High-pressure gas tank

Abstract

A high-pressure gas tank is provided with: a tank main body provided with a main body part and a dome part disposed on one side of the main body part in the axial direction; a joint having a shaft portion extending in the axial direction from the center of the dome portion, and a through hole penetrating the shaft portion so as to allow gas to flow therethrough; and a protective member having a resin protective portion covering the dome portion around the joint, and a ring-shaped or cylindrical metal connecting portion integrated with the protective portion and into which the shaft portion of the joint is inserted. The joint is provided with a first threaded portion on the outer periphery of the shaft portion, and the protective member is provided with a second threaded portion on the inner periphery of the connecting portion, the second threaded portion being screwed to the first threaded portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to a high-pressure gas cylinder. Background Art

[0002] As such a high-pressure gas cylinder, a fixing structure of a protection member with respect to a shock-absorbing protection cylinder is disclosed (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2023-26058). In this high-pressure gas cylinder, a metal fixing bracket provided on the protection member is fixed to the joint of the cylinder by a plurality of bolts.

[0003] However, according to the above fixing structure, when the fixing bracket and the joint bolt are tightened, the tightening force of the bolt acts on the joint in the radial direction. Since the joint is likely to deform with respect to the radial force, the joint may deform according to the tightening force acting on the joint. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This specification provides a technique for suppressing the load applied to the cylinder when the protection member is fixed to the cylinder.

[0005] This specification is embodied as a high-pressure gas cylinder.

[0006] The high-pressure gas cylinder includes: a cylinder main body having a main body portion and a dome portion disposed on one side in the axial direction of the main body portion; a joint having a shaft portion extending along the axial direction from the central portion of the dome portion and a through hole penetrating the shaft portion so as to allow gas to flow; and a protection member having a resin protection portion covering the dome portion around the joint and a ring-shaped or cylindrical metal connection portion integrated with the protection portion and into which the shaft portion of the joint is inserted.

[0007] The joint has a first threaded portion on the outer periphery of the shaft portion, and the protection member has a second threaded portion on the inner periphery of the connection portion that engages with the first threaded portion.

[0008] According to this high-pressure gas cylinder, by screwing the second threaded portion provided on the connection portion of the protection member with the first threaded portion provided on the shaft portion of the joint, the protection member can be fixed with respect to the joint. The tightening force of these threaded portions acts on the joint in the axial direction, so that deformation of the joint can be effectively suppressed.

[0009] In addition, according to this high-pressure gas cylinder, fastening members such as bolts are not required, so that additional members and equipment for fastening are not required, and simple, rapid, and accurate fastening can be performed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] Hereinafter, the features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, where the same reference numerals denote the same elements, and

[0011] Figure 1 It shows a cross-sectional view of a high-pressure gas cylinder.

[0012] Figure 2 It shows an enlarged cross-sectional view near the circular top of the high-pressure gas cylinder.

[0013] Figure 3A It is a diagram showing one way of the integrated structure of the protection part and the connection part in the protection component.

[0014] Figure 3B It is a diagram showing another way of the integrated structure of the protection part and the connection part in the protection component.

[0015] Figure 3C It is a diagram showing another way of the integrated structure of the protection part and the connection part in the protection component.

[0016] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing the process of firmly fixing the protection component to the cylinder body.

[0017] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view showing the state where the refractory layer covering the circular top is fixed by the protection component. Detailed implementation mode

[0018] The cylinder body of the high-pressure gas cylinder disclosed in this specification includes a main body part and a circular top disposed on one side in the axial direction of the main body part. The joint has a shaft part extending along the axial direction from the central part of the circular top and a through hole penetrating the shaft part in a manner that allows gas to flow through. The protection component has: a resin protection part that covers the circular top around the joint; and an annular or cylindrical metal connection part that is integrated with the protection part and into which the shaft part of the joint is inserted. The joint has a first thread part on the outer circumference of the shaft part, and the protection component has a second thread part on the inner circumference of the connection part that engages with the first thread part.

[0019] In one aspect of the high-pressure gas cylinder, a first movement restraining component for restraining the movement of the protection component toward the one side may be provided on the shaft part. Thereby, loosening and detachment after the protection component is fastened can be easily and / or reliably restrained. It may also be that the first movement restraining component has a third thread part that engages with the first thread part.

[0020] In one aspect of the high-pressure gas cylinder, the circular top has a fiber-reinforced resin layer, and a second movement restraining component for restraining the protection component from approaching the fiber-reinforced resin layer is provided on the shaft part. Thereby, it is possible to restrain damage caused by contact during fastening of the protection component to the fiber-reinforced resin layer.

[0021] In one embodiment of the high-pressure gas tank, a refractory layer held by the protective member is provided between the surface of the protective member and the circular top portion. The protective portion and the connecting portion of the protective member are integrated by an adhesive that softens upon heating. Thus, even when the refractory layer expands due to heating, the connecting portion will not separate or disengage from the refractory layer simultaneously due to the softening of the adhesive, and will not interfere with the manifestation or improvement of the heat insulation function brought about by the expansion of the refractory layer.

[0022] Hereinafter, the high-pressure gas tank disclosed in this specification will be described with appropriate reference to the drawings. In this specification, the gas stored or supplied by the high-pressure gas tank is not particularly limited, and for example, it is hydrogen. In addition, the high-pressure gas tank is, for example, a hydrogen tank used for the operation of a vehicle or a stationary fuel cell. In addition, the high-pressure gas tank is not particularly limited, and for example, it is a gas tank having a pressure resistance of 20 MPa or more. The pressure resistance of a general hydrogen tank is 70 MPa.

[0023] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view showing the whole of the high-pressure gas tank. Figure 2 It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the circular top portion of the high-pressure gas tank. Figure 3A 、 3B 、3C are diagrams showing various ways of the integrated structure of the protective portion and the connecting portion in the protective member. Figure 4 It is a diagram showing the fastening and fixing process of the protective member.

[0024] Figure 1 The high-pressure gas tank (hereinafter simply referred to as the tank) 10 shown includes a tank main body 10a that is a hollow container having a cylindrical shape as a whole, a joint 30 on one side (the upper side in the figure) of the axis CL of the tank main body 10a, a joint 40 on the other side, and a protective member 50.

[0025] The tank 10 main body has so-called gas barrier properties as a whole and supplies high-pressure gases such as hydrogen to the inside. The tank main body 10a is formed by a liner 11 and a reinforcing layer 20. The liner 11 is used to form a space for filling hydrogen and is produced, for example, by resin molding. When the liner 11 is formed by resin molding, it is integrally formed by a known engineering plastic having high mechanical strength by a rotational molding method or a blow molding method. In addition, the liner 11 may also be formed of a light metal such as aluminum.

[0026] The reinforcing layer 20 covers the outer periphery of the lining 11 in order to reinforce the lining 11. The reinforcing layer 20 is made of a known fiber-reinforced resin, and its material is, for example, a carbon fiber composite material (CFRP: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics). In addition, the types of fibers and resins in the reinforcing layer 20 can be used without particular limitation. The winding method of the fibers within the layer in the reinforcing layer 20 is also not particularly limited. The reinforcing layer 20 is an example of the fiber-reinforced resin layer in this specification.

[0027] As Figure 1 shown, the tank main body 10a includes a cylindrical main body portion 12 and dome portions 14, 16 provided so as to close both ends of the main body portion 12 along the axial direction. The main body portion 12 is composed of a lining 11 and a reinforcing layer 20, and is a cylindrical body portion. The main body portion 12 has a central axis that coincides with the direction of the axis CL. The dome portions 14, 16 are a part of the tank main body 10a including the lining 11 and the reinforcing layer 20, and are portions that close both end portions of the main body portion 12 in the direction of the axis CL. The dome portions 14, 16 have, for example, a curved planar shape, and specifically, have a slightly flattened hemispherical shape.

[0028] The dome portion 14 has a joint mounting portion 15 in a direction orthogonal to the axis CL. In the joint mounting portion 15, only the side of the lining 11 of the dome portion 14 (the upper side in the figure) is formed in a concave shape, and can hold the flange portion 34 of the joint 30 described later. A through hole for inserting the joint 30 is formed in the central portion of the joint mounting portion 15.

[0029] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the joint 30 has a shaft portion 32 and a flange portion 34. In addition, in Figure 1 order to clarify in the figure, the joints 30, 40 are shown in a planar view instead of a cross-sectional view. The joint 30 is fixed to the tank main body 10a via the flange portion 34 and the joint mounting portion 15. The shaft portion 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending from the central portion of the dome portion 14 to one side. The flange portion 34 has the shaft portion 32 at its center, and is formed such that the outer edge of the shaft portion 32 expands in the radial direction of the shaft portion 32. The joint 30 has a through hole 36 penetrating the shaft portion 32 and the flange portion 34, and a valve (not shown) having a safety valve or the like is fastened by screwing.

[0030] As Figure 2 shown, the shaft portion 32 has an external thread portion 38 on its outer peripheral surface 32a. The external thread portion 38 is an example of the first thread portion disclosed in this specification.

[0031] The flange portion 34 in the joint 30 is covered by the reinforcing layer 20 which forms part of the dome top 14. On the other hand, the shaft portion 32 is not covered by the reinforcing layer 20, or only its base portion is covered. The joint 30 is integrally formed of a metal material, for example.

[0032] The dome top 16 also has a joint mounting portion 17 in a direction orthogonal to the axis CL, similarly to the dome top 14. Only the lining 11 of the dome top 16 on the other side (lower side in the figure) of the joint mounting portion 17 is formed in a concave shape and can hold the flange portion 44 of the joint 40. A through hole 46 for inserting the joint 40 is formed in the central portion of the joint mounting portion 17.

[0033] The joint 40 is also the same as the joint 30, as Figure 2 shown, and has a shaft portion 42 and a flange portion 44. The joint 40 is fixed to the can body 10a via the flange portion 44 and the joint mounting portion 17. The shaft portion 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending from the central portion of the dome top 16 toward the other side, and the flange portion 44 has the shaft portion 42 at the center and is formed to expand in the radial direction. The joint 40 is used for heat dissipation, holding during the formation of the reinforcing layer 20, etc.

[0034] The flange portion 44 of the joint 40 is also covered by the reinforcing layer 20 which forms part of the dome top 16, similarly to the joint 30. The joint 40 is also integrally formed of a metal material, for example.

[0035] Next, the protective member 50 will be described. The protective member 50 is similarly mounted on both the dome top 14 and the dome top 16. However, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the protective member 50 fixed to the dome top 14 will be described, and the description of the protective member 50 fixed to the dome top 16 will be omitted.

[0036] As Figure 2 shown, the protective member 50 is fixed to the can body 10a via the joint 30. The protective member 50 includes a protection portion 52 and a connection portion 54.

[0037] The protection portion 52 is an outer skin-like body that is separated from the surface of the dome top 14 and covers most of it. For example, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the protection portion 52 has a side wall portion 52a and a panel portion 52b. The side wall portion 52a is formed in a cylindrical shape covering the outer periphery of the dome top 14. The panel portion 52b is formed in a circular shape covering the opening of the side wall portion 52a, and has an opening at the center where the connection portion 54 can be integrated.

[0038] In addition, the inner peripheral surface 52c of the protective portion 52 facing the surface of the circular top portion 14 becomes a hemispherical inner surface that roughly follows the hemispherical surface shape of the circular top portion 14. As a result, the thickness of the protective portion 52 becomes thicker relative to the shoulder portion of the circular top portion 14. Usually, the thickness of the reinforcing layer 20 sometimes becomes thinner at the shoulder portion of the circular top portion 14, so this is useful. In addition, a space portion 56 is formed between the protective portion 52 and the reinforcing layer 20.

[0039] The protective portion 52 is not particularly limited. For example, it can be formed into a layer structure of one layer or two or more layers using known soft resins such as polyurethane and / or known hard resins such as epoxy resin.

[0040] The connecting portion 54 has an annular shape or a cylindrical shape centered on the axis CL and is integrally provided at the central portion of the protective portion 52. The connecting portion 54 has an internal thread portion 58 that engages with the external thread portion 38 on its inner peripheral surface. The protective member 50 is fixed to the can body 10a by tightening based on this engagement. The connecting portion 54 is not particularly limited and is formed of a metal material, for example.

[0041] The integration of the protective portion 52 and the connecting portion 54 in the protective member 50 is not particularly limited, and examples include Figure 3A integration based on an adhesive layer 57a formed of an adhesive or the like as shown. In addition, examples include Figure 3B integration based on a threaded portion 57b as shown. In addition, examples include Figure 3C integration based on shrink fitting as shown.

[0042] As Figure 2 shown, an anti - detachment member 60 is installed on the external thread portion 38 on the side of the shaft portion 32 beyond the protective member 50. The anti - detachment member 60 prevents the loosening and detachment of the protective member 50. The anti - detachment member 60 is formed into a so - called nut having an internal thread portion 61 that engages with the external thread portion 38 on its inner periphery and is installed by engagement. The anti - detachment member 60 is configured to abut at least against the engaging portion of the external thread portion 38 and the internal thread portion 58.

[0043] The material of the anti - detachment member 60 is not particularly limited and is formed of a resin material, a metal material, for example. In addition, the installation state of the anti - detachment member 60 is not particularly limited. The anti - detachment member 60 can also be installed by various methods other than engagement such as bonding. The anti - detachment member 60 is an example of the first movement suppression member disclosed in this specification.

[0044] In addition, as Figure 2As shown, a spacer 62 is provided on the side of the can body 10a of the protective member 50. The spacer 62 is arranged to separate the reinforcing layer 20 that covers the flange portion 34 at the base of the shaft portion 32 from the protective member 50. The spacer 62 is configured to abut at least against the threaded engagement portion of the external threaded portion 38 and the internal threaded portion 58, for example.

[0045] The material of the spacer 62 is not particularly limited, and it is formed of, for example, a resin material or a metal material. In addition, the installation state of the spacer 62 is not particularly limited. For example, the spacer 62 may have an internal threaded portion that engages with the external threaded portion 38 and is installed by screwing. The spacer is an example of the second movement restraining member disclosed in this specification.

[0046] Next, based on Figure 2 and Figure 4 , the operation of such a can 10 will be described. Figure 4 Shows the process of forming the fastening and fixing structure of the protective member 50 shown in Figure 2 .

[0047] As shown in Figure 4 , prepare the can body 10a and the protective member 50 with the spacer 62 installed on the joint 30, and screw the internal threaded portion 58 of the protective member 50 onto the external threaded portion 38 of the joint 30. The screwing is completed when the connecting portion 54 abuts against the spacer 62. As a result, a fastening force acts in the axial direction of the joint 30. Therefore, it is possible to suppress or avoid applying a large fastening load to the shaft portion 32 in the radial direction orthogonal to the axis CL, thereby suppressing the deformation of the joint 30.

[0048] Next, as shown in Figure 4 , screw the internal threaded portion 61 of the anti-disengagement member 60 onto the external threaded portion 38 from the outside of the protective member 50 to prevent the protective member 50 from disengaging.

[0049] In this way, according to the can 10, since the protective member 50 and the joint 30 are structured as described above, an undesirable load is not applied to the joint 30 which is a component of the can 10. Therefore, according to the can 10, the protective member 50 is securely and reliably fastened and fixed to the can body 10a. In addition, by means of the spacer 62, the reinforcing layer 20 and the dome portion 14 are prevented from being overly pressed by the connecting portion 54. Therefore, it is possible to suppress or avoid damage to the reinforcing layer 20 and the dome portion 14. Also, by screwing the anti-disengagement member 60, it is possible to easily prevent the protective member 50 from loosening or falling off, and reliably maintain the fastened and fixed state.

[0050] Moreover, according to the can 10, the protective member 50 can be simply and accurately installed on the can body 10a without using fastening members such as bolts. As a result, a stable fastening and fixing structure can be constructed with high precision regardless of operators, etc. and environmental conditions.

[0051] In addition, as Figure 2 shown, a space portion 56 is provided between the can 10 and the circular top portion 14 or the reinforcing layer 20. By providing the space portion 56, it is possible to suppress or avoid the expansion of the reinforcing layer 20 when the internal pressure of the can body 10a is applied from being restricted by the protective member 50. Therefore, the hydrogen storage efficiency of the can 10 can be improved.

[0052] In addition, the fastening and fixing structure of the protective member 50 in the can 10 can also contribute to improving the fire resistance of the can 10. For example, as Figure 5 shown, a fire-resistant layer 70 such as a sheet having fire resistance or heat insulation can be interposed in the space portion 56. As the protective member 50 is fastened and fixed, the fire-resistant layer 70 is held between the circular top portion 14 and the protective portion 52 and is easily and reliably fixed. And it is useful to use the protective member 50 in which the protective portion 52 and the connecting portion 54 are integrated by an adhesive layer 57a (refer to Figure 3A ). At this time, if the adhesive layer 57a is softened or melted by heating, then during heating, the protective portion 52 can be detached from the connecting portion 54 by the softening of the adhesive layer 57a or the like. Thus, it is possible to suppress or avoid the protective portion 52 from interfering with the expansion of the fire-resistant layer 70, and therefore it is possible to ensure that the fire-resistant layer 70 exhibits excellent fire resistance and the like.

[0053] The above functions of the protective member 50 are also similarly exerted when the protective member 50 is fastened and fixed to the joint 40. In the above embodiment, the protective members 50 are provided at both ends of the can body 10a, but they may be provided only on one side. In addition, the shape of the protective portion 52 of the protective member 50 is not particularly limited as long as it can exhibit the protective performance for the circular top portion 14 or the like. And a space portion 56 is provided between the protective member 50 and the circular top portion 14 or the reinforcing layer 20, but it is not limited thereto.

[0054] In addition, this specification includes the following structure.

[0055] [1] A high-pressure gas can, comprising: a can body having a main body portion and a circular top portion disposed on one side in the axial direction of the main body portion; a joint having a shaft portion extending along the axial direction from the central portion of the circular top portion and a through hole penetrating the shaft portion in a gas-permeable manner; and a protective member having a resin-made protective portion covering the circular top portion around the joint and an annular or cylindrical metal-made connecting portion integrated with the protective portion and into which the shaft portion of the joint is inserted, the joint having a first threaded portion on the outer periphery of the shaft portion, and the protective member having a second threaded portion on the inner periphery of the connecting portion that is screwed with the first threaded portion.

[0056] [2] The high-pressure gas can according to [1], wherein a first movement restraining member for restraining the movement of the protective member to the one side is provided on the shaft portion.

[0057] [3] The high-pressure gas tank according to [2], wherein the first movement inhibiting member includes a third threaded portion that is screwed with the first threaded portion.

[0058] [4] The high-pressure gas tank according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the round top portion includes a fiber-reinforced resin layer, and a second movement inhibiting member that inhibits the protective member from approaching the fiber-reinforced resin layer is provided in the shaft portion.

[0059] [5] The high-pressure gas tank according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein a refractory layer held by the protective member is provided between the surface of the protective member and the round top portion, and the protective portion and the connecting portion of the protective member are integrated by an adhesive that softens upon heating.

[0060] As described above, several specific examples have been described in detail, but these are merely illustrative and do not limit the technical solution. The technology described in the technical solution includes technologies obtained by various deformations and changes to the above-described specific examples. The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in combination.

Claims

1. A high-pressure gas cylinder, wherein, Comprising: A can body having a main body portion and a dome portion disposed on one side in the axial direction of the main body portion; A joint having a shaft portion extending along the axial direction from the central portion of the dome portion and a through hole penetrating the shaft portion so as to allow gas to flow through; And A protective member having a resinous protective portion covering the dome portion around the joint and an annular or cylindrical metallic connecting portion integrated with the protective portion and into which the shaft portion of the joint is inserted, The joint has a first threaded portion on the outer periphery of the shaft portion, and the protective member has a second threaded portion on the inner periphery of the connecting portion that engages with the first threaded portion.

2. The high-pressure gas tank according to claim 1, wherein A first movement inhibiting member for inhibiting the protective member from moving toward the one side is provided on the shaft portion.

3. The high-pressure gas tank according to claim 2, wherein The first movement inhibiting member has a third threaded portion that engages with the first threaded portion.

4. The high-pressure gas tank according to claim 1, wherein The dome portion has a fiber-reinforced resin layer, A second movement inhibiting member for inhibiting the protective member from approaching the fiber-reinforced resin layer is provided on the shaft portion.

5. The high-pressure gas tank according to claim 1, wherein A refractory layer held by the protective member is provided between the surface of the protective member and the dome portion, The protective portion and the connecting portion of the protective member are integrated by an adhesive that softens upon heating.

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