JP4801964B2 - Gas supply device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas supply device, and more particularly to a gas supply device configured to be able to fill a large-capacity tank to be filled at high speed.

  Development of automobiles that use compressed gas such as CNG as fuel instead of automobiles equipped with engines that run by burning fuel such as gasoline and light oil as a countermeasure for exhaust gas from automobiles is underway. Along with this, development of a gas supply device that fills a fuel tank of an automobile with compressed gas is also underway.

  In this type of gas supply device, a gas supply nozzle connected to a gas supply path for supplying gas compressed by a compressor is coupled to a filling port of a fuel tank, and a valve opening degree of a control valve in the gas supply path is controlled. Then, the supply amount of the gas supplied to the fuel tank is measured, and the gas supply is stopped when the target filling amount is reached (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, in the gas supply device, the filling speed is determined by the piping resistance including the control valve and the flow meter provided in the gas supply path, the flow path diameter of the gas supply nozzle, etc., and the residual gas remaining in the fuel tank mounted on the automobile. Depending on the amount, the filling time until full filling to reach the target pressure is different.
JP 2004-257526 A

  However, when the fuel tank has a large capacity as in a large vehicle such as a bus, it takes a long time until the fuel tank is fully filled, and there is a demand for shortening the filling time.

  On the other hand, as a method for increasing the gas filling speed, it is considered to increase the diameter of a flow path such as a gas supply path, a control valve, a flow meter, and a gas supply nozzle. This method is not suitable for ordinary automobiles because each device has a special specification, which not only increases the cost, but also increases the pressure rapidly when filling the fuel tank of ordinary automobiles. If a large vehicle does not come when the ordinary car is waiting in turn at the filling station, the gas supply device cannot be fully utilized.

  Further, as a method for increasing the gas filling speed, a gas supply apparatus having a configuration in which a plurality of gas supply paths are provided in parallel and gas is supplied from the plurality of gas supply paths to the same gas supply nozzle is also conceivable. In this method, when filling a large vehicle with gas, gas is simultaneously supplied from a plurality of gas supply paths to enable high-speed filling. However, when filling a fuel tank of a normal vehicle, Gas will be supplied from the gas supply path to the fuel tank, and other gas supply paths will not be used. Even if there are multiple gas supply paths, a single vehicle will arrive. Gas can only be supplied to automobiles.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a gas supply device that solves the problem.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following means.

The invention according to claim 1 is connected to a storage tank for storing compressed gas at one end, and is provided in each of a plurality of gas supply paths for supplying the compressed gas and the plurality of gas supply paths. A flow meter for measuring a flow rate of the compressed gas flowing through the supply path, a control valve provided in each of the plurality of gas supply paths, for controlling the flow of the compressed gas flowing through the gas supply path, and the plurality of gas supply paths A plurality of gas supply hoses having one end connected to the other end of the gas supply nozzle, a gas supply nozzle provided at the other end of each of the plurality of gas supply hoses, and a merging path communicating each of the plurality of gas supply paths A gas supply start switch provided corresponding to each of the gas supply nozzles and operated in supplying gas using the gas supply nozzle, and a tank to be filled Against A filling speed instruction means for instructing whether or not to perform high-speed filling using a plurality of gas supply paths, and when the high-speed filling is instructed by the filling speed instruction means, the on-off valve is opened. After that, when the gas supply start switch is operated, the gas filling control to the filling tank is performed by supplying the compressed gas from the plurality of gas supply paths to the gas supply nozzle. When the gas supply start switch is operated without instructing high-speed filling by the filling speed instruction means, the compressed gas from only one gas supply path connected to the corresponding gas supply nozzle is supplied to the gas supply start switch. Filling control means for filling the tank to be filled with gas by supplying to a gas supply nozzle;
It is characterized by having.

  The invention according to claim 2 is provided for each of the gas supply nozzles, and is provided for each of the nozzle placement devices, and a nozzle placement device on which the gas supply nozzle is placed when the gas supply nozzle is not used. Nozzle detecting means for detecting whether or not the gas supply nozzle is placed, and the filling control means opens the on-off valve to perform gas filling when the gas filling is performed. When it is detected by the nozzle detection means that the other gas supply nozzle communicated via the on-off valve is not mounted, the on-off valve and the control valve are each closed. And

The invention of claim 3 has one end connected to a storage tank for storing compressed gas, and a plurality of gas supply paths for supplying the compressed gas,
A flow meter that is provided in each of the plurality of gas supply paths and measures the flow rate of the compressed gas flowing through the gas supply path;
A control valve that is provided in each of the plurality of gas supply paths and controls the flow of the compressed gas flowing through the gas supply paths;
A plurality of gas supply hoses having one end connected to the other end of the plurality of gas supply paths;
A gas supply nozzle provided at the other end of each of the plurality of gas supply hoses;
A merging path communicating with each of the plurality of gas supply paths;
An on-off valve provided in the merging path;
A gas supply start switch provided corresponding to each of the gas supply nozzles and operated when supplying gas using the gas supply nozzle;
Filling speed instruction means for instructing whether or not to fill the tank to be filled at high speed using a plurality of gas supply paths;
When the high-speed filling is instructed by the filling speed instructing means and the gas supply start switch is operated , the compressed gas from one gas supply path is supplied to the gas supply nozzle, and the supply The on- off valve is opened after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of the gas supply, and the compressed gas from one gas supply path and the other gas supply path is supplied to the gas supply nozzle to the tank to be filled. When the gas supply start switch is operated without instructing high-speed filling by the filling speed instruction means, the one of the gas communication nozzles connected to the corresponding gas supply nozzle is operated. Filling control means for filling the tank to be filled with gas by supplying compressed gas from only a gas supply path to the gas supply nozzle;
It is characterized by having .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the filling control means is instructed to fill at a high speed by the filling speed instructing means and the gas supply start switch is operated , the one from the one gas supply path. Compressed gas is supplied to the gas supply nozzle, and the on-off valve is opened after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of the supply, and the compressed gas from one gas supply path and the other gas supply path is supplied to the gas. After the gas filling control to the filling tank is performed by supplying to the supply nozzle, when the remaining capacity of the filling tank becomes less than a predetermined amount set in advance, the opening / closing valve is opened. closes the control valve of the other of the gas supply path communicating with the one of the gas supply path Ri good, then one of the gas supply path when the preset end-of-fill condition is judged to be satisfied Control valve And characterized in that the valve.

  According to the present invention, when gas is supplied to a large-capacity filling tank, compressed gas from a plurality of gas supply paths can be supplied to one gas supply nozzle to shorten the filling time by high-speed filling. When supplying gas to a tank with a relatively small capacity, supply gas from a plurality of gas supply paths to each gas supply nozzle and supply gas to the plurality of tanks at the same time. Can do. Accordingly, since it is possible to switch a plurality of gas supply paths according to the volume of the tank to be filled, it is possible to efficiently use the plurality of gas supply paths and to perform high-speed filling to a large-capacity tank to be filled. Shortening the filling time can also be promoted.

  According to the present invention, when the on-off valve is opened to perform gas filling, no other gas supply nozzle communicated through the on-off valve from the plurality of nozzle detecting means is not placed. In order to close the on-off valve and the control valve, the use of other gas supply nozzles is prohibited and gas is illegally supplied when filling a large-capacity tank to be filled at high speed. This can be prevented.

Further, according to the present invention, when the high-speed filling is instructed by the filling speed instruction means and the gas supply start switch is operated, the compressed gas from one gas supply path is supplied to the gas supply nozzle. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the supply, the on-off valve is opened to supply the compressed gas from one gas supply path and the other gas supply path to the gas supply nozzle. When gas filling control is performed and the gas supply start switch is operated without instructing filling at high speed by the filling speed instruction means, only from one gas supply path communicated with the corresponding gas supply nozzle. by supplying the compressed gas to the gas supply nozzle, for performing the gas filling into the filling tank, the pressure of the filling tank rises rapidly when fast filling into the filling tank Is prevented, it is possible to gas supply to ensure that safely performed before opening the control valve of another gas supply path.

Further, according to the present invention, when the high-speed filling is instructed by the filling speed instruction means and the gas supply start switch is operated , the compressed gas from one gas supply path is supplied to the gas supply nozzle. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the supply, the on-off valve is opened to supply the compressed gas from one gas supply path and the other gas supply path to the gas supply nozzle. After the gas filling control is performed , when the remaining capacity of the tank to be filled becomes less than a predetermined amount set in advance, the other gas supply path communicated with the one gas supply path by opening the on-off valve is controlled. closes the valve, then one when preset end-of-fill condition is judged to be satisfied in order to close the control valve of the gas supply path, the other before the filling tank is fully filled Gas supply from gas supply path The stop can squeeze one stage gas supply amount, to stop the supply of gas from a gas supply path after a predetermined time has elapsed it is possible to improve the filling accuracy in stopping the gas supply.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an embodiment of a gas supply apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the gas supply device 10 is installed in a gas supply station (gas filling station) for supplying compressed gas (for example, CNG) to a fuel tank (filled tank) 12 of an automobile, for example. Yes.

  The gas supply device 10 is roughly composed of a gas storage unit 20 for storing compressed gas, a dispenser unit 30 for supplying gas from the gas storage unit 20 to a fuel tank 12 of an automobile, and each device of the dispenser unit 30. And a control unit 40 for controlling.

  The gas storage unit 20 includes a variable pressure gas accumulator 24 and a high pressure gas accumulator 26 that store the gas compressed by the compressor 22. In addition, the compressor 22 opens either the main valve 21 or the main valve 23 on the inlet side, thereby filling the fuel tank 12 into the variable pressure gas accumulator 24 or the high pressure gas accumulator 26. The compressed gas is replenished until the gas whose pressure is higher than the pressure is accumulated.

  At the beginning of filling, the main valves 25A and 25B of the variable pressure gas accumulator 24 are opened, and the fuel tank 12 is filled with gas. And just before the filling pressure of the fuel tank 12 reaches the target pressure, the main valves 27A and 27B of the high pressure gas accumulator 26 are opened to fill the filling pressure of the fuel tank 12 to the target pressure. The main valves 25 </ b> A and 25 </ b> B are closed when the variable gas accumulator 24 is supplied with compressed gas, and are opened when the gas supply to the fuel tank 12 is started. The main valves 27A and 27B are also closed when the compressed gas is replenished to the high pressure gas accumulator 26, and are opened when the gas supply to the fuel tank 12 is just before full filling.

  The dispenser unit 30 is provided with a first gas supply path 50 </ b> A and a second gas supply path 50 </ b> B connected in parallel to the gas storage unit 20. In the gas supply paths 50A and 50B, flow meters 52A and 52B, on-off valves 54A and 54B, control valves 56A and 56B, and pressure sensors 58A and 58B are arranged. Further, filling hoses 59A and 59B, three-way valves 60A and 60B, and gas supply nozzles 62A and 62B are communicated with downstream ends of the gas supply paths 50A and 50B.

  The control unit 40 includes a first control device 42A that controls each device in the first gas supply path 50A, a second control device 42B that controls each device in the second gas supply path 50B, and a gas When the gas supplied from the two systems of the supply paths 50A and 50B is filled, the gas supply amounts of the two systems are added together, and the merge opening / closing provided in the merge path 70 communicating with the gas supply paths 50A and 50B And a third control device 42C for controlling the opening and closing of the valve 72.

  The control devices 42A and 42B are respectively flow meters 52A and 52B, on-off valves 54A and 54B, control valves 56A and 56B, pressure sensors 58A and 58B, flow rate indicators 64A and 64B, gas supply start switches 66A and 66B, high-speed filling. A switch (filling speed changeover switch) 68 is connected. The third control device 42C is communicably connected to the other control devices 42A and 42B. When the high-speed filling switch 68 is operated to add the two gas supply amounts, the combined gas is added. The supply amount is displayed on the flow rate display 64C.

  The control devices 42A and 42B execute an individual control mode in which the gas supply passages 50A and 50B are separately supplied to the gas supply nozzles 62A and 62B in accordance with an input operation by a staff member. The total control mode for supplying 50B to either one of the gas supply nozzles 62A and 62B is executed.

  The control devices 42A, 42B calculate the gas supply amount by integrating the flow rate pulses output from the flow meters 52A, 52B, and display the gas supply amount on the flow rate indicators 64A, 64B. Furthermore, the control device 42 </ b> C is communicably connected to the POS device 80, and transmits the gas supply amount supplied in each control mode to the POS device 80. The POS device 80 manages each device installed in the gas supply station (gas filling station), and sums up the gas supply amounts transmitted from the control device 42C of each gas supply device, and calculates each gas supply amount. Create a gas supply list compiled in time series.

  Each of the control devices 42A to 42C reads a control program stored in a memory as will be described later, and executes a control process corresponding to each control mode.

  The staff of the gas supply station (gas filling station), when a customer's automobile that receives gas filling arrives, leads to an empty dispenser unit 30, and either one of the gas supply nozzles 62A, 62B is placed in the fuel tank 12 of the automobile. The three-way valves 60A and 60B are switched to the gas filling state by coupling to the filling port. Thereafter, when the automobile is equipped with a fuel tank 12 having a small capacity (volume) such as a normal passenger car, gas supply start corresponding to the gas supply nozzles 62A and 62B coupled to the fuel tank 12 is started. Either one of the switches 66A and 66B is turned on.

  Thus, the control device 42A (or 42B) corresponding to the gas supply start switch 66A (or 66B) that has been turned on opens the on-off valve 54A (or 54B) and opens the control valve 56A (or 56B). The gas supply amount to the fuel tank 12 is controlled while controlling the degree. When the pressure in the fuel tank 12 reaches the target filling pressure and the filling is completed, the on-off valve 54A (or 54B) and the control valve 56A (or 56B) are closed, and the gas filling to the fuel tank 12 is finished. When the gas supply amount or the filling pressure to the fuel tank 12 is set, each set value is input before the gas supply start switches 66A and 66B are operated.

  Further, when the high-speed filling switch 68 is turned on, the control devices 42A and 42B open the on-off valves 54A and 54B, respectively, according to an instruction from the control device 42C, and the valve openings of the control valves 56A and 56B are set in parallel. The gas supply amount to the fuel tank 12 is controlled while controlling. When the pressure in the fuel tank 12 reaches the target filling pressure and the filling is completed, the on-off valves 54A and 54B and the control valves 56A and 56B are closed, and the gas filling to the fuel tank 12 is finished.

  Therefore, in the case where the customer's automobile receiving gas filling is a large vehicle having a large capacity of the fuel tank 12, either one of the gas supply nozzles 62A and 62B is coupled to the filling port of the fuel tank 12 of the automobile, and then the high speed After the filling switch 68 is turned on, one of the gas supply start switches 66A and 66B corresponding to the gas supply nozzles 62A and 62B coupled to the fuel tank 12 is turned on. In this case, in order to perform high-speed filling by supplying the gas supplied from the two gas supply paths 50A and 50B to the fuel tank 12, the other of the gas supply nozzles 62A and 62B that is not coupled to the fuel tank 12 is used. Is in a non-use state in which no gas is supplied.

  Here, each control process executed by the control devices 42A to 42C will be described. First, a control process when the control devices 42A and 42B individually control the gas supply paths 50A and 50B will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Thereafter, a control process when the two gas supply paths 50A and 50B are merged to perform high-speed filling control will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Further, in the following flowchart, the gas supply path 50A is shown as A system and the gas supply path 50B is shown as B system.

  The first controller 42A checks whether or not the high-speed filling switch 68 is turned on in S11. In S11, when the high-speed filling switch 68 is off, the process proceeds to S12, and it is checked whether or not the gas supply start switch 66A is turned on. In S12, when the gas supply start switch 66A remains off, the process returns to S11. In S11, when the high-speed filling switch 68 is turned on, the process proceeds to a combined filling control process (see FIGS. 4 and 5) for performing high-speed filling described later.

  In S12, when the gas supply start switch 66A is turned on, the process proceeds to S13, where it is confirmed that the filling permission signal is received from the POS device 80. In S13, when the filling permission signal is received from the POS device 80, the process proceeds to S14, where the nozzle supply switch for engaging the gas supply nozzle 62A is provided, and the gas supply nozzle 62B is engaged with the nozzle hook. In this case, this is detected, and it is checked whether or not a nozzle switch (not shown) to be turned on is turned off. In S14, if the nozzle switch is off, the process proceeds to S15 and the on-off valve 54A is opened. When the filling permission signal is not received from the POS device 80 in S13 or when the nozzle switch is on in S14, the gas supply nozzle 62A is hooked on the nozzle hook, so Return.

  In the next step S16, the main valve 25A on the outlet side of the variable pressure gas accumulator 24 is opened, and the valve opening of the control valve 56A is controlled to supply gas to the fuel tank 12. In S17, it is checked whether a bank (gas accumulator) switching condition in the gas supply path 50A is satisfied. In S17, when the bank switching condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to S18, and the gas supply source is switched from the variable pressure gas accumulator 24 to the high pressure gas accumulator 26. However, if the bank (gas pressure accumulator) switching condition is not satisfied in S17, the process proceeds to S19, the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 58A is read, and the pressure charged in the fuel tank 12 is equal to the target filling pressure (20 MPa). Check whether or not

  In S19, when the pressure filled in the fuel tank 12 does not reach the filling target pressure, the process returns to S17, and the processes in S17 to S19 are repeated. In S19, when the pressure filled in the fuel tank 12 reaches the filling target pressure, the process proceeds to S20, and the on-off valve 54A is closed.

  In the next S21, it is checked whether or not a nozzle hooking switch (not shown) for hooking the gas supply nozzle 62A is off. In S21, when the nozzle switch is on, the gas supply nozzle 62 is hooked on the nozzle, so the process proceeds to S22, and a signal (command) indicating that gas filling is completed is transmitted to the POS device 80. .

  Further, when another vehicle arrives while the fuel tank 12 is being filled with the gas supply path 50A, a gas filling operation is performed on the fuel tank 12 of the other vehicle by the gas supply path 50B. . The second control device 42B executes control processing shown in FIG. 3 to perform gas filling control to other automobiles. In addition, since control processing S31-S42 shown in FIG. 3 performs the same control processing as S11-S22 shown in FIG. 2, the description is abbreviate | omitted here. Therefore, since the gas supply apparatus 10 can supply gas to two automobiles simultaneously, even when a plurality of ordinary or small automobiles arrive, the gas filling operation can be performed efficiently.

  The third controller 43C checks whether or not the high-speed filling switch 68 is turned on in S51 shown in FIG. In S51, when the high-speed filling switch 68 is turned on, the process proceeds to S52, and the merging on / off valve 72 provided in the merging path 70 is opened to switch the gas supply paths 50A and 50B to the communication state.

  In next S53, when the gas supply nozzle 62A is coupled to the fuel tank 12, it is checked whether or not the gas supply start switch 66A corresponding to the gas supply nozzle 62A is turned on. In S53, when the gas supply start switch 66A is on, the process proceeds to S54, and it is confirmed that the filling permission signal is received from the POS device 80. In S54, when the filling permission signal is received from the POS device 80, the process proceeds to S55, and it is checked whether or not a nozzle hooking switch (not shown) for hooking the gas supply nozzle 62A is off. In S55, if the nozzle switch of the gas supply nozzle 62A is off, the process proceeds to S56, and it is checked whether or not a nozzle hooking switch (not shown) for hooking the gas supply nozzle 62B is off. In S56, if the nozzle switch of the gas supply nozzle 62B is on, the process proceeds to S57, and the sum display 64C is reset to zero.

  In S53, when the gas supply start switch 66A remains off, when the filling permission signal is not received from the POS device 80 at S54, when the nozzle switch of the gas supply nozzle 62A is on at S55, S56 When the nozzle switch of the gas supply nozzle 62B is on, the process returns to S53, and the processes after S53 are repeated.

  Thereafter, the control of S58A to S68A for controlling the gas supply path 50A and the control of S58B to S68B for controlling the gas supply path 50B are processed in parallel. First, the control process of the gas supply path 50A will be described. In S58A, the main valve 25A on the outlet side of the variable pressure gas accumulator 24 is opened.

  In the next S59A, after opening the on-off valve 54A, the valve opening degree of the control valve 56A is controlled to supply gas to the fuel tank 12. In S60A, it is checked whether or not a bank (gas accumulator) switching condition in the gas supply path 50A is satisfied. Here, the check of whether or not the bank (gas accumulator) switching condition has been established is, for example, (1) whether or not the flow rate measured by the flow meter 52 has decreased below a predetermined flow rate, 2) Whether or not the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 58A has reached a predetermined pressure (a pressure slightly lower than the target filling pressure), (3) the amount of gas that can be supplied to the fuel tank 12 (filling) (Possible amount) may be determined by determining whether or not it has decreased below a predetermined amount, or may be determined by combining a plurality of determinations (1) to (3) above. good.

  In S60A, when the bank switching condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to S61A, and the gas supply source is switched from the variable pressure gas accumulator 24 to the high pressure gas accumulator 26. However, in S60A, when the bank (gas accumulator) switching condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to S62A, the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 58A is read, and the pressure filled in the fuel tank 12 is changed to the filling target pressure (for example, It is checked whether or not 20 MPa) has been reached.

  In S62A, when the pressure filled in the fuel tank 12 does not reach the filling target pressure, the process proceeds to S63 shown in FIG. 5 and is provided in a nozzle hook for hooking the gas supply nozzle 62B. When it is hooked, this is detected and it is checked whether a nozzle switch (not shown) that is turned on is off. In S63, if the nozzle switch of the gas supply nozzle 62B is off, the gas supply nozzle 62B that is not in use may be removed from the nozzle hook and used. Close the valve. As a result, the gas supply is forcibly terminated, and the gas supply by unauthorized use using the gas supply nozzle 62B can be prohibited.

  In the next S65, it is checked again whether a nozzle hooking switch (not shown) for hooking the gas supply nozzle 62B is off. In S65, if the nozzle switch of the gas supply nozzle 62B is off, an alarm is issued in S66 to give a warning. Accordingly, it is possible to prohibit the use of the other gas supply nozzle 62B by warning during the total filling using the one gas supply nozzle 62A.

  In S65, if the nozzle switch of the gas supply nozzle 62B is on, the gas supply nozzle 62B has been returned to the nozzle hook, so the alarm is stopped and the process returns to S60A. In S62A, when the pressure filled in the fuel tank 12 reaches the filling target pressure, the process proceeds to S68A, and the on-off valve 54A is closed.

  Moreover, since the control process of S58B-S68B which controls the gas supply path 50B is the same process as said S58A-S68A, the description is abbreviate | omitted. As described above, in the summation control process, the gas supplied from the two gas supply paths 50A and 50B can be merged and the fuel tank 12 can be subjected to high-speed filling control. Also, the filling time can be shortened.

  In the next S69, the original valves 25A and 25B on the outlet side of the variable pressure gas accumulator 24 and the merging on / off valve 72 provided in the merging path 70 are opened. Subsequently, the process proceeds to S70, in which it is checked whether both of the nozzle hooking switches (not shown) for hooking the gas supply nozzles 62A, 62B are off. In S70, when both the nozzle switches of the gas supply nozzles 62A and 62B are on, the process proceeds to S71, and a signal (command) indicating that the gas filling is completed is transmitted to the POS device 80. This completes the high-speed filling control process using the two gas supply paths 50A and 50B.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the control process of the first modification. In the first modification, one control device 34 performs gas filling control for each gas supply path and each gas supply path totaling control process. In S81 in FIG. 6, it is checked whether or not the high-speed filling switch 68 has been turned on. When the high-speed filling switch 68 is not operated on, it executes the individual filling control process of S82～S92, fast fill switch 68 when operated to turn on to perform the summing filling control process of S9 4 ~S112.

  First, the individual filling control process will be described. If the high-speed filling is not selected, the high-speed filling switch 68 is not turned on. Therefore, the process proceeds from S81 to S82, and it is checked whether or not the gas supply start switch 66A is turned on. In S82, when the gas supply start switch 66A remains off, the process proceeds to a control process using the gas supply nozzle 62B. Here, the control process of the gas supply nozzle 62B is the same as the process of replacing each A system device shown in S82 to S92 with the process of each B system device. Only the system control process will be described, and the description of the B system individual filling control process will be omitted. When the process corresponding to S82 of the A system control process (check whether the gas supply start switch 66B is turned on) is performed in the B system control process, the gas supply start switch 66B is turned on. If it is determined that it has not been operated, the process returns to S81 described above.

  In S82, when the gas supply start switch 66A is turned on, the process proceeds to S83, where it is confirmed that the filling permission signal is received from the POS device 80. In S83, when the filling permission signal is received from the POS device 80, the process proceeds to S84, and it is checked whether or not a nozzle hooking switch (not shown) for hooking the gas supply nozzle 62A is off. If the nozzle switch is off in S84, the gas supply nozzle 62A has been removed from the nozzle hook, so the process proceeds to S85, and the main valve 25A and the on-off valve 54A on the outlet side of the variable pressure gas accumulator 24 are opened. . If the filling permission signal is not received from the POS device 80 in S83, or if the nozzle switch is on in S84, the process returns to S83.

  In next S86, the valve opening of the control valve 56A is controlled to perform constant flow control. Subsequently, in S87, the initial integrated flow rate is taken in from the flow meter 52A and the filling start pressure value is taken in from the pressure sensor 58A. In S88, the remaining capacity of the fuel tank 12 is calculated based on the initial integrated flow rate and the filling start pressure value. Since the remaining capacity calculation formula is well known, the description thereof is omitted (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 9-79495 and 9-79496).

  In the next S89, it is checked whether or not the remaining capacity of the fuel tank 12 has reached 0.5 kg. In S89, when the remaining capacity of the fuel tank 12 has not reached 0.5Kg, the process proceeds to S90a, and the valve opening degree of the control valve 56A is controlled based on a constant pressure increase control law with a predetermined pressure increase rate set in advance. Gas filling. In S89, when the remaining capacity of the fuel tank 12 reaches 0.5 kg, the process proceeds to S90b, and the valve opening degree of the control valve 56A is controlled based on a constant flow rate control law with a predetermined flow rate set in advance. Gas filling.

  In S91, whether or not a preset filling end condition (whether the pressure in the fuel tank 12 has reached the target pressure or the gas supply amount to the fuel tank 12 has reached the target filling amount) is established. To check. If the preset filling end condition is not satisfied in S91, the process returns to S88, and the processes after S88 are repeated. In S91, when a preset filling end condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to S92, and the main valve 25A and the on-off valve 54A on the outlet side of the variable pressure gas accumulator 24 are closed. This completes the control processing for A-system gas filling using the gas supply path 50A.

Next, the total filling control process will be described. First, in the above S81, fast fill switch 68 is operated to turn on when a high-speed filling has been selected, the process proceeds to S9 4, S9 4 process ～S98 (same process as S5 3 ~S57 in FIG. 4 described above ). Subsequently, the A-type filling control process (S85 'to S92') and the B-type filling control process (S103 to S112) are performed in parallel. The A-type filling control processing (S85 ′ to S92 ′) is the same as the processing of S85 to S92 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the B system control process of S103 to S112 executed simultaneously with the A system control process (S85 'to S92') will be described. First, after the above-described processing of S98 is executed, timing is started in S103, and whether or not a predetermined time set in advance in S104 has passed (whether a predetermined time has passed since the start of gas filling from the A system) ) Is checked. If the predetermined time has not elapsed in S104, the process proceeds to S105, where the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 58A is the target pressure (the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 58A when the gas filling into the fuel tank 12 is completed). ) Is checked.

  In S105, when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 58A does not reach the target pressure, the process returns to S104, and the processes of S104 and S105 are repeated. In S105, when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 58A is the target pressure, the fuel tank 12 is full, and the process proceeds to S91 ′.

  In S104, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S106, where the merging on / off valve 72 provided in the merging path 70 is opened. Subsequently, in S107, the main valve 25B and the on-off valve 54B on the outlet side of the variable pressure gas accumulator 24 are opened, and B-system gas filling using the gas supply path 50B is started. As described above, since the gas supply from the one gas supply path 50A is started and then the gas supply from the other gas supply path 50B is started with a predetermined time delay, the gas supply start of the two gas supply paths 50A and 50B is started. By shifting the timing, it is possible to prevent the pressure in the fuel tank 12 from rapidly increasing.

  In the next S108, the gas supply amount to the fuel tank 12 is controlled by controlling the valve opening degree of the control valve 56B of the gas supply path 50B. Subsequently, in S109, the remaining capacity of the fuel tank 12 is calculated on the basis of the initial integrated flow rate and the filling start pressure value in the same manner as in S88 described above. In S110, the remaining capacity of the fuel tank 12 reaches 0.5 kg. Check if you did. In S110, until the remaining capacity of the fuel tank 12 reaches 0.5Kg, the control process of S108 to S110 is performed to supply gas from the gas supply path 50B, and the remaining capacity of the fuel tank 12 reaches 0.5Kg. When this is the case, the process proceeds to S111, the main valve 25B and the on-off valve 54B on the outlet side of the variable pressure gas accumulator 24 are closed, and the B-system gas filling using the gas supply path 50B is completed. At this time, the A-type gas filling using the gas supply path 50A is continued.

  Subsequently, the merging on / off valve 72 provided in the merging path 70 is closed in S112. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S91 ', and the same process as S91 described above (a preset filling end condition (whether the pressure in the fuel tank 12 has reached the target pressure or the gas supply amount to the fuel tank 12 is the target filling) If it is determined that a preset filling end condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to S92 ′, where the variable pressure gas accumulator 24 The original valve 25A and the on-off valve 54A on the outlet side are closed, and the A-system gas filling using the gas supply path 50A is completed.

  As described above, since the valve closing operation is stopped for a predetermined time after the gas supply from one gas supply path 50B is stopped, the gas supply from the other gas supply path 50A is stopped to stop the two gas supply paths 50A and 50B. By shifting the gas supply stop timing, it is possible to accurately fill the fuel tank 12 with a predetermined gas filling amount (or a preset target pressure).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the control process of the second modification. In FIG. 7, the same steps as those in the control process shown in FIG. 6 are given the same step numbers, and the description thereof is omitted. In the second modification, the processes of S109a and 110a are performed instead of the processes of S109 and S110 described above. In this modification 2, in S109a, a predetermined filling time set in advance (the B-type gas filling using the gas supply path 50B is started by opening the main valve 25B and the on-off valve 54B in the above-described S107). It is an elapsed time from the beginning, and this filling time is set as an average value of past filling times). Therefore, in S109a, when the predetermined filling time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S111, the main valve 25B and the on-off valve 54B on the outlet side of the variable pressure gas accumulator 24 are closed, and the B system using the gas supply path 50B is closed. End gas filling. In S112, the merging on / off valve 72 provided in the merging path 70 is closed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S91 ′.

  When the predetermined filling time has not elapsed in S109a, the process proceeds to S110a, and it is checked whether the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 58A is the target pressure as in S105. In S110a, when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 58A does not reach the target pressure, the process returns to S108. In S110a, when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 58A is the target pressure, the fuel tank 12 is full, and the process proceeds to S91 ′.

  As described above, in the second modification, gas filling from the B system is terminated when the gas filling time using the B system reaches a predetermined filling time. Therefore, the filling time to the fuel tank 12 can be shortened by the amount of gas filling using the B system. In the second modification, if the gas filling time using the B system is set shorter, the gas supply from one gas supply path 50B is stopped, and then the other gas supply is delayed by a predetermined time. The gas supply from the path 50A can be stopped, and therefore the gas filling amount (or a preset target) set in the fuel tank 12 by shifting the gas supply stop timing of the two gas supply paths 50A and 50B. Pressure) gas filling can be performed accurately.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the control process of the third modification. In FIG. 8, the same parts as those in the control process shown in FIG. 6 are given the same step numbers and the description thereof is omitted. In the third modification, the process of S109b is performed instead of the processes of S109 and S110 described above. That is, in S109b, it is checked whether or not the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 58A has reached a preset set pressure (a pressure slightly lower than the target pressure). Accordingly, in S109b, when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 58A reaches the set pressure, the process proceeds to S111, and the main valve 25B and the on-off valve 54B on the outlet side of the variable pressure gas accumulator 24 are closed to supply the gas. B-system gas filling using the path 50B is terminated. In S112, the merging on / off valve 72 provided in the merging path 70 is closed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S91 ′.

  As described above, in the third modification, it is determined that the pressure in the fuel tank 12 has reached the target pressure based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 58A, and the gas filling into the fuel tank 12 is terminated, so that high-speed filling is performed. The filling time can be shortened. Further, in the third modification, the processing of S109 and S110 described above (processing for calculating the remaining capacity of the fuel tank 12 based on the initial integrated flow rate and the charging start pressure value) is not performed, and the completion of the filling of the A system is completed. Also, the B-type filling process can be performed first.

  In the above embodiment, when the high-speed filling switch 68 (total filling switch) provided in the dispenser unit 30 is operated, high-speed filling is enabled by supplying gas from the two gas supply paths 50A and 50B. Whether or not high-speed filling is performed is determined by whether or not the high-speed filling switch 68 (total filling switch) is operated, for example, the high-speed filling is permitted in the POS device 80 or normal filling is performed. It is possible to select whether or not to permit, and the dispenser unit 30 is permitted to fill with the selected filling method (high-speed filling / normal filling). The dispenser unit 30 determines whether to perform high-speed filling or normal filling based on this permission. It may be determined whether or not to perform filling, and filling control (high-speed filling / normal filling) may be performed based on the determination.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although the gas from two gas supply paths 50A and 50B was joined and the structure which supplies gas to a to-be-filled tank from one gas supply nozzle was mentioned as an example, it is not restricted to this, 3 It is good also as a system which joins two or more gas supply paths and carries out high-speed filling.

  In the above embodiment, the case where gas is filled in the fuel tank of an automobile is given as an example. However, the present embodiment is also used to fill a tank to be filled mounted in a vehicle, device, equipment, etc. other than an automobile with compressed gas. Of course, the invention can be applied.

  In the above embodiment, CNG is exemplified as the compressed gas. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to the case where the tank to be filled is filled with a gas other than CNG (for example, LPG or hydrogen gas). Of course.

1 is a system diagram showing an embodiment of a gas supply device according to the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the control processing in case the control apparatus 42A controls each gas supply path 50A separately. Control processing when the control device 42B individually controls each gas supply path 50B It is a flowchart for demonstrating the control processing in the case of performing high-speed filling control by joining two gas supply paths 50A and 50B. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a control process executed following the flowchart of FIG. 4. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a control process of a first modification. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a control process of a second modification. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a control process of a third modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Gas supply apparatus 12 Fuel tank 20 Gas storage part 22 Compressor 30 Dispenser unit 40 Control part 24 Variable pressure gas pressure accumulator 26 High pressure gas pressure accumulator 25A, 25B, 27A, 27B Main valve 50A, 50B Gas supply path 52A, 52B Flow volume Total 54A, 54B On-off valve 56A, 56B Control valve 58A, 58B Pressure sensor 62A, 62B Gas supply nozzle 42A First controller 42B Second controller 42C Third controller 66A, 66B Gas supply start switch 68 High-speed filling Switch 72 Junction open / close valve

Claims (4)

One end is connected to a storage tank for storing compressed gas, and a plurality of gas supply paths for supplying the compressed gas,
A flow meter that is provided in each of the plurality of gas supply paths and measures the flow rate of the compressed gas flowing through the gas supply path;
A control valve that is provided in each of the plurality of gas supply paths and controls the flow of the compressed gas flowing through the gas supply paths;
A plurality of gas supply hoses having one end connected to the other end of the plurality of gas supply paths;
A gas supply nozzle provided at the other end of each of the plurality of gas supply hoses;
A merging path communicating with each of the plurality of gas supply paths;
An on-off valve provided in the merging path;
A gas supply start switch provided corresponding to each of the gas supply nozzles and operated when supplying gas using the gas supply nozzle;
Filling speed instruction means for instructing whether or not to fill the tank to be filled at high speed using a plurality of gas supply paths;
When the high-speed filling is instructed by the filling speed instructing means, the on-off valve is opened, and thereafter, when the gas supply start switch is operated, the compressed gas from the plurality of gas supply paths is operated. Is supplied to the gas supply nozzle to perform gas filling control to the tank to be filled, and when the gas supply start switch is operated without being instructed to fill at high speed by the filling speed instruction means. Filling control means for filling the tank to be filled with gas by supplying the gas supply nozzle with compressed gas from only one gas supply path communicated with the corresponding gas supply nozzle;
A gas supply device comprising: A nozzle mounting device provided for each gas supply nozzle, on which the gas supply nozzle is mounted when the gas supply nozzle is not used;
Nozzle detection means provided for each nozzle mounting device and detecting whether or not the gas supply nozzle is mounted;
When the filling control means is performing gas filling by opening the on-off valve, another gas supply nozzle communicated via the on-off valve from the plurality of nozzle detecting means is placed. 2. The gas supply device according to claim 1, wherein when the absence is detected, each of the on-off valve and the control valve is closed. One end is connected to a storage tank for storing compressed gas, and a plurality of gas supply paths for supplying the compressed gas,
A flow meter that is provided in each of the plurality of gas supply paths and measures the flow rate of the compressed gas flowing through the gas supply path;
A control valve that is provided in each of the plurality of gas supply paths and controls the flow of the compressed gas flowing through the gas supply paths;
A plurality of gas supply hoses having one end connected to the other end of the plurality of gas supply paths;
A gas supply nozzle provided at the other end of each of the plurality of gas supply hoses;
A merging path communicating with each of the plurality of gas supply paths;
An on-off valve provided in the merging path;
A gas supply start switch provided corresponding to each of the gas supply nozzles and operated when supplying gas using the gas supply nozzle;
Filling speed instruction means for instructing whether or not to fill the tank to be filled at high speed using a plurality of gas supply paths;
When the high-speed filling is instructed by the filling speed instructing means and the gas supply start switch is operated , the compressed gas from one gas supply path is supplied to the gas supply nozzle, and the supply The on- off valve is opened after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of the gas supply, and the compressed gas from one gas supply path and the other gas supply path is supplied to the gas supply nozzle to the tank to be filled. When the gas supply start switch is operated without instructing high-speed filling by the filling speed instruction means, the one of the gas communication nozzles connected to the corresponding gas supply nozzle is operated. Filling control means for filling the tank to be filled with gas by supplying compressed gas from only a gas supply path to the gas supply nozzle;
Features and to Ruga scan feeder to have a. When the filling speed instructing means is instructed to fill at high speed and the gas supply start switch is operated, the filling control means supplies the compressed gas from one gas supply path to the gas supply nozzle. And opening the on-off valve after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of supply to supply compressed gas from one gas supply path and the other gas supply path to the gas supply nozzle. the after conducting the gas-filled control to the filling tank, when said remaining capacity of the filling tank is less than a preset predetermined amount, the gas supply one Ri by the opening of the on-off valve It closes the control valve of the other of the gas supply path communicating with the pathway, then closes the control valve one of the gas supply path when the preset end-of-fill condition is judged to be satisfied that Features Gas supply device according to claim 3.

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