US20120125480A1 - Gas filling system and gas filling apparatus - Google Patents

Gas filling system and gas filling apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20120125480A1
US20120125480A1 US13/387,673 US201013387673A US2012125480A1 US 20120125480 A1 US20120125480 A1 US 20120125480A1 US 201013387673 A US201013387673 A US 201013387673A US 2012125480 A1 US2012125480 A1 US 2012125480A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
gas
filling
temperature
tank
flow rate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/387,673
Inventor
Shusuke Inagi
Tomoyuki Mori
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Toyota Motor Corp
Original Assignee
Toyota Motor Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Toyota Motor Corp filed Critical Toyota Motor Corp
Assigned to TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA reassignment TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: INAGI, SHUSUKE, MORI, TOMOYUKI
Publication of US20120125480A1 publication Critical patent/US20120125480A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C5/00—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures
    • F17C5/06—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures for filling with compressed gases
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/056—Small (<1 m3)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0123—Mounting arrangements characterised by number of vessels
    • F17C2205/013—Two or more vessels
    • F17C2205/0134—Two or more vessels characterised by the presence of fluid connection between vessels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F17C2205/0326—Valves electrically actuated
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F17C2205/0335—Check-valves or non-return valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/035—Flow reducers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0376—Dispensing pistols
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/012—Hydrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2223/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/036—Very high pressure (>80 bar)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/01—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2225/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2225/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/03—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2225/036—Very high pressure, i.e. above 80 bars
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
    • F17C2227/0128—Propulsion of the fluid with pumps or compressors
    • F17C2227/0157—Compressors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0337—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling
    • F17C2227/0341—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling using another fluid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0337—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling
    • F17C2227/0341—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling using another fluid
    • F17C2227/0355—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling using another fluid in a closed loop
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0367—Localisation of heat exchange
    • F17C2227/0388—Localisation of heat exchange separate
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/03—Control means
    • F17C2250/032—Control means using computers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
    • F17C2250/043—Pressure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
    • F17C2250/0439—Temperature
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
    • F17C2250/0443—Flow or movement of content
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0486—Indicating or measuring characterised by the location
    • F17C2250/0495—Indicating or measuring characterised by the location the indicated parameter is a converted measured parameter
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/06—Controlling or regulating of parameters as output values
    • F17C2250/0605—Parameters
    • F17C2250/0636—Flow or movement of content
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/07—Actions triggered by measured parameters
    • F17C2250/072—Action when predefined value is reached
    • F17C2250/075—Action when predefined value is reached when full
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/02—Improving properties related to fluid or fluid transfer
    • F17C2260/025—Reducing transfer time
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/06—Fluid distribution
    • F17C2265/065—Fluid distribution for refueling vehicle fuel tanks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0165—Applications for fluid transport or storage on the road
    • F17C2270/0168—Applications for fluid transport or storage on the road by vehicles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0165—Applications for fluid transport or storage on the road
    • F17C2270/0184—Fuel cells
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/32—Hydrogen storage
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P90/00—Enabling technologies with a potential contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation
    • Y02P90/45—Hydrogen technologies in production processes

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a gas filling system for filling gas via a gas filling apparatus installed in a hydrogen station, for example, into a gas tank mounted on a vehicle, for example.
  • a gas-fueled vehicle on which a gas tank is mounted, such as a fuel cell vehicle, pulls into a gas station and the gas tank is filled with the fuel gas from a filling nozzle of a gas filling apparatus.
  • the fuel gas is hydrogen gas
  • the temperature increases as the fuel gas is filled.
  • a hydrogen gas filling apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-83567 JP-A-2005-83567
  • a cooling means a so-called precooler
  • the supply pressure of the hydrogen gas is detected and the flow rate and the temperature of the coolant supplied to the cooling means is controlled based on the results of detection.
  • the invention provides a gas filling system and a gas filling apparatus capable of optimizing the filling of a gas tank with gas via a gas filling apparatus equipped with a cooling device.
  • a gas filling system includes: a gas tank; a gas filling apparatus, including a cooling device for cooling gas supplied from a gas supply source, that discharges the gas cooled by the cooling device to fill the gas into the gas tank; a gas temperature sensor that detects, upstream of the gas tank, a temperature of the gas cooled by the cooling device; and a flow rate controller that controls a filling flow rate of the gas to be filled into the gas tank, based on the temperature of the gas detected by the gas temperature sensor.
  • a gas filling apparatus includes a cooling device for cooling gas supplied from a gas supply source and discharges the gas cooled by the cooling device to fill the gas into the gas tank.
  • the gas filling apparatus is characterized by further including: a gas temperature sensor that detects, upstream of the gas tank, a temperature of the gas cooled by the cooling device; and a flow rate controller that controls a filling flow rate of the gas to be filled into the gas tank, based on the temperature of the gas detected by the gas temperature sensor.
  • the filling flow rate is varied based on the temperature of the gas cooled by the cooling device, so that it is possible to perform optimum filling according to the cooling power of the cooling device.
  • a predetermined filling amount of gas both in the case of the filling amount for a full tank and in the case of the filling amount for a specified filling level
  • the flow rate controller may control the filling flow rate so that the filling flow rate is reduced as the temperature of the gas increases.
  • the gas filling system may further include a gas tank sensor that acquires information concerning the inside of the gas tank and the flow rate controller may control the filling flow rate based also on the information acquired by the gas tank sensor.
  • the gas tank sensor may include at least one of a gas tank temperature sensor and a gas tank pressure sensor.
  • the gas filling system may include a plurality of the gas tanks, the gas tank sensor may acquire the information for each of the gas tanks, and the flow rate controller may control the filling flow rate based on the information on the gas tank, in which a temperature is the highest, or on the information on the gas tank, in which a pressure is the lowest, among pieces of the information acquired by the gas tank sensors.
  • the gas temperature sensor may detect the temperature of the gas in the cooling device. With this configuration, it is possible to optimize the filling based on the temperature of the gas in the cooling device.
  • the gas temperature sensor may detect the temperature of the gas after being discharged from the gas filling apparatus into the gas tank. With this configuration, it becomes unnecessary to take account of the influence of the disturbance in the gas filling apparatus with regard to the detected value of the temperature of the gas that has been cooled. In other words, it is possible to detect the temperature of the gas immediately before being filled that most affects the state in the gas tank and therefore, it is possible to control the filling flow rate with high accuracy.
  • the gas filling system may further include a connection unit for connecting the gas tank and the gas filling apparatus at the time of filling and the gas temperature sensor may detect the temperature of the gas at the connection unit.
  • the connection unit may include a receptacle on the gas tank side and a filling nozzle on the gas filling apparatus side that is connected to the receptacle, and the gas temperature sensor may detect the temperature of the gas at the filling nozzle or at the receptacle.
  • the gas filling system of the invention may further include a display device that displays an indication that the filling flow rate is being controlled based on the temperature of the gas detected by the gas temperature sensor or an indication that the filling flow rate has been controlled based on the temperature of the gas detected by the gas temperature sensor.
  • the display device may be provided in the gas filling apparatus or in a mobile body, on which the gas tank is mounted. With this configuration, it is possible to visually confirm that optimum filling according to the cooling power of the cooling device is being performed or has been performed in the gas filling apparatus or in the mobile body.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a gas filling system according to an embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the gas filling system according to the embodiment
  • FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a flow of a filling operation in the gas filling system according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a filling flow rate map used in the filling operation according to the embodiment.
  • a gas filling system according to an example embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.
  • An example of the gas filling system will be herein described, in which hydrogen gas is filled, via a gas filling apparatus, into a gas tank of a fuel cell vehicle equipped with a fuel cell system.
  • the fuel cell system includes a fuel cell that generates electricity through electrochemical reaction between fuel gas (hydrogen gas, for example) and oxidant gas (air, for example).
  • the gas filling system 1 includes the gas filling apparatus 2 that is provided in a hydrogen station, for example, and a vehicle 3 supplied with the hydrogen gas from the gas filling apparatus 2 .
  • the gas filling apparatus 2 has clustered cylinders (gas supply source) 11 that store hydrogen gas, a filling nozzle 12 that discharges hydrogen gas into an on-board gas tank 30 , and a gas line 13 that connects the clustered cylinders 11 and the filling nozzle 12 .
  • the filling nozzle 12 which is a part also referred to as a filling coupling, is connected to a receptacle 32 of the vehicle 3 when the hydrogen gas is filled.
  • the filling nozzle 12 and the receptacle 32 constitute a connection unit that connects the gas filling apparatus 2 and the gas tank 30 .
  • the gas line 13 is provided with: a compressor 14 that pressurizes and discharges the hydrogen gas supplied from the clustered cylinders 11 ; an accumulator 15 that stores the hydrogen gas that has been pressurized to a predetermined pressure by the compressor 14 ; a flow rate control valve 16 that controls the flow rate of the hydrogen gas supplied from the accumulator 15 ; a flow meter 17 that measures the flow rate of the hydrogen gas; a precooler 18 that precools the hydrogen gas flowing through the gas line 13 ; and a temperature sensor T that detects the temperature of the hydrogen gas downstream of the precooler 18 , in this order from the clustered cylinders 11 side.
  • the gas filling apparatus 2 includes a communication device 21 , a display device 22 , an ambient temperature sensor 23 , and a controller 24 . Various devices are electrically connected to the controller 24 . Although not illustrated, a cutoff valve that opens the gas line 13 during filling is provided in or downstream of the accumulator 15 .
  • the flow rate control valve 16 is an electrically driven valve and includes a stepping motor, for example, as the driving power source.
  • the degree of opening of the flow rate control valve 16 is changed by the stepping motor according to the command from the controller 24 , so that the flow rate of the hydrogen gas is controlled.
  • the filling flow rate at which the hydrogen gas is filled into the gas tank 30 , is controlled.
  • the thus-controlled filling flow rate is measured by the flow meter 17 and the controller 24 receives the measurement result and feedback-controls the flow rate control valve 16 so as to achieve a desired filling flow rate. It is also possible to use another flow rate controller than the flow rate control valve 16 .
  • the precooler 18 cools the hydrogen gas that is supplied from the accumulator 15 at approximately room temperature, to a predetermined low temperature ( ⁇ 20° C., for example) by heat exchange.
  • the type of the heat exchange in the precooler 18 may be any of the indirect type, the intermediate medium type, and the regenerative type and one of the publicly known structures may be used.
  • the precooler 18 has a pipeline portion, through which the hydrogen gas flows, and in the precooler 18 , the pipeline portion is housed in a container, in which coolant flows, so that heat is exchanged between the hydrogen gas and the coolant.
  • the cooling temperature of the hydrogen gas may be controlled by controlling the amount and the temperature of the coolant supplied to the container. In this way, the temperature of the hydrogen gas cooled by the precooler 18 is detected by the temperature sensor T and the signal indicative of the detection result is supplied to the controller 24 .
  • the communication device 21 has a communication interface for performing wireless communication, such as infrared data communication, for example.
  • the display device 22 displays various pieces of information, such as information on the filling flow rate during filling, on a screen.
  • the display device 22 may be equipped with an operation panel for selecting or specifying the desired filling amount on the display screen.
  • the controller 24 is made up of a microcomputer including a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM) therein.
  • the CPU performs desired calculations according to the control program to perform various processes and control operations.
  • the ROM stores the control program executed by the CPU and control data.
  • the RAM is mainly used as various workspaces for performing control processes.
  • the controller 24 is electrically connected to the clustered cylinders 11 , the compressor 14 , the accumulator 15 , and the precooler 18 , in addition to the communication device 21 etc. that are connected to the controller 24 via control lines expressed by chain lines in FIG. 2 and controls the whole of the gas filling apparatus 2 .
  • the controller 24 transmits the information obtainable in the gas filling apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3 via the communication device 21 .
  • the vehicle 3 includes the gas tank 30 and the receptacle 32 .
  • the gas tank 30 is a fuel gas supply source for supplying fuel to the fuel cell.
  • the gas tank 30 is a high-pressure tank capable of storing hydrogen gas at 35 MPa or 70 MPa, for example.
  • the hydrogen gas in the gas tank 30 is supplied to the fuel cell via the supply pipeline (not shown).
  • the supply of hydrogen gas to the gas tank 30 is performed by the gas filling apparatus 2 via the receptacle 32 and a filling pipeline 34 .
  • the filling pipeline 34 is provided with a check valve 36 for preventing the hydrogen gas from flowing backward, for example.
  • a temperature sensor 40 and a pressure sensor 42 detect the temperature and the pressure, respectively, of the hydrogen gas in the gas tank 30 and are provided in the supply pipeline or the filling pipeline 34 .
  • the vehicle 3 includes: a communication device 44 that transmits and receives various pieces of information to and from the communication device 21 of the gas filling apparatus 2 ; a controller 46 made up of a microcomputer similarly to the controller 24 of the gas filling apparatus 2 ; and a display device 48 that displays various pieces of information on a screen.
  • the communication device 44 is compatible with the communication device 21 and the communication device 44 has a communication interface for performing wireless communication, such as infrared data communication, for example.
  • the communication device 44 is incorporated into the receptacle 32 or is fixed in a lid box of the vehicle 3 so that it is possible to establish communication between the communication devices 44 and 21 in a state where the filling nozzle 12 is connected to the receptacle 32 .
  • the controller 46 receives the results of detection from various sensors including the temperature sensor 40 and the pressure sensor 42 and controls the vehicle 3 .
  • the controller 46 transmits the information obtainable in the vehicle 3 to the gas filling apparatus 2 via the communication device 44 .
  • the display device 48 can be used as part of the car navigation system, for example.
  • the filling nozzle 12 is connected to the receptacle 32 . Then, the gas filling apparatus 2 is activated. Upon the activation, the hydrogen gas stored in the accumulator 15 is cooled by the precooler 18 and then, the hydrogen gas is discharged from the filling nozzle 12 to the gas tank 30 , whereby the hydrogen gas is filled into the gas tank 30 .
  • the gas filling system 1 of the present embodiment controls the filling flow rate according to the temperature of the cooled hydrogen gas.
  • the filling operator connects the filling nozzle 12 to the receptacle 32 and when the filling starting operation is performed, by which the discharge of hydrogen gas from the gas filling apparatus 2 into the gas tank 30 is allowed, filling is started (step S 1 ).
  • the hydrogen gas stored in the accumulator 15 is cooled in the precooler 18 and then discharged into the gas tank 30 .
  • the tank pressure is the pressure of the hydrogen gas in the gas tank 30 and is detected by the pressure sensor 42 .
  • the tank temperature is the temperature of the hydrogen gas in the gas tank 30 and is detected by the temperature sensor 40 .
  • the signals indicative of the results of detection of the tank pressure and the tank temperature are supplied to the controller 46 .
  • the controller 46 transmits the detected values of the tank pressure and the tank temperature to the gas filling apparatus 2 with the use of the communication device 44 .
  • the controller 24 of the gas filling apparatus 2 thus obtains the tank pressure and the tank temperature immediately after starting filling.
  • the precooler temperature is the temperature of the hydrogen gas in the precooler 18 and is detected by the temperature sensor T.
  • the controller 24 that directly receives the signal indicative of the result of detection of the precooler temperature obtains the precooler temperature immediately after starting filling.
  • the controller 24 determines the filling flow rate based on a filling flow rate map stored in the ROM or the like (step S 2 ).
  • the filling flow rate map Ma is a map, in which the vertical axis indicates the tank pressure and the horizontal axis indicates the tank temperature.
  • the filling flow rate map Ma is set for each of a plurality of precooler temperatures (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , which satisfy the relation, T 1 ⁇ T 2 ⁇ T 3 , for example).
  • the controller 24 selects D 4 (m 3 /min) as the filling flow rate, for example.
  • the filling flow rate in the filling flow rate map Ma is a flow rate that enables the hydrogen gas to be filled into the gas tank 30 smoothly at a high speed under given conditions of the tank pressure, the tank temperature, and the precooler temperature. More specifically, each of the filling flow rates in the filling flow rate map Ma is the flow rate that enables a maximum amount of hydrogen gas (the filling amount for a full tank, for example) to be filled in a minimum period of time while the temperature in the gas tank 30 is prevented from reaching a predetermined upper limit value (85° C., for example).
  • the tank pressure is set at intervals of 10 MPa and the tank temperature is set at intervals of 10° C. However, these intervals may be arbitrarily set.
  • the precooler temperature may be arbitrarily set at intervals of 2 to 3° C., 5° C., or 10° C., for example.
  • the filling flow rate may be increased as the tank pressure increases.
  • the filling flow rate may be increased as the tank temperature decreases.
  • the precooler temperature is T 1
  • the filling flow rate H 1 (tank pressure: 80 MPa and tank temperature: ⁇ 30° C.) is the highest and the filling flow rate A 8 (tank pressure: 10 MPa and tank temperature: 40° C.) is the lowest.
  • a reduced filling flow rate is used in the case of a low tank pressure or a high tank temperature in this way, it is possible to complete filling in a minimum period of time while the temperature in the gas tank 30 is prevented from reaching an upper limit value.
  • step S 3 the controller 24 controls the gas filling apparatus 2 so that the filling flow rate is brought to the value that is determined in step S 2 . Specifically, while monitoring the result of measurement by the flow meter 17 , the controller 24 controls the degree of opening of the flow rate control valve 16 so that the filling flow rate is brought to the determined value. In this way, hydrogen gas is filled into the gas tank 30 at a filling flow rate according to the given conditions of the tank pressure, the tank temperature, and the precooler temperature.
  • At least one of the display device 22 of the gas filling apparatus 2 and the display device 48 of the vehicle 3 indicates that the filling is being performed at the filling flow rate determined in step S 2 .
  • the filling operator can confirm that the filling flow rate is being controlled based on the conditions including the precooler temperature, by the indication on at least one of the display devices 22 and 48 of the gas filling system 1 .
  • step S 4 the indication similar to the above indication, that is, the indication that the filling flow rate has been controlled based on the conditions including the precooler temperature, for example, may be given on at least one of the display devices 22 and 48 .
  • the gas filling system 1 it is possible to fill hydrogen gas into the gas tank 30 at a flow rate according to the tank pressure, the tank temperature, and the precooler temperature.
  • the hydrogen gas temperature after cooling varies depending on the power of the precooler
  • this effect can be said as follows: even when the cooling to a certain level is not performed by the precooler 18 yet, there is no need to interrupt or stop the filling operation and there is no need to make the filling operator or the driver wait. In addition, it is possible to fill up a plurality of vehicles 3 consecutively.
  • the precooler temperature is relatively low, by setting the filling flow rate relatively higher, it is possible to perform a smooth filling in a shorter period of time while the temperature of the inside of the gas tank 30 is prevented from exceeding an upper limit temperature.
  • control may be performed after determining the filling flow rate according to the precooler temperature without taking one of or both of the tank pressure and the tank temperature into consideration.
  • the tank pressure and the tank temperature may be estimated when the filling flow rate is determined.
  • the tank pressure and the tank temperature can be estimated with the use of the device(s) on the gas filling apparatus 2 side.
  • a pressure sensor may be provided in the gas line 13 of the gas filling apparatus 2 and the tank pressure may be estimated based on the result of detection by the pressure sensor immediately after starting filling.
  • the tank temperature may be estimated based on the result of detection by the ambient temperature sensor 23 immediately after starting filling.
  • the position of the temperature sensor T that detects the precooler temperature may be changed.
  • the temperature sensor T detects the temperature of the hydrogen gas between the precooler 18 and a point upstream the gas tank 30 .
  • the temperature sensor T may be provided in the receptacle 32 or the filling pipeline 34 on the vehicle 3 side.
  • the temperature sensor T may detect the temperature of the hydrogen gas after being discharged from the gas filling apparatus 2 toward the gas tank 30 .
  • the temperature sensor T may be provided in the filling nozzle 12 and may detect the temperature of the hydrogen gas at the filling nozzle 12 .
  • the number of gas tanks 30 may be plural.
  • the heat radiation varies depending on the mounting position and the amount of discharge from individual gas tanks varies depending on the manner in which the gas is supplied to the fuel cell.
  • the filling flow rate may be determined from the filling flow rate map Ma based on the precooler temperature and the information (tank temperature and tank pressure) on the gas tank whose temperature is the highest or the gas tank whose pressure is the lowest among the plurality of gas tanks. In this way, it is possible to complete filling a predetermined filling amount of gas in a short period of time while preventing the temperature from reaching the upper limit temperature for every gas tank.
  • the tank temperature and the tank pressure of each of the gas tanks may be acquired by providing each of the gas tanks with the temperature sensor 40 and the pressure sensor 42 or may be acquired with the use of one temperature sensor 40 and one pressure sensor 42 in total for all of the gas tanks.
  • the tank temperature and the tank pressure may be acquired by estimation for each of the gas tanks.
  • the gas filling system 1 may be used not only in the case of hydrogen gas but also in the case of a gas whose temperature increases during filling.
  • the gas filling system 1 can be applied not only to the vehicle 3 , but also to a mobile body, such as an air plane, a ship, or a robot, on which a gas tank to be filled with gas supplied from the outside is mounted.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)

Abstract

A gas filling apparatus in the gas filling system includes a precooler for cooling hydrogen gas supplied from the gas supply source (11) and discharges the hydrogen gas cooled by the precooler to fill the hydrogen gas into the gas tank. The temperature of the hydrogen gas cooled by the precooler is detected by a gas temperature sensor that detects, upstream of the gas tank, a temperature of the hydrogen gas cooled by the precooler. A flow rate controller controls a filling flow rate of the hydrogen gas to be filled into the gas tank, based on the detected temperature of the hydrogen gas. For example, when the detected temperature of the hydrogen gas is high, the filling flow rate is reduced as compared to that when the detected temperature of the hydrogen gas is lower.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • 1. Field of the Invention
  • The invention relates to a gas filling system for filling gas via a gas filling apparatus installed in a hydrogen station, for example, into a gas tank mounted on a vehicle, for example.
  • 2. Description of the Related Art
  • At the time of filling fuel gas, a gas-fueled vehicle, on which a gas tank is mounted, such as a fuel cell vehicle, pulls into a gas station and the gas tank is filled with the fuel gas from a filling nozzle of a gas filling apparatus. It is known that when the fuel gas is hydrogen gas, the temperature increases as the fuel gas is filled. A hydrogen gas filling apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-83567 (JP-A-2005-83567) is provided with a cooling means (a so-called precooler) to precool the hydrogen gas by heat exchange with a coolant and the cooled hydrogen gas is filled into the gas tank, so that the time for filling up is reduced. In the hydrogen gas filling apparatus, in order to prevent the occurrence of condensation when the hydrogen gas is over-cooled, the supply pressure of the hydrogen gas is detected and the flow rate and the temperature of the coolant supplied to the cooling means is controlled based on the results of detection.
  • However, when a plurality of fuel cell vehicles are consecutively filled up, for example, there is a possibility that the flow rate etc. of the coolant supplied to the cooling means is not appropriately controlled and the temperature of the coolant in the cooling means exceeds a predetermined temperature. When as a result the hydrogen gas that has not been appropriately cooled is filled into the gas tank, there is a fear that the temperature in the gas tank increases and reaches the design temperature (85° C., for example) before the completion of filling up. On the other hand, when the filling is stopped because of the insufficient cooling, there is a fear of making the driver wait.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The invention provides a gas filling system and a gas filling apparatus capable of optimizing the filling of a gas tank with gas via a gas filling apparatus equipped with a cooling device.
  • A gas filling system according to the invention includes: a gas tank; a gas filling apparatus, including a cooling device for cooling gas supplied from a gas supply source, that discharges the gas cooled by the cooling device to fill the gas into the gas tank; a gas temperature sensor that detects, upstream of the gas tank, a temperature of the gas cooled by the cooling device; and a flow rate controller that controls a filling flow rate of the gas to be filled into the gas tank, based on the temperature of the gas detected by the gas temperature sensor.
  • A gas filling apparatus according to the invention includes a cooling device for cooling gas supplied from a gas supply source and discharges the gas cooled by the cooling device to fill the gas into the gas tank. The gas filling apparatus is characterized by further including: a gas temperature sensor that detects, upstream of the gas tank, a temperature of the gas cooled by the cooling device; and a flow rate controller that controls a filling flow rate of the gas to be filled into the gas tank, based on the temperature of the gas detected by the gas temperature sensor.
  • According to the invention, the filling flow rate is varied based on the temperature of the gas cooled by the cooling device, so that it is possible to perform optimum filling according to the cooling power of the cooling device. Thus, it is possible to fill a predetermined filling amount of gas (both in the case of the filling amount for a full tank and in the case of the filling amount for a specified filling level) into the gas tank in a minimum period of time while maintaining the inside of the gas tank stable.
  • The flow rate controller may control the filling flow rate so that the filling flow rate is reduced as the temperature of the gas increases. Thus, it is made possible to complete filling a predetermined filling amount of gas in a short period of time while preventing the temperature in the gas tank from reaching the design temperature when the temperature of the gas is high because of the consecutive filling, for example. On the other hand, when the temperature of the gas is low, it is possible to complete filling a predetermined amount of gas in a shorter period of time than in the case of a higher gas temperature.
  • The gas filling system may further include a gas tank sensor that acquires information concerning the inside of the gas tank and the flow rate controller may control the filling flow rate based also on the information acquired by the gas tank sensor. With this configuration, it is possible to perform filling according to the state in the gas tank that is the subject to be filled. In addition, because the information in the gas tank is acquired, it is possible to perform control of the filling flow rate with higher accuracy as compared to the case where such information is estimated.
  • The gas tank sensor may include at least one of a gas tank temperature sensor and a gas tank pressure sensor. With this configuration, when it is detected that the temperature in the gas tank is high, for example, it is possible to suppress further increase in the temperature in the gas tank by reducing the filling flow rate.
  • The gas filling system may include a plurality of the gas tanks, the gas tank sensor may acquire the information for each of the gas tanks, and the flow rate controller may control the filling flow rate based on the information on the gas tank, in which a temperature is the highest, or on the information on the gas tank, in which a pressure is the lowest, among pieces of the information acquired by the gas tank sensors. With this configuration, it is possible to complete filling a predetermined filling amount of gas in a short period of time while preventing the temperature of all the gas tanks from reaching the design temperature.
  • The gas temperature sensor may detect the temperature of the gas in the cooling device. With this configuration, it is possible to optimize the filling based on the temperature of the gas in the cooling device.
  • The gas temperature sensor may detect the temperature of the gas after being discharged from the gas filling apparatus into the gas tank. With this configuration, it becomes unnecessary to take account of the influence of the disturbance in the gas filling apparatus with regard to the detected value of the temperature of the gas that has been cooled. In other words, it is possible to detect the temperature of the gas immediately before being filled that most affects the state in the gas tank and therefore, it is possible to control the filling flow rate with high accuracy.
  • The gas filling system may further include a connection unit for connecting the gas tank and the gas filling apparatus at the time of filling and the gas temperature sensor may detect the temperature of the gas at the connection unit. With this configuration, similarly to the above case, it is possible to minimize the influence of the disturbance on the detected value of the temperature of the gas that has been cooled. In addition, it is possible to increase the applicability, that is, for example, it is possible to utilize the connection unit to install the gas temperature sensor.
  • The connection unit may include a receptacle on the gas tank side and a filling nozzle on the gas filling apparatus side that is connected to the receptacle, and the gas temperature sensor may detect the temperature of the gas at the filling nozzle or at the receptacle.
  • The gas filling system of the invention may further include a display device that displays an indication that the filling flow rate is being controlled based on the temperature of the gas detected by the gas temperature sensor or an indication that the filling flow rate has been controlled based on the temperature of the gas detected by the gas temperature sensor. In this case, the display device may be provided in the gas filling apparatus or in a mobile body, on which the gas tank is mounted. With this configuration, it is possible to visually confirm that optimum filling according to the cooling power of the cooling device is being performed or has been performed in the gas filling apparatus or in the mobile body.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • The foregoing and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of example embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals are used to represent like elements and wherein:
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a gas filling system according to an embodiment;
  • FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the gas filling system according to the embodiment;
  • FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a flow of a filling operation in the gas filling system according to the embodiment; and
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a filling flow rate map used in the filling operation according to the embodiment.
    •  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
  • A gas filling system according to an example embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. An example of the gas filling system will be herein described, in which hydrogen gas is filled, via a gas filling apparatus, into a gas tank of a fuel cell vehicle equipped with a fuel cell system. As generally known, the fuel cell system includes a fuel cell that generates electricity through electrochemical reaction between fuel gas (hydrogen gas, for example) and oxidant gas (air, for example).
  • As shown in FIG. 1, the gas filling system 1 includes the gas filling apparatus 2 that is provided in a hydrogen station, for example, and a vehicle 3 supplied with the hydrogen gas from the gas filling apparatus 2.
  • As shown in FIG. 2, the gas filling apparatus 2 has clustered cylinders (gas supply source) 11 that store hydrogen gas, a filling nozzle 12 that discharges hydrogen gas into an on-board gas tank 30, and a gas line 13 that connects the clustered cylinders 11 and the filling nozzle 12. The filling nozzle 12, which is a part also referred to as a filling coupling, is connected to a receptacle 32 of the vehicle 3 when the hydrogen gas is filled. The filling nozzle 12 and the receptacle 32 constitute a connection unit that connects the gas filling apparatus 2 and the gas tank 30.
  • The gas line 13 is provided with: a compressor 14 that pressurizes and discharges the hydrogen gas supplied from the clustered cylinders 11; an accumulator 15 that stores the hydrogen gas that has been pressurized to a predetermined pressure by the compressor 14; a flow rate control valve 16 that controls the flow rate of the hydrogen gas supplied from the accumulator 15; a flow meter 17 that measures the flow rate of the hydrogen gas; a precooler 18 that precools the hydrogen gas flowing through the gas line 13; and a temperature sensor T that detects the temperature of the hydrogen gas downstream of the precooler 18, in this order from the clustered cylinders 11 side. The gas filling apparatus 2 includes a communication device 21, a display device 22, an ambient temperature sensor 23, and a controller 24. Various devices are electrically connected to the controller 24. Although not illustrated, a cutoff valve that opens the gas line 13 during filling is provided in or downstream of the accumulator 15.
  • The flow rate control valve 16 is an electrically driven valve and includes a stepping motor, for example, as the driving power source. The degree of opening of the flow rate control valve 16 is changed by the stepping motor according to the command from the controller 24, so that the flow rate of the hydrogen gas is controlled. In this way, the filling flow rate, at which the hydrogen gas is filled into the gas tank 30, is controlled. The thus-controlled filling flow rate is measured by the flow meter 17 and the controller 24 receives the measurement result and feedback-controls the flow rate control valve 16 so as to achieve a desired filling flow rate. It is also possible to use another flow rate controller than the flow rate control valve 16.
  • The precooler 18 cools the hydrogen gas that is supplied from the accumulator 15 at approximately room temperature, to a predetermined low temperature (−20° C., for example) by heat exchange. The type of the heat exchange in the precooler 18 may be any of the indirect type, the intermediate medium type, and the regenerative type and one of the publicly known structures may be used. For example, the precooler 18 has a pipeline portion, through which the hydrogen gas flows, and in the precooler 18, the pipeline portion is housed in a container, in which coolant flows, so that heat is exchanged between the hydrogen gas and the coolant. In this case, the cooling temperature of the hydrogen gas may be controlled by controlling the amount and the temperature of the coolant supplied to the container. In this way, the temperature of the hydrogen gas cooled by the precooler 18 is detected by the temperature sensor T and the signal indicative of the detection result is supplied to the controller 24.
  • The communication device 21 has a communication interface for performing wireless communication, such as infrared data communication, for example. The display device 22 displays various pieces of information, such as information on the filling flow rate during filling, on a screen. The display device 22 may be equipped with an operation panel for selecting or specifying the desired filling amount on the display screen.
  • The controller 24 is made up of a microcomputer including a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM) therein. The CPU performs desired calculations according to the control program to perform various processes and control operations. The ROM stores the control program executed by the CPU and control data. The RAM is mainly used as various workspaces for performing control processes. The controller 24 is electrically connected to the clustered cylinders 11, the compressor 14, the accumulator 15, and the precooler 18, in addition to the communication device 21 etc. that are connected to the controller 24 via control lines expressed by chain lines in FIG. 2 and controls the whole of the gas filling apparatus 2. In addition, the controller 24 transmits the information obtainable in the gas filling apparatus 2 to the vehicle 3 via the communication device 21.
  • The vehicle 3 includes the gas tank 30 and the receptacle 32. The gas tank 30 is a fuel gas supply source for supplying fuel to the fuel cell. The gas tank 30 is a high-pressure tank capable of storing hydrogen gas at 35 MPa or 70 MPa, for example. The hydrogen gas in the gas tank 30 is supplied to the fuel cell via the supply pipeline (not shown). The supply of hydrogen gas to the gas tank 30 is performed by the gas filling apparatus 2 via the receptacle 32 and a filling pipeline 34. The filling pipeline 34 is provided with a check valve 36 for preventing the hydrogen gas from flowing backward, for example. A temperature sensor 40 and a pressure sensor 42 detect the temperature and the pressure, respectively, of the hydrogen gas in the gas tank 30 and are provided in the supply pipeline or the filling pipeline 34.
  • The vehicle 3 includes: a communication device 44 that transmits and receives various pieces of information to and from the communication device 21 of the gas filling apparatus 2; a controller 46 made up of a microcomputer similarly to the controller 24 of the gas filling apparatus 2; and a display device 48 that displays various pieces of information on a screen. The communication device 44 is compatible with the communication device 21 and the communication device 44 has a communication interface for performing wireless communication, such as infrared data communication, for example. The communication device 44 is incorporated into the receptacle 32 or is fixed in a lid box of the vehicle 3 so that it is possible to establish communication between the communication devices 44 and 21 in a state where the filling nozzle 12 is connected to the receptacle 32. The controller 46 receives the results of detection from various sensors including the temperature sensor 40 and the pressure sensor 42 and controls the vehicle 3. The controller 46 transmits the information obtainable in the vehicle 3 to the gas filling apparatus 2 via the communication device 44. The display device 48 can be used as part of the car navigation system, for example.
  • In the above-described gas filling system 1, when hydrogen gas is filled into the gas tank 30 of the vehicle 3, first, the filling nozzle 12 is connected to the receptacle 32. Then, the gas filling apparatus 2 is activated. Upon the activation, the hydrogen gas stored in the accumulator 15 is cooled by the precooler 18 and then, the hydrogen gas is discharged from the filling nozzle 12 to the gas tank 30, whereby the hydrogen gas is filled into the gas tank 30. The gas filling system 1 of the present embodiment controls the filling flow rate according to the temperature of the cooled hydrogen gas.
  • Next, with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 3, the control of the filling flow rate in the gas filling system 1 will be described.
  • First, the filling operator connects the filling nozzle 12 to the receptacle 32 and when the filling starting operation is performed, by which the discharge of hydrogen gas from the gas filling apparatus 2 into the gas tank 30 is allowed, filling is started (step S1). Thus, the hydrogen gas stored in the accumulator 15 is cooled in the precooler 18 and then discharged into the gas tank 30.
  • Immediately after starting filling, the tank pressure, the tank temperature, and the precooler temperature are read in. The tank pressure is the pressure of the hydrogen gas in the gas tank 30 and is detected by the pressure sensor 42. The tank temperature is the temperature of the hydrogen gas in the gas tank 30 and is detected by the temperature sensor 40. The signals indicative of the results of detection of the tank pressure and the tank temperature are supplied to the controller 46. The controller 46 transmits the detected values of the tank pressure and the tank temperature to the gas filling apparatus 2 with the use of the communication device 44. The controller 24 of the gas filling apparatus 2 thus obtains the tank pressure and the tank temperature immediately after starting filling. The precooler temperature is the temperature of the hydrogen gas in the precooler 18 and is detected by the temperature sensor T. The controller 24 that directly receives the signal indicative of the result of detection of the precooler temperature obtains the precooler temperature immediately after starting filling.
  • After receiving these three pieces of information, the controller 24 determines the filling flow rate based on a filling flow rate map stored in the ROM or the like (step S2). The filling flow rate map Ma, examples of which are shown in FIG. 4, is a map, in which the vertical axis indicates the tank pressure and the horizontal axis indicates the tank temperature. The filling flow rate map Ma is set for each of a plurality of precooler temperatures (T1, T2, T3, which satisfy the relation, T1<T2<T3, for example). When the detected precooler temperature is T1, the tank pressure is 40 MPa, and the tank temperature is 0° C., for example, the controller 24 selects D4 (m3/min) as the filling flow rate, for example.
  • The filling flow rate in the filling flow rate map Ma is a flow rate that enables the hydrogen gas to be filled into the gas tank 30 smoothly at a high speed under given conditions of the tank pressure, the tank temperature, and the precooler temperature. More specifically, each of the filling flow rates in the filling flow rate map Ma is the flow rate that enables a maximum amount of hydrogen gas (the filling amount for a full tank, for example) to be filled in a minimum period of time while the temperature in the gas tank 30 is prevented from reaching a predetermined upper limit value (85° C., for example). In the filling flow rate map Ma, the tank pressure is set at intervals of 10 MPa and the tank temperature is set at intervals of 10° C. However, these intervals may be arbitrarily set. Also the precooler temperature may be arbitrarily set at intervals of 2 to 3° C., 5° C., or 10° C., for example.
  • Two points concerning the order of the values of the filling flow rate in the filling flow rate map Ma will now be described. First, when the conditions of the tank pressure and the tank temperature are the same, the higher the precooler temperature is, the lower the value of the filling flow rate is. When the tank pressure is 40 MPa and the tank temperature is 0° C., for example, the filling flow rate at the precooler temperature T2 is lower than the filling flow rate D4 at the precooler temperature T1. When such a reduced filling flow rate is used, it is possible to complete filling in a minimum period of time while the temperature in the gas tank 30 is prevented from reaching an upper limit value even when the precooler temperature is increasing because of the consecutive filling.
  • Second, when the precooler temperature is the same, the filling flow rate may be increased as the tank pressure increases. In this case, the filling flow rate may be increased as the tank temperature decreases. For example, when the precooler temperature is T1, among the filling flow rates A1 to H8 in the filling flow rate map Ma, the filling flow rate H1 (tank pressure: 80 MPa and tank temperature: −30° C.) is the highest and the filling flow rate A8 (tank pressure: 10 MPa and tank temperature: 40° C.) is the lowest. When a reduced filling flow rate is used in the case of a low tank pressure or a high tank temperature in this way, it is possible to complete filling in a minimum period of time while the temperature in the gas tank 30 is prevented from reaching an upper limit value.
  • In step S3, the controller 24 controls the gas filling apparatus 2 so that the filling flow rate is brought to the value that is determined in step S2. Specifically, while monitoring the result of measurement by the flow meter 17, the controller 24 controls the degree of opening of the flow rate control valve 16 so that the filling flow rate is brought to the determined value. In this way, hydrogen gas is filled into the gas tank 30 at a filling flow rate according to the given conditions of the tank pressure, the tank temperature, and the precooler temperature.
  • During the filling, at least one of the display device 22 of the gas filling apparatus 2 and the display device 48 of the vehicle 3 indicates that the filling is being performed at the filling flow rate determined in step S2. In other words, the filling operator can confirm that the filling flow rate is being controlled based on the conditions including the precooler temperature, by the indication on at least one of the display devices 22 and 48 of the gas filling system 1.
  • Thereafter, when a predetermined filling amount of gas (the amount of gas to be filled that is specified by the filling operator or the filling amount for a full tank) has been filled into the gas tank 30, the supply of hydrogen gas from the gas filling apparatus 2 is stopped and the filling is ended (step S4). Also after the completion of the filling or only after the completion of the filling, the indication similar to the above indication, that is, the indication that the filling flow rate has been controlled based on the conditions including the precooler temperature, for example, may be given on at least one of the display devices 22 and 48.
  • According to the gas filling system 1 according to this embodiment described above, it is possible to fill hydrogen gas into the gas tank 30 at a flow rate according to the tank pressure, the tank temperature, and the precooler temperature. In particular, although there is a case where the hydrogen gas temperature after cooling varies depending on the power of the precooler, according to this embodiment, it is possible to detect the precooler temperature and control the filling flow rate according to the detected precooler temperature. Thus, it is made possible to perform optimum filling according to the cooling power of the precooler 18 and it is therefore possible to fill a predetermined filling amount of gas into the gas tank 30 in a minimum period of time while maintaining the inside of the gas tank 30 stable.
  • As described above, for example, when control is performed so that the filling flow rate is reduced as the precooler temperature increases, it is possible to ensure a smooth, high-speed filling while the temperature of the inside of the gas tank 30 is prevented from exceeding an upper limit temperature. In other words, this effect can be said as follows: even when the cooling to a certain level is not performed by the precooler 18 yet, there is no need to interrupt or stop the filling operation and there is no need to make the filling operator or the driver wait. In addition, it is possible to fill up a plurality of vehicles 3 consecutively. On the other hand, when the precooler temperature is relatively low, by setting the filling flow rate relatively higher, it is possible to perform a smooth filling in a shorter period of time while the temperature of the inside of the gas tank 30 is prevented from exceeding an upper limit temperature.
  • In addition, because the information concerning the inside of the gas tank 30, that is, the tank pressure and the tank temperature, is actually acquired in order to determine the filling flow rate, it is possible to determine the more optimal filling flow rate as compared to the case where these values are estimated. In an alternative embodiment, control may be performed after determining the filling flow rate according to the precooler temperature without taking one of or both of the tank pressure and the tank temperature into consideration.
    • <Modifications>
  • Next, some modifications of the gas filling system 1 of the embodiment will be described. Each modification can be applied to the embodiment either alone or in combination with another modification.
  • In a first modification, the tank pressure and the tank temperature may be estimated when the filling flow rate is determined. In this case, the tank pressure and the tank temperature can be estimated with the use of the device(s) on the gas filling apparatus 2 side. For example, with regard to the tank pressure, a pressure sensor may be provided in the gas line 13 of the gas filling apparatus 2 and the tank pressure may be estimated based on the result of detection by the pressure sensor immediately after starting filling. On the other hand, the tank temperature may be estimated based on the result of detection by the ambient temperature sensor 23 immediately after starting filling. Such a method using the estimation is useful in the case where neither the gas filling apparatus 2 nor the vehicle 3 is provided with the communication means (the communication devices 21 and 44 described above).
  • In a second modification, the position of the temperature sensor T that detects the precooler temperature may be changed. In order to optimize the filing flow rate according to the temperature of the hydrogen gas after being cooled by passing through the precooler 18, it suffices that the temperature sensor T detects the temperature of the hydrogen gas between the precooler 18 and a point upstream the gas tank 30. Thus, the temperature sensor T may be provided in the receptacle 32 or the filling pipeline 34 on the vehicle 3 side. Alternatively, the temperature sensor T may detect the temperature of the hydrogen gas after being discharged from the gas filling apparatus 2 toward the gas tank 30. In another embodiment, the temperature sensor T may be provided in the filling nozzle 12 and may detect the temperature of the hydrogen gas at the filling nozzle 12.
  • When the detection by the temperature sensor T is performed at such a position, there is no need to consider the influence of the disturbance within the gas filling apparatus 2 on the detection value of the temperature of the cooled hydrogen gas. In other words, when the distance between the precooler 18 and the filling nozzle 12 is large, at the filling nozzle 12, the temperature of the hydrogen gas that has been cooled in the precooler 18 can exceed the temperature immediately downstream of the precooler 18 because of reception of heat in the piping of the gas line 13. However, when the hydrogen gas temperature is detected at a position downstream of the filling nozzle 12, such an influence can be avoided and it is possible to detect the temperature of the hydrogen gas immediately before being filled that influences the state of the inside of the gas tank 30 most. Thus, it is possible to control the filling flow rate more accurately.
  • In a third modification, the number of gas tanks 30 may be plural. When a plurality of gas tanks are mounted on the vehicle 3, the heat radiation varies depending on the mounting position and the amount of discharge from individual gas tanks varies depending on the manner in which the gas is supplied to the fuel cell. Thus, when there are a plurality of gas tanks 30, the filling flow rate may be determined from the filling flow rate map Ma based on the precooler temperature and the information (tank temperature and tank pressure) on the gas tank whose temperature is the highest or the gas tank whose pressure is the lowest among the plurality of gas tanks. In this way, it is possible to complete filling a predetermined filling amount of gas in a short period of time while preventing the temperature from reaching the upper limit temperature for every gas tank.
  • In the case of the third modification, the tank temperature and the tank pressure of each of the gas tanks may be acquired by providing each of the gas tanks with the temperature sensor 40 and the pressure sensor 42 or may be acquired with the use of one temperature sensor 40 and one pressure sensor 42 in total for all of the gas tanks. Alternatively, as described in connection with the second modification, the tank temperature and the tank pressure may be acquired by estimation for each of the gas tanks.
  • The gas filling system 1 according to the invention may be used not only in the case of hydrogen gas but also in the case of a gas whose temperature increases during filling. In addition, the gas filling system 1 can be applied not only to the vehicle 3, but also to a mobile body, such as an air plane, a ship, or a robot, on which a gas tank to be filled with gas supplied from the outside is mounted.
  • The invention has been described with reference to example embodiments for illustrative purposes only. It should be understood that the description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit form of the invention and that the invention may be adapted for use in other systems and applications. The scope of the invention embraces various modifications and equivalent arrangements that may be conceived by one skilled in the art.

Claims (15)

1. A gas filling system comprising:
a gas tank;
a gas filling apparatus, including a cooling device for cooling gas supplied from a gas supply source, that discharges the gas cooled by the cooling device to fill the gas into the gas tank;
a gas tank sensor that acquires information concerning the inside of the gas tank;
a gas temperature sensor that detects, upstream of the gas tank, a temperature of the gas cooled by the cooling device; and
a flow rate controller that controls a filling flow rate of the gas to be filled into the gas tank, based on the temperature of the gas detected by the gas temperature sensor and the information obtained by the gas tank sensor.
2. The gas filling system according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate controller controls the filling flow rate so that the filling flow rate is reduced as the temperature of the gas increases.
3. (canceled)
4. The gas filling system according to claim 1, wherein the gas tank sensor includes at least one of a gas tank temperature sensor and a gas tank pressure sensor.
5. The gas filling system according to claim 1, wherein:
the gas filling system includes a plurality of the gas tanks;
the gas tank sensor acquires the information for each of the gas tanks; and
the flow rate controller controls the filling flow rate based on the information on the gas tank, in which a temperature is the highest, or on the information on the gas tank, in which a pressure is the lowest, among pieces of the information acquired by the gas tank sensors.
6. The gas filling system according to claim 1, wherein the gas temperature sensor detects the temperature of the gas in the cooling device.
7. The gas filling system according to claim 1, wherein the gas temperature sensor detects the temperature of the gas after being discharged from the gas filling apparatus to the gas tank.
8. The gas filling system according to claim 1, further comprising a connection unit for connecting the gas tank and the gas filling apparatus at the time of filling,
wherein the gas temperature sensor detects the temperature of the gas at the connection unit.
9. The gas filling system according to claim 8, wherein:
the connection unit includes a receptacle on the gas tank side and a filling nozzle on the gas filling apparatus side that is connected to the receptacle; and
the gas temperature sensor detects the temperature of the gas at the filling nozzle.
10. The gas filling system according to claim 8, wherein:
the connection unit includes a receptacle on the gas tank side and a filling nozzle on the gas filling apparatus side that is connected to the receptacle; and
the gas temperature sensor detects the temperature of the gas at the receptacle.
11. The gas filling system according to claim 1, further comprising a display device that displays an indication that the filling flow rate is being controlled based on the temperature of the gas detected by the gas temperature sensor or an indication that the filling flow rate has been controlled based on the temperature of the gas detected by the gas temperature sensor.
12. The gas filling system according to claim 11, wherein the display device is provided in the gas filling apparatus.
13. The gas filling system according to claim 11, wherein the display device is provided in a mobile body, on which the gas tank is mounted.
14. A gas filling apparatus, including a cooling device for cooling gas supplied from a gas supply source, that discharges the gas cooled by the cooling device to fill the gas into the gas tank, the gas filling apparatus comprising:
a gas tank information acquisition portion that acquires information concerning the inside of the gas tank;
a gas temperature sensor that detects, upstream of the gas tank, a temperature of the gas cooled by the cooling device; and
a flow rate controller that controls a filling flow rate of the gas to be filled into the gas tank, based on the temperature of the gas detected by the gas temperature sensor and the information obtained by the gas tank information acquisition portion.
15. A method for controlling filling of gas supplied from a gas supply source into a gas tank, comprising:
detecting, upstream of the gas tank, a temperature of the gas cooled by a cooling device;
acquiring information concerning the inside of the gas tank; and
controlling a filling flow rate of the gas to be filled into the gas tank, based on the detected temperature of the gas and the information on the inside of the gas tank.
US13/387,673 2009-07-30 2010-06-17 Gas filling system and gas filling apparatus Abandoned US20120125480A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2009-177499 2009-07-30
JP2009177499A JP5489573B2 (en) 2009-07-30 2009-07-30 Gas filling system and gas filling device
PCT/IB2010/001470 WO2011012939A1 (en) 2009-07-30 2010-06-17 Gas filling system and gas filling apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20120125480A1 true US20120125480A1 (en) 2012-05-24

Family

ID=42359543

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/387,673 Abandoned US20120125480A1 (en) 2009-07-30 2010-06-17 Gas filling system and gas filling apparatus

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20120125480A1 (en)
JP (1) JP5489573B2 (en)
CN (1) CN102472432A (en)
DE (1) DE112010003103T5 (en)
WO (1) WO2011012939A1 (en)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120125482A1 (en) * 2009-07-30 2012-05-24 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Gas filling system
US20120216910A1 (en) * 2009-11-16 2012-08-30 Shusuke Inagi Gas charging apparatus and gas charging method
US20130008558A1 (en) * 2011-07-08 2013-01-10 Cajiga Jose A System, apparatus and method for the cold-weather storage of gaseous fuel
US20130197777A1 (en) * 2011-12-07 2013-08-01 Todd Sloan Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling fuel systems
US20130244124A1 (en) * 2012-03-19 2013-09-19 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Moving body
US20140196814A1 (en) * 2011-04-26 2014-07-17 Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.) Hydrogen station
EP2682664A3 (en) * 2012-07-06 2015-03-11 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Method for dispensing a gas
US9016329B2 (en) 2009-11-18 2015-04-28 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Gas filling system, gas filling method, and vehicle
US20150377416A1 (en) * 2014-06-26 2015-12-31 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha System for controlling gas supply unit
FR3027999A1 (en) * 2014-11-05 2016-05-06 H2Nova HYDROGEN GAS SUPPLY STATION AND ASSOCIATED METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE MASS FLOW OF GASEOUS HYDROGEN WITH ACCURATE PRECISION
US20160290562A1 (en) * 2015-04-02 2016-10-06 Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.) Compressor unit and gas supply apparatus
US9759383B2 (en) 2011-07-08 2017-09-12 Capat Llc Multi-stage compression and storage system for use with municipal gaseous supply
US20180266633A1 (en) * 2017-03-15 2018-09-20 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle and method for filling fuel gas
US20220136654A1 (en) * 2019-07-03 2022-05-05 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Device and method for filling tanks
US11499677B2 (en) * 2016-04-22 2022-11-15 Tatsuno Corporation Gas filling apparatus
WO2024104679A1 (en) * 2022-11-14 2024-05-23 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method for operating a fuel gas tank system, and control device

Families Citing this family (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011013214A1 (en) 2009-07-29 2011-02-03 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Gas filling system
JP5489752B2 (en) * 2010-01-29 2014-05-14 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Gas filling system and vehicle
JP5839545B2 (en) * 2011-04-26 2016-01-06 株式会社神戸製鋼所 Hydrogen station
JP6083535B2 (en) * 2014-03-11 2017-02-22 株式会社タツノ Hydrogen filling device
DE102014211503A1 (en) * 2014-06-16 2015-12-17 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Monitoring device for a pressure tank and pressure tank
JP2016217468A (en) * 2015-05-21 2016-12-22 日立オートモティブシステムズメジャメント株式会社 Hydrogen gas filling device
CN108883843A (en) * 2015-11-25 2018-11-23 克里蒂尔系统公司 Gas management system and controller
EP3211288B1 (en) 2016-02-26 2023-10-25 Nel Hydrogen A/S A control system for a hydrogen refuelling station
EP3211289B1 (en) 2016-02-26 2021-12-15 Nel Hydrogen A/S Communication/control system for a hydrogen refuelling system
JP6699966B2 (en) * 2016-03-31 2020-05-27 トキコシステムソリューションズ株式会社 Fuel gas filling device
JP6332705B2 (en) * 2016-06-16 2018-05-30 株式会社タツノ Hydrogen filling device
JP6709138B2 (en) * 2016-09-29 2020-06-10 トキコシステムソリューションズ株式会社 Gas filling device
DE102016220146A1 (en) * 2016-10-14 2018-04-19 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Method for operating at least one cryogenic pressure vessel and pressure vessel
JP6845918B2 (en) * 2017-03-22 2021-03-24 岩谷産業株式会社 Hydrogen gas supply device and its method
WO2022073960A1 (en) 2020-10-06 2022-04-14 Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. Portable hydrogen supply equipment and methods therein
KR102601814B1 (en) * 2021-12-20 2023-11-15 주식회사 에이치투넷 Hydrogen charging system for fuel cell electric vehicle

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5628349A (en) * 1995-01-25 1997-05-13 Pinnacle Cng Systems, Llc System and method for dispensing pressurized gas
US6619336B2 (en) * 2002-02-14 2003-09-16 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. System and method for dispensing pressurized gas
US7896036B2 (en) * 2005-02-16 2011-03-01 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Fuel device, vehicle, fuel filling device, and fuel filling system
US20120000574A1 (en) * 2009-07-29 2012-01-05 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Gas filling ystem
US8365777B2 (en) * 2008-02-20 2013-02-05 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Compressor fill method and apparatus
US8708005B2 (en) * 2009-07-30 2014-04-29 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Gas filling system

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4490557B2 (en) * 2000-06-09 2010-06-30 本田技研工業株式会社 Rapid hydrogen filling method
JP2004116619A (en) * 2002-09-25 2004-04-15 Nippon Sanso Corp Fuel filling apparatus and method
EP1593905A2 (en) * 2002-09-25 2005-11-09 Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation Apparatus and method for filling a fuel tank with a compressed gas like hydrogen by controlling flow and temperatrure
JP2005083567A (en) 2003-09-11 2005-03-31 Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corp Fuel filling device and method
WO2006006715A1 (en) * 2004-07-13 2006-01-19 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Fuel resupply facility, fuel resupply system, and method for resupplying fuel
JP4575140B2 (en) * 2004-12-24 2010-11-04 株式会社豊田自動織機 Hydrogen storage material deterioration detection device for hydrogen storage tank, hydrogen storage material deterioration detection method for hydrogen storage tank, and hydrogen storage supply system
JP2006226511A (en) * 2005-02-21 2006-08-31 Nissan Motor Co Ltd Fuel cell vehicle system
JP2006316817A (en) * 2005-05-10 2006-11-24 Jfe Engineering Kk Hydrogen feed method and hydrogen feed device
JP4753696B2 (en) * 2005-11-29 2011-08-24 本田技研工業株式会社 Hydrogen filling device
FR2896028B1 (en) * 2006-01-06 2008-07-04 Air Liquide METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FILLING GAS CONTAINERS UNDER PRESSURE
DE102006034791A1 (en) * 2006-07-27 2008-01-31 Linde Ag Method and apparatus for refueling a pressure accumulator, in particular the pressure accumulator of a vehicle with pressurized hydrogen
JP2011017406A (en) * 2009-07-10 2011-01-27 Toyota Motor Corp Hydrogen filling system, hydrogen filling method, movable body, and hydrogen filling device

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5628349A (en) * 1995-01-25 1997-05-13 Pinnacle Cng Systems, Llc System and method for dispensing pressurized gas
US6619336B2 (en) * 2002-02-14 2003-09-16 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. System and method for dispensing pressurized gas
US7896036B2 (en) * 2005-02-16 2011-03-01 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Fuel device, vehicle, fuel filling device, and fuel filling system
US8365777B2 (en) * 2008-02-20 2013-02-05 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Compressor fill method and apparatus
US20120000574A1 (en) * 2009-07-29 2012-01-05 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Gas filling ystem
US20130340888A1 (en) * 2009-07-29 2013-12-26 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Gas filling ystem
US8708005B2 (en) * 2009-07-30 2014-04-29 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Gas filling system

Cited By (28)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120125482A1 (en) * 2009-07-30 2012-05-24 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Gas filling system
US8708005B2 (en) * 2009-07-30 2014-04-29 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Gas filling system
US20120216910A1 (en) * 2009-11-16 2012-08-30 Shusuke Inagi Gas charging apparatus and gas charging method
US8534327B2 (en) * 2009-11-16 2013-09-17 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Gas charging apparatus and gas charging method
US9016329B2 (en) 2009-11-18 2015-04-28 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Gas filling system, gas filling method, and vehicle
US20140196814A1 (en) * 2011-04-26 2014-07-17 Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.) Hydrogen station
US9435488B2 (en) * 2011-04-26 2016-09-06 Kobe Steel, Ltd. Hydrogen station
US9234627B2 (en) * 2011-07-08 2016-01-12 Jose A. Cajiga System, apparatus and method for the cold-weather storage of gaseous fuel
US20130008558A1 (en) * 2011-07-08 2013-01-10 Cajiga Jose A System, apparatus and method for the cold-weather storage of gaseous fuel
US9759383B2 (en) 2011-07-08 2017-09-12 Capat Llc Multi-stage compression and storage system for use with municipal gaseous supply
US10865732B2 (en) 2011-12-07 2020-12-15 Agility Fuel Systems Llc Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling fuel systems
US9850845B2 (en) * 2011-12-07 2017-12-26 Agility Fuel Systems, Inc. Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling fuel systems
US20130197777A1 (en) * 2011-12-07 2013-08-01 Todd Sloan Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling fuel systems
US10215127B2 (en) * 2011-12-07 2019-02-26 Agility Fuel Systems Llc Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling fuel systems
US20130244124A1 (en) * 2012-03-19 2013-09-19 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Moving body
US9114781B2 (en) * 2012-03-19 2015-08-25 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Moving body
EP2682664A3 (en) * 2012-07-06 2015-03-11 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Method for dispensing a gas
US9261238B2 (en) 2012-07-06 2016-02-16 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Method for dispensing a gas
US10443784B2 (en) * 2014-06-26 2019-10-15 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha System for controlling gas supply unit
US20150377416A1 (en) * 2014-06-26 2015-12-31 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha System for controlling gas supply unit
FR3027999A1 (en) * 2014-11-05 2016-05-06 H2Nova HYDROGEN GAS SUPPLY STATION AND ASSOCIATED METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE MASS FLOW OF GASEOUS HYDROGEN WITH ACCURATE PRECISION
US20160290562A1 (en) * 2015-04-02 2016-10-06 Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.) Compressor unit and gas supply apparatus
US10473268B2 (en) * 2015-04-02 2019-11-12 Kobe Steel, Ltd. Compressor unit and gas supply apparatus
US11499677B2 (en) * 2016-04-22 2022-11-15 Tatsuno Corporation Gas filling apparatus
US20180266633A1 (en) * 2017-03-15 2018-09-20 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle and method for filling fuel gas
US10995913B2 (en) * 2017-03-15 2021-05-04 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle and method for filling fuel gas
US20220136654A1 (en) * 2019-07-03 2022-05-05 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Device and method for filling tanks
WO2024104679A1 (en) * 2022-11-14 2024-05-23 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method for operating a fuel gas tank system, and control device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN102472432A (en) 2012-05-23
WO2011012939A1 (en) 2011-02-03
DE112010003103T5 (en) 2012-10-25
JP2011033069A (en) 2011-02-17
JP5489573B2 (en) 2014-05-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20120125480A1 (en) Gas filling system and gas filling apparatus
US8708005B2 (en) Gas filling system
US9016329B2 (en) Gas filling system, gas filling method, and vehicle
US9222621B2 (en) Gas filling system
JP5261408B2 (en) Fuel gas station, fuel gas filling system, and fuel gas supply method
US8973623B2 (en) Gas filling system, and vehicle
US8534327B2 (en) Gas charging apparatus and gas charging method
CN103133867A (en) Real-time system for monitoring hydrogen tank expansion and a method for using same
JP2011153681A (en) Gas station, gas filling system and gas filling method
JP2011122657A (en) Fuel gas station, fuel gas filling system, and fuel gas filling method
JP2013538320A (en) Filling station with communication section
JP2012077858A (en) Gas filling system, gas filling method, gas filling device and tank mounting device
US20230400152A1 (en) Gas filling system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:INAGI, SHUSUKE;MORI, TOMOYUKI;REEL/FRAME:027622/0668

Effective date: 20111128

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION