JP2007092928A - Gas supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To determine that the amount of gaseous hydrogen permeating through a gas filling hose exceeds a prescribed value. <P>SOLUTION: This gas filling hose 16 has a double structure having an inner side passage and an outer side passage, and a recovery pipe passage 24 is connected with the outer side passage. A pressure sensor 62, a restriction 64, and a back flow prevention valve 66 are provided in a recovery path 60 communicated with the recovery pipe passage 24. Since the restriction 64 is provided on the downstream side of the pressure sensor 62, the pressure sensor 62 can detect pressure of gas even when pressure of the gas recovered by the recovery pipe passage 24 is low. A control circuit 68 monitors values detected by the pressure sensor 62 and has a determining means for determining the presence or absence of deterioration of the hose based on difference in rate of change of pressure of gaseous hydrogen recovered through the recovery path 60 and determining the presence or absence of amount of permeating-through gaseous hydrogen. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas supply device, and more particularly to a gas supply device configured to fill a tank to be filled with compressed hydrogen gas.

  For example, hydrogen gas filled in a fuel tank (filled tank) mounted on a fuel cell vehicle has a smaller molecule than other compressed gas (for example, CNG). It has the property of being easily transmitted.

As described above, as a method for detecting gas leakage in the gas filling hose, for example, the gas filling hose has a double structure and the gas leaked from the inner hose is collected by the outer hose. There is a method for detecting the presence or absence of gas recovery (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP-A-9-196295

  However, in the conventional gas supply device, when hydrogen gas compressed to a higher pressure is supplied, the higher the pressure is, the easier it is for the hydrogen gas to permeate the resin gas-filled hose. However, it was difficult for the gas sensor to detect whether hydrogen gas permeated through the resin hose even though there was no crack in the resin hose.

  In order to prevent hydrogen gas compressed to high pressure from permeating through the resin hose, it is desirable to make the resin hose as thick as possible and use a hard resin hose. The rigidity and weight of the hose increases, making it difficult to perform the filling operation, and it is difficult for one operator to operate.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a gas supply device that solves the problem.

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

  The invention according to claim 1 is a gas supply path for supplying hydrogen gas pressurized to a predetermined pressure, a control valve for controlling a flow rate of hydrogen gas supplied through the gas supply path, and the gas supply path. A gas filling hose having an inner hose covering an inner passage through which hydrogen gas supplied from the gas flows, and an outer hose arranged so as to cover an outer passage formed outside the inner hose, and the gas filling hose A filling coupling connected to an end of an internal hose and coupled to a filling port of a tank to be filled; and the outer side so as to collect hydrogen gas that has permeated the internal hose from the inner passage and leaked into the outer passage. A recovery pipe communicated with the passage, a throttle provided in the recovery pipe, and a recovery pipe provided upstream of the throttle to detect the pressure of hydrogen gas leaked from the inner passage to the outer passage. Pressure Characterized by comprising a sensor.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a cooling means for cooling the hydrogen gas is provided in the gas supply path, and a heat insulating material is inserted into the outer passage to suppress an increase in temperature of the hydrogen gas passing through the inner passage. Features.

  According to the present invention, the pressure sensor provided in the recovery pipe upstream of the throttle provided in the recovery pipe detects the pressure of hydrogen gas leaked from the inner passage to the outer passage of the gas filling hose. Based on the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor, whether the hydrogen gas leaked due to the deterioration of the hose was recovered in the recovery line, or whether the hydrogen gas that had passed through the internal hose without any abnormality such as deterioration was recovered It becomes possible to determine. Therefore, by monitoring the measured value of the pressure sensor, when the permeation amount of hydrogen gas in the gas filling hose exceeds the specified value, it is determined that the permeation amount has increased due to deterioration of the internal hose of the gas filling hose. It is possible to improve the reliability of hydrogen gas supply.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the hydrogen gas cooled by the cooling means provided in the gas supply path passes through the gas filling hose, the temperature rise of the hydrogen gas is suppressed by the heat insulating material provided in the outer passage. In the case where the tank to be filled is formed of a material weak to high temperature, it is possible to reduce as much as possible the influence due to the temperature rise when filling the tank to be filled with hydrogen gas.

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

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a gas supply apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the gas supply device 10 houses various devices for measuring and controlling the supply amount of hydrogen gas inside a housing 12. A display 14 for displaying is provided. Further, a joint 18 to which the gas filling hose 16 is connected and a latching portion 22 for latching the filling coupling 20 provided at the tip of the gas filling hose 16 are attached to the side surface of the housing 12. . The filling coupling 20 includes a coupling portion that is coupled to a filling port of a tank to be filled (not shown), and a backflow prevention valve that prevents backflow of the filled hydrogen gas.

  As will be described later, the gas filling hose 16 has a double structure having an inner passage and an outer passage, and a recovery conduit 24 is connected to the outer passage. One end of the recovery pipe 24 is connected to the upstream end of the gas filling hose 16, and the other end is connected to the joint 26.

  FIG. 2 is a system diagram showing the configuration of the gas supply device. As shown in FIG. 2, the hydrogen gas stored in the upstream tank (not shown) is supplied to the gas filling hose 16 through the gas supply path 30. A main valve 32 is provided upstream of the gas supply path 30. Further, the first on-off valve 34, the precooler 36, the mass flow meter 38, the control valve 40, the first pressure transmitter 42, the second on-off valve 44, and the second pressure transmission are provided in the gas supply path 30 inside the housing 12. A vessel 46 is provided.

  A branch path 50 branched from the gas supply path 30 between the control valve 40 and the first pressure transmitter 42 is provided with a depressurization valve 52 for allowing gas downstream from the control valve 40 to escape. A recovery path 60 communicated with the recovery pipe line 24 is joined to the branch path 50 downstream from the depressurization valve 52.

  In the recovery path 60, a pressure sensor 62, a throttle 64, and a backflow prevention valve 66 are provided. Since the throttle 64 is provided downstream of the pressure sensor 62, the pressure sensor 62 can detect even when the pressure of the gas recovered by the recovery pipeline 24 is low. Accordingly, it is possible to determine whether the gas that has flowed out due to hose deterioration has been recovered or the hydrogen gas that has permeated through the resin hose that has not deteriorated has been recovered based on the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 62.

  The control circuit 68 integrates the flow rate measured by the mass flow meter 38 to display the accumulated flow rate filled in the display unit 14 and is measured by the first pressure transmitter 42 and the second pressure transmitter 46. Based on the pressure value, the control valve 40 is controlled to control the gas filling amount until the pressure in the tank to be filled reaches the target pressure value. The control circuit 68 is connected to a filling start switch 67 that is operated at the start of gas filling, and a filling stop switch 69 that is operated when the gas filling is urgently stopped.

  Further, the control circuit 68 monitors the detection value of the pressure sensor 62, determines whether or not the hose has deteriorated based on the difference in the pressure change rate of the hydrogen gas recovered through the recovery path 60, and also detects the hydrogen gas. It has a discriminating means for discriminating the presence or absence of the transmission amount.

  Here, the configuration of the gas filling hose 16 will be described. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a part of the gas filling hose 16 by cutting. As shown in FIG. 3, the gas filling hose 16 includes an inner hose 72 that covers an inner passage 70 through which hydrogen gas supplied from the gas supply passage 30 flows, and an outer passage 74 that is formed outside the inner hose 72. And an external hose 76 arranged to cover. The internal hose 72 is a resin hose in which three resin layers are overlapped, and the high tension is laminated so as to cover the first resin layer 72a made of polyamide resin from the inside and the outer periphery of the first resin layer 72a. Are laminated with a second resin layer 72b having a pressure-proof reinforcement structure by laminating synthetic fibers and wire blades, and a third resin layer 72c made of polyurethane resin, polyamide resin, or the like.

  The external hose 76 is a resin hose made of polyurethane resin, polyamide resin or the like, and forms an outer passage 74 for supplying hydrogen gas to the recovery pipe line 24 between the internal hose 72. Since the hydrogen gas supplied to the inner passage 70 has a high pressure (for example, 35 to 70 MPa), a part of the hydrogen gas passes through the inner hose 72 and flows out to the outer passage 74. Since the outer passage 74 is normally at atmospheric pressure, a part of hydrogen molecules passing through the inner passage 70 passes through the inner hose 72 and reaches the outer passage 74 due to a pressure difference with the inner passage 70.

  The hydrogen gas that has permeated through the outer passage 74 is recovered through the recovery pipe 24 and the recovery path 60. At that time, since the flow rate is reduced by the throttle 64, the pressure on the upstream side of the throttle 64 is likely to rise, and the pressure change (pressure rise) detected by the pressure sensor 62 even if the hydrogen gas permeation amount is small. Rate), it can be determined that hydrogen gas is permeating. When the internal hose 72 is deteriorated, the amount of hydrogen gas leaked increases from several tens of times to several hundred times the amount of permeation, so that the pressure in the recovery path 60 rapidly increases, and the pressure sensor 62 It is possible to easily determine from the change rate of the detected value.

  The outer passage 74 is filled with a fibrous heat insulating material 80 made of glass wool or the like. The heat insulating material 80 prevents the hydrogen gas cooled by the precooler 36 from being heated by the outside air temperature or solar heat in the process of passing through the gas filling hose 16. On the other hand, since the tank to be filled is made of FRP (Fiber reinforced plastics) reinforced with glass fiber or carbon fiber, it is desired to suppress the temperature rise during filling with hydrogen gas to 85 ° C. Therefore, the hydrogen gas supplied through the gas supply path 30 is cooled to 85 ° C. by the precooler 36 so that the hydrogen gas is not heated from the surroundings by the heat insulating material 80 in the outer passage 74 of the gas filling hose 16. Yes.

  Further, as a modified example of the gas filling hose 16, for example, by forming either or both of the internal hose 72 and the external hose 76 with a stainless steel hose (SUS316 or SUS316L), the ground connection of the filling coupling 20 can be achieved. It becomes possible, and it becomes possible to remove static electricity on the vehicle side where the tank to be filled is mounted.

  When the outer outer hose 76 is made of a stainless material, the wear resistance against dragging of the outer hose 76 is enhanced.

  When the inner hose 72 on the inner side is made of stainless steel, it is time to replace the inner hose 72 when the pressure sensor 62 detects a pressure increase associated with an increase in hydrogen permeation amount due to hydrogen embrittlement. It becomes possible to warn that. This phenomenon also occurs when the external hose 76 is made of stainless steel, but the internal hose 72 covering the inner passage 70 is exposed to higher pressure hydrogen gas, so that the deterioration of the internal hose 72 appears significantly. .

  The control circuit 68 determines the presence or absence of deterioration of the internal hose 72 by monitoring the detection value of the pressure sensor 62 that detects the pressure of the recovery path 60 communicated with the outer passage 74, and the pressure of the recovery path 60 is defined. If it exceeds the value, it is determined that it is time to replace the internal hose 72.

  Here, the gas supply control process executed by the control circuit 68 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the gas filling coupling 20 is coupled to the tank to be filled (not shown) and the filling start switch button 67 is turned on in S11, the control circuit 68 proceeds to S12. The maximum supply pressure (target pressure) P ₀ to be filled in the tank to be filled is read from the memory. Then, it progresses to S13 and the control valve 40, the 2nd on-off valve 44, and the valve 52 for pressure release are closed. At this time,
In the next S14, the first on-off valve 34 is opened. As a result, the high-pressure hydrogen gas is supplied to the gas supply path 18 upstream of the second on-off valve 44. Therefore, the gas supply path 30 upstream from the second on-off valve 44 is increased to a pressure equal to or higher than the maximum supply pressure (target pressure).

Then, the process proceeds to S15, reads the measured pressure value by a first pressure transmitter 42, the measured pressure value is checked whether it has reached the maximum supply pressure (target pressure) P ₀ above. In this S15, when the pressure value measured by the first pressure transmitter 42 has reached maximum supply pressure (target pressure) P ₀ or more, the process proceeds to S16, the first on-off valve 34 by closing the gas supply passage The gas supply to 30 is stopped. Subsequently, in S17, the control valve 40 and the second on-off valve 44 are opened. Thereby, the hydrogen gas filled in the gas supply path 30 between the first on-off valve 34 and the second on-off valve 44 is supplied to the tank to be filled via the gas filling hose 16 and the gas filling coupling 20.

In the next S18, the pressure value measured by the second pressure transmitter 46 checks whether or not lower than the maximum supply pressure (target pressure) P _0. In S18, when the pressure value measured by the second pressure transmitter 46 decreases, the process proceeds to S19, and whether or not the pressure value measured by the second pressure transmitter 44 maintains a constant value for a predetermined time. Check. In S19, when the pressure value measured by the second pressure transmitter 46 is decreasing, the processes of S18 and S19 are repeated until the measured pressure value remains constant for a predetermined time. Become.

  If the pressure value measured by the second pressure transmitter 46 remains constant for a predetermined time, the process proceeds to S20, and this constant pressure value is set as the pre-filling tank pressure value Pt remaining in the fuel tank 14. Remember. Subsequently, in S21, the volume of the fuel tank 14 is calculated from the tank pressure value Pt before filling. The calculation formula for obtaining the volume of the fuel tank 14 is, for example, the volume of the gas supply path 30 between the first on-off valve 34 and the second on-off valve 44 and the amount of gas (flow rate) filled in the volume. Since it is obtained from the relational expression with the measured value) and is already known, its description is omitted.

  In the next S22, the first on-off valve 34 is opened to start gas supply to the tank to be filled, and the control valve 40 is controlled in accordance with the control law (constant pressure increase control or Control by constant flow control). Thereby, the gas supply to the tank to be filled is performed, and the tank pressure gradually increases.

In the next S23, the pressure value measured by the second pressure transmitter 46 checks whether or not reached a maximum supply pressure (target pressure) P _0. In this S23, when the pressure value measured by the second pressure transmitter 46 does not reach the maximum supply pressure (target pressure) P _0, the process proceeds to S24, reads the pressure detection value of the pressure sensor 62 of the recovery path 60. Subsequently, in S25, it is checked whether or not the pressure detection value of the pressure sensor 62 is equal to or greater than a preset specified value (determination reference value of the hydrogen gas hose permeation amount). In S25, when the pressure detection value of the pressure sensor 62 is less than a preset specified value, the process returns to S22, and the processes after S22 are repeated.

  In S25, when the pressure detection value of the pressure sensor 62 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value set in advance, the process proceeds to S26 to notify that it is time to replace the gas filling hose 16. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S27.

In the above S23, even when the pressure value measured by the second pressure transmitter 46 has reached maximum supply pressure (target pressure) P _0, the process proceeds to S27, the first on-off valve 34 by closing the gas supply The gas supply to the path 30 is stopped. In S28, the depressurization valve 52 is opened, and the pressures of the gas filling hose 16 and the gas filling coupling 20 are recovered through the branch path 50. Thereby, the pressure of the gas filling hose 16 and the gas filling coupling 20 is reduced.

  In next S29, it is checked whether or not the pressure value measured by the second pressure transmitter 46 has reached the minimum pressure (decompression pressure). In S29, when the pressure of the gas filling hose 16 and the gas filling coupling 20 is reduced to the minimum pressure (decompression pressure), the process proceeds to S30, and the control valve 40, the second on-off valve 44, and the depressurization valve 52 are closed. Let

  Thereafter, the worker separates the gas-filled coupling 20 from the tank to be filled and latches it on the latching portion 22 of the housing 12. This completes the gas supply operation for the tank to be filled.

  In S18, if the pressure value measured by the second pressure transmitter 46 does not decrease, an abnormality such as the second on-off valve cannot be closed has occurred, so the process proceeds to S31 and an alarm is issued. Then, the process proceeds to S27, and the processes after S27 are executed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the gas supply to the tank to be filled is controlled, and the measured value of the pressure sensor 62 is monitored, and the permeation amount of hydrogen gas in the gas filling hose 16 becomes a specified value or more. When it is determined that the internal hose 72 of the gas filling hose 16 has deteriorated and the permeation amount has increased, it is possible to automatically notify that it is time to replace the hose, so that the life of the gas filling hose 16 has passed. It can be prevented from being used as it is, and the reliability of hydrogen gas supply can be improved.

It is a perspective view which shows one Example of the gas supply apparatus by this invention. It is a systematic diagram which shows the structure of a gas supply apparatus. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a part of the gas filling hose 16 by cutting. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a gas supply control process executed by a control circuit 68.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Gas supply apparatus 16 Gas filling hose 20 Filling coupling 24 Recovery pipe line 30 Gas supply path 36 Precooler 40 Control valve 60 Recovery path 62 Pressure sensor 64 Restriction 68 Control circuit 70 Inner path 72 Internal hose 74 Outer path 76 External hose 80 Material

Claims (2)

A gas supply path for supplying hydrogen gas pressurized to a predetermined pressure;
A control valve for controlling the flow rate of hydrogen gas supplied through the gas supply path;
A gas filling hose having an inner hose covering an inner passage through which hydrogen gas supplied from the gas supply path flows, and an outer hose arranged to cover an outer passage formed outside the inner hose;
A filling coupling connected to the end of the internal hose of the gas filling hose and coupled to the filling port of the tank to be filled;
A recovery line that communicates with the outer passage so as to recover hydrogen gas that has passed through the inner hose from the inner passage and has leaked into the outer passage;
A restriction provided in the recovery line;
A pressure sensor that is provided in a recovery pipeline upstream of the throttle and detects the pressure of hydrogen gas leaked from the inner passage to the outer passage;
A gas supply device comprising: A cooling means for cooling the hydrogen gas in the gas supply path;
The gas supply device according to claim 1, wherein a temperature rise of hydrogen gas passing through the inner passage is suppressed by inserting a heat insulating material into the outer passage.

Images