Pressure vessel fixing system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pressure vessel securing system which is a neck mount for securing a pressure vessel for storing various fluids.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pressure vessel fixing system, and more particularly, to a pressure vessel fixing system, which is a neck mounting member used to fix a pressure vessel for storing various fluids (such as oxygen, hydrogen, natural gas and nitrogen) to a facility to limit horizontal movement and rotation of the connected pressure vessel to prevent leakage of the stored fluid. Background Art

[0002] Pressure vessels are used to store various fluids such as oxygen, hydrogen, natural gas, and nitrogen. For example, pressure vessels are used as containers for storing hydrogen as a fuel for environmentally friendly hydrogen electric vehicles.

[0003] Environmentally friendly hydrogen electric vehicles are vehicles powered by electricity generated by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen supplied from a high-pressure hydrogen tank and oxygen in the air within a fuel cell stack. It is important to transport or store hydrogen, which is a fuel used in such environmentally friendly hydrogen electric vehicles, in a compact and safe state. To this end, among various methods, there is a method of converting gaseous hydrogen into liquid hydrogen or absorbing hydrogen into an absorbing alloy. However, the hydrogen tanks currently used store hydrogen in lightweight and high-pressure tanks (or cylinders).

[0004] In this case, in order to use the high-pressure hydrogen tank for an electric vehicle using a fuel cell, it is necessary to store the compressed hydrogen gas in a high pressure state of 350 bar or more. However, if the compressed hydrogen is stored at a pressure lower than the above, when the high-pressure hydrogen tank is installed in the vehicle, it may be disadvantageous in terms of practicality because it is necessary to ensure passenger space and ensure sufficient mileage according to the capacity of the high-pressure tank.

[0005] Meanwhile, in a conventional method of mounting a high-pressure hydrogen tank (i.e., a pressure vessel) on a facility such as a vehicle, a pair of brackets are respectively fixed to frames forming a vehicle body, a downwardly bent mounting plate is fixed and mounted between the pair of brackets, and the pressure vessel is placed on the mounting plate and fixed to the mounting plate by a fixing ring and bolts.

[0006] The pressure vessel fixed by the above method is significantly deformed due to repeated pressurization and consumption of stored hydrogen fuel, but the nozzle portion of the pressure vessel is only fixed by a fixing ring and bolts. Therefore, during the operation of the vehicle, stress is concentrated on the nozzle portion of the pressure vessel where the fixing ring contacts the bolts, and fine scratches are continuously generated due to the deformation of the pressure vessel and the friction caused by the deformation, thereby reducing the durability of the pressure vessel.

[0007] In addition, the pressure vessel rotates or moves horizontally due to vibrations generated during vehicle operation and impacts imposed by collisions, causing hydrogen leakage and threatening stability.

[0008] Patent Literature Patent Document 1: Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0070473 (published on June 15, 2021) Summary of the invention Therefore, the present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned problems existing in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pressure vessel fixing system, which, when the pressure vessel is installed on the facility, limits the horizontal movement and rotation of the connected pressure vessel due to vibration and impact transmitted from the outside, thereby preventing the leakage of stored hydrogen and enhancing stability.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a pressure vessel fixing system, which includes a pair of pressurizing devices in contact with the nozzle portion of the container, and the nozzle portion is firmly fixed by pressurizing and fixing the nozzle portion, wherein the distance between the pair of pressurizing devices corresponds to the structure of a displacement limiting portion formed on the nozzle portion, so that at least one of the pressurizing devices is in contact with the displacement limiting portion, thereby obtaining a strong fixing force.

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, according to the present invention, there is provided a pressure vessel fixing system, comprising: a container, on the outer peripheral surface of which a displacement limiting portion is formed to prevent positional displacement; a neck mounting member, having a placement groove for placing the displacement limiting portion and a pair of split portions connected to each other; and a pressurizing device, connected to the neck mounting member, and each pressurizing device having a front end portion that contacts the displacement limiting portion to pressurize and fix the displacement limiting portion.

[0011] Furthermore, the displacement restricting portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the container and includes a rotation restricting surface having a polygonal cross section.

[0012] In this case, the front end portion of the pressurizing device in contact with the displacement restricting portion is deformed by being compressed so as to be in close contact with the displacement restricting portion.

[0013] Furthermore, the pressing devices are installed in pairs at spaced-apart positions, and a distance between the pressing devices is relatively longer or shorter than a length of one side of a cross section of the rotation restricting surface.

[0014] In addition, the cross section of the rotation limiting surface is formed into an equilateral polygon with all sides having the same length.

[0015] Furthermore, the displacement limiting portion includes a horizontal movement limiting groove formed inwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the container.

[0016] In addition, the seating groove further includes a protruding claw inserted into the horizontal movement limiting groove.

[0017] Furthermore, the neck mount includes: a bottom block fixed to a facility; a top block coupled to a top surface of the bottom block; and a fastening device integrally coupling the bottom block and the top block.

[0018] As described above, the pressure vessel fixing system according to the present invention can limit the horizontal movement and rotation of the pressure vessel to prevent leakage of the stored fluid, thereby enhancing stability.

[0019] Furthermore, the pressure vessel fixing system according to the present invention can prevent the pressure at the fixing portion from being released even when the fixed pressure vessel is in operation, ie, deformed due to pressurization and consumption of stored gas, thereby obtaining a strong fixing force.

[0020] In addition, the pressure vessel fixing system according to the present invention includes a pair of pressurizing devices, which are in contact with the displacement limiting part of the pressure vessel to pressurize and fix the displacement limiting part, and the paired pressurizing devices are spaced apart from each other, wherein the distance between the pressurizing devices is longer or shorter than the length of the contacted displacement limiting part, and at least one of the pressurizing devices is in contact with the displacement limiting part, thereby providing pressurization and fixing force. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 An example of a pressure vessel securing system according to the present invention is shown.

[0022] Figure 2 An example of a container of the present invention is shown.

[0023] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the neck mounting member of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 It is an enlarged view of the bottom block of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a coupled state of the pressure vessel fixing system according to the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 is an enlarged view showing a state in which the pressurizing device is in contact with the rotation restricting surface to pressurize the rotation restricting surface.

[0027] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing a state where the protruding claw is inserted into the horizontal movement restricting groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the pressure vessel fixing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] First, when a pressure vessel storing fluids such as oxygen, hydrogen, natural gas, and nitrogen is installed in a facility such as a vehicle or a transporter, the pressure vessel fixing system 1 according to the present invention is used. Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a pressure vessel storing hydrogen is installed in a vehicle will be described, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the pressure vessel fixing system 1 according to the present invention includes: a container 10, having a displacement limiting portion 11 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the container 10 to prevent positional displacement; a neck mounting member 20, having a placement groove 21 for placing the displacement limiting portion 11 and a pair of split portions connected to each other; and a pressurizing device 30, connected to the neck mounting member 20, and the front end portion of each pressurizing device 30 is in contact with the displacement limiting portion 11 to pressurize and fix the displacement limiting portion 11.

[0031] The container 10 includes a liner made of a synthetic resin or an elastic polymer material. The liner includes a cylindrical portion having a hollow interior and dome-shaped shoulder portions formed on both sides of the cylindrical portion to have a curved cross section. Fluid is stored in the liner.

[0032] The displacement restricting portion 11 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of one side of the shoulder portion, and the displacement restricting portion 11 is formed to prevent horizontal movement and rotation of the shoulder portion and the bushing.

[0033] The displacement restricting portion 11 includes a rotation restricting surface 12 having a polygonal cross section and a horizontal movement restricting groove 13 formed inwardly on an outer peripheral surface thereof.

[0034] First, the rotation restricting surface 12 has a polygonal cross section in which the surface exposed to the outside is formed flat to be pressed and fixed by contact with the pressing device 30, thereby restricting horizontal movement and rotation.

[0035] In this case, the rotation limiting surface 12 is preferably formed into an equilateral polygon with all sides having equal lengths, and the number of sides may vary depending on the outer diameter of the shoulder portion, so the number of sides is not limited to that shown in the drawings.

[0036] When the pressurizing device 30 is fastened to the surface of the rotation limiting surface 12 exposed to the outside, the rotation limiting surface 12 is pressurized and fixed while the front end of the pressurizing device 30 contacts the rotation limiting surface 12, thereby preventing the container from horizontally moving and rotating due to the action of the fluid and external impact.

[0037] The horizontal movement limiting groove 13 limits the horizontal movement of the container. The pressurizing device 30 that pressurizes and fixes the rotation limiting surface 12 is advantageous in limiting the rotation by providing pressure from top to bottom, but the pressurizing device 30 is relatively weak in limiting the pressure of horizontal movement, so the horizontal movement limiting groove 13 helps to limit the horizontal movement.

[0038] To this end, the horizontal movement limiting groove 13 is formed to be recessed inward from the outer peripheral surface of the shoulder portion, and the protruding claw 211 formed on the bottom block 22 of the neck mount 20 is inserted into the horizontal movement limiting groove 13, thereby limiting the horizontal movement of the inserted protruding claw 211.

[0039] Here, as shown in the drawings, the rotation limiting surface 12 may be formed on the inner surface of the horizontal movement limiting groove 13, and alternatively, in another embodiment, the rotation limiting surface 12 and the horizontal movement limiting groove 13 may be separately formed at different positions.

[0040] The neck mounting member 20 includes a placement groove 21 for placing the displacement limiting portion 11 and a pair of split parts connected to each other, wherein the neck mounting member 20 also includes a bottom block 22 fixed to the facility, a top block 23 connected to the upper surface of the bottom block 22, and a fastening device 24 that integrally connects the bottom block 22 and the top block 23.

[0041] The bottom block 22 and the top block 23 are each formed with a seating groove 21. The seating groove 21 is formed in a semicircular shape in each block. When the bottom block 22 and the top block 23 face each other, the seating groove 21 forms a circular shape.

[0042] That is, the bottom block 22 has a semicircular groove with an open top, and the top block 23 has a groove with an open bottom, so that when the bottom block and the top block are matched, a circular seat hole is formed, whereby the displacement limiting portion 11 of the container 10 is placed in the circular seat hole.

[0043] The fastening device 24 is used to integrally fix the bottom block 22 and the top block 23. In the drawings, it is shown that the coupling bolts having coupling spirals formed on the outer peripheral surface are provided to be screwed into the coupling holes 25 of the blocks, but various modifications may be made to integrally fix the paired components.

[0044] In addition, the bottom block 22 has a fastening hole 221 to which a coupling bolt B for fixing the container to a facility such as a car trunk or a transporter is coupled.

[0045] Meanwhile, the top block 23 has a pressurizing hole 231 formed to vertically penetrate the top block 23, and the pressurizing device 30 is engaged with the pressurizing hole 231. Here, the paired pressurizing holes 231 are formed to be spaced apart from each other, and each pressurizing device 30 is engaged with each pressurizing hole 231.

[0046] Meanwhile, the seating groove 21 further includes a protruding claw 211 inserted into the horizontal movement limiting groove 13. The protruding claw 211 protrudes from the inner surface of the seating groove 21 toward the center of the seating groove and then is inserted into the horizontal movement limiting groove 13 of the placed container 10.

[0047] As shown in the drawings, the protruding claws 211 may be continuously formed on the inner surface of the seating groove 21 , or alternatively, as another embodiment, the protruding claws 211 may be radially disposed at predetermined intervals.

[0048] Furthermore, the protruding height of the protruding claw 211 is set so that when the rotation restricting surface 12 is formed on the inner surface of the horizontal movement restricting groove 13 , the protruding claw 211 does not come into contact with the rotation restricting surface 12 .

[0049] In other words, when the container needs to be rotated before the position of the container is fixed with the displacement restricting portion 11 placed in the seating groove 21 , the height of the protruding claw 211 is set so as not to hinder the rotation by preventing contact between the protruding claw 211 and the rotation restricting surface 12 .

[0050] The pressurizing device 30 is coupled to the neck mount 20, and the front end of the pressurizing device 30 contacts the displacement restricting portion 11 to pressurize and fix the displacement restricting portion 11. The paired pressurizing devices 30 are spaced apart from each other and contact the rotation restricting surface 12 at spaced apart positions to pressurize the rotation restricting surface 12.

[0051] Here, the pressurizing device 30 includes a body 31 having a spiral thread formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof for ascending and descending, and a press pin 32 located at the bottom of the body 31 to contact the rotation restricting surface 12 .

[0052] In this case, both the body 31 and the press pin 32 are made of a metal material having a predetermined strength, wherein the press pin 32 is made of a metal having a relatively weaker strength than that of the body 31 .

[0053] Therefore, when the main body 31 continues to descend after the front end portion of the press pin 32 contacts the rotation limiting surface 12 through the descent of the main body 31, the front end portion of the press pin 32 is deformed to be pressed against the rotation limiting surface 12 and the press pin 32 contacts the rotation limiting surface 12 over a large area, so that the pressure from the main body 31 is provided to the rotation limiting surface 12 over a large area, thereby enhancing the effect of limiting rotation and horizontal movement.

[0054] Meanwhile, the paired pressing devices 30 are disposed at spaced-apart positions, wherein the distance between the paired pressing devices 30 is relatively longer or shorter than the length of one side of the cross section of the rotation restricting surface 12. In other words, the distance between the paired pressing devices 30 is different from the length of one side of the cross section of the rotation restricting surface 12.

[0055] As described above, the cross-section of the rotation limiting surface 12 is formed into a polygonal shape, and in order to change the angle of the container as needed, when the rotation limiting surface 12 is rotated and then fixed at the rotation position, if the contact position of the pressurizing device 30 is the edge where the sides intersect, then since the pressurizing device 30 and the rotation limiting surface 12 are in contact with each other in the form of line contact, the pressure cannot be properly transmitted, and the effect of limiting horizontal movement and rotation may not be achieved.

[0056] To solve this problem, the pressurizing devices 30 are arranged in pairs at spaced-apart positions, and the distance between the pressurizing devices 30 is formed to be relatively longer or shorter than the length of one side of the cross-section of the rotation limiting surface 12, so that at least one of the paired pressurizing devices 30 contacts the edge of the rotation limiting surface, thereby allowing pressure to be properly transmitted.

[0057] Meanwhile, the cross section of the rotation limiting surface 12 is preferably formed into an equilateral polygon in which all sides have the same length.

[0058] That is, no matter which direction the rotation restricting surface 12 faces, at least one of the pair of pressing devices 30 comes into contact with one side of the cross section.

[0059] As described above, although the specific components, limited embodiments and drawings of the present invention are described herein for the purpose of facilitating a better understanding of the present invention, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and that technicians in the field of the present invention can make various modifications and changes based on the disclosure provided herein.

[0060] Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, and not only the scope of the claims but also the equivalents thereof should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pressure vessel fixing system, comprising: a container having a displacement limiting portion formed on an outer peripheral surface of the container to prevent positional deviation; A neck mounting member having a placement groove for placing the displacement limiting portion and a pair of mutually connected split parts; and A pressurizing device is coupled to the neck mount and each has a front end portion that contacts the displacement restricting portion to pressurize and fix the displacement restricting portion.

2. The pressure vessel fixing system according to claim 1, wherein: The displacement restricting portion is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the container and includes a rotation restricting surface having a polygonal cross section.

3. The pressure vessel fixing system according to claim 2, wherein: The front end portion of the pressurizing device in contact with the displacement restricting portion is compressed and deformed so as to be in close contact with the displacement restricting portion.

4. The pressure vessel fixing system according to claim 3, wherein: The pressing devices are installed in pairs at spaced-apart positions, and a distance between the pressing devices is relatively longer or shorter than a length of one side of a cross section of the rotation restricting surface.

5. The pressure vessel fixing system according to claim 2, wherein: The cross section of the rotation limiting surface is formed as an equilateral polygon with all sides having the same length.

6. The pressure vessel fixing system according to claim 1, wherein: The displacement limiting portion includes a horizontal movement limiting groove formed inwardly from an outer peripheral surface of the container.

7. The pressure vessel fixing system according to claim 6, wherein: The seating groove further includes a protruding claw inserted into the horizontal movement limiting groove.

8. The pressure vessel fixing system according to claim 1, wherein: The neck mounting member comprises: a bottom block, secured to the facility; a top block coupled to a top surface of the bottom block; and A fastening device integrally couples the bottom block and the top block.

Images