JP2021185316A - High-pressure vessel system and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To accurately measure the gas pressure of a low-pressure area in a high-pressure vessel by a simple structure.SOLUTION: A supply path 16 of a high-pressure vessel system 10 introduces a gas stored in a high-pressure vessel 14 to a fuel battery 12. A branch path pressure reduction valve 22 is arranged in a branch path 20 branched from a branch part 38 of the supply path 16. A first pressure sensor 24 measures the gas pressure of a first pressure region 44 which is arranged at a primary side of the branch path pressure reduction valve 22, and at the supply path 16 so that the gas pressure becomes the same as that in the high-pressure vessel 14. A second pressure sensor 26 measures the gas pressure of a second pressure region 46 of the branch path pressure reduction valve 22 at a secondary side, and has a narrower measurement range than that of the first pressure sensor 24. When the gas pressure of the first pressure region 44 is higher than a regulation value, the branch path pressure reduction valve 22 sets the gas pressure of the second pressure region 46 to the regulation value, and when the gas pressure of the first pressure region 44 is equal to or lower than the regulation value, the branch path pressure reduction valve sets the first pressure region 44 and the second pressure region 46 to the same pressure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a high-pressure container system provided with a supply path for guiding gas stored in the high-pressure container to a gas consuming unit and a control method thereof.

For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a high-pressure container system including a supply path for guiding a gas stored in a high-pressure container to a gas consuming unit such as a fuel cell is known. The supply path has the same pressure region where the gas pressure is the same as in the high pressure container. In this high-pressure container system, the gas pressure in the high-pressure container is measured by a pressure sensor provided in the same pressure region of the supply path.

Japanese Patent No. 5131612

The gas pressure in the high-pressure container changes in a wide range of, for example, 100 MPa or more, from a high-pressure state in which the high-pressure container is fully filled with gas to a low-pressure state near the required minimum residual pressure of the high-pressure container. Therefore, in the above high-pressure container system, it is necessary to measure the gas pressure in the high-pressure container (same pressure region) using a pressure sensor having a wide measurement range corresponding to the gas pressure in the high-pressure container. However, a pressure sensor having a wide measurement range has a large measurement error range, which makes it difficult to measure the gas pressure in the high-pressure container with high accuracy.

This type of high-pressure vessel system is required to be able to measure the gas pressure in the high-pressure vessel with high accuracy, especially in the low-pressure region near the required minimum residual pressure. By making it possible to measure the gas pressure in the low pressure range with high accuracy, for example, gas from the high pressure container until the gas pressure in the high pressure container approaches the required minimum residual pressure as much as possible within the range not lower than the required minimum residual pressure. It becomes possible to supply gas to the consumption part. That is, since the amount of invalid residual gas remaining in the high-pressure container can be minimized for the purpose of maintaining the gas pressure, the gas in the high-pressure container can be effectively used.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a high-pressure container system capable of measuring gas pressure in a low-pressure region in a high-pressure container with high accuracy with a simple configuration and a control method thereof.

One aspect of the present invention is a high-pressure container system including a supply path for guiding the gas stored in the high-pressure container to the gas consuming section, which is branched from the branch section of the supply path and provided with a branch path pressure reducing valve. A first pressure region provided in the path, the primary side of the branch path pressure reducing valve, and the supply path so as to have the same pressure as the inside of the high pressure container, and a first for measuring the gas pressure in the first pressure region. A second pressure sensor that measures the gas pressure in the pressure sensor, the second pressure region provided on the secondary side of the branch path pressure reducing valve, and the second pressure region, and has a narrower measurement range than the first pressure sensor. When the gas pressure in the first pressure region is higher than the pressure regulation value, the branch path pressure reducing valve sets the gas pressure in the second pressure region as the pressure regulation value and gas in the first pressure region. When the pressure is equal to or less than the pressure adjustment value, the second pressure region and the first pressure region are made the same pressure, and in the second pressure sensor, the second pressure region and the first pressure region are the same pressure. When becomes, the gas pressure in the high pressure container can be measured.

Another aspect of the present invention is a control method of a high pressure container system including a supply path for guiding the gas stored in the high pressure container to the gas consumption section, wherein the high pressure container system branches from a branch portion of the supply path. A branch path provided with a branch path pressure reducing valve, a first pressure region provided on the primary side of the branch path pressure reducing valve and the supply path so as to have the same pressure as in the high pressure container, and the first. The first pressure sensor that measures the gas pressure in the first pressure region, the second pressure region provided on the secondary side of the branch path pressure reducing valve, and the gas pressure in the second pressure region are measured and the first pressure. A second pressure sensor having a narrower measurement range than the sensor is provided, and when the gas pressure in the first pressure region is higher than the pressure adjusting value, the gas pressure in the second pressure region is adjusted by the branch path pressure reducing valve. When the gas pressure in the first pressure region is equal to or lower than the pressure regulation value, the second pressure region and the first pressure region are made the same pressure by the branch path pressure reducing valve, and the second pressure sensor is used. The gas pressure in the high pressure container can be measured.

This high pressure vessel system can measure the gas pressure in the high pressure vessel through the first pressure region by the first pressure sensor. Further, when the gas pressure in the high pressure container becomes a low pressure region equal to or lower than the pressure adjustment value, the gas pressure in the high pressure container can be measured by the second pressure sensor even through the second pressure region. Since the second pressure sensor only needs to be able to measure the gas pressure in the range of the pressure adjustment value or less, the measurement range can be narrower than that of the first pressure sensor. By using the second pressure sensor having a narrow measurement range and a small measurement error range in this way, it is possible to measure the gas pressure in the low pressure region in the high pressure container with high accuracy.

Further, in this high-pressure container system, a branch path pressure reducing valve and a second pressure sensor are provided in the branch path branching from the branch portion of the supply path, in addition to the supply path for guiding the gas in the high-pressure container to the gas consuming section. Thereby, for example, the high pressure container system can be made a simple configuration as compared with the case where the branch path pressure reducing valve and the second pressure sensor are directly provided in the supply path.

That is, the supply channel needs to circulate a large flow rate of gas for supplying from the high-pressure container to the gas consuming unit. When a branch path pressure reducing valve and a second pressure sensor are provided in such a supply path, the gas pressure in the second pressure region is kept below the pressure regulation value while maintaining a state in which gas is smoothly supplied to the gas consuming section. It is necessary to design complicated flow path characteristics for this purpose. On the other hand, in the branch path, since it is not necessary to consider supplying the gas in the branch path to the gas consuming section, it is difficult to limit the cross-sectional area of the flow path, the flow rate of gas to be circulated, and the like as compared with the supply path. By providing the branch path pressure reducing valve and the second pressure sensor in such a branch path, the high pressure vessel system can be simply configured without the need for designing complicated flow path characteristics.

From the above, according to this high pressure container system and its control method, it is possible to measure the gas pressure in the low pressure region in the high pressure container with high accuracy with a simple configuration.

It is a schematic block diagram of the high pressure container system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the high pressure container system which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the high pressure container system which concerns on another modification of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the high pressure container system which concerns on another modification of this invention.

A suitable embodiment of the high-pressure container system and the control method of the high-pressure container system according to the present invention will be given, and will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following figures, components having the same or similar functions and effects may be designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description may be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the high-pressure container system 10 according to the present embodiment is mounted on, for example, an on-board body (not shown) which is a fuel cell vehicle, and supplies hydrogen gas to the fuel cell 12 which is a gas consuming unit. Can be suitably used as. That is, the high-pressure container system 10 can be suitably used as a device including a high-pressure container 14 (high-pressure tank) for storing hydrogen gas.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, an example in which the mounted body is a fuel cell vehicle, the gas consuming unit is a fuel cell 12, and the high-pressure container 14 stores hydrogen gas will be described, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. The high-pressure container system 10 may be mounted on a mounting body other than the fuel cell vehicle, and may supply a gas other than hydrogen gas to a gas consuming unit other than the fuel cell 12. That is, the high-pressure container 14 may store a gas other than hydrogen gas.

The high-pressure container system 10 includes one high-pressure container 14, a supply path 16, a control unit 18, a branch path 20, a branch path pressure reducing valve 22, a first pressure sensor 24, and a second pressure sensor 26. Be prepared. The high-pressure container system 10 may include a plurality of high-pressure containers 14, and in this case, the capacities of the plurality of high-pressure containers 14 may be the same or different from each other.

The high-pressure container 14 can be filled with hydrogen gas via a filling path (not shown). Further, the hydrogen gas stored in the high-pressure container 14 can be supplied to the fuel cell 12 via the supply path 16. The high-pressure container system 10 is controlled by a control unit 18 configured as a computer equipped with a CPU, a memory, or the like (not shown).

The high-pressure container 14 has a resin liner 28 made of a hollow body capable of storing hydrogen gas inside, and a fiber reinforced resin reinforcing layer 30 covering the outer surface of the liner 28. That is, the gas pressure in the high-pressure container 14 indicates the pressure of the hydrogen gas contained in the liner 28.

Further, the high-pressure container 14 is provided with a base 32 at an opening that communicates the inside and the outside of the liner 28. A valve assembly 34 is fixed to the base 32. The inflow of hydrogen gas into the high-pressure container 14 and the release of hydrogen gas from the high-pressure container 14 are controlled through the valve assembly 34. In FIGS. 1 to 4, the valve assembly 34 is shown inside the high-pressure container 14 for convenience of explanation.

The valve assembly 34 is provided with a part of the upstream side of the supply path 16 and a main check valve 36 for opening and closing the supply path 16. By opening the main check valve 36, hydrogen gas can be discharged from the high pressure container 14 toward the fuel cell 12 side. By closing the main check valve 36, the discharge of hydrogen gas from the high-pressure container 14 is stopped.

The supply path 16 is provided so that the inside of the high-pressure container 14 and the fuel cell 12 can communicate with each other. Further, a first pressure sensor 24, a branch portion 38, a supply path pressure reducing valve 40, and an injector 42 are provided on the downstream side of the main stop valve 36 of the supply path 16. The branch path 20 branches from the branch portion 38 of the supply path 16. For example, by making the diameter of the pipe forming the branch path 20 smaller than the diameter of the pipe forming the supply path 16, the cross-sectional area of the entire or at least a part of the branch path 20 is the supply path 16. It is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the flow path.

The branch path 20 is provided with a branch path pressure reducing valve 22. Each of the primary side (branch portion 38 side) of the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 of the branch path 20 and the primary side (high pressure container 14 side) of the supply path pressure reducing valve 40 of the supply path 16 has the same pressure as that in the high pressure container 14. It becomes 1 pressure region 44. In addition to the fact that the pressures of each other are the same, the same pressure may include that the pressures of each other correspond to each other, in other words, that the pressure of one is obtained from the pressure of the other. The secondary side (opposite side to the branch portion 38) of the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 of the branch path 20 has a second pressure region 46 maintained at a gas pressure equal to or lower than the pressure regulation value by the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 as described later. Become.

The first pressure sensor 24 measures the gas pressure in the first pressure region 44. That is, the first pressure sensor 24 can measure the gas pressure in the high pressure container 14 via the first pressure region 44. The first pressure sensor 24 may be provided on the primary side of the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 of the branch path 20 instead of the supply path 16. The first pressure sensor 24 can be used, for example, for displaying the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the high-pressure container 14 to the occupants of the fuel cell vehicle and the like.

The gas pressure in the high-pressure container 14 at the time of full filling is increased to, for example, a high pressure range of 70 MPaG to 105 MPaG. Therefore, it is preferable that the first pressure sensor 24 has a measurement range of 105 MPa or more so that the gas pressure in the range of, for example, from around 0 MPaG to around 105 MPaG can be measured.

The second pressure sensor 26 measures the gas pressure in the second pressure region 46. The measurement range of the second pressure sensor 26 is narrower than that of the first pressure sensor 24. The measurement range of the second pressure sensor 26 is preferably several MPa (for example, 1.0 MPa to 3.0 MPa) from the viewpoint of reducing the range of measurement error of the second pressure sensor 26. With such a measurement range, the measurement error of the second pressure sensor 26 can be reduced to, for example, in the range of 0.1 MPa to 0.2 MPa.

The branch path pressure reducing valve 22 maintains the gas pressure in the second pressure region 46 at the pressure regulation value when the gas pressure in the first pressure region 44 is higher than the pressure regulation value. The branch path pressure reducing valve 22 may be composed of any of a mechanical type, an electric type, and an electromagnetic type, but is preferably a mechanical type from the viewpoint of reducing power consumption.

That is, when the gas pressure in the first pressure region 44 is higher than the pressure regulation value, the second pressure sensor 26 measures the pressure of the hydrogen gas maintained at the pressure regulation value by the branch path pressure reducing valve 22. .. Therefore, the measurement range of the second pressure sensor 26 may be set so that the gas pressure equal to or lower than the pressure adjustment value set by the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 can be measured. A preferable example of the pressure adjustment value is 2 MPaG, but the pressure adjustment value is not particularly limited to this. By reducing the pressure adjustment value, the measurement range of the second pressure sensor 26 can be reduced.

Further, when the gas pressure in the first pressure region 44 is equal to or lower than the pressure regulation value, the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 makes the second pressure region 46 and the first pressure region 44 the same pressure. Therefore, when the first pressure region 44 (inside the high pressure container 14) becomes the gas pressure in the low pressure region equal to or lower than the pressure adjustment value, the second pressure sensor 26 enters the high pressure container 14 via the second pressure region 46. It becomes possible to measure the gas pressure.

The measured value of the second pressure sensor 26 can be used, for example, for the purpose of monitoring by the control unit 18 that the gas pressure in the high pressure container 14 does not fall below the lower limit set value. The lower limit set value is the required minimum residual pressure of the high pressure container 14, and the reliability of the high pressure container 14 can be maintained by controlling the gas pressure in the high pressure container 14 so as not to fall below the lower limit set value.

As described above, when the high-pressure container 14 has the liner 28 made of resin and the reinforcing layer 30, the hydrogen gas contained in the liner 28 permeates the liner 28 to the outer surface of the liner 28 and the reinforcing layer 30. It may enter the space (hereinafter, also referred to as the covering part).

When the gas pressure in the high-pressure container 14 (liner 28) decreases and becomes lower than the gas pressure in the coating portion while the fluid stays in the covering portion, the liner 28 and the reinforcing layer 30 are separated from each other, and the liner 28 becomes the liner 28. There is a concern that buckling or the like that protrudes toward the inside is likely to occur. Therefore, for example, it is preferable to set the minimum value of the gas pressure in the high-pressure container 14 that can maintain the above-mentioned peeling and buckling in a suppressable state as the lower limit setting value. The lower limit setting value can be set according to the configuration of the high-pressure container 14, and is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 1 MPaG or less.

When monitoring the gas pressure in the high pressure container 14, the control unit 18 has a determination threshold value set higher than the lower limit set value by a size corresponding to the measurement error range of the second pressure sensor 26, and a second pressure. Compare with the measured value of the sensor 26. Then, when the measured value of the second pressure sensor 26 is equal to or less than the determination threshold value, for example, by closing the main stop valve 36, hydrogen gas flows between the high pressure container 14 and the fuel cell 12. To shut off. This prevents the gas pressure in the high pressure container 14 from further decreasing.

The high-pressure container system 10 may be provided with a shutoff valve (not shown) on the downstream side of the injector 42 of the supply path 16, for example. In this case, when the measured value of the second pressure sensor 26 is equal to or less than the determination threshold value, the shutoff valve is closed to shut off the flow of hydrogen gas between the high pressure container 14 and the fuel cell 12. You may.

The supply passage pressure reducing valve 40 reduces the pressure of hydrogen gas to a fuel cell when the gas pressure upstream of the supply passage pressure reducing valve 40 of the supply passage 16 is larger than a value suitable for supply to the fuel cell 12. Make the size suitable for supply to 12. The supply path pressure reducing valve 40 may be composed of any of a mechanical type, an electric type, and an electromagnetic type. Further, the high pressure container system 10 may not be provided with the supply path pressure reducing valve 40 in the front stage of the fuel cell 12 in the supply path 16 when it is not necessary to particularly adjust the pressure of the hydrogen gas. The injector 42 is composed of, for example, a solenoid valve or an electric valve, and adjusts the supply pressure, supply flow rate, and the like of hydrogen gas to the fuel cell 12 based on the control of the control unit 18.

Hereinafter, the control method of the high-pressure container system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the high-pressure container system 10, when the hydrogen gas stored in the high-pressure container 14 is supplied to the fuel cell 12, the control unit 18 opens the main stop valve 36 of the supply path 16. As a result, a part of the hydrogen gas in the supply path 16 that has passed through the main check valve 36 and is discharged from the high-pressure container 14 flows into the branch path 20 at the branch portion 38. Further, the hydrogen gas that does not flow into the branch passage 20 is depressurized to a predetermined pressure by the supply passage pressure reducing valve 40, and then supplied to the fuel cell 12 at the pressure and flow rate adjusted by the injector 42.

The hydrogen gas supplied to the fuel cell 12 is consumed in the electrochemical reaction (power generation reaction) in the fuel cell 12. It is possible to drive a fuel cell vehicle by using the electric power obtained by this electrochemical reaction.

As described above, the primary side (branch portion 38 side) of the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 of the branch path 20 and the primary side (high pressure container 14 side) of the supply path pressure reducing valve 40 of the supply path 16 are the same as those of the high pressure container 14. It becomes the first pressure region 44 of the pressure. Therefore, the gas pressure in the high pressure container 14 can be measured by the first pressure sensor 24 that measures the gas pressure in the first pressure region 44. When the measured value of the first pressure sensor 24 is higher than the pressure regulation value, in other words, when the gas pressure in the first pressure region 44 is higher than the pressure regulation value, the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 is in the second pressure region 46. Maintain the gas pressure at the pressure regulation value. Therefore, the measured value of the second pressure sensor 26 is constant at the pressure adjustment value.

When the measured value of the first pressure sensor 24 is higher than the pressure adjusting value, the control unit 18 does not use the measured value of the second pressure sensor 26, but uses the measured value of the first pressure sensor 24 to use the high pressure container 14. Find the amount of gas inside.

When the amount of gas in the high-pressure container 14 decreases due to the consumption of hydrogen gas in the fuel cell 12, the gas pressure in the first pressure region 44 decreases. As a result, when the gas pressure in the first pressure region 44 drops until it reaches the pressure regulation value, the pressure in the first pressure region 44 and the second pressure region 46 becomes the same via the branch path pressure reducing valve 22. Therefore, the second pressure sensor 26 makes it possible to measure the gas pressure in the low pressure region in the high pressure container 14 which is equal to or lower than the pressure adjustment value.

When the measured value of the first pressure sensor 24 is equal to or less than the pressure adjusting value, the control unit 18 obtains the amount of gas in the high pressure container 14 using the measured value of the first pressure sensor 24 and the second pressure sensor 26. It is monitored that the gas pressure in the high pressure vessel 14 does not fall below the lower limit set value by using the measured value of. Specifically, the measured value of the second pressure sensor 26 and the determination threshold value are compared. Then, when the measured value of the second pressure sensor 26 becomes equal to or less than the determination threshold value, the main stop valve 36 (or the above-mentioned shutoff valve) is closed and the gas between the high pressure container 14 and the fuel cell 12 is charged. Block distribution. This prevents the gas pressure in the high pressure container 14 from further decreasing.

When the measured value of the first pressure sensor 24 is equal to or less than the pressure adjusting value, the control unit 18 replaces the measured value of the first pressure sensor 24 or together with the measured value of the first pressure sensor 24 in the second. The amount of gas in the high-pressure container 14 may be determined using the measured value of the pressure sensor 26.

From the above, in this high pressure container system 10, since the second pressure sensor 26 only needs to be able to measure the gas pressure in the range of the pressure adjustment value or less, the measurement range can be narrower than that of the first pressure sensor 24. .. By using the second pressure sensor 26 having a narrow measurement range and a small measurement error range as described above, it is possible to measure the gas pressure in the low pressure region in the high pressure container 14 with high accuracy.

Further, in the high pressure container system 10, the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 and the second branch path pressure reducing valve 22 and the second branch path 20 are branched from the branch portion 38 of the supply path 16 separately from the supply path 16 that guides the gas in the high pressure container 14 to the fuel cell 12. A pressure sensor 26 is provided. Thereby, for example, the high pressure container system 10 can have a simple configuration as compared with the case where the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 and the second pressure sensor 26 are directly provided in the supply path 16.

That is, the supply path 16 needs to circulate a large flow rate of gas for supplying the fuel cell 12 from the high pressure container 14. When the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 and the second pressure sensor 26 are provided in such a supply path 16, the gas pressure in the second pressure region 46 is adjusted while maintaining a state in which the gas supply to the fuel cell 12 is smoothly performed. It is necessary to design complicated flow path characteristics to keep the pressure below the pressure value. On the other hand, in the branch path 20, since it is not necessary to consider supplying the gas in the branch path 20 to the fuel cell 12, the cross-sectional area of the flow path, the flow rate of gas to be circulated, and the like are limited as compared with the supply path 16. hard. By providing the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 and the second pressure sensor 26 in such a branch path 20, the high pressure container system 10 can be simply configured without the need for designing complicated flow path characteristics.

Therefore, according to the high pressure container system 10 and its control method, it is possible to measure the gas pressure in the low pressure region in the high pressure container 14 with high accuracy with a simple configuration.

In the high-pressure container system 10 according to the above embodiment, the channel cross-sectional area of the branch path 20 is smaller than the channel cross-sectional area of the supply path 16. As described above, in the branch path 20, it is not necessary to consider supplying the hydrogen gas in the branch path 20 to the fuel cell 12, and it is not necessary to circulate a large flow rate gas as in the supply path 16. The cross-sectional area of the flow path can be reduced. By reducing the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the branch path 20 in this way, it becomes possible to reduce the size of the piping forming the branch path 20, the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 and the like.

Further, by reducing the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the branch path 20, the gas pressure in the branch path 20 can be quickly changed in response to a change in a small amount of gas, so that the gas by the second pressure sensor 26 can be changed. The accuracy of pressure measurement can be improved. As a result, it becomes possible to measure the gas pressure in the low pressure region in the high pressure container 14 with higher accuracy while suppressing the increase in size of the high pressure container system 10.

In the control method of the high pressure container system 10 according to the above embodiment, when the measured value of the first pressure sensor 24 is higher than the pressure adjusting value, the control unit 18 of the high pressure container system 10 determines the measured value of the first pressure sensor 24. The amount of gas in the high pressure container 14 is obtained by using, and when the measured value of the first pressure sensor 24 is equal to or less than the pressure adjustment value, the amount of gas in the high pressure container 14 is obtained by using the measured value of the first pressure sensor 24. It was decided to monitor that the gas pressure in the high pressure container 14 does not fall below the lower limit set value by using the measured value of the second pressure sensor 26.

As described above, in the second pressure sensor 26 having a small measurement range, the range of measurement error can be reduced, so that the gas pressure in the low pressure region in the high pressure container 14 can be measured with high accuracy. By monitoring the gas pressure in the high pressure container 14 using the measured value of the second pressure sensor 26, it is highly reliable that the gas pressure in the high pressure container 14 is lower than the required minimum residual pressure. Can be avoided with. As a result, for example, it is possible to effectively suppress the peeling of the liner 28 and the reinforcing layer 30, the buckling in which the liner 28 protrudes toward the inside, and the like, thereby increasing the durability of the high-pressure container 14. Become.

In the control method of the high pressure container system 10 according to the above embodiment, the control unit 18 has a determination threshold value set higher than the lower limit set value by the range of the measurement error of the second pressure sensor 26, and the second pressure sensor 26. When the measured value of the second pressure sensor 26 is equal to or less than the determination threshold value, the flow of hydrogen gas between the high pressure container 14 and the fuel cell 12 (gas consuming unit) is cut off. And said.

As described above, in the second pressure sensor 26, the determination threshold value can be set closer to the required minimum residual pressure because the measurement error range is small. Thereby, hydrogen gas can be supplied from the high pressure container 14 to the fuel cell 12 so that the gas pressure in the high pressure container 14 approaches the required minimum residual pressure as much as possible within a range not lower than the required minimum residual pressure. That is, the amount of ineffective residual hydrogen gas remaining in the high-pressure container 14 can be minimized for the purpose of maintaining the gas pressure. In other words, the proportion of the amount of effective hydrogen gas that can be used as fuel in the fuel cell 12 can be increased from the hydrogen gas stored in the high-pressure container 14.

As a result, it is possible to increase the amount of effective hydrogen gas while maintaining the size (capacity) of the high-pressure container 14, or to reduce the size of the high-pressure container 14 while maintaining the amount of effective hydrogen gas in the high-pressure container 14. Become. If the amount of effective hydrogen gas increases, the cruising range of the fuel cell vehicle can be increased. Further, if the high-pressure container 14 is made smaller, it becomes possible to reduce the cost and weight of the high-pressure container 14.

The present invention is not particularly limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

For example, as in the high-pressure container system 10 according to the modification shown in FIG. 2, on the secondary side (opposite side to the branch portion 38) of the branch path pressure reducing valve 22, the branch path 20 is passed through the branch path control valve 48. It may be connected to the connection portion 50 of the supply path 16. In this case, the connection portion 50 side of the branch path regulation valve 48 of the branch path 20 is the first pressure region 44. Further, the secondary side of the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 is the second pressure region 46 with respect to the branch path regulation valve 48 of the branch path 20. The supply passage pressure reducing valve 40 is provided on the downstream side of the connection portion 50 of the supply passage 16.

The branch path control valve 48 regulates the flow of hydrogen gas from the supply path 16 to the branch path 20 via the connection portion 50. Further, the branch path control valve 48 distributes hydrogen gas from the branch path 20 to the supply path 16 via the connection portion 50 when the gas pressure in the first pressure region 44 is lower than the gas pressure in the second pressure region 46. Tolerate.

In the present embodiment, the branch path control valve 48 is a check valve that controls the flow of hydrogen gas in the branch path 20 as described above. However, the branch path control valve 48 is not particularly limited to this, and is, for example, an on-off valve that is opened only when the gas pressure in the first pressure region 44 is lower than the gas pressure in the second pressure region 46. You may. The branch path regulation valve 48 may be composed of any of a mechanical type, an electric type, and an electromagnetic type.

The control method of the high-pressure container system 10 of FIG. 2 can be basically carried out in the same manner as the control method of the high-pressure container system 10 of FIG. That is, also in the high-pressure container system 10 and its control method according to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the gas pressure in the low-pressure region in the high-pressure container 14 is applied as in the high-pressure container system 10 and its control method according to the embodiment of FIG. It is possible to measure with high accuracy with a simple configuration.

As described above, when the gas pressure in the first pressure region 44 (the gas pressure in the high pressure container 14) decreases due to the consumption of hydrogen gas in the fuel cell 12 and reaches the pressure regulation value, the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 is set. , The first pressure region 44 and the second pressure region 46 are made equal in pressure. That is, the hydrogen gas passes through the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 and can move between the first pressure region 44 and the second pressure region 46. At this time, for example, if the speed at which the gas pressure in the first pressure region 44 decreases is faster than the speed of the hydrogen gas passing through the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 and going from the second pressure region 46 to the first pressure region 44. The gas pressure in the first pressure region 44 may be lower than the gas pressure in the second pressure region 46.

In the control method of the high pressure container system 10 of FIG. 2, when the gas pressure in the first pressure region 44 becomes lower than the gas pressure in the second pressure region 46, the branch path 20 is passed through the connection portion 50 to the supply path 16. The flow of hydrogen gas toward is permitted by the branch road regulation valve 48. That is, in addition to passing through the branch path pressure reducing valve 22, hydrogen gas can be circulated from the second pressure region 46 to the first pressure region 44 also through the branch path regulation valve 48. As a result, the first pressure region 44 and the second pressure region 46 can be quickly made to have the same pressure. As a result, it becomes possible to measure the gas pressure in the low pressure region in the high pressure container 14 by the second pressure sensor 26 with higher accuracy.

Further, the branch path regulation valve 48 regulates the flow of hydrogen gas from the supply path 16 to the branch path 20 via the connection portion 50. Therefore, even if the branch path 20 is connected to the connection portion 50 of the supply path 16 on the secondary side of the branch path pressure reducing valve 22, hydrogen gas flows from the supply path 16 to the branch path 20 via the connection portion 50. Can be avoided. As a result, the second pressure region 46 can be well maintained below the pressure regulation value.

Like the high-pressure container system 10 according to the modification of FIG. 3, the pipes forming the supply path 16 include the primary side connection port 52 forming the branch portion 38 and the secondary side connection port 54 forming the connection portion 50. May have a multi-purpose pipe 56 provided with. The multi-purpose pipe 56 is integrated with at least the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 and the second pressure sensor 26 to form the assembly 58. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the branch path 20, the branch path pressure reducing valve 22, the second pressure sensor 26, and the branch path regulating valve 48 are integrated to form the assembly 58. The assembly 58 is provided on the downstream side of the first pressure sensor 24 of the supply path 16. The multi-purpose pipe 56 may be provided in the high-pressure container system 10 without forming the assembly 58.

The control method of the high-pressure container system 10 of FIG. 3 can be basically carried out in the same manner as the control method of the high-pressure container system 10 of FIG. That is, also in the high-pressure container system 10 and the control method thereof according to the embodiment of FIG. 3, the low-pressure region in the high-pressure container 14 is similar to the high-pressure container system 10 and the control method thereof according to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2. It is possible to measure the gas pressure with high accuracy with a simple configuration.

Further, in the high pressure container system 10 of FIG. 3, by providing the above assembly 58, when the high pressure container system 10 is manufactured, the various pipes 56, the branch path 20, the branch path pressure reducing valve 22, and the second pressure are provided. It is possible to eliminate the work of separately assembling the sensor 26 and the branch path control valve 48. This makes it possible to simplify the manufacturing process of the high-pressure container system 10.

In the high-pressure container system 10 of FIG. 3, the assembly 58 is provided on the downstream side of the first pressure sensor 24 of the supply path 16. In this case, for example, the assembly 58 can be assembled to the existing high-pressure container system 10, and the manufacturing process of the high-pressure container system 10 of FIG. 3 can be further simplified.

Further, it is possible to prevent the measured value of the first pressure sensor 24 from being affected by the pressure loss when the gas released from the high pressure container 14 passes through the assembly 58. This makes it possible to measure the gas pressure in the high pressure container 14 by the first pressure sensor 24 with higher accuracy.

Connection of the branch portion 38, the branch path 20, the branch path pressure reducing valve 22, the second pressure sensor 26, the branch path regulation valve 48, and the supply path 16 of the supply path 16 as in the high-pressure container system 10 according to the modification of FIG. The portion 50 may be provided inside the valve assembly 34. In the present embodiment, the branch portion 38 of the supply path 16, the branch path 20, the branch path pressure reducing valve 22, the second pressure sensor 26, the branch path regulation valve 48, and the connection portion 50 of the supply path 16 are inside the valve assembly 34. Although it is provided on the upstream side of the main stop valve 36 of the above, it may be provided on the downstream side.

Further, although not shown, the high-pressure container system 10 does not include the branch path regulation valve 48 and the connection portion 50 of the supply path 16, and the branch section 38 of the supply path 16, the branch path 20, and the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 are not provided. And only the second pressure sensor 26 may be provided inside the valve assembly 34.

The control method of the high-pressure container system 10 of FIG. 4 can be basically carried out in the same manner as the control method of the high-pressure container system 10 of FIG. That is, also in the high-pressure container system 10 and the control method thereof according to the embodiment of FIG. 4, the low-pressure region in the high-pressure container 14 is similar to the high-pressure container system 10 and the control method thereof according to the embodiments of FIGS. It is possible to measure the gas pressure with high accuracy with a simple configuration.

As described above, in the branch path 20, since the cross-sectional area of the flow path can be reduced, the piping forming the branch path 20, the branch path pressure reducing valve 22 and the like can be miniaturized. Therefore, the branch path 20, the branch path pressure reducing valve 22, and the like can be easily incorporated into the valve assembly 34. As a result, the entire high-pressure container system 10 can be effectively miniaturized.

In the high-pressure container system 10 of FIGS. 2 to 4, the supply passage pressure reducing valve 40 is provided on the downstream side of the connection portion 50 of the supply passage 16. In this case, the gas supplied from the supply path 16 to the fuel cell 12 can be easily adjusted to have a gas pressure suitable for supply to the fuel cell 12. The high-pressure container system 10 of FIGS. 2 to 4 does not have a supply passage pressure reducing valve 40 in the front stage of the fuel cell 12 in the supply passage 16 when it is not necessary to particularly adjust the pressure of hydrogen gas. May be good.

10 ... High pressure container system 12 ... Fuel cell 14 ... High pressure container 16 ... Supply path 18 ... Control unit 20 ... Branch path 22 ... Branch path pressure reducing valve 24 ... First pressure sensor 26 ... Second pressure sensor 28 ... Liner 30 ... Reinforcing layer 32 ... Base 34 ... Valve assembly 36 ... Main stop valve 38 ... Branch 40 ... Supply path pressure reducing valve 44 ... First pressure region 46 ... Second pressure region 48 ... Branch path regulation valve 50 ... Connection 52 ... Primary side connection port 54 ... Secondary side connection port 56 ... Multi-purpose pipe 58 ... Assembly

Claims (11)

A high-pressure container system equipped with a supply path that guides the gas stored in the high-pressure container to the gas consumption unit.
A branch path that branches from the branch portion of the supply path and is provided with a branch path pressure reducing valve, and a branch path.
A first pressure region provided on the primary side of the branch path pressure reducing valve and the supply path so as to have the same pressure as in the high pressure container.
A first pressure sensor that measures the gas pressure in the first pressure region,
A second pressure region provided on the secondary side of the branch path pressure reducing valve and
A second pressure sensor that measures the gas pressure in the second pressure region and has a narrower measurement range than the first pressure sensor.
Equipped with
When the gas pressure in the first pressure region is higher than the pressure adjusting value, the branch path pressure reducing valve sets the gas pressure in the second pressure region as the pressure adjusting value, and the gas pressure in the first pressure region is the pressure adjusting value. When it is equal to or less than the value, the pressure in the second pressure region and the pressure in the first pressure region are set to be the same.
The second pressure sensor is a high pressure container system capable of measuring the gas pressure in the high pressure container when the second pressure region and the first pressure region have the same pressure. In the high-pressure container system according to claim 1,
A high-pressure container system in which the channel cross-sectional area of the branch path is smaller than the channel cross-sectional area of the supply path. In the high pressure container system according to claim 1 or 2.
On the secondary side of the branch path pressure reducing valve, the branch path is connected to the connection portion of the supply path via the branch path regulation valve.
The connection portion side of the branch path regulation valve is the first pressure region, and the secondary side of the branch path pressure reducing valve is the second pressure region of the branch path regulation valve.
The branch path control valve regulates the flow of the gas from the supply path to the branch path through the connection portion, and the gas pressure in the first pressure region is lower than the gas pressure in the second pressure region. A high pressure vessel system that sometimes allows the flow of the gas from the branch path to the supply path through the connection. In the high-pressure container system according to claim 3,
The pipe forming the supply path has a wide variety of pipes provided with a primary side connection port forming the branch portion and a secondary side connection port forming the connection portion.
A high-pressure container system in which the multi-purpose pipe, the branch path pressure reducing valve, and the second pressure sensor are integrated as an assembly. In the high pressure container system according to claim 4,
The assembly is a high-pressure container system provided on the downstream side of the first pressure sensor in the supply path. In the high-pressure container system according to any one of claims 3 to 5.
A high-pressure container system in which a supply passage pressure reducing valve is provided on the downstream side of the connection portion of the supply passage. In the high-pressure container system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The high-pressure container has a resin liner, a fiber-reinforced resin reinforcing layer that covers the outer surface of the liner, and a base provided at the opening of the liner and the reinforcing layer.
A part of the upstream side of the supply path, the branch path, the branch path pressure reducing valve, the second pressure sensor, and the main check valve for opening and closing the supply path are attached to the valve assembly attached to the base. Is provided with a high pressure vessel system. A control method for a high-pressure container system equipped with a supply path that guides the gas stored in the high-pressure container to the gas consumption unit.
The high pressure vessel system
A branch path that branches from the branch portion of the supply path and is provided with a branch path pressure reducing valve, and a branch path.
A first pressure region provided on the primary side of the branch path pressure reducing valve and the supply path so as to have the same pressure as in the high pressure container.
A first pressure sensor that measures the gas pressure in the first pressure region,
A second pressure region provided on the secondary side of the branch path pressure reducing valve and
A second pressure sensor that measures the gas pressure in the second pressure region and has a narrower measurement range than the first pressure sensor.
Equipped with
When the gas pressure in the first pressure region is higher than the pressure regulation value, the gas pressure in the second pressure region is set as the pressure regulation value by the branch path pressure reducing valve.
When the gas pressure in the first pressure region is equal to or lower than the pressure adjustment value, the second pressure region and the first pressure region are made the same pressure by the branch path pressure reducing valve, and the high pressure container is made by the second pressure sensor. A control method for a high-pressure container system that enables measurement of the gas pressure inside. In the control method of the high-pressure container system according to claim 8,
On the secondary side of the branch path pressure reducing valve, the branch path is connected to the connection portion of the supply path via the branch path regulation valve.
The connection portion side of the branch path regulation valve is the first pressure region, and the secondary side of the branch path pressure reducing valve is the second pressure region of the branch path regulation valve.
The flow of the gas from the supply path to the branch path through the connection portion is regulated by the branch path control valve.
When the gas pressure in the first pressure region is lower than the gas pressure in the second pressure region, the branch path control valve allows the flow of the gas from the branch path to the supply path through the connection portion. , How to control the high pressure vessel system. In the control method of the high pressure container system according to claim 8 or 9.
The control unit of the high-pressure container system is
When the measured value of the first pressure sensor is higher than the pressure adjusting value, the amount of gas in the high pressure container is obtained using the measured value of the first pressure sensor.
When the measured value of the first pressure sensor is equal to or less than the pressure adjusting value, the amount of gas in the high pressure container is obtained by using the measured value of the first pressure sensor, and the measured value of the second pressure sensor is used. A method for controlling a high-pressure container system, which monitors that the gas pressure in the high-pressure container does not fall below the lower limit set value. In the control method of the high-pressure container system according to claim 10.
The control unit compares the determination threshold value set higher than the lower limit set value by the range of the measurement error of the second pressure sensor with the measured value of the second pressure sensor.
A control method for a high-pressure container system that shuts off the flow of the gas between the high-pressure container and the gas consuming unit when the measured value of the second pressure sensor becomes equal to or less than the determination threshold value.

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