure gas storage device, when the fuel gas stored in the plurality of tanks is supplied to the supply destination, the plurality of tanks are connected in series by the piping, so that the pressure of each tank varies. Does not occur.

  The high-pressure gas storage device according to claim 2 is disposed in one of the plurality of tanks for storing fuel gas and the plurality of tanks, and depressurizes the fuel gas in the tank. A pressure reducing valve that discharges, a supply pipe that is connected to the tank via the pressure reducing valve, transports the fuel gas to a supply destination of the fuel gas, and a communication pipe that communicates the plurality of tanks. It is characterized by providing.

  In this high-pressure gas storage device, when the fuel gas stored in a plurality of tanks is supplied to a supply destination such as a fuel cell through a supply pipe, the fuel gas released from the tank is The pressure is reduced by a pressure reducing valve. In this high-pressure gas storage device, when the fuel gas is supplied to the supply destination, the tank communicates with the communication pipe, so that there is no variation in the pressure of each tank.

  The high-pressure gas storage device according to claim 3 is disposed in one of the plurality of tanks for storing fuel gas and the plurality of tanks, and depressurizes the fuel gas in the tank. A pressure reducing valve to be discharged, connected to the tank via the pressure reducing valve, a supply pipe for transporting the fuel gas to a supply destination of the fuel gas, and a communication pipe for connecting the plurality of tanks; The tank is connected to the communication pipe and includes a filling pipe for filling the tank with fuel gas.

  In this high-pressure gas storage device, when the fuel gas is supplied toward the supply destination, the fuel gas released from the tank is depressurized by the pressure reducing valve, and similarly to the invention described in claim 2, Is connected via the communication pipe, so there is no variation in the pressure of each tank.

  Further, in this high-pressure gas storage device, since the filling pipe is connected to the communication pipe, the fuel gas is filled into the tank from the filling pipe through the communication pipe. That is, the communication pipe communicates the tank as described above, and a part thereof is used as a fuel gas filling pipe. Therefore, in this high-pressure gas storage device, compared to the high-pressure gas storage device in which the filling pipe is directly connected to the tank, the communication pipe is filled for a length corresponding to the length shared as the filling pipe. Piping is reduced.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the high-pressure gas storage device according to the second or third aspect, a pressure sensor is disposed in the communication pipe.

  In this high-pressure gas storage device, since the pressure sensor is disposed in the communication pipe, the pressure of the fuel gas in the tank is detected by this pressure sensor. That is, in this high-pressure gas storage device, the amount of fuel gas in the tank is detected based on the pressure signal of the fuel gas in the tank output from the pressure sensor.

  According to the high pressure gas storage device of the first aspect, there is no variation in the pressure of each tank, so that there is no bias in the usage frequency of each tank.

  Further, according to this high-pressure gas storage device, since there is no variation in the pressure of each tank, when the pressure sensor is attached to the tank, the pressure sensor may be disposed in at least one of the plurality of tanks. Unlike the conventional high-pressure gas storage device, it is not necessary to attach a pressure sensor to each tank.

  According to the high-pressure gas storage device of the second aspect, since there is no variation in the pressure of each tank, there is no bias in the usage frequency of each tank as in the first aspect of the invention.

  In addition, according to this high pressure gas storage device, since there is no variation in the pressure of each tank, when the pressure sensor is attached to the tank, the pressure sensor is attached to at least one of the plurality of tanks and the connecting pipe. What is necessary is just to arrange | position and it is not necessary to attach a pressure sensor for every tank like the conventional high pressure gas storage apparatus.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the same effects as those of the invention described in claim 2, since the filling pipe is reduced, it is possible to further reduce the pipe to which a high pressure is applied.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effects similar to those of the invention described in claim 2 or claim 3, the amount of fuel gas in the tank is detected by the pressure sensor. It is possible to calculate the amount of gas charged when charging the vehicle and the distance that the vehicle on which the high-pressure gas storage device is mounted can travel.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell vehicle equipped with a high-pressure gas storage device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the high-pressure gas storage device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the high-pressure gas storage device of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the high-pressure gas storage device A is mounted on a fuel cell vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as “vehicle 1”), and a first tank 10 and a second tank 20 that can be filled with high-pressure hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen gas supply device HG is transported toward the first tank 10 and the second tank 20, and the hydrogen gas filled in the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 is transferred to the fuel cell FC. And a ECU 30 (Electronic Control Unit) which is a control device for controlling the operation of the high-pressure gas storage device A and the fuel cell FC. The fuel cell FC corresponds to a “fuel gas supply destination” in the claims.

  First, the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 are screwed into the tank bodies 11 and 21 filled with hydrogen gas and the openings 11a and 21a of the tank bodies 11 and 21, respectively. And tank modules 12 and 22 for sealing 11a and 21a. The tank bodies 11 and 21 can be made of a rigid material that defines an internal space for receiving hydrogen gas. Among these, as the material of the tank bodies 11 and 21, so-called CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) in which a plastic such as polyethylene is reinforced with a carbon fiber is preferable from the viewpoint of weight reduction.

  The tank modules 12, 22 include a filling hole 2 for filling the hydrogen main body 11, 21 with the hydrogen gas, a discharge hole 3 for discharging the hydrogen gas from the tank main body 11, 21, An open hole 4 for discharging hydrogen gas from the tank bodies 11 and 21 when the temperature in the tank 21 rises to a predetermined value or more is formed. Each of the filling hole 2, the discharge hole 3, and the open hole 4 passes through the tank modules 12 and 22 so as to communicate with the internal space of the tank bodies 11 and 21 and the outside of the tank bodies 11 and 21. . In addition, a temperature sensor TS for detecting the temperature in the tank bodies 11 and 21 is attached to the tank modules 12 and 22.

  A filling pipe 5 is inserted into the filling hole 2 from the inside to the outside of the tank bodies 11 and 21. Further, a check valve 2 a is disposed in the filling hole 2, and the check valve 2 a includes a first filling pipe 31 and a communication pipe 33 that describe hydrogen gas in the tank bodies 11 and 21 later. It is configured not to flow backward.

  Solenoid valves 6 and 6 that are on-off valves are provided at the opening of the discharge hole 3 on the inner space side of the tank bodies 11 and 21. In the present embodiment, so-called normally closed type solenoid valves 6 and 6 are used. That is, the electromagnetic valves 6 and 6 block the discharge hole 3 when not receiving an opening command signal output from the ECU described later, and open the discharge hole 3 when receiving an opening command signal. It is configured as follows.

  A pressure reducing valve 7 is disposed in the discharge hole 3 on the second tank 20 side. When the electromagnetic valve 6 is opened and the hydrogen gas filled in the second tank 20 is discharged through the discharge hole 3, the pressure reducing valve 7 corresponds to an opening degree adjustment signal from the ECU described later. The opening degree is adjusted. In other words, the pressure reducing valve 7 reduces the pressure of the hydrogen gas in the supply pipe 32 by adjusting the flow rate of the hydrogen gas flowing into the supply pipe 32 described later from the discharge hole 3.

  Safety valves 8 and 8 are provided at the opening of the open hole 4 to the outside of the tank bodies 11 and 21. The safety valves 8 and 8 are for preventing the temperature in the tank bodies 11 and 21 from becoming a high temperature of a predetermined value or more. That is, the safety valves 8 and 8 are opened when the temperature in the tank bodies 11 and 21 rises to a predetermined value or more, thereby releasing the hydrogen gas in the tank bodies 11 and 21 into the opening pipes 8a and 8a. It is configured as follows.

  Next, the piping 30 (refer FIG. 1) which comprises the high pressure gas storage apparatus A is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 2, the pipe 30 includes a supply pipe 32, a connection pipe 33, a first filling pipe 31, and a second filling pipe 34.

  The supply pipe 32 transports the hydrogen gas in the second tank 20 toward the fuel cell FC (see FIG. 1). One end of the supply pipe 32 is connected to the discharge hole 3 formed in the tank module 22 of the second tank 20 via the pressure reducing valve 7, and the other end is connected to the fuel cell FC.

  The communication pipe 33 connects the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 and transports the hydrogen gas filled in the first tank 10 toward the second tank 20 side. The communication pipe 33 has one end connected to the discharge hole 3 formed in the tank module 12 of the first tank 10 and the other end connected to the filling hole 2 formed in the tank module 22 of the second tank 20. It is connected.

  The communication pipe 33 is provided with a check valve 33a in the middle of its route. The check valve 33a is for preventing hydrogen gas from flowing from the communication pipe 33 to the first tank 10 side when hydrogen gas is charged. In addition, the communication pipe 33 has a pressure of hydrogen gas in the communication pipe 33 on the way from a position where a second filling pipe 34 described later is connected to the filling hole 2 formed in the tank module 22. A pressure sensor P for detection is arranged. The pressure sensor P detects the pressure in the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 equal to this pressure by detecting the pressure in the communication pipe 33.

  One end of the first filling pipe 31 is connected to the filling hole 2 formed in the tank module 12 of the first tank 10. A filling joint 31a that is detachably connected to a supply joint HJ (see FIG. 1) of the hydrogen gas supply device HG is attached to the other end of the first filling pipe 31. That is, the first filling pipe 31 transports the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen gas supply device HG via the supply joint HJ and the filling joint 31a into the tank body 11 of the first tank 10. The filling joint 31a is provided with a check valve 31b for preventing hydrogen gas in the first filling pipe 31 from coming out through the filling joint 31a.

  The second filling pipe 34 branches from the first filling pipe 31 and is connected to a communication pipe 33 that extends between the first tank 10 and the second tank 20. That is, the second filling pipe 34 transports the hydrogen gas flowing into the first filling pipe 31 from the hydrogen gas supply device HG (see FIG. 1) to the second tank 20 via the communication pipe 33. It has become.

  Next, the ECU will be described. As is apparent from FIG. 1 again, the ECU is connected to the control unit HC of the hydrogen gas supply device HG by connecting the supply joint HJ of the hydrogen gas supply device HG and the filling joint 31a. It is comprised so that it can communicate. The control unit HC of the hydrogen gas supply device HG is configured to adjust the flow rate of the hydrogen gas supplied to the high pressure gas storage device A.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ECU detects the hydrogen in the communication pipe 33 based on the pressure detection signal output from the pressure sensor P when the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 are filled with hydrogen gas. When it is determined that the gas has reached a preset reference pressure, that is, when the pressure in the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 reaches the reference pressure, a predetermined amount is applied to the first tank 10 and the second tank 20. The gas supply stop signal for stopping the supply of the hydrogen gas is output to the control unit HC of the hydrogen gas supply device HG.

  Further, the ECU receives temperature detection signals output from the temperature sensors TS and TS when the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 are filled with hydrogen gas, and receives the temperature detection signals in the first tank 10 and the second tank 20. The gas flow rate reduction signal for reducing the flow rate of the hydrogen gas is output to the control unit HC of the hydrogen gas supply device HG when it is determined that the temperature of the gas exceeds a preset reference temperature.

  The ECU receives a temperature detection signal output from the temperature sensors TS and TS when the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 are filled with hydrogen gas, and detects the temperature in the first tank 10 and the first tank 10. When the temperature difference between the two tanks 20 is calculated and it is determined that the temperature difference exceeds a predetermined value, either the first tank 10 or the second tank 20 is not normally filled with hydrogen gas. And a gas supply stop signal is output to the control unit HC of the hydrogen gas supply device HG. Note that the ECU may be configured to output a gas flow rate reduction signal instead of the gas supply stop signal.

  Further, when the fuel cell FC is started, the ECU outputs an opening command signal toward the electromagnetic valves 6 and 6 provided in the respective tanks. By opening the solenoid valves 6, 6, hydrogen gas in the first tank 10 is introduced into the second tank 20 via the communication pipe 33 a, and the hydrogen gas in the second tank 20 is predetermined by the pressure reducing valve 7. The pressure is reduced to a pressure and supplied to the fuel cell FC.

  Further, the ECU detects the hydrogen gas pressure in the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 based on the pressure detection signal output from the pressure sensor P, and calculates the travelable distance of the vehicle 1. It is configured.

  Next, the operation of the high-pressure gas storage device A according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the high-pressure gas storage device A according to the first embodiment.

First, the operation of the high-pressure gas storage device A when the vehicle 1 is filled with hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas supply device HG will be described.
When the vehicle 1 is placed sideways at a hydrogen gas filling station (not shown) and the supply joint HJ of the hydrogen gas supply device HG is connected to the filling joint 31a of the vehicle 1 as shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen gas supply device A flow path of hydrogen gas from the HG toward the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 is formed, and the ECU can communicate with the control unit HC of the hydrogen gas supply device HG. Then, supply of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas supply device HG to the vehicle 1 is started, and a gas supply start signal is output from the control unit HC of the hydrogen gas supply device HG to the ECU (see FIG. 3). The ECU recognizes that the supply of hydrogen gas has started by receiving the gas supply start signal.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen gas supply device HG flows into the first filling pipe 31 via the filling joint 31a. The hydrogen gas that has flowed into the first filling pipe 31 is filled into the first tank 10 through the first filling pipe 31 because the electromagnetic valves 6 and 6 are closed, and the second filling gas is used. The second tank 20 is filled through the pipe 34 and the communication pipe 33. That is, the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 are filled with hydrogen gas in parallel. At this time, the check valves 2a, 2a and 31b (see FIG. 2) of the filling joint 31a, the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 prevent the backflow of hydrogen gas. Further, the check valve 33a (see FIG. 2) of the communication pipe 33 prevents the hydrogen gas from being filled into the first tank 10 via the second filling pipe 34.

  Thus, when hydrogen gas is filled in the first tank 10 and the second tank 20, the hydrogen gas is compressed in these tanks and generates heat. Incidentally, in the first tank 10 and the second tank 20, the compression and expansion of hydrogen gas occur simultaneously, but when filling with hydrogen gas, the relationship between the inversion temperatures is different from the case of filling with methane (natural gas). Because the cooling due to the Joule-Thompson effect cannot be expected, it involves a large temperature rise.

  At this time, the ECU controls so that the temperatures of the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 do not exceed a preset reference temperature (in this embodiment, set to 80 ° C.). That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, when the temperature sensors TS, TS detect the temperature T1 in the first tank 10 and the temperature T2 in the second tank 20 (step S1), the ECU Determines whether T1 is lower than the reference temperature based on the temperature detection signals (see FIG. 3) (step S2) and determines whether T2 is lower than the reference temperature (step S3). When T1 is equal to or higher than the reference temperature (NO in step S2) or when T2 is equal to or higher than the reference temperature (NO in step S3), the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 are radiated and become lower than the reference temperature. As described above, the ECU outputs a gas flow rate reduction signal (see FIG. 3) to the control unit HC of the hydrogen gas supply device HG (step S4). Upon receiving this gas flow rate reduction signal, the control unit HC (see FIG. 3) of the hydrogen gas supply device HG controls the hydrogen gas supply device HG so that the flow rate of hydrogen gas is reduced. These steps S1 to S4 are repeated until the temperature in the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 becomes lower than the reference temperature.

  When T1 is lower than the reference temperature (YES in step S2) and T2 is lower than the reference temperature (YES in step S3), the ECU determines that the absolute value of (T1-T2) is smaller than the predetermined value. Whether or not (step S5). When the absolute value of (T1-T2) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (NO in step S5), that is, the temperature difference between the temperature T1 in the first tank 10 and the temperature T2 in the second tank 20 is predetermined. If the value is greater than or equal to the value, it is assumed that either the first tank 10 or the second tank 20 is not normally filled with hydrogen gas, and the ECU supplies a gas supply stop signal (see FIG. 3) to the hydrogen gas supply device. It outputs toward the control part HC of HG (step S6). Then, the control unit HC of the hydrogen gas supply device HG that has received this gas supply stop signal controls the hydrogen gas supply device HG so as to stop the supply of hydrogen gas, whereby hydrogen to the high pressure gas storage device A is supplied. The gas filling process ends halfway.

  In step S5, when the absolute value of (T1-T2) is less than the predetermined value (YES in step S5), the ECU is based on the pressure detection signal (see FIG. 3) output from the pressure sensor P. The pressure in the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 is detected (step S7). Then, the ECU determines whether or not the detected pressure in the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 is equal to or higher than a preset reference pressure (in this embodiment, set to 70 MPa) (step S8). ). At this time, if the pressure in the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 is less than the reference pressure (NO in step S8), steps S1 to S8 are repeated.

  In step S8, if the pressure in the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 is equal to or higher than the reference pressure (YES in step S8), the ECU applies a predetermined amount to the first tank 10 and the second tank 20. Assuming that hydrogen gas is filled, a gas supply stop signal (see FIG. 3) is output to the control unit HC of the hydrogen gas supply device HG (step S9). Then, after the control unit HC of the hydrogen gas supply device HG that has received this gas supply stop signal stops the supply of hydrogen gas, the filling joint 31a and the supply joint HJ are disconnected, so that the high pressure gas storage device A is supplied. The hydrogen gas filling process is completed. At this time, the check valve 31b (see FIG. 2) of the filling joint 31a prevents the backflow of the hydrogen gas in the first filling pipe 31, so that the hydrogen gas does not leak from the filling joint 31a.

Next, the operation of the high pressure gas storage device A when supplying hydrogen gas from the high pressure gas storage device A to the fuel cell FC will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 3, the ECU outputs an opening command signal toward the electromagnetic valves 6 and 6 when the fuel cell FC is activated. The ECU also opens the hydrogen gas in the first tank 10 when the electromagnetic valves 6 and 6 are opened so that the hydrogen gas necessary for the fuel cell FC to generate predetermined power is supplied to the fuel cell FC. Flows into the second tank 20 through the communication pipe 33, and the hydrogen gas in the second tank 20 is supplied to the fuel cell FC through the supply pipe 32. That is, the first tank 10, the second tank 20, and the fuel cell FC are connected in series via the communication pipe 33 and the supply pipe 32. For example, the pressure of the hydrogen gas in the first tank 10 is When the pressure in the second tank 20 is higher, the check valve 33a and the check valve 2a of the second tank 20 are opened to introduce hydrogen gas in the first tank 10 into the second tank 20. It will be done. Further, the hydrogen gas in the second tank 20 is depressurized by the pressure reducing valve 7, supplied to the fuel cell FC through the supply pipe 32, and the hydrogen gas supplied from the fuel cell FC is consumed. The pressure of the hydrogen gas in the two tanks 20 decreases.

  Further, when the hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell FC in this way, the check valve 2a prevents the hydrogen gas from flowing back from the second tank 20 to the first tank 10, and is provided in the tank module 12. The check valve 2a thus prevented prevents hydrogen gas from flowing backward from the first tank 10 to the first filling pipe 31 (see FIG. 2).

  On the other hand, when the fuel cell FC is activated, the ECU outputs an opening command signal to the electromagnetic valves 6 and 6 provided in the respective tanks, and the electromagnetic valves 6 and 6 are opened. Then, when the solenoid valves 6 and 6 are opened, the hydrogen gas in the first tank 10 is introduced into the second tank 20 through the communication pipe 33a, and the hydrogen gas in the second tank 20 is reduced. 7 is depressurized to a predetermined pressure and supplied to the fuel cell FC.

  Further, the ECU detects the pressure of the hydrogen gas in the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 based on the pressure detection signal output from the pressure sensor P, and can travel the vehicle 1 (see FIG. 1). Is calculated. The travelable distance is displayed on a monitor (not shown) attached to the cockpit of the vehicle 1, for example.

  In such a high-pressure gas storage device A according to the first embodiment, the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 communicate with each other through the communication pipe 33, and the inside of the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 Pressure equalization. Therefore, according to the high-pressure gas storage device A, there is no difference in the residual pressure between the first tank 10 and the second tank 20, so that the usage frequency of the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 is not biased. .

  Further, according to the high-pressure gas storage device A, the pressure in the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 is equalized, so that a pressure sensor is provided for each of a plurality of tanks as in the conventional high-pressure gas storage device. There is no need to install.

  In the high-pressure gas storage device A, the hydrogen gas is charged into the second tank 20 from the second filling pipe 34 through the communication pipe 33. That is, a part of the communication pipe 33 is shared by the communication between the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 and the filling of the hydrogen gas into the second tank 20. Therefore, in this high-pressure gas storage device A, compared to the high-pressure gas storage device in which the second filling pipe 34 is directly connected to the second tank 20, it corresponds to the length of the communication pipe 33 shared for filling. It is possible to reduce the length of the filling pipe for the length. As a result, according to the high-pressure gas storage device A, the number of filling pipes is reduced, so that the number of pipes 30 (see FIG. 1) loaded with high pressure can be further reduced.

  Further, according to the high-pressure gas storage device A, the piping 30 (see FIG. 1) to which high pressure is loaded can be reduced, and accordingly, the seal portion of the piping 30 can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the high-pressure gas storage device A, the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 are filled with hydrogen gas via the first filling pipe 31, the second filling pipe 34, and the communication pipe 33, respectively. Therefore, the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 can be filled with hydrogen gas without opening the electromagnetic valve 6 of the first tank 10.

  Further, according to the high pressure gas storage device A, the pressure of the hydrogen gas in the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 can be detected by the pressure sensor P attached to the communication pipe 33, so that the first tank It is possible to calculate the amount of gas charged when the hydrogen gas is charged into the 10 and the second tank 20 and the travelable distance of the vehicle 1 in which the high-pressure gas storage device A is mounted.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the high-pressure gas storage device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the high-pressure gas storage device of FIG. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the high-pressure gas storage device B uses the first tank 13 and the second tank 20 that can be filled with high-pressure hydrogen gas, and the hydrogen gas in the second tank 20 as a fuel cell FC (see FIG. 1). ), A connecting pipe 35 for connecting the first tank 13 and the second tank 20, and a filling pipe 36 for filling the first tank 13 with hydrogen gas. . In the high-pressure gas storage device B, the second tank 20, the supply pipe 32, and the tank main body 11 of the first tank 13 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Now, the tank module 14, the communication pipe 35, the filling pipe 36, and the ECU of the first tank 13 will be mainly described.

  In the tank module 14 of the first tank 13, a filling hole 2 b for filling the tank body 11 with hydrogen gas, a discharge hole 3 b for discharging the hydrogen gas from the tank body 11, An open hole 4 is formed through which hydrogen gas is discharged from the tank body 11 when the temperature rises above a predetermined value. Each of the filling hole 2 b and the opening hole 4 penetrates the tank module 14 so as to communicate with the internal space of the tank body 11 and the outside of the tank body 11. The discharge hole 3b is formed in the tank module 14 so as to communicate the outside of the tank body 11 and the filling hole 2b. The tank module 14 is provided with a temperature sensor TS for detecting the temperature in the tank body 11. An electromagnetic valve 6 a having a check valve function is disposed at the opening where the filling hole 2 b opens to the inner space side of the tank body 11. The electromagnetic valve 6a is configured to be opened by receiving an opening command signal output from the ECU. When the opening command signal is not received, the electromagnetic valve 6a is closed in the direction in which hydrogen gas is discharged from the tank body 11 by the function of the check valve. That is, the solenoid valve 6a is a solenoid valve to which a check valve function is added. When the hydrogen gas is filled, the check valve of the solenoid valve 6a is determined by the pressure in the filling pipe 36 and the pressure in the first tank 13. Hydrogen gas is filled by the function of the valve 6b (see FIG. 6), and when supplying hydrogen gas, hydrogen is supplied into the communication pipe 35 through the valve 6c side which is opened by receiving an opening command signal output from the ECU. Gas is released. Then, the hydrogen gas released from the first tank 13 is introduced into the second tank 20 through the communication pipe 35. In addition, a safety valve 8 and an opening pipe 8a are disposed at the opening of the open hole 4 that opens to the outside of the tank body 11 as in the first embodiment.

  The communication pipe 35 connects the first tank 13 and the second tank 20 and transports the hydrogen gas filled in the first tank 13 toward the second tank 20 side. One end of the communication pipe 35 is connected to the discharge hole 3 b formed in the tank module 14 of the first tank 13, and the other end is connected to the filling hole 2 formed in the tank module 22 of the second tank 20. It is connected. The communication pipe 35 is provided with a pressure sensor P that detects the pressure of hydrogen gas in the communication pipe 35. In addition, this pressure sensor P detects the pressure in the 1st tank 13 and the 2nd tank 20 which is equal to this pressure by detecting the pressure in the connection piping 35 similarly to 1st Embodiment. It is like that. One end of the filling pipe 36 is connected to a filling hole 2 b formed in the tank module 14 of the first tank 13. The other end of the filling pipe 36 is attached with a filling joint 31a similar to that of the first embodiment, which is detachably connected to a supply joint HJ (see FIG. 1) of the hydrogen gas supply device HG. Yes.

  As in the first embodiment, the ECU controls the hydrogen gas supply device HG by connecting the supply joint HJ (see FIG. 1) of the hydrogen gas supply device HG and the filling joint 31a of the vehicle 1. The unit HC is configured to be able to communicate with each other.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when the supply joint HJ (see FIG. 1) and the filling joint 31a are connected and the supply of hydrogen gas is started, the ECU controls the control unit HC of the hydrogen gas supply device HG. An output gas supply start signal is received. The ECU is configured to output an opening command signal to the electromagnetic valve 6a of the first tank 13 when the gas supply start signal is received. At this time, the ECU does not output an opening command signal to the electromagnetic valve 6 of the second tank 20.

  Further, as in the first embodiment, the ECU determines that the hydrogen gas in the communication pipe 35 has reached a preset reference pressure based on the pressure detection signal output from the pressure sensor P. In this case, assuming that the first tank 13 and the second tank 20 are filled with a predetermined amount of hydrogen gas, a gas supply stop signal for stopping the supply of hydrogen gas is directed to the control unit HC of the hydrogen gas supply device HG. Output.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the ECU receives a temperature detection signal output from the temperature sensor TS, and the temperatures in the first tank 13 and the second tank 20 exceed a preset reference temperature. When it is determined that the gas flow rate has been determined, a gas flow rate reduction signal for reducing the flow rate of the hydrogen gas is output to the control unit HC of the hydrogen gas supply device HG.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the ECU receives a temperature detection signal output from the temperature sensor TS and calculates the difference between the temperature in the first tank 13 and the temperature in the second tank 20. At the same time, when it is determined that the temperature difference exceeds a predetermined value, it is considered that either the first tank 13 or the second tank 20 is not normally filled with hydrogen gas, and a gas supply stop signal is supplied as the hydrogen gas supply signal. It is comprised so that it may output toward the control part HC of the apparatus HG. Note that the ECU may be configured to output a gas flow rate reduction signal instead of the gas supply stop signal.

  As in the first embodiment, the ECU is configured to output an opening command signal toward the electromagnetic valves 6a and 6 when the fuel cell FC is activated.

  Further, as in the first embodiment, the ECU detects the pressure of hydrogen gas in the first tank 13 and the second tank 20 based on the pressure detection signal output from the pressure sensor P, so that the vehicle 1 (see FIG. 1) is calculated.

  Next, the operation of the high-pressure gas storage device B according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. First, the operation of the high-pressure gas storage device B when the vehicle 1 is filled with hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas supply device HG will be described.

  In the high-pressure gas storage device B, when the supply joint HJ of the hydrogen gas supply device HG is connected to the filling joint 31a of the vehicle 1 (see FIG. 1) and the supply of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas supply device HG is started, The electromagnetic valve 6 of the second tank 20 that has not received the opening command signal is closed, and the electromagnetic valve 6a of the first tank 13 has the above-described check valve function. The first tank 13 is filled through the filling joint 31a and the filling pipe 36 (see FIG. 6). On the other hand, the hydrogen gas is filled into the second tank 20 through the filling pipe 36 and the communication pipe 35. That is, the first tank 13 and the second tank 20 are filled with hydrogen gas in parallel. At this time, the filling joint 31a and the check valves 31b and 2a of the second tank 20 prevent the backflow of hydrogen gas (see FIG. 5). Moreover, the solenoid valve 6a of the first tank 13 prevents the backflow of hydrogen gas by the function of the check valve (see FIG. 6).

  In this way, when the first tank 13 and the second tank 20 are filled with hydrogen gas, the ECU controls the temperature of the first tank 13 and the second tank 20 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Control is performed so as not to exceed a preset reference temperature. In addition, when the temperature difference between the first tank 13 and the second tank 20 exceeds a predetermined value, the ECU supplies a gas supply stop signal (see FIG. 6) as in the first embodiment. Output to the control unit HC of the gas supply device HG stops the supply of hydrogen gas. When the pressure in the first tank 13 and the second tank 20 becomes equal to or higher than the reference pressure, the ECU sends a gas supply stop signal (see FIG. 6) to hydrogen gas in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Output to the control unit HC of the supply device HG stops the supply of hydrogen gas.

Next, the operation when the high-pressure gas storage device B supplies hydrogen gas to the fuel cell FC will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 6, the ECU outputs an opening command signal toward the electromagnetic valves 6 a and 6 when the fuel cell FC is activated. When the solenoid valves 6a and 6 are opened by the opening command signal, the hydrogen gas in the first tank 13 flows into the second tank 20 through the communication pipe 35, and the hydrogen gas in the second tank 20 is The fuel cell FC is supplied through the supply pipe 32. That is, the hydrogen gas filled in the first tank 13 and the second tank 20 is supplied in series toward the fuel cell FC.

  Further, when hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell FC in this way, the check valve 2 a of the tank module 22 prevents the hydrogen gas from flowing back from the second tank 20 to the first tank 13.

  Further, as in the first embodiment, the ECU detects the pressure of hydrogen gas in the first tank 13 and the second tank 20 based on the pressure detection signal output from the pressure sensor P, so that the vehicle 1 (see FIG. 1) is calculated. The travelable distance is displayed on a monitor (not shown) attached to the cockpit of the vehicle 1, for example.

  According to such a high-pressure gas storage device B according to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the high-pressure gas storage device A according to the first embodiment is obtained, and the communication pipe 35 is the first one. Since it also serves as the second filling pipe 34 in the embodiment, the high-pressure pipe having a length corresponding to the length of the second filling pipe 34 can be reduced.

  Further, according to the high pressure gas storage device B, since the electromagnetic valve 6a of the first tank 13 also has a check valve function, the check valve disposed in the communication pipe 33 in the first embodiment is used. The valve 33a can be omitted.

  Although the first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, in the first and second embodiments, the high-pressure gas storage devices A and B for supplying hydrogen gas to the fuel cell FC are illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and natural gas is used. Natural gas may be supplied to an engine using as a fuel.

  In the first and second embodiments, the high-pressure gas storage devices A and B having the first tanks 10 and 13 and the second tank 20 are exemplified, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It may have three or more tanks. Further, in such a high-pressure gas storage device having three or more tanks, a pressure reducing valve is disposed only in a tank disposed on the most downstream side of hydrogen gas (fuel gas) (hereinafter referred to as “the most downstream tank”). In addition, it is only necessary to have a communication pipe for communicating the tank. In such a high-pressure gas storage device, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, tanks 16 and 16 arranged upstream of the most downstream tank 15 may be connected in parallel by a pipe 30. However, they may be connected in series.

  In the high-pressure gas storage device A according to the first embodiment, the check valve 33a is disposed in the communication pipe 33. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first tank A check valve 2 a may be provided in the ten discharge holes 3.

  In the high-pressure gas storage device A according to the first embodiment, the second filling pipe 34 and the communication pipe 33 are joined so as to always communicate with each other, but the present invention is limited to this. Instead, the second filling pipe 34 and the communication pipe 33 may be joined via a three-way switching valve 36 (indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 2).

  In such a high-pressure gas storage device A, when the hydrogen gas is filled in the second tank 20, as shown in FIG. 2, the second filling pipe 34 is directed to the second tank 20 through the communication pipe 33. Thus, the three-way switching valve 36 may be switched so that hydrogen gas flows. Further, when the hydrogen gas in the first tank 10 is supplied to the fuel cell FC (see FIG. 1) via the second tank 20, the first tank 10 and the second tank 20 connect the communication pipe 33. The three-way switching valve 36 may be switched so as to communicate with each other. According to such a high-pressure gas storage device A, when hydrogen gas is filled into the second tank 20, hydrogen gas does not flow from the communication pipe 33 into the first tank 10, so that the hydrogen gas is disposed in the communication pipe 33. The check valve 33a can be omitted. Note that the switching of the three-way switching valve 36 may be performed manually or may be performed electromagnetically.

  In the high-pressure gas storage devices A and B according to the first and second embodiments, the ECU has a temperature difference between the temperature T1 in the first tanks 10 and 13 and the temperature T2 in the second tank 20. When it is determined that the predetermined value or more is reached (NO in step S5 shown in FIG. 4), a gas supply stop signal is output from the ECU to the control unit HC of the hydrogen gas supply device HG. The present invention is not limited to this, and the gas flow rate reduction signal may be output from the ECU instead of the gas supply stop signal.

1 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell vehicle equipped with a high-pressure gas storage device according to a first embodiment. It is a lineblock diagram of the high pressure gas storage device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram of the high pressure gas storage device of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the high pressure gas storage apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the high pressure gas storage apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the high pressure gas storage device of FIG. It is the schematic of the fuel cell vehicle carrying the high pressure gas storage device which concerns on other embodiment. It is a block diagram of the conventional high pressure gas storage apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

7 Pressure reducing valve 10 First tank 13 First tank 20 Second tank 31 First filling pipe 32 Supply pipe 33 Connection pipe 34 Second filling pipe 35 Connection pipe 36 Filling pipe FC Fuel cell (fuel gas Supplier)
P Pressure sensor

Claims (4)

A plurality of tanks in which fuel gas is stored;
A plurality of tanks connected in parallel, and a pipe for filling the tank with the fuel gas;
A plurality of the tanks connected in series, and a pipe for supplying the fuel gas in the tank to a supply destination;
A pressure reducing valve disposed in the tank disposed on the most downstream side of the fuel gas and depressurizing and supplying the fuel gas in the tank disposed on the most downstream side to the supply destination. A high-pressure gas storage device. A plurality of tanks in which fuel gas is stored;
A pressure reducing valve disposed in one of the plurality of tanks and depressurizing and releasing the fuel gas in the tank;
A supply pipe that is connected to the tank via the pressure reducing valve and transports the fuel gas to a supply destination of the fuel gas;
A high-pressure gas storage device comprising a communication pipe that communicates the plurality of tanks. A plurality of tanks in which fuel gas is stored;
A pressure reducing valve disposed in one of the plurality of tanks and depressurizing and releasing the fuel gas in the tank;
A supply pipe that is connected to the tank via the pressure reducing valve and transports the fuel gas to a supply destination of the fuel gas;
A piping for communicating a plurality of the tanks;
A high-pressure gas storage device comprising a filling pipe connected to the communication pipe and filling the tank with fuel gas.   The high-pressure gas storage device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a pressure sensor is disposed in the communication pipe.

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