KR20060044560A - Storage tank of liquified gas fuel - Google Patents

Abstract

When the excess liquefied gas fuel is settled in a container, the liquefied gas fuel storage container which can reduce the sound which generate | occur | produces when the said fuel is returned is proposed. An upper end pipe opening 7 is connected to the fuel return pipe 3 connected to the upper part of the container body, and an inclined main pipe line 5 in which a liquid discharge port 8 is disposed near the bottom of the container, and the main pipe line. It is assumed that the gas-gas outlet 9 is provided with a branch pipe 4 for liquefied gas fuel composed of a sub-pipe 6 disposed in the inner space region of the container body. Alternatively, a lower pipe opening is connected to a fuel return pipe connected to a position to be a fuel filling area at the time of maximum filling, and a gas main outlet line is arranged in an inner space area of the container body, and a liquid outlet is branched from the main pipe line. It is to be provided with a branch pipe for liquefied gas fuel composed of an inclined sub-pipe arranged in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the container. Thereby, the volume of the impingement sound etc. which generate | occur | produce in a container can be reduced.

Liquefied gas fuel, storage device, liquid phase, gas phase, return, main pipeline, secondary pipeline, branch pipeline

Description

Liquefied gas fuel storage container {STORAGE TANK OF LIQUIFIED GAS FUEL}

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system for supplying fuel of a vehicle constituted by a liquefied gas storage container 1 of a first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the case where the liquid level of the liquefied gas fuel 2 'stored in the liquefied gas fuel branch pipe 4 of the first embodiment is lower than the branch 10, and higher than the branch 10. FIG. It is explanatory drawing.

3 is an explanatory view showing a branch pipe 14 for liquefied gas fuel according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a front view illustrating the porous filter 11 disposed in the branch pipe 14 for liquefied gas fuel.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a system for supplying fuel of an automobile constituted by the liquefied gas container 21 of the third embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows the case where the liquid level of the liquefied gas fuel 2 'stored in the liquefied gas fuel branch pipe 24 of the third embodiment is higher than the branch 22, and lower than the branch 22. FIG. It is explanatory drawing.

The present invention relates to a liquefied gas fuel storage container for storing liquefied gas such as liquefied petroleum gas, and more particularly, to a liquefied gas fuel connected with a fuel return pipe for recovering excess liquefied gas fuel not consumed by an engine. It relates to a storage container.

For example, in a liquefied gas fuel storage container filled with liquefied gas fuel used for fuel of an automobile, it is generally arranged to be mounted horizontally on the trunk of an automobile. Such a container includes a filling valve for filling liquefied gas, a blowout valve using liquefied gas in the container, an overcharge preventing device for preventing the filling above a preset maximum filling amount, and a liquid level gauge for visually confirming the filling amount of the liquefied gas. Etc. are arranged in each. On the other hand, in a vehicle moving with such liquefied gas fuel, conventionally, a system for returning surplus fuel not consumed by an engine to a fuel tank, such as a car using gasoline as a fuel, is not provided. However, in recent years, as the fuel supply to the engine is controlled electronically, such as a car using gasoline, the use of a system for returning surplus fuel to a fuel storage container is also required in a car using liquefied gas fuel.

By the way, in the automobile which uses the said gasoline as fuel, the surplus fuel returned from an engine contains the vapor generated by heating in the said engine. When gasoline in a state containing this bubble is supplied to the engine, vapor lock occurs, and it is necessary to separate the gasoline in the liquid phase and the bubble at the time of returning to the fuel tank. For this reason, it is common to arrange | position the gas-liquid separation apparatus which isolate | separates a bubble from liquid gasoline inside a fuel tank. As the gas-liquid separation device, for example, as in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2645958, a gas discharge separator is provided at the upper end, and a gas-liquid separation part through which a fuel return pipe into which surplus fuel flows is inserted, and a liquid gasoline at the lower end. It has been proposed that a shape of a housing that forms a hollow portion of a predetermined capacity, in which a fuel discharge portion having a flat cross-sectional shape provided with a discharge port is continuously formed in the vertical direction. In the gas-liquid separator of such a structure, the gasoline which flowed in from the fuel return pipe | tube flows into the gas-liquid separation part which has a comparatively large volume, and it becomes possible to separate the bubble disperse | distributed in the liquid of the said gasoline. The separated bubbles are discharged from the bubble discharge port to the upper part of the fuel tank, and the liquid gasoline flows down the fuel discharge part to be discharged from the discharge port into the tank.

By the way, even in a vehicle using liquefied gas fuel, when the excess liquefied gas fuel not consumed by the engine is returned to the liquefied gas fuel storage container, it is necessary to reduce the pressure to the internal pressure of the vessel by a regulator provided downstream of the engine. There is. For this reason, the surplus liquefied gas fuel returned to the liquefied gas fuel storage container is in a state in which a part of the fuel is vaporized under reduced pressure, and the liquid phase and the gas phase are mixed. When the liquid level of the liquefied gas fuel stored in the liquefied gas fuel storage container is lower than the connection position of the fuel return pipe in which the surplus liquefied gas fuel flows, the liquid phase of the surplus liquefied gas fuel returned to the liquid level is dropped. When the impetus sound (着 水 音) occurs. On the other hand, when the liquid level is higher than the connection position of the fuel return pipe, when the gas phase of the surplus liquefied gas returned rises and hits the liquid level, a bursting sound is generated. These impingement or rupture sounds will ring in the car. Since a cab is the mainstream of a car fueled by liquefied petroleum gas, the landing sound or the rupture sound generated in the liquefied gas fuel storage container disposed in the trunk causes a problem of discomfort to passengers in the rear seats.

On the other hand, in the above-described housing-shaped gas-liquid separator, in the case of gasoline in which bubbles are dispersed in a liquid, it is possible to exert an excellent effect of separating the liquid and the bubbles, but the gas-liquid separator that separates the liquid has a relatively large volume. Since the impingement sound and the rupture sound which occur in the housing of the said apparatus are easy to produce a resonance effect. Since the liquefied gas fuel has a lower boiling point than that of gasoline, the liquid gas and the gaseous phase are returned to the separated state, thereby generating a relatively large impingement sound each time a mass of liquid phase starts. Moreover, when this gas phase once enters into a liquid and isolate | separates, a bursting sound is also large compared with the bubble of gasoline. The sound generated in this way resonates and is amplified in a relatively large volume housing, and thus cannot solve the above-mentioned problem. Therefore, the gas-liquid separation device of such a conventional configuration is suitable for a fuel tank of gasoline, but not for a fuel storage container of liquefied gas.

The present invention solves the above problems and proposes a liquefied gas fuel storage container capable of sufficiently making noises of impingement or rupture generated when surplus liquefied gas fuel is returned to the container.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a surplus liquefied gas fuel not consumed in the engine is placed on an upper portion of the container body that stores the liquefied gas fuel supplied to the engine, which becomes an internal space area at the time of maximum filling of the liquefied gas fuel. A fuel return pipe for returning is connected, and an upper end pipe opening is connected to the fuel return pipe, and a lower liquid discharge port for discharging the liquid phase of the excess liquefied gas fuel is arranged near the bottom surface of the container, thereby communicating obliquely. And a sub-pipe which protrudes upward from the main pipe so as to branch upward from the main pipe opening and discharges the gaseous phase of the excess liquefied gas fuel through a gas-phase outlet arranged in the inner space of the container body. A liquefied gas fuel storage container provided with a branch pipe for liquefied gas fuel. This 1st invention is a structure when the fuel return pipe | tube is connected to the upper part of the container main body used as the inner space area | region which remains in the upper part in a container when liquefied gas fuel is filled in the container with the largest quantity. On the other hand, 2nd invention mentioned later is a structure when the fuel return pipe is connected to the site | part used as the filling area | region which liquefied gas fuel is stored when it fills with this maximum amount.

Here, the surplus liquefied gas fuel not consumed by the engine is returned to the vessel through the fuel return pipe in a state where the liquid phase and the gas phase are separated and mixed as described above. When the surplus liquefied gas fuel flows into the main pipe from the top pipe opening of the branch pipe for liquefied gas fuel according to the present invention, the excess liquefied gas fuel flows along the main pipe of the inclined type. Then, in the protruding branched portion of the sub-pipe, the gas phase separated from the liquid phase is separated from the liquid phase and enters the sub-pipe, and the liquid phase flows down the main pipe as it is. In this way, the surplus liquefied gas fuel flows in a state in which the liquid phase and the gaseous phase are separated, so that the liquefied gas fuel can be easily and reliably separated by the main pipe line of this configuration and the sub pipe line protruding upward from the main pipe line. Therefore, the gaseous phase of the surplus liquefied gas fuel is returned from the secondary pipe through the gaseous outlet to the space region in the liquefied gas fuel storage container, and the liquid phase flows down the main pipe to return to the liquefied gas fuel liquid stored in the container.

Thus, the gas phase of the excess liquefied gas fuel fractionated by the liquefied gas fuel branch pipe of the present invention, the liquefied gas when the liquefied gas fuel stored in the container has a lower liquid level than the branch of the main pipe and the secondary pipe line The gaseous fuel solution does not enter the liquid, and the gaseous phase collides at the liquid level, so that no cracking sound is generated. In addition, when the height of the liquid level is higher than that of the branch of the sub-pipe, the sound is broken against the liquid in the sub-pipe. Since the rupture sound is propagated by the pipe structure of the sub-pipe, the sound volume generated from the gas phase outlet is suppressed without generating a resonance effect by the housing having a large volume as in the conventional configuration described above. On the other hand, since the main pipe is formed in an inclined shape, the liquid phase of the surplus liquefied gas fuel flows relatively slowly through the main pipe and smoothly starts to the liquid level of the liquefied gas fuel stored in the container. Thereby, the impingement sound which arises at the time of impregnation of a liquid phase can be made small. And since the liquid discharge port of this main line is installed in the vicinity of the bottom of a container, liquefied gas fuel is stored also in the said main line unless it is a very rare state like just before a fuel runs out. That is, the liquid phase of the surplus liquefied gas fuel is started at the liquid level stored in the main pipe to generate a sound of impingement. Since the impingement sound propagates through the main pipe and the sub pipe, the sound volume generated from the gaseous phase outlet can be suppressed without generating a resonance effect as described above. Therefore, according to the liquefied gas fuel branch pipe of such a structure, generation | occurrence | production of the sound by the return of excess liquefied gas fuel to a liquefied gas fuel storage container can be suppressed, and the volume which sounds in the said container can also be reduced. And even when the liquefied gas fuel storage container of this invention is arrange | positioned in the trunk | cab of a taxi etc., such a sound does not sound in a vehicle, and it can prevent that a passenger is uncomfortable.

On the other hand, according to the second aspect of the present invention, a surplus liquefied gas fuel not consumed by the engine is positioned at a position that becomes a fuel filling area at the time of maximum filling of the liquefied gas fuel in the container body storing the liquefied gas fuel supplied to the engine. The main return passage is connected to the returning fuel return pipe, the lower end pipe opening is connected to the fuel return pipe, and the upper gas discharge port for discharging the gaseous phase of the surplus liquefied gas fuel is disposed in the inner space of the container body. And a liquid discharge port formed to protrude downwardly from the main pipe passage toward the lower tube opening to discharge the liquid gas of the liquefied gas fuel, and having an inclined sub-pipe arranged near the bottom of the container. It is a liquefied gas fuel storage container having a branch pipe.

In such a configuration, as described above, when a surplus liquefied gas fuel mixed in the gas phase and the liquid phase flows into the main pipe from the fuel return pipe, the gas phase rises through the main pipe and moves from the gas phase outlet to the space region in the container. Will be discharged. In addition, the liquid phase flows from the branch portion in which the sub-pipe protrudes into the sub-pipe, and returns to the liquefied gas fuel liquid stored in the container. In this way, the surplus liquefied gas fuel can be easily and surely distinguished from the liquid phase and the gas phase by the main pipe line of the present configuration and the sub pipe line protruding upward from the main pipe line.

Here, when the liquid level of the liquefied gas fuel stored in the liquefied gas fuel storage container is higher than the lower tube opening of the main pipe line, if excess liquefied gas fuel flows from the lower pipe opening, the gas phase of the excess liquefied gas fuel is separated The liquefied gas fuel liquid separated from the liquid phase in a state is raised. And it hits at this liquid level and produces a bursting sound. Since the rupture sound is propagated by the pipe structure of the main pipe, the sound volume generated from the gas phase outlet can be suppressed without causing a resonance effect by the housing having a large volume as in the conventional configuration described above. On the other hand, since the liquid phase of the surplus liquefied gas fuel enters the liquid in the conduit, no sound is generated by the liquid phase. In addition, when the height of the liquid level is lower than the protruding branch portion of the secondary pipe, the liquefied gas fuel flows along the inclined secondary pipe by the inflow of the liquid phase. Since the liquid outlet of this sub-pipe is installed at the bottom of the vessel, the liquid level is in the sub-pipe unless the fuel is very rare, just before it runs out. That is, it starts smoothly at the liquid level in the sub-pipe and generates a sound of impingement. This impingement sound is also suppressed in the same way as described above with respect to the volume generated from the gas phase outlet. Moreover, when the liquid level in a container is lower than a lower end pipe opening, the liquid phase and the gaseous phase which flowed in into the main pipe line are immediately distinguished, and the sound which generate | occur | produces at this time is also suppressed in the same way as the sound volume emitted from a gaseous-phase outlet.

Therefore, according to the liquefied gas fuel branch pipe of such a structure, generation | occurrence | production of the sound by the return of excess liquefied gas fuel to a liquefied gas fuel storage container can be suppressed, and the volume which sounds in the said container can also be reduced. And even when the liquefied gas fuel storage container of this invention is arrange | positioned in the trunk | cab of a taxi etc., such a sound does not ring in a vehicle and it can prevent that a passenger is not uncomfortable.

In the first invention and the second invention described above, a configuration is proposed in which the porous filter is arranged on the fuel return pipe side than the branch of the main pipe and the sub pipe of the liquefied gas fuel branch pipe. In such a configuration, the gaseous phase and liquid phase in the separated state of the surplus liquefied gas fuel returned from the fuel return pipe pass through the porous filter, whereby each can be subdivided and rectified. For this reason, the rupture sound produced by the refined gas phase and the impingement sound produced by the rectified liquid phase become small, and the volume produced in the said container is usually reduced further. Therefore, the above-mentioned effect by the liquefied gas fuel storage container of this invention can be heightened further.

In addition, a configuration is proposed in which a porous filter is arranged near a gaseous outlet of a liquefied gas fuel branch pipe. Such a porous filter can further suppress propagation of the rupture sound caused by the gas phase and the impingement sound caused by the liquid phase in the branch pipe, thereby further improving the effect of reducing the volume generated by the excess liquefied gas fuel.

Further, a configuration is also proposed in which the gaseous outlet of the liquefied gas fuel branch pipe is reduced in diameter compared to the diameter of the upstream side pipeline just above the gaseous outlet. Such a structure can further suppress propagation of the rupture sound caused by the gas phase and the impingement sound caused by the liquid phase in the branch pipe, thereby further improving the effect of reducing the volume generated by the excess liquefied gas fuel.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the present embodiment, the liquefied petroleum gas LPG is liquefied gas fuel, and the liquefied gas fuel storage container 1 arranged horizontally in the trunk of an automobile is illustrated. This liquefied gas fuel storage container 1 is composed of a substantially cylindrical body portion and a welded portion welded to close both openings of the body portion, as shown in FIG. The liquefied gas fuel storage container 1 is provided with a fuel supply pipe 52 connected to a pressure pump 53 disposed in the container 1 and communicating with an engine 51 of a vehicle. The pressure pump 53 supplies the liquefied gas fuel 2 ′ stored in the liquefied gas fuel storage container 1 to the engine 51 through the fuel supply pipe 52. The liquefied gas fuel storage container 1 is connected to a fuel return pipe 3 for recovering excess liquefied gas fuel 2 not consumed by the engine 51. In this container 1, a branch pipe 4 for liquefied gas fuel connected to the fuel return pipe 3 is disposed. The liquefied gas fuel branch pipe 4 will be described later in detail with respect to the main part of the present invention. In addition, the pressure of the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 sent from the engine 51 between the engine 51 and the liquefied gas fuel storage container 1 of the fuel return pipe 3 is stored in the liquefied gas fuel storage container ( A regulator 55 for reducing the pressure in a pressure state approximately equal to the internal pressure of 1) is provided. Here, the liquefied gas fuel 2 'transferred to the engine 51 by the above-mentioned pressure pump 53 is heated by the engine 51 to become high temperature, but since it is a high pressure state, liquefied petroleum having a relatively low boiling point It is maintained in the liquid phase even in the gas LPG. The excess liquefied gas fuel 2 is depressurized by the regulator 55 to be separated into the liquid phase 2A and the gas phase 2B, and is returned to the liquefied gas fuel storage container 1 in this state ( 2).

In addition, the automobile liquefied gas fuel storage container 1 includes a filling valve for filling liquefied gas fuel in the container 1 (not shown), and a liquid level meter indicating the filling amount of the liquefied gas fuel stored in the container 1. In the container 1, an overcharge preventing device for preventing the liquefied gas fuel from filling beyond the maximum filling amount is arranged. The fuel return pipe 3 is also provided with an on / off valve for opening and closing the fuel return pipe 3 at an upstream position directly connected to the container 1 (not shown). In addition, a fixing leg (not shown) for fixing to the trunk of an automobile is also disposed outside the liquefied gas fuel storage container 1.

In the liquefied gas fuel storage container 1 of the present embodiment, the branch pipe for liquefied gas fuel according to the main part of the present invention will be described in detail according to each embodiment shown below.

Here, each embodiment has a configuration in which the fuel return pipe 3 is connected to an upper portion of a container in an inner space region in a state where a maximum filling amount of a predetermined liquefied gas fuel is filled (first embodiment, first embodiment). Embodiment 2 and the configuration (third embodiment) connected to the fuel filling region of liquefied gas fuel are illustrated respectively. In each of the first to third embodiments, an on-off valve (not shown) provided in the fuel return pipe 3 is in an open state.

(First embodiment)

In the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the container in which the fuel return pipe 3 for returning the excess liquefied gas fuel 2 not consumed by the engine 51 becomes an internal space region at the time of maximum filling of the liquefied gas fuel. The liquefied gas fuel branch pipe 4 connected to the upper part and connected from the inside of the container 1 to the fuel return pipe 3 is disposed. The liquefied gas fuel branch pipe (4) has an upper pipe opening (7) connected to the fuel return pipe (3), and a lower liquid discharge port (8) disposed near the inner bottom surface of the container (1). A main conduit 5 and a sub conduit 6 protruding from the main conduit 5 upwardly with respect to the upper conduit opening 7 and having a gaseous outlet 9 at the upper end disposed in the inner space region. Consists of. Here, the main pipe line 5 is formed in an inclined shape communicating between the upper pipe opening 7 and the liquid discharge port 8, and the liquid phase of the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 introduced from the fuel return pipe 3 (2A) is made to flow relatively slowly (refer FIG. 2). In addition, the secondary pipe line 6 branches from the main pipe line 5 so that the gas phase 2B of the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 rises and is discharged from the gas phase outlet port 9 (see Fig. 2).

The excess liquefied gas fuel 2 returned to the branch pipe 4 for liquefied gas fuel has a liquid phase 2A and a gas phase 2B separated as described above, so that the liquid phase 2A has an upper tube opening. It flows along the main pipe 5 which goes downward from (7), and the gas phase 2B rises along the sub pipe line 6 which protruded upward from the said main pipe 5, and the liquid phase 2A and the gas phase (2B) can be fractionated relatively easily and appropriately. Then, the liquid phase 2A is returned to the liquefied gas fuel 2 'stored in the container 1, and the gas phase 2B is returned to the space region in the container 1. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of impingement sound or rupture sound due to the mixture of the liquid phase 2A and the gaseous phase 2B and the return to the liquefied gas fuel 2 'or the inner space region in the container 1.

In addition, since the liquid discharge port 8 of the main pipe line 5 is disposed near the bottom surface of the liquefied gas fuel storage container 1 (see FIG. 1), except for a very rare state such as just before the fuel runs out. When the liquefied gas fuel 2 'is stored in the container 1 in a quantity that can be sufficiently provided for driving of the vehicle, the liquid level of the liquefied gas fuel 2' is in the pipeline of the main pipeline 5 It exists. Therefore, the liquid phase 2A of the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 flowing down through the main pipe 5 can be relatively smoothly embarked on the liquid surface, and the impingement sound generated at this time is small. This impingement sound is mainly propagated from the main pipe line 5 through the sub pipe line 6 and transmitted from the branch pipe 4 for liquefied gas fuel into the container 1. Since the propagation of sound propagates in the space region in the main pipe 5 and the sub pipe line 6 having a substantially constant shape in the longitudinal direction, the radio wave may be suppressed without causing resonance or amplification of the sound. The volume of the impingement sound transmitted from the gaseous-phase outlet 9 into the container 1 can be reduced. On the other hand, even when almost no liquefied gas fuel is stored in the liquefied gas fuel storage container 1, the liquid phase 2A of the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 introduced through the main pipe line 5 is relatively smooth. Liquefied gas liquid level in the can be launched, and only a small sound of impingement occurs. In general, the fuel is almost exhausted, and it is very rare to start such a process by refueling, and most of the fuel impinges on the liquid level existing in the main pipeline 5 as described above.

In the liquefied gas fuel storage container 1 in which the liquefied gas fuel branch pipe 4 of the first embodiment is disposed, the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 in a state where the liquid phase 2A and the gas phase 2B are separated When it returns through the fuel return pipe 3 and flows in from the upper end pipe opening 7 of the main line 5, the mixed liquid phase 2A and the gaseous phase 2B will flow down together. Here, the liquid level of the liquefied gas fuel 2 'stored in the liquefied gas fuel storage container 1 is the branch 10 of the main pipe 5 and the sub-pipe 6 as shown in Figure 2 (A). In the lower position, the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 flowing down the main pipe 5 is separated into the liquid phase 2A and the gas phase 2B at the branch portion 10. Then, the liquid phase 2A flows relatively slowly along the main pipe line 5, and smoothly impinges on the liquid level of the stored liquefied gas fuel 2 '. On the other hand, the gas phase 2B rises along the sub-pipe 6 and is discharged from the gas phase outlet 9 to the internal space region in the container 1. Here, the impingement sound caused by the liquid phase 2A impinging on the liquid level is relatively small as described above, and the propagation of sound is suppressed by the pipe structure of the branch pipe 4. In addition, although the sound is generated when the liquid phase 2A and the gas phase 2B are separated, the sound is small, and propagation is suppressed by the sub-pipe 5 as described above.

Further, the liquid level of the liquefied gas fuel 2 'stored in the liquefied gas fuel storage container 1 is smaller than the branch 10 of the main pipe 5 and the sub pipe 6 as shown in FIG. In the high position, both the liquid phase 2A and the gas phase 2B of the excess liquefied gas fuel 2 are launched. The impingement sound at this time is disturbed by the liquefied gas fuel 2 'stored in the pipeline and cannot be propagated for the most part. On the other hand, the gas phase 2B advances into the liquid of the liquefied gas fuel 2 'stored in the main pipe line 5, enters the sub pipe line 6, and hits at the liquid level in the sub pipe line 6, thereby It is discharged from the outlet 9. The rupture sound generated by the collision of the gas phase 2B propagates in the spatial region in the sub-pipe 6 having a substantially constant shape in the longitudinal direction, so that the vessel is discharged from the gas phase outlet 9 without causing resonance or amplification of sound. It is possible to suppress the volume of the rupture sound transmitted in (1).

As described above, according to the liquefied gas fuel storage container 1 of the first embodiment, the impingement sound generated when the excess liquefied gas fuel is returned by the liquefied gas fuel branch pipe 4 can be reduced. Propagation of the impingement sound and the rupture sound can be suppressed, and the volume generated in the container 1 can be sufficiently lowered. Thus, in a taxi using liquefied gas fuel, it is possible to prevent the noise caused by the excess liquefied gas fuel from ringing in the car, thereby preventing discomfort to passengers in the rear seats.

(2nd Example)

In the second embodiment, like the first embodiment described above, the fuel return pipe 3 for returning the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 not consumed by the engine 51 has an internal space at the time of maximum filling of the liquefied gas fuel. The liquefied gas fuel branch pipe 14 connected to the upper part of the container used as an area | region and connected to the said fuel return pipe 3 is arrange | positioned (refer FIG. 1). The liquefied gas fuel branch pipe 14 is composed of a main pipe 15 and a sub pipe 16 branched from the main pipe 15 as shown in FIG. And the porous filter 11 shown in FIG. 4 is arrange | positioned upstream from the branch part 10 of the main pipe 15 and the sub pipe 16. As shown in FIG. Here, the porous filter 11 is formed by forming a plurality of holes 13 substantially uniformly in the filter surface 12 perpendicular to the flow direction of the main pipe line 15. In addition, the upper end of the sub-pipe 16 is formed with a gaseous phase outlet 19 having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the pipe of the sub-pipe 16.

As described above, the excess liquefied gas fuel 2 not consumed in the engine is returned from the fuel return pipe 3 in a state where the liquid phase 2A and the gas phase 2B are separated. Then, the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 passes through the porous filter 11 arranged in the main conduit 15, whereby the flow can be rectified as shown in FIG. As a result, the liquid phase 2A of the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 flows down the main pipe 15 more smoothly, thereby making it possible to further reduce the impingement sound generated at the time of impinging on the liquid surface. In addition, the liquid phase 2A and the gas phase 2B of the excess liquefied gas fuel 2 can be separated more easily from the branch 10 of the branch pipe 14 for liquefied gas fuel.

As described above, the impingement sound generated by the liquid phase flowing down the main pipe line 15 is propagated from the main pipe line 15 to the sub pipe line 16, and the liquefied gas from the gas phase outlet port 19 of the sub pipe line 16. It is delivered into the fuel reservoir 1. Here, since the diameter of the gas phase outlet 19 is reduced compared to the diameter of the pipeline, it is possible to suppress the sound transmitted to the container 1 in the secondary pipeline 16. In other words, the volume of the impingement sound can be further reduced by the gas phase outlet 19. When the liquid level of the liquefied gas fuel 2 'stored in the liquefied gas fuel storage container 1 is higher than the branch 10 of the main pipe 15 and the sub pipe 16, 2 (B)), the gaseous phase 2B collides with the liquid level in the sub-pipe 16 to generate a rupture sound. In the same manner as above, the sound of the rupture is suppressed by the gaseous-phase outlet 19 whose diameter is reduced.

In this way, the porous filter 11 is provided in the main pipe line 15 and the diameter of the gaseous phase outlet port 19 of the sub pipe line 16 is reduced so that the impingement generated when the surplus liquefied gas fuel is returned. The sound can be further reduced, the propagation of the impingement sound and the rupture sound can be suppressed, and the sound volume generated in the container 1 can be further reduced. In addition, in the second embodiment, the gas phase outlet port 19 in which the branch pipe 14 for the liquefied gas fuel is provided with the porous filter 11 in the main pipe line 15, and the diameter of the sub pipe line 16 is reduced. The same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above was used except for the configuration of forming the configuration, and descriptions and symbols showing the same configuration are omitted.

(Third Embodiment)

In the third embodiment, the liquefied gas fuel in which the liquefied gas fuel storage container 21 stores the fuel return pipe 3 for returning the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 not consumed by the engine 51 as shown in FIG. It is connected to the lower position which becomes a fuel filling area at the time of full charge of 2 '. The liquefied gas fuel branch pipe 24 is connected to the fuel return pipe 3 from the inside of the liquefied gas fuel storage container 21. The liquefied gas fuel branch pipe (24) is disposed where the lower pipe opening (27) is connected to the fuel return pipe (3), and the upper gas phase outlet port (29) becomes an internal space area at the time of maximum filling of the liquefied gas fuel. The main pipe line 25 and protrudes downward from the main pipe line 25 with respect to the bottom pipe opening 27, and the liquid discharge port 28 at the lower end of the inner bottom surface of the container 21 is formed. It consists of the sub pipe line 26 arrange | positioned at the room. Here, the main pipe line 25 is communicated from the lower pipe opening 27 to the gas phase outlet port 29 upward, and the gas phase 2B of the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 introduced from the fuel return pipe 3. ) Rises along the main pipe 25 and is discharged from the gas phase outlet 29. Moreover, the sub pipe line 26 is formed in the inclined shape which branches from this main pipe 25 and communicates from this branch part 22 to the liquid discharge port 28. As shown in FIG.

Also in the liquefied gas fuel branch pipe 24 of this embodiment, the same porous filter 11 (see Fig. 4) as in the second embodiment is disposed immediately downstream of the lower pipe opening 27. . That is, the arrangement position of this porous filter 11 becomes an upstream position than the branch part 22. FIG. The porous filter 11 is also arranged in the gas phase outlet 29 of the sub pipe line 26.

Here, when the liquid level of the liquefied gas fuel 2 'stored in the liquefied gas fuel storage container 21 is at a position higher than the lower tube opening 27 of the main pipe line 25 as shown in FIG. 6 (B). In this state, the liquefied gas fuel is stored in the main pipe 25. In this case, when the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 flows in from the lower tube opening 27, the gas phase 2B and the liquid phase 2A of the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 are separated. This gas phase 2B is subdivided by the porous filter 11 arrange | positioned in the position directly downstream of the lower end pipe opening 27, becomes what is called a small bubble, and rises along the main line 25. As shown in FIG. When the gas phase 2B reaches the liquid level, the gaseous phase 2B collides with each other and flows into the space region in the main pipeline 25. Here, since the gaseous phase 2B is a small bubble, the rupture sound generated when it hits the liquid level is reduced. Then, the sound of the rupture is propagated through the main pipe 25, and is transmitted from the gas phase outlet 29 into the liquefied gas fuel storage container 21. Since the propagation of this sound propagates in the spatial region in the main conduit 25 of substantially constant shape in the longitudinal direction, the propagation of the sound is also suppressed without generating the resonance or amplification action of the sound. In addition, the sound of propagation of the sound that has propagated in the main pipe passage 25 passes through the porous filter 11 disposed in the gas phase outlet 29. In this way, the sound of the rupture sound transmitted into the container 21 can be further reduced by making the rupture sound small and by suppressing the propagation of the sound.

On the other hand, the liquid phase 2A of the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 introduced from the lower tube opening 27 is mixed into the liquefied gas fuel 2 'stored in the main pipeline 25. In addition, due to this mixing, only a very small sound is generated and hardly transmitted in the radio waves in the fuel 2 '. Here, when the height of the liquid level of the liquefied gas fuel 2 'stored in the main pipe 25 is higher than the branched part 22 (FIG. 6 (A)), it liquefies the whole inside the sub pipe line 26. As shown in FIG. The gaseous fuel 2 'is stored. In this case, when the liquid phase 2A of the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 is mixed, the liquid level in the main pipeline 25 rises, and the liquefied gas fuel 2 'in the secondary pipeline 26 is discharged to the liquid discharge hole ( 28 into the vessel 21. When the liquid level of the liquefied gas fuel 2 'stored in the main pipe 25 is lower than the branch 22 (Fig. 6 (B)), the liquid phase 2A of the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 When this is mixed and flows into the sub pipe line 26, it flows relatively slowly along the inclined sub pipe line 26, and it embarks on the liquid level in the said sub pipe line 26. The impingement sound produced at this time is propagated and suppressed in the sub pipe line 26 and the main pipe line 25 having a substantially constant shape, as in the first embodiment described above, and the porous filter 11 of the gas phase outlet 29. It is suppressed by) will be delivered to the container 21.

When the liquid level of the liquefied gas fuel 2 'stored in the liquefied gas fuel storage container 21 is lower than the lower pipe opening 27 of the main pipe line 25 (not shown), the main The liquefied gas fuel is not stored in the pipeline 25. In this case, when the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 flows in from the lower tube opening 27, the liquid phase 2A and the gas phase 2B are immediately separated, and the gas phase 2B rises along the main pipeline 25. In addition, the liquid phase is stored in the lower portion of the main pipe line 25 or strongly flows into the sub pipe line 26, and flows relatively slowly along the sub pipe line 26. Here, the sound generated when the gaseous phase 2B is separated from the liquid phase 2A is suppressed in the same manner as the rupture sound described above. In addition, the liquid phase flowing down the sub pipe line 26 flows relatively gently as in the first embodiment described above, so that the liquid phase of the liquefied gas fuel starts. And this impingement sound is suppressed by the sub pipe line 26, the main pipe line 25, and the porous filter 11 arrange | positioned at the gaseous-phase outlet port 29, and it is transmitted in the container 1. As shown in FIG.

Further, as described above in the first embodiment, even when almost no liquefied gas fuel is stored in the liquefied gas fuel storage container 21, the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 flowing through the main pipeline 25 2A of the liquid phase can impinge on the liquefied gas liquid surface in the container 21 relatively smoothly, and only a small sound of impingement occurs. In general, in such a case, when the fuel is almost depleted and refueled, it is extremely rare. As described above, the liquid level existing in the sub-pipe 26 is most often embarked.

In this way, also in the liquefied gas fuel storage container 21 of the third embodiment, the sound of rupture or liquid phase caused by the gaseous phase 2B generated by the surplus liquefied gas fuel 2 returned through the fuel return pipe 3 is applied. The impingement sound etc. by 2A) can be made very small, and the propagation of this sound can be suppressed. Accordingly, since the volume generated in the liquefied gas fuel storage container 21 can be made sufficiently low, in a taxi using liquefied gas fuel, it is possible to prevent the sound of this excess liquefied gas fuel from ringing in the vehicle. Thus, it is possible to prevent discomfort to passengers in the rear seats.

In the embodiment according to the present invention, it is possible to have various forms of configuration in addition to the first to third embodiments described above. For example, in the first embodiment, the porous filter 11 is provided only at an upstream position than the branch 10, but as in the third embodiment, the upstream and the gas phase outlet 9 of the branch 10 are provided. It is also possible to set it as the structure etc. which were provided in both of the vicinity. In addition, in the third embodiment, it is also possible to have a configuration in which the porous filter 11 is not provided, or a configuration in which a gaseous-phase outlet having a reduced diameter compared to the pipe diameter is provided. In addition, it is also possible to form the main pipe and the sub-pipe in different cross-sectional shapes, and to have an appropriate shape that can reduce the respective generated sounds in accordance with the flow of gas or liquid phase.

The above-described embodiment is exemplified for the case of an automobile using liquefied gas fuel, but the liquefied gas fuel storage container according to the present invention can be applied to various applications using liquefied gas fuel such as other vehicles or machine tools.

As described above, the liquefied gas fuel storage container according to the first aspect of the present invention has an upper tube opening connected to a fuel return pipe connected to an upper portion which becomes an inner space area at the time of maximum filling of the container body, and the liquid discharge port is connected to the bottom of the container. And a branch pipe for liquefied gas fuel, which is arranged near the surface, and comprises a main pipe connected in an oblique manner, and a sub pipe line formed to protrude from the main pipe and having a gas discharge outlet disposed in an inner space of the container body. It is to be. On the other hand, the liquefied gas fuel storage container of the second invention, as described above, has a lower tube opening connected to a fuel return pipe connected to a position that becomes a fuel filling area at the time of maximum filling of the container body, and the gas phase outlet port is connected to the container body. And a branch pipe for liquefied gas fuel, which is arranged to be in an internal space area of the gas pipe, and a branch pipe for liquefied gas fuel, which is formed to protrude from the main pipe line, and has an inclined sub pipe line having a liquid discharge port disposed near the bottom of the container. It is to be. With such a configuration, it is possible to easily and reliably separate the excess liquefied gas fuel flowing into the liquid phase and the gaseous phase into the liquid phase and the gas phase, so that the gas phase returns to the space region in the container, and the liquid phase is stored in the container. Can be returned to the liquefied gas fuel. In addition, the sound of impingement due to the liquid phase, the sound of bursting due to the gas phase, etc. can be reduced, and the resonant action is not generated, as in the above-described configuration of the housing having a large volume. Can be suppressed and the sound volume which sounds in a container can be reduced. In addition, even when the liquefied gas fuel storage container of the present invention is arranged in the trunk of a taxi or the like, such a sound does not ring in the vehicle, and it is possible to prevent the passenger from being uncomfortable.

In the first invention and the second invention described above, in the configuration in which the porous filter is arranged on the fuel return pipe side than the branch parts of the liquefied gas fuel branch pipe and the branch line of the liquefied gas fuel branch, the liquid phase and the gas phase are separated. Since the surplus liquefied gas fuel passes through the porous filter, each can be subdivided and rectified, so that the impingement sound and the rupture sound can be reduced, and the volume generated in the container is further reduced.

In addition, in the configuration in which the porous filter is arranged near the gas phase outlet of the liquefied gas fuel branch pipe, propagation of impingement sound and rupture sound can be further suppressed, and the effect of reducing the volume generated by the excess liquefied gas fuel is further improved. .

In addition, even in a configuration in which the gaseous outlet of the liquefied gas fuel branch pipe is reduced in diameter compared to the diameter of the upstream side pipeline immediately above the gaseous outlet, the propagation of the impingement sound and the rupture sound can be further suppressed. The effect of reducing the volume generated by this is further improved.

Claims (5)

A fuel return pipe for returning excess liquefied gas fuel not consumed by the engine is connected to an upper portion which becomes an inner space when filling the liquefied gas fuel to the container body storing the liquefied gas fuel supplied to the engine at maximum. An upper pipe opening connected to the fuel return pipe, the main liquid passage being inclinedly connected such that a lower liquid discharge port for discharging the liquid phase of the excess liquefied gas fuel is disposed near the bottom of the container, and A sub-pipe which protrudes upwardly from the main pipe passage toward the upper tube opening and discharges the gaseous phase of the surplus liquefied gas fuel through a gas-phase outlet disposed in an inner space of the container body. Comprising a branch pipe for liquefied gas fuel Liquefied gas storage container. A fuel return pipe for returning excess liquefied gas fuel not consumed by the engine is connected to an upper portion which becomes an inner space when filling the liquefied gas fuel to the container body storing the liquefied gas fuel supplied to the engine at maximum. A lower main pipe opening connected to the fuel return pipe, the main gas passage communicating with the upper gas discharge outlet for discharging the gaseous phase of the surplus liquefied gas fuel in an inner space region of the container body; An inclined sub-pipe which protrudes from the main pipe downward toward the bottom pipe opening and has a liquid discharge port for discharging the liquid phase of the liquefied gas fuel is disposed near the bottom of the container. Comprising a branch pipe for liquefied gas fuel Liquefied gas storage container. The method according to claim 1 or 2, A liquefied gas fuel storage container, characterized in that a porous filter is disposed on the side of the fuel return pipe from a branch of the main pipe and the sub pipe of the liquefied gas fuel branch pipe. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A liquefied gas fuel storage container, characterized in that a porous filter is disposed in the vicinity of the gas phase outlet of the liquefied gas fuel branch pipe. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The gaseous gas outlet of the liquefied gas fuel branch pipe is a liquefied gas fuel storage container, characterized in that it has a reduced diameter compared to the diameter of the pipeline immediately upstream of the gaseous outlet.

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