JP2007024153A - Gas supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the control dispersion of a trace flow amount due to the property of a control valve. <P>SOLUTION: A control device 16 makes a filling side coupler 46 mounted at the front end of a gas supply passage 18 in communication with a filled side coupler 12a of a filled tank and then opens the control valve 26 provided in the gas supply passage 18 to supply gas to a fuel tank 12, and computes a remaining filling amount (a filling possible amount) in the fuel tank 12 in accordance with a pressure value measured by a pressure sensor 30. It keeps the opening of the control valve 26 constant so that the gas to be supplied into the fuel tank 12 is kept at a predetermined trace flow amount when the pressure sensor 30 measures the pressure valve when supplying the gas into the fuel tank 12. Then, it controls the filling of the gas to be supplied into the fuel tank 12 in accordance with the computed filling possible amount in the fuel tank 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas supply device, and in particular, calculates the capacity of a tank to be filled as a stage before supplying gas to the tank to be filled, and gas is supplied to the tank to be filled at a flow rate or pressure corresponding to the calculated capacity of the tank to be filled. It is related with the gas supply apparatus which supplies.

  In recent years, development of fuel cell vehicles using hydrogen as fuel has been promoted. Along with this, a gas supply device that supplies hydrogen compressed to a high pressure to a fuel tank of an automobile has been 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 addition, in the conventional gas supply device, in order to efficiently fill the tank to be filled with gas, the amount of filling to the tank to be filled is calculated at the initial stage of gas filling to the tank to be filled, and based on this amount of filling possible. Gas filling control to the tank to be filled is performed.

The filling capacity of the filling tank is determined by detecting the pressure of the gas in the gas filling path with a pressure detecting means such as a pressure sensor in a state where the filling flow rate of the gas into the filling tank is adjusted to a predetermined low flow rate. The pressure of the gas in the tank to be filled is indirectly detected by the pressure sensor and the flow rate of the gas supplied to the fuel tank is measured by a flow meter provided in the gas filling path. It is calculated from the magnitude of the change and the flow rate of gas required to cause this pressure change (the amount of gas supplied to the fuel tank) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 10-103595 A

  In the above prior art, at the initial stage of gas filling to the tank to be filled, that is, when the gas filling flow rate to the tank to be filled is adjusted to a predetermined low flow rate, the gas flow rate measured by the flow meter is The valve opening degree of the valve for adjusting the gas flow rate provided in the gas supply path is adjusted so as to obtain a predetermined low flow rate.

  However, in this type of valve, the control speed (responsiveness) of the valve opening differs even if the same control signal is output due to individual differences (such as machining accuracy of each part) of the valve itself.

  For this reason, if the responsiveness of the valve is slow, the flow rate will increase with a delay relative to the output of the control signal, but even if a control signal for controlling the valve opening is output, the actual flow rate is quite difficult. If the predetermined low flow rate is not reached, the control signal is changed so as to increase the control value (valve opening degree) for the valve. As a result, when the gas flow rate becomes larger than the target predetermined low flow rate, the difference between the pressure value detected by the pressure detection means and the actual gas pressure value in the tank to be filled becomes large, and the calculation is performed. There is a problem that the difference between the calculation result of the filling capacity of the tank to be filled obtained by the above and the actual filling capacity of the tank to be filled becomes large.

  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, after the filling-side coupler attached to the tip of the gas supply path is communicated with the filled-side coupler of the tank to be filled, the valve provided in the gas supply path is opened to supply gas. Gas supply means for supplying to the tank to be filled, pressure detection means for detecting a pressure value in the gas supply path provided in the gas supply path, and for supplying to the tank to be filled provided in the gas supply path Based on the flow rate measuring means for measuring the flow rate of the gas to be discharged, the pressure value detected by the pressure detecting means, and the supply amount of the gas to the filling tank obtained from the flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring means Calculation means for calculating the filling capacity of the tank to be filled, and gas supplied to the filling tank by adjusting the valve opening of the valve based on the calculated filling capacity of the tank to be filled A gas filling device having gas filling control means for performing filling control, wherein when the pressure detecting means detects the pressure value for calculating the fillable amount of the tank to be filled by the calculating means, the valve of the valve A valve opening control means for maintaining the opening at a constant opening is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the flow rate of the gas supplied to the filling tank exceeds a preset value, the flow rate of the gas supplied to the filling tank is predetermined. The valve opening degree of the valve is controlled so that the flow rate becomes the following.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the gas supply amount supplied to the filling tank exceeds a preset value, the flow rate of the gas supplied to the filling tank is predetermined. The valve opening degree of the valve is controlled so that the flow rate becomes the following.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the gas supply time supplied to the filling tank exceeds a preset value, the flow rate of the gas supplied to the filling tank is predetermined. The valve opening degree of the valve is controlled so that the flow rate becomes the following.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the valve opening degree of the valve detected by the gas pressure detecting means in the tank to be filled is maintained at a predetermined valve opening degree regardless of the gas flow rate. Even when a dull valve is used, the pressure does not increase suddenly, so that the difference between the pressure value detected by the pressure detection means and the actual pressure in the tank to be filled can be reduced. Therefore, the deviation between the fillable amount of the tank to be filled using the pressure value detected by the pressure detection means and the actual fillable amount of the tank to be filled can be reduced.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control of the valve opening degree of the valve for maintaining the flow rate at a predetermined flow rate (fixed) until the flow rate supplied to the tank to be filled reaches a preset set value. Does not shift to flow control). As a result, the gas flow rate that can occur when the valve opening degree of the valve is controlled so as to keep the gas flow rate at a predetermined flow rate from the initial stage of gas filling to the tank to be filled, as in the past, increases the set value. It is possible to prevent the flow rate from exceeding. Therefore, the difference between the pressure value detected by the pressure detecting means and the actual pressure value in the filled tank can be reduced, and as a result, the filled tank using the pressure value detected by the pressure detecting means. The difference between the amount that can be filled and the actual amount that can be filled in the tank to be filled can be reduced.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the gas supply amount supplied to the filling tank exceeds a preset value, the gas flow rate to the filling tank becomes a predetermined flow rate. In order to control the valve opening of the valve (constant flow control), even when the flow rate relative to the valve opening due to the valve characteristics (individual difference) is small, it is determined when the gas supply amount reaches the set value. By shifting to the flow rate control, it is possible to prevent the capacity calculation time of the tank to be filled from being extended and to shorten the waiting time for starting the gas supply.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the gas supply time supplied to the tank to be filled exceeds a preset value, the gas flow rate to the tank to be filled becomes a predetermined flow rate. In order to control the valve opening of the valve (constant flow control), even if the flow rate relative to the valve opening due to the characteristics of the valve (individual difference) is small, shift to constant flow control when the gas supply time has elapsed for a predetermined time Thus, the capacity calculation time of the tank to be filled can be prevented from being extended, and the waiting time for starting the gas supply can be shortened.

  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 includes a gas storage unit 14 that stores gas compressed to a high pressure, a dispenser unit 15 that supplies 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 pressure accumulator 62 and a high pressure gas pressure accumulator 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 decreased 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 (pressure measuring means) 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. At the tip of the filling hose 44, a filling side coupler 46 coupled to the filled side coupler 12a of the fuel tank 12 is provided. In addition, a check valve 13 is provided between the fuel tank 12 and the filled coupler 12a to prevent backflow.

  Further, the dispenser unit 15 is provided with a filling start switch 50 that is operated with the filling side coupler 46 coupled to the filled coupler 12a of the fuel tank 12, and a filling stop switch 52 that stops filling.

  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, the filling side coupler 46 attached to the tip of the gas supply path 18 is communicated with the filled side coupler 12 a of the tank to be filled, and then the control valve 26 provided in the gas supply path 18. A control program (gas supply amount control means) for supplying gas to the fuel tank 12 and a control program (calculation) for calculating the refillable amount of the fuel tank 12 based on the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor 30 Means) are stored. Further, the memory 48 stores a control program (gas control means) for controlling the filling of the gas supplied to the fuel tank 12 based on the calculated filling amount of the fuel tank 12, and the filling amount of the fuel tank 12. When a pressure value for calculation is detected by the pressure sensor 30, a control program (valve opening control means) for keeping the valve opening of the control valve 26 at a constant opening is stored.

  Then, 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, and an on / off valve. 72 and 76 and 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.

  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 worker couples the filling side coupler 46 to the filled side coupler 12a of the fuel tank 12, and then turns on the filling start switch 50.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the filling start switch 50 is turned on in S11, the control device 16 proceeds to S12, where the main valve 66, the gas supply opening / closing valve 24, the control valve 26 of the variable gas accumulator 62 are controlled. Open the valve. Then, the valve opening degree of the control valve 26 is reduced to perform low-speed filling control.

  In the next S 13, 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, in S14, it is checked whether or not the valve opening degree of the control valve 26 is a preset value. In S14, when the valve opening degree of the control valve 26 is a preset value, the process proceeds to S15, and the valve opening degree of the control valve 26 is held at the set value (valve opening control means). As a result, the low-speed filling control by the control valve 26 is maintained, and the flow rate supplied to the fuel tank 12 is controlled to a preset minute flow rate. For this reason, the flow rate supplied to the fuel tank 12 is maintained at a very small flow rate even if the responsiveness is slow due to the characteristics (individual differences) of the control valve 26, so that the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 30 and the fuel tank 12 are maintained. The deviation from the actual pressure value can be reduced, and the refillable amount of the fuel tank 12 can be calculated accurately.

  In the next S16, it is checked whether or not the flow rate measurement value measured by the flow meter 22 exceeds a preset minute flow rate value. In S16, when the flow rate measurement value measured by the flow meter 22 exceeds a preset minute flow rate value, the valve opening degree of the control valve 26 is controlled by a constant flow rate control law (S17). That is, the valve opening degree of the control valve 26 is controlled to control the flow rate supplied to the fuel tank 12 to a constant flow rate (constant flow rate control).

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the valve opening degree of the control valve 26 is held at the set value in S15 and the flow rate measurement value reaches the set minute flow value, the valve opening degree of the control valve 26 is determined in S17. In order to shift the control flow to the constant flow rate control, a conventional control method (a control method for controlling the valve opening degree of the control valve 26 so as to keep the gas flow rate at a predetermined flow rate from the initial stage of gas filling into the fuel tank 12). When the flow rate with respect to the valve opening due to the characteristic (individual difference) of the control valve 26 is small, it is possible to prevent the gas flow rate from significantly exceeding the set value. Therefore, the deviation between the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 30 and the actual pressure value in the fuel tank 12 can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the difference between the fillable amount of the fuel tank 12 and the actual fillable amount of the fuel tank 12 using the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 30.

  In S16 of this embodiment, if the flow rate of the gas when the valve opening degree of the control valve 26 is controlled to a predetermined constant valve opening degree does not reach the predetermined flow rate, the process returns to S16. When the gas flow rate does not reach the predetermined flow rate, the processing after S17 cannot be performed.

  Accordingly, even if it is determined in S16 that the gas flow rate has not reached the predetermined flow rate, the processing after S17 can be performed even if it is determined that the gas flow rate has not reached the predetermined flow rate. If it is determined that the gas supply amount to the fuel tank 12 has not reached the predetermined amount, or if the time from the start of gas supply has reached a predetermined time, the process of S17 is forcibly performed. You may make it move to.

  For example, if the preset minute flow rate value of S16 is set to a low flow rate that is not affected by the individual differences of the control valves 26, the problem of not shifting to the processing of S17 can be solved.

  Next, in S <b> 18, the current filling pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 is stored in the memory 48. In S19, the remaining filling amount (fillable amount) of the fuel tank 12 is calculated (calculating means). The method of calculating the remaining filling amount calculates the capacity (volume) of the fuel tank 12 based on the relationship between the integrated flow rate and the filling pressure. 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.

  In this embodiment, the pressure value used at the time of calculation is the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 30. This pressure value detection is performed at the time of filling at a small constant flow rate during the low-speed filling control. Therefore, the pressure loss caused when the gas flows through the gas supply path 18 and the filling hose 44 can be reduced, and the pressure in the fuel tank 12 can be detected more accurately. More accurate calculation is possible.

  In next S20, the valve opening degree of the control valve 26 is controlled based on the flow rate measurement value measured by the flow meter 22, and the high-speed filling control to the fuel tank 12 is performed (gas supply amount control means). 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.

  Then, it progresses to S21 and it is checked whether the remaining filling amount of the fuel tank 12 is less than the preset specified remaining filling amount. In S21, 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 S20 and the gas filling control process is repeated.

  In S21, 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 S22, 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 S23, the main valve 66 of the variable gas pressure accumulator 62 is closed.

  Subsequently, in S24, it is checked whether or not the current filling pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 has reached the target pressure. In S24, 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.

  Here, the modification which the control apparatus 16 performs is demonstrated.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the gas filling control process 2 executed by the control device 16. In FIG. 4, the same processes as those in FIG.

  In S16a instead of S16, it is checked whether or not the filling amount filled in the fuel tank 12 exceeds a predetermined filling value set in advance. When the filling amount filled in the fuel tank 12 exceeds a predetermined filling value set in advance, the valve opening degree is controlled by a constant flow control law.

  Therefore, even when the flow rate with respect to the valve opening due to the characteristics (individual difference) of the control valve 26 is small, when the gas supply amount reaches the set value, the flow rate calculation time of the fuel tank 12 is extended by shifting to the constant flow rate control. It is possible to reduce the waiting time for starting the gas supply.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the gas filling control process 3 executed by the control device 16. In FIG. 5, the same processes as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In S16b instead of S16, it is checked whether or not the filling time filled in the fuel tank 12 has exceeded a predetermined filling time set in advance. When the filling time for filling the fuel tank 12 exceeds a predetermined filling time set in advance, the valve opening degree is controlled by a constant flow rate control law.

  Therefore, even when the flow rate with respect to the valve opening due to the characteristic (individual difference) of the control valve 26 is small, when the gas supply time reaches the set time, the flow is shifted to the constant flow rate control and the capacity calculation time of the fuel tank 12 is extended. It is possible to reduce the waiting time for starting the gas supply.

  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.

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 side coupler 50 Fill start switch 62 Variable gas pressure accumulator 64 High pressure Gas pressure accumulator

Claims (4)

After the filling-side coupler attached to the tip of the gas supply path is communicated with the filled-side coupler of the tank to be filled, a valve provided in the gas supply path is opened to supply gas to the tank to be filled. Gas supply means;
A pressure detecting means provided in the gas supply path for detecting a pressure value in the gas supply path;
A flow rate measuring means provided in the gas supply path for measuring the flow rate of the gas supplied to the filling tank;
Calculation means for calculating the fillable amount of the filling tank based on the pressure value detected by the pressure detection means and the gas supply amount to the filling tank obtained from the flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement means. When,
Gas filling control means for performing filling control of the gas supplied to the filled tank by adjusting the valve opening degree of the valve based on the calculated fillable amount of the filled tank;
In a gas filling device having
Provided with a valve opening control means for keeping the valve opening of the valve at a constant opening when the pressure detecting means detects a pressure value for calculating the filling capacity of the tank to be filled by the calculating means. A gas supply device.   When the flow rate of the gas supplied to the filling tank exceeds a preset value, the valve opening control means is configured so that the flow rate of the gas supplied to the filling tank becomes a predetermined flow rate. The gas supply device according to claim 1, wherein a valve opening degree of the valve is controlled.   When the gas supply amount supplied to the filling tank exceeds a preset value, the valve opening degree control means is configured so that the flow rate of the gas supplied to the filling tank becomes a predetermined flow rate. The gas supply device according to claim 1, wherein a valve opening degree of the valve is controlled.   When the gas supply time supplied to the filling tank exceeds a preset value, the valve opening degree control means is configured so that the flow rate of the gas supplied to the filling tank becomes a predetermined flow rate. The gas supply device according to claim 1, wherein a valve opening degree of the valve is controlled.

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