JP2007278483A - Emergency shut-off valve - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an emergency shut-off valve which is automatically opened to be reset into a normal condition when an abnormal condition is cleared, while reliably shutting off a fluid take-out passage in the abnormal condition such as excessive flow-out. <P>SOLUTION: An inlet passage 13, a shut-off valve chamber 14, and an outlet passage 15 are formed in sequence in a housing 12, and a shut-off valve seat 16 is formed in the shut-off valve chamber 14. A shut-off member 17 inserted into the shut-off valve chamber 14 is changed over between a valve opening attitude Y where it is isolated from the shut-off valve seat 16 and a valve closing attitude X where it abuts on the shut-off valve seat 16. A communication passage 19 is formed in the shut-off member 17 for communicating the inlet passage 13 with the outlet passage 15 in the valve closing attitude X. A distribution resistance means 20 formed with a screw member 21 is provided in the communication passage 19 for restricting the flow amount of fluid distributing in the communication passage 19 to be small. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an emergency shut-off valve that shuts off this flow path to prevent excessive fluid outflow in the event of an abnormal outflow of fluid due to damage or the like of equipment connected to a fluid extraction path, etc. The present invention relates to an emergency shut-off valve that automatically shuts off and returns to a normal state when an abnormal state is resolved while reliably shutting off a flow path when an abnormality such as excessive outflow occurs.

  In recent years, development of vehicles using hydrogen gas as fuel with little environmental pollution has been underway. The hydrogen gas storage container is desired to have a large capacity and a small size, and accordingly, the storage gas pressure is also required to be increased to a high pressure such as 70 MPa.

  The flow rate of the gas taken out from the gas storage container increases to a predetermined amount or more when an abnormality such as the gas device being damaged and the gas flowing out occurs. Therefore, an emergency shutoff valve is provided in the gas extraction path from the gas storage container or the pressure measuring flow path branched from this, and when the flow rate of gas flowing through these flow paths increases abnormally, the emergency shutoff valve is closed. The gas flow path is configured to be shut off.

  Conventionally, as the emergency shut-off valve, a shut-off member is inserted into the shut-off valve chamber, and the shut-off member is elastically pressed by a valve-opening spring so as to be separated from the shut-off valve seat. In some cases, the valve can be switched to a closed posture in contact with the shut-off valve seat (see Patent Document 1).

  That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the emergency shut-off valve (50) includes a gas extraction passage in which a housing (51) is sequentially provided with an inlet passage (52), a shut-off valve chamber (53), and an outlet passage (54). (60) is formed, a shut-off valve seat (55) is formed in the shut-off valve chamber (53), and the shut-off member (56) is inserted into the shut-off valve chamber (53) to open the shut-off member (56). The valve spring (57) is pressed in the valve opening direction away from the shut-off valve seat (55). The shut-off member (56) has a return push rod (59) extending at the tip, and the tip of the return push rod (59) is connected to a closing member (61) as a return means (close valve). 62).

  Under normal conditions, the shut-off member (56) is elastically pressed by the valve-opening spring (57) and is separated from the shut-off valve seat (55) by a predetermined dimension. Therefore, when taking out the stored gas from the gas storage container (58) through the emergency shut-off valve (50), a predetermined flow rate of gas passing through the gap between the shut-off member (56) and the shut-off valve seat (55) is taken out. .

  On the other hand, when an abnormality occurs in which a large amount of gas flows out from the outlet passage (54), the internal pressure of the outlet passage (54) decreases to a predetermined differential pressure or more compared to the internal pressure of the inlet passage (52). Due to the differential pressure, the blocking member (56) moves to the valve closing side against the elastic pressure of the valve opening spring (57) and comes into contact with the blocking valve seat (55). As a result, the gas extraction path (60) is blocked and the outflow of gas from the outlet path (54) is stopped.

  Then, when the repair of the abnormal part or the replacement of the parts is completed and the abnormal state is resolved, the closing valve (61) is closed. As a result, the return push rod (59) is pressed against the closing member (62), the blocking member (56) is forcibly separated from the blocking valve seat (55), and the internal pressure of the outlet passage (54) increases. Thus, the differential pressure from the internal pressure of the inlet channel (52) becomes small. As a result, the shut-off member (56) is elastically pressed by the valve opening spring (57) to return to a normal state separated from the shut-off valve seat (55) by a predetermined dimension. Thereafter, the gas stored in the gas storage container (58) is taken out from the gas outlet (60) by opening the shut-off valve (61).

JP 2003-314798 A

  The above-mentioned blocking member is operated by the differential pressure between the internal pressure of the inlet passage and the internal pressure of the outlet passage. However, the differential pressure may increase due to fluctuations in the flow rate or the like, resulting in malfunction. On the other hand, when the emergency shut-off valve is actuated, the emergency shut-off valve is maintained in a closed state as it is.To return it to a normal state, for example, a return means such as closing and opening the shut-off valve is used. It is necessary to operate. For this reason, when the number of malfunctions increases, this return operation must be performed each time, which is complicated.

  In addition, for example, a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure of the gas flow path branches from the gas flow path to the pressure measurement flow path and is attached to the end of the pressure measurement flow path. In the unlikely event that the pressure gauge is damaged, it is necessary to shut off the pressure measurement flow path so that gas does not leak from the pressure gauge, and the emergency shut-off valve is attached to the pressure measurement flow path. However, when this emergency shut-off valve is activated, it is necessary to return the emergency shut-off valve after exchanging the pressure gauge. Therefore, there is a problem that the entire apparatus is complicated and large, and cannot be implemented inexpensively.

  The technical problem of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and when the abnormal state is resolved, the valve is automatically opened to return to the normal state while the flow path can be surely shut off when an abnormality such as excessive outflow occurs. To provide an emergency shut-off valve.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is configured as follows, for example, based on FIGS. 1 to 4 showing an embodiment of the present invention.
That is, the present invention relates to an emergency shut-off valve, wherein an inlet passage (13), a shut-off valve chamber (14), and an outlet passage (15) are formed in the housing (12) in this order, and the above shut-off valve chamber (14) is formed. A shut-off valve seat (16) is formed, and a shut-off member (17) is inserted into the shut-off valve chamber (14) so as to be able to contact and separate from the shut-off valve seat (16). 17), the valve opening posture (Y) separated from the shutoff valve seat (16) by the pressure of the valve opening spring (18), the internal pressure of the inlet passage (13) and the outlet passage (15) lower than this The valve can be switched to a closed position (X) that is in contact with the shut-off valve seat (16) against the elastic pressure of the valve opening spring (18) by a differential pressure greater than a predetermined pressure with the internal pressure of An emergency shut-off valve having a communication passage (19) in the shut-off member (17) for communicating the inlet passage (13) and the outlet passage (15) with each other in the valve closing posture (X). The communication path (19) is formed so that a fluid having a minute flow rate flows therethrough.

  In the normal state, the shut-off member is pressed by the valve-opening spring and switched to the valve-opening posture separated from the shut-off valve seat, and the fluid flowing in from the inlet passage flows out from the outlet passage through the shut-off valve chamber. . On the other hand, when an overflow occurs in the outflow from the outlet passage, the internal pressure of the outlet passage is reduced to a predetermined differential pressure or more compared to the internal pressure of the inlet passage. As a result, due to the differential pressure, the shut-off member moves to the shut-off valve seat side against the spring pressure of the valve-opening spring, and the valve is switched to the closed posture in contact with the shut-off valve seat to shut off the flow path in the housing. The

  At this time, in the above-described valve closing posture, the inlet path and the outlet path are in communication with each other via the communication path, and a small flow rate of fluid flows out from the communication path to the outlet path. As a result, when the abnormality of the downstream flow path is resolved, or when the above-described overflow is malfunctioning and there is no abnormality in the downstream flow path, the minute flow rate that has flowed out of the communication path is reduced. The internal pressure of the outlet passage gradually increases due to the fluid. When the differential pressure between the internal pressure of the outlet passage and the internal pressure of the inlet passage becomes smaller than a predetermined pressure, the shut-off member is separated from the shut-off valve seat by the elastic pressure of the valve opening spring against the differential pressure, The blockage of the flow path is eliminated and the normal state is restored.

  Here, the above-mentioned minute flow rate is a flow rate that does not adversely affect the atmosphere due to the outflow, and is a flow rate that can quickly increase the internal pressure of the outlet passage after the abnormality is resolved, specifically, Depending on the type of fluid, the internal pressure of the inlet channel, the size and shape of the outlet channel, the length of the gas channel connected to the downstream side, the type and shape of the connected device, etc., for example, it is set to about 1 to 15000 Nml / min, More preferably, it is set to about 1-1500 Nml / min.

  The communication path can be formed to have a small channel cross-sectional area, for example, but it is not easy to form a channel having a very small channel cross-sectional area by, for example, drilling. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a flow resistance means in the communication path because the fluid flowing therethrough can be easily restricted to a minute flow rate. The flow resistance means is not limited to a specific configuration as long as it can be limited to a minute flow rate. Specifically, for example, it can be configured by a screw member or a filter.

Since the present invention is configured and operates as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
In other words, the above-described blocking member reliably contacts the shut-off valve seat when the abnormality in which the flow rate has increased, blocks the flow path, and in a closed position, a minute flow amount of fluid flows out from the above-described communication path to the outlet path. Therefore, when the abnormality is resolved or when the shut-off operation is malfunctioning, the internal pressure of the outlet passage is gradually increased by the above minute flow rate fluid, and the shut-off member is automatically returned to the normal state. Can be restored. As a result, the return operation conventionally required is unnecessary, and the handling operation of the emergency shut-off valve can be simplified. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide return means in the blocking member or downstream flow path, the entire apparatus can be formed simply and compactly, and can be implemented at low cost.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a gas flow path provided with an emergency shut-off valve in a pressure measurement flow path, FIG. 2 shows an operation of the emergency shut-off valve, FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the emergency shut-off valve in a normally open valve posture, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the emergency shut-off valve in a closed posture at the time of shut-off.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the gas extraction passage (3) connected to the container outlet (2) of the gas container (1), a shut-off valve (4) and a pressure reducing valve (5), which are container original valves, are sequentially provided. A pressure measuring flow path (6) and a filling path (7) are branched between the stop valve (4) and the pressure reducing valve (5). The filling passage (7) is provided with a filling port (8) at the end, and the gas flow from the gas container (1) to the filling port (8) is blocked in the middle of the filling passage (7). A check valve (9) for allowing the gas flow from the filling port (8) to the gas container (1) is attached. The pressure measuring channel (6) is provided with a pressure gauge (11) via an emergency shutoff valve (10). The pressure gauge (11) may directly display the measured pressure, or may be a pressure transmitter that transmits measurement data to a display unit provided in another part.

  The stored gas in the gas container (1) is taken out by opening the shut-off valve (4), depressurized to a predetermined pressure by the pressure reducing valve (5), and then, for example, a gas take-out path such as a fuel cell. Guided to various gas consuming equipment connected to (3). When the stored gas in the gas container (1) runs out due to gas consumption, a gas filling device (not shown) is connected to the filling port (8), and fresh gas is drawn from the filling passage (7) to the gas extraction passage (3). The gas container (1) is filled through the upstream portion and the shutoff valve (4). When the gas is taken out or filled, the gas pressure in the gas take-out path (3) is transmitted to the pressure gauge (11) through the emergency shut-off valve (10) and displayed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the emergency shut-off valve (10) has an inlet passage (13), a shut-off valve chamber (14), and an outlet passage (15) in the housing (12). And a shut-off valve seat (16) is formed in the shut-off valve chamber (14). A shut-off member (17) is inserted into the shut-off valve chamber (14) so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the shut-off valve seat (16). Repressed in the direction of separation.

  In the normal state shown in FIG. 2 (a), the shut-off member (17) is in a valve-opening posture (Y) separated from the shut-off valve seat (16) by the elastic force of the valve-opening spring (18). The inlet channel (13) and the outlet channel (15) are in good circulation through the shutoff valve chamber (14). As a result, the gas pressure in the gas take-out passage (3) passes through the inlet passage (13), the shut-off valve chamber (14) and the outlet passage (15) of the emergency shut-off valve (10) in order. It is quickly transmitted to the meter (11) and the pressure is displayed accurately.

  If the pressure gauge (11) or the gas flow path with the pressure gauge (11) is damaged, a large amount of gas may flow out from the damaged portion. In this case, the outflow of the gas causes an overflow from the inlet passage (13) to the outlet passage (15), and the gas pressure in the outlet passage (15) decreases. When a differential pressure greater than a predetermined pressure is generated between the internal pressure of the outlet passage (15) and the internal pressure of the inlet passage (13), the above-described blocking member (17) is caused by the pressure difference of the valve opening spring (18). The valve moves to the valve closing side against the elastic pressure, and is switched to the valve closing posture (X) in contact with the shutoff valve seat (16) shown in FIG.

  The blocking member (17) has a communication passage (19) formed substantially along the central axis. One end of the communication passage (19) faces the outlet passage (15) and opens. The other end is opened to the shutoff valve chamber (14). Therefore, in the valve closing posture (X), the inlet passage (13) communicates with the outlet passage (15) through the shut-off valve chamber (14) and the communication passage (19). A screw member (21) is screwed and fixed to the communicating path (19) as a flow resistance means (20) at one end facing the outlet path (15). For this reason, in this valve closing posture (X), the inlet passage (13) communicates with the outlet passage (15) through the narrow fitting groove of the screw member (21). ) Gas having a minute flow rate of, for example, about 1 to 15000 Nml / min, more preferably about 1 to 1500 Nml / min, which does not adversely affect the atmosphere even if it leaks into the external space. ).

  As described above, when an abnormality occurs in the pressure gauge (11) and a large amount of gas flows out of the gas flow path, the emergency shut-off valve (10) is immediately shut off, excluding the above-described minute flow of gas outflow. Gas outflow is stopped. In this state, inspection, replacement, repair, etc. of abnormal parts such as the pressure gauge (11) are quickly performed, and a normal pressure gauge is attached. When a large amount of gas outflow from the gas equipment or the like is eliminated by repairing this abnormal portion, the internal pressure of the outlet passage (15) gradually increases due to the minute flow rate of gas flowing out from the emergency shutoff valve (10). When the differential pressure between the internal pressure of the outlet passage (15) and the internal pressure of the inlet passage (13) becomes smaller than a predetermined pressure, the blocking member (17) resists the differential pressure and the opening spring ( It is separated from the shut-off valve seat (16) by the elastic pressure of 18), and is switched to the valve opening posture (Y) shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a gas flow path provided with an emergency shut-off valve in a gas extraction path for preventing overflow according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the second embodiment, an emergency shutoff valve (10), a shut-off valve (4) as a container original valve, and a pressure reducing valve are connected to a gas outlet (3) connected to the container outlet (2) of the gas container (1). (5) are provided in order, and a pressure measuring flow path (6) and a filling path (7) are branched between the stop valve (4) and the pressure reducing valve (5). As in the first embodiment, the filling passage (7) has a filling port (8) at the end, and a check valve (9) is attached to the middle of the filling passage (7). is there. A pressure gauge (11) is attached to the pressure measuring channel (6).
In the present invention, the pressure measurement flow path (6) and the pressure gauge (11) attached thereto may be provided downstream of the emergency shutoff valve (10). For example, the phantom line in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the pressure measuring flow path (6) may be branched between the emergency shutoff valve (10) and the shutoff valve (4).

  The emergency shut-off valve (10) has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment and operates in the same manner. That is, in the normal state shown in FIG. 2A, the shut-off member (17) is in the valve-opening posture (Y) separated from the shut-off valve seat (16) by the elastic force of the valve-opening spring (18). In addition, the inlet passage (13) and the outlet passage (15) described above are in good circulation through the shutoff valve chamber (14). As a result, the stored gas in the gas container (1) is smoothly taken out by opening the closing valve (4), and is reduced to a predetermined pressure by the pressure reducing valve (5). Guided to various gas equipment connected to the take-out path (3).

  In the case where a large amount of gas flows out due to breakage of a gas flow path or the like connected to the gas device as well as the case where the pressure gauge (11) fails, the same as in the first embodiment, The emergency shutoff valve (10) overflows from the inlet channel (13) to the outlet channel (15) due to the outflow of gas, and the gas pressure in the outlet channel (15) decreases. When a differential pressure greater than a predetermined pressure is generated between the internal pressure of the outlet passage (15) and the internal pressure of the inlet passage (13), the above-described blocking member (17) is caused by the pressure difference of the valve opening spring (18). The valve moves to the valve closing side against the elastic pressure, and as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the valve is switched to the valve closing posture (X) in contact with the shutoff valve seat (16), and gas outflow is stopped. .

  If the above-mentioned large-scale gas outflow is caused by an abnormality such as gas equipment or gas flow path, when these abnormal states are repaired, the minute flow out of the communication passage (19) of the emergency shut-off valve (10) The internal pressure of the outlet passage (15) of the emergency shutoff valve (10) gradually increases due to the flow rate of gas. When the differential pressure between the internal pressure of the outlet passage (15) and the internal pressure of the inlet passage (13) becomes smaller than a predetermined pressure, the blocking member (17) resists the differential pressure and the valve opening spring The valve is separated from the shut-off valve seat (16) by the elastic pressure of (18), is switched to the valve opening posture (Y) shown in FIG. In order to accelerate the increase in the internal pressure of the outlet passage (15), the closing valve (4) is temporarily closed, and the pressure in the gas flow path between the emergency shut-off valve (10) and the closing valve (4). May be raised early. However, even if such an operation is not performed, the internal pressure of the outlet passage (15) increases due to the outflow of the above-mentioned minute flow rate gas, and the emergency shut-off valve (10) automatically returns to the normal state.

  The pressure drop in the outlet passage (15) that occurs in the emergency shut-off valve (10) is likely to occur due to fluctuations during gas consumption, especially in fluids with good fluidity, such as hydrogen gas. In this case, the emergency shut-off valve (10) may be activated to shut off the gas extraction path (3) urgently even though there is no abnormality in the gas equipment and the gas flow path to which the gas equipment is connected. However, since the emergency shut-off valve (10) above shuts off, a very small amount of gas flows out from the communication passage (19) to the outlet passage (15). The normal valve opening state (Y) can be restored to the normal state, and the extraction of the stored gas from the gas container (1) is resumed.

  In each of the above embodiments, the screw member (21) is used as the flow resistance means (20). However, the flow resistance means (20) of the present invention is not limited as long as the fluid flowing through the communication path (19) can be set to a very small flow rate. For example, as shown in the modification shown in FIG. The distribution resistance means (20) may be configured. That is, in this modified example, a dense filter (22) is attached to the end of the communication path (19) facing the shutoff valve chamber (14), and the shutoff member (17) is in the valve closing position (X). When switched, a very small amount of gas that has passed through the filter (22) flows out to the outlet passage (15) through the communication passage (19). Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described embodiments and operate in the same manner, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The emergency shut-off valves described in the above embodiments and modifications are examples for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and include shapes of shut-off members, valve opening springs, communication passages, flow resistance means, and the like. The structure, arrangement, and the like are not limited to these embodiments and the like, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, the flow resistance means may be formed in any part of the communication path. Moreover, this communication path should just be what connects an entrance path and an exit path in the valve-closing attitude | position, and may be formed in any site | part of the interruption | blocking member. Moreover, since the emergency shut-off valve is disposed in the pressure measurement flow path in the first embodiment and in the gas extraction path in the second embodiment, for example, it can be incorporated in a container valve. However, the emergency shutoff valve of the present invention is not limited to the one incorporated in the container valve, and may be provided in the middle of the piping. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the fluid handled by the emergency shutoff valve of the present invention is not limited to a specific type.

  The emergency shutoff valve of the present invention can automatically open and return to the normal state when the abnormal state is resolved while reliably shutting off the flow path when an abnormality such as excessive outflow occurs. Although it is particularly suitable for a pressure measurement flow path and container valve used in the supply device, it is also suitably used for other container valves and piping.

It is a schematic block diagram of the gas flow path provided with the emergency cutoff valve in the pressure measurement flow path, showing the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 shows the operation of the emergency shut-off valve of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the emergency shut-off valve in a normally open posture, and FIG. 2 (b) is an emergency of the valve-closed posture at the time of shut-off. It is sectional drawing of a cutoff valve. It is a schematic block diagram of the gas flow path provided with the emergency cutoff valve which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the emergency cutoff valve which shows the modification of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the emergency cutoff valve which shows a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

10… Emergency shut-off valve
12 ... Housing
13 ... Entrance way
14: Shut-off valve chamber
15 ... Exit road
16 ... Shut-off valve seat
17… Blocking member
18 ... Valve opening spring
19 ... Communication passage
20 ... Distribution resistance means
21… Screw member
22 ... Filter X ... Valve closing posture Y ... Valve opening posture

Claims (5)

In the housing (12), an inlet passage (13), a shut-off valve chamber (14) and an outlet passage (15) are formed in this order, and the shut-off valve seat (16) is formed in the shut-off valve chamber (14),
A shutoff member (17) is inserted into the shutoff valve chamber (14) so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the shutoff valve seat (16).
The valve-opening posture (Y) in which the shut-off member (17) is elastically pressed by the valve-opening spring (18) and separated from the shut-off valve seat (16), the internal pressure of the inlet passage (13), and more The valve closing posture (X) brought into contact with the shut-off valve seat (16) against the elastic pressure of the valve opening spring (18) by a differential pressure greater than a predetermined pressure with the internal pressure of the low outlet passage (15), An emergency shut-off valve configured to be switchable,
In the shut-off member (17), a communication path (19) that connects the inlet path (13) and the outlet path (15) with each other in the valve closing posture (X) is formed. An emergency shut-off valve, characterized in that 19) is configured to allow a small flow rate of fluid to flow.   The emergency shut-off valve according to claim 1, wherein a flow resistance means (20) is provided in the communication path (19) to restrict a fluid flowing through the communication path (19) to a minute flow rate.   The emergency shutoff valve according to claim 2, wherein the flow resistance means (20) is constituted by a screw member (21).   The emergency shutoff valve according to claim 2, wherein the flow resistance means (20) is constituted by a filter (22).   The emergency shutoff valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the minute flow rate is set to 1 to 15000 Nml / min.

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