JP2020007941A - Fluid energy conversion device - Google Patents

Abstract

To obtain a fluid energy conversion device which can inhibit a substance different from a first fluid from being mixed with the first fluid.SOLUTION: A fluid energy conversion device 10 includes cylinders 16A, 16B. When hydrogen gas 40 is supplied to the cylinders 16A, 16B, a liquid 42 in the cylinders 16A, 16B is pressed by the hydrogen gas 40 to flow. The liquid 42 flowing in this way rotates a turbine 56. Here, the hydrogen gas 40 does not pass through the turbine 56. Thus, lubricant etc. of the turbine 56 is inhibited from mixing with the hydrogen gas 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid energy conversion device that converts fluid energy into another energy.

  In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, high-pressure hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell stack is supplied to the expander. High-pressure hydrogen is decompressed and expanded by an expander. As described above, in the expander, a mechanical drive portion configuring the expander is driven by at least a part of the internal energy generated when the high-pressure hydrogen is expanded. As a result, at least a part of the internal energy is converted into a mechanical rotational force which is an aspect of another energy different from the internal energy. The blower, which is one mode of the energy utilization device, is driven by the rotational force.

  By the way, as described above, the expander has a mechanical drive portion, and a material different from high-pressure hydrogen, such as a lubricant for smoothly driving the drive portion, is provided in such a drive portion. May have been applied.

JP 2003-217641 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to obtain a fluid energy conversion device that can prevent a substance different from the first fluid from being mixed into the first fluid.

  The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure transmission unit is capable of discharging the first fluid supplied from the first fluid supply unit to the outside from the first fluid discharge unit, and at least a part of the pressure transmission unit. A part of the pressure transmitting portion is capable of being discharged to the outside from a second fluid discharging portion of the pressure transmitting portion by transmitting the pressure of the first fluid supplied to the inside of the pressure transmitting portion; A second fluid that supplies pressure to the first fluid by being supplied from the second fluid supply unit of the unit to the inside of the pressure transmitting unit, and an energy of the second fluid that flows when the second fluid flows. And an energy conversion means for converting the energy into energy.

  According to the conversion unit of the fluid energy conversion device of the first aspect, the first fluid is supplied from the first fluid supply unit to the pressure transmission unit, and the first fluid supplied to the pressure transmission unit is the first fluid. It is discharged from one fluid discharge part to the outside of the pressure transmitting part. The pressure of the first fluid released from the first fluid discharge unit by opening and closing the first fluid supply unit and the first fluid discharge unit of the pressure transmission unit is such that the first fluid is supplied from the first supply unit into the pressure transmission unit. The pressure is changed to a value different from the pressure of the first fluid.

  Further, as described above, when the pressure of the first fluid in the pressure transmitting unit changes in accordance with the supply of the first fluid to the pressure transmitting unit and the release of the first fluid from the pressure transmitting unit, the pressure of the first fluid is reduced. Accordingly, the second fluid in the pressure transmitting unit is moved, and a part of the energy of the first fluid is used for moving (pressing) the second fluid. Thereby, the second fluid is discharged from the second fluid discharge unit to the outside of the pressure transmission unit, and the second fluid is supplied from the second fluid supply unit to the inside of the pressure transmission unit. The second fluid thus moved flows through the energy conversion means, and the energy of the second fluid (more specifically, the energy of the first fluid subjected to the movement of the second fluid) is converted into another energy by the energy conversion means. Converted to energy.

  As described above, in the present fluid energy conversion device, since the second fluid flows through the energy conversion unit, the flow of the first fluid to the energy conversion unit can be suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a substance different from the first fluid provided in the energy conversion unit from being mixed into the first fluid.

  The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 2 is the fluid energy conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit includes a pair of the pressure transmission units and a second fluid discharge of one of the pair of pressure transmission units. Unit and the second fluid supply of the other pressure transmitting unit, and the second fluid can be moved to the other pressure transmitting unit by the pressure of the first fluid supplied to the one pressure transmitting unit. The first communication flow path, the second fluid discharge part of the pair of pressure transmission parts, and the second fluid supply of one of the pressure transmission parts, and are supplied to the other pressure transmission part. A second communication flow path that allows the second fluid to move to one of the pressure transmitting units by the pressure of the first fluid, wherein the energy conversion unit is configured to transfer the second fluid from the one pressure transmitting unit to the pressure transmitting unit. The other pressure through the first communication channel Converting the energy of the second fluid flowing through the second communication channel from the second fluid and the other of the pressure transmitting portion flows to reach part to one of the pressure transmitting portion to the other energy.

  According to the conversion unit of the fluid energy conversion device according to the second aspect, the first fluid is supplied to the other pressure transmission unit while the first fluid is supplied to one of the pair of pressure transmission units. And the volume of the first fluid is changed in the other pressure transmitting unit, and the second fluid in the other pressure transmitting unit flows through the second communication flow path by the pressure of the first fluid supplied to the other pressure transmitting unit. Flows. When the second fluid flows through the second communication flow path, the energy of the second fluid is converted into another energy by the energy conversion means provided at the intermediate portion of the second communication flow path.

  Further, when the second fluid flowing through the second communication flow path is moved to the one pressure transmitting unit, the volume of the first fluid in the one pressure transmitting unit changes, or in this state, the one pressure transmitting unit When the first fluid discharge part of the part is opened, the first fluid is discharged from one of the pressure transmitting parts.

  On the other hand, when the first fluid is supplied to one of the pressure transmitting portions while the first fluid is supplied to the other of the pair of pressure transmitting portions, the volume of the first fluid in the one pressure transmitting portion is reduced. Is changed, and the pressure of the first fluid supplied to the one pressure transmitting unit causes the second fluid in the one pressure transmitting unit to flow through the first communication flow path. When the second fluid flows through the first communication flow path, the energy of the second fluid is converted into another energy by the energy conversion means provided at an intermediate portion of the first communication flow path.

  Further, when the second fluid flowing through the first communication flow path is moved to the other pressure transmitting unit, the volume of the first fluid in the other pressure transmitting unit is changed, or in this state, the other pressure transmitting unit When the first fluid discharge part of the part is opened, the first fluid is discharged from the other pressure transmitting part.

  For this reason, the first fluid is supplied to one pressure transmitting unit, the first fluid is discharged from the other pressure transmitting unit, the first fluid is supplied to the other pressure transmitting unit, and the first fluid is supplied to the other pressure transmitting unit. By periodically repeating the discharge of one fluid, the energy of the second fluid can be efficiently converted to another energy by the energy conversion means.

  The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 3 is the fluid energy conversion device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first fluid is a gas, and the second fluid is a liquid.

  In the fluid energy conversion device according to the third aspect, the first fluid is a gas and the second fluid is a liquid. It is possible to prevent the second fluid from being mixed with the first fluid and being discharged from the first fluid discharge unit of the pressure conversion unit.

  A fluid energy conversion device according to a fourth aspect is the fluid energy conversion device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the energy conversion unit is rotated by a flow of the second fluid. And a rotating device that outputs a rotating force of the rotating unit as the other energy.

  In the fluid energy conversion device according to the fourth aspect, when the second fluid is moved by the pressure of the first fluid, the rotating part of the rotation device as the energy conversion means is rotated by the flow of the second fluid, and In this case, the rotational force of the rotating unit is output as other energy. For this reason, the rotating force output from the rotating device can be used as a driving force for another rotating device.

  A fluid energy conversion device according to a fifth aspect is the fluid energy conversion device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein each of the first fluid supply unit and the first fluid discharge unit is opened and closed. Control means for controlling the physical timing of the first fluid supplied to the pressure transmitting section and the physical quantity of the first fluid discharged from the pressure transmitting section by controlling the timing of the first fluid.

  In the fluid energy conversion device according to the fifth aspect, the opening / closing timing of each of the first fluid supply unit and the first fluid discharge unit of the pressure transmission unit is controlled by the control unit, whereby the pressure is released from the pressure transmission unit. The physical quantity of the first fluid is adjusted. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a configuration only for adjusting the physical quantity of the first fluid discharged from the pressure transmitting unit.

  The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 6 is the fluid energy conversion device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is configured to perform the control based on a pressure or a volume of the first fluid supplied to the pressure transmitting unit. The opening and closing timing of each of the first fluid supply unit and the first fluid discharge unit is controlled to control the pressure of the first fluid discharged from the pressure transmission unit.

  According to the fluid energy conversion device of claim 6, the opening and closing timing of each of the first fluid supply unit and the first fluid discharge unit is controlled based on the pressure or volume of the first fluid supplied to the pressure transmission unit. , Whereby the pressure of the first fluid discharged from the pressure transmitting unit is controlled. Thus, the pressure of the first fluid can be set to a predetermined value by the conversion unit.

  The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 7 is the fluid energy conversion device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is configured to perform the control based on a pressure or a volume of the first fluid supplied to the pressure transmitting unit. The opening and closing timing of each of the first fluid supply unit and the first fluid discharge unit is controlled to control at least one of the flow rate and the temperature of the first fluid discharged from the pressure transmission unit.

  According to the fluid energy converter of claim 7, the opening and closing timing of each of the first fluid supply unit and the first fluid discharge unit is controlled based on the pressure or volume of the first fluid supplied to the pressure transmission unit. , Whereby at least one of the flow rate and the temperature of the first fluid discharged from the pressure transmitting unit is controlled. As described above, at least one of the flow rate and the temperature of the first fluid can be set to a predetermined size by the conversion unit.

  The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 8 is the fluid energy conversion device according to claim 7, wherein the pressure of the first fluid discharged from the first fluid discharge unit is reduced to a predetermined pressure, and the pressure is reduced when the pressure is reduced. There is provided a pressure reducing means for suppressing at least one of a temperature change and a flow rate change of the first fluid.

  In the fluid energy conversion device according to the eighth aspect, the first fluid discharged from the first fluid discharge unit of the pressure transmitting unit is reduced in pressure to a predetermined pressure by the pressure reducing unit. Here, in the pressure reducing means, at least one of a temperature change and a flow rate change when the first fluid is depressurized is suppressed. Accordingly, the first fluid can be set to the predetermined pressure while suppressing at least one of the temperature and the flow rate of the first fluid discharged from the first fluid discharge unit of the pressure transmitting unit.

  The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 9 is the fluid energy conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is connected to the first fluid discharge unit and discharged from the first fluid discharge unit. The first fluid provided is provided, and a fluid utilization device that utilizes the first fluid is provided.

  According to the fluid energy conversion device of the ninth aspect, the first fluid discharge unit of the conversion unit is directly or indirectly connected to the fluid utilization device. The first fluid discharged from the part is used. As described above, when the first fluid is supplied to the fluid utilization device, the energy of the first fluid can be converted to other energy, and the other energy can be used.

  The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 10 is the fluid energy conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first fluid is supplied to the conversion unit when the first fluid is supplied to the conversion unit. The internal energy of one fluid is increased.

  According to the fluid energy conversion device of the tenth aspect, when the first fluid is supplied to the conversion unit, the internal energy of the first fluid is increased. Thereby, when the first fluid is supplied to the conversion unit, at least one of the pressure and the volume of the first fluid is increased. As described above, by increasing at least one of the pressure and the volume of the first fluid supplied to the pressure transmission unit of the conversion unit, the second fluid in the pressure transmission unit of the conversion unit can be efficiently moved, The energy of the second fluid can be efficiently converted to another energy.

  The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 11 is the fluid energy conversion device according to claim 10, wherein the fluid energy conversion device is connected to the first fluid supply unit of the conversion unit, and is provided between the first fluid and a heat exchange target. Heat exchange means for increasing the internal energy of the first fluid by exchanging heat is provided.

  In the fluid energy conversion device according to the eleventh aspect, the heat exchange unit is connected to the first fluid supply unit of the conversion unit, and the heat exchange unit exchanges heat between the first fluid and the heat exchange target. Thus, the first fluid having the increased internal energy can be supplied to the conversion unit.

  The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 12 is the fluid energy conversion device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the fluid energy conversion devices are adjacent to each other in a flow direction of the first fluid and in a flow direction of the first fluid. A plurality of the conversion units in which the first fluid discharge unit of the upstream conversion unit is directly or indirectly connected to the first fluid supply unit of the downstream conversion unit in the flow direction of the first fluid; And the internal energy of the first fluid is increased when the first fluid flowing through the first fluid discharge unit of the upstream conversion unit is supplied to the downstream conversion unit.

  The fluid energy conversion device according to the twelfth aspect has a plurality of conversion units adjacent to each other in the direction of the flow of the first fluid. Among these conversion units, the first fluid discharge part of the upstream conversion unit (hereinafter simply referred to as “upstream conversion unit”) in the direction of the flow of the first fluid has the downstream side in the direction of the flow of the first fluid. Is directly or indirectly connected to the first fluid supply unit of the downstream conversion unit (hereinafter, simply referred to as “downstream conversion unit”). Therefore, the first fluid discharged from the upstream conversion unit flows through the first fluid discharge unit of the upstream conversion unit and the first fluid supply unit of the downstream conversion unit, and is supplied to the downstream conversion unit. You.

  By the way, the internal energy of the first fluid is reduced by being provided to the movement of the second fluid in the upstream conversion unit (that is, converted into the kinetic energy of the second fluid). Here, the internal energy of the first fluid that has passed through the upstream conversion unit flows through the first fluid discharge unit of the upstream conversion unit and the first fluid supply unit of the downstream conversion unit, and is converted into the downstream conversion unit. Increased when supplied to the unit. Thus, when the first fluid is supplied to the downstream conversion unit, at least one of the pressure and the volume of the first fluid is increased.

  As described above, by increasing at least one of the pressure and the volume of the first fluid supplied to the pressure transmission unit of the downstream conversion unit, the second fluid in the pressure transmission unit of the downstream conversion unit can be efficiently used. The energy of the second fluid can be efficiently converted to another energy.

  The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 13 is the fluid energy conversion device according to claim 12, wherein the fluid energy conversion device flows through the first fluid supply unit of one of the upstream conversion unit and the downstream conversion unit. When the temperature of the first fluid is higher than the temperature of the first fluid flowing through the other first fluid supply unit, the expansion ratio of the first fluid on the one side is the expansion ratio of the first fluid on the other side. The opening and closing of the first fluid supply unit and the first fluid discharge unit of both the upstream conversion unit and the downstream conversion unit are controlled so as to be higher.

  In the fluid energy conversion device according to the thirteenth aspect, the temperature of the first fluid flowing through the first fluid supply unit of the upstream conversion unit is higher than the temperature of the first fluid flowing through the first fluid supply unit of the downstream conversion unit. Is higher, the expansion ratio of the first fluid in the upstream conversion unit is higher than the expansion ratio of the first fluid in the downstream conversion unit. Opening and closing of each of the first fluid supply unit and the first fluid discharge unit of the conversion unit is controlled.

  On the other hand, when the temperature of the first fluid flowing through the first fluid supply unit of the upstream conversion unit is lower than the temperature of the first fluid flowing through the first fluid supply unit of the downstream conversion unit, The first fluid supply unit and the second fluid supply unit of both the upstream conversion unit and the downstream conversion unit so that the expansion ratio of the first fluid in the conversion unit is lower than the expansion ratio of the first fluid in the downstream conversion unit. Opening and closing of one fluid discharge part is controlled.

  By controlling the opening and closing of the first fluid supply unit and the first fluid discharge unit of each conversion unit as described above, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the total energy conversion efficiency of the energy conversion unit of each conversion unit.

  The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 14 is the fluid energy conversion device according to claim 12, wherein the fluid energy conversion devices are connected in series in the flow direction of the first fluid, and are adjacent to each other in the flow direction of the first fluid. The conversion unit includes three or more conversion units in which the first fluid discharge unit of the conversion unit on the upstream side is directly or indirectly connected to the first fluid supply unit of the conversion unit on the downstream side. The most upstream conversion unit disposed on the most upstream side of the flow direction of the first fluid, and the most downstream conversion unit disposed on the most downstream side of the flow direction of the first fluid. When the temperature of the first fluid flowing through one of the first fluid supply units is higher than the temperature of the first fluid flowing through the other first fluid supply unit, Expansion of the fluid opening and closing of each of each of the first fluid supply unit and the first fluid discharge portion of the conversion unit to the comprised stepwise increases to the other side from the one side of which is controlled.

  The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 14 has three or more conversion units. These conversion units are connected in series with the direction of the first fluid flow. Also, among the conversion units adjacent to each other in the direction of the flow of the first fluid, the first fluid discharge unit of the upstream conversion unit is directly or indirectly connected to the first fluid supply unit of the downstream conversion unit. Is done.

  Here, in the fluid energy conversion device, the temperature of the first fluid flowing through the first fluid supply unit of the most upstream conversion unit disposed on the most upstream side in the direction of the flow of the first fluid is determined by the flow of the first fluid. When the temperature of the first fluid flowing through the first fluid supply unit of the most downstream conversion unit disposed at the most downstream side in the direction of the first fluid is higher than the temperature of the first fluid, the expansion rate of the first fluid in each conversion unit is the most upstream side. The opening and closing of each of the first fluid supply unit and the first fluid discharge unit of each conversion unit is controlled so that the size of the first fluid supply unit and the first fluid discharge unit of each conversion unit gradually increases from the first conversion unit to the lowest conversion unit.

  On the other hand, when the temperature of the first fluid flowing through the first fluid supply unit of the most upstream conversion unit is lower than the temperature of the first fluid flowing through the first fluid supply unit of the most downstream conversion unit, , The first fluid supply unit and the first fluid discharge unit of each conversion unit such that the expansion coefficient of the first fluid in each of the conversion units gradually decreases from the most upstream conversion unit to the most downstream conversion unit. Each opening and closing is controlled.

  By controlling the opening and closing of the first fluid supply unit and the first fluid discharge unit of each conversion unit as described above, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the total energy conversion efficiency of the energy conversion unit of each conversion unit.

  As described above, in the fluid energy conversion device according to the first aspect, it is possible to prevent a substance different from the first fluid from being mixed into the first fluid.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a hydrogen gas and a liquid showing a configuration of a conversion unit of the fluid energy conversion device according to the first embodiment. 1 is a circuit diagram of hydrogen gas showing a configuration of a fuel cell device to which a fluid energy conversion device according to a first embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of control of opening and closing of an injector and a solenoid valve constituting a conversion unit of the fluid energy conversion device according to the first embodiment. 3 is a timing chart of opening and closing of an injector and a solenoid valve that constitute a conversion unit of the fluid energy conversion device according to the first embodiment. 5 is a timing chart showing changes in the volume and pressure of each cylinder constituting the conversion unit of the fluid energy conversion device according to the first embodiment, and changes in the output from the generator. 3 is a flowchart of a main routine of control of opening and closing of an injector and a solenoid valve constituting a conversion unit of the fluid energy conversion device according to the first embodiment. (A) is a flowchart of a subroutine of a stroke 1 of the opening and closing control of the injector and the solenoid valve, and (B) is a flowchart of a subroutine of the stroke 2. (A) is a flowchart of a subroutine of a stroke 3 of the opening and closing control of the injector and the solenoid valve, and (B) is a flowchart of a subroutine of the stroke 4. It is a circuit diagram of hydrogen gas which shows the composition of the cooling device to which the fluid energy converter concerning a 2nd embodiment was applied. It is a circuit diagram of hydrogen gas showing the composition of the fuel cell device to which the fluid energy converter concerning a 3rd embodiment was applied. It is a circuit diagram of hydrogen gas showing the composition of the fuel cell device to which the fluid energy converter concerning a 4th embodiment was applied. It is a circuit diagram of hydrogen gas showing the composition of the fuel cell device to which the fluid energy converter concerning a 5th embodiment was applied. It is a graph which shows the relation between volume and pressure of hydrogen gas in the fluid energy converter concerning a 5th embodiment. It is a circuit diagram of hydrogen gas and a liquid showing a modification of a conversion unit.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described. In describing each of the following embodiments, portions that are basically the same as those of the above-described embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and will be described in detail. Omitted. Also, among the following embodiments, the first, third, fourth, and fifth embodiments use the fluid application mounted on a vehicle. The second embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a fuel cell system 14 as a device, and the second embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a cooling device 84 as a fluid utilization device for a building such as a house or a factory. In the drawing, there is basically no relationship between each direction such as the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the paper, and each direction based on the vehicle or the building such as the vertical direction, the front and rear direction, and the horizontal direction of the vehicle and the building.

<Configuration of First Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell system 14 according to the first embodiment includes a fluid energy conversion device 10, and the fluid energy conversion device 10 includes a conversion unit 12. The conversion unit 12 includes a pair of cylinders 16A and 16B each serving as a pressure transmitting unit. These cylinders 16A, 16B are formed in a cylindrical shape with both ends on the up-down direction closed and fuel gas supply ports 18A, 18B as first fluid supply units are provided on upper portions of the cylinders 16A, 16B. And fuel gas discharge ports 20A and 20B as first fluid discharge portions.

  The fuel gas supply ports 18A, 18B of these cylinders 16A, 16B are provided with injectors 22A, 22B, and these injectors 22A, 22B constitute a fuel gas flow path 24 as a first fluid flow path. A first gas flow path 26 is connected. The other end of the first gas flow path 26 is bifurcated from the intermediate portion, and the other end of the first gas flow path 26 is connected to the injector 22A of the cylinder 16A. The other end of the passage 26 is connected to the injector 22B of the cylinder 16B.

  As shown in FIG. 3, these injectors 22A and 22B are electrically connected directly or indirectly to the control device 28, and the injector control signal Ias output from the control device 28 is changed from the Low level to the High level. , The injector 22A is opened. In this state, the hydrogen gas 40 flowing to the injector 22A through the first gas flow path 26 is injected from the injector 22A into the cylinder 16A. When the injector control signal Ias output from the control device 28 switches from the High level to the Low level, the injector 22A is closed. Injection of hydrogen gas 40 from injector 22A into cylinder 16A is suppressed.

  On the other hand, when the injector control signal Ibs output from the control device 28 switches from the Low level to the High level, the injector 22B is opened. In this state, the hydrogen gas 40 flowing to the injector 22B through the first gas flow path 26 is injected from the injector 22B into the cylinder 16B. When the injector control signal Ibs output from the control device 28 switches from the High level to the Low level, the injector 22B is closed. Injection of hydrogen gas 40 from injector 22B into cylinder 16B is suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, one end of the first gas flow path 26 is connected to a base of the tank 30. Hydrogen gas 40 as a first fluid or fuel gas is stored in the tank 30 in a high pressure state, and the hydrogen gas 40 discharged from the base of the tank 30 flows through the first gas flow path 26. Can be. As shown in FIG. 1, a pressure gauge 32 as a physical quantity measuring device is connected between one end of the first gas flow path 26 and the above-mentioned branch portion on the other end side of the first gas flow path 26. Have been. The pressure gauge 32 detects the pressure (primary pressure) of the hydrogen gas 40 discharged from the tank 30 and flowing through the first gas flow path 26, which is one mode of the measured value of the physical quantity.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the pressure gauge 32 is electrically connected directly or indirectly to the control device 28. Further, the pressure gauge 32 outputs a pressure detection signal Pms which is one mode of the measurement value signal Ms corresponding to the magnitude of the measurement value of the physical quantity. The pressure detection signal Pms has a level (for example, voltage) corresponding to the pressure (primary pressure) of the hydrogen gas 40 discharged from the tank 30 and flowing through the first gas flow path 26. The signal Pms is input to the control device 28.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a second gas flow path 34 constituting the fuel gas flow path 24 is connected to the fuel gas discharge ports 20A and 20B of the cylinders 16A and 16B described above. One end of the second gas flow path 34 from the intermediate portion is branched into two branches, and one end of the second gas flow path 34 is connected to the fuel gas discharge port 20A of the cylinder 16A. The other end of the passage 34 is connected to the fuel gas discharge port 20B of the cylinder 16B. An electromagnetic valve 36A is provided between one end of the second gas flow path 34 and a branch portion on one end side of the second gas flow path 34, and is connected to the other end of the second gas flow path 34. An electromagnetic valve 36B is provided between the second gas flow path 34 and a branch portion on one end side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, these solenoid valves 36A and 36B are electrically connected directly or indirectly to the control device 28, and the valve control signal Vas output from the control device 28 is changed from the Low level to the High level. When the level is switched to the level, the valve element of the solenoid valve 36A is moved in the opening direction. As a result, the space between one end of the second gas flow path 34 and the branch portion on one end side of the second gas flow path 34 is opened. When the valve control signal Vas output from the control device 28 switches from the High level to the Low level, the valve body of the solenoid valve 36A is moved in the closing direction. As a result, the space between one end of the second gas flow path 34 and the branch portion on one end side of the second gas flow path 34 is closed.

  Further, when the valve control signal Vbs output from the control device 28 switches from the Low level to the High level, the valve body of the solenoid valve 36B is moved in the opening direction. As a result, the space between the other end of the second gas flow path 34 and the branch portion on one end side of the second gas flow path 34 is opened. When the valve control signal Vbs output from the control device 28 switches from the high level to the low level, the valve body of the solenoid valve 36B is moved in the closing direction. As a result, the space between the other end of the second gas flow path 34 and the branch portion on one end side of the second gas flow path 34 is closed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the other end of the second gas flow path 34 is connected to a fuel gas supply port of the fuel cell stack 38 of the fuel cell system 14, and the hydrogen gas flowing through the second gas flow path 34 40 is supplied to the fuel cell stack 38. The fuel cell stack 38 has a plurality of cells. Hydrogen gas 40 flows between the positive electrode (anode, fuel electrode) of the cell and the separator on the positive electrode side, and air containing oxygen as an oxidant flows between the negative electrode (cathode, air electrode) of the cell and the separator on the negative electrode side. Flowing through the cell causes an electrochemical reaction, thereby generating electricity.

  The fuel cell stack 38 is electrically connected to a vehicle driving motor as a driving device via a driving driver mounted on a vehicle (not shown), and electric power is supplied from the fuel cell stack 38 to the vehicle driving motor. This drives the vehicle drive motor. The output shaft of the vehicle drive motor is mechanically connected to the drive wheels of the vehicle, and the vehicle can run by transmitting the drive force of the vehicle drive motor to the drive wheels.

  On the other hand, a liquid 42 as a second fluid is contained in the cylinders 16A and 16B. The liquid 42 is made of, for example, ethylene glycol, water, or the like. However, the type and components of the liquid 42 are not particularly limited. However, it is preferable that the saturated vapor pressure of the liquid 42 is high and the volatility is low, and the freezing point of the liquid 42 is low and the liquid 42 is preferably hard to freeze. Furthermore, when the liquid 42 volatilizes, it is preferable that the component of the volatilized liquid 42 does not easily affect the electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen gas 40 and the air in the cells of the fuel cell stack 38. Further, it is preferable that the volume change of the liquid 42 with respect to the compressive load is small.

  The bottom wall of the cylinder 16A is provided with a liquid discharge port 44A as a second fluid discharge unit and a liquid supply port 46A as a second fluid supply unit. The bottom wall of the cylinder 16B has A liquid discharge port 44B as a second fluid discharge unit and a liquid supply port 46B as a second fluid supply unit are provided.

  One end of a first liquid flow path 50A constituting a first communication flow path 48A is connected to the liquid discharge port 44A of the cylinder 16A, and the liquid 42 discharged from the liquid discharge port 44A of the cylinder 16A The liquid can flow through the liquid flow path 50A. A first check valve 52A is provided at an intermediate portion of the first liquid flow path 50A. The first check valve 52A allows the liquid 42 to flow from the other end side to the one end side (that is, the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow LA in FIG. 1) from the first check valve 52A in the first liquid flow path 50A. Has been suppressed.

  On the other hand, one end of a first liquid flow path 50B constituting the second communication flow path 48B is connected to the liquid discharge port 44B of the cylinder 16B, and the liquid 42 discharged from the liquid discharge port 44B of the cylinder 16B is The first liquid flow path 50B can flow. A first check valve 52B is provided at an intermediate portion of the first liquid flow path 50B. The first check valve 52B allows the liquid 42 to flow from the other end side to the one end side (that is, the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow LB in FIG. 1) in the first liquid flow path 50B from the other end side. Has been suppressed.

  The other end of the first liquid flow path 50B is connected to the other end of the first liquid flow path 50A. Furthermore, one end of a second liquid flow path 54 that constitutes both the first communication flow path 48A and the second communication flow path 48B is connected to a connection portion at both ends of the first liquid flow paths 50A and 50B. I have. The other end of the second liquid flow path 54 is connected to a turbine 56. The turbine 56 constitutes an energy conversion unit 58 as an energy conversion unit as one mode of a pressure receiving device or a rotating device. Further, the turbine 56 is connected to one end of a third liquid flow path 60 that constitutes both the first communication flow path 48A and the second communication flow path 48B.

  The turbine 56 includes an impeller (not shown). When the liquid 42 is supplied from the second liquid flow path 54 to the turbine 56 and further flows from the turbine 56 to the third liquid flow path 60, the blades of the liquid 42 The car is turned. The impeller of the turbine 56 may be configured to be rotated by the pressure of the liquid 42, for example, as in a reaction turbine. However, as long as the impeller of the turbine 56 is configured to rotate by flowing the liquid 42 through the turbine 56, various embodiments can be applied without being limited to the specific embodiment.

  The impeller of the turbine 56 is mechanically connected to an input shaft (not shown) of a generator 62 constituting the energy conversion unit 58. The generator 62 is, for example, a commutator generator (a so-called “dynamo”). When the torque of the impeller of the turbine 56 is transmitted to the input shaft of the generator 62, the input shaft of the generator 62 is rotated. In the generator 62, the torque of the input shaft of the generator 62 is converted into electric energy to generate power. The generator 62 is electrically connected to a battery (storage battery) 66 via an inverter 64, and can charge the battery 66 with electric energy generated by the generator 62.

  On the other hand, the other end of the above-described third liquid flow path 60 is connected to one end of each of the fourth liquid flow path 68A forming the first communication flow path 48A and the fourth liquid flow path 68B forming the second communication flow path 48B. Connected to The other end of the fourth liquid flow path 68A is connected to the liquid supply port 46B of the cylinder 16B. A second check valve 70A is provided at an intermediate portion of the fourth liquid flow path 68A. The second check valve 70A allows the liquid 42 to flow from the other end side to the one end side (ie, the side opposite to the direction of the arrow LA in FIG. 1) from the second check valve 70A in the fourth liquid flow path 68A. Has been suppressed.

  The other end of the fourth liquid flow path 68B is connected to the liquid supply port 46A of the cylinder 16A. Further, a second check valve 70B is provided in an intermediate portion of the fourth liquid flow path 68B. The second check valve 70B allows the liquid 42 to flow from the other end side to the one end side (that is, the side opposite to the direction of the arrow LB in FIG. 1) from the second check valve 70B in the fourth liquid flow path 68B. Has been suppressed.

  As will be described later in detail, when the hydrogen gas 40 is supplied from the injector 22A into the cylinder 16A and the liquid 42 is discharged from the liquid discharge port 44A of the cylinder 16A, the solenoid valve 36A of the cylinder 16A is closed. Have been. Therefore, the hydrogen gas 40 discharged from the liquid discharge port 44A of the cylinder 16A does not return to the cylinder 16A through the fourth liquid flow path 68B and the liquid supply port 46A of the cylinder 16A.

  Further, when the hydrogen gas 40 is supplied from the injector 22B into the cylinder 16B and the liquid 42 is discharged from the liquid discharge port 44B of the cylinder 16B, the solenoid valve 36B of the cylinder 16B is closed. Therefore, the hydrogen gas 40 discharged from the liquid discharge port 44B of the cylinder 16B does not return into the cylinder 16B through the fourth liquid flow path 68A and the liquid supply port 46B of the cylinder 16B.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the liquid 42 discharged from the liquid discharge port 44A of the cylinder 16A is supplied to the first liquid flow path 50 (that is, the first liquid flow path 50A, the second liquid flow path 54, the turbine 56, The liquid flows from the liquid supply port 46B of the cylinder 16B into the cylinder 16B through the third liquid flow path 60 and the fourth liquid flow path 68A (in the direction of the arrow LA in FIG. 1). On the other hand, the liquid 42 discharged from the liquid discharge port 44B of the cylinder 16B is supplied to the second liquid passage 54 (that is, the first gas passage 26B, the second liquid passage 54, the turbine 56, and the third liquid passage 54). In the path 60, the fourth liquid flow path 68B flows through the liquid supply port 46A of the cylinder 16A into the cylinder 16A through the arrow LB direction (in FIG. 1).

  In this manner, the liquid 42 discharged from the liquid discharge port 44A of the cylinder 16A and the liquid 42 discharged from the liquid discharge port 44B of the cylinder 16B both pass through the turbine 56 from the second liquid flow path 54 and pass through the third It flows to the liquid channel 60. Therefore, the direction of the flow of the liquid 42 in the turbine 56 is the same for the liquid 42 from the cylinder 16A and the liquid 42 from the cylinder 16B. Thus, no matter which of the liquid 42 from the cylinder 16A and the liquid 42 from the cylinder 16B flows through the turbine 56, the rotation direction of the impeller of the turbine 56 becomes the same.

  In the present embodiment, the cylinder 16A is provided with a liquid level gauge 72 as a physical quantity measuring device. The liquid level gauge 72 detects the position of the liquid level of the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16A (that is, the height of the liquid level of the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16), which is one mode of the measured value of the physical quantity. As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid level gauge 72 is electrically connected directly or indirectly to the control device 28. In addition, the liquid level meter 72 outputs a liquid level detection signal Sms, which is one mode of the measured value signal Ms corresponding to the magnitude of the measured value of the physical quantity. The liquid level detection signal Sms has a level (for example, voltage) according to the liquid level position (liquid level) of the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16A. 28.

  Further, the control device 28 is directly or indirectly electrically connected to one or a plurality of command devices (not shown). The command device outputs a command value Cs of a level (for example, voltage) corresponding to the target value of the physical quantity. In particular, in the present embodiment, the command value Cs is a pressure command value Cps which is a target value of the pressure (secondary pressure) of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34, and flows through the second gas flow path 34. The flow rate command value Cfs, which is the target value of the flow rate of the hydrogen gas 40, is obtained.

<Operation and Effect of First Embodiment>
(Basic operation of the first embodiment)
Next, a basic operation of the first embodiment, and actions and effects based on the basic operation will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the conversion unit 12 of the fluid energy conversion device 10 of the fuel cell system 14 according to the present embodiment performs the processes of the stroke 1, the stroke 2, the stroke 3, and the stroke 4 in order, and furthermore, As shown in FIG. 5, the process from the start of the process in the process 1 to the end of the process in the process 4 is repeated as one cycle.

  First, when the stroke 1 is started, the injector 22A and the solenoid valve 36B are opened and the injector 22B and the solenoid valve 36A are closed. Thereby, the high-pressure hydrogen gas 40 is supplied from the tank 30 to the cylinder 16A. When the hydrogen gas 40 is supplied to the cylinder 16A, the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16A is pressed by the hydrogen gas 40 and released from the liquid discharge port 44A of the cylinder 16A (that is, the internal energy of the hydrogen gas 40 is From the liquid discharge port 44B.

  The liquid 42 discharged from the liquid discharge port 44A flows through the first communication flow path 48A and enters the cylinder 16B from the liquid supply port 46B of the cylinder 16B. When the liquid 42 enters the cylinder 16B in this way, the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16B is pressed against the liquid 42 (that is, the internal energy of the liquid 42 is used to press the hydrogen gas 40). Thereby, the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16B is discharged from the fuel gas discharge port 20B of the cylinder 16B and flows to the second gas flow path 34.

  Next, when a predetermined time elapses from the start of the process 1, the process 1 is completed and the process 2 is started. In the stroke 2, the injector 22A is closed (the closed state of the solenoid valve 36A and the injector 22B and the opened state of the solenoid valve 36B are maintained). Thus, the supply of the hydrogen gas 40 from the tank 30 to the cylinder 16A is stopped. The pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16A to which the hydrogen gas 40 in the tank 30 is supplied is higher than the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16B. For this reason, the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16A is expanded and reduced in pressure until the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16A becomes equal to the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16B.

  Accordingly, the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16A is pressed by the hydrogen gas 40 expanding in the cylinder 16A, and is further discharged from the liquid discharge port 44A of the cylinder 16A. Thus, the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16B is further discharged from the fuel gas discharge port 20B by the liquid 42 flowing through the first communication flow path 48A. Thus, when the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16A expands to a predetermined volume, the stroke 2 is completed.

  Next, in step 3, the injector 22B and the solenoid valve 36A are opened and the injector 22A and the solenoid valve 36B are closed. Thereby, the high-pressure hydrogen gas 40 is supplied from the tank 30 to the cylinder 16B. When the hydrogen gas 40 is supplied to the cylinder 16B, the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16B is pressed by the hydrogen gas 40 and is discharged from the liquid discharge port 44B of the cylinder 16B (that is, the internal energy of the hydrogen gas 40 is From the liquid discharge port 44B.

  The liquid 42 discharged from the liquid discharge port 44B flows through the second communication channel 48B and enters the cylinder 16A from the liquid supply port 46A of the cylinder 16A. When the liquid 42 enters the cylinder 16A in this manner, the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16A is pressed against the liquid 42 (that is, the internal energy of the liquid 42 is used to press the hydrogen gas 40). Thereby, the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16A is released from the fuel gas discharge port 20A of the cylinder 16A and flows to the second gas flow path 34.

  Next, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the process 3, the process 3 ends and the process 4 starts. In step 4, the injector 22B is closed (the closed state of the solenoid valve 36B and the injector 22A and the open state of the solenoid valve 36A are maintained). Thus, the supply of the hydrogen gas 40 from the tank 30 to the cylinder 16B is stopped. The pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16B to which the hydrogen gas 40 in the tank 30 is supplied is higher than the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16A. For this reason, the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16B is expanded and reduced in pressure until the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16B becomes equal to the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16A.

  Accordingly, the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16B is pressed by the hydrogen gas 40 expanding in the cylinder 16B, and is further discharged from the liquid discharge port 44B of the cylinder 16B. Thus, the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16A is further discharged from the fuel gas discharge port 20A by the liquid 42 flowing through the second communication flow path 48B. In this manner, when the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16B expands to a predetermined volume, the stroke 4 is completed, and the above-described processes of the strokes 1 to 4 are repeated at a predetermined cycle f.

  Here, in each of the strokes 1 to 4, the liquid 42 flows through the first communication flow path 48A or the second communication flow path 48B. Therefore, in each of the strokes 1 to 4, the liquid 42 flows from the second liquid passage 54 to the third liquid passage 60 through the turbine 56. As described above, when the liquid 42 flows through the turbine 56, the impeller of the turbine 56 is rotated to rotate the input shaft of the generator 62 (that is, the kinetic energy of the liquid 42, and consequently, the liquid 42 is used for movement. Some of the internal energy of the hydrogen gas 40 is converted to mechanical energy for rotation of the impeller of the turbine 56). The rotational force (mechanical energy) of the input shaft of the generator 62 is converted into electric energy in the generator 62 to generate power. The electric power thus generated in the generator 62 flows to the battery 66 via the inverter 64, and the battery 66 is charged.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the battery 66 can be charged by flowing the hydrogen gas 40 from the tank 30 to the fuel cell stack 38 through the cylinder 16A or the cylinder 16B as described above.

  In the present embodiment, the impeller of the turbine 56 is rotated by the liquid 42 as the second fluid, and the hydrogen gas 40 as the first fluid does not pass through the turbine 56. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the lubricant applied to the impeller of the turbine 56 and the like from being mixed with the hydrogen gas 40.

(Description of Control by Control Device 28)
Next, control of the opening and closing of the injectors 22A and 22B and the solenoid valves 36A and 36B by the control device 28 in each of the strokes 1 to 4 will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. The operation and effect of the present embodiment by control will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, for example, when the power generation in the fuel cell system 14 is started, the control by the control device 28 is started (step 200). The main routine of the control by the control device 28 includes processes of a subroutine of step 1 in step 202, a subroutine of step 2 in step 204, a subroutine of step 3 in step 208, and a subroutine of step 4 in step 210. This is done in order.

  In addition, in step 206 after the subroutine of step 2 in step 204 is completed, and in step 212 after the subroutine of step 4 in step 210 is completed, for example, the traveling speed Ves of the vehicle is set to a preset speed Ve0. It is determined whether it is greater than or equal to. When the traveling speed Ves of the vehicle is equal to or higher than the set speed Ve0, the control by the control device 28 is continued. When the traveling speed Ves of the vehicle is less than the set speed Ve0, the control by the control device 28 is terminated. (Step 214).

  When the process proceeds to the subroutine of step 1 in step 202, the command value Cs of the physical quantity is read in step 222 as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the command value Cs includes a pressure command value Cps which is a target value of the pressure (secondary pressure) of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34 and a hydrogen gas flow rate flowing through the second gas flow path 34. The flow rate command value Cfs, which is the target value of the flow rate of 40, is set. Further, in step 222, the measured value signal Ms of the physical quantity is read. In the present embodiment, the measured value signal Ms becomes the pressure detection signal Pms from the pressure gauge 32 and the liquid level detection signal Sms from the liquid level gauge 72. In Step 222, the pressure detection signal Pms is set as the measured value signal Ms. Is read.

  Next, at step 224, based on the pressure command value Cps and the pressure detection signal Pms, the pressure (secondary pressure) of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34 in the cylinder 16A is set to a target value. The target expansion ratio Ra of the hydrogen gas 40 is calculated. Further, based on the calculation result of the target expansion ratio Ra, the pressure (secondary pressure) of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34 is set to the target value described above (that is, a value corresponding to the pressure command value Cps). The target volume Vamax of the hydrogen gas 40 is calculated as follows. Further, the opening time Ta of the injector 22A is calculated based on these calculation results, and the period f required from the start of the stroke 1 to the end of the stroke 4 is calculated.

  Here, when the process of step 224 is performed via step 3 (step 208 of the main routine) and step 4 (step 210 of the main routine), the flow rate of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the flow rate command value Cfs read in step 222 However, if the flow rate of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the previous flow rate command value Cfs is larger than the previous time, the open time Ta of the injector 22A is made longer than the open time Tb of the previous injector 22B. If the flow rate of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the flow rate command value Cfs read in step 222 is smaller than the flow rate of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the previous flow rate command value Cfs, the opening time Ta of the injector 22A becomes Is shorter than the opening time Tb of the injector 22B.

  Next, at step 226, the high-level injector control signal Ias and the valve control signal Vbs are output from the control device 28, and the low-level valve control signal Vas and the injector control signal Ibs are output from the control device 28. Thus, the injector 22A and the solenoid valve 36B are opened, and the injector 22B and the solenoid valve 36A are closed. Thereby, as described above, the high-pressure hydrogen gas 40 in the tank 30 is supplied to the cylinder 16A.

  Next, at step 228, the timer 74 (see FIG. 3) is started. As a result, the time T is counted from the time when the control device 28 starts outputting the high-level injector control signal Ias. In step 230, it is determined whether or not the time T has become equal to or longer than the opening time Ta which is the result of the calculation in step 224. If the time T has become equal to or longer than the opening time Ta, the process returns to step 230 in the main routine. The process proceeds to step 204 of the main routine, and proceeds to the subroutine of step 2.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, when the subroutine of the stroke 2 is started in step 240, the control signal Ias output from the control device 28 in step 242 can be switched from the high level to the low level. Thus, the injector 22A is closed, and the supply of the hydrogen gas 40 from the tank 30 to the cylinder 16A is stopped.

  Next, in step 244, the liquid level detection signal Sms output from the liquid level gauge 72, which is one mode of the measured value signal Ms of the physical quantity, was read, and the control signal Ias was switched from the high level to the low level. At this time, that is, when the supply of the hydrogen gas 40 to the cylinder 16A is stopped, the liquid level detection signal Sms is stored in the storage device 76 (see FIG. 3). The liquid level detection signal Sms corresponds to the position of the liquid level of the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16A. In the cylinder 16A, since the hydrogen gas 40 is stored above the liquid surface of the liquid 42, detecting the position of the liquid surface of the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16A detects the volume of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16A. Will be.

  Next, at step 246, the hydrogen gas in the cylinder 16A is calculated based on the calculation result of the target expansion ratio Ra at step 224 of the subroutine of step 1, the liquid level detection signal Sms read at step 242, and the target volume Vamax. The target liquid level position Sta corresponding to the liquid level position of the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16A when the volume of the cylinder 40 reaches the target volume Vamax is calculated.

  Here, when the supply of the hydrogen gas 40 to the cylinder 16A read in step 242 is stopped, the volume of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16A is Va1, the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 in the tank 30 (that is, the step of the subroutine of the stroke 1). The pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 corresponding to the pressure detection signal Pms from the pressure gauge 32 read at 222 is Ph, and the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 corresponding to the pressure command value Pms is Pl. Further, in this step 2, the volume change of the hydrogen gas 40 when the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16A changes from the pressure Ph to the pressure Pl (that is, the expansion of the hydrogen gas 40) can be regarded as a polytropic change. . For this reason, the change in the volume of the hydrogen gas 40 from the volume Va1 to the target volume Vamax is expressed by the following equation (1).

  However, in the above equation (1), n1 is a polytropic index, which is grasped in advance by measurement or the like.

  Therefore, when the process of step 224 is performed via step 3 (step 208 of the main routine) and step 4 (step 210 of the main routine), the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the pressure command value Cps read in step 222 However, if the pressure is higher than the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the previous pressure command value Cps, the volume of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the target signal value Vamax becomes small because Pl in the above equation (1) increases. On the other hand, if the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the pressure command value Cps read in step 222 is lower than the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the previous pressure command value Cps, the above equation (1) is used. Since Pl decreases, the volume of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the target signal value Vamax increases.

  Next, at step 248, the liquid level detection signal Sms output from the liquid level gauge 72 is read, and at step 250, the liquid level position of the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16A corresponding to the liquid level detection signal Sms is set to the target liquid level position. It is determined whether or not the value is less than or equal to Sta. When the volume of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16A becomes equal to or larger than the target volume Vamax, whereby the liquid level of the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16A becomes equal to or lower than the target position, the process returns to the main routine in step 252, and further proceeds to step 206 in the main routine. Proceed to. In this state, if the traveling speed Ves of the vehicle is not lower than the preset speed Ve0, the process proceeds to the subroutine of step 3 in step 208.

  When the process proceeds to the subroutine of step 3 in step 208, as shown in FIG. 8A, in step 262, the pressure command value Cps and the flow rate command value Cfs are read as the physical quantity command value Cs. Further, at step 262, the pressure detection signal Pms and the liquid level detection signal Sms are read as the measured value signal Ms of the physical quantity.

  Next, at step 264, based on the pressure command value Cps and the pressure detection signal Pms, the pressure (secondary pressure) of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34 in the cylinder 16B is set to a target value. The target expansion ratio Rb of the hydrogen gas 40 is calculated. Further, based on the calculation result of the target expansion ratio Rb, the pressure (secondary pressure) of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34 is set to the target value (that is, the value corresponding to the pressure command value Cps). The target volume Vbmax of the hydrogen gas 40 is calculated as follows. Further, the opening time Tb of the injector 22B is calculated based on these calculation results, and the period f required from the start of the stroke 1 to the end of the stroke 4 is calculated.

  Here, as compared with the flow rate of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the flow rate command value Cfs read in step 224 of step 1 (step 202 of the main routine) before the process of step 3 (step 208 of the main routine) is started. If the flow rate of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the flow rate command value Cfs read in step 264 is large, the open time Tb of the injector 22B is made longer than the open time Ta of the preceding injector 22A. If the flow rate of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the flow rate command value Cfs read in step 264 is smaller than the flow rate of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the flow rate command value Cfs read in step 264 of the stroke 1, the injector The opening time Tb of the injector 22B is shorter than the opening time Ta of the preceding injector 22A.

  Next, at step 266, the high-level injector control signal Ibs and the valve control signal Vas are output from the control device 28, and the low-level valve control signal Vbs and the injector control signal Ias are output from the control device 28. As a result, the injector 22B and the solenoid valve 36A are opened, and the injector 22A and the solenoid valve 36B are closed. Thereby, as described above, the high-pressure hydrogen gas 40 in the tank 30 is supplied to the cylinder 16B.

  Here, in this state, the hydrogen gas 40 is contained in the cylinder 16A, and the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16A is expanded before the solenoid valve 36A is opened. Therefore, the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 supplied to the cylinder 16B in this state is higher than the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16A.

  Next, at step 268, the timer 74 (see FIG. 3) is started. As a result, the time T has been counted since the control device 28 started outputting the high-level injector control signal Ibs. In step 270, it is determined whether or not the time T has become equal to or longer than the opening time Tb which is the result of the calculation in step 264. If the time T has become equal to or longer than the opening time Tb, the process returns to the main routine in step 270. The process proceeds to step 208 of the main routine, and proceeds to the subroutine of step 4.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, when the subroutine of the process 4 is started at step 280, the control signal Ibs output from the control device 28 at step 282 can be switched from the high level to the low level. Thus, the injector 22B is closed, and the supply of the hydrogen gas 40 from the tank 30 to the cylinder 16B is stopped.

  Next, at step 284, the liquid level detection signal Sms output from the liquid level meter 72, which is one mode of the measured value signal Ms of the physical quantity, was read, and the control signal Ibs was switched from the high level to the low level. In other words, the liquid level detection signal Sms when the supply of the hydrogen gas 40 to the cylinder 16B is stopped is stored in the storage device 76 (see FIG. 3).

  As described above, the liquid level detection signal Sms corresponds to the position of the liquid level of the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16A. In this state, the cylinder 16A is connected to the cylinder 16B via the second communication flow path 48B and the turbine 56, and the liquid 42 discharged from the liquid discharge port 44A of the cylinder 16A is discharged to the second communication flow path 48B. And flows from the liquid supply port 46 of the cylinder 16B to the cylinder 16B through the turbine 56. Therefore, the liquid level detection signal Sms corresponding to the liquid level position of the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16A also corresponds to the liquid level position of the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16B. In the cylinder 16B, the hydrogen gas 40 is stored above the liquid level of the liquid 42. Therefore, detecting the position of the liquid level of the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16A means detecting the volume of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16B.

  Next, in step 286, based on the calculation result of the target expansion ratio Rb in step 264 of the subroutine of step 3, the liquid level detection signal Sms read in step 282, and the target volume Vbmax, the hydrogen gas in the cylinder 16B is determined. The target liquid level position Stb corresponding to the liquid level position of the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16B when the volume of the cylinder 40 reaches the target volume Vbmax is calculated.

  Here, when the supply of the hydrogen gas 40 to the cylinder 16B read in step 282 is stopped, the volume of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16B is Vb1, and the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 in the tank 30 (that is, the step of the subroutine of the stroke 3). The pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 corresponding to the pressure detection signal Pms from the pressure gauge 32 read at 262 is Ph, and the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 corresponding to the pressure command value Pms is Pl. Further, in this step 4, the volume change of the hydrogen gas 40 when the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16B changes from the pressure Ph to the pressure Pl (that is, the expansion of the hydrogen gas 40) can be regarded as a polytropic change. . For this reason, the change in the volume of the hydrogen gas 40 from the volume Vb1 to the target volume Vbmax is expressed by the following equation (2).

  However, in the above equation (2), n2 is a polytropic index, which is grasped in advance by measurement or the like.

  For this reason, when the process of step 264 is performed via step 1 (step 204 of the main routine) and step 2 (step 206 of the main routine), the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the pressure command value Cps read in step 262 However, if the pressure is higher than the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the previous pressure command value Cps, the volume of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the target signal value Vbmax decreases because Pl in the above equation (2) increases. On the other hand, if the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the pressure command value Cps read in step 262 is lower than the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the previous pressure command value Cps, the above equation (2) is used. Since Pl decreases, the volume of the hydrogen gas 40 based on the target signal value Vbmax increases.

  Next, at step 288, the liquid level detection signal Sms output from the liquid level gauge 72 is read, and at step 290, the liquid level position of the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16A corresponding to the liquid level detection signal Sms is set to the target liquid level position. It is determined whether or not Stb or more has been reached.

  In step 230 in step 2 described above, it is determined whether the liquid level detection signal Sms has become equal to or lower than the target liquid level position Sta (that is, the liquid level of the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16A has become lower than the target position). Had been determined. On the other hand, in step 290 of step 4, it is determined whether or not the liquid level detection signal Sms has exceeded the target liquid level position Stb. This is because when the volume of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16A increases, the position of the liquid surface of the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16A decreases, whereas when the volume of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16B increases, the cylinder 16B This is because the position of the liquid surface of the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16A decreases and the position of the liquid surface of the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16A increases.

  When the volume of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16B becomes equal to or more than the target volume Vbmax, and thereby the liquid level of the liquid 42 in the cylinder 16B becomes equal to or more than the target position, the process returns to the main routine in Step 292, and further, Step 206 in the main routine. Proceed to. In this state, if the traveling speed Ves of the vehicle is equal to or higher than the preset speed Ve0, the process proceeds to the subroutine of step 1 in step 202.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinders 16 </ b> A and 16 </ b> B is depressurized and expanded between the start of the stroke 1 and the end of the stroke 4, and has a lower pressure than the hydrogen gas 40 in the tank 30. The hydrogen gas 40 flows through the second gas flow path 34 and is supplied to the fuel cell stack 38, and power is output from the generator 62.

  Here, as described above, the open times Ta and Tb of the injectors 22A and 22B (that is, the time length of the stroke 1 or the stroke 3) are longer than the open times Ta and Tb of the injectors 22A and 22B before that. Then, the flow rate of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34 can be increased. On the other hand, when the opening times Ta and Tb of the injectors 22A and 22B are shorter than the opening times Ta and Tb of the injectors 22A and 22B, the flow rate of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34 is reduced. it can. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the flow rate of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34 can be arbitrarily adjusted.

  As described above, if the target volume Vamax or the target volume Vbmax of the hydrogen gas 40 when the hydrogen gas 40 expands in the cylinder 16A or the cylinder 16B is reduced (that is, the time length of the stroke 2 or the stroke 4). If the length is shortened), the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34 can be increased. On the other hand, if the target volume Vamax or the target volume Vbmax is increased, the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas passage 34 can be reduced. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34 can be arbitrarily adjusted.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the fluid energy conversion device 10 is applied to a cooling device 84.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a cooling device 84 according to the present embodiment includes a compressor 86 as a high-pressure gas production device. The compressor 86 is installed in, for example, a building to which the cooling device 84 is applied, for example, an outdoor room such as a factory or an equipment room such as a factory. The compressor 86 takes in outside air (air) by operating it, and compresses the taken-in outside air. As a result, air having a higher pressure than the outside air (high-pressure air) is produced in the compressor 86. The high-pressure air produced in the compressor 86 is discharged from a discharge port of the compressor 86. One end of the first gas passage 26 of the gas passage 88 as the first fluid passage is connected to the discharge port of the compressor 86.

  On the other hand, the other end of the second gas flow path 34 of the gas flow path 88 is connected to a nozzle 90 as a cool air discharge unit. The nozzle 90 is provided, for example, inside a building to which the main cooling device 84 is applied. If the building to which the main cooling device 84 is applied is a factory, the nozzle 90 is installed near a work space in the factory. The worker in the work space can take in the cool air injected from the nozzle 90.

  That is, in the first embodiment, the hydrogen gas 40 flows through the fuel gas flow path 24 as the first fluid flow path, whereas in the present embodiment, the air flows in the gas as the first fluid flow path. Air flows through the channel 88.

  In the present embodiment having the above configuration, the high-pressure air produced in the compressor 86 in the stroke 1 or the stroke 3 among the strokes 1 to 4 described in the first embodiment is a fluid energy conversion device. It is supplied into the cylinder 16A or the cylinder 16B of the ten conversion units 12. Further, in each stroke, the high-pressure air supplied into the cylinder 16A or the cylinder 16B is expanded in the cylinder 16A or the cylinder 16B. The expansion of the high-pressure air at this time can be regarded as adiabatic expansion. For this reason, the temperature of the high-pressure air decreases with expansion. As a result, the high-pressure air is changed to cool air. In this way, the cool air generated in the cylinder 16A or the cylinder 16B flows through the second gas flow path 34 to the nozzle 90, so that the cool air is ejected from the nozzle 90.

  The control of opening and closing of the injectors 22A and 22B and the solenoid valves 36A and 36B by the control device 28 in the present embodiment is basically the same as in the first embodiment.

  Here, the volume of the high-pressure air in the cylinder 16A when the supply of the high-pressure air to the cylinder 16A is stopped is Va1, and the pressure of the high-pressure air produced by the compressor 86 (that is, corresponds to the pressure detection signal Pms from the pressure gauge 32). The pressure of the high-pressure air is Ph, and the temperature of the high-pressure air is Th. The pressure of the cool air corresponding to the pressure command value Pms is Pl, and the temperature of the cool air is Tl. Further, as described in the first embodiment, when the pressure of the high-pressure air in the cylinder 16A changes from the pressure Ph to the pressure P1, the volume change of the air (that is, the expansion of the air) is caused by the polytropic change. Can be regarded as Therefore, Equation (1) described in the first embodiment is expressed as Equation (3) below.

  Similarly, the equation (2) described in the first embodiment is expressed as the following equation (4).

  Therefore, if the target volume Vamax or the target volume Vbmax of the high-pressure air when the high-pressure air expands in the cylinder 16A or the cylinder 16B is increased (that is, the time length of the stroke 2 or the stroke 4 can be increased). In other words, the temperature of the cool air flowing through the second gas flow path 34 can be lowered. On the other hand, if the target volume Vamax or the target volume Vbmax is reduced, the temperature of the cool air flowing through the second gas flow path 34 can be increased. As described above, in the present embodiment, the temperature of the cool air flowing through the second gas flow path 34 can be arbitrarily adjusted.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the flow rate of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing in the second gas flow path 34 can be arbitrarily adjusted. However, in this embodiment, the flow rate of the cool air flowing in the second gas flow path 34, The amount of cool air blown per unit time from the nozzle 90 can be adjusted arbitrarily. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the temperature of the cool air ejected from the nozzle 90 and the amount ejected per unit time can be arbitrarily adjusted.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the impeller of the turbine 56 is rotated by the liquid 42 (not shown in FIG. 9). For this reason, the battery 66 can be charged by blowing high-pressure air from the nozzle 90 as cool air through the cylinder 16A or 16B.

  In the present embodiment, the impeller of the turbine 56 is rotated by the liquid 42 as the second fluid, and high-pressure air or cold air as the first fluid does not pass through the turbine 56. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the lubricant applied to the impeller of the turbine 56 and the like from being mixed with the cool air.

<Third embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the fluid energy conversion device 10 is applied to a fuel cell system 14 mounted on a vehicle.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the fuel cell system 14 according to the present embodiment includes a heat exchanger 102 as heat exchange means. The heat exchanger 102 includes a first passage 104 and a second passage 106. The other end of the second gas flow path 34 constituting the fuel gas flow path 24 as the first fluid flow path is connected to one end of the first passage flow path 104, and is connected to the other end of the first passage flow path 104. Is connected to one end of a third gas flow path 108 constituting the fuel gas flow path 24 as the first fluid flow path. Therefore, the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34 flows to the third gas flow path 108 through the first passage flow path 104 of the heat exchanger 102. On the other hand, one end of the second passage channel 106 is connected to one end of a third fluid circulation channel (not shown), and the other end of the second passage channel 106 is connected to the third fluid circulation channel. Are connected to each other.

  One or more heating devices (not shown) are connected to an intermediate portion of the third fluid circulation channel. As the heat-generating device, for example, a driving motor for a vehicle, an inverter that converts power charged in a driving battery into AC and supplies the AC to the driving motor, or the like is applied. As long as it is an accompanying device, it can be widely applied without being limited to its specific mode.

  A third fluid as a heat exchange target flows through the third fluid circulation channel. The third fluid is, for example, a liquid refrigerant containing ethylene glycol. When the third fluid discharged from the heat exchanger 102 flows through the heating device, heat generated by the heating device is absorbed by the third fluid. Thereby, the heat generating device is cooled, and the third fluid is heated.

  In the present embodiment, the fuel cell stack 38 is provided with a heat exchange unit 114 as a heat exchange device, and the heat exchange unit 114 is provided with a gas passage 116. The other end of the third gas passage 108 is connected to one end of the gas passage 116, and the fuel gas passage 24 as the first fluid passage is formed at the other end of the gas passage 116. One end of the fourth gas flow path 118 is connected. The hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the third gas flow path 108 flows to the fourth gas flow path 118 through the gas passage flow path 116 of the heat exchange unit 114.

  Further, the present embodiment includes an intercooler 120 as a heat exchange device. The intercooler 120 includes a third passage channel 122 and a fourth passage channel 124. One end of the third passage 122 is connected to the other end of the fourth gas passage 118, and the other end of the third passage 122 of the intercooler 120 is connected to the fuel as the first fluid passage. One end of a fifth gas flow path 126 constituting the gas flow path 24 is connected. The other end of the fifth gas flow path 126 is connected to a fuel gas supply port of the fuel cell stack 38.

  The hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the fourth gas flow path 118 flows to the fifth gas flow path 126 through the third passage flow path 122 of the intercooler 120. Further, the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the fifth gas flow channel 126 flows from the fuel gas supply port of the fuel cell stack 38 to between the positive electrode (anode, fuel electrode) of the cell of the fuel cell stack 38 and the separator on the positive electrode side. .

  On the other hand, one end of the fourth passage 124 of the intercooler 120 is connected to the other end of the first air passage 130 forming the oxidizing gas passage 128. One end of the first air passage 130 is connected to a discharge port of a compressor 132 as an oxidizing gas pumping device. The supply port of the compressor 132 is connected to an air cleaner 134 as foreign matter removing means.

  The air cleaner 134 is constituted by, for example, a filter or the like that cannot pass a solid substance (foreign matter) having a predetermined size or more. When the compressor 132 is operated, the outside air that has passed through the air cleaner 134, that is, as an oxidant, The air containing oxygen is taken into the compressor 132. The outside air taken into the compressor 132 is compressed in the compressor 132 and discharged from the discharge port. As a result, air having a higher pressure than the outside air pressure passes through the first air passage 130.

  On the other hand, the other end of the fourth passage 124 of the intercooler 120 is connected to one end of a second air passage 136 constituting the oxidizing gas passage 128. The other end of the second air passage 136 is connected to an oxidizing gas supply port of the fuel cell stack 38. The air flowing from the fourth passage channel 124 of the intercooler 120 to the oxidant gas supply port of the fuel cell stack 38 through the second air channel 136 is a negative electrode (cathode, air electrode) of a cell of the fuel cell stack 38. And flow between the negative electrode side separator.

  In the present embodiment having the above-described structure, the hydrogen gas 40 supplied from the tank 30 in the stroke 1 or the stroke 3 in each of the strokes 1 to 4 described in the first embodiment is converted to the fluid energy conversion. It is expanded in the cylinder 16A or the cylinder 16B of the conversion unit 12 of the device 10. The expansion of the hydrogen gas 40 at this time can be regarded as adiabatic expansion. Therefore, the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 decreases with expansion. When the hydrogen gas 40 whose temperature has dropped in this way passes through the first passage 104 of the heat exchanger 102, the hydrogen gas 40 and the third fluid that passes through the second passage 106 of the heat exchanger 102 The heat is exchanged at.

  As described above, the third fluid passing through the second passage 106 absorbs the heat generated by the heating device. Therefore, the third fluid can be cooled by exchanging heat between the hydrogen gas 40 and the third fluid. The third fluid cooled in this way flows through the third fluid circulation channel to the heating device side, so that the heating device can be effectively cooled. Further, by exchanging heat between the hydrogen gas 40 and the third fluid, the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 is increased. Thereby, the internal energy of the hydrogen gas 40 increases.

  Further, the hydrogen gas 40 that has passed through the first passage 104 of the heat exchanger 102 flows through the gas passage 116 of the heat exchange unit 114 of the fuel cell stack 38 through the third gas passage 108. In the fuel cell stack 38, power is generated by an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen gas 40 and oxygen contained in the air, and the electrochemical reaction generates heat. Here, the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction in the fuel cell stack 38 is absorbed by the hydrogen gas 40 by flowing the hydrogen gas 40 through the gas passage 116 of the heat exchange unit 114. Thereby, the fuel cell stack 38 can be cooled.

  Further, the hydrogen gas 40 that has passed through the gas passage 116 of the heat exchange unit 114 of the fuel cell stack 38 flows through the third gas passage 122 of the intercooler 120 through the fourth gas passage 118. In the fourth passage 124 of the intercooler 120, air compressed by the compressor 132 and having a higher pressure than the outside pressure flows. Thus, when the air is compressed and the pressure is increased, the temperature of the air increases.

  When such air flows through the fourth passage channel 124 of the intercooler 120, heat is exchanged between the air and the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the third passage channel 122 of the intercooler 120. Thereby, high-pressure air flowing through the fourth passage 124 of the intercooler 120 can be cooled. Furthermore, the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 is increased by exchanging heat between the hydrogen gas 40 and the air whose temperature has been increased at a higher pressure than the external pressure. Thereby, the internal energy of the hydrogen gas 40 increases.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the hydrogen gas 40 can be cooled by the conversion unit 12 of the fluid energy conversion device 10. Further, the hydrogen gas 40 thus cooled flows through the heat exchanger 102, the heat exchange unit 114 of the fuel cell stack 38, and the intercooler 120, thereby cooling the drive motor and the inverter of the vehicle. The fuel cell stack 38 that generates heat by power generation can cool high-pressure air whose temperature has been increased by being compressed.

  Moreover, the control of opening and closing of the injectors 22A and 22B and the solenoid valves 36A and 36B in the control device 28 of the present embodiment is basically the same as that of the second embodiment. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 and the flow rate per unit time downstream of the second gas flow path 34 in the second gas flow path 34 and the fuel gas flow path 24 can be arbitrarily adjusted. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the impeller of the turbine 56 is rotated by the liquid 42 (not shown in FIG. 10). For this reason, the battery 66 can be charged by blowing high-pressure air from the nozzle 90 as cool air through the cylinder 16A or 16B.

  In the present embodiment, the impeller of the turbine 56 is rotated by the liquid 42 as the second fluid, and high-pressure air or cold air as the first fluid does not pass through the turbine 56. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the lubricant applied to the impeller of the turbine 56 and the like from being mixed with the cool air.

  The control of the opening and closing of the injectors 22A and 22B and the solenoid valves 36A and 36B by the control device 28 in the second and third embodiments is performed by the control device in the first embodiment. The control of opening and closing of the injectors 22A, 22B and the solenoid valves 36A, 36B by the control 28 is the same. Therefore, when the control device 28 controls the opening and closing of the injectors 22A, 22B and the solenoid valves 36A, 36B, the command value Cs output from the command device (not shown) is determined by the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34. The pressure command value Cps, which is the target value of the pressure (secondary pressure), and the flow rate command value Cfs, which is the target value of the flow rate of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34. When the control device 28 controls the opening and closing of the injectors 22A and 22B and the solenoid valves 36A and 36B, the measured value signal Ms of the physical quantity read by the control device 28 is a pressure detection signal Pms from the pressure gauge 32 and a liquid level gauge. 72 was the liquid level detection signal Sms.

  However, as can be understood from the above-described equations (3) and (4), the temperature command value Cts, which is the target value of the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34, is replaced with the pressure command value Cps. It can be used as the command value Cs. Further, a thermometer is provided in the first gas flow path 26, and the temperature detection signal Pts output from the thermometer is measured instead of the pressure detection signal Pms in accordance with the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the first gas flow path 26. It can be used for the value signal Ms.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, the present embodiment is basically the same as the third embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, a pressure reducing valve 152 as pressure reducing means is provided at an intermediate portion of the second gas flow path 34 constituting the fuel gas flow path 24 as the first fluid flow path. The hydrogen gas 40 as the first fluid or the fuel gas flowing through the passage 34 passes through the pressure reducing valve 152. As a result, the hydrogen gas 40 is reduced to a predetermined pressure downstream of the pressure reducing valve 152 in the second gas flow path 34 (on the side of the heat exchanger 102).

  Here, the pressure reduction of the hydrogen gas 40 in the pressure reducing valve 152 is an isenthalpy change. Therefore, the conversion of the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 due to the passage of the hydrogen gas 40 through the pressure reducing valve 152 is suppressed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the hydrogen gas 40 downstream of the pressure reducing valve 152 in the fuel gas flow path 24 is set in advance while the temperature change of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34 is suppressed. A predetermined pressure, for example, a pressure suitable for supplying hydrogen gas 40 to the fuel cell stack 38 can be set.

  This embodiment has basically the same configuration as that of the third embodiment except that a pressure reducing valve 152 is provided in the second gas flow path 34. That is, the control of the opening and closing of the injectors 22A and 22B and the solenoid valves 36A and 36B in the control device 28 of the present embodiment is basically the same as that of the second embodiment. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 and the flow rate per unit time downstream of the second gas flow path 34 in the second gas flow path 34 and the fuel gas flow path 24 can be arbitrarily adjusted. . Therefore, the same effect as that described in the third embodiment can be obtained.

  In each of the second to fourth embodiments described above, the command value Cs of the level corresponding to the target value of the physical quantity input to the control device 28 is different from that of the first embodiment. Similarly, a pressure command value Cps, which is a target value of the pressure (secondary pressure) of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34, and a target value of the flow rate of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34. The flow rate command value is Cfs. However, in place of at least one of the pressure command value Cps and the flow rate command value Cfs, or in addition to the pressure command value Cps and the flow rate command value Cfs, the target of the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34 is set. A temperature command value that is a value may be used.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the measured value signal Ms of the physical quantity from the physical quantity measuring device input to the control device 28 is the same as the first embodiment, and the pressure detection signal Pms from the pressure gauge 32 and the liquid The liquid level detection signal Sms from the level gauge 72 is used. However, for example, a thermometer as a physical quantity measuring device is provided in the second gas flow path 34, and a temperature detection signal is used as a measurement value signal Ms output from the thermometer, and at least the pressure detection signal Pms and the liquid level detection signal Sms. Alternatively, the pressure detection signal Pms and the liquid level detection signal Sms may be added.

<Configuration of Fifth Embodiment>
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the fluid energy conversion device 10 is applied to a fuel cell system 14 mounted on a vehicle.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the fluid energy conversion device 10 of the fuel cell system 14 according to the present embodiment includes a first conversion unit 12A, a second conversion unit 12B, and a third conversion unit 12C each as a conversion unit. Have. Each of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C has basically the same configuration as the conversion unit 12 in the first embodiment, and thus the description of the details of the configuration will be omitted. The first to third conversion units 12A to 12C are connected in series in the order of the first conversion unit 12A, the second conversion unit 12B, and the third conversion unit 12C from the upstream side to the downstream side along the flow direction of the hydrogen gas 40. They are arranged side by side.

  The other end of the second gas passage 34 of the first conversion unit 12A is connected to a fuel gas supply port of the first heat exchanger 102A as a heating unit or a heat exchange unit, and is connected to a first gas supply port of the second conversion unit 12B. One end of the gas passage 26 is connected to a fuel gas discharge port of the first heat exchanger 102A. Therefore, the hydrogen gas 40 that has passed through the second gas passage 34 of the first conversion unit 12A enters the gas passage (not shown) of the first heat exchanger 102A from the gas supply port of the first heat exchanger 102A. It flows through the gas passage of the first conversion unit 12A.

  The first heat exchanger 102A is provided with a fourth fluid circulation channel (both not shown). A first heat generating device (not shown) is provided in a portion of the fourth fluid circulation flow path that is disposed outside the first heat exchanger 102A. As the first heat generating device, for example, the above-described fuel cell stack 38, a driving motor for a vehicle, an inverter that converts the electric power charged in the driving battery into AC and supplies the AC to the driving motor, or the like is applied. The device can be widely applied without being limited to a specific mode as long as the device generates heat by operating.

  The fourth fluid as a heat exchange target flows through the fourth fluid circulation channel. The fourth fluid is, for example, a liquid refrigerant containing ethylene coal. When the fourth fluid discharged from the first heat exchanger 102A flows through the first heating device, heat generated in the first heating device is absorbed by the fourth fluid. As a result, the first heating device is cooled, and the fourth fluid is heated.

  When the hydrogen gas 40 that has passed through the second gas passage 34 of the first conversion unit 12A flows through the gas passage of the first heat exchanger 102A while the fourth fluid is flowing through the fourth fluid circulation path in this way. The heat is exchanged between the hydrogen gas 40 and the fourth fluid. Accordingly, the fourth fluid is cooled, the hydrogen gas 40 is heated, and the internal energy of the hydrogen gas 40 is increased.

  Further, one end of the first gas flow path 26 of the second conversion unit 12B is connected to a fuel gas discharge port of the first heat exchanger 102A, and flows through the gas passage of the first heat exchanger 102A to form the first gas passage. The hydrogen gas 40 released from the fuel gas discharge port of the heat exchanger 102A flows through the first gas passage 26 of the second conversion unit 12B and is supplied to the second conversion unit 12B.

  On the other hand, the other end of the second gas passage 34 of the second conversion unit 12B is connected to a fuel gas supply port of the second heat exchanger 102B as a heating unit or a heat exchange unit, and is connected to the third conversion unit 12C. One end of the first gas passage 26 is connected to a fuel gas discharge port of the second heat exchanger 102B. Therefore, the hydrogen gas 40 that has passed through the second gas flow path 34 of the second conversion unit 12B enters the gas passage (not shown) of the second heat exchanger 102B from the gas supply port of the second heat exchanger 102B. It flows through the gas passage of the second conversion unit 12B.

  The second heat exchanger 102B is provided with a fifth fluid circulation channel (both are not shown). A second heating device (not shown) is provided in a portion of the fifth fluid circulation flow path that is disposed outside the second heat exchanger 102B. As the second heat generating device, for example, the above-described fuel cell stack 38, a vehicle driving motor, an inverter that converts the electric power charged in the driving battery into AC and supplies the AC to the driving motor, or the like is applied. The device can be widely applied without being limited to a specific mode as long as the device generates heat by operating. Further, the second heat generating device may be different from the first heat generating device, or may be the same as the first heat generating device.

  A fifth fluid as a heat exchange target flows through the fifth fluid circulation channel. The fifth fluid is, for example, a liquid refrigerant containing ethylene coal. When the fifth fluid discharged from the second heat exchanger 102B flows through the second heating device, heat generated in the second heating device is absorbed by the fifth fluid. Thereby, the second heat generating device is cooled, and the fifth fluid is heated.

  When the hydrogen gas 40 passing through the second gas passage 34 of the second conversion unit 12B flows through the gas passage of the second heat exchanger 102B while the fifth fluid is flowing through the fifth fluid circulation path as described above. The heat is exchanged between the hydrogen gas 40 and the fifth fluid. Accordingly, the fifth fluid is cooled, the hydrogen gas 40 is heated, and the internal energy of the hydrogen gas 40 is increased.

  In addition, one end of the first gas passage 26 of the third conversion unit 12C is connected to a fuel gas discharge port of the second heat exchanger 102B, and flows through the gas passage of the second heat exchanger 102B to form the second gas passage. The hydrogen gas 40 discharged from the fuel gas discharge port of the heat exchanger 102B flows through the first gas passage 26 of the third conversion unit 12C and is supplied to the third conversion unit 12C.

  On the other hand, a first thermometer 162A as a physical quantity measuring device is provided in the first gas passage 26 of the first conversion unit 12A, and the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the first gas passage 26 of the first conversion unit 12A is provided. Is detected by the first thermometer 162A as one mode of the measured value of the physical quantity. Further, the first thermometer 162A outputs a first temperature detection signal of a level (for example, voltage) corresponding to the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the first gas passage 26 of the first conversion unit 12A. Although not shown, the first thermometer 162A is electrically connected to the control device 28, and the first temperature detection signal output from the first thermometer 162A is input to the control device 28. .

  A second thermometer 162B as a physical quantity measuring device is provided in the first gas passage 26 of the second conversion unit 12B, and the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the first gas passage 26 of the second conversion unit 12B is provided. Is detected by the second thermometer 162B as one mode of the measured value of the physical quantity. Further, the second thermometer 162B outputs a second temperature detection signal of a level (for example, voltage) corresponding to the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the first gas flow path 26 of the second conversion unit 12B. Although not shown, the second thermometer 162B is electrically connected to the control device 28, and the second temperature detection signal output from the second thermometer 162B is input to the control device 28. .

  Further, a third thermometer 162C as a physical quantity measuring device is provided in the first gas passage 26 of the third conversion unit 12C, and the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the first gas passage 26 of the third conversion unit 12C is provided. Is detected by the third thermometer 162C as one mode of the measured value of the physical quantity. The third thermometer 162C outputs a third temperature detection signal at a level (for example, a voltage) corresponding to the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the first gas passage 26 of the third conversion unit 12C. Although not shown, the third thermometer 162C is electrically connected to the control device 28, and the third temperature detection signal output from the third thermometer 162C is input to the control device 28. .

<Operation and Effect of Basic Operation of Fifth Embodiment>
In this embodiment having the above configuration, the opening and closing of the injectors 22A, 22B and the solenoid valves 36A, 36B of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C are the same as those of the conversion unit 12 in the first embodiment. Is controlled by the control device 28.

  Therefore, when the hydrogen gas 40 is supplied to each of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C, the liquid 42 flows from one of the cylinders 16A and the cylinders 16B of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C to the other. Flows. Thereby, each turbine 56 of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C is rotated. The torque of the turbine 56 is converted into electric power by the generator 62, and the electric power generated by the generator 62 flows to the battery 66 via the inverter 64, whereby the battery 66 is charged and the first to third conversions are performed. The hydrogen gas 40 supplied to each of the units 12A to 12C is expanded and decompressed in each of the cylinders 16A or 16B of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the impeller of the turbine 56 is rotated by the liquid 42 as the second fluid, and the hydrogen gas 40 as the first fluid does not pass through the turbine 56. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the lubricant applied to the impeller of the turbine 56 and the like from being mixed with the hydrogen gas 40.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas passage 34 of the first conversion unit 12A is heated by flowing through the gas passage of the first heat exchanger 102A, whereby the hydrogen gas 40 The internal energy of 40 is increased. As described above, the hydrogen gas 40 whose internal energy has been increased is supplied to the first gas passage 26 of the second conversion unit 12B. Further, the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34 of the second conversion unit 12B is heated by flowing through the gas passage of the second heat exchanger 102B, thereby increasing the internal energy of the hydrogen gas 40. Is done. As described above, the hydrogen gas 40 whose internal energy has been increased is supplied to the first gas passage 26 of the third conversion unit 12B.

  As described above, when the hydrogen gas 40 is heated and the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 is increased, the internal energy of the hydrogen gas 40 is increased, and at least one of the pressure and the volume of the hydrogen gas 40 is increased. For this reason, in each cylinder 16A or cylinder 16B of the second conversion unit 12B and the third conversion unit 12C, the liquid 42 is efficiently pressed and moved by the hydrogen gas 40 whose at least one of the pressure and the volume is increased. Thereby, the impeller of the turbine 56 can be rotated efficiently, and the generator 62 can generate power efficiently.

<Characteristic operations and effects of the fifth embodiment>
By the way, the present embodiment includes three first to third conversion units 12A to 12C, and the hydrogen gas 40 is expanded in each of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C. Thereby, the pressure P of the hydrogen gas 40 is reduced from the pressure Ph to the pressure Pl, and the volume V of the hydrogen gas 40 is increased from the volume Vl to the volume Vh. The expansion of the hydrogen gas 40 in each of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C is an adiabatic expansion. For this reason, the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the second gas flow path 34 of the first conversion unit 12A becomes lower than the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the first gas flow path 26 of the first conversion unit 12A. The same applies to the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing in each of the second gas passages 34 of the third conversion units 12B and 12C and the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing in the first gas passage 26.

  Here, the expansion ratio of the hydrogen gas 40 in the first conversion unit 12A is R1, the expansion ratio of the hydrogen gas 40 in the second conversion unit 12B is R2, and the expansion ratio of the hydrogen gas 40 in the third conversion unit 12C is R3. Then, when the pressure P is reduced from the pressure Ph to the pressure Pl, and the volume V is increased from the volume Vl to the volume Vh, the expansion ratio R of the hydrogen gas 40 becomes the expansion ratio R1, the expansion ratio R2, and the expansion ratio R3. Product.

  However, as described above, in the present embodiment, the first heat exchanger 102A is provided between the first conversion unit 12A and the second conversion unit 12B, and the second conversion unit 12B and the third conversion unit 12C are provided. A second heat exchanger 102B is provided between the first heat exchanger 102B and the second heat exchanger 102B. Therefore, the hydrogen gas 40 is heated by flowing through each of the first heat exchanger 102A and the second heat exchanger 102B, and the internal energy of the hydrogen gas 40 is increased.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as described above, the first to third temperature detection signals output from the first to third thermometers 162A to 162C, that is, the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C The temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through each first gas flow path 26 is input to the control device 28. Here, in the present embodiment, the injectors 22A and 22B and the solenoid valves 36A and 36B of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C are controlled as follows based on the first to third temperature detection signals. Is done.

  First, when the temperatures based on the first to third temperature detection signals are all equal, that is, the temperatures of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the first gas passages 26 of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C are equal. The case will be described.

  In this case, the expansion ratio of the hydrogen gas 40 in each of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C is set in each of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C so that each of R1 to R3 becomes equal. The time for opening and closing the injectors 22A and 22B and the solenoid valves 36A and 36B is set.

  Here, in FIG. 13, a change in volume of the hydrogen gas 40 when the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 is reduced from Ph to Pl in one conversion unit 12 is indicated by a dotted line, and the first to third conversion units are shown. The change in the volume V of the hydrogen gas 40 when the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 is reduced from Ph to Pl by 12A to 12C is indicated by a solid line.

  In the present embodiment, hydrogen gas 40 adiabatically expanded and cooled in each of first and second conversion units 12A and 12B is heated by each of first and second heat exchangers 102A and 102B, The temperature of the gas 40 returns to the temperature before cooling in each of the first and second conversion units 12A and 12B. Therefore, the internal energy of the hydrogen gas 40 is heated by each of the first and second heat exchangers 102A and 102B, so that the internal energy of each of the first and second conversion units 12A and 12B is reduced before cooling. In the first and second heat exchangers 102A and 102B, a decrease in the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 is suppressed even when the volume of the hydrogen gas 40 increases.

  For this reason, the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 from the release of the hydrogen gas 40 from the first heat exchanger 102A until the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 is reduced to Pl by the third conversion unit 12 becomes one conversion unit 12 , The pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 becomes higher than when the pressure is reduced from Ph to Pl. The integrated value of the pressure change accompanying the volume change of the hydrogen gas 40 becomes the size of the work of the hydrogen gas 40 in the adiabatic expansion of the hydrogen gas 40. Therefore, when the temperatures of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing in the first gas passages 26 of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C are all the same, the hydrogen in each of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C is By controlling the opening and closing times of the injectors 22A and 22B and the solenoid valves 36A and 36B in each of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C so that the expansion ratios R1 to R3 of the gas 40 are the same, the first -The total sum of power generation by the generators 62 of the third conversion units 12A to 12C can be increased.

  Next, when the temperature based on each of the first to third temperature detection signals decreases stepwise, that is, the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the first gas flow path 26 of the third conversion unit 12C increases The temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the first gas flow path 26 of the second conversion unit 12B is lower than the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the first gas flow path 26 of the first conversion unit 12B. A case in which the temperature is lower than the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through 26 will be described.

  In such a case, the expansion ratio of the hydrogen gas 40 in the first conversion unit 12A becomes larger than the expansion ratio of the hydrogen gas 40 in the second conversion unit 12B, and the hydrogen gas 40 in the second conversion unit 12B. Opening and closing of the injectors 22A and 22B and the solenoid valves 36A and 36B of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C so that the expansion ratio of the first conversion unit 12C becomes larger than the expansion ratio of the hydrogen gas 40 in the third conversion unit 12C. Is controlled by the control device 28.

  Thus, it is possible to suppress the total sum of the power generation by the generators 62 of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C from decreasing.

  Next, when the temperature based on each of the first to third temperature detection signals increases stepwise, that is, the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the first gas flow path 26 of the first conversion unit 12A is changed to the second conversion unit. The temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the first gas flow path 26 of the second conversion unit 12B is lower than the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the first gas flow path 26 of the second conversion unit 12B. A case in which the temperature is lower than the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through 26 will be described.

  In such a case, the expansion ratio of the hydrogen gas 40 in the first conversion unit 12A becomes smaller than the expansion ratio of the hydrogen gas 40 in the second conversion unit 12B, and the hydrogen gas 40 in the second conversion unit 12B. Opening and closing of the injectors 22A, 22B and the solenoid valves 36A, 36B of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C so that the expansion ratio of the first conversion unit 12C becomes smaller than the expansion ratio of the hydrogen gas 40 in the third conversion unit 12C. Is controlled by the control device 28.

  Thus, it is possible to suppress the total sum of the power generation by the generators 62 of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C from decreasing.

  In addition, for example, the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the first gas passage 26 of each of the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C decreases stepwise from the first conversion unit 12A side to the third conversion unit 12C side. In this case, each of the injectors of the first and second conversion units 12A and 12B is set such that the expansion ratio of the hydrogen gas 40 in the first conversion unit 12A is increased in the expansion ratio of the hydrogen gas 40 in the second conversion unit 12B. Opening / closing of 22A, 22B and solenoid valves 36A, 36B may be controlled. That is, in a configuration in which three or more conversion units 12 are connected in series in the flow direction of the hydrogen gas 40, and the heat exchanger 102 is provided between the conversion units 12 adjacent to each other in the flow direction of the hydrogen gas 40, The control of opening and closing the injectors 22A and 22B and the solenoid valves 36A and 36B of each conversion unit 12 is not limited to the control described above.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first heat exchanger 102A is provided between the first conversion unit 12A and the second conversion unit 12B, and the second heat exchanger 102A is provided between the second conversion unit 12B and the third conversion unit 12C. The configuration was such that the heat exchanger 102B was provided. However, for example, a heating means or a heat exchange means such as a heat exchanger 102 is provided between the tank 30 and the first conversion unit 12A to heat the hydrogen gas 40 supplied to the first conversion unit 12A to perform the first heating. The internal energy of the hydrogen gas 40 supplied to the conversion unit 12A may be increased. That is, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the hydrogen gas 40 released from the conversion unit 12 flows to the heating unit or the heat exchange unit.

  In the present embodiment, the first heat exchanger 102A is provided between the first conversion unit 12A and the second conversion unit 12B, and the second heat exchanger 102A is provided between the second conversion unit 12B and the third conversion unit 12C. The configuration was such that the heat exchanger 102B was provided. However, for example, in the first heat exchanger 102A, a gas passage different from the gas passage through which the hydrogen gas 40 supplied from the first conversion unit 12A flows is provided in the first heat exchanger 102A. The other end of the second gas passage 34 of the second conversion unit 12B is connected to a fuel gas supply port connected to the passage, and the first gas passage of the third conversion unit 12C is connected to a fuel gas discharge port connected to another gas passage. 26, that is, a configuration in which hydrogen gas 40 from different conversion units 12 is supplied to the same heat exchanger 102.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a first heat exchanger 102A is provided between the three first conversion units 12A and the second conversion unit 12B, and a first heat exchanger 102A is provided between the second conversion unit 12B and the third conversion unit 12C. The configuration was such that the second heat exchanger 102B was provided. However, for example, in the first heat exchanger 102A, a gas passage different from the gas passage through which the hydrogen gas 40 supplied from the first conversion unit 12A flows is provided in the first heat exchanger 102A. The other end of the second gas passage 34 of the second conversion unit 12B is connected to a fuel gas supply port connected to the passage, and the first gas passage of the third conversion unit 12C is connected to a fuel gas discharge port connected to another gas passage. 26, that is, a configuration in which hydrogen gas 40 from different conversion units 12 is supplied to the same heat exchanger 102.

  Further, in the above-described third to fifth embodiments, the first heat exchangers 102, 102A, and 102B are heat exchange means, and the third fluid, the fourth fluid, and the fifth are heat exchange targets. And it was. However, the heat exchange means only needs to be able to increase the temperature of the first fluid and increase the internal energy of the first fluid as a result of heat exchange between the first fluid and the heat exchange target.

  Therefore, the heat exchange target does not need to be configured to cool the heat-generating device, and the heat exchange target is changed to air (outside air) near the heat exchange means (for example, the first heat exchangers 102, 102A, 102B). The first fluid may be heated by the air (outside air) in the heat exchange means, whereby the temperature of the first fluid is increased and the internal energy of the first fluid is increased. In such a configuration, a flow path for circulating the heat exchange target is not required.

  Further, the third to fifth embodiments have a configuration including the first heat exchangers 102, 102A, and 102B as heat exchange means. However, for example, the flow path of the hydrogen gas 40 as the first fluid is heated by the heat of the surrounding air or the like, whereby the heat of the hydrogen gas 40 flowing through the flow path is increased, and the internal energy of the hydrogen gas 40 is increased. May be adopted. That is, the temperature of the hydrogen gas 40 as the first fluid may be increased without providing a special configuration as the heat exchange unit.

  Further, the present embodiment has a configuration including the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C. However, the number of conversion units 12 may be two, or four or more.

  Further, in each of the embodiments described above, the conversion unit 12 including the first to third conversion units 12A to 12C has a configuration in which each of the conversion units 12 includes two cylinders 16A and 16B as a pressure transmission unit. . However, the number of pressure transmitting units constituting the conversion unit 12 may be one, or the number of pressure transmitting units constituting the conversion unit 12 may be three or more. A modification in which the conversion unit 12 includes one pressure transmitting unit will be briefly described below.

  In the modification shown in FIG. 14, the conversion unit 12 of the fluid energy conversion device 10 includes a second cylinder 172. On one end side of the second cylinder 172, a liquid supply port 174 and a liquid discharge port 176 are provided. The other end of the third liquid channel 60 is connected to the liquid supply port 174 of the second cylinder 172. Further, the liquid supply port 174 of the second cylinder 172 is connected to the liquid discharge port of the cylinder 16 as a pressure transmitting unit via the third liquid flow path 60, the turbine 56, the second liquid flow path 54, and the first liquid flow path 50. 176.

  On the other hand, one end of the fourth liquid flow path 68 is connected to the liquid discharge port 176 of the second cylinder 172. Further, the liquid discharge port 176 of the second cylinder 172 is connected to the liquid supply port 174 of the cylinder 16 via the fourth liquid flow path 68.

  Further, a piston 170 is provided inside the second cylinder 172. On the other end side of the second cylinder 172 than the piston 170 inside the second cylinder 172, an urging means 180 is provided. The piston 170 is urged by the urging means 180 toward one end of the second cylinder 172.

  In such a configuration, when the injector 22 is opened for a predetermined time while the electromagnetic valve 36 is closed, and when the hydrogen gas 40 is supplied into the cylinder 16, the pressure of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16 is reduced. The hydrogen gas 40 is expanded until the urging force of the urging means 180 is balanced. As the hydrogen gas 40 expands, the liquid 42 is moved to the second cylinder 172 side. Thus, the turbine 56 is rotated.

  Further, when the expansion of the hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16 ends and the solenoid valve 36 is opened with the injector 22 closed, the liquid 42 in the second cylinder 172 receives the urging force of the urging means 180. Is returned to the cylinder 16 through the fourth liquid flow path 68. The hydrogen gas 40 in the cylinder 16 is released by the liquid 42 returned into the cylinder 16 in this manner.

  Even with such a configuration, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In each of the above embodiments, the first fluid is a gas such as hydrogen gas 40 or high-pressure air. However, the first fluid may be a liquid, and the specific configuration of the first fluid is not limited and can be widely applied.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the liquid 42 is used as the second fluid. However, the first fluid may be a gas. In the case of such a configuration, one end of the cylinders 16A and 16B to which the first fluid is supplied is separated from the other ends of the cylinders 16A and 16B to which the second fluid is supplied in the cylinders 16A and 16B. In addition, it is preferable to provide a piston that can move to one end and the other end in the cylinders 16A and 16B. Thereby, even when the first fluid and the second fluid are both gases, it is possible to suppress the first fluid and the second fluid from being mixed.

  As described above, the second fluid may be a gas, and the specific configuration of the second fluid is not limited and can be widely applied.

10 Fluid energy conversion device 12, 12A, 12B, 12C conversion unit 14 Fuel cell system (fluid utilization device)
16, 16A, 16B Cylinder (pressure transmitting part)
18, 18A, 18B Fuel gas supply port (first fluid supply port)
20, 20A, 20B Fuel gas discharge port (first fluid discharge port)
28 control device (control means)
40 Hydrogen gas (first fluid)
42 liquid (second fluid)
48A First communication channel 48B Second communication channel 56 Turbine (rotating device)
58 Energy conversion unit (energy conversion means)
84 Cooling system (fluid utilization equipment)
102A, 102B heat exchanger (heat exchange means)
152 pressure reducing valve (pressure reducing means)

Claims (14)

A pressure transmitting unit capable of discharging the first fluid supplied from the first fluid supply unit to the outside from the first fluid discharge unit;
At least a part is in the pressure transmitting part, and a part is released from the second fluid discharging part of the pressure transmitting part to the outside by transmitting the pressure of the first fluid supplied to the inside of the pressure transmitting part. A second fluid that is capable of transmitting pressure to the first fluid by being supplied from the second fluid supply unit of the pressure transmission unit to the inside of the pressure transmission unit;
Energy conversion means for converting the energy of the second fluid to another energy when the second fluid flows,
The fluid energy conversion device provided with the conversion unit comprised including. The conversion unit,
A pair of the pressure transmitting portions,
The second fluid discharge unit of one of the pair of pressure transmitting units is connected to the second fluid supply of the other pressure transmitting unit, and the second fluid is supplied by the pressure of the first fluid supplied to the one pressure transmitting unit. A first communication flow passage which is capable of moving the fluid to the other pressure transmitting unit;
The other of the pair of pressure transmitting sections is connected to the second fluid discharge section and the one of the pressure transmitting sections to the second fluid supply, and the pressure of the first fluid supplied to the other pressure transmitting section causes the second fluid to flow. A second communication flow passage that allows movement of one of the fluids to the pressure transmitting unit;
With
The energy conversion means passes through the second fluid from one of the pressure transmitting portions through the first communication channel to the other pressure transmitting portion and the second fluid from the other pressure transmitting portion through the second communication channel. The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the energy of the second fluid flowing to one of the pressure transmitting units is converted into the other energy.   The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the first fluid is a gas, and the second fluid is a liquid.   4. The rotating device according to claim 1, wherein the energy conversion unit has a rotating unit that is rotated by the flow of the second fluid, and is a rotating device that outputs a rotating force of the rotating unit as the other energy. 5. The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 1.   The physical quantity of the first fluid supplied to the pressure transmitting unit and the first fluid discharged from the pressure transmitting unit by controlling the opening / closing timing of each of the first fluid supply unit and the first fluid discharging unit The fluid energy conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising control means for adjusting a physical quantity of the fluid energy.   The control unit controls the opening and closing timing of each of the first fluid supply unit and the first fluid discharge unit based on the pressure or volume of the first fluid supplied to the pressure transmission unit, thereby controlling the pressure transmission. The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 5, wherein the pressure of the first fluid discharged from the section is controlled.   The control unit controls the opening and closing timing of each of the first fluid supply unit and the first fluid discharge unit based on the pressure or volume of the first fluid supplied to the pressure transmission unit, thereby controlling the pressure transmission. The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 5, wherein at least one of a flow rate and a temperature of the first fluid discharged from the section is controlled.   The pressure reducing means for reducing the first fluid discharged from the first fluid discharge unit to a predetermined pressure and suppressing at least one of a temperature change and a flow rate change of the first fluid at the time of pressure reduction. Fluid energy converter.   9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fluid utilization device connected to the first fluid discharge unit and supplied with the first fluid discharged from the first fluid discharge unit to utilize the first fluid. 9. 2. The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 1.   The fluid energy conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein an internal energy of the first fluid is increased when the first fluid is supplied to the conversion unit.   A heat exchange unit connected to the first fluid supply unit of the conversion unit, wherein heat is exchanged between the first fluid and a heat exchange target to increase internal energy of the first fluid. Item 11. A fluid energy conversion device according to item 10.   Adjacent to each other in the direction of the flow of the first fluid, the first fluid discharge portion of the conversion unit on the upstream side in the direction of the flow of the first fluid has the conversion portion on the downstream side in the direction of the flow of the first fluid. A plurality of the conversion units connected directly or indirectly to the first fluid supply unit of the unit, wherein the first fluid flowing through the first fluid discharge unit of the upstream conversion unit is connected to the first fluid supply unit. The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the internal energy of the first fluid is increased when supplied to the conversion unit.   The temperature of the first fluid flowing through the first fluid supply unit of one of the upstream conversion unit and the downstream conversion unit is higher than the temperature of the first fluid flowing through the other first fluid supply unit. Is higher, the expansion ratio of the first conversion fluid in both the upstream conversion unit and the downstream conversion unit is set such that the expansion ratio of the first fluid in the one is higher than the expansion ratio of the first fluid in the other. The fluid energy conversion device according to claim 12, wherein opening and closing of one fluid supply part and the first fluid discharge part are controlled. The first fluid discharge portion of the upstream conversion unit of the conversion units connected in series with the first fluid flow direction and adjacent to each other in the first fluid flow direction is the downstream conversion unit. Comprising three or more said conversion units connected directly or indirectly to said first fluid supply of a unit,
Of the conversion unit on the most upstream side arranged on the most upstream side in the direction of the flow of the first fluid and the conversion unit on the most downstream side arranged on the most downstream side in the direction of the flow of the first fluid, When the temperature of the first fluid flowing through one first fluid supply is higher than the temperature of the first fluid flowing through the other first fluid supply, the first fluid in each of the conversion units The opening and closing of each of the first fluid supply unit and each of the first fluid discharge units of the conversion unit is controlled such that the expansion rate of the first fluid supply unit and the first fluid discharge unit of the conversion unit increases stepwise from the one side to the other side. 13. The fluid energy conversion device according to item 12.