JP4878809B2 - Gas supply device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas supply device, and more particularly, to a gas supply device that controls gas supply to a supply target by switching any one of a plurality of gas accumulators to communicate with a gas supply path.

  Along with the development of automobiles (CNG cars) that run using compressed natural gas (CNG) compressed with natural gas as fuel, gas supply devices that supply compressed natural gas to the fuel tanks of automobiles are being put into practical use. In this type of gas supply device, the compressed gas is stored in the gas pressure accumulator, the connection coupling of the gas filling hose is connected to the connection coupling of the CNG vehicle, and communicated with the tip of the gas filling hose. The fuel tank of the CNG vehicle is filled with the gas stored in the gas accumulator by switching the three-way valve.

  In the conventional gas supply device, after the filling side coupling and the filling side coupling are coupled, a gas of a predetermined pressure is supplied to the fuel tank via the gas filling hose, and the pressure is measured by the pressure detector. When the measured pressure value reaches a preset target pressure value, the control valve is closed to complete the gas filling (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this type of gas supply device, the gas supply from the gas accumulator to the fuel tank is performed by opening a control valve for controlling the flow rate and pressure by the pressure difference between the gas accumulator pressure and the fuel tank filling pressure. Therefore, as the pressure difference is reduced, the instantaneous flow rate of the supplied gas decreases, and the shorter the instantaneous gas flow rate, the longer the gas filling time in the fuel tank.

  Therefore, in the gas supply device, a plurality of gas pressure accumulators (variable pressure gas pressure accumulators and high pressure gas pressure accumulators) are provided as supply sources for supplying gas in order to prevent the gas filling time from becoming long. The operation of the gas supply device in this case is as follows. First, supply of gas to the fuel tank is started by supplying gas from the variable pressure gas accumulator to the fuel tank. When the gas supply to the fuel tank progresses and the difference (pressure difference) between the gas pressure in the variable pressure gas accumulator and the gas pressure in the fuel tank becomes smaller and the instantaneous gas flow rate falls below the specified value Then, after the gas supply from the variable pressure gas accumulator is stopped, the gas supply path is switched so as to supply the fuel tank from the other high pressure gas accumulator. Subsequently, when the fuel tank pressure reaches the target pressure, the gas supply from the high pressure gas accumulator is stopped.

When the gas filling to the fuel tank is completed, each gas accumulator is replenished with the gas compressed by the compressor, the pressure of each gas accumulator is increased to a predetermined pressure, and the next gas filling preparation process is performed. .
JP-A-8-68497

  However, it takes time to increase the pressure of the gas accumulator with the reduced pressure by the compressor, and particularly when the filling pressure of the gas accumulator is high, the amount of high-pressure gas generated by the compression process by the compressor decreases. It takes a long time to increase the pressure to a higher pressure.

  Therefore, if the gas supply from the variable pressure gas accumulator is switched to the gas supply by the high pressure gas accumulator, the pressure of the high pressure gas accumulator may be insufficient at the next gas supply, for example, When multiple vehicles that receive gas supply arrive in succession, the gas replenishment time to the high-pressure gas accumulator by the compressor is shortened, and the pressure of the gas supplied to the fuel tanks of the second and subsequent vehicles There is a problem that it takes an extra gas supply time until the rate of increase slows down and reaches the target pressure.

  Further, in order to supply all the gas to the fuel tank of the vehicle only by supplying gas from the variable pressure gas accumulator, there arises a problem that the pressure is insufficient and the gas supply time is greatly extended.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the gas supply apparatus which solved the said subject.

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

The invention of claim 1 includes a plurality of gas accumulators in which gas compressed by a compressor is stored,
A gas supply path communicating between the plurality of gas pressure accumulators and a supply target to which gas is supplied;
Provided between the plurality of gas pressure accumulators and the gas supply path, and communicates one of the gas pressure accumulators and one of the other gas pressure accumulators with the gas supply path. Switching means for switching
A flow rate measuring unit for measuring a supply amount flowing through the gas supply path;
A pressure measuring unit for measuring a gas supply pressure supplied to the supply target;
Control means for controlling the gas supply amount so that the supply amount measured by the flow rate measurement unit or the pressure measured by the pressure measurement unit becomes a predetermined target value for completion of filling;
In the initial stage of gas supply to the supply target, the gas is supplied to the supply target by communicating the one gas pressure accumulator and the gas supply path, and then the communication with the gas supply path is performed as described above. Switching control means for controlling the switching means to switch from one gas pressure accumulator to the other gas pressure accumulator;
In a gas supply device having
The switching control means includes
A time interval calculating means for obtaining a time interval from the last gas supply to the current gas supply;
Switching prohibiting means for prohibiting switching at the switching timing of the gas accumulator by the switching means based on the time interval calculated by the time interval calculating means;
It is characterized by having.

In the invention of claim 2, the switching prohibiting means is
When the time interval is equal to or longer than a first predetermined time set in advance, it is a first switching prohibiting means that prohibits switching at the switching timing.

In the invention of claim 3, the switching prohibiting means is
When the time interval is equal to or longer than a second predetermined time set in advance, it is a second switching prohibiting means for prohibiting switching at the switching timing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the switching prohibiting means is
First switching prohibiting means for prohibiting switching at the switching timing when the time interval is equal to or longer than a first predetermined time set in advance;
Second switching prohibiting means for prohibiting switching at the switching timing when the time interval is less than a preset second specified time;
It is characterized by having.

The invention of claim 5 includes a plurality of gas accumulators in which the gas compressed by the compressor is stored,
A gas supply path communicating between the plurality of gas pressure accumulators and a supply target to which gas is supplied;
Provided between the plurality of gas pressure accumulators and the gas supply path, and communicates one of the gas pressure accumulators and one of the other gas pressure accumulators with the gas supply path. Switching means for switching
A flow rate measuring unit for measuring a supply amount flowing through the gas supply path;
A pressure measuring unit for measuring a gas supply pressure supplied to the supply target;
Control means for controlling the gas supply amount so that the supply amount measured by the flow rate measurement unit or the pressure measured by the pressure measurement unit becomes a predetermined target value for completion of filling;
In the initial stage of supplying the gas to the tank to be supplied, the gas is supplied to the tank to be supplied by communicating the one gas accumulator and the gas supply path, and then the communication with the gas supply path is performed as described above. Switching control means for controlling the switching means to switch from one gas pressure accumulator to the other gas pressure accumulator;
In a gas supply device having
The switching control means includes
Compressor driving state detecting means for detecting a driving state of whether or not the compressor is driven;
When the compressor driving state detecting means detects that the compressor is not driven, switching prohibiting means for prohibiting switching at a switching timing in a state where the compressor is driven;
It is characterized by comprising.

  According to the present invention, switching at the switching timing of the gas accumulator by the switching means is prohibited based on the time interval calculated by the time interval calculating means for obtaining the time interval from the last gas supply to the current gas supply. Therefore, for example, by extending the gas supply to the supply object by one gas accumulator as much as possible and not switching to another gas accumulator as much as possible, it is possible to prevent the pressure drop of the other gas accumulator as much as possible. Thus, it is possible to prevent the shortage of gas supply to other gas accumulators by the compressor. Furthermore, the gas supply time from the other gas accumulator can be shortened as much as possible, and the pressure of the other gas accumulator can be increased to a predetermined pressure in a short time.

  Further, according to the present invention, when it is detected by the compressor driving state detection means that the compressor is not driven, switching at the switching timing in the state where the compressor is driven is prohibited. The same operations and effects as described above can be obtained.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration 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, for example, in a gas supply station that supplies compressed gas to a fuel tank (supplied body) 12 of an automobile. The supplied gas is not limited to hydrogen, and includes other gases that are compressed to high pressure such as compressed natural gas.

  The gas supply device 10 generally includes a gas storage unit 14 for storing a gas compressed at a high pressure, a dispenser unit 15 for supplying the gas from the gas storage unit 14 to the fuel tank 12, and each of the dispenser units 15. And a control device 16 that controls the device.

  The gas storage unit 14 includes a variable pressure gas accumulator 62 and a high pressure gas accumulator 64 as gas pressure sources. The variable-pressure gas accumulator 62 and the high-pressure gas accumulator 64 store high-pressure gas supplied from a compressor 70 described later. Further, the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 and the high pressure gas accumulator 64 are supplied with gas from the compressor 70 until a gas having a pressure higher than the target filling pressure of the fuel tank 12 is accumulated.

  The switching timing from the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 to the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is controlled by the control device 16, and here, an outline of switching of the gas accumulator will be described, and details will be described later.

  At the beginning of filling, the main valve 66 of the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 is opened, and the fuel tank 12 is filled with gas. Then, when the filling pressure of the fuel tank 12 reaches the target pressure, the gas supply is terminated without supplying the gas of the high pressure gas accumulator 64. Also, (1) the time interval from the end of the last gas supply to the start of the current gas supply, (2) the supply time from the start of the last gas supply to the end of the previous gas supply, (3) the last time One of the compressor operation times from the end of the gas supply to the start of the current gas supply is compared with a predetermined value set in advance, the switching timing is delayed, and the gas supply by the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 is extended as much as possible.

  When the supply amount decreases without the filling pressure of the fuel tank 12 reaching the target pressure, the main valve 68 of the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is opened to fill the filling pressure of the fuel tank 12 to the target pressure. .

  Thereby, the supply source of the gas to the fuel tank 12 is kept in the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 as much as possible, the number of times of switching to the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is reduced, and the time for supplying gas from the compressor 70 to the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is reduced. Shorten.

  The dispenser unit 15 is provided with a gas supply path 18 that communicates with the gas storage unit 14. The gas supply path 18 includes a primary pressure gauge 20, a flow meter (flow rate measurement unit) 22, and a gas supply opening / closing valve. 24, a control valve 26, a temperature sensor 28, a pressure sensor (pressure measuring unit) 30, a secondary pressure gauge 32, and a safety valve 34 are arranged.

  Furthermore, a filling hose 44 is connected downstream of the gas supply path 18 via an emergency disconnection coupling 42. At the tip of the filling hose 44, a filling side coupler 46 coupled to the filled side coupler 12a of the fuel tank 12 is provided. In addition, a check valve 13 is provided between the fuel tank 12 and the filled coupler 12a to prevent backflow.

  Further, the dispenser unit 15 is provided with a filling start switch 50 that is operated with the filling side coupler 46 coupled to the filled coupler 12a of the fuel tank 12, and a filling stop switch 52 that stops filling.

  The variable pressure gas accumulator 62 and the high pressure gas accumulator 64 are containers for accumulating the gas compressed by the compressor 70, and the gas compressed via the gas supply paths 71 and 75 communicated with the discharge port of the compressor 70. Is supplied. The gas supply passages 71 and 75 are provided with on-off valves 72 and 76 made of electromagnetic valves, respectively, and check valves 74 and 78 for preventing backflow. The compressor 70 is a multi-stage compression type compressor, and the suction port communicates with the city gas medium pressure pipe 80 via the suction path 79. The gas compressed by the compressor 70 is supplied to either the variable pressure gas pressure accumulator 62 or the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64 through the open path of the on-off valves 72 and 76.

  The compressor 70 is continuously operated until the pressures of the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 and the high pressure gas accumulator 64 are increased to preset pressures. Therefore, when the customer who receives the gas supply does not come, the operation of the compressor 70 may be stopped. By monitoring the operation state of the compressor 70, it is possible to indirectly know the presence or absence of the customer who has arrived. Become.

  The gas supply path 67 of the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 is provided with a main valve (switching means) 66 and a check valve 69 for preventing backflow. A main valve (switching means) 68 is provided in the gas supply path 65 of the high-pressure gas accumulator 64.

  The main valve 66 or the main valve 68, the gas supply opening / closing valve 24, and the control valve 26 are opened when the gas supply to the fuel tank 12 is started and closed when the gas supply is completed. By calculating the previous supply time until the valve is operated or the time interval from the previous valve closing to the current valve opening, the gas supply amount from the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 is estimated and the variable pressure gas accumulator is estimated. The gas supply by the vessel 62 can be extended as much as possible.

In the memory 48 of the control device 16, a control program for controlling the opening or closing of the control valve 16, the gas supply on / off valve 24, the main valve 66, and the main valve 68, and a predetermined time for the preset charging time interval (First and second specified times) are stored. Further, the memory 48 stores a control program (time interval calculation means) for obtaining a time interval from the last gas supply end time to the current gas supply start time, and a gas accumulation pressure by the switching means based on the calculated time interval. And a control program (switch prohibiting means) for prohibiting switching at the switch timing of the device.
Then, the control device 16 performs gas filling control on the fuel tank 12 in accordance with a control program stored in the memory 48.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing each device connected to the control device 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 16 includes a flow meter 22, a gas supply on / off valve 24, a control valve 26, a temperature sensor 28, a pressure sensor 30, a memory 48, a filling start switch 50, a filling stop switch 52, and an on / off valve. 72 and 76 and main valves 66 and 68 are connected.

  The flow meter 22 is a Coriolis mass flow meter, and outputs a signal corresponding to the flow rate of the supplied gas to the control device 16.

  The gas supply on / off valve 24, the main valve 66, and the main valve 68 are electromagnetic valves, and are opened or closed by turning on or off a valve opening signal from the control device 16.

  The control valve 26 is adjusted to an arbitrary valve opening degree according to a command from the control device 16 and operates to control the gas pressure or flow rate based on a preset control law.

  Here, the gas filling control process 1 executed by the control device 16 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the vehicle to be filled with gas arrives, the worker couples the filling side coupler 46 to the filled side coupler 12a of the fuel tank 12, and then turns on the filling start switch 50.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the charging start switch 50 is turned on in S11, the control device 16 proceeds to S12, and the control valve 16 of the variable pressure gas accumulator 62, the gas supply on / off valve 24, the control valve 26 is opened.

  In next S13, the filling time interval is calculated by subtracting the current filling start time from the previous filling end time. Subsequently, the process proceeds to S14, and the first specified time (10 minutes in this embodiment) of the preset filling time interval is read from the memory 48. In S15, it is checked whether or not the filling time interval is less than the first specified time.

  In S15, when the filling time interval is less than the first specified time, the process proceeds to S16, and it is checked whether or not the filling pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 has reached the target pressure. In S16, when the filling pressure reaches the target pressure, the process proceeds to S17, and it is checked whether or not the flow rate measurement value measured by the flow meter 22 is less than a predetermined flow rate Q2.

  In S17, when the flow rate measurement value is equal to or greater than the predetermined flow rate Q2, the process returns to S16, and it is checked whether or not the filling pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 has reached the target pressure. When the filling pressure reaches the target pressure in S16, the process proceeds to S22, and the main valve 66, the gas supply on / off valve 24, and the control valve 26 of the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 are closed to stop the gas supply. .

  In S17, when the flow rate measurement value is less than the predetermined flow rate Q2, the gas supply flow rate has decreased to a very small flow rate. Therefore, the process proceeds to S18, and the main valve 66 of the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 is closed. The main valve 68 of the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is opened. As a result, the gas supply source is switched from the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 to the high pressure gas accumulator 64, and the gas from the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is supplied to the fuel tank 12, so that the pressure of the fuel tank 12 can be reduced in a short time. Boost the pressure.

  In next S19, it is checked whether or not the filling pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 has reached the target pressure. In S19, when the filling pressure reaches the target pressure, the process proceeds to S20, and the main valve 68, the gas supply opening / closing valve 24, and the control valve 26 of the high pressure gas accumulator 64 are closed, and the gas supply is stopped.

  In S15, when the filling time interval is equal to or longer than the first specified time (= 10 minutes, for example), the compressor 70 has sufficiently supplied gas to the variable pressure gas accumulator 62, so that the high pressure is high. Switching to the gas accumulator 64 is prohibited, and the gas supply by only the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 is continued.

  Then, in S21, it is checked whether or not the filling pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 has reached the target pressure. In S21, when the filling pressure reaches the target pressure, the process proceeds to S22, and the main valve 66, the gas supply opening / closing valve 24, and the control valve 26 of the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 are closed, and the gas supply is stopped.

  As described above, in this embodiment, in S15, when the filling time interval is equal to or longer than the first specified time, the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 is sufficiently supplied by the compressor 70. The gas supply of the high pressure gas accumulator 64 at the switching timing is prohibited to prepare for gas filling when the next customer's vehicle arrives.

  Next, the gas filling control process 2 executed by the control device 16 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 4, the same parts as those in FIG. 3 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 16 reads from the memory 48 a second specified time (for example, 2 minutes) of the preset filling time interval in S <b> 14. In S15a, it is checked whether or not the filling time interval is equal to or longer than the second specified time. Note that the first specified time described above is set to be longer than the second specified time.

  In S15a, when the filling time interval is equal to or longer than the second specified time, the processing of S16 to S20 is performed because there is room in the customer arrival time interval. That is, if the measured flow rate is less than the predetermined flow rate Q2 in S17, the main valve 66 of the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 is closed, the main valve 68 of the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is opened, and the gas supply is performed in S18. The source is switched from the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 to the high pressure gas accumulator 64. Thus, when the gas supply flow rate is reduced to a minute flow rate, the gas from the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is supplied to the fuel tank 12, and the pressure of the fuel tank 12 is increased in a short time.

  In S15a, when the filling time interval is less than the second specified time (for example, within 2 minutes), switching to the high pressure gas accumulator 64 at the normal switching timing is prohibited and the variable pressure gas accumulator is prohibited. The gas supply by 62 is continued. Note that when the filling time interval is short, gas supply to a plurality of vehicles is continuous.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the filling time interval is less than the second specified time in S15a, switching to the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is prohibited to prevent the pressure drop of the high pressure gas accumulator 64. Therefore, the gas supply only by the gas supply by the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 can be continued to prepare for the subsequent gas supply.

  Next, the gas filling control process 3 executed by the control device 16 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 5, the same processing parts as those in FIG. 3 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the controller 16 reads from the memory 48 a first specified time (for example, 10 minutes) of the preset filling time interval in S <b> 14. In S15, it is checked whether or not the filling time interval is less than the specified time.

  In S15, when the filling time interval is less than the first specified time, the processing of S16 to S20 is performed. That is, if the flow rate measurement value is less than the predetermined flow rate Q2 in S17, the gas supply flow rate has decreased to a very small flow rate. Therefore, in S18, the main valve 66 of the variable pressure gas pressure accumulator 62 is closed, and the high pressure gas pressure accumulation The main valve 68 of the vessel 64 is opened, and the gas supply source is switched from the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 to the high pressure gas accumulator 64. Thereby, the gas from the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is supplied to the fuel tank 12, and the pressure of the fuel tank 12 is increased in a short time.

  In S15, when the filling time interval is equal to or longer than a first specified time (for example, 10 minutes), the pressure of the variable pressure gas pressure accumulator 62 is sufficient, and therefore the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64 at the normal switching timing. The gas supply by the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 is continued by prohibiting the switching to.

  Then, in S21, it is checked whether or not the filling pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 has reached the target pressure. In S21, when the filling pressure has not reached the target pressure, the flow proceeds to S21-1 and it is checked whether or not the flow rate measurement value measured by the flow meter 22 is less than a preset predetermined flow rate Q1. The relationship between the predetermined flow rates Q1 and Q2 is Q1 <Q2.

  In S21-1, when the measured flow rate is equal to or higher than the predetermined flow rate Q1, the process returns to S21, and the processes after S21 are repeated. In S21-1, when the flow rate measurement value is less than the predetermined flow rate Q1, the process proceeds to S18, the main valve 66 of the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 is closed, and the main valve 68 of the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is opened. And switch to the high-pressure gas accumulator 64. As described above, in S15, even when the filling time interval is equal to or longer than the first specified time (for example, 10 minutes), when the flow rate measurement value is less than the predetermined flow rate Q1, the gas supply source is set to the high pressure gas accumulator 64. The gas supply time can be shortened by switching.

  In S21 and S16, when the filling pressure reaches the target pressure, the process proceeds to S22, and the main valve 66, the gas supply opening / closing valve 24, and the control valve 26 of the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 are closed, and the gas is Stop supplying.

  Thus, in this embodiment, when the flow rate measurement value is less than the predetermined flow rate Q2 in S17, the gas supply source is switched from the variable pressure gas pressure accumulator 62 to the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64 in S18 to shorten the filling time. To do. In this case, since the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is switched when the filling pressure of the fuel tank 13 approaches the target pressure, the amount of gas supplied from the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is small.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the flow rate measurement value is reduced to less than the predetermined flow rate Q1 in S21-1, the gas supply source is switched from the variable pressure gas pressure accumulator 62 to the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64. It can be shortened.

  Next, the gas filling control process 4 executed by the control device 16 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 6, the same parts as those in FIG. 4 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 16 reads from the memory 48 a second specified time (for example, 2 minutes) of the preset filling time interval in S14. In S15a, it is checked whether or not the filling time interval is equal to or longer than the second specified time.

  In S15a, when the filling time interval is equal to or longer than the second specified time, the processes of S16 to S20 are performed. That is, the gas supply source is switched from the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 to the high pressure gas accumulator 64. Thereby, the gas from the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is supplied to the fuel tank 12, and the pressure of the fuel tank 12 is raised to the target pressure in a short time.

  In S15a, when the filling time interval is less than the second specified time (for example, 2 minutes), switching to the high pressure gas accumulator 64 at the normal switching timing is prohibited and the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 is prohibited. Continue to supply gas. In this case, if the gas of the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64 is filled, it takes time to increase the pressure of the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64 and the gas supply to the following vehicle is delayed. Therefore, switching to the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64 is performed. Do not do.

  Then, the processes of S21 and S21-1 are performed. When the flow rate measurement value is less than the predetermined flow rate Q1 in S21-1, the process proceeds to S18, and the gas supply source is changed from the variable pressure gas pressure accumulator 62 to the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64. Switch. Thereby, the gas from the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is supplied to the fuel tank 12, and the pressure of the fuel tank 12 is raised to the target pressure in a short time.

  Thus, in this embodiment, when the flow rate measurement value is less than the predetermined flow rate Q2 in S17, the gas supply source is switched from the variable pressure gas pressure accumulator 62 to the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64 in S18 to shorten the filling time. In addition, in S21-1, when the flow rate measurement value is less than the predetermined flow rate Q1, the gas supply source is switched from the variable pressure gas pressure accumulator 62 to the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64, so the filling time can be shortened.

  Next, the gas filling control process 5 executed by the control device 16 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 7, the same parts as those in FIG. 6 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the control device 16 opens the main valve 66, the gas supply opening / closing valve 24, and the control valve 26 of the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 in S12, and then proceeds to S12a to end the previous previous filling. The previous filling time interval is calculated by subtracting the previous filling start time from the time. Subsequently, the process proceeds to S <b> 12 b and the previous filling time interval is stored in the memory 48.

  In S13, the current filling time interval is calculated by subtracting the current filling start time from the previous filling end time. Subsequently, the process proceeds to S14, and a second specified time (for example, 2 minutes) of the preset filling time interval is read from the memory 48. In the next S15b, it is checked whether the previous filling time interval or the current filling time interval is equal to or longer than the second specified time.

  In S15b, when the previous filling time interval or the current filling time interval is equal to or longer than the second specified time, the arrival time interval is not limited to this time, so the processing of S16 to S17 is performed. When the filling pressure does not reach the target pressure, the process proceeds to S18, and the gas supply source is switched from the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 to the high pressure gas accumulator 64, so that the filling time can be shortened.

  In S15b, if the previous filling time interval and the current filling time interval are less than the second specified time, the vehicle continuously arrives within the specified time and receives gas supply in the previous time and the current time as well. Therefore, the switching to the high pressure gas accumulator 64 at the normal switching timing is prohibited and the gas supply by the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 is continued.

  Then, the processes of S21 and S21-1 are performed. When the flow rate measurement value is less than the predetermined flow rate Q1 in S21-1, the process proceeds to S18, and the gas supply source is changed from the variable pressure gas pressure accumulator 62 to the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64. Switch.

  As described above, in this embodiment, in S15b, by checking whether the previous filling time interval or the current filling time interval is equal to or longer than the specified time, the time interval of the customer who has received gas supply in the past can be determined. Presence of pressure drop of the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 and the high pressure gas accumulator 64 can be estimated to determine whether or not to switch to the high pressure gas accumulator 64, and the switching timing can be switched at a more appropriate timing.

  Next, the gas filling control process 7 executed by the control device 16 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 8, parts that are the same as those in FIG. 7 described above are given the same reference numerals and explanations thereof are omitted.

  When it is detected in the memory 48 of the control device 16 that a control program (compressor driving state detecting means) that detects whether or not the compressor 70 is driven and that the compressor 70 is not driven. Stores a control program (switching prohibiting means) that prohibits switching at the switching timing when the compressor 70 is driven.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the control device 16 opens the main valve 66, the gas supply on / off valve 24, and the control valve 26 of the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 in S12, and then proceeds to S14a to drive the compressor 70. Is read. In the next S15d, when the drive signal for the compressor 70 is output, the processing of S16 to S17 is performed. That is, when the compressor 70 is being driven, it can be estimated that the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 has decreased in pressure. Therefore, in S17, if the filling pressure has not reached the target pressure, the process proceeds to S18, where the gas supply is performed. The source is switched from the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 to the high pressure gas accumulator 64. Thereby, the gas from the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is supplied to the fuel tank 12, and the pressure of the fuel tank 12 is raised to the target pressure in a short time.

  In S15d, when the drive signal for the compressor 70 is not output, switching to the high pressure gas accumulator 64 at the normal switching timing is prohibited and the gas supply by the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 is continued. That is, when the compressor 70 is not driven, it can be estimated that the pressure of the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 has reached the target pressure, and therefore the switching to the high pressure gas accumulator 64 is not performed.

  Then, the processes of S21 and S21-1 are performed. When the flow rate measurement value is less than the predetermined flow rate Q1 in S21-1, the process proceeds to S18, and the gas supply source is changed from the variable pressure gas pressure accumulator 62 to the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64. By switching, the pressure of the fuel tank 12 is increased in a short time.

  In this way, in this embodiment, when the compressor 70 is in operation, it can be estimated that the pressure drop of the variable pressure gas accumulator 62 has occurred, so it is determined to switch to the high pressure gas accumulator 64. When the compressor 70 is not driven, switching to the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64 at the normal switching timing is prohibited and the gas supply by the variable pressure gas pressure accumulator 62 is continued, whereby the pressure of the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 64 is maintained. The decrease can be suppressed.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the compressed natural gas (CNG) obtained by compressing the city gas is given as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, gas such as butane and propane or the fuel cell vehicle is used. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to supply hydrogen gas.

  Moreover, in the above embodiment, the case where the compressed gas is filled in the fuel tank of the automobile is given as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be applied to an apparatus for supplying the compressed gas to other containers, Of course, the present invention can also be applied to an apparatus configured to be installed in the middle of a pipeline for feeding compressed gas to another place.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows one Example of the gas supply apparatus which becomes this invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing each device connected to the control device 16. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the gas filling control process 1 which the control apparatus 16 performs. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the gas filling control process 2 which the control apparatus 16 performs. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the gas filling control process 3 which the control apparatus 16 performs. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the gas filling control process 4 which the control apparatus 16 performs. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the gas filling control process 5 which the control apparatus 16 performs. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the gas filling control process 6 which the control apparatus 16 performs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Gas supply apparatus 12 Fuel tank 14 Gas storage part 15 Dispenser unit 16 Control apparatus 18 Gas supply path 22 Flowmeter 24 Gas supply on-off valve 26 Control valve 30 Pressure sensor 50 Filling start switch 62 Variable pressure gas accumulator 64 High pressure gas accumulator 66,68 original valve

Claims (5)

A plurality of gas accumulators in which the gas compressed by the compressor is stored;
A gas supply path communicating between the plurality of gas pressure accumulators and a supply target to which gas is supplied;
Provided between the plurality of gas pressure accumulators and the gas supply path, and communicates one of the gas pressure accumulators and one of the other gas pressure accumulators with the gas supply path. Switching means for switching
A flow rate measuring unit for measuring a supply amount flowing through the gas supply path;
A pressure measuring unit for measuring a gas supply pressure supplied to the supply target;
Control means for controlling the gas supply amount so that the supply amount measured by the flow rate measurement unit or the pressure measured by the pressure measurement unit becomes a predetermined target value for completion of filling;
In the initial stage of gas supply to the supply target, the gas is supplied to the supply target by communicating the one gas pressure accumulator and the gas supply path, and then the communication with the gas supply path is performed as described above. Switching control means for controlling the switching means to switch from one gas pressure accumulator to the other gas pressure accumulator;
In a gas supply device having
The switching control means includes
A time interval calculating means for obtaining a time interval from the last gas supply to the current gas supply;
Switching prohibiting means for prohibiting switching at the switching timing of the gas accumulator by the switching means based on the time interval calculated by the time interval calculating means;
A gas supply device comprising: The switching prohibiting means is
2. The gas supply device according to claim 1, wherein when the time interval is equal to or longer than a first predetermined time set in advance, the gas supply device is a first switching prohibiting unit that prohibits switching at the switching timing. . The switching prohibiting means is
2. The gas supply device according to claim 1, wherein when the time interval is less than a second predetermined time set in advance, the gas supply device is a second switching prohibiting unit that prohibits switching at the switching timing. . The switching prohibiting means is
First switching prohibiting means for prohibiting switching at the switching timing when the time interval is equal to or longer than a first predetermined time set in advance;
And a second switching prohibiting means for prohibiting switching at the switching timing when the time interval is less than a preset second specified time, wherein the first specified time is the second specified time. The gas supply device according to claim 1, wherein the gas supply device is set longer than a specified time. A plurality of gas accumulators in which the gas compressed by the compressor is stored;
A gas supply path communicating between the plurality of gas pressure accumulators and a supply target to which gas is supplied;
Provided between the plurality of gas pressure accumulators and the gas supply path, and communicates one of the gas pressure accumulators and one of the other gas pressure accumulators with the gas supply path. Switching means for switching
A flow rate measuring unit for measuring a supply amount flowing through the gas supply path;
A pressure measuring unit for measuring a gas supply pressure supplied to the supply target;
Control means for controlling the gas supply amount so that the supply amount measured by the flow rate measurement unit or the pressure measured by the pressure measurement unit becomes a predetermined target value for completion of filling;
In the initial stage of supplying the gas to the tank to be supplied, the gas is supplied to the tank to be supplied by communicating the one gas accumulator and the gas supply path, and then the communication with the gas supply path is performed as described above. Switching control means for controlling the switching means to switch from one gas pressure accumulator to the other gas pressure accumulator;
In a gas supply device having
The switching control means includes
Compressor driving state detecting means for detecting a driving state of whether or not the compressor is driven;
When the compressor driving state detecting means detects that the compressor is not driven, switching prohibiting means for prohibiting switching at a switching timing in a state where the compressor is driven;
A gas supply device comprising:

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