JP2005195145A - Gas control valve and fuel cell power generation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas control valve and a fuel cell power generation system advantageous to downsizing. <P>SOLUTION: The gas control valve 1 is equipped with a primary side passage 61; a secondary side passage 71; a pressure receiving member 3; a throttle opening variable mechanism 4 having a throttle opening L, throttling gas flow rate on the primary side passage 61 by the throttle opening L and supplying the gas flow rate to the secondary side passage 71; and an elastic member 7 exerting energizing force energizing the pressure receiving member 3. The pressure receiving member 3 is arranged in a storage chamber 20 of a body 2, and partitions the storage chamber 20 into a first chamber 21 communicated with the secondary side passage 71 and a second chamber 22 not communicated with the secondary side passage 71. The pressure receiving member 3 is deformed along with reception of pressure of gas in the first chamber 21, and has a structure stretchable in the directions (arrowheads Y1, Y2 directions) where the pressure receiving member 3 is deformed along with the reception of the pressure. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas control valve having a pressure receiving member that adjusts a throttle opening according to pressure reception, and a fuel cell power generation system having the gas control valve.

  Conventionally, as a gas valve, a body having a housing chamber, a deformable membrane diaphragm that partitions the body housing chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber, and a primary passage to which gas is supplied. The movable valve body has a high-pressure passage, a low-pressure passage that is a secondary passage, a throttle hole provided between the high-pressure passage and the low-pressure passage, and a movable valve body that opens and closes the throttle hole. There is known one that includes a variable aperture opening mechanism that adjusts the aperture and a coil spring that exerts a biasing force that biases the diaphragm in a direction that increases the throttle opening of the variable aperture opening mechanism (Patent Document 1). ).

  It is described that this gas valve can also be used for a gas flow path for a fuel cell. According to this gas valve, the gas in the high-pressure passage is restricted by the restriction hole and reaches the low-pressure passage. When the pressure in the low pressure passage increases, the pressure received by the membrane diaphragm increases and the diaphragm is deformed, and the movable valve body operates in a direction to decrease the opening of the throttle hole, and the increase in pressure in the low pressure passage is suppressed. The

  Conventionally, as an automatic setting pressure reducing valve, in a pressure reducing valve having a membrane-like diaphragm and a pressure setting spring for urging the diaphragm, a motor for adjusting the elastic force of the pressure setting spring is attached, and the pressure setting spring is driven by driving the motor. A device that adjusts the elastic force is known (Patent Document 2). According to this, the pressure of the high pressure passage which is the primary passage acts on the upper surface of the piston through the pilot valve body. Here, when the pressure in the low pressure passage, which is the secondary side passage, decreases and the diaphragm is displaced downward, the pilot valve body is pushed down, the piston, which is the main valve body, is pushed down, and the throttle opening of the valve port increases. . Further, when the pressure in the low-pressure passage that is the secondary side passage increases and the diaphragm is displaced upward, the pilot valve body is pushed up, the piston that is the main valve body is pushed up, and the throttle opening of the main valve port decreases.

  Conventionally, as a flow control valve, a pilot valve body that opens and closes the pilot valve port is provided on a body that has a membrane-like main diaphragm and sub-diaphragm as a flow control valve, and a drive shaft that drives the pilot valve body is provided. Further, a stepping motor for driving the drive shaft is provided, and the pilot valve body is moved by driving the drive shaft by driving the stepping motor, thereby adjusting the opening degree of the pilot valve port (Patent Document) 3). According to this, the drive shaft of the stepping motor is sealed with the bellows so that the hot water does not contact the stepping motor. This bellows seals the drive shaft so as to be movable, but does not adjust the size of the throttle opening according to the pressure received. Further, a main diaphragm and a sub diaphragm having a film shape and a large area are provided.

Conventionally, a valve device that covers and seals a stem with a bellows type diaphragm is known (Patent Document 4). This diaphragm has a large area and a large radial size.
JP 2002-372162 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-296114 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-82395) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-109163 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 07-047665

  According to the technique according to the above-described patent document, since a diaphragm having a film shape and a large area in the radial direction is used, there is a limit to downsizing in the radial direction, and the size tends to be increased. In this case, it is not preferable to install in a limited installation space.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gas control valve advantageous for downsizing and a fuel cell power generation system having the gas control valve.

That is, the gas control valve according to the first aspect includes a body having a storage chamber,
A primary-side passage that is provided in the body so as to communicate with the storage chamber and is supplied with gas;
A secondary passage provided in the body so as to communicate with the storage chamber and from which the gas is discharged;
Along with receiving the pressure of the gas in the first chamber while partitioning the storage chamber into a first chamber communicating with the secondary passage and a second chamber not communicating with the secondary passage. A pressure receiving member that deforms;
A throttle opening provided between the primary side passage and the secondary side passage has a throttle opening, and the gas flow rate in the primary side passage is throttled by the throttle opening to be supplied to the secondary side passage through the first chamber. A throttle opening variable mechanism that adjusts the throttle opening according to the pressure received by the member;
An elastic member that exerts an urging force to urge the pressure receiving member in a direction to increase or decrease the throttle opening of the throttle opening variable mechanism;
The pressure receiving member has a structure that can be expanded and contracted in a direction in which the pressure receiving member is deformed in accordance with pressure reception.

  According to the gas control valve according to the first aspect, the gas flow rate of the gas in the primary passage is throttled by the throttle opening of the variable throttle opening mechanism, and reaches the first chamber, and further reaches the secondary passage. Since the gas flow rate of the gas in the primary side passage is thus throttled by the throttle opening degree of the throttle opening varying mechanism, the secondary pressure of the gas in the first chamber and the secondary side passage is 1 of the gas in the primary side passage. The pressure is reduced from the next pressure. Here, the gas pressure in the first chamber acts on the pressure receiving member. The pressure receiving member is deformed along with such pressure reception. At this time, the pressure receiving member expands and contracts in the deformation direction, and the throttle opening of the throttle opening varying mechanism is adjusted in accordance with the pressure received by the pressure receiving member, so that the gas pressure in the first chamber, and hence the secondary pressure in the secondary side passage, is adjusted. Adjusted.

  As the elastic member, an urging member can be exemplified, specifically, a spring such as a coil spring or a leaf spring, an organic material such as rubber or resin, a foam material, a gas spring such as an air spring, or the like. One type can be exemplified. Although it does not restrict | limit especially as a material of a pressure receiving member, For example, at least 1 sort (s) of rubber | gum, resin, and a metal can be formed as a base material. If a resin or a metal is used, the gas barrier property can be further improved.

  According to the gas control valve according to the second aspect, the pressure receiving member has a bellows structure at least partially. Thus, if it is a bellows structure, a pressure receiving member can be easily expanded-contracted with pressure receiving. Therefore, the pressure receiving member easily expands and contracts in the deformation direction, and the throttle opening of the throttle opening varying mechanism is well adjusted with the pressure received by the pressure receiving member, so that the gas pressure in the first chamber, and consequently the secondary passage, The secondary pressure is adjusted well. The bellows structure may be a wave-shaped type that has an arc shape in a cross section, a triangular wave-shaped type, or a type in which a plurality of slits that can be expanded and contracted are formed, and a plurality of folds that can be expanded and contracted. The formed type may be sufficient, and in short, it should just be extendable.

  The gas control valve according to the third aspect is characterized in that an actuator for adjusting the biasing force of the elastic member is provided. If the magnitude of the urging force by the elastic member is adjusted, it can be quickly adjusted in the direction of increasing or decreasing the throttle opening of the variable throttle opening mechanism. Therefore, if the urging force of the elastic member is adjusted by operating the actuator, the urging force for urging the pressure receiving member can be adjusted. Therefore, the throttle opening degree of the throttle opening varying mechanism can be adjusted to increase or decrease. it can. This is advantageous for adjusting the gas flow rate-pressure characteristics of the gas in the secondary passage. The actuator can be a motor or a solenoid. The motor may be a rotating type or a direct acting type. Examples of the motor include a DC motor, an AC motor, a stepping motor, and an ultrasonic motor. The solenoid can be exemplified by a type driven based on a magnetic attractive force or a magnetic repulsive force. Further, according to the gas control valve according to the present invention, the pressure receiving member has a structure that can be expanded and contracted with the pressure, so that the diameter size of the pressure receiving member can be reduced while securing a deformation amount that maintains the size of the throttle opening. . For this reason, even if the pressure of the first chamber acts on the pressure receiving member, an increase in the pressure receiving pressure of the pressure receiving member can be suppressed. For this reason, it is advantageous to reduce the rating and power of the actuator.

  According to the gas control valve according to the third aspect, a driving force transmission mechanism can be provided between the actuator and the pressure receiving member. In this case, the driving force of the actuator can be satisfactorily transmitted to the pressure receiving member by the driving force transmission mechanism.

  According to the gas control valve according to the fourth aspect, the throttle opening varying mechanism is provided with a throttle hole, a movable valve body that operates in a direction to open and close the throttle hole, and the movable valve body in a direction to close the throttle hole. And an elastic member for the movable valve body to be energized. As the elastic member for the movable valve body, an urging member can be exemplified. Specifically, a spring such as a coil spring or a leaf spring, an organic material such as rubber or resin, a foam material, a gas such as an air spring, etc. At least one type such as a spring can be exemplified.

A fuel cell power generation system according to a fifth aspect includes a fuel cell having a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode;
A gas supply passage for fuel that supplies fuel gas to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell, a gas supply passage for oxidant gas that supplies oxidant gas to the oxidant electrode of the fuel cell, a gas supply passage for fuel and oxidation In a fuel cell power generation system comprising a fuel cell gas control valve provided upstream of the fuel cell in at least one of the gas supply passages for the agent gas,
Gas control valve for fuel cell
A body with a containment chamber;
A primary-side passage that is provided in the body so as to communicate with the storage chamber and is supplied with gas;
A secondary passage provided in the body so as to communicate with the storage chamber and from which the gas is discharged;
The storage chamber is disposed in the storage chamber of the body and is divided into a first chamber that communicates with the secondary passage and a second chamber that does not communicate with the secondary passage and is deformed as the gas pressure in the first chamber is received. A pressure receiving member,
A throttle opening provided between the primary side passage and the secondary side passage has a throttle opening, and a gas flow rate in the primary side passage is throttled by the throttle opening and supplied to the secondary side passage through the first chamber, and a pressure receiving member A throttle opening variable mechanism that adjusts the throttle opening according to the received pressure,
And an elastic member that exerts an urging force that urges the pressure receiving member in a direction to increase or decrease the throttle opening of the throttle opening varying mechanism, and the pressure receiving member is in a direction in which the pressure receiving member is deformed in response to pressure reception. It is characterized by having a stretchable structure.

  In this case, according to the fuel cell gas control valve, the gas flow rate of the gas in the primary side passage is throttled by the throttle opening degree of the throttle opening varying mechanism, leading to the first chamber, and further to the secondary side passage. . Since the gas flow rate of the gas in the primary side passage is thus throttled by the throttle opening degree of the throttle opening varying mechanism, the secondary pressure of the gas in the first chamber and the secondary side passage is 1 of the gas in the primary side passage. The pressure is reduced from the next pressure. Here, the gas pressure in the first chamber acts on the pressure receiving member. The pressure receiving member is deformed along with such pressure reception. At this time, the pressure receiving member expands and contracts in the deformation direction, and the throttle opening of the throttle opening varying mechanism is adjusted with the pressure received by the pressure receiving member. As the elastic member, an urging member can be exemplified, specifically, a spring such as a coil spring or a leaf spring, an organic material such as rubber or resin, a foam material, a gas spring such as an air spring, or the like. One type can be exemplified.

  According to the present invention, since a pressure-receiving member that can be expanded and contracted is used instead of a membrane-like diaphragm having a large area, the diameter of the pressure-receiving member is secured while ensuring a deformation amount that maintains the size of the throttle opening. This is advantageous for reducing the size. As a result, it is advantageous to reduce the size of the gas control valve.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 in which the present invention is applied to a fuel cell power generation system will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. This fuel cell power generation system can be used for applications such as vehicle use, stationary use, and portable use. The gas control valve 1 according to the present embodiment is provided on the upstream side of the gas inlet 101 c of the fuel electrode 101 of the fuel cell 100. The gas control valve 1 is a gas pressure reducing valve for fuel gas (for example, hydrogen gas or hydrogen-containing gas). As shown in FIG. 1, the gas control valve 1 has a storage chamber 20 and is partitioned by a wall portion below the storage chamber 20. A body 2 having a chamber 23, a deformable pressure receiving member 3 that partitions the housing chamber 20 of the body 2 into a first chamber 21 and a second chamber 22, and an active material used in the fuel electrode 101 of the fuel cell 100. A high-pressure passage 61 that is a primary-side passage to which gas (fuel gas) is supplied, a low-pressure passage 71 that is a secondary-side passage connected to the fuel electrode 101 of the fuel cell 100, and the high-pressure passage 61 and the low-pressure passage 71. There is provided a throttle opening varying mechanism 4 having a throttle hole 40 provided between them and changing the throttle opening L of the throttle hole 40 in accordance with the deformation of the pressure receiving member 3. The throttle opening L can be set to, for example, 2 millimeters or less and 1 millimeter or less, although it varies depending on the application in which the gas control valve 1 is used, the composition of the flowing gas, and the like. When the main component of the fuel gas is hydrogen gas, the throttle opening L can be small because the viscosity is low and the gas easily flows. FIG. 1 exaggerates the throttle opening L.

  The high-pressure passage 61 is connected to a gas supply source 65 (for example, a gas tank) and the first chamber 21 of the storage chamber 20. The high-pressure fuel gas from the gas supply source 65 is supplied to the high-pressure passage 61. As the fuel gas, pure hydrogen gas or hydrogen-containing gas can be used. The low pressure passage 71 is connected to the first chamber 21 of the storage chamber 20. Here, the high pressure and the low pressure mean the relative height of the fuel gas. Therefore, high pressure means higher pressure than the gas pressure in the low pressure passage 71. Low pressure means a pressure lower than the gas pressure in the high pressure passage 61. For example, the gas pressure in the high-pressure passage 61 can be 1 to 3 MPa, and the gas pressure in the low-pressure passage 71 can be 10 to 900 kPa and 100 to 400 kPa. However, it is not limited to these.

  The high pressure passage 61 is provided upstream of the throttle hole 40, and the low pressure passage 71 is provided downstream of the throttle hole 40. The throttle opening L of the throttle hole 40 is reduced in pressure by limiting the flow rate of the gas (fuel gas) in the high-pressure passage 61 containing the active material used in the fuel electrode 101 of the fuel cell 100 and supplied to the low-pressure passage 71.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure receiving member 3 is held by the body 2 through a seal member 3 s and is coaxially connected to the tip portion 30 disposed at a position facing the throttle hole 40 and the tip portion 30. It has a bellows portion 31 having a cylindrical shape and a collar portion 32 that extends coaxially to the bellows portion 31 in the radially outward direction. Although the bellows portion 31 is formed using a resin or metal as a base material, it has a bellows structure having a plurality of peaks and valleys, and thus has high stretchability. Thus, if the bellows portion 31, and thus the pressure receiving member 3 is formed of resin or metal as a base material, it is advantageous for improving the gas barrier property of the pressure receiving member 3 even when the gas pressure in the first chamber 21 is high. It becomes.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the pressure receiving member 3 has an exposed surface 3 a that faces the first chamber 21 and a back surface 3 b that faces the second chamber 22. Since the exposed surface 3a faces the first chamber 21, the gas pressure (secondary pressure) of the first chamber 21 acts on the exposed surface 3a. Since the back surface 3b does not face the first chamber 21, the gas pressure (secondary pressure) of the first chamber 21 does not directly act on the back surface 3b. On the exposed surface 3a of the pressure receiving member 3, the bellows portion 31 has a first bellows surface 31a and a second bellows surface 31b oriented in the opposite direction to the first bellows surface 31a. The pressure receiving member 3 can also function as a partition member that partitions the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the bellows portion 31 of the pressure receiving member 3 extends from the distal end portion 30 in a direction away from the throttle hole 40. Since the bellows portion 31 has a substantially cylindrical shape, the diameter of one end portion 31r in the axial length direction of the bellows portion 31 (the end portion on the first support portion 42 side of the bellows portion 31) and the axial length of the bellows portion 31 are included. The diameter of the other end portion 31t in the direction (the end portion of the bellows portion 31 on the movable body 92 side) is approximately the same. The body 2 has a storage chamber 20. The pressure receiving member 3 functions as a partition member because the storage chamber 20 of the body 2 is partitioned and divided into a first chamber 21 into which fuel gas containing an active material flows and a second chamber 22 into which fuel gas does not flow. be able to. The second chamber 22 communicates with the atmosphere via the atmosphere opening port 22m. Since the second chamber 22 is thus opened to the atmosphere, it does not enter a high pressure state. The flange portion 32 of the pressure receiving member 3 is held by the body 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the throttle opening varying mechanism 4 includes a throttle hole 40 formed in the body 2 so as to limit the flow rate of a gas (fuel gas) containing an active material supplied to the fuel cell 100, and a throttle. A piston-like movable valve body 41 that opens and closes the hole 40, and a first support part 42 and a second support provided via a ring-shaped seal member 43s so as to sandwich the central region of the tip part 30 of the pressure receiving member 3 Part 43. The movable valve body 41 has a pressure receiving surface 47 and a valve surface 44 that face each other. According to this embodiment, the pressure receiving surface 47 is the lower surface of the movable valve body 41 in the figure. The valve surface 44 is the illustrated upper surface of the movable valve body 41.

  The throttle hole 40 has a ring-shaped valve seat portion 49 that goes around the throttle hole 40 on one side, that is, the lower side. The shaft portion 48 of the second support portion 43 extends downward so as to move away from the second support portion 43, and is inserted through the throttle hole 40.

  Due to the biasing force of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 and the valve spring 8, the distal end portion 48 a (lower end portion) of the shaft portion 48 of the second support portion 43 abuts on the valve surface 44 of the movable valve body 41. Here, the opening degree L of the throttle hole 40 is set between the valve seat portion 49 of the throttle hole 40 and the valve surface 44 of the movable valve body 41. The valve surface 44 of the movable valve body 41 faces the valve seat portion 49 so as to be seated on the valve seat portion 49 of the throttle hole 40 when the throttle hole 40 is fully closed. The spring 7 and the valve spring 8 are schematically shown in the drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a movable valve body 41 is fitted in the valve chamber 23 of the body 2 so as to be movable in the directions of arrows Y2 and Y1 (up and down directions). The movable valve body 41 is disposed below the pressure receiving member 3 in the figure, and the cross section of the movable valve body 41 is a circular cylindrical shape, but may be a prismatic shape. The movable valve body 41 is generally made of metal and substantially functions as a rigid body. The pressure receiving surface 47 of the movable valve body 41 faces the wall surface 2 f of the body 2, and the valve surface 44 of the movable valve body 41 faces the throttle hole 40.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the second chamber 22 of the housing chamber 20 of the body 2, a spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 (elastic member for the pressure receiving member) formed of a coil spring is provided substantially coaxially. . The spring 7 can function as a biasing member. One end portion 7a of the spring 7 is seated on a seating surface 42h of the first support portion 42 of the aperture opening varying mechanism 4, and the other end portion 7b of the spring 7 is seated on a ring-shaped seating surface 92h of the movable body 92 described later. To do. As a result, the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 biases the pressure receiving member 3 in the direction of the arrow Y1 (the downward direction in the figure), and thus biases the movable valve body 41 away from the valve seat portion 49. That is, the spring 7 biases the movable valve body 41 in the direction in which the throttle opening L of the throttle hole 40 is increased.

  As shown in FIG. 1, between the pressure receiving surface 47 of the movable valve body 41 and the wall surface 2f of the valve chamber 23 of the body 2, the valve spring 8 (functioning for the movable valve body) functioning as an urging member formed of a coil spring. Elastic member). The movable valve body 41 is urged by the valve spring 8 in the direction of the arrow Y2, that is, the valve surface 44 of the movable valve body 41 is urged in a direction approaching the valve seat portion 49. That is, the valve spring 8 urges the movable valve body 41 in the direction in which the throttle opening L of the throttle hole 40 is decreased.

  As described above, the valve spring 8 and the spring 7 exhibit urging forces in opposite directions. For this reason, the contact property between the valve surface 44 of the movable valve body 41 and the distal end portion 48 a of the shaft portion 48 of the second support portion 43 is ensured. According to this embodiment, the spring load of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 is set to be larger than the spring load of the valve spring 8. This is to keep the throttle hole 40 open when no gas is introduced.

  The above-described pressure receiving member 3 can be deformed in the direction of the arrow Y2 (upward) and the direction of arrow Y1 (downward) in accordance with the differential pressure between the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22. The arrow Y2 direction means a direction in which the volume of the first chamber 21 is increased and a direction in which the throttle opening L of the throttle hole 40 is decreased. The arrow Y1 direction means a direction in which the volume of the first chamber 21 is decreased and a direction in which the throttle opening L of the throttle hole 40 is increased. As can be understood from FIG. 1, the pressure in the first chamber 21 (connected to the fuel cell 100 via the low pressure passage 71) located downstream of the throttle hole 40 acts on the pressure receiving member 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an actuator 9 that adjusts the urging force of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 is provided on the attachment portion 2 u of the body 2. The actuator 9 is a motor (for example, a DC motor), and has an actuator main body 90 and a rotatable drive shaft 91 protruding from the actuator main body 90. A male screw portion 91 c is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the drive shaft 91. A piston-like movable body 92 as a driving force transmission mechanism is provided between the actuator 9 and the pressure receiving member 3, that is, between the actuator 9 and the spring 7. The movable body 92 has a large diameter portion 92a having a seating surface 92h and a cylindrical small diameter portion 92c integrated with the large diameter portion 92a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an engaging portion 92m that engages with the engaged portion 2m of the body 2 is provided on the outer wall of the movable body 92, and the movable body 92 is in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2 shown in FIG. Although it can move linearly (opening direction and closing direction of the throttle hole 40), it is set so that it cannot rotate in the circumferential direction (arrow R1 direction, R2 direction shown in FIG. 2) of the movable body 92. A female screw portion 93 c is formed on the inner peripheral portion of the hole 93 formed in the central region of the small diameter portion 92 c of the movable body 92. The female screw portion 93c and the male screw portion 91c are screwed together so as to be able to advance and retract.

  When the actuator 9 is driven in one direction and the drive shaft 91 rotates in one direction around the shaft core 91p, the movable body 92 moves in the direction of the arrow Y1 (opening direction of the throttle hole 40), and for the pressure receiving member 3 The urging force of the spring 7 is increased. On the other hand, when the actuator 9 is driven in the other direction and the drive shaft 91 rotates in the other direction around the shaft core 91p, the movable body 92 is directed in the direction of the arrow Y2 (the closing direction of the throttle hole 40). The urging force of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 is reduced.

  According to this embodiment, when the length of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 is KA and the length of the valve spring 8 is KB, the relationship of KA> KB is set. Further, assuming that the spring constant of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 is K1 and the number of springs of the valve spring 8 is K2, the relation of K1> K2 is set. The material of the spring 7 and the valve spring 8 for the pressure receiving member 3 is not particularly limited, and at least one of metal (for example, iron-based, stainless steel-based, titanium-based, aluminum-based), ceramics, hard resin, etc. is employed. be able to.

  When the gas control valve 1 according to this embodiment described above is used, a relatively high pressure fuel gas is supplied to the high pressure passage 61 from the gas supply source 65 loaded with the high pressure fuel gas. The flow rate of the high-pressure gas is limited by the throttle opening L of the throttle hole 40. For this reason, the pressure in the first chamber 21 located downstream of the throttle hole 40 is reduced more than the pressure in the high-pressure passage 61 by the throttle opening degree L of the throttle hole 40. The gas decompressed by the throttle hole 40 and reduced to the set pressure passes through the first chamber 21 of the storage chamber 20, reaches the low pressure passage 71 via the port 2 k, and is further supplied to the fuel electrode 101 of the fuel cell 100. And used for power generation reaction.

  According to this embodiment, as can be understood from FIG. 1, the difference between the pressure in the first chamber 21 (secondary pressure) reduced by the throttle hole 40 and the pressure in the second chamber 22 (substantially atmospheric pressure). Based on the pressure, the bellows portion 31 of the pressure receiving member 3 expands and contracts in the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2. In this case, as can be understood from FIG. 1, the pressure receiving pressure received by the second support portion 43 attached to the distal end portion 30 of the pressure receiving member 3, and the pressure receiving pressure received by the outer peripheral region 30 k of the distal end portion 30 of the pressure receiving member 3. However, it contributes efficiently to the expansion and contraction of the bellows portion 31 of the pressure receiving member 3.

  Here, based on the pressure difference between the pressure in the first chamber 21 and the pressure in the second chamber 22 decompressed by the throttle hole 40, the pressure receiving member 3 receives in the direction of arrow Y2 (upward, the closing direction of the throttle hole 40). Let F1 be the heading force. Further, the force by which the valve spring 8 urges the movable valve body 41 in the arrow Y2 direction (upward, the closing direction of the throttle hole 40) is defined as F2. The difference between the pressure at which the valve surface 44 of the movable valve body 41 is directed downward in the direction of the arrow Y1 and the pressure at which the pressure receiving surface 47 of the movable valve body 41 is received upward by the gas pressure in the valve chamber 23 is assumed to be a force F3 (assumed to be upward). ). Further, the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 moves the movable valve body 41 in the arrow Y1 direction (downward) via the pressure receiving member 3, the first support portion 42, and the second support portion 43 due to the spring load (biasing force) thereof. , The force urging in the opening direction of the throttle hole 40 is F4.

Basically, the position of the movable valve body 41 is maintained when the sum of the upward force F1 + force F2 + force F3 in the direction of the arrow Y2 and the downward force F4 in the direction of the arrow Y1 are balanced. This balance basically determines the throttle opening L of the throttle hole 40. When the sum of the upward force F1 + force F2 + force F3 in the direction of the arrow Y2 and the magnitude of the downward force F4 in the direction of the arrow Y1 change, the position at which the movable valve body 4 is balanced changes. The opening degree L changes.
In other words, the throttle opening L of the throttle hole 40 changes according to the pressure received by the pressure receiving member 3.

  Here, if the driving amount of the actuator 9 is adjusted, the moving position of the movable body 92 in the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2 can be adjusted, and consequently, the biasing force of the spring 7 is adjusted to be increased or decreased. be able to. As a result, the force F4 that urges the movable valve body 41 in the direction of the arrow Y1 (downward, in the opening direction of the throttle hole 40) via the pressure receiving member 3, the first support portion 42, and the second support portion 43 is adjusted. The throttle opening L of the throttle hole 40 is adjusted accordingly.

  As can be understood from the above description, according to the present embodiment, the pressure receiving member 3 has the bellows portion 31 having a structure that can be expanded and contracted in a direction (arrow Y1, Y2 direction) in which the pressure receiving member 3 is deformed with pressure reception. . For this reason, it is possible to reduce the diameter D10 of the pressure receiving member 3 while sufficiently securing an expansion / contraction amount for obtaining the throttle opening L. In particular, the diameter size D11 of the bellows portion 31 of the pressure receiving member 3 can be reduced. Therefore, it is advantageous to reduce the diameter size of the gas control valve 1.

  Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the pressure receiving member 3 has the bellows part 31 which is rich in elasticity, the diameter size D10 of the pressure receiving member 3 and the diameter of the bellows part 31 are secured while ensuring the size of the throttle opening L. The size D11 can be reduced. For this reason, even if the pressure of the first chamber 21 acts on the pressure receiving member 3, it is possible to suppress an excessive increase in the pressure receiving pressure received by the pressure receiving member 3. For this reason, it is advantageous to reduce the rating and power of the actuator 9 that is driven against the pressure received by the pressure receiving member 3.

  As in the reference embodiment schematically shown in FIG. 10, a gas control valve 1 </ b> X according to the reference embodiment using a membrane-like diaphragm 3 </ b> X instead of the pressure receiving member 3 having the bellows portion 31 is also conceivable. According to the gas control valve 1X according to this reference embodiment, the membrane-like diaphragm 3X is used. Therefore, in order to ensure a good elastic deformation amount of the diaphragm 3X for obtaining the throttle opening L, the membrane-like diaphragm 3X is used. The diaphragm 3X needs to have a large diameter size. In other words, there is a limit to reducing the size of the membrane diaphragm 3X in the radial direction, and there is a limit to reducing the diameter of the gas control valve 1X. As described above, according to the reference form shown in FIG. 10, since the diameter size of the membrane-like diaphragm 3X needs to be set large, the pressure received by the diaphragm 3X that receives the gas pressure in the first chamber 21 tends to increase. It is. For this reason, it is disadvantageous to reduce the rating and power of the actuator 9 that adjusts the biasing force of the spring 7 that biases the diaphragm 3X.

  Here, the diaphragm 3X may generate hunting-like vibrations when the gas consumption is rapidly changed on the downstream side and the throttle opening L is rapidly reduced. In this respect, according to the present embodiment, the bellows portion 31 of the pressure receiving member 3 has high stretchability in the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2, and therefore the above-described hunting-like effect is generated even if a factor causing the above-described hunting vibration occurs. The effect which suppresses a special vibration can be anticipated.

  Here, FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the gas flow rate in the low pressure passage 71 and the secondary pressure P2 in the low pressure passage 71. A characteristic line A indicates a pressure characteristic when the one end portion 7a of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 exists at a certain position. A characteristic line B indicates a pressure characteristic when one end portion 7a of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 is present at a certain position. According to the characteristic line A and the characteristic line B, as the gas flow rate increases, the secondary pressure P2 in the low pressure passage 71 gradually decreases.

  According to the present embodiment, if the drive amount of the actuator 9 is adjusted as described above, the position of the movable body 92 can be adjusted, and consequently the biasing force of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 can be adjusted. The throttle opening L can be adjusted as appropriate. As a result, the characteristics of the flow rate of the fuel gas in the low pressure passage 71 and the set pressure (secondary pressure) can be changed. As a result, the fuel gas flow rate in the low pressure passage 71—the set pressure (secondary pressure) characteristics can be realized in a plurality of forms as indicated by characteristic lines C and D shown in FIG.

  Further, as shown by the characteristic line E shown in FIG. 5, even when the target is set so as to gradually increase the secondary pressure P2 of the low pressure passage 71 when the gas flow rate increases, Although the gas flow rate increases as shown by the characteristic line F shown, the drive amount of the actuator 9 can be adjusted even when the target for maintaining the secondary pressure P2 of the low pressure passage 71 in a certain range is set. Thus, it is possible to cope with the above-mentioned goal satisfactorily.

  According to the fuel cell power generation system, the secondary pressure in the low pressure passage 71 tends to change frequently. In particular, according to the on-vehicle fuel cell power generation system, the secondary pressure in the low pressure passage 71 tends to change frequently in accordance with the vehicle load. In this respect, according to the present embodiment, the urging force of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 is increased / decreased by driving the actuator 9, so that the responsiveness is good and the urging force of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 is increased at a high speed. Can be increased or decreased. Therefore, the throttle opening degree L of the throttle hole 40 can be quickly adjusted, and the characteristics of the gas flow rate and the secondary pressure related to the low pressure passage 71 can be quickly adjusted. Therefore, it is suitable for an on-vehicle fuel cell power generation system. In particular, it is the actuator 9 that adjusts the urging force of the spring 7 for the pressure-receiving member 3, and the response can be improved because it does not involve a pilot valve.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 shows an embodiment. This embodiment has basically the same configuration and function as the first embodiment. The parts having common functions are denoted by common reference numerals. In the following, different parts will be mainly described. Referring to FIG. 1, the pressure receiving member 3 is held by the body 2 via the seal member 3 s and is coaxial with the distal end portion 30 disposed at a position facing the throttle hole 40 and the distal end portion 30. It has the bellows part 31 which makes the continuous cylindrical shape, and the collar part 32 extended coaxially to the bellows part 31 in the radial direction. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the relationship between the drive position N (N _{1 to} N _n ) at the tip of the drive shaft 91 of the actuator 9 and the characteristics of the gas flow rate and the set pressure is previously mapped. The map is stored in a predetermined area of a storage medium such as a memory. When the gas flow rate signal is output from the control device of the fuel cell power generation system, the drive position of the drive shaft 91 of the actuator 9 is set so that the pressure of the low pressure passage 71 becomes the secondary pressure that can realize the gas flow rate. Control. Accordingly, the biasing force of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 is increased or decreased by driving the actuator 9. For this reason, the responsiveness is good, and the urging force of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 can be increased or decreased at a high speed. Therefore, the throttle opening degree L of the throttle hole 40 can be adjusted quickly, and consequently the gas flow rate-set pressure characteristic of the low pressure passage 71 can be adjusted quickly. Therefore, it is suitable for an on-vehicle fuel cell power generation system. This can be expected to significantly improve the controllability and fuel consumption of the fuel cell power generation system. The driving position N is grasped by, for example, a rotation sensor, an output value of the position sensor, or the number of steps in the case of a stepping motor.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment. This embodiment has basically the same configuration and function as the first embodiment. The parts having common functions are denoted by common reference numerals. In the following, different parts will be mainly described. The pressure receiving member 3 is held by the body 2 via a seal member 3 s, and has a distal end portion 30 disposed at a position facing the throttle hole 40 and a cylindrical bellows coaxially connected to the distal end portion 30. It has the part 31 and the collar part 32 extended coaxially to the bellows part 31 in the radial direction.

  Further, the actuator 9B is a direct-acting type, and has an actuator main body 90B formed of a linear solenoid, and a non-rotating drive shaft 91B that is linearly moved along the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2 by the actuator main body 90B. If the drive amount of the actuator 9B is adjusted as described above, the drive shaft 91B moves linearly, and the position of the movable body 92 in the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2 can be adjusted. As a result, the urging force of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 can be adjusted, and the throttle opening L of the throttle hole 40 can be adjusted as appropriate. As a result, the characteristics of the flow rate of the fuel gas in the low pressure passage 71 and the set pressure (secondary pressure) can be changed.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment. The present embodiment has basically the same configuration and function as the first embodiment. The parts having the same functions as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the following, different parts will be mainly described. According to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the actuator for adjusting the biasing force of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 is not provided. Therefore, the biasing force of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 is fixed. One end 7 a of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 is seated on the seating surface 42 h of the first support portion 42 of the throttle opening varying mechanism 4, and the other end 7 b of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 is the wall surface of the body 2. Sit in 2h. As a result, the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 urges the pressure receiving member 3 in the arrow Y1 direction (the downward direction in the figure).

(Application form)
FIG. 9 shows an application form. According to this application mode, the fuel cell power generation system is for in-vehicle use or stationary use, and as shown in FIG. 9, the fuel cell 100 having the fuel electrode 101 and the oxidant electrode 102 and the fuel gas before power generation are used as fuel. Gas supply passage 5 for fuel supplied to the fuel electrode 101 of the battery 100 and gas supply for oxidant gas for supplying the oxidant gas (generally air) before power generation to the oxidant electrode 102 of the fuel cell 100 A passage 103, a gas discharge passage 105 for fuel off-gas through which the fuel off-gas after power generation passes through the valve 104, and a gas discharge passage 106 for oxidant off-gas through which the oxidant off-gas after power generation passes are provided. .

  The gas supply passage 5 is located upstream of the gas inlet of the fuel electrode 101 of the fuel cell 100. The gas supply passage 103 for the oxidant gas is provided with a compressor 107 which is a gas supply source for supplying the oxidant gas to the oxidant electrode 102 of the fuel cell 100. In the gas supply passage 5 for fuel, the pressure reducing valve 108 is provided on the side of the gas supply source 55 which is a high pressure fuel gas source, and further, the gas control valve 1 is provided so as to be positioned downstream of the pressure reducing valve 108. Yes.

  According to this application mode, the relatively high pressure fuel gas discharged from the gas supply source 55 is decompressed by the decompression valve 108, and further decompressed to a predetermined set pressure via the gas control valve 1. It is supplied to the fuel electrode 101 and used for power generation reaction. The oxidant gas (generally air) is supplied to the oxidant electrode 102 of the fuel cell 100 by driving the compressor 107 and used for the power generation reaction.

  As described above, according to this application mode, the urging force of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 of the gas control valve 1 is increased or decreased by driving the actuator 9. Therefore, the responsiveness is good, and the urging force of the spring 7 for the pressure receiving member 3 can be increased or decreased at a high speed. Therefore, the throttle opening L of the throttle hole 40 of the gas control valve 1 can be quickly adjusted, and the gas flow rate-set pressure characteristic of the low pressure passage 71 can be quickly adjusted. Therefore, it is suitable for an on-vehicle or stationary fuel cell power generation system.

(Other)
According to the first embodiment described above, the bellows portion 31 and the pressure receiving member 3 are formed using resin or metal as a base material. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be formed using only metal. In this case, the gas barrier property can be further improved. Furthermore, although the pressure receiving member 3 is formed of rubber, a gas barrier layer formed of a resin (for example, polyamide, polyimide, etc.) or metal (for example, a metal sheet, a metal vapor deposition layer, etc.) having a high gas barrier property is provided inside the pressure receiving member 3. It may be buried. When the gas pressure is low, the pressure receiving member 3 may be formed using rubber as a base material.

  According to the first embodiment described above, the spring 7 and the valve spring 8 for the pressure receiving member 3 are coil springs, but are not limited thereto, and may be other types of springs such as a leaf spring, or may be rubber or soft. You may form with resin etc. According to Embodiment 1 described above, the aperture opening L is, for example, 2 millimeters or less, 1 millimeter or less, and 500 micrometers, but is not limited to this, and should be larger than the above value. You can also.

  According to Embodiment 1 described above, the bellows portion 31 of the pressure receiving member 3 has a substantially cylindrical shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the pressure receiving member may have a conical cylinder shape. In this case, the diameter of the one end portion 31r in the axial length direction of the bellows portion 31 (the end portion of the bellows portion 31 on the first support portion 42 side) is relatively small, and the other end portion in the axial length direction of the bellows portion 31 is obtained. A conical cylinder shape can be formed so that the diameter of 31t (the end of the bellows portion 31 on the movable body 92 side) is relatively large.

  According to the first embodiment described above, the gas control valve 1 can adjust the gas pressure and the gas flow rate, but it may be a gas control valve that adjusts the gas pressure or a gas control valve that adjusts the gas flow rate.

  According to the first embodiment described above, the gas control valve 1 is used as a control valve for the fuel gas sent to the fuel electrode 101 of the fuel cell 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the oxidant electrode (air) of the fuel cell 100 is used. The electrode may be used as a control valve for the oxidant gas sent to the electrode 102. According to the first embodiment described above, the gas control valve 1 is applied to a fuel cell power generation system, but is not limited thereto, and is applied to other systems, devices, facilities, etc. that control the pressure, flow rate, etc. of the gas. It is good. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

  The present invention can be applied to a system, apparatus, facility, and the like that control the pressure, flow rate, and the like of a gas. For example, the present invention can be applied to a fuel cell power generation system.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a gas control valve according to the first embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the movable body vicinity of a gas control valve. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the principal part of the bellows part of a pressure receiving member. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the secondary pressure of a low pressure channel | path, and a gas flow rate. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the secondary pressure of a low pressure channel | path, and a gas flow rate. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram illustrating a map relating to a relationship between an actuator driving position, a gas flow rate in a low-pressure passage, and a secondary pressure according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a gas control valve according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the vicinity of a main part of a gas control valve according to a fourth embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows a fuel cell power generation system typically in connection with an application form. It is sectional drawing which concerns on a reference form and shows typically the principal part vicinity of a gas control valve.

Explanation of symbols

  In the figure, 1 is a gas control valve, 20 is a storage chamber, 21 is a first chamber, 22 is a second chamber, 23 is a valve chamber, 3 is a pressure receiving member, 31 is a bellows portion, 61 is a high pressure passage (primary side passage) ), 71 is a low pressure passage (secondary side passage), 4 is a throttle opening variable mechanism, 40 is a throttle hole, 41 is a movable valve body, 6 is a high pressure passage (primary side passage), and 7 is a spring for a pressure receiving member. (Elastic member), 8 is a valve spring (elastic member for a movable valve body), 100 is a fuel cell, 101 is a fuel electrode, 102 is an oxidant electrode, 5 is a gas supply passage for fuel, and 103 is for oxidant gas. A gas supply passage is shown.

Claims (5)

A body with a containment chamber;
A primary-side passage that is provided in the body so as to communicate with the storage chamber and is supplied with gas;
A secondary passage that is provided in the body so as to communicate with the storage chamber and from which the gas is discharged;
The pressure of the gas in the first chamber is divided into a first chamber that is disposed in the storage chamber of the body and communicates with the secondary passage and a second chamber that does not communicate with the secondary passage. A pressure receiving member that deforms as the pressure is received;
The secondary side passage has a throttle opening provided between the primary side passage and the secondary side passage, and the gas flow rate in the primary side passage is throttled by the throttle opening to pass through the first chamber. A throttle opening varying mechanism that adjusts the throttle opening in accordance with pressure received by the pressure receiving member;
An elastic member that exerts a biasing force that biases the pressure receiving member in a direction to increase or decrease the throttle opening of the throttle opening variable mechanism;
The gas control valve according to claim 1, wherein the pressure receiving member has a structure capable of expanding and contracting in a direction in which the pressure receiving member is deformed in accordance with pressure reception.   The gas control valve according to claim 1, wherein the pressure receiving member has a bellows structure at least partially.   3. The gas control valve according to claim 1, wherein an actuator for adjusting a biasing force of the elastic member is provided.   The throttle opening variable mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the throttle opening varying mechanism includes a throttle hole, a movable valve body that operates in a direction to open and close the throttle hole, and a direction in which the throttle hole is closed. And a movable valve body elastic member for biasing the movable valve body. A fuel cell having a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode;
A fuel gas supply passage for supplying fuel gas to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell;
A gas supply passage for an oxidant gas for supplying an oxidant gas to the oxidant electrode of the fuel cell;
A fuel cell power generation system comprising a fuel cell gas control valve provided upstream of the fuel cell in at least one of the gas supply passage for fuel and the gas supply passage for oxidant gas;
The fuel cell gas control valve is
A body with a containment chamber;
A primary-side passage that is provided in the body so as to communicate with the storage chamber and is supplied with gas;
A secondary passage that is provided in the body so as to communicate with the storage chamber and from which the gas is discharged;
The housing is disposed in the housing chamber of the body, and the housing chamber is divided into a first chamber communicating with the secondary side passage and a second chamber not communicating with the secondary side passage, and the gas in the first chamber is divided. A pressure receiving member that deforms as pressure is received;
The throttle opening provided between the primary side passage and the secondary side passage has a throttle opening, and the gas flow rate in the primary side passage is throttled by the throttle opening to pass through the first chamber to the secondary side passage. A throttle opening variable mechanism for supplying and adjusting the throttle opening in accordance with the pressure received by the pressure receiving member;
An elastic member that exerts a biasing force that biases the pressure receiving member in a direction to increase or decrease the throttle opening of the throttle opening variable mechanism;
The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure receiving member has a structure that can be expanded and contracted in a direction in which the pressure receiving member is deformed in accordance with pressure reception.

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