JP2012202548A - Gas passage blocking device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas passage blocking device capable of blocking a gas passage with a simple structure.SOLUTION: The gas passage blocking device 22A includes a storage chamber 22a extended to the lower side in a gravity direction on the way of a gas passage, and a partition plate 22b provided hanging into the storage chamber 22a from a top face 22a1 of the storage chamber 22a. The gas passage blocking device 22A is constituted such that gas flowing from the upstream side of the gas passage flows downstream in the gas passage through the bottom part of the storage chamber 22a.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas flow path closing device capable of closing a flow path of a gas supplied to a fuel cell and a flow path of a gas discharged from the fuel cell in a fuel cell system, for example.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that secondary air generated in a secondary air flow path pipe is introduced into a three-way catalytic converter when the engine is started, and is incorporated into a secondary air supply system that promotes warm-up of the three-way catalyst. An improved fluid control valve device is disclosed.

  This fluid control valve device is provided with an electric motor, a speed reduction mechanism for reducing the rotational speed of the electric motor, and a plurality of rack teeth that mesh with a final gear in the speed reduction mechanism. A valve shaft (valve rod) that is converted into motion and displaced integrally with the valve body is provided. In this case, the electric motor is rotated forward or backward so that the final gear and the rack teeth mesh with each other, whereby the valve body is displaced integrally with the valve shaft having the rack teeth to open and close the fluid passage.

JP 2007-24242

  By the way, in the fluid control valve device disclosed in Patent Document 1, rack teeth that mesh with the gear teeth of the final gear are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the valve shaft, and the valve shaft and gear teeth that are displaced integrally with the valve body are provided. Is configured to directly mesh with each other, the valve shaft may be tilted or worn by the influence of the rotational force of the final gear.

  Further, in the fluid control valve device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the valve body that is seated on the seat portion (valve seat) and opens and closes the fluid passage is supported so as to be displaceable by only one valve shaft. When the pressure fluid flows through the space between the valve body and the valve seat, a circumferential force is applied to the valve body, and the valve shaft coupled to the valve body rotates or tilts in the circumferential direction. There is a fear. As a result, the seating of the valve body on the seating portion may become unstable.

  In view of the above circumstances, the applicant of the present application has invented an on-off valve capable of preventing the valve rod from tilting and wearing and stably seating the valve body on the seating portion (Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2009-229065, (Not disclosed at the time of filing this application).

  Such an open / close valve has a valve body in which an inlet port into which pressure fluid is introduced and an outlet port from which pressure fluid is derived is formed, and a valve rod that is displaceably provided in the valve body. The communication between the inlet port and the outlet port is blocked by sitting, and the valve body that connects the inlet port and the outlet port by separating from the seating portion, the rotational driving source, and the rotational driving force of the rotational driving source are transmitted. And a rack member that is provided with a rack tooth that meshes with the gear and converts the rotational motion of the gear into a linear motion, and is provided on the rack member. A support portion that is fixedly supported and transmits the linear motion of the rack member to the valve body, and a tilt prevention member that prevents the rack member from tilting.

  As described above, while improving the performance of the open / close valve for the fuel cell, a technique capable of closing the flow path with a simple structure is also required.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said point, and it aims at providing the gas flow-path obstruction | occlusion apparatus which can obstruct | occlude a gas flow path with a simple structure.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a storage chamber extending downward in the direction of gravity in the middle of a gas flow path, and a partition suspended from the top surface of the storage chamber to the storage chamber. And a gas flowing from the upstream side of the gas flow path is configured to flow to the downstream side of the gas flow path through the bottom of the storage chamber.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to close the gas flow path with a simple configuration by supplying liquid to the inside of the storage chamber and the liquid level exceeding the lower end of the partition plate.

  In the present invention, the gas flow path can be closed or opened with a simple configuration by including a liquid supply mechanism for supplying liquid to the storage chamber and a liquid discharge mechanism for discharging the liquid from the storage chamber. can do.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the liquid supply mechanism includes a tank that stores the liquid, a supply flow path that connects the tank and the storage chamber, and a supply control valve that opens and closes the supply flow path. The gas flow path can be closed or opened by opening and closing the supply control valve and the discharge control valve by providing the discharge flow path communicating with the storage chamber and the discharge control valve for opening and closing the discharge flow path. it can.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the gas flow path is connected to the fuel cell, and the liquid is generated water generated in the fuel cell, so that the generated water can be used effectively, and the gas flow It is possible to eliminate the need to separately prepare a liquid for closing the passage.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the gas flow path blocking device includes a gas flow path connected to the inlet of the cathode flow path of the fuel cell and a gas flow path connected to the outlet of the cathode flow path of the fuel cell, respectively. By being provided, the so-called cathode gas flow path of the fuel cell can be closed or opened with a simple configuration, and the durability of the fuel cell can be improved by sealing the cathode of the fuel cell. Can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the generated water generated in the fuel cell is stored in the tank, and when the fuel cell is stopped, the supply control valve is opened and the generated water is supplied to the storage chamber. By shutting off the gas flow path, a so-called cathode gas flow path of the fuel cell can be closed.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, when the fuel cell is started and when the temperature is 0 ° C. or lower, the discharge control valve is opened and the generated water is discharged from the storage chamber, thereby opening the so-called cathode system of the fuel cell. It is possible to supply and discharge the oxidant gas and to prevent the generated water from freezing in the storage chamber.

  According to the present invention, the gas channel can be closed with a simple structure.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fuel cell system incorporating a gas flow path blocking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a gas flow-path obstruction | occlusion apparatus, (a) is an open state, (b) is a figure which shows a obstruction | occlusion state. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a gas flow-path obstruction | occlusion apparatus, and is a figure which shows the switching state from an obstruction | occlusion state to an open state.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fuel cell system incorporating a gas flow path closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the gas flow path closing device incorporated in the fuel cell mounted on the vehicle is exemplified and described below, but is not limited thereto, for example, a ship, an aircraft, etc. Alternatively, the present invention can be applied to various gas flow path closing devices incorporated in a stationary fuel cell for business use or household use.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a fuel cell system 1 incorporating a gas flow path closing device according to this embodiment includes a fuel cell 10, an anode system (not shown), a cathode system 20, and a control device 30 (see FIG. 2 (a)). ).

<Fuel cell>
The fuel cell 10 is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC).
), And a plurality of single cells formed by sandwiching an MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) with a separator (not shown). The MEA includes an electrolyte membrane (solid polymer membrane), a cathode and an anode that sandwich the membrane. The cathode and the anode are each composed of an electrode catalyst layer in which a catalyst such as platinum is supported on a catalyst carrier such as carbon black. Each separator is formed with an anode flow path and a cathode flow path 11 including grooves and through holes.

  In such a fuel cell 10, when hydrogen (reaction gas, fuel gas) is supplied to the anode, and oxygen-containing air (reaction gas, oxidant gas) is supplied to the cathode, it is included in the anode and cathode. An electrode reaction occurs on the catalyst, and the fuel cell 10 is in a state capable of generating power.

  The fuel cell 10 is electrically connected to an external load (not shown). When a current is taken out by the external load, the fuel cell 10 generates power. The external load includes a traveling motor, a power storage device such as a battery or a capacitor, an air pump 21 described later, and the like.

<Anode system>
The anode system includes a hydrogen tank, a shut-off valve, a purge valve, piping, and the like (not shown). The hydrogen tank stores high-purity hydrogen at a high pressure, and is connected to a downstream shut-off valve via a pipe. The shut-off valve is composed of, for example, an electromagnetic valve, and is connected to the inlet of the anode flow path of the downstream fuel cell via a pipe. The purge valve is composed of, for example, an electromagnetic valve, and is connected to the outlet of the anode flow path of the upstream fuel cell via a pipe.

<Cathode system>
The cathode system 20 includes an air pump 21, an upstream gas flow path closing device 22A, a humidifier 23, a downstream gas flow path closing device 22B, a back pressure valve 24, a diluter 25, pipes (gas flow paths) c1 to c7, and the like. It is constituted by.

  The air pump 21 is, for example, a mechanical supercharger driven by a motor (not shown), compresses the taken outside air (air), and supplies the compressed air to the fuel cell 12 as an oxidant gas.

  The upstream side gas flow path closing device 22A is provided on the supply side of the oxidant gas, is connected to the upstream side air pump 21 via the pipe c1, and is connected to the downstream side humidifier 23 via the pipe c2. Connected with.

  The humidifier 23 humidifies the air supplied from the air pump 21 using the oxidant gas discharged from the fuel cell 12, and is connected to the inlet of the cathode channel 11 of the fuel cell 10 via the pipe c3. In addition to being connected, it is connected to the outlet of the cathode channel 11 of the fuel cell 10 via the pipe c4.

  The downstream gas flow path closing device 22B is provided on the oxidant gas discharge side, is connected to the outlet of the upstream humidifier 23 via the pipe c5, and is connected to the downstream back pressure valve via the pipe c6. 24 inlets are connected.

  The back pressure valve 24 has a function of adjusting the pressure of the cathode of the fuel cell 10 and is configured by a butterfly valve (normally open type) or the like capable of adjusting the valve opening degree. And connected to the outlet of the upstream side gas flow path closing device 22B and to the inlet of the downstream diluter 25 via the pipe c7.

  The diluter 25 dilutes the hydrogen gas discharged from the fuel cell 10 with the oxidant gas discharged from the fuel cell 10, and is connected to the outlet of the upstream back pressure valve 24 via the pipe c7. And connected to the outlet of the anode flow path of the fuel cell 10 via the pipe b1. That is, the diluter 25 is part of the cathode system 20 and part of the anode system. The hydrogen gas diluted in the diluter 25 is exhausted to the outside.

  The diluter 25 is also a tank in which the generated water generated in the fuel cell 10 is stored. The generated water is drained when the generated water in the anode flow path of the fuel cell 10 is discharged to the diluter 25 via the pipe b1, and the hydrogen gas remaining in the anode flow path of the fuel cell 10 is piped together with the generated water. At the time of hydrogen purge purged to the diluter 25 via b1, the fuel cell 10 is supplied to the diluter 25 from the anode flow path and stored. Of the moisture contained in the oxidant gas discharged from the cathode channel 11 of the fuel cell 10, the moisture that has not been used for humidification in the humidifier 23 is also supplied to the diluter 25 and stored as generated water. .

≪Gas flow path blocker≫
Since the gas flow path closing devices 22A and 22B according to the embodiment of the present invention have the same configuration, the configuration of the gas flow path closing device 22A will be described in detail below, and the description of the gas flow path closing device 22B will be omitted. To do.

  Fig.2 (a) is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the gas flow-path obstruction | occlusion apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. As shown in FIG. 2A, the gas flow path closing device 22 includes a storage chamber 22a and a partition plate 22b, a liquid supply mechanism including a tank 22c, a supply flow path 22d, and a supply control valve 22e, and a discharge flow. A liquid discharge mechanism including a passage 22f and a discharge control valve 22g.

≪Storage chamber and partition plate≫
The storage chamber 22a extends downward in the gravitational direction between the pipes c1 and c2 arranged in a substantially horizontal direction.

  The partition plate (also referred to as a blocking plate) 22b is suspended inside the storage chamber 22a from the lower surface of the top surface 22a1 of the storage chamber 22a. The upper end of the partition plate 22b is airtightly attached to the top surface 22a of the storage chamber 22a, and both side ends of the partition plate 22b are airtightly attached to the side surface of the storage chamber 22a. The lower end of the partition plate 22b is located below the lower ends of the pipes c1 and c2, and a gap is provided between the lower end of the partition plate 22b and the bottom surface 22a2 of the storage chamber 22a. The gas flowing from the pipe c1 into the storage chamber 22a is configured to flow to the pipe c2 through the bottom of the storage chamber 22a.

≪Liquid supply mechanism≫
The liquid supply mechanism supplies the liquid L to the storage chamber 22a, and includes a tank 22c, a supply flow path 22d, and a supply control valve 22e. The tank 22c is provided above the storage chamber 22a in the gravity direction, and the liquid L is stored therein. The supply flow path 22d is a pipe that communicates the bottom of the tank 22c with the top of the storage chamber 22a. An opening on the storage chamber 22a side of the supply flow path 22d is formed in the vicinity of the partition plate 22b on the top surface 22a1 of the storage chamber 22a. The supply control valve 22e is a normally closed electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the supply flow path 22d. In the present embodiment, the diluter 25 described above is used as the tank 22c, and the generated water of the fuel cell 10 is used as the liquid L.

≪Liquid discharge mechanism≫
The liquid discharge mechanism discharges the liquid L from the storage chamber 22a, and includes a discharge flow path 22f and a discharge control valve 22g. The discharge flow path 22f is a pipe that communicates with the bottom of the storage chamber 22a. The discharge control valve 22g is a normally closed electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the discharge flow path 22f.

<Control device>
The control device 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), an input / output circuit, and the like, and controls driving of the supply control valve 22e and the discharge control valve 22g. To do.

<Operation example>
Subsequently, an operation example of the gas flow path closing device 22A will be described with reference to FIGS. As an initial state, the fuel cell 10 is in operation, and as shown in FIG. 2A, the supply control valve 22e and the discharge control valve 22g are both closed, and the liquid L exists in the storage chamber 22a. Shall not.

≪Blocking operation≫
When the fuel cell 10 stops, the control device 30 opens the supply control valve 22e for a first predetermined time and then closes the valve. Here, for the first predetermined time, the water level of the liquid (product water) L in the storage chamber 22a exceeds the lower end of the partition plate 22b, and the liquid L in the storage chamber 22a does not flow into the pipes c1 and c2. The time is set. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2B, a predetermined amount of the liquid L is supplied from the tank 22c into the storage chamber 22a via the supply flow path 22d. The liquid L supplied into the storage chamber 22a falls along the surface of the partition plate 22b and is stored at the bottom of the storage chamber 22a. In a state where the supply of the liquid L is completed, the lower end of the partition plate 22b is immersed in the liquid L. Therefore, the gas flow path is closed, and the flow of the oxidant gas from the pipe c1 to the pipe c2 is blocked. This prevents the supply of oxidant gas to the fuel cell 10 in the gas flow path closing device 22A with a simple configuration and prevents discharge of the oxidant gas from the fuel cell 10 in the gas flow path closing device 22B. it can.

≪Opening action≫
Subsequently, when the fuel cell 10 is started, the control device 30 opens the discharge control valve 22g for a second predetermined time, and then closes the valve. Here, the second predetermined time is set to a time sufficient for the liquid L upstream of the discharge control valve 22g in the storage chamber 22a and the discharge flow path 22f to be discharged. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3, the liquid L in the storage chamber 22a is discharged to the outside through the discharge flow path 22f, and as shown in FIG. 2A, the liquid L in the storage chamber 22a and the discharge flow path 22f. The liquid L does not exist upstream of the discharge control valve 22g. In this state, the gas flow path is opened, and the flow of the oxidant gas from the pipe c1 to the pipe c2 is allowed. Thereby, it is possible to supply the oxidant gas to the fuel cell 10 in the gas flow path closing device 22A with a simple configuration, and it is possible to discharge the oxidant gas from the fuel cell 10 in the gas flow blockage device 22B. Become.

  Even when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 40 that detects the outside air temperature is 0 ° C. or less, the control device 30 opens the discharge control valve 22g for a second predetermined time and then closes it. Thereby, it can prevent that the liquid (product water) L freezes in the storage chamber 22a.

  The gas flow path closing devices 22A and 22B according to the embodiment of the present invention can close the gas flow path with a simple configuration. Further, since the gas flow path closing devices 22A and 22B do not use a motor-driven poppet valve, the fuel cell system 1 can be reduced in weight and cost. Further, the gas flow path closing devices 22A and 22B can improve the durability of the fuel cell 10 by sealing the cathode of the fuel cell 10. Further, since the gas flow path closing devices 22A and 22B move the liquid L using the height difference, a pump or the like for moving the liquid L is unnecessary. Further, the gas flow path closing devices 22A and 22B can effectively utilize the generated water generated in the fuel cell 10, and it is not necessary to separately prepare the liquid L for closing the gas flow path. Further, the gas flow path closing devices 22A and 22B can prevent the generated water from freezing in the storage chamber 22a.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described in detail, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A design change is possible suitably in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, the discharge control valve 22g may be a normally open type electromagnetic valve. Further, the partition plate 22b is not limited to the above-described one, and upper and lower ends and both side ends thereof are airtightly attached to the storage chamber 22a, and the partition plate 22b is connected to the storage chamber 22a of the pipes c1 and c2 (or pipes c5 and c6). The structure in which the hole is formed below the inner surface lower end of the connecting portion may be used. In this case, the gas flow path is closed by supplying the liquid L into the storage chamber 22a and closing the hole.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Fuel cell 11 Cathode flow path 22A, 22B Gas flow path blocker 22a Reservoir chamber 22b Partition plate 22c Tank 22d Supply flow path 22e Supply control valve 22f Discharge flow path 22g Discharge control valve c1, c2 Piping (gas flow path) L Liquid (Generated water)

Claims (7)

In the middle of the gas flow path, a storage chamber extended downward in the direction of gravity,
A partition plate suspended from the top surface of the storage chamber to the inside of the storage chamber,
The gas flow path closing device is configured such that the gas flowing from the upstream side of the gas flow path flows to the downstream side of the gas flow path through the bottom of the storage chamber. A liquid supply mechanism for supplying liquid to the storage chamber;
A liquid discharge mechanism for discharging the liquid from the storage chamber;
The gas flow path closing device according to claim 1, comprising: The liquid supply mechanism is
A tank in which the liquid is stored;
A supply flow path for communicating the tank and the storage chamber;
A supply control valve for opening and closing the supply flow path;
With
The liquid discharge mechanism is
A discharge channel communicating with the storage chamber;
A discharge control valve for opening and closing the discharge flow path;
The gas flow path closing device according to claim 2, comprising: The gas flow path is connected to a fuel cell;
The gas flow path blocking device according to claim 3, wherein the liquid is generated water generated in the fuel cell. The gas channel connected to the inlet of the cathode channel of the fuel cell and the gas channel connected to the outlet of the cathode channel of the fuel cell, respectively. The gas flow path closing device according to claim 4. The generated water generated in the fuel cell is stored in the tank,
6. The gas according to claim 5, wherein when the fuel cell is stopped, the gas flow path is blocked by opening the supply control valve and supplying the generated water to the storage chamber. Channel blocker. The gas flow path closing device according to claim 5, wherein the discharge control valve is opened and the generated water is discharged from the storage chamber when the fuel cell is started and when the temperature is 0 ° C or lower. .

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