JPH06117266A - Fuel supplying device of hydrogen engine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To optimize the application of the thermal energy by making effective use of the endothermic action and the exothermic action of a hydrogen storage tank in a hydrogen engine. CONSTITUTION:A fuel tank of an engine 1 is constituted with a high temperature MH tank 14a and a low temperature MH tank 14b, and the engine cooling water can be circulated inside the tank. The hydrogen discharged from the respective hydrogen storage tanks 14a, 14b is supplied to the engine 1, and at the same time, the hydrogen can be circulated mutually between the tanks. The cooling medium for the cooler can be circulated in these hydrogen storage tanks 14a, 14b. A heating medium valve 22, a hydrogen valve 31 and the cooling medium valve 36 for the cooler are controlled according to the working conditions of the engine 1 and the cooler 33, the cooling medium for the cooler is cooled by the endothermic action when the low temperature MH tank 14b discharges the hydrogen at the normal temperature, or the discharge and charge is executed mutually between the tanks 14a, 14b to cool the cooling medium for the cooler by the endothermic action of the discharge side tank.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hydrogen engine, and more particularly to a fuel supply system for a hydrogen engine having a hydrogen storage alloy tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Certain alloys called hydrogen storage alloys react with hydrogen to form metal-hydrogen compounds (metal hydrides (MH)), so that 150 g / g of alloy can be obtained.
Since it can store 200 ml, the same amount of hydrogen in a volume that is about 1/3 of that stored in gas, a hydrogen storage tank (generally called an MH tank) containing this type of alloy as a fuel tank for a hydrogen engine. It has been previously proposed to use.

By the way, the metal storage alloy absorbs hydrogen by an exothermic reaction and releases the absorbed hydrogen by an endothermic reaction. To release hydrogen, the hydrogen storage alloy must be heated. Engine cooling water can be used as the heat medium for the engine. Moreover, if the engine cooling water is circulated in the hydrogen storage tank as a heat medium, the amount of heat for releasing hydrogen can be secured and the cooling effect of the engine cooling system can be promoted. Therefore, the radiator can be downsized. Becomes Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2-37114 discloses an engine in which engine cooling water is circulated in the hydrogen storage tank as described above.

[0004]

When a hydrogen storage tank is used as a fuel tank of a hydrogen engine and engine cooling water is circulated as a heat medium for heating the hydrogen storage alloy, the hydrogen storage tank is used to release hydrogen as described above. While it is possible to secure the amount of heat and reduce the size of the radiator, the cooling water temperature is adjusted by the radiator etc. when the heat generation amount of the engine is large and the heat amount (heat absorption amount) required in the hydrogen storage tank is not balanced. Is essential, but the cooling effect by the heat absorption of the hydrogen storage tank and the heating effect by the heat generation are not maximally utilized, so that the engine as a whole or as a whole vehicle equipped with such a hydrogen engine There is a long way to go before optimizing the use of thermal energy.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel supply device for a hydrogen engine, which can optimize the utilization of thermal energy.

[0006]

The present invention utilizes the cooling action of a hydrogen storage tank for a cooler (cooling unit for an air conditioner) of a vehicle or the like, an intercooler for a turbocharged engine, and the heating action of the hydrogen storage tank. It is intended to optimize the use of thermal energy by using it as a heater (heating unit for an air conditioner) of a vehicle or the like.

That is, the fuel supply system for a hydrogen engine according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a hydrogen storage tank containing a hydrogen storage alloy that stores hydrogen by an exothermic reaction and releases hydrogen by an endothermic reaction. In a fuel supply device for a hydrogen engine, which supplies hydrogen discharged from an occlusion tank to an engine as fuel, a cooler refrigerant cooling means for cooling the refrigerant by circulating the cooler refrigerant in the hydrogen occlusion tank at the time of hydrogen release. It is characterized by being provided. In this case, the hydrogen storage tank has a first hydrogen storage tank containing a hydrogen storage alloy that releases hydrogen of a predetermined pressure at a first set temperature and a second set temperature lower than the first set temperature. A second hydrogen storage tank for releasing hydrogen at a pressure is used, and the cooler cooling means for the cooler fills the first hydrogen storage tank with hydrogen released from the second hydrogen storage tank when the engine is stopped. At the same time, it is possible to provide a means for circulating the cooler refrigerant in the second hydrogen storage tank, whereby the cooler can be made effective even when the engine is stopped. The hydrogen storage tank is assumed to be composed of a plurality of hydrogen storage tanks, and the cooler cooling means for the cooler causes the hydrogen storage tank to release and fill hydrogen alternately between the plurality of hydrogen storage tanks. It may have a means for circulating a cooler refrigerant in the hydrogen storage tank,
This enhances the cooling effect by the cooling action of the hydrogen storage tank during traveling, reducing the drive loss of the cooler, and
It is possible to maintain the balance of the remaining tanks and prevent deterioration of the cooler performance and insufficient hydrogen supply to the engine.

A fuel supply device for a hydrogen engine according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a hydrogen storage tank containing a hydrogen storage alloy which stores hydrogen by an exothermic reaction and releases hydrogen by an endothermic reaction. In a fuel supply device for a hydrogen engine, which supplies hydrogen released from an occlusion tank to an engine as fuel, for an intercooler that cools the refrigerant by circulating a refrigerant that cools the intercooler in the hydrogen occlusion tank when hydrogen is released It is characterized in that a coolant cooling means is provided. In this case, it is assumed that the hydrogen storage tank is composed of a plurality of hydrogen storage tanks divided, and the intercooler refrigerant cooling means causes the plurality of hydrogen storage tanks to release and fill hydrogen alternately and to release hydrogen. It is possible to have a means for circulating the intercooler cooling refrigerant in the hydrogen storage tank on the side, thereby enhancing the cooling effect of the intercooler by the cooling action of the hydrogen storage tank during traveling, and
It is possible to maintain the balance of the tank remaining amount and prevent a shortage of the intake charge amount and a shortage of hydrogen supply to the engine due to the deterioration of the performance of the intercooler.

Further, a fuel supply system for a hydrogen engine according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises a hydrogen storage tank containing a hydrogen storage alloy which stores hydrogen by an exothermic reaction and releases hydrogen by an endothermic reaction. In a fuel supply device for a hydrogen engine, which supplies hydrogen released from an occlusion tank as a fuel to an engine, a heating medium for a heater that heats the heating medium by circulating the heating medium of the heater in the hydrogen occlusion tank during hydrogen filling. It is characterized in that a heating means is provided.
In this case, the hydrogen storage tank has a first hydrogen storage tank containing a hydrogen storage alloy that releases hydrogen of a predetermined pressure at a first set temperature and a second set temperature lower than the first set temperature. And a second hydrogen storage tank for releasing hydrogen at a pressure, wherein the heater heating medium heating means fills the first hydrogen storage tank with hydrogen released from the second hydrogen storage tank when the engine temperature is low. In addition, the first hydrogen storage tank may be provided with a means for circulating the heating medium for the heater, whereby the heater can be activated even when the engine temperature does not rise.
Further, the hydrogen storage tank is composed of a plurality of hydrogen storage tanks, and the heating medium heating device for the heater alternately releases and fills the hydrogen between the plurality of hydrogen storage tanks and the hydrogen filling side. It is possible to provide a means for circulating the heating medium for the heater in the hydrogen storage tank, thereby increasing the heating effect by the heating action of the hydrogen storage tank, and further maintaining the balance of the remaining amount of the tank in the heater. It is possible to prevent the performance deterioration of the engine and the shortage of hydrogen supply to the engine.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the engine cooling medium circulates in the hydrogen storage tank to heat the hydrogen storage alloy, and thereby the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy is released. . Then, the hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen storage tank is supplied to the engine. Then, the refrigerant of the cooler is circulated in the hydrogen storage tank when hydrogen is released, whereby the refrigerant is cooled, the cooling effect of the cooler is improved, and the drive loss is reduced. Further, as a hydrogen storage tank, a first hydrogen storage tank containing a hydrogen storage alloy that releases hydrogen at a predetermined pressure at a first set temperature and a second hydrogen storage tank at a temperature lower than the first set temperature are provided.
Is provided with a second hydrogen storage tank that releases hydrogen at a predetermined pressure at a set temperature of, and the hydrogen released from the second hydrogen storage tank when the engine is stopped is filled in the first hydrogen storage tank and the second hydrogen storage tank is filled. By providing the means for circulating the coolant for the cooler in the storage tank, the coolant pump for the cooler can be operated even when the engine is stopped so that the cooling can be effectively performed. In addition, the hydrogen storage tank is divided into a plurality of parts, means for alternately releasing and filling hydrogen between the plurality of tanks, and means for circulating the cooler refrigerant in the hydrogen storage tank on the hydrogen release side are provided. At times, the cooling effect of the hydrogen storage tank enhances the cooling effect to reduce the drive loss of the cooler, and the balance of the remaining tank amount is maintained to prevent the performance of the cooler and the shortage of hydrogen supply to the engine.

According to the second invention of the present invention,
The refrigerant of the intercooler is circulated in the hydrogen storage tank when hydrogen is released, whereby the refrigerant is cooled, the performance of the intercooler is improved, and the intake charge amount of the engine is increased.
Further, the hydrogen storage tank is divided into a plurality, by providing a means for circulating the intercooler refrigerant in the hydrogen storage tank on the hydrogen release side while alternately performing the release and filling of hydrogen between the plurality of tanks, The cooling effect of the hydrogen storage tank enhances the cooling effect of the intercooler, and the balance of the remaining tank amount is maintained, so that the intake charge amount shortage and the hydrogen supply shortage to the engine due to the performance deterioration of the intercooler are prevented.

According to the third aspect of the present invention,
The refrigerant of the heater is circulated in the hydrogen storage tank at the time of filling with hydrogen, whereby the heat medium is heated and the heating effect is improved.
Further, as a hydrogen storage tank, a first hydrogen storage tank having a built-in hydrogen storage alloy that releases hydrogen at a predetermined pressure at a first set temperature and a second set temperature lower than the first set temperature at a predetermined pressure are used. A second hydrogen storage tank for releasing hydrogen is provided to fill the first hydrogen storage tank with hydrogen released from the second hydrogen storage tank when the engine temperature is low, and to heat the heater in the first hydrogen storage tank. By providing the means for circulating the medium, the heating can be made effective even when the engine temperature is low. Further, the hydrogen storage tank is divided into a plurality of, by providing a means for circulating the heating medium in the hydrogen storage tank on the hydrogen filling side while causing the release and filling of hydrogen alternately between the plurality of tanks, The heating effect is enhanced by the cooling action of the hydrogen storage tank, and the balance of the remaining tank amount is maintained to prevent the performance of the heater from deteriorating and insufficient hydrogen supply to the engine.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Example 1. FIG. 1 is an overall view of the first embodiment of the present invention, and its schematic system diagram of FIG. This embodiment is applied to a rotary engine. In the rotary engine shown in FIG. 1, a rotor 3 having a trilobal inner envelope surface is arranged in a rotor housing 2 having a peritrochoid curve as an inner peripheral surface. Three working chambers 4 are formed by the inner peripheral surface of the rotor housing 2, the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 3, and the side housings (not shown) arranged on both side surfaces of the rotor housing 2, and as the rotor 3 rotates, These working chambers 4 change in volume with a phase difference, and intake, compression, expansion,
The output is taken out from the eccentric shaft 5 by performing each exhaust stroke, and the intake port 6 is provided in the intake stroke side working chamber across the bottom dead center side short shaft portion. An exhaust port 7 is provided in each of the working chambers, and a hydrogen supply port 8 is independently provided in a position adjacent to the leading side of the intake port 6 in the intake stroke side working chamber. An air actuator 10 that adjusts the intake air amount is provided in the intake passage 9 that is suction-connected to the intake port 6.
An intake air temperature sensor 11 that detects the air temperature in the intake passage and an air pressure sensor 12 that detects the air pressure downstream of the air actuator 10 are provided downstream of 0. An exhaust passage 13 is connected to the exhaust port 7, and a hydrogen storage tank (hereinafter referred to as MH tank) 1 is connected to the hydrogen supply port 8.
A hydrogen supply passage 15 for guiding hydrogen from 4 is connected.

At the connecting portion between the hydrogen supply passage 15 and the hydrogen supply port 8, a hydrogen injection valve 16 configured to inject hydrogen in synchronization with the engine rotation angle is installed. Also,
A hydrogen pressure of about 5 kg / cm ² is applied to the hydrogen supply passage 15.
The hydrogen pressure regulator 17 for adjusting the hydrogen pressure regulator 17 is installed between the pressure regulator 17 and the hydrogen injection valve 16, and the hydrogen actuator 18 for regulating the hydrogen supply amount is provided between the pressure regulator 17 and the hydrogen injection valve 16.
A hydrogen valve 19 that opens when the engine operates is provided between the No. 7 and the MH tank 14.

The MH tank 14 has a large capacity for high temperature M.
An H tank 14a and a small capacity low temperature MH tank, of which the high temperature MH tank 14a
As shown in Fig. 3, hydrogen is released at 20 ° C or higher, and when the filling amount is around 50%, it is 5 kg / cm at about 60 ° C or higher.
It is assumed that a hydrogen discharge pressure of ² or more can be obtained, and it is for low temperature M
As shown in FIG. 4, the H tank 14b releases hydrogen at −30 ° C. or higher, and when the filling amount is around 50%, it is about −10 ° C.
It is said that a hydrogen discharge pressure of 5 Kg / cm ² or more can be obtained by the above.

FIG. 5 is an example of hydrogen pressure-composition-isothermal curve showing the relationship between the equilibrium pressure and the hydrogen storage amount (hydrogen storage amount per mol of alloy) in the hydrogen storage and release process of the hydrogen storage alloy. It is a characteristic view showing the case of the above-mentioned high temperature MH tank 14a. As a characteristic of the hydrogen storage alloy, there is a region (plateau region) where the amount of stored or released hydrogen changes in the state where the equilibrium pressure is almost constant as shown in the figure. In this example, the plateau region is 60 ° C. 5 kg / cm ²
The equilibrium pressure of is achieved.

The hydrogen storage alloy used in the high temperature MH tank 14a is made of TiFe, LaNi, TiMn ₁₅ , M.
mNiCr, MmNi ₅ , MmNi _4.5 Mn _0.5 , MmN
i _4.5 Al _0.5 (however, Mm is misch metal) or the like, and the hydrogen storage alloy used for the low temperature MH tank 14b is, for example, MmNi _4.42 Fe _0.48 Co _0.1 (however, M
m is misch metal). FIG. 6 shows temperature-equilibrium pressure characteristics of a typical hydrogen storage alloy.

Engine cooling water is circulated in the MH tank 14 as a heat medium. That is, the heat medium passage 20 connected to the engine cooling system is provided, and the heat medium passage 20 is branched into two first and second passage portions 20a and 20b so that the first heat medium passage portion 20a is formed. High temperature MH tank 14a
The heat medium path is configured such that the second heat medium passage portion 20b passes through the inside and passes through the inside of the low temperature MH tank 14b.
A heat medium pump 21 that circulates engine cooling water in the MH tank 14 is installed at a position where the heat medium passage 20 is taken out from the engine cooling system, and the MH of the first heat medium passage portion 20a is MH.
A first heat medium valve 22a for opening and closing the heat medium path on the high temperature MH tank 14a side is provided at the outlet position of the tank 14, and a second heat medium valve 22a
A second heat medium valve 22b that opens and closes the heat medium path on the low temperature MH tank 14b side is installed at the MH tank 14 outlet position of the heat medium passage portion 20b. Note that, in FIG. 2, the first and second heat medium valves 22a and 22b are shown as one heat medium valve 22. Further, the heat medium passage 20 has M
H tank 14 outlet side and inlet side 2 respectively
3 and the drainage passage 24 are connected, a water supply valve 25 is provided at the tip of the water supply passage 23, and a drainage valve 26 is provided at the tip of the drainage passage 24.

Hydrogen supply port 8 of rotary engine 1
In the hydrogen supply passage 15 connecting the MH tank 14 and the MH tank 14, a first hydrogen passage portion 15a connected to the high temperature MH tank 14a and a second hydrogen passage portion 1 connected to the low temperature MH tank 14b.
5b are formed, and these first hydrogen passage portions 15a are formed.
A hydrogen filling passage 27 is connected between a branch point between the second hydrogen passage portion 15b and the first hydrogen valve 19. A hydrogen valve (first hydrogen valve) 28 that opens when hydrogen is charged into the MH tank is provided in the hydrogen filling passage 27, a filling valve 29 is provided at the tip, and a hydrogen valve is provided downstream of the first hydrogen valve 28. Is provided with a hydrogen pressure sensor 30. The high temperature MH is provided in the first hydrogen passage portion 15a.
Hydrogen valve for opening and closing the hydrogen passage on the tank 14a side (3rd
A hydrogen valve) 31a and a hydrogen valve (fourth hydrogen valve) 31b for opening and closing the hydrogen passage on the low temperature MH tank 14b side are installed in the second hydrogen passage portion 15b. In addition,
In FIG. 2, these third and fourth hydrogen valves 31a, 3a
1b is indicated by one hydrogen valve 31.

When the engine is operating, the second hydrogen valve 19 is opened, and the hydrogen gas discharged from the MH tank 14 enters the pressure adjusting valve 17 via the second hydrogen valve 19. Then, the hydrogen pressure is adjusted to about 5 Kg / cm ² by the pressure adjusting valve 17, and the adjusted hydrogen gas is supplied to the electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as E
(Hereinafter referred to as CU) 32 via a hydrogen actuator 18 that opens and closes according to an opening signal from the engine 32, and is injected into a hydrogen supply port 8 by a hydrogen injection valve 16 that opens in synchronization with the engine rotation angle. It is supplied to the working chamber 4. Further, air is introduced into the intake passage 9 via an air cleaner (not shown), is guided to the intake port 6 via the air actuator 10 that opens and closes in accordance with the opening signal from the ECU, and is supplied to the working chamber 4 at a predetermined timing. .

Further, the MH tank 14 is constructed so as to circulate the air conditioner cooling unit (cooler) 33 of the vehicle by guiding the cooler refrigerant. That is, the air conditioner refrigerant passage 3 connected to the cooling unit 33.
4 is provided, and the air conditioner refrigerant passage 34 is branched into two first and second passage portions 34a and 34b on the way, so that the first air conditioner refrigerant passage portion 34a is connected to the first MH tank 14
The air conditioner refrigerant path is configured such that the second air conditioner refrigerant passage portion 34b passes through the inside of a and the second MH tank 14b. Then, the refrigerant passage 3 for the air conditioner
In the intake portion of the cooling unit 33 of No. 4, the refrigerant pump 35 for the air conditioner for circulating the refrigerant to the MH tank 14.
Is installed, the MH of the first air conditioner refrigerant passage portion 34a
At the outlet position of the tank 14, a first air conditioner refrigerant valve 36a for opening and closing the refrigerant passage on the high temperature MH tank 14a side is provided.
Further, a second air conditioner refrigerant valve 36b for opening and closing the refrigerant passage on the low temperature MH tank 14b side is installed at the MH tank 14 outlet position of the second air conditioner refrigerant passage portion 34b. In FIG. 2, these first and second air conditioner refrigerant valves 36a and 36b are combined into one refrigerant valve 36.
It shows with.

In this embodiment, according to the operating conditions of the engine 1 and the cooling unit (cooler) 33 of the air conditioner, the ECU operates the first and second heat medium valves 22a, 22b, second and second as follows. The third and fourth hydrogen valves 19, 31a, 31b, and the first and second refrigerant valves for the air conditioners are controlled.

That is, when the cooler is operating while the engine is stopped, the first heat medium valve 22a and the second heat medium valve 22 are
b together, the second hydrogen valve 19 is closed, the third hydrogen valve 31a and the fourth hydrogen valve 31b are both opened, the first air conditioner refrigerant valve 36a is closed, and the second air conditioner refrigerant valve 36b is opened. At this time, hydrogen is released from the low temperature MH tank 14b in an unheated state, and the released hydrogen is filled in the high temperature MH tank 14a. Then, by operating the air conditioner refrigerant pump 35, the air conditioner refrigerant is circulated in the low temperature MH tank 14b and cooled. Figure 7
Shows the flow of discharged hydrogen (white arrow) and the flow of air-conditioner refrigerant (dotted line arrow) at this time.

When the cooler is operating during engine operation, the first heat medium valve 22a is opened to open the second heat medium valve 22.
b, the second hydrogen valve 19 is opened, both the third hydrogen valve 31a and the fourth hydrogen valve 31b are opened, the first air conditioner refrigerant valve 36a is closed, and the second air conditioner refrigerant valve 36b is opened. At this time, low temperature MH tank 1
Hydrogen is released from 4b in an unheated state, and the refrigerant for the air conditioner is circulated and cooled in the low temperature MH tank 14b by the operation of the refrigerant pump for the air conditioner 35. Also, engine 1
The engine cooling water is circulated in the high temperature MH tank 14a in accordance with the hydrogen demand amount of 1, and the hydrogen generated in the high temperature MH tank 14a and the second MH tank is supplied to the engine 1. FIG. 8 shows the flow of the heat medium (black arrow), the flow of discharged hydrogen (white arrow), and the flow of the air conditioner refrigerant (dotted arrow) at this time.

When the engine is running and the cooler is not operating, the first heat medium valve 22a is opened to open the second heat medium valve 22.
b, the second hydrogen valve 19 is opened, the third hydrogen valve 31a and the fourth hydrogen valve 31b are both opened, and the first air conditioner refrigerant valve 36a and the second air conditioner refrigerant valve 36b are both closed. At this time, hydrogen is released from the low temperature MH tank 14b in an unheated state, and
The engine cooling water is circulated in the high temperature MH tank 14a to release hydrogen from the high temperature MH tank 14a, and the hydrogen generated in the high temperature MH tank 14a and the low temperature MH tank is supplied to the engine 1. FIG. 9 shows the flow of the heat medium (black arrow) and the flow of discharged hydrogen (white arrow) at this time.

Example 2. In the first embodiment described above, hydrogen is released exclusively for cooling the cooler from the second MH tank. Similarly, a plurality of MH tanks are used to activate the vehicle cooler by the endothermic action of the MH tank when releasing hydrogen. An example (Example 2) in which they are used alternately will be described below.

The second embodiment of the present invention has the schematic system of FIG. 1 and the configuration of FIG. 2 as in the case of the first embodiment, and the hydrogen release and filling are performed in the first stage and the second stage.
The first MH tank 14a and the second MH tank 14b are alternately divided into stages so that the balance of the remaining hydrogen amount of both MH tanks 14a and 14b is maintained.

That is, in this embodiment, the first heat medium valve 22a is opened and the second heat medium valve 22b is opened in the first stage.
, The second hydrogen valve 19, the third hydrogen valve 31a and the fourth hydrogen valve 31b are all opened, the first air conditioner refrigerant valve 36a is opened, and the second air conditioner refrigerant valve 36b is closed. At this time, the high temperature MH tank 14a
The engine cooling water is circulated in and the hydrogen is released from the high temperature MH tank 14a. Then, the released hydrogen is supplied to the engine 1, and the surplus portion is filled in the high temperature MH tank 14b. Then, by operating the air conditioner refrigerant pump 35, the air conditioner refrigerant is circulated in the high temperature MH tank 14a and cooled. FIG. 10 shows the flow of the heat medium (black arrow), the flow of discharged hydrogen (white arrow), and the flow of the air-conditioner refrigerant (dotted arrow) at this time.

In the second stage, the first heat medium valve 2
2a is closed and the second heat medium valve 22b is opened, the second hydrogen valve 19, the third hydrogen valve 31a and the fourth hydrogen valve 31b are all opened, and the first air conditioner refrigerant valve 36
A is closed and the second air conditioner refrigerant valve 36b is opened. At this time, the engine cooling water is circulated in the low temperature MH tank 14b to release hydrogen from the low temperature MH tank 14b. Then, the released hydrogen is supplied to the engine 1,
The surplus amount is filled in the high temperature MH tank 14a. Then, by operating the air conditioner refrigerant pump 35, the air conditioner refrigerant is circulated in the second MH tank 14b and cooled.
FIG. 11 shows the flow of the heat medium (black arrow), the flow of discharged hydrogen (white arrow), and the flow of the air conditioner refrigerant (dotted arrow) at this time.

In the above embodiment, the case where two MH tanks are provided has been described, but the number of MH tanks may be further increased and at least one MH tank may be used as a room temperature MH tank for rotation.

Example 3. Although the first embodiment is applied to the cooling of the cooling unit of the air conditioner, an embodiment (third embodiment) in which the same method is used to cool the intercooler for lowering the intake air temperature of the turbocharged engine will be described next. explain.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic system of Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In this embodiment, an intercooler 41 is arranged as the one corresponding to the air conditioner cooling unit 33 of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, and the intercooler refrigerant as the one corresponding to the air conditioner refrigerant valve 36 (36a, 36b). The valves 42 (42a, 42b) are arranged. Then, by performing the same control as in the first embodiment,
The intercooler 41 is cooled.

Example 4. Regarding the cooling of the intercooler, an embodiment (Embodiment 4) to which the same configuration and control as those of Embodiment 2 above are applied is possible, and by this, the balance of the hydrogen remaining amount of both MH tanks 14a, 14b can be maintained.

Example 5. FIG. 13 is a schematic system diagram showing Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the heating effect of the air conditioner heating unit (heater) is enhanced by the heating action of the MH tank. Structurally, the cooling unit 3 of FIG.
Replace 3 with heating unit 51 for air conditioner,
The air-conditioner refrigerant valve 36 (36a, 36b) is replaced with an air-conditioner heat medium valve 52 (52a, 52b), and the air-conditioner refrigerant pump 35 is replaced with an air-conditioner heat medium pump 53. In this case, since the heating action at the time of filling the MH tank 14 is utilized, the following control is performed.

That is, when the heater is operating while the engine is stopped, the first heat medium valve 22a and the second heat medium valve 22 are
b is closed together, the second hydrogen valve 19 is closed, the third hydrogen valve 31a and the fourth hydrogen valve 31b are both opened, the first air conditioner heat medium valve 52a is opened, and the second air conditioner heat medium valve 52b is closed. At this time, hydrogen is released from the low temperature MH tank 14b in an unheated state, and the released hydrogen is filled in the high temperature MH tank 14a. Then, the air conditioner heat medium pump 53 operates to circulate and heat the air conditioner heat medium in the high temperature MH tank 14a. Figure 1
Reference numeral 4 shows the flow of discharged hydrogen (white arrow) and the flow of heat medium for air conditioner (dotted line arrow) at this time.

When the heater is operating during engine operation, the first heat medium valve 22a is opened to open the second heat medium valve 22.
b, the second hydrogen valve 19 is opened, the third hydrogen valve 31a and the fourth hydrogen valve 31b are both opened, the first air conditioner heat medium valve 52a is closed, and the second air conditioner heat medium valve 52b is opened. At this time, high temperature MH tank 1
MH tank for high temperature 1 where engine cooling water is circulated in 4b
Hydrogen is released from 4a, and the released hydrogen is supplied to the engine 1 and filled in the low temperature MH tank 14b.
Then, the air conditioner heat medium pump 53 is operated to circulate and heat the air conditioner heat medium in the low temperature MH tank 14b. FIG. 15 shows the flow of the heat medium (black arrow), the flow of discharged hydrogen (white arrow) and the flow of the air conditioner heat medium (dotted arrow) at this time.

When the heater is not operating during engine operation, the first heat medium valve 22a is opened to open the second heat medium valve 22a.
b, the second hydrogen valve 19 is opened, the third hydrogen valve 31a and the fourth hydrogen valve 31b are both opened, and the first air conditioner heat medium valve 52a and the second air conditioner heat medium valve 52b are both closed. At this time, hydrogen is released from the low temperature MH tank 14b in an unheated state, and
The engine cooling water is circulated in the high temperature MH tank 14a to release hydrogen from the high temperature MH tank 14a, and the hydrogen generated in the high temperature MH tank 14a and the low temperature MH tank is supplied to the engine 1. FIG. 16 shows the flow of the heating medium (black arrow) and the flow of discharged hydrogen (white arrow) at this time.

Example 6. In the fifth embodiment described above, hydrogen filling for heating the heater during engine operation is exclusively performed in the low temperature MH tank, but similarly, the vehicle cooler can be made effective by the heat generation effect when the MH tank is filled with hydrogen. An example (Example 6) in which a plurality of MH tanks are alternately used will be described below.

The sixth embodiment is a system shown in FIG.
The hardware is the same as that of the fifth embodiment. However, the control is such that the release and filling of hydrogen are divided into the following first stage and second stage, and are alternately performed between the high temperature MH tank 14a and the low temperature MH tank 14b. The balance of the hydrogen remaining amount of the MH tanks 14a and 14b is kept.

That is, in this embodiment, the first heat medium valve 22a is opened and the second heat medium valve 22b is opened in the first stage.
, The second hydrogen valve 19, the third hydrogen valve 31a, and the fourth hydrogen valve 31b are all opened, the first air conditioner heat medium valve 52a is closed, and the second air conditioner heat medium valve 52b is opened. At this time, the engine cooling water is circulated in the high temperature MH tank 14a to release hydrogen from the high temperature MH tank 14a. Then, the released hydrogen is supplied to the engine 1, and the surplus portion is filled in the low temperature MH tank 14b. Then, the air conditioner heat medium pump 53 is operated to circulate and heat the air conditioner heat medium in the low temperature MH tank 14b. FIG. 17 shows the flow of the heat medium (black arrow), the flow of discharged hydrogen (white arrow) and the flow of the air conditioner heat medium (dotted arrow) at this time.

In the second stage, the first heat medium valve 2
2a is closed and the second heat medium valve 22b is opened, the second hydrogen valve 19, the third hydrogen valve 31a and the fourth hydrogen valve 31b are all opened, and the first air conditioner heat medium valve 52
a is opened and the heat medium valve 52b for the second air conditioner is closed.
At this time, the engine cooling water is circulated in the low temperature MH tank 14b to release hydrogen from the low temperature MH tank 14b. Then, the released hydrogen is supplied to the engine 1, and the surplus portion is filled in the high temperature MH tank 14a. The heat medium for the air conditioner is circulated in the high temperature MH tank 14a and heated by the operation of the air conditioner refrigerant pump 53. FIG. 18 shows the flow of the heat medium (black arrow), the flow of discharged hydrogen (white arrow), and the flow of the air conditioner heat medium (dotted arrow) at this time.

[0043]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION Since the present invention is configured as described above, in an engine equipped with a hydrogen storage tank, the cooling action by the endotherm at the time of hydrogen release of the hydrogen storage tank and the heating action by the heat generation at the time of hydrogen filling are maximized. Can be used for. In particular, by increasing the cooling effect of the cooler by utilizing the cooling effect of the hydrogen storage tank, it is possible to reduce the drive loss and enable the cooler to work even when the engine is stopped. Similarly, the cooling effect of the hydrogen storage tank is used. By cooling the intercooler in this way, the intake air charge of the engine can be increased, and the heating effect of the hydrogen storage tank is utilized to enhance the heating effect of the heater, and the heater works even when the engine is stopped. Can be done. Further, by alternately using a plurality of MH tanks, it is possible to maintain the balance of the tank remaining amount and prevent the performance deterioration of the cooler, the intercooler and the heater and the insufficient hydrogen supply to the engine. Further, when a plurality of MH tanks are used alternately, by setting one of the MH tanks at room temperature, a cooling effect can be obtained according to a change in outside air temperature, and fluctuations in the driving load of the cooler can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a first embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 2 is a schematic system diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a temperature-pressure characteristic diagram of the high temperature MH tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a temperature-pressure characteristic diagram of the low temperature MH tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a hydrogen pressure-composition-isothermal curve diagram of the hydrogen storage alloy according to Example 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a temperature chart of the hydrogen storage alloy according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Equilibrium pressure characteristic diagram

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention (when the cooler is operating while the engine is stopped).

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory view of the first embodiment of the present invention (when the cooler is operating during engine operation).

FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view of the first embodiment of the present invention (when the cooler is not operating while the engine is operating).

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view of the second embodiment of the present invention (first stage).

FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory view of the second embodiment of the present invention (second stage).

FIG. 12 is a schematic system diagram of Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic system diagram of Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory diagram of Embodiment 5 of the present invention (when the heater is operating while the engine is stopped).

FIG. 15 is an operation explanatory diagram of Embodiment 5 of the present invention (when the heater is operating during engine operation).

FIG. 16 is an operation explanatory diagram of Embodiment 5 of the present invention (when the heater is not in operation during engine operation).

FIG. 17 is an operation explanatory view of the sixth embodiment of the present invention (first stage).

FIG. 18 is an operation explanatory view of the sixth embodiment of the present invention (second stage).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 rotary engine 14 hydrogen storage tank (MH tank) 14a high temperature MH tank 14b low temperature MH tank 15 hydrogen passage 20 heat medium passage 21 heat medium pump 22 heat medium valve 22a first heat medium valve 22b second heat medium valve 31 hydrogen Valve 31a Third hydrogen valve 31b Fourth hydrogen valve 32 Electronic control unit (ECU) 33 Air conditioner cooling unit 34 Air conditioner refrigerant passage 35 Air conditioner refrigerant pump 36 Air conditioner refrigerant valve 36a First air conditioner refrigerant valve 36b Second air conditioner Refrigerant valve 41 Intercooler 42 Refrigerant valve for intercooler 51 Heating unit for air conditioner 52 Heat medium valve for air conditioner 52a Heat medium valve for first air conditioner 52b Heat medium valve for second air conditioner 53 Heat medium pump for air conditioner

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A hydrogen engine comprising a hydrogen storage tank containing a hydrogen storage alloy that stores hydrogen by an exothermic reaction and releases hydrogen by an endothermic reaction, and supplies hydrogen released from the hydrogen storage tank to the engine as fuel. A fuel supply device for a hydrogen engine, wherein the fuel supply device is provided with a cooler coolant cooling means for cooling the coolant by circulating the coolant for the cooler in the hydrogen storage tank when hydrogen is released. 2. A first hydrogen storage tank in which the hydrogen storage tank contains a hydrogen storage alloy that releases hydrogen at a predetermined pressure at a first set temperature, and a second set temperature lower than the first set temperature. And a second hydrogen storage tank which releases hydrogen at a predetermined pressure, and the cooler refrigerant cooling means fills the first hydrogen storage tank with hydrogen released from the second hydrogen storage tank when the engine is stopped. The fuel supply device for a hydrogen engine according to claim 1, further comprising means for circulating a coolant for a cooler in the second hydrogen storage tank. 3. The hydrogen storage tank is composed of a plurality of hydrogen storage tanks, and the cooler refrigerant cooling means causes the hydrogen storage tanks to release and fill hydrogen alternately between the plurality of hydrogen storage tanks. 2. The fuel supply device for a hydrogen engine according to claim 1, further comprising means for circulating a cooler refrigerant in the hydrogen storage tank. 4. A hydrogen engine, comprising a hydrogen storage tank containing a hydrogen storage alloy that stores hydrogen by an exothermic reaction and releases hydrogen by an endothermic reaction, and supplies hydrogen released from the hydrogen storage tank to the engine as fuel. A fuel supply device for a hydrogen engine, comprising: a coolant cooling means for an intercooler, which cools the coolant by circulating a coolant for cooling the intercooler in a hydrogen storage tank when hydrogen is released. . 5. The hydrogen storage tank is composed of a plurality of hydrogen storage tanks, and the intercooler refrigerant cooling means causes the plurality of hydrogen storage tanks to release and fill hydrogen alternately, and at the same time, the hydrogen release side. 5. The fuel supply device for a hydrogen engine according to claim 4, further comprising means for circulating an intercooler cooling refrigerant in the hydrogen storage tank. 6. A hydrogen engine including a hydrogen storage tank containing a hydrogen storage alloy which stores hydrogen by an exothermic reaction and releases hydrogen by an endothermic reaction, and which supplies hydrogen released from the hydrogen storage tank to an engine as fuel. A fuel supply device for a hydrogen engine, comprising: a heating medium heating device for a heater, which heats the heating medium by circulating the heating medium for the heater in the hydrogen storage tank during hydrogen filling. 7. A first hydrogen storage tank in which the hydrogen storage tank contains a hydrogen storage alloy that releases hydrogen at a predetermined pressure at a first set temperature, and a second set temperature lower than the first set temperature. And a second hydrogen storage tank for releasing hydrogen at a predetermined pressure, wherein the heater heating medium heating means transfers hydrogen released from the second hydrogen storage tank to the first hydrogen storage tank when the engine temperature is low. 7. The fuel supply device for a hydrogen engine according to claim 6, further comprising means for circulating a heating medium for the heater in the first hydrogen storage tank while filling the same. 8. The hydrogen storage tank is composed of a plurality of hydrogen storage tanks, and the heating medium heating means for the heater alternately releases and fills the hydrogen between the plurality of hydrogen storage tanks, and the hydrogen filling side. 7. The fuel supply device for a hydrogen engine according to claim 6, further comprising means for circulating a heating medium for the heater in the hydrogen storage tank.