JP2008157130A - Return gas returning device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a return gas returning device capable of restraining noise or vibration generated when liquefied gas in a gas-liquid mixed state flows into a liquified gas vessel in a structure wherein the liquefied gas not consumed by an engine is returned to the liquified gas vessel. <P>SOLUTION: In a check valve device 30, a valve part 42 opening and closing an inflow port 41 to which the liquefied gas flows is provided in a liquid flowing down air area 45 to which the liquefied gas flows down, and the liquified gas flowing down the liquid flowing down air area 45 flows into the vessel 1 from a gas outflow port 44. The check valve device 30 is arranged in a remaining air area 6 in the liquefied gas maximum filling time in the liquefied gas vessel 1 by a holding means 21. Thus, the liquid of the liquefied gas is not stored in the liquid flowing down air area 45, and thereby, the noise and the vibration generated when the liquefied gas in the gas-liquid mixed state passes through the inflow port 41 can be restrained, and the noise and the vibration in the vehicle can be reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a check valve provided at the downstream end of a return gas flow path for returning liquefied gas that has not been consumed by the engine into the liquefied gas container, and preventing reverse flow of the liquefied gas in the liquefied gas container. It is related with the return gas return device provided.

For example, in vehicles such as automobiles, buses, and trucks that use liquefied gas such as liquefied petroleum gas as fuel, a liquefied gas container that stores the liquefied gas is mounted. In recent years, there is a configuration in which a pump for supplying an engine to a liquefied gas container is provided. In this configuration, by using a pump, a predetermined amount of liquefied gas can be maintained in a liquid state and pumped to the engine, and the amount used in the engine can be precisely controlled. Thereby, it is possible to achieve improvement in fuel consumption and conformity to exhaust gas regulations. As such a pump disposed in the liquefied gas container, for example, Patent Document 1 has proposed.
JP 2005-337147 A

  Since the pump for pumping the liquefied gas described above supplies a predetermined amount to the engine constantly, a return gas flow path is provided for returning excess liquefied gas that has not been consumed by the engine to the liquefied gas container. It has been. A check valve is provided at the downstream end of the return gas passage so that the liquefied gas in the container does not flow backward.

  Here, for example, in an automobile, the liquefied gas container is generally mounted horizontally on a trunk or the like. A gas supply pipe for supplying liquefied gas from the liquefied gas container to the engine and a gas return pipe constituting the above-described return gas flow path are provided at the lower part of the automobile. As a connection mode between the gas supply pipe and the gas return pipe and the liquefied gas container, a filling valve to which the gas supply pipe is connected and a return valve to which the gas return pipe is connected are connected to the liquefied gas so that the piping configuration can be easily handled. Arranged at the outer bottom of the container.

  When the return valve is arranged at the lower part of the container in this way, the arrangement structure is simplified by arranging the check valve described above inside the container of the return valve. As this configuration, for example, there is a check valve device p configured as shown in FIG. The check valve device p is fixed to the lower part in the container h, and has a communication passage t that communicates with the return gas flow path via the return valve. An inlet r that opens above the communication passage t is formed in the check valve device p. A valve part s for opening and closing is provided. The valve portion s is urged in a direction to close the inlet r by an opening / closing spring w. And the gas outflow port v connected in the container h is formed above the operation area | region u which the valve part s opens / closes. Since the check valve device p is disposed in the lower part of the container, it is always present in the liquid gas X stored in the container h. Therefore, the region from the operation region u to the gas outlet v is always filled with the liquid liquefied gas X.

  By the way, since the gas return pipe is piped in the lower part of the automobile as described above, it is heated by the heat of the exhaust pipe similarly piped in the lower part of the automobile. Therefore, the liquefied gas returning from the engine is partially vaporized in the gas return pipe, and returns to the liquefied gas container in a state where the gas and the liquid are mixed (hereinafter referred to as a gas-liquid mixed state).

  In the above-described conventional check valve device p disposed in the lower part of the container h, as shown in FIG. 7B, the liquefied gas X in the gas-liquid mixed state is opened in the operation region u by opening the valve part s. When flowing into the gas, the gas of the liquefied gas X becomes bubbles. As the bubbles are formed, sound is generated or the valve portion s vibrates. This sound and vibration resonate and resonate in the container h and reverberate in the vehicle. Further, the bubbles flow out from the gas outlet v, rise in the liquid in the container, and are repelled at the liquid level. This struck sound resonates in the container and reverberates in the car. In particular, when the engine is driven in a state where the automobile is stopped (so-called idling state), it is easy for a person who gets on the vehicle to feel the sound or vibration that has reverberated in the vehicle. Therefore, reduction of these sounds and vibrations is required.

  The present invention is configured to return the liquefied gas that has not been consumed by the engine to the liquefied gas container as described above, and suppresses sound and vibration generated when the liquefied gas in a gas-liquid mixed state flows into the container. A possible return gas return device is proposed.

  The present invention is connected to a return gas flow path that returns liquefied gas that has not been consumed by the engine into a liquefied gas container, and a gas communication path that communicates with the return gas flow path, and a liquefied gas that has flowed from the gas communication path flow down. A tubular casing comprising a liquid flow lower air space and a gas outlet that is provided below the liquid flow lower air space and allows the liquefied gas to flow into the container, and is disposed in the liquid flow lower air space of the tubular housing, A check valve device comprising: a valve portion that opens and closes an inlet on the liquid flow lower airspace side of the passage; and a biasing means that biases the valve portion in a direction to close the inlet of the gas communication passage. A return gas return device comprising: a holding device for holding the valve device in a residual air space formed on the liquid surface when the liquefied gas container is fully filled in the liquefied gas container.

  In such a configuration, the check valve device is held in the residual air space in the liquefied gas container by the holding means, and the check valve device is provided with liquid liquefied gas that has flowed from the inlet when the valve portion is opened. It flows down the liquid flow lower air region in which the valve portion is disposed, and flows out from the gas outlet into the container. The air space under the liquid flow of the check valve device is not filled with the liquid of the liquefied gas, and the valve portion opens and closes in the gas. As a result, the liquefied gas in the gas-liquid mixed state that has returned through the return gas flow path is separated into gas and liquid when flowing into the liquid flow-down air space from the inlet by opening the valve portion.

  Here, in the check valve device p (see FIG. 7) having the conventional configuration described above, since the operation region u is filled with the liquid, the liquefied gas X in the gas-liquid mixed state with the valve portion s opened is provided. The gas becomes bubbles. More specifically, the gas-liquid mixed state liquefied gas X that has returned through the return gas path 20 is compressed in the communication passage t when the valve portion s is closed. When the valve portion s is opened, the compressed gas expands with the passage of the inflow port r to form bubbles, and sound is generated during the formation, and this expanding force is transmitted through the liquid and the valve portion s. Vibrate. These sounds and vibrations resonate and resonate in the container through the check valve device p and resonate in the vehicle. Furthermore, the bubbles generated in the liquid generate a sound when it is repelled on the liquid surface, and this sound also sounds similarly.

  Here, even when the conventional check valve device p (see FIG. 7) is provided in the air (air region) in the container, it flows into the operation region u from the inlet r. The liquid of the liquefied gas is stored in the operation area u. For this reason, bubbles are generated in the same manner, and sound and vibration associated therewith are generated.

  On the other hand, in the present invention, as described above, since the check valve device is held in the residual air space and liquid is not stored in the liquid flow-down air space, the liquefied gas in the gas-liquid mixed state is used. When the gas passes through the inlet, it is separated into a gas and a liquid, and the gas is mixed in the air in the airspace under the liquid flow, and the liquid flows down in the airspace under the liquid flow and flows out from the gas outlet. Therefore, the gas of the liquefied gas in the gas-liquid mixed state does not form the above-described bubbles, and no sound is generated when the bubbles are formed. Further, since the compressed gas described above only expands in the air in the air region under the liquid flow, vibration of the valve portion accompanying the expansion can also be suppressed. Furthermore, since no bubbles are generated in the liquid, there is no sound of the bubbles popping on the liquid surface. In this way, since the liquefied gas returning in the gas-liquid mixed state can suppress the sound and vibration caused by the passage of the check valve device, it is possible to reduce these resonances and resonances, and to reduce the sound and vibrations that resonate inside the vehicle. Can be.

  In the configuration of the present invention, it is preferable that the inlet of the communication passage is opened downward, and the gas outlet is opened downward by communicating downward from the liquid flow lower air region to the gas outlet. In the case of this configuration, the liquid of the liquefied gas that has flowed in from the inlet by opening the valve part can be sequentially flowed down to the gas outlet, and the liquid flow lower air space is opened to the remaining air space in the container. Gas and liquid are easily separated, and the above-described operational effects of the present invention are excellent. This configuration can also be used for a liquefied gas that has a relatively high return flow rate. Here, the downward opening of the inflow port or the gas outflow port includes not only a structure that opens vertically downward but also a structure that opens obliquely downward. Moreover, it can also be set as the structure which opens a gas outflow port to a horizontal direction as another structure. Furthermore, the gas outlet may be configured to open upward below the liquid flow lower air space. In this case, the liquid of the liquefied gas stays in the region immediately upstream of the gas outlet, but since the liquid does not accumulate in the air region under the liquid flow, the liquefied gas flowing in from the inlet can be separated into gas and liquid, The operational effects of the present invention can be exhibited. Such a configuration in which the gas outlet is opened laterally or a configuration in which the gas outlet is opened upward can be used for a configuration in which the return flow rate of the liquefied gas is relatively small.

  In addition, even at the inlet of the communication passage, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which it opens laterally or upwards. In this case, the liquid of the liquefied gas flowing in from the inlet is immediately passed through the liquid lower air space. What is necessary is just to comprise so that it may flow down.

  In the return gas return device described above, the holding means for holding the check valve device has a lower end joined to the lower part of the liquefied gas container and an upper end arranged in the residual air space at the maximum filling of the liquefied gas. A configuration is proposed that includes a bowl-like return gas pipe that supports a check valve device and that constitutes a return gas flow path in a liquefied gas container.

  As described above, the liquefied gas container is generally mounted sideways on the trunk of the automobile. A gas supply pipe that connects the liquefied gas container and the engine and supplies liquefied gas from the liquefied gas container to the engine, and similarly, a gas return pipe for returning excess liquefied gas from the engine is provided at the bottom of the automobile. It is arranged. The connecting portion between the gas supply pipe and the gas return pipe and the liquefied gas container is provided at the lower part of the liquefied gas container so that the piping can be simplified. Here, the gas return pipe constitutes a return gas flow path outside the liquefied gas container.

  In this configuration, the check valve device is held in the residual air space in the liquefied gas container by the return gas pipe, and the return gas flow path enters the container from the lower part of the liquefied gas container by the return gas pipe. It extends to the check valve device. Such a configuration can be applied to the above-described gas return pipe connected to the lower portion of the liquefied gas container, so that the above-described effects of the present invention can be exhibited and the piping configuration thereof can be simplified. Furthermore, this has an excellent effect from the viewpoint of safety.

  If the gas return pipe is connected to the upper part of the liquefied gas container, the gas return pipe is provided in the vicinity of the container. In this case, assuming an accident that collides with the automobile from behind, the rising part of the gas return pipe is likely to be damaged.

  In this structure, since there is no part which the above-mentioned gas return pipe rises, it is excellent in safety against a collision accident from the rear.

  As the return gas pipe, any shape such as a straight shape or a curved shape can be used. Further, the return gas pipe can be appropriately set such that the upper end opening of the return gas passage is upward, downward, or lateral depending on the connection form with the tubular housing of the check valve device. Further, the return gas pipe has either a configuration in which the upper end of the return gas pipe is directly joined to the tubular housing of the check valve device or a configuration in which the check valve device is connected indirectly through a member that forms a predetermined communication path. It is also possible.

  In the return gas return device described above, the liquefaction that is joined to the upper part of the return gas pipe where the remaining vacant area is filled when liquefied gas is fully filled and flows out from the gas outlet immediately under the gas outlet of the check valve device A configuration including a liquid receiving member that receives gas and transmits it to the side surface of the return gas pipe is proposed.

  With this configuration, the liquid of the liquefied gas flowing out from the gas outlet can be made to flow into the liquid level through the return gas pipe. Therefore, the liquid of the liquefied gas returned from the engine can be smoothly merged into the liquid of the liquefied gas stored in the liquefied gas container, and the landing sound generated when flowing into the liquid surface can be suppressed. obtain. And the resonance effect | action in the container of this landing sound can be reduced, and the sound which echoes in a vehicle can be reduced.

  The liquid receiving member includes a recess-shaped receiving portion for receiving the liquid of the liquefied gas flowing out from the gas outlet, and a connecting portion that is smoothly coupled downward from the receiving portion and fixed to the return gas pipe. The configuration can be suitably used. For example, an insulator having a curved handle can be used. As a result, the liquid of the liquefied gas flowing out from the gas outlet can be sufficiently received, and the liquid can be successively applied to the side surface of the return gas pipe.

  As described above, the present invention provides a valve portion that opens and closes the inlet of the gas communication passage communicating with the return gas flow path in the liquid lower air space where the liquefied gas flowing in from the inlet flows down, and the liquid lower air space The check valve device is configured so that the liquefied gas flowing down the gas flows out from the gas outlet into the container, and the check valve device is retained by the holding means so that the residual air space in the liquefied gas container when the liquefied gas is fully filled It is made to arrange | position to. As a result, liquid of the liquefied gas is not stored in the air space under the liquid flow that operates the valve unit, so that the liquefied gas returning to the return gas flow path in the gas-liquid mixed state is separated into gas and liquid when passing through the inlet. The gas is mixed in the air in the airspace, and the liquid flows down and flows out into the container. Therefore, it can suppress that a valve part vibrates by expansion | swelling of gas. Further, the sound generated when the gas-liquid mixed state liquefied gas is returned to the liquid and generated when the gas forms bubbles in the liquid and the sound of the bubbles repelling on the liquid surface are obtained. It does not occur in the configuration. In this way, since the sound and vibration generated when the liquefied gas that has not been consumed by the engine returns to the liquefied gas container in the gas-liquid mixed state can be suppressed, the action of resonating and resonating these in the container is also reduced. It is possible to reduce sounds and vibrations reverberating in the vehicle, and to prevent discomfort in the passenger.

  Also, the holding means of the check valve device constitutes a return gas flow path that supports the check valve device with the lower end joined to the lower part of the liquefied gas container and the upper end arranged in the residual air space when liquefied gas is fully charged In the configuration provided with the bowl-shaped return gas pipe, the return gas pipe is extended to the residual air space by the return gas pipe, and the check valve device is held in the residual air space. . This can be applied to a configuration in which the return gas channel is communicated from the outside to the inside at the lower position of the liquefied gas container, and the above-described operational effects of the present invention can be properly exhibited. Further, since there is no need to adopt a pipeline configuration in which the return gas flow path is raised in the vicinity of the liquefied gas container, there is no concern that the raised pipeline configuration will be damaged in the event of a collision.

  Here, a configuration is provided that includes a liquid receiving member that is joined to the liquid upper portion of the return gas pipe and receives the liquefied gas flowing out from the gas outlet immediately below the gas outlet of the tubular casing and transmits the liquefied gas to the side surface of the return gas pipe. In this case, the liquid of the liquefied gas flowing out from the gas outlet can be received by the liquid receiving member and flow into the liquid level through the return gas pipe. As a result, it is possible to suppress the landing sound that is generated when the liquefied gas stored in the liquefied gas container flows into the liquid surface, so that the resonance effect of the landing sound is reduced, so that the sound that echoes in the vehicle can be reduced. It is possible to prevent discomfort in the person who is on board.

An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 and 2 show a liquefied gas container 1 mounted horizontally on a trunk of an automobile. The liquefied gas container 1 includes a cylindrical body portion 2 and mirror portions 3 and 3 welded so as to close both side openings of the body portion 2. Here, FIG. 1 is a front view of the liquefied gas container 1 as viewed from the rear of the automobile in the mounted state. In the present embodiment, the liquefied gas container 1 is filled and stored with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and is mounted on an automobile using the LPG as fuel. That is, LPG is the liquefied gas X according to the present invention.

  The cylindrical body 2 of the liquefied gas container 1 has a filling valve (not shown) that is opened when the liquefied gas X is filled from a fuel filling valve (not shown) at the outer lower portion thereof, and a manual operation of the filling valve. The filling operation handle 8 is provided. The filling valve is kept closed except when the liquefied gas X is filled. Similarly, a take-out valve (not shown) in which a gas supply pipe (not shown) for supplying the liquefied gas X stored in the liquefied gas container 1 to the engine (not shown) is connected to the outer lower portion of the cylindrical body 2. And a take-out operation handle 10 for manually operating the take-out valve. This take-off valve is closed when the liquefied gas X is filled or when the liquefied gas container 1 is removed from the automobile, and is otherwise open. A fuel supply pump 12 to which a gas supply pipe (not shown) is connected via the take-out valve is disposed at the lower inner side of the liquefied gas container 1. The fuel supply pump 12 pumps the liquefied gas X stored in the liquefied gas container 1 at a predetermined pressure, and flows the liquefied gas X into the gas supply pipe while maintaining the liquid state to supply it to the engine. ing.

  Further, a return valve 13 is juxtaposed with the above-described take-out valve (not shown) at the outer lower portion of the cylindrical body 2 of the liquefied gas container 1, and a return manual handle for manually operating the return valve 13 15 is juxtaposed with the take-out manual handle 10 described above. A gas return pipe 14 for returning the liquefied gas X that has not been consumed by the engine to the liquefied gas container 1 is connected to the return bubble 13. The return valve 13 is closed when the liquefied gas X is filled or when the liquefied gas container 1 is removed from the automobile, and is otherwise open.

  The gas supply pipe (not shown) and the gas return pipe 14 communicate with the engine disposed in the front part of the vehicle and the liquefied gas container 1 disposed in the trunk, and are piped through the lower part of the vehicle. ing. As described above, the gas supply pipe (not shown) and the gas return pipe 14 disposed in the lower part of the vehicle are connected to the take-out valve (not shown) and the return valve 13 provided in the lower part of the liquefied gas container 1. Therefore, the piping configuration is easy to handle and simplified. If an extraction valve and a return valve are provided at the upper part of the container, the gas supply pipe and the gas return pipe must be raised upward in the vicinity of the container, and the pipe line itself becomes longer. In such a configuration, for example, when an accident such as a collision with the rear of the vehicle occurs, there is a high possibility that the raised portion of each pipe is damaged. Therefore, it can be said that the present configuration connected to the lower part of the container is preferable from the viewpoint of safety.

  In addition, a liquid level gauge 7 for displaying the amount of liquefied gas X stored in the liquefied gas container 1 is also provided on the upper portion of the cylindrical body portion 2 of the liquefied gas container 1. Further, the liquefied gas container 1 is also provided with a fixing leg 5 for fixing to the trunk of the automobile.

Next, the main part of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, an installation table 19 is fixed to the lower part of the cylindrical body 2 of the liquefied gas container 1. The installation table 19 is provided so as to be orthogonal to the installation line L inclined backward from the vertical direction of the container 1. A return valve 13 and a take-off valve (not shown) are provided on the installation table 19 along the longitudinal direction of the container on the outside of the container. A bowl-like return gas pipe 21 communicating with the gas return pipe 14 via the return valve 13 is fixed inside the container of the installation table 19. The return gas pipe 21 has a lower end fixed to the installation table 19 and an upper end of the return gas pipe 21 formed on the liquid surface of the liquefied gas X when the liquefied gas X is fully filled in the liquefied gas container 1. It is provided along the installation line L so as to be located in the residual airspace 6.

  Here, the return gas pipe 21 is a passage through which the liquefied gas X returned from the engine through the gas return pipe 14 flows, and constitutes the return gas flow path 20 according to the present invention together with the gas return pipe 14. Yes.

  The fuel supply pump 12 is fixed to the installation base 19 inside the container of the extraction valve (not shown), and a gas supply pipe (not shown) communicates from the fuel supply pump 12 via the extraction valve. ing. The fuel supply pump 12 and the return gas pipe 21 are provided side by side.

  A joint member 22 is joined to the upper end of the return gas pipe 21 as shown in FIG. The joint member 22 is provided with fitting holes 23a and 23b side by side, and a substantially U-shaped communication path 24 that communicates with both the fitting holes 23a and 23b is formed. The upper end of the return gas pipe 21 is fitted into one fitting hole 23 a, and the communication path 24 communicates with the return gas flow path 20 of the return gas pipe 21. The check valve device 30 is joined to the other fitting hole 23b.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the check valve device 30 includes a tubular casing 31 that includes a joining pipe portion 32 that opens downward and a fitting bottom portion 33 that fits in the lower opening of the joining pipe portion 32. . Here, on the upper portion of the joining pipe portion 32, a fitting projection 34 is provided to be fitted into the fitting hole 23b of the joint member 22 described above. An upper communication hole 35 that opens upward to the upper end surface of the fitting projection 34 and a lower communication hole 36 that continues from the upper communication hole 35 are formed in the joining pipe part 32 in the longitudinal direction of the joining pipe part 32. (Vertical direction) is provided. Here, the lower communication hole 36 is formed larger in diameter than the upper communication hole 35, and a screw female part 37 for screwing the fitting bottom 33 is formed in the lower part of the hole. On the other hand, the fitting bottom portion 33 is formed with a threaded male portion 38 that is threadedly engaged with the threaded female portion 37 of the lower communication hole 36, and along the longitudinal direction of the joining tube portion 32 in the threaded state. An outflow hole 39 is formed. The upper communication hole 35, the lower communication hole 36, and the outflow hole 39 are set to be concentric in a state where the bonding pipe portion 32 and the fitting bottom portion 33 are bonded. The outflow hole 39 has a two-stage shape with a small diameter at the lower part.

  In a state where the joining pipe part 32 and the fitting bottom part 33 are joined, the upper region of the lower communication hole 36 of the joining pipe part 32 is closed by the fitting bottom part 33. In this upper region, the valve portion 42 is slidably arranged in the vertical direction, and the valve portion 42 opens and closes the inlet 41 that opens the upper communication hole 35 downward. The valve portion 42 is urged in a direction to close the inflow port 41 by an opening / closing spring 43 supported by a step portion 39 a of the outflow hole 39 of the fitting bottom portion 33. Then, a force that pushes the valve portion 42 downward from the upper communication hole 35 acts, and when the force becomes equal to or greater than the elastic force of the opening / closing spring 43, the opening / closing spring 43 contracts and the inflow port 41 opens. A plurality of flow-down grooves 42 a are formed along the longitudinal direction of the lower communication hole 36 on the periphery of the valve portion 42, and when the valve portion 42 opens the inflow port 41, the flow-in groove 41 a flows in from the inflow port 41. The liquid of the liquefied gas X can flow down below the valve portion 42 through the flow down groove 42a.

  In this way, the joining pipe portion 32 and the fitting bottom portion 33 are in the tubular casing 31, and the communication path according to the present invention is constituted by the upper communication hole 35, and the upper region of the lower communication hole 36 is used in the present invention. Such a liquid flow lower air region 45 is configured. The lower opening of the outflow hole 39 is a gas outlet 44 according to the present invention. Further, the opening / closing spring 43 that biases the valve portion 42 is a biasing means according to the present invention.

  The check valve device 30 is held in the residual air space 6 formed on the liquid surface of the liquefied gas X when the liquefied gas container 1 is fully filled with being joined to the joint member 22 joined to the return gas pipe 21. . In this joined state, the upper communication hole (communication path) 35 of the check valve device 30 is connected to the return gas flow path 20 via the communication path 24 of the joint member 22.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a liquid receiving member 50 is fixed to the return gas pipe 21 on the liquid portion 21 a located in the residual air space 6 when the liquefied gas container 1 is fully filled. As shown in FIG. 5, the liquid receiving member 50 has a semi-cylindrical fixing portion 51 formed so as to follow the outer surface of the return gas pipe 21, and is bent upward from the upper end of the fixing portion 51 to open upward. And a substantially dish-shaped liquid receiving portion 52. The fixing portion 51 and the liquid receiving portion 52 are formed so as to be smoothly coupled. Here, the liquid receiving portion 52 is set to have a substantially dish-shaped area larger than the opening area of the gas outlet 44 of the check valve device 30. The liquid receiving member 50 has a fixing portion 51 fixed to the return gas pipe 21 so that the liquid receiving portion 52 is positioned immediately below the gas outlet 44 of the check valve device 30 described above. Thereby, the liquid of the liquefied gas X flowing out from the gas outlet 44 of the check valve device 30 is received by the liquid receiving portion 52 of the liquid receiving member 50 and flows to the fixed portion 51, and the return gas pipe 21 is connected to the container. It can be made to flow smoothly into the liquid gas X stored therein.

  The return gas pipe 21 and the joint member 22 described above constitute the holding means of the present invention. The return gas pipe 21, the joint member 22, the check valve device 30, and the liquid receiving member 50 constitute the return gas return device 17 of the present invention.

Next, the operation of the return gas return device 17 will be described.
When driving of the engine of the automobile is started, the liquefied gas X in the liquefied gas container 1 is maintained in a liquid state by the fuel supply pump 12 and is pumped to the engine via a gas supply pipe (not shown). The discharge amount of the liquefied gas X is precisely controlled in the engine, and surplus liquefied gas X that has not been used in the engine is sent back from the engine to the liquefied gas container 1 via the gas return pipe 14 (return gas flow path 20). (See FIGS. 1 and 2). Here, since the gas return pipe 14 is piped in the lower part of the automobile as described above, the gas return pipe 14 is heated by heat generated from an exhaust pipe similarly piped in the lower part of the automobile. Therefore, the liquefied gas X returning from the engine is heated and partially vaporized while flowing through the gas return pipe 14 to be in a mixed state of gas and liquid.

  The liquefied gas X in a gas-liquid mixed state returning through the gas return pipe 14 flows through the return gas pipe 21 (return gas flow path 20) disposed in the container via the return valve 13. Then, as shown in FIG. 6A, the valve portion that enters the upper communication hole (communication path) 35 of the check valve device 30 via the joint member 22 and closes the inlet 41 of the upper communication hole 35. Hit 42. When the pressure for pressing the valve portion 42 by the liquefied gas X exceeds the elastic force of the opening / closing spring 43, the opening / closing spring 43 contracts to open the inlet 41 as shown in FIG. Liquefied gas X flows into the air space 45 under the liquid flow. The gas-liquid mixed state liquefied gas X is separated into a gas and a liquid at the time of the inflow, the gas is mixed in the air in the liquid flow lower air region 45, and the liquid flows down the liquid flow lower air region 45 and passes through the outflow hole 39. The gas flows out from the gas outlet 44 into the container. Further, when the pressing pressure is weakened by opening the valve portion 42, the valve portion 42 closes the inflow port 41 by the elastic force of the opening / closing spring 43. Thus, the valve part 42 repeats the operation | movement which opens and closes the inflow port 41 during the drive of an engine.

  Since the check valve device 30 of the present embodiment is configured to communicate downward from the liquid flow down air region 45 to the gas outlet 44, the liquid of the liquefied gas X flowing into the liquid flow down air region 45 is discharged from the outflow hole 39. The liquid does not accumulate so as to fill the liquid flow lower air space 45. Therefore, the liquefied gas X in the gas-liquid mixed state that flows in by opening the inlet 41 is separated into a gas and a liquid during the inflow.

  Here, in the check valve device p having the conventional configuration described above, the liquid of the liquefied gas X is filled in the operation region u in which the valve portion s operates as shown in FIG. Therefore, the gas of the liquefied gas X that has flowed in from the inlet r due to the opening of the valve part s becomes bubbles in the liquid in the operation region u. Further, in the communication path t, the gas of the liquefied gas X is compressed while the valve portion s is closed, so that the gas expands with the opening of the valve portion s. A sound is generated when bubbles are formed with this expansion. Furthermore, the valve part s is vibrated by expanding in the liquid. Such sound resonates in the container and vibrations resonate, so that these sounds and vibrations echo inside the vehicle.

  Such sound and vibration are generated in the same manner because the operation region u is filled with liquid even if the check valve device p having the conventional configuration is disposed in the air space in the container. Further, even when the check valve device 30 of this configuration is disposed in the liquid in the container, the liquid region of the liquefied gas is filled in the liquid area under the liquid flow 45, so that the same occurs.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as described above, the liquid lower air space 45 of the check valve device 30 is not filled with liquid, so that the sound due to the formation of the bubbles is not generated when the valve portion 42 is opened. Further, since the gas and the liquid are separated at the time of inflow, the vibration of the valve portion 42 due to the expansion of the gas can be suppressed. Therefore, in this embodiment, compared with the case where the liquefied gas X in a gas-liquid mixture state is returned to the liquid, the resonance of sound due to bubble formation and the resonance of the vibration of the valve portion 42 can be reduced and resonate in the vehicle. Sound and vibration can be significantly reduced.

  On the other hand, the liquid of the liquefied gas X flowing out from the gas outlet 44 of the check valve device 30 falls onto the liquid receiving portion 52 of the liquid receiving member 50 located immediately below the gas outlet 44, and the liquid receiving member 50. Along the outer peripheral surface of the return gas pipe 21, and flows down through the return gas pipe 21. And it flows into the liquefied gas X liquid level stored in the liquefied gas container 1. Thereby, even if the check valve device 30 is disposed in the residual air space 6 in the container, the liquid of the liquefied gas X flowing out from the check valve device 30 can smoothly land on the liquid surface. . Therefore, generation | occurrence | production of a landing sound can be suppressed and it can reduce that this landing sound resonates. Since this can reduce the landing sound as compared with the case where the check valve device 30 directly falls to the liquid surface and landed, it is possible to reduce the sound reverberating in the vehicle.

  Since the return gas pipe 21 is fixed to the lower portion of the liquefied gas container 1 as described above, the check valve device can be used even when the amount of liquefied gas stored in the container decreases. The liquid of the liquefied gas X flowing out from 30 can be smoothly landed on the liquid surface. That is, regardless of the amount of liquefied gas X stored, the effect of reducing the landing sound can be properly exhibited.

  In the above-described return gas return device 17 of the present embodiment, the residual air space 6 at the time of maximum filling is provided by the return gas pipe 21 for flowing the excess liquefied gas X into the container via the return valve 13 provided at the lower part of the container. In this configuration, the check valve device 30 is held. The check valve device 30 is configured such that the liquid of the liquefied gas X flows down to the gas outlet 44 in the liquid flowing-down air space 45 that opens and closes the valve portion 42. Thereby, the liquid of the liquefied gas X does not accumulate in the liquid flow lower air space 45, and the sound and vibration generated when the liquefied gas X in the gas-liquid mixed state flows in the open state of the valve portion 42 can be suppressed. The resonance and resonance can be reduced. Further, since the liquid of the liquefied gas X flowing out from the check valve device 30 is made to land on the liquid surface through the liquid receiving member 50 through the return gas pipe 21, the landing sound is suppressed. And the resonance can be reduced. In this way, when surplus liquefied gas X that has not been used in the engine returns to the liquefied gas container 1 in a gas-liquid mixed state, the sound and vibration generated in the container can be suppressed. This reduces the noise and vibrations that enter the car. Therefore, even when the automobile is stopped, the sound and vibration generated when the excess liquefied gas X returns to the liquefied gas container 1 are less likely to resonate in the vehicle, and the person who is on board generally feels uncomfortable. You can prevent that.

  The present embodiment is characterized in that the check valve device 30 is held in the residual air space 6 and the liquid gas X liquid does not accumulate in the liquid flow lower air space 45 in the check valve device 30. . If this check valve device 30 is disposed in the liquefied gas X liquid in the container, the air space 45 under the liquid flow is filled with the liquid, so that the function and effect cannot be exhibited as described above. Further, if the device having the check valve mechanism is configured to store the liquid gas L in the region where the valve portion opens and closes, the above-described implementation is possible even if this is disposed in the residual air space 6. The same effect as the example does not occur.

  In other words, the check valve device may have another configuration of this embodiment as long as it is arranged in the residual air space 6 and the liquid of the liquefied gas X flows down in the liquid flow-down air space 45. . For example, the gas outlet of the tubular casing may be configured to open sideways at the lower part.

  In the above-described embodiment, the return gas pipe 21 and the check valve device 30 are connected via the joint member 22, but as other configurations, the return gas pipe and the check valve device are Can also be configured to be directly connected. For example, the upper end portion of the return gas pipe may be folded back, and the check valve device may be connected to the folded end portion. Or you may make it connect the upper part of the tubular housing | casing of a non-return valve apparatus to the upper end of a return gas pipe in the shape turned up.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately used within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

It is a front view of the liquefied gas container 1 of a present Example. It is FF longitudinal cross-sectional view of the liquefied gas container 1 same as the above of FIG. It is an enlarged view which shows the connection site | part of the return gas pipe | tube 21 and the non-return valve apparatus 30 of the return gas return apparatus 17 of a present Example. It is an exploded view of the check valve apparatus 30 same as the above. It is the (A) top view of the liquid receiving member 50 of the return gas return apparatus 17, (B) The side view seen from the return gas pipe side. It is explanatory drawing which shows (A) the closed state of the valve part 42, and (B) the open state of the valve part 42 of the non-return valve apparatus 30. It is the specific example of the structure which has arrange | positioned the conventional check valve apparatus p in the lower part in the container h, (A) The closed state of the valve part s, (B) Explanation which shows the open state of the valve part s FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 liquefied gas container 6 residual air space 17 return gas return device 20 return gas flow path 21 return gas pipe (holding means)
30 Check valve device 31 Tubular housing 35 Upper communication hole (communication passage)
41 Inlet 42 Valve part 43 Opening / closing spring (biasing means)
44 Gas outlet 45 Air space under liquid flow 50 Liquid receiving member X Liquefied gas

Claims (3)

Connected to the return gas flow path for returning the liquefied gas that has not been consumed by the engine into the liquefied gas container, a gas communication path communicating with the return gas flow path, and a liquid flow lower air space where the liquefied gas flowing in from the gas communication path flows down And a tubular casing provided below the liquid flow lower air space and having a gas outlet through which the liquefied gas flows out into the container,
A valve portion that is disposed in the liquid flow-down airspace of the tubular housing and opens and closes an inlet on the liquid flow-down airspace side of the gas communication path;
A check valve device comprising biasing means for biasing the valve portion in a direction to close the inlet of the gas communication path;
A return gas return device comprising: a holding means for holding the check valve device in a residual air space formed on the liquid surface in the liquefied gas container when the liquefied gas is fully filled. The holding means for holding the check valve device is:
The lower end is joined to the lower part of the liquefied gas container, and the upper end is arranged in the residual air space when the liquefied gas is fully filled, and the return gas flow path is configured in the liquefied gas container that supports the check valve device at the upper end. The return gas return device according to claim 1, further comprising a return gas pipe having a shape.   The return gas pipe is joined to the upper part of the liquid that becomes the residual air space when the liquefied gas is fully filled, and receives the liquefied gas flowing out from the gas outlet immediately below the gas outlet of the check valve device, and is placed on the side of the return gas pipe. The return gas return device according to claim 2, further comprising a liquid receiving member for transmitting the return gas.

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