JP2005325936A - Contents support method of pressure vessel and pressure vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the axis of a hydrogen storage unit eccentric to the axis of a hydrogen tank, to assemble the hydrogen storage unit to the hydrogen tank without a hindrance even if the unit is inclined, and to support the hydrogen storage unit on the inner surface of the hydrogen tank. <P>SOLUTION: The hydrogen tank 11 stores the hydrogen storage unit 13 in the vessel body 12 with one end thereof supported. The hydrogen storage unit 13 is supported on the container body 12 with a clearance Δ up to the inner peripheral surface of the vessel body 12 of the hydrogen tank 11. An auxiliary support member 29 tubular and filled with a filler 30 is disposed in the clearance Δ. While the auxiliary support member 29 is filled with pressurized filler 30, the auxiliary support member 29 is supported in the pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the hydrogen storage unit 13 and the inner peripheral surface of the container body 12. The auxiliary support member 29 and the filler 30 are formed of an elastic body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a pressure vessel built-in material support method and a pressure vessel, and more particularly to a pressure vessel built-in material support method and a pressure vessel in which an assembly such as a heat exchanger is housed as a built-in material.

  Hydrogen energy is attracting attention as clean energy along with solar thermal energy. As a method of storing and transporting hydrogen, a hydrogen storage alloy that stores hydrogen under certain temperature and pressure conditions to form a hydride, and releases hydrogen when necessary under different temperature and pressure conditions. (Hereinafter referred to as MH) "is attracting attention. Research has been conducted on hydrogen engines and fuel cell electric vehicles that use MH to supply hydrogen, or heat pumps that use heat generation and heat absorption when MH absorbs and releases hydrogen.

  In the pressure vessel (tank) filled with MH, a heat exchanger is built in the tank in order to smoothly absorb and release hydrogen by MH. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a pressure vessel in which a heat exchanger is surrounded by a heat-insulating case together with a hydrogen storage alloy, and the heat-insulating case is supported by a support member that contacts the inner surface of the pressure vessel in a dotted or linear manner. ing.

Patent Document 1 also discloses a pressure vessel 51 configured as shown in FIG. That is, a storage case 52 having a large number of small holes 52a is housed inside a stainless steel pressure vessel 51, and a heat exchanger 53 is stored in the storage case 52 together with MH powder. Between the inner surface of the pressure vessel 51 and the outer surface of the storage case 52, a heat insulating material 54 having air permeability such as glass wool is filled. The heat exchanger 53 has a structure in which a plurality of fins 56 are provided in a heat medium pipe 55 through which a heat medium (heat medium) flows. Then, the heat medium pipe 55 is supported by the pressure container 51 in a state of penetrating both ends of the storage case 52 and the pressure container 51, so that the storage case 52 and the hydrogen storage alloy are transferred to the pressure container 51 through the heat medium pipe 55. It is supported.
JP 2000-249425 A (paragraphs [0012], [0016], FIGS. 1 and 3 of the specification)

  When a hydrogen storage tank is mounted on a vehicle as a fuel supply source for a hydrogen engine or a fuel cell electric vehicle, it is important to reduce the weight of the hydrogen storage tank. When MH is filled in the pressure vessel, the amount of hydrogen stored at the same pressure and the same volume can be increased. However, since MH expands at the time of storing hydrogen, when the entire pressure vessel is filled with MH, the pressure of MH expansion is directly applied to the pressure vessel. Therefore, it is necessary to make the pressure vessel have a strength opposite to both the internal pressure and the expansion force of MH. The pressure vessel is affected not only by the weight increase of MH but also by the weight increase to increase the strength of the pressure vessel. There is a problem that the weight of the entire container becomes too heavy.

  In order to solve the above problem, a hydrogen storage unit filled with a hydrogen storage alloy in a pressure vessel and having a heat exchange function is provided with a space between the inner surface of the pressure vessel and the outer surface of the hydrogen storage unit. It can be considered to be housed in a state. In this configuration, by adjusting the internal pressure of the pressure vessel, the amount of hydrogen stored between the pressure vessel and the hydrogen storage unit is adjusted, and the amount of hydrogen stored per weight of the entire pressure vessel can be increased. .

  However, if the hydrogen storage unit is accommodated in a state where a space is provided between the inner surface of the pressure vessel and the outer surface of the hydrogen storage unit, the hydrogen storage unit cantilevered or as shown in FIG. The unit is supported at both ends. In the configuration in which the hydrogen storage unit is supported in a cantilevered state, a large force is applied to the support portion. Therefore, it is necessary to make the support portion sturdy and it is difficult to reduce the weight of the hydrogen storage tank. Further, even in a configuration in which both ends are supported, as shown in FIG. 5, in a configuration in which the heat exchanger 53 is supported by the pressure vessel 51 in the thin heat medium tube 55, stress is applied to the support portion of the heat medium tube 55. Durability deteriorates due to concentration. There is a similar problem in a pressure vessel having a built-in material other than a heat exchanger.

  As a method for solving this problem, a rubber body such as an O-ring is interposed between the outer surface of the storage case 52 of the heat exchanger 53 and the inner surface of the pressure vessel 51 so that the heat exchanger 53 is pressured together with the storage case 52. A method of supporting on the inner surface of the container is conceivable. In this case, the crushing allowance is designed according to the gap between the outer surface of the storage case 52 and the inner surface of the pressure vessel 51. However, when the center line of the storage case 52 is eccentric or inclined with respect to the center line of the pressure vessel 51, the gap between the pressure vessel 51 and the storage case 52 varies, and the crushing cost increases. The part which passes is generated, and it becomes impossible to assemble or the assembling becomes very difficult.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a pressure vessel in which an assembly such as a heat exchanger is accommodated as a built-in object, and the center line of the built-in object is eccentric or inclined with respect to the center line of the pressure vessel. Another object of the present invention is to provide a built-in material support method for a pressure vessel and a pressure vessel that can assemble the built-in material to the pressure vessel without any trouble and can support the built-in material on the inner surface of the pressure vessel.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a method for supporting a built-in object of a pressure vessel in which a cylindrical built-in object is accommodated in a state where the cylindrical built-in object is supported at least at one end. is there. The built-in object is supported at the end opposite to the open end with a gap between the peripheral surface of the built-in object and the inner peripheral surface of the container body with respect to the container body with one end open. To do. Then, in this state, a bag-like or tube-like auxiliary support member is disposed in the gap, and the auxiliary support member is filled while filling the auxiliary support member while pressurizing the auxiliary support member. The internal structure is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the main body to support the built-in object. Here, “the outer shape is cylindrical” does not only mean that the outer shape is constituted by a cylindrical member (for example, a cylindrical member having a circular cross section or a cylindrical member having a square cross section). The outer shape may be a cylindrical shape in the raised state. For example, an outer shape (cylindrical shape) formed by arranging disks of the same size at intervals, or an outer shape formed by arranging square plates of the same size at intervals (square cylindrical shapes) This includes the case where there is no cylindrical member.

  Therefore, in the present invention, the auxiliary support member that is disposed between the inner surface of the container main body and the peripheral surface of the built-in object and supports the built-in object on the container main body is disposed in the gap in a state in which the filler is not filled. Thereafter, the filling is filled while being pressurized. Therefore, even if the center line of the built-in object is decentered or inclined with respect to the center line of the container body due to an assembly error or the like, the auxiliary support member can be easily placed at the set position. It arrange | positions and it is supported in the state press-contacted to the surrounding surface of the built-in thing, and the internal peripheral surface of the said container main body. As a result, even when a radial vibration is applied to the pressure vessel, it is possible to avoid a large bending stress from acting on the support portion that supports the built-in object at the end portion, thereby improving durability.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, at least one of the auxiliary support member and the filler is made of an elastic body. In the present invention, when the vibration in the radial direction is applied to the pressure vessel, the impact applied to the built-in object is reduced and the durability is improved as compared with the configuration in which both the auxiliary support member and the filler are inelastic.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary support member is an elastic body, and the elastic body is pressurized so as to have an expansion allowance of the container body when the filling is filled. Is done. Here, “having an expansion allowance of the container body” means that the container body is deformed following the expansion even when the container body is expanded due to thermal expansion or the pressure of the gas stored in the pressure container after filling. This means that it is possible to ensure a pressure contact state between the peripheral surface of the built-in auxiliary support member and the inner peripheral surface of the container body. Therefore, in the present invention, even if the gas is stored in the pressure vessel at a high pressure and the container main body expands, the support of the built-in object by the auxiliary support member is ensured.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, after the filling, the elastic body is applied to the auxiliary support member by applying a pressing force in the axial direction of the pressure vessel. It supports so that it may have the expansion allowance of a main body. In this invention, securing of the expansion allowance is performed by deforming the auxiliary support member and the filling material by pressing the auxiliary support member after filling the filling material, not the filling pressure at the time of filling the filling material. . Therefore, it is not necessary to apply a large pressure when filling the filling.

  The invention according to claim 5 is a cylindrical pressure vessel in which a built-in object having a cylindrical outer shape is accommodated in a state where it is supported at least at one end. The built-in object is supported with respect to the container body in a state where there is a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the container body of the pressure vessel, and an auxiliary support member that can be filled with a filling material in a bag shape or a tube shape. Is arranged. The auxiliary support member is filled in a pressurized state, and the auxiliary support member is supported by the auxiliary support member in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the internal component and the inner peripheral surface of the container body. Has been. Further, at least one of the auxiliary support member and the filler is made of an elastic body.

  In this invention, even if radial vibration is applied to the pressure vessel, it is possible to avoid a large bending stress from acting on the support portion that supports the built-in object at the end portion, thereby improving durability. In addition, the impact applied to the built-in object is reduced and the durability is further improved as compared with the configuration in which the auxiliary support member and the filler are both inelastic.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein the filler is pressurized so that the elastic body has an expansion allowance of the container body. In this invention, even if gas is stored in the pressure vessel at a high pressure and the container body expands, the support of the built-in object by the auxiliary support member is ensured.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the auxiliary support member is formed in a straight tube shape, and is disposed so as to extend in the axial direction of the container body in the gap. Has been. In the present invention, when the built-in object is supported by the auxiliary support member at a position corresponding to the end portion in the longitudinal direction and a part of the intermediate portion, it is easier to assemble than when the annular auxiliary support member is used. Become.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the built-in material is a hydrogen storage unit filled with a hydrogen storage material. In the present invention, the pressure vessel can be suitably used as a hydrogen storage tank.

  According to the present invention, in a pressure vessel in which an assembly such as a heat exchanger is accommodated as a built-in item, the center line of the built-in item is eccentric or inclined with respect to the center line of the pressure vessel. However, the built-in object can be assembled to the pressure vessel without hindrance, and the built-in object can be supported by the inner surface of the pressure vessel.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a hydrogen storage tank (hereinafter simply referred to as a hydrogen tank) as a pressure vessel will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hydrogen tank, FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a chain line in FIG. 1A, and FIGS. 2A to 2C are procedures for assembling an auxiliary support member. It is a schematic cross section which shows.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the hydrogen tank 11 includes a hydrogen storage unit 13 as a built-in object in a tubular (cylindrical in this embodiment) container body 12.
The container body 12 includes an elongated hollow liner 14 and a fiber reinforced resin layer 15 that covers substantially the entire outer surface of the liner 14. The liner 14 is made of an aluminum alloy, for example, and ensures the airtightness of the hydrogen tank 11. The liner 14 includes a cylindrical body portion 14a and dome portions 14b formed at both ends thereof. Both ends of the liner 14 are divided, and a lid portion 17a that covers the opening portion 16a on one end side (the left end side in FIG. 1A) of the body portion 14a and a lid portion that covers the opening portion 16b on the other end side. 17b, and the lid portions 17a and 17b constitute the dome portion 14b. The hydrogen storage unit 13 is assembled to the lid portion 17a.

  In this embodiment, the fiber reinforced resin layer 15 is made of CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics) using carbon fibers as reinforced fibers, and ensures the pressure resistance (mechanical strength) of the hydrogen tank 11. The fiber reinforced resin layer 15 is formed by winding a carbon fiber bundle impregnated with a resin (for example, unsaturated polyester resin, epoxy resin, etc.) around the liner 14 so as to have a helical winding layer and a hoop winding layer, and thermosetting the resin. Is formed by.

  The hydrogen storage unit 13 includes a heat exchanger 19. The heat exchanger 19 extends in the longitudinal direction of the hydrogen tank 11 (the left-right direction in FIG. 1A) and from a pipe bent into a substantially U shape. The heat medium pipe | tube 20 through which a heat medium distribute | circulates, and the substantially disc shaped header part 21 used as the attaching part to the cover part 17a are provided. In this embodiment, a plurality of heat medium tubes 20 are provided, and the end portions are fixed to the header portion 21 by brazing, welding, or the like. In the header portion 21, a flow path (not shown) for communicating an upstream end portion of each heat medium pipe 20 and a passage 26 a formed later in the lid portion 17 a and a downstream end of each heat medium pipe 20. A flow path (not shown) is formed to communicate the portion and a passage 26b described later formed in the lid portion 17a.

  A plurality of substantially disc-shaped fins 22 are fixed to the heat medium pipe 20 at equal intervals along the axial direction of the liner 14. Between the fins 22, powdery MH (not shown) as a hydrogen storage material is accommodated in contact with the fins 22. A cylindrical filter 23 capable of blocking the passage of MH and permeating hydrogen is provided at the radial end of the fin 22 so as to cover all the fins 22. In this embodiment, the filter 23 is formed of a metal cylinder having a large number of holes (not shown). The outer diameter of the hydrogen storage unit 13 is set so that a gap Δ exists between the outer peripheral surface (that is, the outer peripheral surface of the filter 23) and the inner peripheral surface of the liner 14. When the diameter of the container body 12 is about 200 mm, the size of the gap Δ is on the order of mm.

  The lid portion 17a includes a recess 24 to which the header portion 21 is fitted and fixed, and an opening portion 16a, that is, a fitting portion 25 to be fitted to the end portion of the trunk portion 14a. The fitting part 25 has a step part 25a, and the step part 25a is fitted to the end part of the body part 14a. The lid portions 17a and 17b are positioned with respect to the direction. The recess 24 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a seal ring (not shown) is interposed between the peripheral surface thereof and the peripheral surface of the header portion 21. Further, a seal ring (not shown) is provided between the peripheral surface of the fitting portion 25 and the inner surface of the opening portion 16a to ensure the sealability (airtightness) of the divided portion of the liner 14. . Passages 26a and 26b are formed in the lid portion 17a, pipes communicating with a heat medium supply unit (not shown) are connected to the passages 26a and 26b, and water (as a heat medium from the heat medium supply unit ( Cold water or heated water) can be supplied through the passages 26a and 26b. In this embodiment, the passage 26a is on the upstream side and the passage 26b is on the downstream side.

  The hydrogen storage unit 13 is assembled to the lid portion 17 a with the header portion 21 (base end) fitted in the recess 24. Then, when heated water is supplied from the passage 26a to the heat medium pipe 20, the MH constituting the hydrogen storage unit 13 is heated, and when cold water is supplied from the passage 26a to the heat medium pipe 20, the MH is cooled. It has become.

  Similarly to the lid portion 17a, the lid portion 17b includes a fitting portion 25 fitted into the opening portion 16b, and the fitting portion 25 is fitted into the opening portion 16b. The lid portion 17 b is provided with a gas passage opening 18 for introducing and discharging hydrogen, and a valve 27 is screwed into the gas passage opening 18. The valve 27 has a built-in regulator, and the use state of the hydrogen tank 11 can be switched between a hydrogen release state and a hydrogen filling state. The hydrogen release state means a state in which hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 11 can be discharged to the outside through the valve 27 and hydrogen cannot be supplied into the hydrogen tank 11 from the outside. Further, the hydrogen filling state means a state in which hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 11 cannot be discharged to the outside through the valve 27 and hydrogen can be supplied into the hydrogen tank 11 from the outside. A seal ring (not shown) is interposed between the valve 27 and the end surface of the lid portion 17b.

  An annular housing groove 28 extending along the circumferential direction is formed at a position corresponding to both ends of the filter 23 in the longitudinal direction. An annular tube-shaped auxiliary support member 29 made of an elastic material (made of rubber in this embodiment) is disposed in the accommodation groove 28. The auxiliary support member 29 is configured to be able to be filled with a filler 30, and the auxiliary support member 29 is filled in a state where the filler 30 is pressurized, and the auxiliary support member 29 includes the peripheral surface of the filter 23 and the container body. 12 is supported in pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface. In this embodiment, the auxiliary support member 29 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the fitting portion 25 of the lid portion 17a on the proximal end side (left side in FIG. 1A) of the hydrogen storage unit 13 and on the distal end of the hydrogen storage unit 13. On the side, they are in pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 14a. The auxiliary support member 29 disposed on the distal end side of the hydrogen storage unit 13 is formed larger than the auxiliary support member 29 disposed on the proximal end side of the hydrogen storage unit 13. In this embodiment, liquid rubber is used as the filler 30. That is, the hydrogen storage unit 13 is supported by the lid portion 17a in a cantilever state via the heat medium pipe 20, and is disposed in the gap Δ between the peripheral surface of the filter 23 and the inner peripheral surface of the container body 12. It is also supported by a tube-shaped auxiliary support member 29.

  The auxiliary support member 29 is provided with a needle insertion part formed of the same material as the air introduction part of the ball in part, and when filling the filler 30, the needle inserted from the needle insertion part is used. Filled with liquid rubber.

  The filling 30 is pressurized so that the auxiliary support member 29 and the elastic body constituting the filling 30 have an expansion allowance for the container body 12. The expansion allowance of the container body 12 means that the auxiliary support member 29 and the filler 30 are deformed following the expansion even when the container body 12 is expanded by thermal expansion or hydrogen pressure after the filling 30 is filled, This means that the pressure contact state of the auxiliary support member 29 against the peripheral surface of the filter 23 and the inner peripheral surface of the container body 12 can be ensured. The expansion allowance is obtained by a test or calculation in accordance with the use conditions of the hydrogen tank 11, and the filling amount and the pressurized state of the filling 30 are set so as to satisfy the values.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the hydrogen tank 11 configured as described above will be described. When manufacturing the hydrogen tank 11, a heat exchanger having a heat medium pipe 20 around which a plurality of fins 22 are fixed, surrounded by a filter 23 covering the outer periphery thereof, and containing a hydrogen storage alloy therein. 19 is prepared. Then, as shown in FIG. 2A, the auxiliary support member 29 that is not filled with the filler 30 is disposed in both the housing grooves 28. 2A to 2C show only a part of the end portion of the filter 23 on the lid portion 17a side. Then, the end portions (upstream end portion and downstream end portion) of the heat medium pipe 20 are fixed to the header portion 21 by brazing or welding, and the heat exchanger 19 and the header portion 21 are integrated with each other. The storage unit 13 is manufactured.

  Subsequently, a seal material is interposed between the inner surface of the lid portion 17 a and the header portion 21, and the heat exchanger 19 is assembled to the lid portion 17 a in a state where the header portion 21 is fitted into the recess 24. In this state, the hydrogen storage unit 13 is supported in a state where there is a gap Δ between the peripheral surface of the filter 23 and the inner peripheral surface of the fitting portion 25 constituting the inner peripheral surface of the container body 12. As shown in FIG. 2B, the auxiliary support member 29 accommodated in the accommodation groove 28 is disposed at a position corresponding to the inner peripheral surface of the container body 12. In this state, the filling material 30 is filled by inserting a needle into the needle insertion portion in the auxiliary support member 29. The filling material 30 is filled by filling (injecting) the filling material 30 (liquid rubber) while applying pressure. Then, as shown in FIG. 2C, the auxiliary support member 29 is supported in a state in which it is in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the filter 23 and the inner peripheral surface of the container body 12. When the filling 30 is filled, the auxiliary support member 29 and the elastic body constituting the filling 30 are pressurized so as to have an expansion allowance for the container body 12. Even if the needle is pulled out after the filling 30 is filled, the trace of the needle is naturally blocked.

  The filling of the filling material 30 is preferably performed from a state in which there is almost no air in the auxiliary support member 29 in a state before the filling material 30 is filled. When a large amount of air is present in the auxiliary support member 29, it is necessary to remove excess air from the auxiliary support member 29 when filling the filling material 30, and the work is troublesome. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, for the convenience of illustration, the auxiliary support member 29 is filled with a large amount of air before the filling 30 is filled. There is almost no air. As a method for extracting air from the auxiliary support member 29, for example, there is a method of extracting air from the auxiliary support member 29 with a pump while a needle is inserted into the auxiliary support member 29.

  Next, the hydrogen storage unit 13 is accommodated in the body portion 14a. A gap Δ is also generated between the peripheral surface of the filter 23 and the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 14a. The auxiliary support member 29 accommodated in the accommodation groove 28 is disposed at a position corresponding to the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 14 a of the container body 12. In this state, the filling material 30 is filled into the auxiliary support member 29 in the same manner as described above, and the auxiliary support member 29 is supported in a state of being pressed against the peripheral surface of the filter 23 and the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 14a. When the filling 30 is filled, the auxiliary support member 29 and the elastic body constituting the filling 30 are pressurized so as to have an expansion allowance for the container body 12. Even if the needle is pulled out after the filling 30 is filled, the trace of the needle is naturally blocked.

Next, the lid portion 17b is fitted and fixed to the body portion 14a at the fitting portion 25 in the same manner as the lid portion 17a. By this operation, the split liner 14 is integrated.
Next, the integrated liner 14 is set in a filament winding apparatus (not shown), and filament winding is performed. A resin-impregnated fiber bundle is formed on the outer surface of the liner 14 with a predetermined number of helical winding layers and hoop winding layers. Wrap until The hoop winding layer is mainly formed on the body portion 14 a of the liner 14. Next, the liner 14 around which the resin-impregnated fiber bundle is wound is removed from the filament winding apparatus and placed in a heating furnace to cure the resin by heating. Next, after removing burrs and the like, the valve 27 is screwed into the female thread portion of the gas passage opening 18 of the lid portion 17b to complete the manufacture of the hydrogen tank 11.

Next, the case where the operation of the hydrogen tank 11 configured as described above is used in an electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell will be described as an example.
The hydrogen tank 11 is connected to passages 26a and 26b with pipes through which water (cold water or heated water) as a heat medium supplied from the heat medium supply unit flows, and a valve 27 is connected to a pipe (not shown) connected to the fuel cell. It is used in the state that was done. The container body 12 is filled with hydrogen at a high pressure.

  When hydrogen gas is used at the fuel electrode while the valve 27 is held in the hydrogen releasing state, the hydrogen gas is released from the hydrogen tank 11 via the valve 27 and supplied to the fuel electrode. When hydrogen gas is released from the hydrogen tank 11, the hydrogen storage / release reaction of MH moves to the release side, and hydrogen gas is released from MH.

  When the hydrogen tank 11 from which hydrogen has been released is filled again with hydrogen gas, that is, when MH is occluded with hydrogen, the valve 27 is switched to a hydrogen-filled state and the hydrogen gas is supplied from the valve 27 to the hydrogen tank 11. The hydrogen gas supplied into the hydrogen tank 11 reacts with MH to become a hydride and is stored in MH.

  The hydrogen storage unit 13 is supported in a cantilevered state by the liner 14 with both ends of the heat medium pipe 20 fixed to the header portion 21, and both longitudinal circumferential surfaces of the filter 23 are interposed via auxiliary support members 29. The container body 12 is supported. Therefore, even if vibration is applied to the hydrogen tank 11, the entire hydrogen storage unit 13 vibrates together with the hydrogen tank 11. Unlike the configuration in which the auxiliary support member 29 does not exist, only the proximal end of the heat medium pipe 20 is locally present. In particular, a state in which bending stress is applied can be avoided, and durability is improved.

  When the gas is filled in the auxiliary support member 29, when the pressure in the hydrogen tank 11 becomes high (several tens of MPa), the auxiliary support member 29 is compressed by the pressure and the peripheral surface of the filter 23 and the inner periphery of the container body 12 are filled. A gap is formed between the surface and the support member. However, since the auxiliary support member 29 is filled with a filler 30 other than gas, even if the inside of the hydrogen tank 11 is at a high pressure (several tens of MPa), the auxiliary support member 29 is connected to the peripheral surface of the filter 23 and the container. It is supported in a state of being pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the main body 12 and serves as a support member. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the support portion of the heat medium pipe 20 so firmly.

This embodiment has the following effects.
(1) The hydrogen storage unit 13 having a cylindrical outer shape is accommodated in the container main body 12 with a gap Δ between the container main body 12 and the inner surface of the container main body 12. The container body 12 is supported at one end. An auxiliary support member 29 that is tubular and can be filled with the filler 30 is disposed in the gap Δ, and the auxiliary support member 29 is filled with the filler 30 in a pressurized state so that the auxiliary support member 29 is hydrogenated. It is supported in a state in which it is pressed against the peripheral surface of the occlusion unit 13 and the inner peripheral surface of the container body 12. Therefore, even if radial vibration is applied to the hydrogen tank 11, it is possible to avoid a large bending stress from acting on the heat medium pipe 20 that supports the hydrogen storage unit 13 at the end, and the durability is improved.

  (2) When the hydrogen tank 11 is manufactured, the auxiliary support member 29 is fixed to the liner 14 with the hydrogen storage unit 13 open on one side, and the peripheral surface of the hydrogen storage unit 13 and the peripheral surface of the container body 12 It is possible to fill the filler 30 in a state of being disposed in the gap Δ. Therefore, even if the center line of the hydrogen storage unit 13 is eccentric or inclined with respect to the center line of the hydrogen tank 11, the hydrogen storage unit 13 can be supported on the inner surface of the hydrogen tank 11 without any problem.

  (3) The auxiliary support member 29 and the filler 30 are made of an elastic body. Therefore, the impact applied to the hydrogen storage unit 13 is reduced and the durability is further improved as compared with the configuration in which both the auxiliary support member 29 and the filler 30 are inelastic. As a result, it can be suitably used as a fuel tank that is mounted and used in a fuel cell vehicle or a hydrogen engine vehicle.

  (4) The filling 30 is pressurized so that the auxiliary support member 29 and the elastic body constituting the filling 30 have an expansion allowance for the container body 12. Therefore, even when the container main body 12 expands due to the pressure of hydrogen gas or expands due to thermal expansion when the hydrogen tank 11 is used, the auxiliary support member 29 and the filling 30 can be deformed following the expansion. The auxiliary support member 29 is always supported in a state where it is pressed against the peripheral surface of the hydrogen storage unit 13 and the peripheral surface of the container body 12. As a result, even when the hydrogen tank 11 expands, the support force by the auxiliary support member 29 is ensured.

  (5) Since the auxiliary support member 29 is formed in an annular shape and is in contact with the entire circumferential direction of the hydrogen storage unit 13, the hydrogen storage unit 13 is excellent even when radial vibration is applied to the hydrogen tank 11. Supported. Accordingly, the hydrogen storage unit 13 is supported in a more stable state even when used in a state where radial vibration is applied to the hydrogen tank 11 such as when mounted in an automobile.

  (6) The liner 14 constituting the container body 12 is configured in a split type, the body 14a is provided with an opening 16a into which the hydrogen storage unit 13 can be inserted, and the lid 17a covering the opening 16a is used for storing hydrogen. The unit 13 is assembled integrally. Therefore, after fixing the hydrogen storage unit 13 to the lid portion 17a, the lid portion 17a constituting the dome portion 14b is assembled to the body portion 14a of the liner 14 so that the hydrogen storage unit 13 is accommodated in the liner 14. Since it can assemble | attach, an assembly | attachment becomes easy compared with the structure which the trunk | drum 14a and the dome part 14b cannot be divided | segmented.

(7) Since the container main body 12 has a double structure of the liner 14 and the fiber reinforced resin layer 15, the weight can be reduced as compared with the case where the entire body is made of metal.
(8) Since the gas passage opening 18 is provided on the other end side of the liner 14 as a passage for introducing and discharging hydrogen, the supply and discharge of the heat medium and the introduction and discharge of hydrogen are on the same side. Compared to the configuration performed from the above, the structure becomes simple.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the hydrogen tank 11, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view when cut along a plane orthogonal to the center line of the hydrogen tank 11.

  In this embodiment, the auxiliary support member 29 that is disposed in the gap Δ between the peripheral surface of the filter 23 and the inner peripheral surface of the container body 12 and supports the hydrogen storage unit 13 is formed in a linear tube shape. Compared to the first embodiment, it is greatly different. The auxiliary support member 29 has a needle insertion portion at one end. The auxiliary support member 29 is arranged so as to extend in the axial direction of the container body 12 in the gap Δ, and so that the needle insertion portion is located at the end portion on the lid portion 17b side. The auxiliary support member 29 is disposed so as to extend over almost the entire length of the filter 23 as long as it does not interfere with the lid portions 17a and 17b. A plurality (preferably three or more) of auxiliary support members 29 are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the filter 23.

  When the hydrogen tank 11 is manufactured, as in the case of the first embodiment, the hydrogen storage unit 13 is first manufactured, and then the hydrogen storage unit 13 is assembled to the lid portion 17a. Next, the auxiliary support member 29 is extended in the circumferential direction of the filter 23 along the longitudinal direction thereof, and the needle insertion portion is positioned at a predetermined position in a state of being located near the end portion opposite to the header portion 21 of the heat exchanger 19. Temporarily fix with adhesive tape. This temporary fixing is performed in order to support the auxiliary support member 29 in a predetermined position without interfering with the body part 14a when the hydrogen storage unit 13 is inserted into the body part 14a. Next, the hydrogen storage unit 13 is inserted into the body portion 14 a and the lid portion 17 a is fixed to one end of the body portion 14 a at the fitting portion 25. In this state, the hydrogen storage unit 13 has one end (the lid) of the liner 14 with a gap Δ between the peripheral surface of the filter 23 and the inner peripheral surface of the container body 12 (that is, the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 14a). Part 17a) is supported in a cantilevered state. Moreover, the cover part 17b is not yet fixed to the trunk | drum 14a.

  In this state, each auxiliary support member 29 is filled with the filler 30. The filling material 30 is filled by inserting a needle through the gap between the body portion 14a opposite to the side to which the lid portion 17a is fixed and the filter 23, piercing the needle insertion portion of the auxiliary support member 29, and applying pressure while filling. It is carried out by filling (injecting) 30 (liquid rubber). And as shown in FIG.3 (b), the auxiliary | assistant support member 29 is supported in the state press-contacted to the surrounding surface of the filter 23, and the internal peripheral surface of the container main body 12. As shown in FIG. When the filling 30 is filled, the auxiliary support member 29 and the elastic body constituting the filling 30 are pressurized so as to have an expansion allowance for the container body 12. Even if the needle is pulled out after the filling 30 is filled, the trace of the needle is naturally blocked.

  After the filling of the filling material 30 into each auxiliary support member 29 is completed, the lid portion 17b is fixed to the body portion 14a so as to cover the opening portion 16b, and the split liner 14 is integrated. Next, the integrated liner 14 is set in a filament winding apparatus (not shown), the fiber reinforced resin layer 15 is formed as in the first embodiment, and the valve 27 is screwed to the lid portion 17b. Thus, the manufacture of the hydrogen tank 11 is completed.

In this embodiment, in addition to the same effects as (1) to (4) and (6) to (8) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(9) The auxiliary support member 29 is formed in a linear tube shape, and is disposed in the gap Δ so as to extend in the axial direction of the container body 12. Therefore, when the hydrogen storage unit 13 is supported by the auxiliary support member 29 at a position corresponding to the end and the middle in the longitudinal direction, the assembly is facilitated as compared with the case where the annular auxiliary support member 29 is used. .

The embodiment is not limited to the above, and may be configured as follows, for example.
In the case where the annular auxiliary support member 29 is used, the auxiliary support member 29 may be provided only on the other end side of the filter 23, that is, on the end portion near the lid portion 17b. When the auxiliary support member 29 is provided on the other end side of the filter 23, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the filter 23 is disposed at the other end instead of the configuration in which the auxiliary support member 29 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 28. The step portion 32 and the male screw portion 33 are continuously provided. Then, the auxiliary support member 29 filled with the filler 30 is disposed in the stepped portion 32, and is supported in a state in which a pressing force is applied to the auxiliary support member 29 by the nut 34 screwed into the male screw portion 33. The configuration. The nut 34 has a plurality of (for example, two) recesses 34a formed on the end surface. The recess 34 a is for locking a locking portion of a tool (not shown) used when the nut 34 is screwed into the male thread portion 33 of the filter 23.

  In the configuration of this embodiment, the auxiliary support member 29 before being filled with the filling 30 is arranged in the stepped portion 32 in a state before the lid portion 17b is fixed to the trunk portion 14a, and after the filling 30 is filled. The nut 34 is screwed into the male screw portion 33. Then, a pressing force is applied to the auxiliary support member 29 in the axial direction of the hydrogen tank 11, and the elastic bodies constituting the auxiliary support member 29 and the filling 30 are deformed to have an expansion allowance for the container body 12. Supported in state. Thereafter, the lid portion 17b is fixed to the body portion 14a, and a post-process such as filament winding is performed in the same manner as in the above embodiment. That is, securing of the expansion allowance of the container body 12 is not the filling pressure when filling the filling material 30, but after filling the filling material 30, the auxiliary support member 29 is pressed in the axial direction of the container body 12, 29 and the filling 30 are deformed. Therefore, it is not necessary to apply a large pressure when filling the filling 30. The configuration for locking the locking portion of the tool used when the nut 34 is screwed into the male screw portion 33 of the filter 23 is not limited to the concave portion 34a, and may be a groove, a convex portion, or a convex line. . A tool having a locking portion that matches these shapes is used for screwing the nut 34.

  After the filling material 30 is filled in the auxiliary support member 29, the elastic body constituting the auxiliary support member 29 and the filling material 30 is expanded by applying a pressing force to the auxiliary support member 29 in the axial direction of the pressure vessel. The configuration for supporting the margin may be as follows. As shown in FIG. 4B, the step portion 32 is provided at the end of the filter 23, and the male screw portion 33 is not provided. After the filling 30 is filled, instead of pressing the auxiliary support member 29 with the nut 34, an annular portion 35 for pressing the auxiliary support member 29 is provided on the lid portion 17b. Further, a female screw portion 36 is provided at the other end of the body portion 14a, and a male screw portion 37 that is screwed into the female screw portion 36 is provided at the lid portion 17b. Then, the lid portion 17b is screwed into the body portion 14a to support the auxiliary support member 29 filled with the filling 30 in a state where a pressing force is applied in the axial direction of the pressure vessel. Since the lid portion 17 b is covered with the fiber reinforced resin layer 15, the pressing force is less likely to loosen even after long-term use compared to the case of pressing with the nut 34.

  Even when the linear auxiliary support member 29 is used, instead of using the auxiliary support member 29 having a length extending substantially over the entire length along the longitudinal direction of the filter 23, a short linear auxiliary support member 29 is used. It is good also as a structure arrange | positioned at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Moreover, you may arrange | position the arcuate tube-shaped auxiliary | assistant support member 29 at intervals along the circumferential direction. In these cases, the hydrogen tank 11 is well supported even when radial vibration is applied to the hydrogen tank 11.

The arrangement position of the auxiliary support member 29 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to provide a portion for supporting the hydrogen storage unit 13 on the other end side of the filter 23.
○ It is not necessary that both the auxiliary support member 29 and the filler 30 are made of an elastic body. For example, in the configuration in which after the filling material 30 is filled, a pressing force is applied to the auxiliary support member 29 so that the container body 12 has an expansion allowance, it is sufficient that at least one of them is made of an elastic body. When only the auxiliary support member 29 is an elastic body, the auxiliary support member 29 is deformed by the thickness of the auxiliary support member 29 due to the pressing force, resulting in an expansion allowance. On the other hand, in the case where only the filler 30 is an elastic body, the filler 30 is deformed by the pressing force (the auxiliary support member 29 has a shape following the deformation), resulting in an expansion allowance. In the configuration in which the container body 12 has an expansion allowance when the filling material 30 is filled, at least the auxiliary support member 29 may be formed of an elastic body. When only the auxiliary support member 29 is an elastic body, the filling of the filler 30 is deformed by the thickness of the auxiliary support member 29 to cause an expansion allowance. Also in these configurations, even when the hydrogen tank 11 expands, the supporting force by the auxiliary support member 29 is ensured.

  O The elastic body used as the filler 30 is not limited to liquid rubber. The elastic body may be liquid at least at the time of filling, and may be solid after filling. For example, an elastic body that melts at a temperature that does not adversely affect the auxiliary support member 29 may be used as the filling material 30 and filled in a heated and melted state.

The auxiliary support member 29 does not necessarily have to include a needle insertion portion that naturally closes the trace of the needle.
O It is not necessary to make the structure which has the expansion allowance of the container main body 12 depending on the use of a pressure vessel. For example, when the pressure vessel is made of a rigid body that does not easily expand even in a state where high-pressure gas is stored and is used in an environment with little temperature change, it is not necessary to have an expansion allowance. In this case, you may comprise the auxiliary | assistant support member 29 and the filler 30 with an inelastic body. As a configuration in which the auxiliary support member 29 and the filler 30 are inelastic, the auxiliary support member 29 is a film tube, and a liquid or a curable resin after filling is used as the filler 30. Even in this case, even if the center line of the hydrogen storage unit 13 is eccentric or inclined with respect to the center line of the container body 12 due to an assembly error or the like, the auxiliary support member 29 is not Easily placed at the set position. Further, in a state in which the filling material 30 is filled, the filling material 30 is supported in a state of being in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the hydrogen storage unit 13 and the inner peripheral surface of the container body 12. As a result, even if radial vibration is applied to the hydrogen tank 11, it is possible to avoid a large bending stress from acting on the heat medium pipe 20 that supports the hydrogen storage unit 13 at the end, and the durability is improved.

  When using the linear auxiliary support member 29, the solid auxiliary material 29 may be filled from the time of filling as the filling material 30. For example, a rod-shaped body may be inserted as the filler 30 in the auxiliary support member 29 made of an elastic body.

The auxiliary support member 29 is not limited to a tube shape and may be a bag shape.
The receiving groove 28 or the stepped portion 32 in which the annular auxiliary support member 29 is disposed may be provided not on the filter 23 side but on the lid portions 17a, 17b side or the trunk portion 14a side. In this case, when the hydrogen storage unit 13 is inserted into the body portion 14 a, the auxiliary support member 29 is temporarily fixed to the body portion 14 a side so as not to interfere with the hydrogen storage unit 13.

  ○ All the auxiliary support members 29 are not limited to the same material. For example, the portion corresponding to the receiving groove 28 or the stepped portion 32 may be made of a different material, and the portion corresponding to the receiving groove 28 or the stepped portion 32 may be made of a material that is difficult to deform. In this case, the auxiliary support member 29 is unlikely to be detached from the receiving groove 28 or the stepped portion 32 even before the filling material 30 is filled, and the liner 14 can be easily assembled. The cross section of the auxiliary support member 29 is not limited to a circle.

  (Circle) the liner 14 is good also as a structure which has the cover part 17a only in the side by which the unit 13 for hydrogen storage is fixed. For example, on the side opposite to the side where the lid portion 17 a is provided, the dome portion 14 b may be configured by drawing the liner 14 after the placement of the auxiliary support member 29 and the filling of the filler 30. Further, the liner 14 may be composed of a lid portion 17a constituting one dome portion 14b and a body portion 14a in which the other dome portion 14b is integrally formed.

  The liner 14 may not be provided with a lid and may be formed by drawing both sides. For example, after assembling the hydrogen storage unit 13 with one side of the liner being drawn, the auxiliary support member 29 is filled with the filler 30 and then the other side of the liner is drawn. Thereafter, the fiber reinforced resin layer 15 is formed by filament winding and heat curing.

  The heat exchanger 19 is not limited to the configuration supported by the liner 14 in a cantilever state via the heat medium pipe 20, and the heat medium pipe penetrates the container body 12 as in the prior art, and both ends of the heat medium pipe The structure supported by the container body 12 may be used.

  The shape of the hydrogen storage unit 13 is not limited to a substantially cylindrical shape, and may be, for example, a polygonal cross section. If the shape of the fin 22 fixed to the heat transfer medium tube 20 is a quadrangle, the shape is a quadrangular cylinder, and if the fin 22 is a hexagon, the shape is a hexagonal cylinder.

  ○ The hydrogen storage unit 13 does not include the fins 22 in the heat medium tube 20 and simply allows the heat medium to flow. The housing space surrounded by the filter 23 is filled with MH powder or a hydrogen storage alloy molded body. It is good also as a structure which accommodates.

  The hydrogen storage unit 13 may be configured to fill the accommodation space surrounded by the filter 23 with MH powder after the fiber reinforced resin layer 15 is formed by filament winding and heat curing and before the valve 27 is attached. .

  The hydrogen tank 11 is not limited to the one used as a hydrogen source of an electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell, and may be applied to a hydrogen source of a hydrogen engine, a heat pump, or the like, for example. Moreover, you may use as a hydrogen source of the fuel cell of a household power supply.

O It may apply not only to the hydrogen tank which stores hydrogen as a pressure vessel but to a pressure vessel which stores other gas, such as nitrogen and compressed natural gas, for example.
The reinforcing fiber of the fiber reinforced resin is not limited to the carbon fiber, and other fibers generally called high elasticity and high strength such as glass fiber, silicon carbide ceramic fiber, and aramid fiber may be used as the reinforcing fiber.

  The material of the liner 14 is not limited to an aluminum alloy, but may be a metal having a specific gravity similar to that of aluminum that can ensure airtightness, or a synthetic resin such as polyamide or high-density polyethylene.

The container body 12 is not limited to the multilayer structure of the liner 14 and the fiber reinforced resin layer 15, and may be entirely made of metal.
The following technical idea (invention) can be understood from the embodiment.

(1) In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the auxiliary support member is formed in an annular tube shape, and is disposed at least near the other end of the built-in object.
(2) In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the auxiliary support member is formed in a straight tube shape, and is arranged to extend in the axial direction of the container body in the gap. The

(3) In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and technical ideas (1) and (2), the filler is a liquid rubber at least at the time of filling.
(4) In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and technical ideas (1) to (3), the pressure vessel is used as a fuel tank of an automobile using hydrogen as fuel.

  (5) In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and the technical ideas (1) to (4), the container body of the pressure vessel includes a hollow liner, and the liner A fiber reinforced resin layer covering an outer surface, and the other end of the liner is divided into an opening and a lid.

  (6) In the invention described in claim 8, the hydrogen storage unit includes a heat exchanger, and introduction and discharge of the heat medium to and from the heat medium pipe of the heat exchanger are performed from one end side of the container body.

(A) is a schematic cross section of the hydrogen storage tank of 1st Embodiment, (b) is the elements on larger scale. (A)-(c) is a schematic cross section which shows the assembly | attachment procedure of an auxiliary | assistant support member. (A) is a schematic cross section of the hydrogen storage tank of the second embodiment, (b) is an enlarged partial cross section. (A), (b) is a partial schematic cross section of another embodiment. The schematic cross section of the conventional pressure vessel.

Explanation of symbols

  Δ ... gap, 11 ... hydrogen tank as pressure vessel, 12 ... container body, 13 ... hydrogen storage unit as built-in material, 29 ... auxiliary support member, 30 ... filling.

Claims (8)

A built-in object support method for a pressure vessel that is accommodated in a state in which a cylindrical built-in object is supported at least at one end in a cylindrical pressure container,
The built-in object is supported at the end opposite to the open end with a gap between the peripheral surface of the built-in object and the inner peripheral surface of the container body with respect to the container body with one end open. In this state, a bag-like or tube-like auxiliary support member is arranged in the gap, and the auxiliary support member is filled with a filling while being pressurized, and the auxiliary support member is placed in the peripheral surface of the built-in object and the container. A built-in object support method for a pressure vessel, which is in pressure contact with an inner peripheral surface of a main body and supports the built-in object.   The method for supporting a built-in object in a pressure vessel according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the auxiliary support member and the filler is formed of an elastic body.   The method for supporting a built-in object in a pressure vessel according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary support member is an elastic body, and the elastic body is pressurized so as to have an expansion allowance of the container main body when the filling is filled.   3. The pressure vessel according to claim 2, wherein after the filling, the pressing force is applied to the auxiliary support member in the axial direction of the pressure vessel so that the elastic body has an expansion allowance of the vessel body. Built-in support method.   A cylindrical pressure vessel accommodated in a state where a cylindrical built-in object is supported at least at one end, and there is a gap between the built-in object and the inner peripheral surface of the container body of the pressure container An auxiliary support member that is supported with respect to the container body in a state and can be filled with a filling in a bag shape or a tube shape is disposed in the gap, and the auxiliary support member is filled in a pressurized state. The built-in object is supported in a state where the auxiliary support member is in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the built-in object and the inner peripheral surface of the container body, and at least one of the auxiliary support member and the filler is formed of an elastic body. Pressure vessel.   The pressure container according to claim 5, wherein the filler is pressurized so that the elastic body has an expansion allowance of the container body.   The pressure container according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the auxiliary support member is formed in a straight tube shape and is disposed in the gap so as to extend in an axial direction of the container main body.   The pressure vessel according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the built-in material is a hydrogen storage unit filled with a hydrogen storage material.

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