JP6062153B2 - Gas supply device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas supply device, and more particularly to a gas supply device that supplies gas from a plurality of gas accumulators to a tank to be filled.

  For example, in a conventional gas supply device, a plurality of gas pressure accumulators store gas pressurized to a pressure equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure (maximum pressure that can be stored in a tank to be filled: filling target pressure), When the gas is supplied to the filling tank, the filling tank is filled with the gas by using the pressure difference between the gas pressure in the gas accumulator and the gas pressure in the filling tank (for example, patent document). 1).

  When the filling tank is filled with the gas by the pressure difference in this way, if the pressure of the gas accumulator on the supply side falls below the filling target pressure of the filling tank, the gas pressure in the filling tank becomes equal to the filling target pressure. Until this time, the tank to be filled cannot be filled with gas. Therefore, if the pressure of the gas pressure accumulator drops below the target filling pressure, either replace the gas accumulator whose pressure has dropped with a gas accumulator that is in a full tank state (higher than the filling target pressure), or the pressure drops. The gas pressure accumulator is transported to a gas filling station, and high pressure gas is supplied to the gas pressure accumulator until the gas pressure accumulator reaches a high pressure state equal to or higher than the filling target pressure.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-39262

  As shown in the background art above, a used gas accumulator in which a gas of a predetermined pressure still remains, although the gas in the tank to be filled cannot be filled up to the target pressure of filling, has been filled up. Since the gas accumulator is replaced, the number of replacements of the gas accumulator is increased within a predetermined period, and there is a problem that the gas not exceeding the filling target pressure remaining in the tank to be filled cannot be effectively used.

  In addition, when the used gas accumulator with reduced pressure is transported to a gas filling station and the gas accumulator is filled with high-pressure gas, new high-pressure gas is not used without using the gas remaining in the gas accumulator. Since the gas accumulator is to be supplied and the gas accumulator is transported without using the gas having the predetermined pressure remaining in the gas accumulator every time, there is a problem that the transport efficiency is lowered.

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

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following means.
(1) The present invention
A gas pressure accumulator unit including a first gas pressure accumulator and a second gas pressure accumulator;
A gas supply path for supplying the gas of the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator to the tank to be filled;
A plurality of on-off valves, provided in the gas supply path, for selectively supplying gas from the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator;
A pressure detector for detecting the pressure of the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator;
Control means for opening or closing the plurality of on-off valves so as to supply the gas from the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator to the tank to be filled;
A compressor for pressurizing and supplying the gas of the second gas accumulator,
The gas accumulator unit, the gas supply path, the plurality of on-off valves, the compressor, and the control means are mounted on a truck pulled by a truck or a vehicle,
When the pressures of the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator are higher than a predetermined pressure, the control means supplies the gas of the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator to the When the pressure of the first gas pressure accumulator and the second gas pressure accumulator becomes the predetermined pressure or less during gas filling, the gas in the second gas pressure accumulator is supplied. When the pressure of the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator is not more than the predetermined pressure during non-filling by pressurizing by the compressor and supplying to the tank to be filled, the first The plurality of on-off valves are switched between open and closed so that the gas in the second gas pressure accumulator is pressurized by the compressor and supplied to the first gas pressure accumulator.
(2) The present invention
A gas pressure accumulator unit including a first gas pressure accumulator and a second gas pressure accumulator;
A gas supply path for supplying the gas of the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator to the tank to be filled;
A plurality of on-off valves, provided in the gas supply path, for selectively supplying gas from the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator;
A pressure detector for detecting the pressure of the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator;
A flow rate detector for detecting the flow rate of the gas supplied to the filled tank;
Control means for opening or closing the plurality of on-off valves so as to supply the gas from the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator to the tank to be filled;
A compressor for pressurizing and supplying the gas of the first gas accumulator or the second gas accumulator,
The gas accumulator unit, the gas supply path, the plurality of on-off valves, the compressor, and the control means are mounted on a truck pulled by a truck or a vehicle,
When the pressure of the second gas pressure accumulator is equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure and the flow rate becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined flow rate during the gas filling from the first gas pressure accumulator to the filling tank, Supplies the gas from the first gas pressure accumulator and the gas discharged from the second gas pressure accumulator and pressurized by the compressor to the tank to be filled, and the second gas is filled during non-filling. When the pressure of the gas pressure accumulator is equal to or lower than the predetermined pressure, the plurality of the gas accumulators are pressurized by the compressor and supplied to the first gas pressure accumulator. The on-off valve is switched to open or closed.
(3) The present invention is the gas supply device according to (2), wherein the control means is discharged from the gas of the first gas pressure accumulator and the second gas pressure accumulator and is supplied by the compressor. When the flow rate becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined flow rate while supplying pressurized gas to the tank to be filled, the gas in the first gas accumulator is pressurized by the compressor and filled. The plurality of on-off valves are switched to open or closed so as to be supplied to the tank.

  According to the present invention, the gas of one gas pressure accumulator that has fallen below a predetermined value is boosted by a compressor, and the gas discharged from the compressor is supplied to another gas pressure accumulator, whereby the gas accumulator drops below the predetermined value. It becomes possible to fill the filled tank as the gas to be supplied to the filled tank, extending the replacement time of the gas accumulator, and lowering the pressure of the gas accumulator during gas filling Even in this case, the number of times the gas pressure accumulator is transported in order to replace the gas pressure accumulator or replenish gas to the gas pressure accumulator is reduced, and it becomes possible to increase the transport efficiency of the gas pressure accumulator.

It is a systematic diagram which shows Example 1 of the gas supply apparatus by this invention. It is a systematic diagram which shows the gas supply path | route to the to-be-filled tank in case each gas accumulator of Example 1 is higher than predetermined pressure. It is a systematic diagram which shows the gas supply path | route when the pressure of a gas accumulator falls below below a predetermined pressure during filling of Example 1. FIG. It is a systematic diagram which shows the gas supply path | route when the pressure of each gas pressure accumulator at the time of non-filling of Example 1 falls below a predetermined pressure. It is a systematic diagram which shows the gas supply path | route in the case of performing gas filling by the gas pressure accumulator whose pressure is higher than predetermined pressure among the some gas pressure accumulators of Example 1. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the gas filling control process of the dispenser unit which the control apparatus of Example 1 performs. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the switching control process of the gas accumulator which a control apparatus performs according to the pressure of each gas accumulator of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a system diagram of a modification of the first embodiment. It is a systematic diagram of Example 2 of the gas supply apparatus by this invention. The pressure of the gas accumulator in Example 2 is a system diagram of a gas supply path to the filling tank is higher than a predetermined pressure. It is a systematic diagram which shows the gas supply path | route to the to-be-filled tank in case a high pressure gas accumulator is higher than predetermined pressure. It is a systematic diagram which shows a gas supply path | route when the pressure of a variable pressure gas accumulator falls below a predetermined pressure. It is a systematic diagram which shows the gas supply path | route to the to-be-filled tank in case a high pressure gas accumulator is below a full tank pressure. It is a systematic diagram which shows the gas supply path | route in the case of supplying the gas of a variable pressure gas accumulator to a high pressure gas accumulator. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the gas accumulator switching control process which a control apparatus performs according to the pressure of each gas accumulator of Example 2. FIG.

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

[Configuration of gas supply device]
FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing Embodiment 1 of a gas supply apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the gas supply device 10 is a mobile device mounted on a loading platform 22 of a truck (vehicle) 20. In addition, after being transported to the destination by the truck 20, the gas supply device 10 fills the tank to be filled with gas at the destination. In addition, the loading platform 22 may be one that is integrated with the truck 20, or may be a trailer that is pulled by a tractor or a truck that is pulled by a truck.

  The gas supply device 10 includes a gas pressure accumulator unit 40 that is a gas supply source, a pipe path 50 connected to the gas pressure accumulator unit 40, and a control device 60 that controls each device in the pipe path 50.

  In the gas pressure accumulator unit 40, a plurality of (four in this embodiment) gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 are connected in parallel. Each of the gas accumulators 41 to 44 stores, for example, a gas such as hydrogen for fuel cells or CNG (compressed natural gas) at a high pressure. Each of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 is replaced with another gas pressure accumulator in a full state or transported to a gas filling station or the like when the pressure drops to a predetermined pressure or lower (for example, lower than atmospheric pressure). Gas replenishment. Moreover, as a to-be-filled tank with which the gas of each gas pressure accumulator 41-44 is filled, there exists a fuel tank etc. which were mounted in the motor vehicle.

  The piping path 50 is connected to the first and second branch pipes 52 and 53 connected to the discharge ports of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44, and the first and second branch pipes 52 and 53 and the tank to be filled. The main pipe 54 that communicates with the section 70, the first bypass pipe 56 that communicates with the first branch pipe 53, and the second bypass pipe 57 that communicates with the main pipe 54.

  An upstream pressure detector P1 is disposed on the upstream side of the first branch pipe 52, and an on-off valve V4 (original valve) is provided on the downstream side of the first branch pipe 52.

  An upstream pressure detector P2 is disposed on the upstream side of the second branch pipe 53, and an on-off valve V5 (original valve) is provided on the downstream side of the second branch pipe 53.

  The main pipe 54 is provided with a downstream pressure detector P3, a downstream on-off valve V1, an upstream on-off valve V3 (original valve), a control valve V2, a flow meter F, and a tank filling portion 70. It has been. In addition, since the to-be-filled tank connection part 70 is connected to the main piping 54 via the hose 58 arrange | positioned downstream of the main piping 54, the hose 58 is extended and connected to the position of a to-be-filled tank.

  The first bypass pipe 56 has an upstream end connected to the first branch pipe 53 and a downstream end connected to the downstream side of the downstream on-off valve V7 of the second bypass pipe 57. A side open / close valve V8 is provided. The second bypass pipe 57 has an upstream end connected to the second branch pipe 53 and a downstream end connected to the main pipe 54. The upstream bypass valve V6, the compressor C, A downstream opening / closing valve V7 is provided. Each of the on-off valves V1, V3 to V8 and the control valve V2 are configured to have electromagnetic driving means so that the valve is opened or closed by a control signal from the control device 60 and the valve opening degree is controlled.

  The control device 60 is composed of a microcomputer and receives pressure detection signals from the pressure detectors P1 to P3 and a flow rate measurement signal measured by the flow meter F, and controls each valve based on a preset control program. Control signals for controlling V1 to V8 and the compressor C are output. Further, the control device 60 is connected to the display device 80, the filling start switch 82, the filling end switch 84, and the emergency stop switch 86, and the filling start switch 82 is connected after the filled tank connecting portion 70 is connected to the filled tank. Is turned on, the valves V1 to V5 are selectively opened to start filling the tank to be filled, and the supply amount and pressure measured by the flow meter F are displayed on the display 80. To do. When the tank to be filled is fully filled up to the target pressure, the filling is completed, and when the filling end switch 84 or the emergency stop switch 86 is turned on, the valves V1 to V5 are closed.

  In addition, the control device 60 reduces the gas accumulators 41 to 44 of the gas accumulator unit 40 to a predetermined value or less during the stoppage until the gas filling to the filling tank is finished and the next gas filling is started. Control program for opening or closing each on-off valve V6 to V8 so as to increase the pressure of the lowered gas accumulator by the compressor C and supply the gas discharged from the compressor C to other gas accumulators (Gas filling control means) and when the pressure of each gas accumulator 41-44 falls below the filling target pressure of the tank to be filled, the gas of the gas accumulator 41-44 is transferred to another gas accumulator and compressed And a control program (gas accumulator switching control means) for supplying gas to the tank to be filled after being pressurized by the machine C.

  The gas accumulator switching control means of the present embodiment is configured to operate when the pressure of each gas accumulator 41 to 44 drops below the filling target pressure of the tank to be filled. When the pressure of the containers 41 to 44 is reduced to a pressure value that exceeds the filling target pressure of the tank to be filled by a predetermined pressure value, that is, the pressure difference between the pressure of each gas accumulator 41 to 44 and the filling target pressure of the tank to be filled When the pressure drops to the lowest predetermined pressure, the gas in the gas accumulators 41 to 44 may be transferred to another gas accumulator, pressurized by the compressor C, and supplied to the tank to be filled.

  Further, in FIG. 1, a flow meter F, an on-off valve V1, a control unit V2, a pressure detector P3, a control device 60, a display 80, a filling start switch 82, a filling end switch 84, which are arranged in a range indicated by a one-dot chain line, The emergency stop switch 86 constitutes the dispenser unit 90. The gas supply device 10 fills the tank to be filled with gas while being mounted on the loading platform 22.

[Gas supply path when the gas accumulator is above the specified pressure]
FIG. 2 shows a gas supply path to the tank to be filled when the pressure of each of the gas accumulators 41 to 44 of the first embodiment is higher than a predetermined pressure (a filling target pressure of the filling tank or a predetermined pressure exceeding the filling target pressure). FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, when the pressures of the gas accumulators 41 to 44 are all higher than a predetermined pressure ( for example, the filling target pressure (for example, 35 MPa) of the tank to be filled), the pressure of the gas inside the gas accumulators 41 to 44. Has a pressure for causing the tank to be filled to reach the filling target pressure. Therefore, the first and second branch pipes 52 and 53, the main pipe 54, the hose 58, the tank filling section 70 ( The gas is supplied to the tank to be filled via a path indicated by a thick line in FIG. That is, the control device 60 opens the on-off valves V3, V4, V5 disposed in the first and second branch pipes 52, 53 and the main pipe 54, and when the filling start switch 82 is turned on, While opening the on-off valve V1, the valve opening degree of the control valve V2 is adjusted.

  In this case, the control device 60 has sufficient pressure in any of the gas accumulators 41 to 44, so that the tank to be filled can be filled with gas by opening the on-off valves V3 to V5, and the pressure detector P3. The valve opening degree of the control valve V2 is controlled based on the pressure of the tank to be filled detected by the gas flow and the gas supply amount (integrated flow rate) measured by the flow meter C to control the gas supply amount to the tank to be filled. .

[Gas supply path when the gas accumulator is below the specified pressure]
FIG. 3 is a system diagram showing a gas supply path when the pressure of the gas accumulators 41 to 44 drops below a predetermined pressure during the filling of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, when the pressure of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 is reduced to a predetermined pressure or lower (for example, the target filling pressure of the tank to be filled is 35 MPa or lower), the gas in the gas pressure accumulators 43 and 44 is second bypassed. It is supplied from the pipe 57 to the tank to be filled through the main pipe 54 and the tank filling portion 70 (path indicated by a thick line in FIG. 3).

  In this case, the control device 60 closes the on-off valves V3 to V5, V8 and opens the on-off valves V6, V7 to compress (pressurize) the gas in the gas accumulators 43, 44 by the compressor C. Then, the gas pressurized by the compressor C is supplied from the second bypass pipe 57 to the main pipe 54 and the tank connection portion 70 to be filled. Then, based on the pressure of the filled tank detected by the pressure detector P3 and the gas supply amount (integrated flow rate) measured by the flow meter C, the valve opening degree of the control valve V2 is controlled to supply to the filled tank. Control gas supply.

  As described above, even when the gas in the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 is reduced to a predetermined pressure or lower (for example, the filling target pressure of the tank to be filled is 35 MPa or lower), the gas in the gas pressure accumulators 43 to 44 is added by the compressor C. Thus, the gas in the gas accumulators 43 to 44 can be supplied to the tank to be filled.

[Gas transfer path when the gas accumulator is below the specified pressure]
FIG. 4 shows that the pressure of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 at the time of non-filling of the first embodiment (when gas is not filled from the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 to the tank to be filled) falls below a predetermined pressure (filling target pressure). It is a systematic diagram which shows the gas supply path | route at the time of doing. As shown in FIG. 4, when the pressure of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 is reduced to a predetermined pressure or less (for example, a filling target pressure of 35 MPa or less of the filling tank) when the filling tank is not filled, the gas accumulator The gases 43 and 44 are supplied to the other gas pressure accumulators 41 and 42 via the first and second bypass pipes 56 and 57 (paths shown by bold lines in FIG. 4).

In this case, the control device 60 closes the on-off valves V3 to V5, V7 and opens the on-off valves V6, V8 to compress (pressurize) the gas in the gas accumulators 43, 44 by the compressor C. The gas pressurized by the compressor C is supplied to the gas accumulators 41 and 42. As a result, the gas in the gas accumulators 43 and 44 that has dropped below the predetermined pressure is supplied to the other gas accumulators 41 and 42, and the pressure in the gas accumulators 41 and 42 is set to the predetermined pressure (the filling target pressure of the tank to be filled, Alternatively, the pressure can be raised to a pressure higher than a predetermined pressure that exceeds the filling target pressure), so that the gas can be supplied to the tank to be filled, and the gas in the gas accumulators 43 and 44 can be used effectively. It becomes possible to delay the replacement time of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 or the time to fill the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 with gas.

[Gas transfer path when gas is supplied from the gas accumulator whose pressure is higher than the specified pressure to the tank to be filled]
FIG. 5 is a system diagram showing a gas supply path in the case where gas filling is performed by the gas pressure accumulators 41 and 42 having a gas pressure higher than a predetermined pressure among the plurality of gas pressure accumulators of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a case where the gas in the gas pressure accumulators 43 and 44 that has fallen below the predetermined pressure is supplied to the other gas pressure accumulators 41 and 42 to boost the gas pressure accumulators 41 and 42 to a pressure higher than the predetermined pressure. As described above, the gas in the gas pressure accumulators 41 and 42 is supplied to the tank to be filled through the first branch pipe 52 and the main pipe 54 (path indicated by a thick line in FIG. 5).

  In this case, the control device 60 closes the on-off valves V5 to V8 and also opens the on-off valves V1 and V3 to supply the gas in the gas accumulators 41 and 42 to the flow meter F, the on-off valve V1, the control valve V2, The filling tank is filled via the filling tank connecting portion 70.

As described above, since the gas in the gas accumulators 43 and 44 that has dropped below the predetermined pressure can be supplied to the other gas accumulators 41 and 42, the gas accumulators 41 and 42 can be boosted to a pressure higher than the predetermined pressure. The gas can be supplied to the tank to be filled, and the gas in the gas pressure accumulators 43 and 44 can be effectively used to replace the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 or the gas to the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44. It becomes possible to delay the filling time.

[Control Processing of Dispenser Unit 90 of Control Device 60]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the gas filling control process of the dispenser unit executed by the control device 60 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, when the filling start switch 82 is turned on in S11 (see FIG. 1), the control device 60 proceeds to S12 and outputs a filling-in-progress signal, for example, to the display 80 “ Display the current status such as “Filling”. Subsequently, in S13, the on-off valve V1 of the dispenser unit 90 communicated with the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 is opened (see FIG. 2). The on-off valves V3, V4, and V5 are opened by the control process of FIG. 7 that is processed in parallel with the control process of FIG. As a result, the gas accumulated in the gas accumulators 41 to 44 is supplied to the filled tank connecting portion 70 via the main pipe 57 and the hose 58.

Next, in S14, the flow rate pulses detected from the flow meter F are integrated to measure the instantaneous flow rate Q (m ³ / min), and the integrated flow rate ΣQ (m ³ ) is calculated. Subsequently, in S15, the filling tank pressure value detected by the pressure detector P3 is read, and the opening degree of the control valve V2 is controlled so that the filling tank pressure value has a predetermined pressure increase rate ( Constant pressure increase control). Thereby, the pressure supplied to the tank to be filled is gradually increased at a constant rate, and gas filling control is performed until the pressure in the tank to be filled reaches the target pressure.

  In next S16, it is checked whether or not the integrated flow rate ΣQ of the gas supplied to the tank to be filled has reached the target immediately preceding value (Q0−Δq) obtained by subtracting the predetermined value Δq from the target integrated flow rate Q0. In S16, if the integrated flow rate ΣQ of the gas has not reached the target flow rate value (Q0−Δq) obtained by subtracting the predetermined value Δq from the target integrated flow rate Q0 (in the case of NO), the process proceeds to S17 and is detected by the pressure detector P3. It is checked whether or not the obtained pressure value has reached the target pressure value (P0−Δq) immediately before the target value P0 minus the predetermined value Δq. In S17, when the pressure value detected by the pressure detector P3 does not reach the target pressure value (P0−Δq) obtained by subtracting the predetermined value Δq from the target pressure value P0 (NO), the process of S16 is performed. Returning, the processing of S16 and S17 is repeated until reaching either the flow rate value immediately before the target or the pressure value immediately before the target. Therefore, during the gas filling into the tank to be filled, a standby state is repeated in which the processes of S16 and S17 are repeated.

  In S16, when the integrated flow rate ΣQ of the gas supplied to the tank to be filled reaches the target immediately preceding value (Q0−Δq) obtained by subtracting the predetermined value Δq from the target integrated flow rate Q0 (in the case of YES), the process goes to S18. Then, the valve opening of the control valve V2 of the dispenser unit 90 is gradually reduced so that the flow rate of the gas supplied to the tank to be filled becomes a predetermined low flow rate, and the gas supply flow rate is decreased. Subsequently, the process proceeds to S19, where it is checked whether or not the integrated flow rate ΣQ has reached the target integrated flow rate Q0.

  In S19, when the integrated flow rate ΣQ does not reach the target integrated flow rate Q0 (in the case of NO), the process proceeds to S23, and it is checked whether or not the pressure value detected by the pressure detector P3 has reached the target pressure value P0. In S19, when the integrated flow rate ΣQ has reached the target integrated flow rate Q0 (in the case of YES), the gas filling into the tank to be filled has been completed, so the process proceeds to S20, and the on-off valve V1 disposed in the main pipe 57 is set. Close the valve. Subsequently, in S21, the output of the filling signal is stopped, and “filling end” is displayed on the display unit 80.

  In S17, when the pressure value detected by the pressure detector P3 reaches the target pressure value (P0−Δq) obtained by subtracting the predetermined value Δq from the target pressure value P0 (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to S22. Then, the valve opening of the control valve V2 of the dispenser unit 90 is gradually reduced so that the pressure increase rate of the gas supplied to the tank to be filled becomes a predetermined low increase rate, and the gas supply flow rate is decreased. Subsequently, the process proceeds to S23, in which it is checked whether or not the pressure value detected by the pressure detector P3 has reached the target pressure value P0.

  In S23, when the pressure value detected by the pressure detector P3 does not reach the target pressure value P0 (in the case of NO), the process proceeds to S19, where the integrated flow rate ΣQ reaches the target integrated flow rate Q0 or by the pressure detector P3. The processes in S19 and S23 are repeated until the detected pressure value reaches the target pressure value P0.

  In S23, when the pressure value detected by the pressure detector P3 has reached the target pressure value P0 (in the case of YES), the gas filling into the tank to be filled has been completed. V1 is closed. Thereby, the gas supply to the filling tank is stopped. Subsequently, in S21, the output of the filling signal is stopped, and “filling end” is displayed on the display unit 80. In this manner, the valve opening of the control valve V2 is adjusted until the integrated flow rate ΣQ reaches the target integrated flow rate Q0 or the pressure value detected by the pressure detector P3 reaches the target pressure value P0. The gas supply to the filling tank is controlled.

[Gas accumulator switching control process executed by control device 60]
The control device 60 executes the gas filling control process of FIG. 6 described above, and executes the gas accumulator switching control process of FIG. 7 in parallel processing. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the gas accumulator switching control process executed by the control device 60 in accordance with the pressure of each gas accumulator of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the control device 60 opens the on-off valves V4 and V5 communicated with the gas accumulators 41 to 44 in S31.

  Then, it progresses to S32, the pressure value of the gas pressure accumulators 41-44 detected by the upstream pressure detector P1 or P2 is read, and the pressure value of the said gas pressure accumulators 41-44 is below predetermined pressure set beforehand ( For example, it is checked whether or not the filling target pressure is 35 MPa or less. In S32, when the pressure value of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 is not lower than a predetermined pressure set in advance (for example, the target filling pressure 35 MPa or lower) (in the case of NO), the pressure of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 is the gas filling pressure Since there is, it progresses to S33 and it is checked whether the filling signal (process of S12 of FIG. 6) is input.

  In S33, when the filling signal is not input (in the case of NO), the process returns to S32, and the processes of S32 and S33 are repeated. Therefore, the standby state is maintained until the pressure of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 before the filling of the tank to be filled is lowered to a predetermined pressure or a signal during filling is inputted. In S33, if a filling signal is input (in the case of YES), preparation of gas filling is performed in the above-described dispenser unit 90. Therefore, the process proceeds to S34, and the on-off valve V3 (original) of the main pipe 54 is prepared. Valve) is opened (see FIG. 2). Thereby, the gas from each gas pressure accumulator 41-44 is supplied to the dispenser unit 90 via the main piping 54.

  Subsequently, in S35, the pressure values of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 detected by the upstream pressure detector P1 or P2 are read, and the pressure values of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 are equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure (for example, It is checked whether the target filling pressure is 35 MPa or less. In S35, when the pressure value of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 is not less than or equal to a predetermined pressure set in advance (for example, a filling target pressure of 35 MPa or less) (in the case of NO), the pressure of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 is the gas chargeable pressure. Since there is, it progresses to S36 and it is checked whether the filling signal is input.

In S36, when the filling signal is input (in the case of YES), since the gas is filled in the dispenser unit 90, the process returns to S35, and the processes of S35 and S36 are repeated. Therefore, the standby state is maintained until the pressure of the gas accumulators 41 to 44 after the start of filling is reduced to a predetermined pressure or lower or the input of the filling signal is stopped. In S36, when the filling signal is not inputted (in the case of NO), since the filling is completed in the dispenser unit 90, the on-off valve V3 (original valve) of the main pipe 54 is closed. Thus, when the pressure of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 is higher than the predetermined pressure, normal gas filling is possible. Therefore, the processing of S31 to S37 is executed, and the pressure of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 is predetermined. When the pressure drops below the pressure, the gas filling pressure is insufficient. Therefore, the process of S38 to S51 described later is executed when the gas is not filled, and the process of S52 to S61 described later is executed when filling.

  In S32, when the pressure value of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 is equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure (for example, a filling target pressure of 35 MPa or less) (in the case of YES), the gas pressure is not filled due to insufficient pressure of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44. Since it is possible, it progresses to S38 and the on-off valves V4 and V5 (original valve) connected to each gas pressure accumulator 41-44 are closed. Then, it progresses to S39 and the on-off valves V6 and V8 of the bypass pipes 56 and 57 are opened (see FIG. 4). Thus, the gas pressure accumulators 41 and 42 and the gas pressure accumulators 43 and 44 are communicated with each other via the bypass pipes 56 and 57.

In the next S40, the compressor C is driven to pressurize the gas in one of the gas pressure accumulators 43 and 44 and supply it to the other gas pressure accumulators 41 and 42. Accordingly, the gas accumulators 43 and 44 that have been reduced to a predetermined pressure or lower (for example, a target filling pressure of 35 MPa or lower) are pressurized by the compressor C and supplied to the other gas accumulators 41 and 42. , 42 can be raised higher than a predetermined pressure. Therefore, it is possible to extend the replacement time of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 by effectively using the gas in the gas pressure accumulators 43 and 44 that has decreased to a predetermined pressure or lower (for example, a target filling pressure of 35 MPa or lower). Further, by driving the compressor C to pressurize the gas in the gas pressure accumulators 43 and 44 and supply the gas to the gas pressure accumulators 41 and 42, the pressure of each gas pressure accumulator 41 to 44 decreases below a predetermined pressure. It is possible to prevent the filling of the tank to be filled, and to increase the pressure of the gas accumulators 41 and 42 to be higher than a predetermined pressure, thereby enabling gas supply to the tank to be filled.

In the next S41, the pressure values of the gas pressure accumulators 41 and 42 detected by the upstream pressure detector P1 are read, and the pressure values of the gas pressure accumulators 41 and 42 are set to a predetermined pressure (for example, a filling target pressure of 35 MPa). ) Check if it is higher . In S41, when the pressure values of the gas pressure accumulators 41 and 42 are equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure ( for example, a filling target pressure of 35 MPa) (NO), the process proceeds to S42, and the gas detected by the upstream pressure detector P2 The pressure values of the pressure accumulators 43 and 44 are read, and it is checked whether or not the pressure values of the gas pressure accumulators 43 and 44 are below atmospheric pressure. In S42, when the pressure values of the gas accumulators 43 and 44 are not equal to or lower than the atmospheric pressure (in the case of NO), the process returns to S41, and the processes of S41 and S42 are repeated.

  In S42, when the pressure value of the gas pressure accumulators 43 and 44 is equal to or lower than the atmospheric pressure (in the case of YES), the process of transferring the gas in the gas pressure accumulators 43 and 44 to the gas pressure accumulators 41 and 42 is completed. Then, the on-off valves V6 and V8 of the bypass pipes 56 and 57 are closed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S61 to be described later, and an unfillable signal is output.

In S41, when the pressure values of the gas pressure accumulators 41 and 42 are higher than a predetermined pressure ( for example, a filling target pressure 35 MPa ) set in advance (in the case of YES), the pressure values of the gas pressure accumulators 41 and 42 are pressures that can be filled. Therefore, the process proceeds to S44, and the on-off valves V6 and V8 of the bypass pipes 56 and 57 are closed. Subsequently, in S45, the compressor C is stopped. Thereby, the switching process which pressurizes the gas of the gas accumulators 43 and 44 by the compressor C and supplies the gas to the gas accumulators 41 and 42 is completed.

  Next, in S46, it is checked whether or not a filling signal is input. In S46, when a filling signal is input (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to S47, and the gas in the gas accumulators 41 and 42 pressurized by the compressor C by opening the on-off valves V3 and V4 is supplied to the main pipe. It supplies to a to-be-filled tank via 54 (refer FIG. 5). In step S48, it is checked whether a filling signal is input. In S48, when the filling signal is not inputted (in the case of NO), since the filling tank is not filled, the process proceeds to S49, and the on-off valves V3, V4 are closed and the gas accumulators 41, 42 are closed. Stop supplying gas. Thereafter, the process returns to the process of S46, and the processes after S46 are executed until the filling signal is input again.

In S48, when the filling signal is input (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to S50, in which the pressure values of the gas pressure accumulators 41 and 42 detected by the upstream pressure detector P1 are read, and the gas pressure accumulator It is checked whether or not the pressure values of 41 and 42 are higher than a predetermined pressure set in advance ( for example, a filling target pressure of 35 MPa ) . In S50, if the pressure value of the gas pressure accumulator 41, 42 is higher than a predetermined pressure ( for example, a filling target pressure of 35 MPa ) set in advance (in the case of YES), it is returned to the processing of S48 and whether or not a filling signal is input. If the pressure value of the gas pressure accumulators 41 and 42 is equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure ( for example, a filling target pressure 35 MPa ) set in advance (in the case of NO), the pressure of the gas pressure accumulators 41 and 42 becomes the chargeable pressure. Since it has not reached, it progresses to S51 and the on-off valves V3 and V4 are closed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S61 to be described later, and an unfillable signal is output.

  In the processing of S38 to S51, the gas remaining in the gas pressure accumulators 43 and 44, which has been reduced to a predetermined pressure or less (unfillable pressure) during non-filling of the tank to be filled, can be transferred to the gas pressure accumulators 41 and 42 for filling. This corresponds to gas pressure adjusting means for increasing the pressure to a certain level.

In S35, when the pressure values of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44 are equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure set in advance (for example, a filling target pressure of 35 MPa or less) (in the case of YES), the gas pressure accumulator 41 is being filled during filling of the tank to be filled. Since the pressure of .about.44 is lowered and the gas cannot be filled, the process proceeds to S52 and the on-off valves V3 and V5 that supply the gas to the tank to be filled are closed. In the next S53, the on-off valves V6 and V7 arranged in the second bypass pipe 57 are opened, and then the compressor C is driven in S54 (see FIG. 3). As a result, the gas in the gas accumulators 43 and 44 is pressurized by the compressor C and supplied to the filled tank, so that the filling of the filled tank can be prevented and the gas accumulators 43 and 44 are prevented. It is possible to increase the gas pressure higher than a predetermined pressure to enable gas supply to the tank to be filled.

  In the next S55, the pressure value detected by the pressure detector P2 disposed in the second bypass pipe 57 (the pressure value of the gas accumulators 43 and 44) is read, and whether or not the pressure value is equal to or lower than the atmospheric pressure. To check. In S55, when the pressure values of the gas accumulators 43 and 44 are not equal to or lower than the atmospheric pressure (in the case of NO), the process proceeds to S56 and it is checked whether or not a filling signal is input. In S56, when the filling signal is not inputted (in the case of NO), the on-off valves V6 and V7 arranged in the second bypass pipe 57 are closed in S57 in order to stop the pressurization by the compressor C. Then, the operation of the compressor C is stopped in S58. Thereafter, the process returns to the process of S32 described above, and the processes after S32 are executed.

  In S56, when a filling signal is input (in the case of YES), since the gas is supplied to the tank to be filled, the process returns to S55 and the pressure value detected by the pressure detector P2 ( It is checked whether or not the pressure values of the gas pressure accumulators 43 and 44 are below atmospheric pressure.

In S55, when the pressure value detected by the pressure detector P2 (pressure values of the gas pressure accumulators 43 and 44) is equal to or lower than the atmospheric pressure (in the case of YES), the gas that can be charged into the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44. Therefore, the process proceeds to S59, where the on-off valves V6, V7 arranged in the second bypass pipe 57 are closed, and then the operation of the compressor C is stopped in S60. Then, it progresses to S61 and outputs a filling impossible signal. Thereafter, the gas accumulators 41 to 44 are replaced with unused ones, or each gas accumulator 41 to 44 is moved to a gas filling station where a gas having a pressure higher than a predetermined pressure can be supplied. The gas accumulators 41 to 44 are replenished with gas.

  Thus, when the pressure values of the gas accumulators 41 to 44 are equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure set in advance (for example, a target filling pressure of 35 MPa or lower), the gas pressurized by the compressor C is supplied to the tank to be filled. Thus, it is not necessary to stop the gas supply to the tank to be filled, and as a result, the gas filling time can be shortened compared with the replacement operation of the gas accumulator.

[Modification of Example 1]
FIG. 8 is a system diagram of a modification of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the control device 60 </ b> A of the gas supply device 10 </ b> A according to the modified example includes a first control circuit 62 and a second control circuit 64. The first control circuit 62 and the second control circuit 64 are communicably connected to each other, and execute each control process in parallel while transmitting and receiving control signals.

  The first control circuit 62 is a control means for controlling the opening / closing of the on-off valve V1 of the dispenser unit 90 and the valve opening degree of the control valve V2, and executes the gas filling control processing (S11 to S23) of FIG. . Moreover, the 2nd control circuit 64 is a control means which controls the gas supplied from the gas pressure accumulators 41-44, and performs the gas pressure accumulator switching control process (S31-S61) shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 8, since the on-off valve V4 is not provided, the on-off valve V3 also serves as the on-off valve V4. Moreover, since the pressure detector P2 is not provided, the pressure detector P1 is provided on the upstream side of the main pipe 54, and detects the pressure of the gas pressure accumulators 41 to 44.

[Configuration of Gas Supply Device 10B]
FIG. 9 is a system diagram of Embodiment 2 of the gas supply apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the gas supply device 10 </ b> B includes a dispenser unit 90, a piping path 100, and a gas pressure accumulator unit 110. Since the dispenser unit 90 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, description of each device of the dispenser unit 90 is omitted.

  The gas pressure accumulator unit 110 includes four gas pressure accumulators 111 to 114 arranged in parallel, and includes variable pressure gas pressure accumulators 111 and 112 serving as gas supply sources at the beginning of filling, and variable pressure gas pressure accumulators 111 and 112. High-pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 serving as gas supply sources after gas filling is completed. In each of the gas accumulators 111 to 114, a gas having a predetermined pressure higher than the target filling pressure of the tank to be filled is stored. Each of the gas accumulators 111 to 114 is exchanged with another gas accumulator in a full state or transported to a gas filling station or the like when the pressure drops below a predetermined pressure (for example, below atmospheric pressure). Gas replenishment.

  The piping path 100 includes a main piping 101 that communicates between the gas pressure accumulator unit 110 and the filled tank connection portion 70, and first to fourth branch pipings 102 to 105. The main pipe 101 has an upstream end connected to the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112, and a downstream end connected to the filling tank connection port 70 via a hose 58. Further, on the upstream side of the main pipe 101, a pressure detector P1 for detecting the gas pressure on the variable pressure gas accumulator 111, 112 side, an on-off valve V3, and a backflow prevention valve G1 are provided. . The backflow prevention valve G1 prevents the downstream gas from flowing back to the upstream side.

  The first branch pipe 102 has an upstream end connected to the high-pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114, and a downstream end connected to the main pipe 101 downstream from the backflow prevention valve G1. Further, the first branch pipe 101 is provided with a pressure detector P2 for detecting the gas pressure on the high-pressure gas accumulator 113, 114 side, an on-off valve V4, and a backflow prevention valve G2. The backflow prevention valve G2 prevents the downstream gas from flowing back to the upstream side.

  The second branch pipe 103 has an upstream end connected to the first branch pipe 102 upstream from the pressure detector P2, and a downstream end connected to the first branch pipe 102 downstream from the backflow prevention valve G2. It is connected to the. The second branch pipe 103 is provided with an on-off valve V7.

  The third branch pipe 104 has an upstream end connected to the main pipe 101 upstream from the pressure detector P1, and a downstream end connected to the main pipe 101 downstream from the check valve G1. The third branch pipe 104 is provided with an on-off valve V5, a compressor C, and a backflow prevention valve G3.

  The fourth branch pipe 105 has an upstream end connected to the first branch pipe 102 upstream from the pressure detector P2 and connected to the third branch pipe 104 downstream from the downstream end compressor C. Has been. The fourth branch pipe 105 is provided with an on-off valve V6.

  The on-off valves V1, V3 to V7, the control valve V2, and the compressor C are subjected to on-off control, valve opening control, and operation control when a control signal output from the control device 60B of the dispenser unit 90 is input. .

[Gas supply path when the pressure of each gas accumulator is higher than the predetermined pressure (gas pressure in the tank to be filled ) ]
Figure 10 is a system diagram of a gas supply path to the filling tank when the pressure of each gas accumulator of Example 2 is higher than a predetermined pressure (pressure of the gas in the filling tank). 10, variable pressure gas accumulator 111 and 112 to a predetermined pressure (e.g. 20 MPa, or pressure of the gas in the filling tank) when there is a higher pressure than the opening and closing valve V3 and is opened the main pipe 101 (FIG. 10 The gas of the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 is supplied to the dispenser unit 90 via the path indicated by the middle thick line, and the gas is supplied from the tank connection port 70 to the tank to be filled.

[Gas supply path when the high pressure gas accumulator is higher than the specified pressure (target filling pressure)]
FIG. 11 is a system diagram showing a gas supply path to a tank to be filled when the high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 are higher than a predetermined pressure (filling target pressure). 11, gas filling is completed by variable pressure gas accumulator 111, the high-pressure gas accumulator 113 and 114 to a predetermined pressure (e.g., the target charging pressure 35 MPa, or more than a predetermined pressure than the target charging pressure) higher pressures In some cases, the on-off valve V4 is opened, and the gas in the high-pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 is supplied to the dispenser unit 90 via the first branch pipe 102 and the main pipe 101 (the path indicated by the thick line in FIG. 11). Gas is supplied from the filling tank connection port 70 to the filling tank.

[Gas supply path when the high pressure gas accumulator is below the specified pressure]
FIG. 12 shows a gas supply path when the pressure of the high-pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 drops below a predetermined pressure (filling target pressure) during the supply of gas from the high-pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 to the filled tank. FIG. In FIG. 12, when the high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 are reduced to a full tank pressure or less (for example, a filling target pressure of 35 MPa or less or a pressure higher than a filling target pressure of 35 MPa by a predetermined pressure or less), the first branch pipe 102 and the main The on-off valve V5 is opened while the state in which the gas in the high-pressure gas accumulator 113, 114 is supplied to the dispenser unit 90 via the on-off valve V4 via the pipe 101 (the path indicated by the thick line in FIG. 12) is maintained. Then, the gas in the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 is pressurized by the compressor C and supplied to the dispenser unit 90 through the main pipe 101, and the gas is supplied from the tank filling port 70 to the tank to be filled. .

[Gas supply path when high pressure gas accumulator is below full tank pressure]
FIG. 13 is a system diagram showing a gas supply path to a tank to be filled when the high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 are at a full tank pressure (filling target pressure) or lower. In FIG. 13, when the high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 are reduced to a full tank pressure or lower (for example, a target filling pressure of 35 MPa or lower) during the gas filling of the filled tank by the high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114, the on-off valve V6 is The valve is opened, and the gas in the high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 is pressurized by the compressor C, and passes through the fourth branch pipe 105, the third branch pipe 104, and the main pipe 101 (paths shown by bold lines in FIG. 13). Then, the gas is supplied to the dispenser unit 90 and the gas is supplied from the filling tank connection port 70 to the filling tank.

[Gas supply path for supplying gas of variable pressure gas accumulator to high pressure gas accumulator]
FIG. 14 is a system diagram showing a gas supply path when the gas of the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 is supplied to the high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114. In FIG. 14, when the pressures of the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 and the high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 are reduced to a full tank pressure or less (for example, a filling target pressure of 35 MPa or less), the on-off valves V 5 and V7 are opened. . Thereby, the gas of the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 is pressurized by the compressor C, and the main pipe 101, the third branch pipe 104, the second branch pipe 103, and the first branch pipe 102 (in FIG. 14). The high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 are supplied via a path indicated by a bold line.
[Control Processing of Control Device 60 of Gas Supply Device 10B]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining a gas accumulator switching control process executed by the control device 60B in accordance with the pressures of the gas accumulators 111 to 114 according to the second embodiment. The control device 60B performs the gas filling control process of FIG. 6 described above and performs the gas accumulator switching control process of FIG. 15 in parallel.

As shown in FIG. 15, the control device 60B checks whether or not a filling signal is input in S71. If the filling signal is not input (in the case of NO), the process proceeds to S72, and the pressure detector It is checked whether or not the pressure values of the high-pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 detected by P2 are higher than a predetermined pressure ( for example, a filling target pressure of 35 MPa ) . In S72, when the pressure value of the high-pressure gas accumulator 113, 114 detected by the pressure detector P2 is higher than a predetermined pressure ( for example, a target filling pressure of 35 MPa ) (in the case of YES), the pressure that can be charged is Since there is, it returns to the process of S71.

  In S71, when a filling signal is input (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to S73, and the on-off valve V3 of the main pipe 101 is opened (see FIG. 10). Thereby, supply of the gas of the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 to the tank to be filled is started via the main pipe 101. In next step S74, it is checked whether or not a filling signal is inputted. In S74, when a filling signal is input (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to S75, and it is checked whether or not the instantaneous flow rate Q measured by the flow meter F is equal to or less than a predetermined flow rate value set in advance. In S75, when the instantaneous flow rate Q measured by the flow meter F is not less than or equal to a predetermined flow rate value set in advance (in the case of NO), the process returns to S74, and the processes of S74 and S75 are repeated.

  In S74, when the filling signal is not input (in the case of NO), it is determined that gas filling to the tank to be filled is not performed, and the process proceeds to S87 to be described later and on the upstream side from the dispenser unit 90. Each on-off valve V3-V7 arranged is closed.

  In S75, when the instantaneous flow rate Q measured by the flow meter F is equal to or less than a predetermined flow rate value set in advance (in the case of YES), the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 are supplied to the filling tank. It indicates that the gas flow rate has decreased below a predetermined flow rate, that is, the pressure difference between the gas pressure in the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 and the gas pressure in the tank to be filled has decreased. Therefore, it is determined that the pressures of the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 which are the supply sources are insufficient, and the process proceeds to S76, and the on-off valve V3 of the main pipe 101 is closed and the first branch pipe 102 is closed. The on-off valve V4 is opened (see FIG. 11). As a result, the gas supply source is switched from the variable pressure gas accumulator 111, 112 to the high pressure gas accumulator 113, 114, and the gas of the high pressure gas accumulator 113, 114 is covered via the first branch pipe 102 and the main pipe 101. Supplied to the filling tank.

  In next S77, it is checked whether or not a filling signal is inputted. In S77, when a filling signal is input (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to S78, and it is checked whether or not the instantaneous flow rate Q measured by the flow meter F is equal to or less than a predetermined flow rate value set in advance. In S78, when the instantaneous flow rate Q measured by the flow meter F is not less than or equal to a predetermined flow rate value set in advance (in the case of NO), the process returns to S77, and the processes of S77 and S78 are repeated.

  In S77, when the filling signal is not inputted (in the case of NO), it is determined that gas filling to the tank to be filled is not performed, and the process proceeds to S87 to be described later and is upstream of the dispenser unit 90. The on-off valves V3 to V7 arranged on the side are closed.

  In S78, when the instantaneous flow rate Q measured by the flow meter F is equal to or less than a predetermined flow rate value set in advance (in the case of YES), the gas supplied from the high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 to the filling tank. Therefore, it is determined that the pressure of the high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 is insufficient, and the process proceeds to S79 to open the on-off valve V5 of the third branch pipe 104. At the same time, the compressor C is driven (see FIG. 12). Thereby, the gas supply source is switched to the high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 and the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112, and the gas of the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 is pressurized by the compressor C, and the third branch pipe 104 and the main pipe 101 are supplied to the tank to be filled. Therefore, even when the pressure of the high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 is insufficient during the filling of the tank to be filled, the gas in the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 is pressurized by the compressor C and the gas filling to the tank to be filled is stopped. It is possible to continue without

  In next S80, it is checked whether or not a filling signal is inputted. In S80, if a filling signal is input (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to S81, and the instantaneous flow rate Q measured by the flow meter F (from the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 pressurized by the compressor C). It is checked whether or not the instantaneous flow rate is equal to or less than a predetermined flow rate value set in advance. In S81, when the instantaneous flow rate Q measured by the flow meter F (the instantaneous flow rate from the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 pressurized by the compressor C) is not less than or equal to a predetermined flow rate value set in advance (in the case of NO) ), Returning to the process of S80, the processes of S80 and S81 are repeated.

  In S80, if the filling signal is not input (in the case of NO), it is determined that gas filling to the tank to be filled has not been performed, and the process proceeds to S86 described later to operate the compressor C. Is stopped and the on-off valves V3 to V7 arranged on the upstream side of the dispenser unit 90 are closed in S87.

  In S81, the instantaneous flow rate Q (instantaneous flow rate from the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 pressurized by the compressor C) measured by the flow meter F is equal to or less than a predetermined flow rate value set in advance. (In the case of YES), since the flow rate of the gas supplied from the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 pressurized by the compressor C to the tank to be filled has decreased to a predetermined flow rate or less, it is determined that the gas cannot be supplied. In S82, the on-off valve V4 of the first branch pipe 102 and the on-off valve V5 of the third branch pipe 104 are closed, and the on-off valve V6 of the fourth branch pipe 105 is opened (FIG. 13). See). As a result, the gas supply source is switched from the variable pressure gas accumulator 111, 112 to the high pressure gas accumulator 113, 114, and the gas in the high pressure gas accumulator 113, 114 is pressurized by the compressor C, and the third branch pipe 104 And it is supplied to the filling tank via the main pipe 101. Therefore, when the pressure of the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 is insufficient even when pressurized by the compressor C during the filling of the tank to be filled, the gas of the high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 is discharged by the compressor C. It becomes possible to continue without stopping the gas filling to the filling tank by pressurizing.

  In the next S83, it is checked whether or not a filling signal is input. In S83, when a filling signal is input (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to S84, and the instantaneous flow rate Q measured by the flow meter F (the instantaneous from the high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 pressurized by the compressor C). It is checked whether or not (flow rate) is less than or equal to a predetermined flow rate value set in advance. In S84, the instantaneous flow rate Q (instantaneous flow rate from the high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 pressurized by the compressor C) measured by the flow meter F is not less than or equal to a predetermined flow rate value set in advance (in the case of NO). Returning to the process of S83, the processes of S83 and S84 are repeated.

  In S83, if the filling signal is not input (in the case of NO), it is determined that gas filling to the tank to be filled is not performed, and the process proceeds to S86 to be described later to stop the operation of the compressor C. At the same time, the open / close valves V3 to V7 arranged on the upstream side of the dispenser unit 90 are closed in S87.

  In S84, the instantaneous flow rate Q (instantaneous flow rate from the high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 pressurized by the compressor C) measured by the flow meter F is equal to or less than a predetermined flow rate value set in advance ( In the case of YES), since all the gas flow rates from all the gas accumulators 111 to 114 pressurized by the compressor C have decreased below the predetermined flow rate, the process proceeds to S85 and a gas supply impossible signal is output and operated. The person is informed that the gas in the gas supply source (gas accumulator 111-114) is insufficient and cannot be filled. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S86, where the operation of the compressor C is stopped, and the on-off valves V3 to V7 arranged on the upstream side from the dispenser unit 90 are closed in S87.

In S72, when the pressure value of the high pressure gas accumulator 113, 114 detected by the pressure detector P2 is equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure ( for example, a filling target pressure of 35 MPa), the supply side Since the pressure is insufficient, the process proceeds to S88 and the on-off valves V5 and V7 are opened (see FIG. 14). As a result, the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 and the high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 are communicated, and the gas in the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 is pressurized by the compressor C, and the high pressure gas accumulator 113. , 114. Therefore, if the pressure of the high-pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 is insufficient even when pressurized by the compressor C during the filling of the tank to be filled, the gas remaining in the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 is compressed. It becomes possible to pressurize by the machine C and concentrate on the high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114.

In next S89, it is checked whether or not the pressure values of the high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 detected by the pressure detector P2 are higher than a predetermined upper limit pressure ( for example, a filling target pressure of 35 MPa ) . In S89, when the pressure value of the high pressure gas pressure accumulator 113, 114 detected by the pressure detector P2 is higher than a predetermined pressure ( for example, a filling target pressure of 35 MPa ) (in the case of YES), the high pressure gas pressure accumulator. Since the pressures 113 and 114 have reached the fillable pressure, the process returns to S71.

In S89, when the pressure value of the high pressure gas accumulator 113, 114 detected by the pressure detector P2 is equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure ( for example, a target filling pressure of 35 MPa ) (NO), the process proceeds to S91. It is checked whether or not the pressure of the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 detected by the pressure detector P1 is equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure (atmospheric pressure or lower). In S91, when the pressures of the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 are not more than a predetermined pressure (atmospheric pressure or less) (in the case of YES), no more gas can be supplied, so the process proceeds to S92 and the on-off valves V5 and V7 are turned on. The valve is closed and the operation of the compressor C is stopped.

  Then, it progresses to S93 and outputs a gas supply impossibility signal and notifies an operator that the gas of a gas supply source (gas accumulator 111-114) is insufficient and cannot be filled. This ends the current process.

  In S91, when the pressures of the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 are not lower than the predetermined pressure (atmospheric pressure or lower) (in the case of NO), there is still a gas having a pressure that can be charged into the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112. Since it remains, it progresses to S94 and it is checked whether the filling signal was input. In S94, if the filling signal is not input (in the case of NO), it is not filling yet, so the process proceeds to S89, and the processing of S89 and after is repeated to add the gas of the variable pressure gas accumulator 111, 112 by the compressor C. The high pressure gas accumulators 113 and 114 are supplied with pressure. In S94, when a filling signal is input (in the case of YES), since the variable pressure gas accumulators 111 and 112 still have a gas with a pressure that can be filled, the process returns to S71.

  Thus, even when the pressures of the variable pressure gas pressure accumulators 111 and 112 and the high pressure gas pressure accumulators 113 and 114 are reduced below a predetermined pressure, each gas pressure accumulation is based on the decrease in the flow rate of the gas supplied to the filled tank. Since the gas remaining in the vessels 111 to 114 can be pressurized by the compressor C and can be filled, it is not necessary to interrupt the gas supply to the tank to be filled, and the gas accumulators 111 to 114 can be replaced. Alternatively, the gas supply can be extended.

  In the above embodiment, the gas supply device is described as an example of a mobile type mounted on the loading platform 22 of the truck 20, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a gas supply device installed in a building or outdoors. Of course, the present invention can be applied.

10, 10A, 10B Gas supply device 20 Truck 22 Loading platform 40, 110 Gas pressure accumulator units 41-44 Gas pressure accumulator 50 Pipe path 52 First branch pipe 53 Second branch pipe 54 Main pipe 56 First bypass pipe 57 Second bypass pipe 58 Hose 60, 60A, 60B Control device 62 First control circuit 64 Second control circuit 70 Filled tank connection 80 Display 82 Fill start switch 84 Fill end switch 86 Emergency stop switch 90 Dispenser unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Piping path 101 Main piping 102-105 1st-4th branch piping 111,112 Variable pressure gas accumulator 113,114 High pressure gas accumulator C Compressor V1, V3-V8 On-off valve V2 Control valve P1 Upstream pressure detection Device P2 upstream pressure detector P3 downstream pressure detectors G1 to G3 check valve

Claims (3)

A gas pressure accumulator unit including a first gas pressure accumulator and a second gas pressure accumulator;
A gas supply path for supplying the gas of the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator to the tank to be filled;
A plurality of on-off valves, provided in the gas supply path, for selectively supplying gas from the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator;
A pressure detector for detecting the pressure of the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator;
Control means for opening or closing the plurality of on-off valves so as to supply the gas from the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator to the tank to be filled;
A compressor for pressurizing and supplying the gas of the second gas accumulator,
The gas accumulator unit, the gas supply path, the plurality of on-off valves, the compressor, and the control means are mounted on a truck pulled by a truck or a vehicle,
When the pressures of the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator are higher than a predetermined pressure, the control means supplies the gas of the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator to the When the pressure of the first gas pressure accumulator and the second gas pressure accumulator becomes the predetermined pressure or less during gas filling, the gas in the second gas pressure accumulator is supplied. When the pressure of the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator is not more than the predetermined pressure during non-filling by pressurizing by the compressor and supplying to the tank to be filled, the first A gas supply device, wherein the plurality of on-off valves are switched to open or closed so that the gas in the gas accumulator of No. 2 is pressurized by the compressor and supplied to the first gas accumulator. A gas pressure accumulator unit including a first gas pressure accumulator and a second gas pressure accumulator;
A gas supply path for supplying the gas of the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator to the tank to be filled;
A plurality of on-off valves, provided in the gas supply path, for selectively supplying gas from the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator;
A pressure detector for detecting the pressure of the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator;
A flow rate detector for detecting the flow rate of the gas supplied to the filled tank;
Control means for opening or closing the plurality of on-off valves so as to supply the gas from the first gas accumulator and the second gas accumulator to the tank to be filled;
A compressor for pressurizing and supplying the gas of the first gas accumulator or the second gas accumulator,
The gas accumulator unit, the gas supply path, the plurality of on-off valves, the compressor, and the control means are mounted on a truck pulled by a truck or a vehicle,
When the pressure of the second gas pressure accumulator is equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure and the flow rate becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined flow rate during the gas filling from the first gas pressure accumulator to the filling tank, Supplies the gas from the first gas pressure accumulator and the gas discharged from the second gas pressure accumulator and pressurized by the compressor to the tank to be filled, and the second gas is filled during non-filling. When the pressure of the gas pressure accumulator is equal to or lower than the predetermined pressure, the plurality of the gas accumulators are pressurized by the compressor and supplied to the first gas pressure accumulator. A gas supply device that switches an on-off valve to open or closed. The control means supplies the gas from the first gas accumulator and the gas discharged from the second gas accumulator and pressurized by the compressor to the tank to be filled, and the flow rate is When the flow rate becomes a predetermined flow rate or less , the plurality of on-off valves are switched to open or closed so that the gas in the first gas accumulator is pressurized by the compressor and supplied to the tank to be filled. The gas supply device according to claim 2, wherein the gas supply device is a gas supply device.

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