JP2006125466A - Gas supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas supply device wherein a change-over timing can be changed by inputting corresponding change-over conditions when a filled tank has greater pipe resistance, thus suppressing the pressure drop of a pressure source on a high pressure side and suppressing the elongation of a time for filling gas into the filled tank resulting from the pressure drop of gas in a second pressure source. <P>SOLUTION: A control device 16 uses a change-over timing changing switch 54 for changing a change-over timing from low pressure filling control to high pressure filling control in accordance with change-over conditions stored in a memory 48. When a type of vehicle arrives which has great pressure loss in a passage connected to a fuel tank 12, a worker operates the change-over timing changing switch 54 for changing the change-over conditions (a specified flow amount and specified pressure) to delay the change-over timing from a variable gas accumulator 62 to a high pressure gas accumulator 64. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas supply device, and in particular, a plurality of pressure sources for storing gas compressed by a compressor are provided. After supplying gas from a low pressure source to a tank to be filled, the pressure source is switched to a high pressure source. The present invention relates to a gas supply device that supplies gas to a tank to be filled.

  In recent years, development of automobiles (CNG cars) that run on compressed natural gas (CNG) obtained by compressing natural gas and fuel cell cars that use hydrogen as fuel have been promoted. Along with this, a gas supply device for supplying compressed natural gas to a fuel tank of an automobile and a gas supply device for supplying hydrogen compressed to a high pressure to a fuel tank of an automobile are being put into practical use.

  In this type of gas supply device, the compressed gas is stored in the gas accumulator, the connection coupling of the gas filling hose is connected to the connection coupling on the automobile side, and communicated with the tip of the gas filling hose. By switching the three-way valve, the gas stored in the gas pressure accumulator is filled in the fuel tank (filled tank) of the automobile.

In the gas supply device, a variable pressure gas accumulator and a high pressure gas accumulator are provided as a pressure source for supplying gas. Initially, gas is supplied from the variable pressure gas accumulator to the fuel tank, and the flow rate of the gas is increased. The gas supply is stopped when the pressure of the fuel tank reaches a target pressure so that the fuel tank is supplied from the high-pressure gas accumulator at the time when the pressure is lowered (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP-A-8-291897

  In the conventional gas supply device, the flow rate when the gas is supplied from the variable pressure gas accumulator to the fuel tank is monitored, and when the flow rate falls below a predetermined value, the pressure of the fuel tank is changed to the variable pressure gas. Judging that the pressure of the pressure accumulator is approaching, the main valve of the high pressure gas pressure accumulator is opened to supply the high pressure gas.

  Here, when filling the fuel tank with gas, the diameter of the pipe connected to the fuel tank, the total length of the piping path, the number of bent parts in the middle of the pipe, etc. differ depending on the vehicle model that receives the gas filling. Even if gas is supplied, the flow rate supplied to the fuel tank may decrease due to the piping resistance of the vehicle type. And when the pipe resistance of the fuel tank is large depending on the vehicle type as described above, the flow rate is reduced even when the pressure of the fuel tank is considerably lower than the pressure of the variable pressure gas accumulator, and the variable pressure gas accumulator is still Although the gas can be supplied from the high pressure gas accumulator, the gas is switched to be supplied from the high pressure gas accumulator.

  As described above, when the switching timing from the variable pressure gas accumulator to the high pressure gas accumulator is accelerated by the flow rate decrease, the gas supply amount from the high pressure gas accumulator increases and the pressure drop of the high pressure gas accumulator proceeds rapidly. become.

  Therefore, in the conventional gas supply device, when a vehicle type having a large fuel tank piping resistance continues, the gas supply amount from the high pressure gas accumulator increases, and the compression of the gas by the compressor with respect to the high pressure gas accumulator is reduced. The problem of not being in time arises.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the gas supply apparatus which solved the said subject.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a first pressure source for storing the compressed gas, a second pressure source for storing the compressed gas, and a first step of supplying the gas from the first pressure source to the tank to be filled. And a control means for controlling the second step of supplying the gas from the second pressure source to the tank to be filled, in order to change the switching timing from the first step to the second step. An input means for inputting the switching conditions of the above, a storage means for storing the switching conditions input by the input means, and switching from the first step to the second step based on the switching conditions stored in the storage means Switching timing changing means for changing timing is provided.

  The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that the input means is vehicle information input means for selectively inputting a switching condition according to a vehicle type on which the tank to be filled is mounted by manual operation.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the input means is provided with a switching condition storage means for storing a switching condition corresponding to the filled tank for each filled tank, and the input means is stored in the switching condition storage means. It is characterized by comprising reading means for reading the switching conditions.

  The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that the control means calculates the capacity of the tank to be filled and changes the switching timing using the capacity of the tank to be filled as a switching condition.

  The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that the control means calculates the remaining filling amount of the tank to be filled and changes the switching timing using the remaining filling amount of the tank to be filled as a switching condition.

  According to the present invention, since the switching timing from the first process to the second process is changed based on the switching condition input by the input means, for example, when the pipe resistance of the tank to be filled is large, the corresponding switching is performed. By inputting the conditions, it is possible to change the switching timing, and it is possible to suppress the pressure drop of the pressure source on the high pressure side, and the gas to the tank to be filled due to the pressure drop of the gas of the second pressure source Prolonging the filling time can be suppressed.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the operator performing the gas filling operation can select the type of the tank to be filled or the tank to be filled by selectively inputting the switching condition according to the vehicle type on which the tank to be filled is manually operated. It is possible to change the switching timing according to the vehicle type on which the is mounted.

  According to the present invention, the switching condition storage means for storing the switching conditions corresponding to the filled tank is provided for each filled tank, and the input means reads the switching conditions stored in the switching condition storage means. The switching timing can be automatically changed according to the vehicle type on which the tank to be filled is mounted.

  According to the present invention, the capacity of the tank to be filled is calculated, and the switching timing is changed using the capacity of the tank to be filled as a switching condition. Therefore, the switching timing is automatically changed according to the capacity of the tank to be filled. Is possible.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the switching timing is changed using the remaining filling amount of the tank to be filled as a switching condition, the switching timing can be automatically changed according to the remaining filling amount of the tank to be filled.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a gas supply apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the gas supply device 10 is installed, for example, in a gas supply station that supplies compressed gas (for example, hydrogen gas) to a fuel tank (filled tank) 12 of an automobile. The supplied gas is not limited to hydrogen, and includes other gases that are compressed to high pressure such as compressed natural gas.

  The gas supply device 10 generally includes a gas storage unit 14 for storing a gas compressed at a high pressure, a dispenser unit 15 for supplying the gas from the gas storage unit 14 to the fuel tank 12, and each of the dispenser units 15. It consists of the control apparatus 16 which controls an apparatus.

  The gas storage unit 14 includes a variable gas accumulator (first pressure source) 62 and a high-pressure gas accumulator (second pressure source) 64 as pressure sources. The variable gas accumulator 62 and the high-pressure gas accumulator 64 store high-pressure gas supplied from a compressor 70 described later. The variable gas pressure accumulator 62 and the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64 are supplied with gas from the compressor 70 until a gas having a pressure higher than the target filling pressure of the fuel tank 12 is accumulated.

  At the beginning of filling, the main valve 66 of the variable gas pressure accumulator 62 is opened to fill the fuel tank 12 with gas (first step). Then, immediately before the filling pressure of the fuel tank 12 reaches the target pressure, the main valve 68 of the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is opened to fill the filling pressure of the fuel tank 12 to the target pressure (second step).

  Thereby, the variable gas pressure accumulator is switched by switching the gas supply source to the fuel tank 12 from the variable gas pressure accumulator 62 whose gas pressure has been reduced with the gas supply so far to the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64. The filling time can be shortened as compared with the method of filling the gas until the target pressure is reached using only 62 gases.

  As described above, when the fuel tank 12 is filled with gas, first, the gas in the variable gas accumulator 62 is supplied to the fuel tank 12, and the pressure of the gas in the fuel tank 12 becomes high to some extent. At this point, the gas supply source to the fuel tank 12 is switched from the variable gas pressure accumulator 62 to the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64. For this reason, when the fuel tank 12 is frequently filled with gas, the gas pressure in the variable gas pressure accumulator 62 decreases, and as a result, the gas pressure in the variable gas pressure accumulator 62 becomes the target of the fuel tank 12. It will be lower than the filling pressure.

  The gas supply path 67 of the variable gas accumulator 62 is provided with a check valve 69 that prevents a back flow from the main valve 66.

  The dispenser unit 15 is provided with a gas supply path 18 that communicates with the gas storage unit 14. The gas supply path 18 includes a primary pressure gauge 20, a flow meter 22, a gas supply opening / closing valve 24, and a control valve 26. A temperature sensor 28, a pressure sensor 30, a secondary pressure gauge 32, and a safety valve 34 are provided.

  Furthermore, a filling hose 44 is connected downstream of the gas supply path 18 via an emergency disconnection coupling 42. A filling nozzle 46 coupled to the filling port 12 a of the fuel tank 12 is provided at the tip of the filling hose 44. A check valve 13 is provided between the fuel tank 12 and the filling port 12a to prevent backflow.

  Further, the dispenser unit 15 has a filling start switch 50 that is operated by connecting the filling nozzle 46 to the filling port 12a of the fuel tank 12, a filling stop switch 52 that stops filling, and a switching for changing the switching timing. A timing change switch 54 (input means) is provided.

  The variable gas pressure accumulator 62 and the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64 are containers for accumulating the gas compressed by the compressor 70, and the gas compressed via the gas supply paths 71 and 75 communicated with the discharge port of the compressor 70. Supplied. The gas supply passages 71 and 75 are provided with on-off valves 72 and 76 made of electromagnetic valves, respectively, and check valves 74 and 78 for preventing backflow. The compressor 70 is a multi-stage compression type compressor, and a suction port communicates with an intermediate pressure pipe 80 of city gas via a suction path 79.

  The gas compressed by the compressor 70 is supplied to either the variable gas pressure accumulator 62 or the high-pressure gas pressure accumulator 64 via the open path of the on-off valves 72 and 76.

  In the memory 48 of the control device 16, a low-pressure filling control (first step) is performed based on the control program for storing the switching condition inputted by the switching timing change switch 54 in the memory 48 (storage means) and the switching condition stored in the memory 48. A control program (switching timing changing means) for changing the switching timing from the first step) to the high-pressure filling control (second step) is stored.

  The control device 16 performs gas filling control to the fuel tank 12 according to each control program stored in the memory 48.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing each device connected to the control device 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 16 includes a flow meter 22, a gas supply on / off valve 24, a control valve 26, a temperature sensor 28, a pressure sensor 30, a memory 48, a filling start switch 50, a filling stop switch 52, a switching timing. The change switch 54, the on-off valves 72 and 76, and the main valves 66 and 68 are connected.

  The flow meter 22 is a Coriolis mass flow meter, and outputs a signal corresponding to the flow rate of the supplied gas to the control device 16.

  The gas supply on / off valve 22 is an electromagnetic valve, and opens or closes when a valve opening signal from the control device 16 is turned on or off.

  The control valve 26 is adjusted to an arbitrary valve opening degree according to a command from the control device 16 and operates to control the gas pressure or flow rate based on a preset control law.

  The switching timing change switch 54 determines whether or not the fuel tank piping resistance is large by looking at the vehicle type that the worker has arrived. If the vehicle resistance is large, the variable gas pressure accumulator 62 to the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64 are determined. It is operated to delay the switching timing for switching to.

  Here, the gas filling control process 1 executed by the control device 16 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the vehicle to be filled with gas arrives, the operator connects the filling nozzle 46 to the filling port 12a of the fuel tank 12 and checks the arrived vehicle type, and then turns on the filling start switch 50, or After the switching timing change switch 54 is operated, the filling start switch 50 is turned on.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 16 checks whether or not the filling start switch 50 is turned on in S11. In S11, when the filling start switch 50 is not turned on, the process proceeds to S12, and it is checked whether or not the switching timing change switch 54 is operated. When the switching timing change switch 54 is operated in S12, the process proceeds to S13, and the switching condition (specified flow rate or specified pressure) changed by the switching timing change switch 54 is stored in the memory 48.

  In S12, when the switching timing change switch 54 is not operated, the process returns to S11, and the processes of S11 and S12 are repeated. In S11, when the filling start switch 50 is turned on, the process proceeds to S14, where the main valve 66, the gas supply on / off valve 24, and the control valve 26 of the variable gas accumulator 62 are opened.

  In next S15, it is checked whether or not the current filling pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 has reached the target pressure. In S15, when the current filling pressure does not reach the target pressure, the filling is still in progress, so the process proceeds to S16, and the current flow rate (integrated flow rate) or filling pressure is set to the control law (low speed filling control or high speed filling control). Check whether the specified flow rate or specified pressure is below the specified value. In S16, when the switching condition (flow rate or pressure) changed by the change timing change switch 54 in S13 is stored, the changed switching condition is set as the specified flow rate or specified pressure. Has been.

  Therefore, when a vehicle type arrives that has a large pressure loss in the path connected to the fuel tank 12, the operator operates the switching timing change switch 54 to switch the variable gas pressure accumulator 62 to the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64. Change the switching condition (specified flow rate or specified pressure) so as to delay. As a result, even when gas is supplied to a vehicle model having a large pressure loss, the filling time by the variable gas accumulator 62 is extended by lowering the specified flow rate or increasing the specified pressure, The filling time by the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is shortened, and the pressure drop of the high pressure gas accumulator 64 can be suppressed.

  In S16, when the current flow rate is not less than or equal to the specified flow rate changed by the switching timing change switch 54 (or the current filling pressure is not less than the specified pressure changed by the change timing change switch 54), the process returns to S15, and after S15. Perform the process.

  In S15, when the current filling pressure reaches the target pressure, the filling is completed, so the process proceeds to S17, and the main valve 66, the gas supply on / off valve 24, and the control valve 26 of the variable gas accumulator 62 are closed. I speak. This completes the current gas filling process.

  In S16, when the current flow rate is equal to or lower than the specified flow rate (or the current pressure is equal to or higher than the specified pressure), the process proceeds to S18, and the main valve 68 of the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is opened. As a result, a gas whose gas pressure is higher than that of the variable gas accumulator 60 whose gas pressure has been reduced by the gas supply so far is supplied from the high-pressure gas accumulator 64 to the fuel tank 12.

  In next S19, the main valve 66 of the variable gas pressure accumulator 62 is closed. Subsequently, in S20, it is checked whether or not the current filling pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 has reached the target pressure. In S20, when it is detected that the current filling pressure has reached the target pressure, the process proceeds to S21, and the main valve 68, the gas supply opening / closing valve 24, and the control valve 26 of the high pressure gas accumulator 64 are closed. This completes the current gas filling process.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the gas filling control process 2 executed by the control device 16. Since the system diagram of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the case of the second embodiment, when the vehicle that receives the gas filling arrives, the worker connects the filling nozzle 46 to the filling port 12a of the fuel tank 12, confirms the arrived vehicle type, and then turns on the filling start switch 50. Or after inputting vehicle information, the filling start switch 50 is turned on. As the vehicle information, data corresponding to a vehicle type having a large pressure loss due to piping resistance or a vehicle type having a small pressure loss is input. As the vehicle information input means, for example, a method of inputting a code number corresponding to vehicle information by operating a selection switch provided for each vehicle type, or a storage medium (magnetic card or contact) prepared for each vehicle type. There is a method of inputting vehicle information by inserting an IC card of a type into a reader (card reader or data receiver) and reading it.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 16 checks whether or not the filling start switch 50 is turned on in S31. When the filling start switch 50 is not turned on in S31, the process proceeds to S32, and it is checked whether vehicle information (information for identifying the vehicle) has been input.

  When vehicle information is not input in S32, the process returns to S31 and the processes of S31 and S32 are repeated. In S32, when vehicle information is input, the process proceeds to S33, and the switching condition (the specified flow rate or the specified pressure corresponding to the pressure loss level) is stored in the memory 48 as the switching timing according to the input vehicle information. To do.

  As a method of inputting the switching condition, the vehicle information may be stored in the memory 48 as it is so that the vehicle information has the specified flow rate or the specified pressure itself. Instead of this, a switching timing storage unit (not shown) for storing in advance the correspondence between the vehicle information and the prescribed flow rate or the prescribed pressure corresponding to the vehicle information is provided, and the inputted vehicle information The corresponding specified flow rate or specified pressure may be read from the switching timing storage unit, and the specified flow rate or specified pressure may be stored in the memory 48.

  In S31, when the charging start switch 50 is turned on, the process proceeds to S34, where the main valve 66, the gas supply on / off valve 24, and the control valve 26 of the variable gas accumulator 62 are opened.

  In next S35, it is checked whether or not the current filling pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 has reached the target pressure. In S35, when the current filling pressure has not reached the target pressure, the filling is still in progress. Therefore, the process proceeds to S36, and it is checked whether the current flow rate is not more than the specified flow rate (or whether the filling pressure is not less than the specified pressure). . In S36, when the memory 48 stores the switching timing switching condition (specified flow rate or specified pressure) in S33 described above, the stored switching condition is set as the specified flow rate or specified pressure. .

  Therefore, when a vehicle type with a large pressure loss in the path connected to the fuel tank 12 arrives, the switching timing from the variable gas pressure accumulator 62 to the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64 is delayed based on the input vehicle information. The switching condition (specified flow rate or specified pressure) is changed. That is, in this case, the specified flow rate as the switching condition is changed to a flow rate value lower than normal (or the specified pressure is higher than normal). As a result, even when gas is supplied to a vehicle model having a large pressure loss, the filling time by the variable gas pressure accumulator 62 is extended, and the filling time by the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64 is relatively shortened. It becomes possible to suppress the pressure drop of the pressure accumulator 64.

  In S36, when the current flow rate is not equal to or lower than the specified flow rate (or the filling pressure is equal to or higher than the specified pressure), the process returns to S35, and the processes after S35 are performed. In S35, when the current charging pressure reaches the target pressure, the process proceeds to S37, and the main valve 66, the gas supply opening / closing valve 24, and the control valve 26 of the variable gas accumulator 62 are closed. This completes the current gas filling process.

  In S36, when the current flow rate is equal to or lower than the specified flow rate (or when the pressure is higher than the specified pressure), the processing after S38 is executed.

  Note that the processing of S38 to S41 is the same as that of S18 to S21 described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the gas filling control process 3 executed by the control device 16.
As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 16 checks whether or not the filling start switch 50 is turned on in S51. In S51, when the filling start switch 50 is turned on, the process proceeds to S52, and the main valve 66, the gas supply on / off valve 24, and the control valve 26 of the variable gas accumulator 62 are opened.

  In the next step S53, the valve opening degree of the control valve 26 is reduced to perform low-speed filling control. As a result, gas is supplied to the fuel tank 12 at a low speed (a minute constant flow rate). Subsequently, the process proceeds to S 54, where the initial pressure at the time of the low-speed filling control is read from the pressure sensor 30 and stored in the memory 48.

  In the next S55, it is checked whether or not the integrated flow measured by the flow meter 22 has reached a predetermined integrated flow set in advance. In S55, when the integrated flow measured by the flow meter 22 reaches a predetermined integrated flow set in advance, the process proceeds to S56, and the current filling pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 is stored in the memory 48. Subsequently, in S57, the capacity (volume) of the fuel tank 12 is calculated based on the relationship between the integrated flow rate and the filling pressure. Note that the calculation method for calculating the capacity (volume) of the fuel tank 12 is required when the fuel tank 12 is filled with gas and reaches a predetermined pressure increase value, and for reaching the pressure increase value. Then, the value obtained by dividing the gas filling amount by the pressure increase value is multiplied by a coefficient using the gas filling amount in the fuel tank 12. In this embodiment, the pressure value used at the time of calculation is the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 30, and this pressure value detection is performed at the time of filling at a minute constant flow rate during the low-speed filling control. Therefore, it is possible to detect the pressure in the fuel tank 12 more accurately by reducing the influence of the pressure loss that occurs when the gas flows through the gas supply path 18 and the filling hose 44, and thus to increase the capacity of the fuel tank 12. It can be calculated accurately.

  Subsequently, in S58, the setting value (remaining filling amount or pressure) of the switching timing corresponding to the capacity (volume) of the fuel tank 12 calculated in S57 is used as the relationship between the fuel tank capacity and the remaining filling amount (or The relationship between the fuel tank capacity and the specified pressure) is read from a switching timing storage unit (not shown) that stores in advance. In the next S59, high-speed filling control is performed while controlling the valve opening degree of the control valve 26. In the high-speed filling control, the gas supply amount (flow rate) to the fuel tank 12 is increased more than the gas flow rate during the low-speed filling control by gradually increasing the valve opening of the control valve 26. The filling time is shortened by the high flow rate.

  In next S60, it is checked whether or not the current filling pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 has reached the target pressure. In S60, when the current filling pressure has not reached the target pressure, it is still in the middle of filling. The calculation method for calculating the remaining filling amount of the fuel tank 12 can be calculated by a calculation formula of remaining filling amount = integrated flow rate × {target pressure− (initial pressure + pressure increase value)} / pressure increase value. This makes it possible to estimate the remaining filling amount of the fuel tank 12.

  In the above formula, the integrated flow rate indicates the integrated flow rate from the start of gas filling into the fuel tank 12 to the present time, and the initial pressure was detected by the pressure sensor 30 at the start of gas filling into the fuel tank 12. The pressure increase value indicates a value obtained by subtracting the initial pressure from the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 30 when the integrated flow up to the present time is measured.

  Subsequently, in S62, it is checked whether or not the remaining filling amount of the fuel tank 12 is less than a preset remaining filling amount (or whether or not the pressure in the fuel tank 12 exceeds the prescribed pressure). In S62, when the remaining filling amount of the fuel tank 12 is not less than the preset prescribed remaining filling amount (or when the pressure in the fuel tank 12 does not exceed the prescribed pressure), the process returns to S60, and after S60. Repeat the process.

  In S60, when the current filling pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 reaches the target pressure, the filling is completed, and therefore, the process proceeds to S63, where the main valve 66 of the variable gas pressure accumulator 62, the gas supply opening / closing valve 24, and so on. Then, the control valve 26 is closed. This completes the current gas filling process.

  In S62, when the remaining filling amount (or pressure) of the fuel tank 12 is less than a preset specified remaining filling amount (or the pressure of the fuel tank 12 exceeds the specified pressure), the process proceeds to S64. The main valve 68 of the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is opened, and the high pressure gas stored in the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is supplied to the fuel tank 12. In S65, the main valve 66 of the variable gas pressure accumulator 62 is closed.

  Subsequently, in S66, it is checked whether or not the current filling pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 has reached the target pressure. In S66, when the current filling pressure reaches the target pressure, the main valve 68, the gas supply opening / closing valve 24, and the control valve 26 of the high pressure gas accumulator 64 are closed (S67). This completes the current gas filling process.

In this way, the gas switching timing is set to the specified remaining filling amount (or specified pressure) set in accordance with the capacity of the fuel tank 12, and when the remaining filling amount in the fuel tank 12 becomes less than the specified remaining filling amount (or fuel) When the pressure of the tank 12 exceeds the specified pressure) is the gas switching timing, in the case of a vehicle model with a large pressure loss, the filling time by the variable gas pressure accumulator 62 is extended, and the pressure is relatively high. The filling time by the gas accumulator 64 is shortened, and the pressure drop of the high pressure gas accumulator 64 can be suppressed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining control processing executed by the control device 16 according to the fourth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, when the filling start switch 50 is turned on in S71, the control device 16 proceeds to S72, where the main valve 66, the gas supply on / off valve 24, the control valve 26 of the variable gas accumulator 62 are reached. Open the valve. Then, the valve opening degree of the control valve 26 is reduced to perform low-speed filling control.

  In the next S73, gas is supplied to the fuel tank 12 at a low speed (micro flow rate), and the initial pressure at the time of the low speed filling control is read from the pressure sensor 30 and stored in the memory 48.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to S 74, and the current filling pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 is stored in the memory 48. In S75, the remaining filling amount of the fuel tank 12 is calculated. The method of calculating the remaining filling amount is as described above.

  Subsequently, in S76, it is checked whether or not the current filling pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 has reached the target pressure. In S76, when the current filling pressure has not reached the target pressure, it is still in the middle of filling. Therefore, the process proceeds to S77, and it is checked whether or not the remaining filling amount in the fuel tank 12 is less than the preset remaining filling amount. . In S77, when the remaining filling amount of the fuel tank 12 is not less than the predetermined remaining filling amount set in advance, the process returns to S74, and the processes after S74 are repeated.

  In S76, when the current filling pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 reaches the target pressure, the filling is completed, so the process proceeds to S78, where the main valve 66 of the variable gas accumulator 62 and the gas supply on / off valve 24 are processed. Then, the control valve 26 is closed. This completes the current gas filling process.

  In S77, when the remaining filling amount of the fuel tank 12 is less than the predetermined remaining filling amount set in advance, the process proceeds to S79, the main valve 68 of the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is opened, and the high pressure gas accumulator is opened. The high-pressure gas stored in 64 is supplied to the fuel tank 12. In S80, the main valve 66 of the variable gas pressure accumulator 62 is closed.

  Subsequently, in S81, it is checked whether or not the current filling pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 has reached the target pressure. In S81, when the current filling pressure reaches the target pressure, the main valve 68, the gas supply on / off valve 24, and the control valve 26 of the high pressure gas accumulator 64 are closed. This completes the current gas filling process.

  As described above, when the remaining filling amount of the fuel tank 12 becomes less than the specified remaining filling amount, the gas switching timing is used. Therefore, the switching timing is changed regardless of the pressure loss for each vehicle type, and the vehicle type having a large pressure loss. In this case, the filling time by the variable gas accumulator 62 is extended, and the filling time by the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is relatively shortened so that the pressure drop of the high pressure gas accumulator 64 can be suppressed. .

  In the above embodiment, the case where the hydrogen gas consumed in the fuel cell vehicle is supplied is taken as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a gas such as butane and propane, or a compressed natural gas obtained by compressing city gas ( Of course, the present invention can also be applied to supply (CNG).

  Moreover, in the above embodiment, the case where the compressed gas is filled in the fuel tank of the automobile is given as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be applied to an apparatus for supplying the compressed gas to other containers, Of course, the present invention can also be applied to an apparatus configured to be installed in the middle of a pipeline for feeding compressed gas to another place.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows one Example of the gas supply apparatus which becomes this invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing each device connected to the control device 16. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the gas filling control process 1 which the control apparatus 16 performs. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the gas filling control process 2 which the control apparatus 16 performs. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the gas filling control process 3 which the control apparatus 16 performs. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the gas filling control process 4 which the control apparatus 16 performs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Gas supply apparatus 12 Fuel tank 14 Gas storage part 15 Dispenser unit 16 Control apparatus 18 Gas supply path 22 Flowmeter 24 Gas supply on-off valve 26 Control valve 30 Pressure sensor 46 Filling nozzle 50 Fill start switch 54 Switching timing change switch 62 Variable gas Accumulator 64 High pressure gas accumulator 66, 68 Main valve

Claims (5)

A first pressure source for storing compressed gas;
A second pressure source for storing the compressed gas;
In a gas supply apparatus comprising a control means for controlling a first step of supplying the gas of the first pressure source to the filled tank and a second step of supplying the gas of the second pressure source to the filled tank,
An input means for inputting a switching condition for changing the switching timing from the first step to the second step;
Storage means for storing the switching condition input by the input means;
Switching timing changing means for changing the switching timing from the first step to the second step based on the switching condition stored in the storage means;
A gas supply device comprising:   2. The gas supply device according to claim 1, wherein the input unit is a vehicle information input unit that selectively inputs a switching condition in accordance with a vehicle type on which the tank to be filled is mounted by a manual operation.   The input means is provided with a switching condition storage means for storing a switching condition corresponding to the tank to be filled for each tank to be filled, and the input means is a reading means for reading the switching conditions stored in the switching condition storage means. The gas supply device according to claim 1, further comprising:   2. The gas supply device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit calculates a capacity of the tank to be filled and changes a switching timing using the capacity of the tank to be filled as a switching condition.   2. The gas supply device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit calculates a remaining filling amount of the tank to be filled and changes a switching timing using the remaining filling amount of the tank to be filled as a switching condition.

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