JP3158922B2 - Natural gas filling equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for compressing and filling natural gas supplied from, for example, a low-pressure source tank into a small container such as a gas cylinder loaded on an automobile or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to compress and fill natural gas into a small container mounted on an automobile or the like, a filling device and a container to be charged are connected via a hose or the like so that the gas does not escape into the atmosphere during the compression filling. Need to be connected in an airtight manner.

That is, instead of simply inserting a filling gun into a gasoline supply port as in the case of filling gasoline into a car, when filling gas, the filling gun is fixed to a gas supply section of the car in an airtight state. I have to.

When the vehicle starts with the filling gun connected, the filling gun, the connecting hose, the compressor and the like are damaged, so that a constant separating force (tensile force from the vehicle + tensile force due to fluid pressure) acts. Then, a fluid coupling that automatically separates is installed so that these devices will not be damaged even if the vehicle starts by mistake.

However, in the above fluid coupling, the action of fluid pressure
When not in operation, the magnitude of the pulling force from the vehicle required to separate the fluid coupling is different, and in the latter case the pulling force is quite large. Therefore, when the vehicle is started in the connected state in the latter case, a large tensile force from the vehicle acts as an impact force on the filling gun, the connection hose, the compressor, etc. immediately before the fluid coupling is separated, and these devices are damaged. There was a problem that there was.

As a fluid coupling for solving the above problem, there is one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-18789, for example. In this fluid coupling, as shown in FIG. In order to cancel the moving force to the right, the fluid pressure is applied to the moving cylinder 92 integrated with the male member 90 via the sphere 93 to apply the right moving force. For this reason, in this fluid coupling, as shown in FIG. 5, an empty space K is formed between the female main body 91 and the moving cylinder 92, and a fluid is introduced into the empty space K through the flow path R. However, in order to reduce the difference in the tensile force required to separate the male and female members when the fluid pressure acts and does not act, the pressure receiving area of the insertion cylinder 90a and the pressure receiving area of the moving cylinder 92 are made as identical as possible. It is necessary to produce it.

However, in this fluid coupling, the insertion cylinder 90
Even if the diameter of “a”, the inner diameter of the movable cylinder 92 and the outer diameter of the female body 91 constituting the vacant chamber K are manufactured within the allowable range of the dimensional tolerance, a relatively large variation occurs in the degree of attainment of the purpose (quality). . In other words, there is a problem that quality control is very difficult with this fluid coupling. This is because, as shown in FIG. 5, the inner diameter of the moving cylinder and the outer diameter of the female body 91 constituting the empty chamber K are larger than the diameter of the insertion cylindrical portion 90a, and the inner diameter of the moving cylinder 92 and the outer diameter of the female body 91 are large. This is because a slight change in the outer diameter greatly changes the pressure receiving area.

Since the fluid coupling transfers and fills a gas whose leakage is difficult to visually recognize, it is necessary to give due consideration to the sealing structure.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, according to the present invention, the difference in tensile force required for separation between when the fluid pressure is acting and when it is not acting is small, there is little variation in quality, and an excellent seal is obtained. An object of the present invention is to provide a natural gas filling device provided with a fluid coupling that can ensure the performance for a long period of time, and to improve safety when filling natural gas.

[0010]

According to the present invention, an apparatus body provided with a compressor for compressing and discharging natural gas is hermetically connected to a natural gas supply source and a low pressure side pipe of the apparatus body. A male member having an insertion cylinder portion in a natural gas filling device having an introduction side connection means and a filling side connection means for airtightly connecting a required container loaded on an automobile or the like and a high pressure side pipe of the device main body part. And a female member which is housed in the female main body so as to be able to advance and retreat in a manner of biasing the inner cylinder toward the back, and in a connection state of the male / female member in which the insertion cylinder portion is inserted into the inner cylinder. The locking member provided on the inner cylinder is in a locked state with the insertion cylinder portion, and the male member integrated with the inner cylinder is pulled out by a certain distance against the urging force of the spring via the locking member. Occasionally, the stopper of the inner cylinder comes off the insertion cylinder and the male and female members can be separated. The inner cylinder of the joint is closed only on the inner side, and the fluid guided by the flow path formed mainly by the female is configured so as to reach the inside of the cylinder from the hole drilled in the peripheral surface. When the rear and front parts are also formed to have the same diameter, a seal member is interposed between the rear and front parts of the inner cylinder and the female main body, and when the male and female members are in the above separable state, A fluid coupling formed by providing a valve mechanism for closing the flow path is provided at one end or in the middle of the filling-side connection means.
A natural gas filling device having the structure of

A male member having an insertion tube portion, and a female member which is housed in a female main body so as to be able to advance and retreat in a manner to bias the inner tube toward the rear side, wherein the insertion tube portion is inserted into the inner tube. When the male and female members are connected, the locking member provided on the inner cylinder is locked with the insertion tube portion, and the male member integrated with the inner cylinder via the locking member is attached with a spring. When a certain distance is pulled out against the force, the inner cylinder of the fluid coupling of the type in which the locking member of the inner cylinder is disengaged from the insertion cylinder and the male and female members are separable, the inner cylinder is closed only at the back side In addition, the fluid guided by the flow path formed mainly in the female body is formed so as to reach the inside of the cylinder from the hole drilled in the peripheral surface, and the portion on the back side and the near side from this hole is formed with the same diameter. At the same time, when a seal member is interposed between the female body and the back side / front side portion of the inner cylinder, the male / female member is in the above-mentioned separable state. One of the male and female members of the fluid coupling formed by providing a valve mechanism for closing the flow path is provided in the high pressure side pipe of the apparatus main body, and the other of the male and female members is connected to one end of the filling side connection means. A natural gas filling device of a second configuration, wherein the device main body and the filling side connection means can be connected via a fluid coupling,

In the natural gas filling apparatus of the second configuration, the male member of the fluid coupling is provided at one end of the filling-side connecting means,
A third configuration in which the female member of the fluid coupling is provided on the high pressure side pipe of the apparatus main body, and the female main body is constituted by the cylindrical bodies (2a ₁ ) and (2a ₂ ) and a part of the apparatus main body. Natural gas filling equipment,

In the natural gas filling apparatus of the first, second, and third configurations, when the male and female members of the fluid coupling are in a separable state, the position of the hole is located on the back side of the front seal member. A fourth aspect of the present invention is to provide a natural gas filling device having a fourth configuration, and to solve the above-mentioned problem of the related art.

[0014]

In the fluid coupling, the fluid guided by the flow path is made to reach the inside of the cylinder from a hole formed in the peripheral surface of the inner cylinder, and the same portion on the back side and the near side than this hole is used. Since the inner cylinder is formed to have a diameter and a seal member is interposed between the inner and lower portions of the inner cylinder and the female body, the axial pressure of the fluid acting on the inner cylinder is balanced. For this reason, even when the fluid is flowing from the female member to the male member, no axial moving force acts on the inner cylinder with respect to the female main body.

Therefore, even when a fluid pressure is acting on the insertion cylinder portion, that is, the male member, which is integrated with the inner cylinder via the locking member, a moving force acts on the insertion cylinder in the axial direction. As a result, the difference in tensile force required to separate the male and female members between when the fluid pressure is acting and when it is not acting is reduced. For this reason, natural gas
In both cases when the vehicle is not filled, when the vehicle starts by mistake, the male and female members of the fluid coupling are easily separated to prevent damage to the filling device and the vehicle.

Basically, the fluid coupling only needs to be formed to have the same diameter on the inner side and on the rear side than the hole in the inner cylinder (the diameter can be made almost completely the same by turning). Almost no variation occurs in the degree of achievement (quality).

A valve mechanism for closing the flow path when the male and female members of the fluid coupling are in a separable state is provided. When the male and female members are in the separable state, the position of the hole is in front. Since the hole is located farther than the seal member on the side (the hole does not move beyond the seal member), the seal member is not damaged in a short period of time.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The structure of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings showing one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the natural gas filling apparatus includes an apparatus body S having a compressor C, a tank T storing low-pressure (about atmospheric pressure) natural gas, and a low-pressure pipe (compression) of the apparatus body S. (The suction side of the machine C) in an airtight manner, and an airtight connection or separation with a small container B such as a gas cylinder loaded on the automobile M via a filling gun G provided at the tip end. And the filling side connecting means H2 is connected to the high pressure side pipe (the discharge side of the compressor C) of the apparatus main body S through a fluid coupling J in an airtight state. It has a configuration.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fluid coupling J basically comprises a male member 1 having an insertion tube portion 10 and a female member 2 comprising a female main body 2a and an inner tube 2b. The insertion tube portion 10 is connected so as to be inserted into the inner tube 2b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the male member 1 is a cylindrical member composed of a hexagonal tool corresponding portion 19 and an insertion tube portion 10 connected thereto. 10
Is a middle diameter portion 10a on the tool corresponding portion 19 side as shown in FIG.
And a small-diameter portion 10c on the insertion end side, and a large-diameter portion 10b having a circumferential groove 12 that is located between the middle-diameter portion 10a and the small-diameter portion 10c and that widens toward the outer peripheral surface. . As shown in FIG. 2, the cylindrical hole of the male member 1 has a female screw 10d for hose connection on the tool corresponding portion 19 side.
However, holes 10e are provided in the entire insertion tube portion 10 side.

The female member 2 is, as shown in FIG.
and an inner cylinder 2 housed in the female main body 2a so as to be able to advance and retreat.
b, and the inner cylinder 2b is urged toward the back by the compression coil spring 22.

[0022] The female principal 2a, as shown in FIG. 2, a tubular member 2a ₁ which protrudes from the main body portion S, the cylindrical body 2a ₃ a whole inside of the apparatus main body S is mounted, the cylindrical body 2a
_1, 2a ₃ are composed of disposed the cylindrical body 2a ₃ Metropolitan therebetween, the cylindrical body 2a _1, 2a ₂ mutually so as to lock the stopper 23 of the flange portion provided in these devices It is attached to the main unit S.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cylindrical body 2a ₁ has a small-diameter hole 24b formed on the inner peripheral surface on the front side, a large-diameter hole 24c formed on the inner peripheral surface on the rear side, and A peripheral groove 24a is formed at the front end of the small-diameter hole portion 24b and extends from the outer peripheral surface toward the inner peripheral surface.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cylindrical body 2a ₂ has a flange on the outer periphery and has a small-diameter hole 25a slightly larger in diameter than the small-diameter part 27b of the inner cylinder 2b. Large-diameter hole 25 with O-ring 62 serving as a valve seat of the valve mechanism
2, the cylindrical body 2a ₃ has a large-diameter hole portion 28a serving as a part of the flow path and a small-diameter hole portion having a slightly larger diameter than the small-diameter portion 27b, as shown in FIG. It has a plurality of flow passage holes 28c that are formed in a cylindrical shape with the rear end closed and have a plurality of flow passage holes 28b that are parallel to the joint axis.

The inner cylinder 2b is, as shown in FIG.
_One end of the cylindrical body 2b ₂ is screwed into the housing 1 so as to be inserted therein.

The cylindrical body 2b _1, as shown in FIG. 2, those of cylindrical shape having a flange portion on the rear side end portion, while a smaller diameter slightly larger than substantially the whole of the small-diameter hole portion 24b of the outer periphery The inner peripheral surface has a small-diameter hole 26a substantially coinciding with the large-diameter portion 10b and a large-diameter hole 26b having a slightly larger diameter. The front side of the cylindrical body 2b _1, the small-diameter hole section 2
A trumpet-shaped circular hole 29 extending from the wall surface of the component 6a toward the outer peripheral surface is provided at equal angular intervals.
9 is provided with a sphere 3 (corresponding to the locking tool described in the section of means) so as to be able to protrude and retract with respect to the inner and outer surfaces of the cylindrical wall.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cylindrical body 2b ₂ is a cylindrical body having a flange at the middle and closed at the rear end.
a, a small-diameter portion 27b on the back side that substantially matches
And a middle diameter portion 27a on the front side, which is smaller in diameter. The inner circumferential surface of the front end vicinity of the cylindrical body 2b _2, as shown in FIG. 2, O-ring attachment circumferential groove 21
Are formed, and the inner cylinder 2b and the insertion cylinder 1 are formed by the O-ring 4 'housed in the O-ring mounting circumferential groove 21.
The gas tightness between 0 is ensured. Furthermore, the cylinder 2b
_As shown in FIG. 2, a hole 20 is formed in the small-diameter portion 27b, and an annular member 5 constituting a valve body of a valve mechanism described in the section of means is located slightly behind the hole 20. Is attached.

The inner peripheral surfaces of the small-diameter hole 25a and the small-diameter hole 28b are provided with the same O-ring mounting groove, and the same O-rings 60 and 61 are mounted in the peripheral groove. It is.

In this fluid coupling J, when the male and female members 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 2 are connected, the gas flows through the path indicated by the arrow (the flow path hole 28c → between the large diameter hole 28a and the small diameter portion 27b →
Hole 20 → inside of the cylindrical hole of cylindrical body 2b ₂ → inside of hole 10e → internal thread 10
In FIG. 3, the O-ring is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the annular member 5 and the component wall of the large-diameter hole 25b in the separated state of the male and female members 1 and 2 shown in FIG. The channel R is brought into a closed state by contact with the channel 62.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a space K between the large-diameter hole portion 26b and the large-diameter portion 27a is provided.
When the male member 1 is separated from the female member 2, a sphere holding cylinder 4 is provided for holding the sphere 3 in a state of being housed in the circumferential groove 24a. As shown in FIG. 2, the sphere holding cylinder 4 includes a main body 40 including a thin-walled cylinder portion 40a and a thick-walled cylinder portion 40b, and a compression coil spring 41 for urging the main body 40 toward the front. ing. When the male member 1 is connected to the female member 2, as shown in FIG. 2, the male member 1 is pressed against the urging force of the compression coil spring 41, and When the member 1 is in the separated state, as shown in FIG. 3, the spherical body 3 is held on the outer surface of the thin cylindrical portion 40a so that the inner cylinder 2b does not return.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, reference numerals 63 and 64 denote O-rings, and reference numerals 66 to 68 denote C-type rings (generally C-type rings).
(Referred to as a mold pin).

Since the fluid coupling J of this embodiment has the above structure, the small container B in which the filling gun G is mounted on the automobile M
When the vehicle M is started by mistake while connected to the gas supply port (not shown), the male member 1 and the female member 2 are separated from each other in the following modes.

[0033] A separating force corresponding to the starting force of the vehicle M acts between the male member 1 and the female member 2. Then, due to the presence of the sphere 3, the male member 1 and the inner cylinder 2b
2 are integrally moved against the urging force.

[0034] When the inner cylinder 2b is moved by a certain distance with the movement of the male member 1, the sphere 3 is pushed outward by the inclined wall forming the circumferential groove 12, and the sphere 3 is pushed outward as shown in FIG.
As shown in (2), it is fitted into the circumferential groove 24a, and the above-mentioned state is held by the sphere holding tube 4.

[0035] In the above state, as shown in FIG. 3, the sphere 3 has completely escaped from the circumferential groove 12,
The engagement between the inner cylinder 2b and the male member 1 by the sphere 3 is completely released. Therefore, the male member 1 can be separated from the female member 2 as it is. In this state, the flow path R is in a closed state as shown in FIG.
Therefore, the gas does not escape from the apparatus main body S.

[0036] Then, to the male member 1 and the female member 2 which became the separate state as described above in connection state, the male member 1 to the small-diameter hole portion 26a of the inner cylinder 2b ₁ in the state of FIG. 3 Press down. Then, the sphere holding tube 4 is pushed in against the urging force of the compression coil spring 41, and the above-mentioned holding of the sphere 3 by the sphere holding tube 4 is released. When the male member 1 is further pushed in, the spherical body 3 is fitted into the circumferential groove 12, and the inner cylinder 2b formed by the spherical body 3 and the male member 1 are engaged.
That is, the male member 1 and the female member 2 are connected.

Further, since the fluid coupling J of this embodiment has the above-described structure, the male member 1 moves in the axial direction regardless of whether or not the fluid pressure is acting, as described in the column of action. There is no force acting.

Further, in the fluid coupling of this embodiment, the small diameter portion 27b is cut by a lathe, and
If the hole 0 is drilled, the part on the back side and the part on the front side of the small diameter part 27b are formed to be almost completely the same diameter, and the small diameter hole part 25a and the small diameter hole part 28 are formed by lathe processing.
Since the same O-ring mounting circumferential groove can be easily formed on the inner circumferential surface of b, and the related surface can also be accurately formed by lathe processing. Clearly, there is little variation.

As shown in FIG. 3, even when the male and female members 1 and 2 are separated, the hole 20 of the inner cylinder 2b does not exceed the O-ring 60. It will not be damaged.

In place of the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the female body 2a of the fluid coupling J is made up of the cylindrical bodies 2a ₁ and 2a ₂ and a part S1 of the apparatus main body S (enclosed by a two-dot chain line). Part). In this case, S1 is the flow path R
Functions as the cylindrical body 2a ₃ having a. FIG. 4 shows the flow of gas by arrows.

Either the male member 1 or the female member 2 of the fluid coupling J is directly attached to the discharge port of the compressor C, and the other of the male member 1 and the female member 2 is connected to one end of the charging-side connecting means H2. It may be configured to be attached, or may be configured to be provided in the middle of the filling-side connecting means H2 or at the end of the filling-side connecting means H2 on the apparatus body S side.

[0042]

The present invention has the following effects since it has the above-described configuration. A fluid coupling having little difference in the tensile force required for separating the male and female members between when the fluid pressure is acting and when it is not acting, and has little variation in quality is used for the filling-side connecting means. Even if the vehicle is accidentally started with the filling gun connected to the small container loaded on the vehicle, the male and female members of the fluid coupling are automatically separated, and the filling gun and extension hose Such as a filling side connection means and a filling device main body such as a compressor,
There is no damage to containers loaded on cars.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a half sectional view of the fluid coupling used in one embodiment when the male and female members are in a connected state.

FIG. 3 is a half sectional view of the female member when the male and female members of the fluid coupling used in one embodiment are in a separated state.

FIG. 4 is a half sectional view of another fluid coupling used in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a half sectional view of a fluid coupling used in the prior art.

[Explanation of symbols]

B Small container C Compressor H1 Inlet-side connecting means H2 Filling-side connecting means M Automobile R Flow path S Device body S1 Part of device SL Seal member T Tank 1 Male member 2 Female member 2a Female main body 2a ₁ Cylindrical body 2a ₂ Cylinder 2b inner cylinder 3 sphere 10 insertion cylinder 20 hole 22 compression coil spring 60, 61 O-ring

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (73) Patent holder 000196680 Seibu Gas Co., Ltd. 1-17-1 Chiyo, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture (72) Inventor Hiroshi Nishikawa 2-5-2-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture No. Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshihito Mizuno 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Atsunori Sugihara 1-5-20 Tokyo Gas, Minato-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Akifumi Kobayashi Within Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. 4-1-2 Hirano-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (72) Inventor Manabu Hattori 507-2 Shinhocho, Tokai-shi, Aichi Prefecture Toho Gas Co., Ltd. Inside the Research Institute of Technology (72) Inventor Tokio Yoshida 1-17-1 Chiyo, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture Inside Seibu Gas Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-5-288300 (JP, A) JP-A-6-159594 (JP, A) JP-A-6-331098 (JP, A) JP-A 7-35893 (JP, U) JP-A 7-35894 (JP, U) JP-A 7-35895 (JP, A) , U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F17C 5/00 B60S 5/02

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An apparatus body provided with a compressor for compressing and discharging natural gas, an inlet connection means for airtightly connecting a natural gas supply source and a low pressure side pipe of the apparatus body, and A natural gas filling apparatus comprising a filling container and a filling-side connecting means for airtightly connecting a required container, such as a loaded container, and a high-pressure side pipe of the apparatus main body, comprising: a male member having an insertion cylindrical portion; And a female member which is housed so as to be able to advance and retreat in a manner of urging the spring toward the rear side, and a locking member provided on the inner cylinder when the male / female member is inserted into the inner cylinder with the insertion cylinder portion being connected to the inner cylinder. Is in a locked state with the insertion tube portion, and when the male member integrated with the inner tube is pulled out by a certain distance against the urging force of the spring via the locking device, the locking device of the inner tube is pulled out. The inner cylinder of the fluid coupling of the type where the male and female members can be separated from the insertion cylinder In addition to being closed, the fluid guided by the flow path formed mainly by the female is formed so as to reach the inside of the cylinder from the hole drilled on the peripheral surface, and the portion on the back side and the near side of this hole has the same diameter. And a valve mechanism that interposes a seal member between the back and front portions of the inner cylinder and the female body, and closes the flow path when the male and female members are in the separable state. A natural gas filling apparatus characterized in that the fluid coupling formed and provided is provided at one end or in the middle of the filling-side connection means. 2. An apparatus main body provided with a compressor for compressing and discharging natural gas, introduction-side connecting means for hermetically connecting a natural gas supply source and a low-pressure pipe of the apparatus main body, and A natural gas filling apparatus comprising a filling container and a filling-side connecting means for airtightly connecting a required container, such as a loaded container, and a high-pressure side pipe of the apparatus main body, comprising: a male member having an insertion cylindrical portion; And a female member which is housed so as to be able to advance and retreat in a manner of urging the spring toward the rear side, and a locking member provided on the inner cylinder when the male / female member is inserted into the inner cylinder with the insertion cylinder portion being connected to the inner cylinder. Is in a locked state with the insertion tube portion, and when the male member integrated with the inner tube is pulled out by a certain distance against the urging force of the spring via the locking device, the locking device of the inner tube is pulled out. The inner cylinder of the fluid coupling of the type where the male and female members can be separated from the insertion cylinder In addition to being closed, the fluid guided by the flow path formed mainly by the female is formed so as to reach the inside of the cylinder from the hole drilled on the peripheral surface, and the portion on the back side and the near side of this hole has the same diameter. And a valve mechanism that interposes a seal member between the back and front portions of the inner cylinder and the female body, and closes the flow path when the male and female members are in the separable state. One of the male and female members of the fluid coupling formed and provided is provided on the high pressure side pipe of the apparatus main body, and the other of the male and female members is provided at one end of the filling side connection means, and the apparatus main body and the filling side connection means are provided. Is connected via a fluid coupling. 3. A male member of the fluid coupling is provided at one end of the filling-side connection means, a female member of the fluid coupling is provided on the high-pressure side pipe of the apparatus main body, and the female main body is a cylindrical body (2a).
_1), (2a ₂₎ that is formed by the device portion of the body portion natural gas filling device according to claim 2, wherein. 4. When the male and female members of the fluid coupling are in a separable state, the position of the hole is located on the back side of the front sealing member. A natural gas filling apparatus according to claim 1.