Fuel gas supply device

Abstract

A fuel gas supply device (2) is provided with: a pressure reducing valve (22) that reduces the pressure of fuel gas supplied from a tank (1) that stores the fuel gas to a predetermined pressure; and a supply amount adjustment unit (3) that adjusts the supply amount of the fuel gas from a fuel supply path by selecting at least one of two throttle holes (241, 242) formed on the downstream side of the pressure reducing valve (22) and having different throttle hole diameters. According to this fuel gas supply device (2), a mechanism for suppressing pressure fluctuations of the fuel gas is not required, so the entire fuel gas supply device (2) can be accordingly downsized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fuel gas supply device. Background Technology

[0002] A fuel gas supply system is proposed, comprising: a tank storing fuel gas under high pressure; a pressure reducing valve that reduces the pressure of fuel gas supplied from the tank's supply port and flowing in the fuel supply path based on a reference pressure; and an electric pressure regulating valve disposed downstream of the pressure reducing valve, which controls the fuel gas supply quantity by changing the cross-sectional area of ​​the fuel supply path (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Here, the pressure reducing valve is a diaphragm-type pressure reducing valve, internally forming an atmospheric pressure inlet chamber and a hydrogen supply path separated by a valve core and a diaphragm, achieving a state of equilibrium between the atmospheric pressure in the atmospheric pressure inlet chamber and the fuel gas pressure in the hydrogen supply path. Furthermore, the air pressure supplied from the compressor to the atmospheric pressure inlet chamber is controlled to be constant regardless of whether the fuel gas flow rate increases or decreases.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-149398 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, in the fuel gas supply system described in Patent Document 1, in order to maintain a constant average supply of fuel gas by suppressing pressure changes in the pressure reducing valve, an air supply mechanism including a compressor is required, which may consequently lead to an overall increase in the size of the fuel gas supply system. In this case, if mounted on a small mobile mechanism such as a small unmanned aerial vehicle, it may also lead to an increase in the overall weight of the small mobile mechanism and a decrease in fuel efficiency.

[0008] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a fuel gas supply device that can be miniaturized.

[0009] Methods for solving problems

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the fuel gas supply device of the present invention comprises:

[0011] At least one pressure reducing valve, said pressure reducing valve to a preset pressure for fuel gas supplied from a tank storing fuel gas; and

[0012] A supply quantity adjustment unit adjusts the supply quantity of fuel gas from the fuel supply path by selecting a fuel supply path via at least one throttle orifice formed downstream of the at least one pressure reducing valve.

[0013] Invention Effects

[0014] According to the present invention, the supply quantity adjustment unit adjusts the supply quantity of fuel gas from the fuel supply path by selecting a fuel supply path via at least one throttle orifice formed downstream of at least one pressure reducing valve. Therefore, a mechanism for suppressing pressure fluctuations in the fuel gas is unnecessary, thus enabling a corresponding miniaturization of the overall fuel gas supply device. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a fuel gas supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the fuel gas supply device according to the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a side view of the fuel gas supply device according to the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4A The fuel gas supply device of the embodiment Figure 2 The section at line AA is shown in the view.

[0019] Figure 4B The fuel gas supply device of the embodiment Figure 2 and Figure 3 The cross-section at line BB is shown in the view.

[0020] Figure 5A This refers to the situation where the fuel gas supply device in the embodiment is in the first state. Figure 2 The section at line AA is shown in the view.

[0021] Figure 5B This refers to the situation where the fuel gas supply device in the embodiment is in the first state. Figure 3 as well as Figure 4A The section at the CC line is shown in the view.

[0022] Figure 6A This refers to the situation where the fuel gas supply device in the embodiment is in the second state. Figure 2 The section at line AA is shown in the view.

[0023] Figure 6B This refers to the situation where the fuel gas supply device in the embodiment is in the second state. Figure 3 as well as Figure 4AThe section at the CC line is shown in the view.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the relationships between the information stored in the lookup table of the fuel gas supply device in the embodiment.

[0025] Figure 8A This is a diagram showing the shift in the amount of fuel gas supplied from the fuel gas supply device of the embodiment, and showing the case where the duration of maintenance in the second state per unit cycle is dT1_1.

[0026] Figure 8B This is a diagram showing the shift in the amount of fuel gas supplied from the fuel gas supply device of the embodiment, and showing the case where the duration of maintenance in the second state per unit cycle is longer than dT1_1, dT1_2.

[0027] Figure 9A This is a cross-sectional view of the fuel gas supply device in the first state of the modified example.

[0028] Figure 9B This is a cross-sectional view of the modified fuel gas supply device in the second state.

[0029] Figure 10A This is a cross-sectional view of the fuel gas supply device in the first state of the modified example.

[0030] Figure 10B This is a cross-sectional view of the modified fuel gas supply device in the second state.

[0031] Figure 11 This is a structural diagram of a modified fuel gas supply device.

[0032] Figure 12 This is a structural diagram of a modified fuel gas supply device. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Hereinafter, a fuel gas supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The fuel gas supply device of this embodiment includes: a pressure reducing valve that reduces the pressure of fuel gas supplied from a fuel gas storage tank to a preset pressure; and a supply quantity adjustment unit that adjusts the supply quantity of fuel gas from a fuel supply path by selecting one of multiple fuel supply paths via at least one of multiple throttling orifice members formed downstream of the pressure reducing valve and having different throttling orifice diameters.

[0034] like Figure 1As shown, the fuel gas supply system of this embodiment includes a tank 1 for storing fuel gas and a fuel gas supply device 2 for supplying the fuel gas stored in the tank 1 to a power generation device such as a fuel cell. The tank 1 stores hydrogen as fuel gas, for example.

[0035] The fuel gas supply device 2 includes: a shut-off valve 21 inserted into the fuel supply path L1 for fuel gas supplied from tank 1; a pressure reducing valve 22 disposed downstream of the shut-off valve 21; and a supply quantity adjustment unit 3 disposed downstream of the pressure reducing valve 22 for adjusting the flow rate of fuel gas supplied to the connection port 25 connected to the power generation unit. Additionally, the fuel gas supply device 2 includes: a fuel filling section 41 for filling tank 1 with fuel gas when the shut-off valve 21 is closed; a safety valve 42 that opens when the internal pressure of tank 1 exceeds a preset reference value; and a pressure sensor 26 for measuring the internal pressure of tank 1. The fuel filling section 41 has a check valve 411 for preventing backflow of fuel gas filled into tank 1 during fuel gas filling. Furthermore, the fuel gas supply device 2 has a connection port 44 used when connecting other tanks (not shown) in parallel upstream of the shut-off valve 21 and a safety valve 43 that opens when the pressure downstream of the pressure reducing valve 22 exceeds a preset reference pressure.

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, the fuel gas supply device 2 includes: a main body 31; a cover 32, which is a bottomed cylindrical shape and is mounted on the main body 31 in a manner covering the +Z direction side of the main body 31; and a fixing part 33, which protrudes from the main body 31 in the -Z direction and is fixed to the connector portion of the tank 1. Furthermore, a drive unit holding part 35 is provided protruding from the -Y direction side of the main body 31. This drive unit holding part 35 is frame-shaped and holds the drive unit 27 (described later) with the drive unit 27 disposed inside it. Moreover, as... Figure 3 As shown, a throttle orifice member holding part 34 is provided on the -X direction side of the main body 31. This throttle orifice member holding part 34 is cylindrical and integrally formed with the main body 31, and a throttle orifice member 232 (described later) of the supply amount adjustment unit 3 is embedded inside it. A connection port 25 is provided on the -X direction side of the throttle orifice member holding part 232. In addition, safety valves 42 and 43 are arranged in the Z-axis direction on the +Y direction side of the throttle orifice member holding part 34 on the -X direction side of the main body 31.

[0037] like Figure 4AAs shown, the shut-off valve 21 includes: a cylinder 211, which is cylindrical and embedded in a recess 31a of the main body 31 with its end on the +Y direction side of the cylinder axis protruding towards the +Y direction side of the main body 31; a valve core 212 disposed inside the cylinder 211; and an operating button 213 disposed at the end of the valve core 212 on the +Y direction side. Additionally, the shut-off valve 21 has an O-ring 214 that is embedded in a groove 211a formed on the outer wall of the cylinder 211 and pressed against the inner wall of the recess 31a of the main body 31.

[0038] The pressure reducing valve 22 includes: a cylinder 221, which is cylindrical and has its -Z-direction end embedded in a recess 31b formed in the main body 31; a valve core 222; and a force-applying member 223, which applies force to the valve core 222 in the +Z direction. The valve core 222 includes: a main portion 2221, which is cylindrical and has its -Z-direction end inserted into the inside of the cylinder 221; and an outer flange portion 2222, which is plate-shaped and extends radially from the +Z-direction end of the main portion 2221 toward the main portion 2221. Additionally, the pressure reducing valve 22 includes: an O-ring 224, which is embedded in a groove 2222a formed on the circumferential surface of the outer flange portion 2222 of the valve core 222 and abuts against the inner wall of the cover 32; an O-ring 225, which is embedded in a groove 2221a formed on the outer wall of the end portion 2221 of the main portion 2221 of the valve core 222 and presses against the inner wall of the cylinder body 221; and an O-ring 226, which is embedded in a groove 221a formed on the outer wall of the end portion 221 of the cylinder body 221 and presses against the inner wall of the recess 31b formed in the main body portion 31. Furthermore, fuel gas is introduced into region S221, which is formed between the inner side of the main portion 2221, the +Z direction side of the outer flange portion 2222, and the inner wall of the cover 32, and air is introduced into region S222, which is formed between the inner wall of the cover 32, the -Z direction side of the outer flange portion 2222, the outer wall of the main portion 2221, and the +Z direction side of the main body portion 31. The position of the valve core 222 is determined based on the force of the force-applying member 223 and the pressure of the fuel gas introduced into region S221. When the shut-off valve 21 is open, the pressure-reducing valve 22 reduces the pressure of the fuel gas flowing from the tank 1 in the fuel supply passage L1 formed inside the fixed portion 33 and the main body portion 31, and in the fuel supply passage L2 inside the main body portion 31 that connects the shut-off valve 21 and the pressure-reducing valve 22, to a predetermined pressure, and supplies it to the fuel supply passage L3 downstream of the pressure-reducing valve 22.

[0039] The pressure sensor 26 is, for example, a diaphragm-type pressure sensor, embedded in a recess 31c formed in the main body 31 with its end exposed towards the Y-direction side of the main body 31. It detects the pressure of the fuel gas present in the fuel supply path L1 via a branch path L11 that communicates with the fuel supply path L1. Furthermore, the pressure sensor 26 outputs a detection signal indicating the detected fuel gas pressure to the control unit 28.

[0040] like Figure 4B As shown, the fuel filling section 41 has a filling section body 412, which is cylindrical and embedded in a recess 31d formed in the main body 31 with its +X direction end exposed towards the +X direction side of the main body 31. A check valve 411 is provided inside the filling section body 412. The -X direction end of the filling section body 412 is connected to the fuel supply passage L1 via a branch flow path L12 formed inside the main body 31. In addition, the fuel filling section 41 has an O-ring 413, which is embedded in a groove 412b on the outer wall of the -X direction end of the filling section body 412 and pressed against the inner wall of the recess 31d formed in the main body 31. Safety valve 42 is disposed in the main body 31 at a position facing fuel filling part 41 across fuel supply passage L1 in the X-axis direction, and is embedded in a recess 31e of the main body 31 with its -X direction end exposed to the -X direction side of the main body 31. The +X direction end of safety valve 42 communicates with fuel supply passage L1 via a branch flow passage L13 formed inside the main body 31. Safety valve 43 is disposed in the main body 31 on the +Z direction side of safety valve 42, and is embedded in a recess 31f of the main body 31 with its -X direction end exposed to the -X direction side of the main body 31. The +X direction end of safety valve 43 communicates with the area of ​​pressure reducing valve 22 that communicates with fuel supply passage L3 formed inside the main body 31.

[0041] Return to Figure 1The supply quantity adjustment unit 3 repeatedly changes at least one fuel supply path selected from multiple fuel supply paths. Specifically, the supply quantity adjustment unit 3 adjusts the supply quantity of fuel gas from fuel supply path L3 by selecting at least one fuel supply path from two fuel supply paths that pass through at least one of two throttling orifices 241 and 242 formed downstream of pressure reducing valve 22 and have different throttling orifice diameters. The supply quantity adjustment unit 3 has a throttling orifice member 231 with a throttling orifice 241, a throttling orifice member 232 with a throttling orifice 242, a drive unit 27 that drives the throttling orifice member 231, and a control unit 28 that controls the drive unit 27. The drive unit 27 drives the throttle orifice member 231, thereby switching, as shown by arrow AR1, to either a first state that selects only the fuel supply path through both throttle orifices 241 and 242, or a second state that selects both the fuel supply path that bypasses throttle orifice 241 and only passes through throttle orifice 242, or the fuel supply path that passes through both throttle orifices 241 and 242.

[0042] like Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown, the throttling orifice member 231 is columnar and protrudes from the -Y direction side of the main body 31 into the recess 31g formed in the main body 31 in the Y-axis direction. The recess 31g communicates with the downstream side of the pressure reducing valve 22 at its bottom and with the throttling orifice member 232, which has a throttling orifice 242, on its inner wall. A recess 231a is formed at the +Y direction side end of the throttling orifice member 231. Furthermore, a throttling orifice 241 is provided through the +Y direction side end of the throttling orifice member 231, communicating with the inner side of the recess 231a and the outer wall. Additionally, a groove 231b is formed on the outer wall of the +Y direction side end of the throttling orifice member 231, and a sealing member 233, formed of an elastic material such as silicone rubber and elastically in contact with the inner wall of the recess 31g, is embedded in the groove 231b. The drive unit 27 has a shaft 272 connected to the orifice member 231 at its +Y direction end and an actuator 271 that drives the shaft 272 along the Y-axis. The orifice member 232 is cylindrical and is embedded in a recess 34a formed in the orifice member holding portion 34 with its +X direction end exposed to the +X direction side of the orifice member holding portion 34. A throttling orifice 242 is formed on the inner side of the -X direction end of the orifice member 232. In addition, an O-ring 234 is embedded in a groove 232a formed on the outer wall of the -X direction end of the orifice member 232, which is pressed against the inner wall of the recess 34a.

[0043] And, as Figure 5A and Figure 5BAs shown, in the first position Pos1 where the end of the throttle orifice member 231 on its +Y direction side abuts against the bottom of the recess 31g of the main body 31, as indicated by the dashed arrow, this becomes the first state where only the fuel supply path PASS1 via both throttle orifices 241 and 242 is selected. Here, as... Figure 6A and Figure 6B As indicated by arrow AR2, when the drive unit 27 moves the throttle orifice member 231 from the first position Pos1 to the second position Pos2 on its -Y direction side, the end of the throttle orifice member 231 on the +Y direction side becomes separated from the bottom of the recess 31g of the main body 31. In this case, it becomes a second state that selects both the fuel supply path PASS2 that bypasses the throttle orifice 241 and only passes through the throttle orifice 242, and the fuel supply path PASS1 that passes through both the throttle orifices 241 and 242. In this second state, the amount of fuel gas supplied to the connection port 25 increases compared to the first state. Thus, by changing the position of the throttle orifice member 231 in the recess 31g, the drive unit 27 changes the amount of fuel gas supplied to the connection port 25 via the fuel supply path L4.

[0044] The control unit 28 includes a supply adjustment unit 281 that adjusts the amount of fuel gas supplied to the connection port 25, and a lookup table storage unit 282 that stores a lookup table. The control unit 28 is, for example, a microcomputer equipped with memory. Figure 7 As shown, the lookup table stored in the lookup table storage unit 282 stores information indicating the correlation between the pressure Pr of the fuel gas in tank 1 detected by the pressure sensor 26 and the supply amounts F0 and F1 of the fuel gas supplied to the connection port 25 in the first and second states, respectively. Figure 7 In the example shown, the supply quantities F0 and F1 in the first and second states respectively become the maximum supply quantities F0_0 and F1_0 when the pressure Pr of tank 1 is the pressure Pr_0 when the tank is full, showing that they gradually decrease as the pressure Pr decreases.

[0045] The supply quantity adjustment unit 3 adjusts based on the detection signal input from the pressure sensor 26 to maintain the average supply quantity of fuel gas at a preset target supply quantity by varying the state maintenance time of maintaining the state in which at least one fuel supply path is selected. Specifically, the supply quantity adjustment unit 281 adjusts based on the detection signal input from the pressure sensor 26 to repeatedly alternate between the aforementioned first state and second state, maintaining the average supply quantity of fuel gas at a preset target supply quantity. Specifically, the supply quantity adjustment unit 281 controls the drive unit 27 based on the detection signal input from the pressure sensor 26 to repeatedly change the position of the throttling orifice member 231 within the recess 31g of the main body 31. Thus, as Figure 8A and Figure 8B As shown, the supply amount F of fuel gas supplied to the connection port 25 alternates with time as the supply amount F0 in the first state and the supply amount F1 in the second state. Furthermore, the supply amount adjustment unit 281 controls the drive unit 27 to take the average supply amount obtained by averaging the supply amount F of fuel gas supplied to the connection port 25 over time as the target supply amount. Here, the average supply amount is expressed by the following equation (1).

[0046] [Mathematical Expression 1]

[0047]

[0048] Here, Fave represents the average supply quantity, F0 represents the supply quantity in the first state, and F1 represents the supply quantity in the second state. Additionally, dT1 represents the duration of maintaining the second state, and dT2 represents the switching cycle between the first and second states. Here, the supply quantity adjustment unit 281 determines the pressure of tank 1 based on the detection signal input from the pressure sensor 26, and determines the supply quantities F0 and F1 corresponding to the determined pressure by referring to the lookup table stored in the lookup table storage unit 282. Next, the supply quantity adjustment unit 281 uses the relationship expressed by equation (1) above to calculate the duration of maintaining the second state when the average supply quantity becomes the target supply quantity, based on the determined supply quantities F0 and F1 and a preset switching cycle. Then, the supply quantity adjustment unit 281 controls the drive unit 27 to maintain the second state for the calculated duration. For example, as... Figure 8A and Figure 8B As shown, the supply quantity adjustment unit 281 switches the average supply quantity of fuel gas supplied to the connection port 25 to Fave1 or Fave2, which is longer than Fave1, by switching the second state maintenance time to time dT1_1 or time dT1_2, which is longer than time dT1_1. Furthermore, when the target supply quantity changes over time, the supply quantity adjustment unit 281 changes the second state maintenance time according to the time change of the target supply quantity, thereby changing the average supply quantity of fuel gas supplied to the connection port 25.

[0049] As explained above, in the fuel gas supply device 2 according to this embodiment, the supply quantity adjustment unit 3 adjusts the supply quantity of fuel gas from the fuel supply path PASS1, PASS2 by selecting at least one fuel supply path PASS1, PASS2 from at least one of a plurality of throttling orifices 241, 242 formed downstream of the pressure reducing valve 22 and having different throttling orifice diameters. Therefore, a mechanism for suppressing pressure fluctuations in the fuel gas is not required, thus enabling a corresponding miniaturization of the overall fuel gas supply device 2.

[0050] Furthermore, the fuel gas supply device 2 of this embodiment includes a main body 31 with a recess 31g. The recess 31g communicates with the downstream side of the pressure reducing valve 22 at its bottom and with a throttling orifice member 232 having a throttling orifice 242 on its inner wall. Additionally, the supply quantity adjustment unit 3 includes: a throttling orifice member 231, which is columnar and has a recess 231a formed at its +Y direction end, and a throttling orifice 241 communicating with the inner and outer walls of the recess 231a, and is slidably embedded within the recess 31g; and a drive unit 27 that drives the throttling orifice member 231. Furthermore, the supply quantity adjustment unit 3 uses the drive unit 27 to drive the throttle orifice member 231, thereby changing the position of the throttle orifice member 231 within the recess 31g. This allows it to switch between two states: a first state where only the fuel supply path PASS1, which passes through both throttle orifices 241 and 242, is selected; and a second state where both the fuel supply path PASS2, which bypasses the throttle orifice 241 and passes only through the throttle orifice 242, and the fuel supply path PASS1 are selected. This simplifies and miniaturizes the structure of the supply quantity adjustment unit 3.

[0051] Moreover, such as Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown, the throttling orifice member 231 is columnar and its end on the -Y direction side is exposed to the -Y direction side of the main body 31, so that it can be slidably embedded in the recess 31g formed in the main body 31 in the Y-axis direction.

[0052] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the structure of the embodiments described above. For example, the supply quantity adjustment unit may also adjust the fuel gas supply quantity by selecting at least one fuel supply path from three or more fuel supply paths that are formed on the downstream side of the pressure reducing valve 22 and have different throttling orifice diameters.

[0053] In implementation methods, for example, Figure 9AAs shown, the supply quantity adjustment unit may also include a supply path relay member 2231 that allows fuel gas flowing in from the fuel supply path L3 to flow downstream, and a drive unit 2027 that drives the supply path relay member 2231. The supply path relay member 2231 is columnar and has a groove 2231a formed on its sidewall, allowing fuel gas flowing in from the fuel supply path L3 to flow downstream. Furthermore, the supply path relay member 2231 is slidably embedded in the recess 2031g formed in the main body portion 2031 of the fuel gas supply device along its central axis. Additionally, multiple grooves 2231b are formed on both sides of the groove 2231a in the central axis direction on the sidewall of the supply path relay member 2231, and a sealing member 2233, formed of an elastic material in a ring shape and in elastic contact with the inner wall of the recess 2031g, is embedded in each groove 2231b. The drive unit 2027 has a shaft 2272 connected to the supply path relay member 2231 and an actuator 2271 that drives the shaft 2272 along the central axis direction of the supply path relay member 2231.

[0054] Furthermore, two throttling orifices 2241 and 2242 with different cross-sectional areas are formed between the recess 2031g in the main body 2031 and the fuel supply passage L4. The throttling orifices 2241 and 2242 are, for example, circular in cross-section, with the inner diameter D1 of the throttling orifice 2241 being smaller than the inner diameter D2 of the throttling orifice 2242. Figure 9A In the above, as indicated by the dashed arrow, the fuel gas flowing from fuel supply path L3 into the groove 2231a of the supply path relay member 2231 reaches fuel supply path L4 only through the throttle orifice 2241. Furthermore, as... Figure 9B As shown, when the drive unit 2027 of the fuel gas supply device moves the supply path relay member 2231 as indicated by arrow AR3, as shown by the dashed arrow, the fuel gas flowing from the fuel supply path L3 into the groove 2231a of the supply path relay member 2231 reaches the fuel supply path L4 only through the throttle orifice 2242.

[0055] Or, such as Figure 10A As shown, two throttling orifices 3241 and 3242 can also be formed between the recess 3031g in the main body 3031 of the fuel gas supply device and the fuel supply path L4. The supply path relay member 2231 is arranged in either a position where its groove 2231a faces only one of the two throttling orifices 3241 and 3242, or a position where it faces both of the two throttling orifices 3241 and 3242. Figure 10A In the above, as indicated by the dashed arrow, the fuel gas flowing from fuel supply path L3 into the groove 2231a of the supply path relay member 2231 reaches fuel supply path L4 only through the throttle orifice 3241. Furthermore, as... Figure 10BAs shown, when the drive unit 3027 of the fuel gas supply device moves the supply path relay member 2231 as indicated by arrow AR4, as shown by the dashed arrow, the state is switched so that the fuel gas flowing from the fuel supply path L3 into the groove 2231a of the supply path relay member 2231 reaches the fuel supply path L4 through both the throttle holes 3241 and 3242.

[0056] In this embodiment, the supply quantity adjustment unit can also adjust the supply quantity of fuel gas from the fuel supply path L3 by repeatedly alternating between a state in which the fuel supply path is selected via at least one throttle orifice formed on the downstream side of the pressure reducing valve 22 and a state in which the fuel supply to the downstream side is cut off. That is, the supply quantity of fuel gas in the first state described in this embodiment can also be set to 0. In this case, the supply quantity adjustment unit can be configured to have a cut-off member (not shown) instead of the throttle orifice member 231, which has a structure that eliminates the throttle orifice 241 from the throttle orifice member 231 and cuts off the flow of fuel gas to the downstream side.

[0057] In implementation methods, for example, it may also be as follows: Figure 11 As shown in the fuel gas supply device 3002, it includes two pressure reducing valves 3022 connected in series downstream of the shut-off valve 21 inserted into the fuel supply path L1 from the tank 1 for supplying fuel gas. Here, the number of pressure reducing valves 3022 connected in series is not limited to two; it can also be three or more. Alternatively, for example, it can be as follows... Figure 12 As shown in the fuel gas supply device 4002, it includes two pressure reducing valves 4022 connected in parallel downstream of the shut-off valve 21 inserted into the fuel supply path L1 from the tank 1 for fuel gas supply. Here, the number of pressure reducing valves 4022 connected in parallel is not limited to two; it can be three or more. Alternatively, it can be a structure in which at least one group of multiple pressure reducing valves 4022 connected in parallel and at least one pressure reducing valve 3022 are connected in series.

[0058] The embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention includes structures that appropriately combine the embodiments and modifications, and structures that apply appropriate changes to the embodiments and modifications.

[0059] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-029217, filed on February 28, 2023. The description, claims, and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-029217 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0060] Industrial availability

[0061] The present invention is suitable, for example, as a fuel gas supply device for supplying fuel gas to a fuel cell mounted on a small mobile mechanism.

[0062] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0063] 1: Tank; 2, 3002, 4002: Fuel gas supply device; 3: Supply quantity adjustment unit; 21: Shut-off valve; 22, 3022, 4022: Pressure reducing valve; 25: Connection port; 26: Pressure sensor; 27, 2027: Drive unit; 28: Control unit; 31: Main body; 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e, 31f, 31g, 34a, 231 a, 2031g, 3031g: Recess; 32: Cover; 33: Fixing part; 34: Throttle orifice component holding part; 35: Drive part holding part; 41: Fuel filling part; 42, 43: Safety valve; 44: Connection port; 211, 221: Cylinder block; 211a, 221a, 231b, 232a, 412a, 2221a, 2222a, 2231a, 2231b: 212, 222: Valve core; 213: Operating button; 214, 224, 225, 226, 234, 413: O-ring; 223: Force-applying component; 231, 232: Throttling orifice component; 233, 2233: Sealing component; 241, 242, 2241, 2242, 3241, 3242: Throttling orifice; 271, 2271: Actuator; 272, 227 2: Shaft, 281: Supply Adjustment Section, 282: Lookup Table Storage Section, 411: Check Valve, 412: Filling Section Main Body, 2221: Main Section, 2222: Outer Flange Section, 2231: Supply Path Relay Component, L1, L2, L3: Fuel Supply Path, L11, L12, L13: Branch Flow Path, PASS1, PASS2: Fuel Supply Path, S221, S222: Area.

Claims

1. A fuel gas supply device, wherein, The fuel gas supply device includes: At least one pressure reducing valve, said pressure reducing valve reduces the pressure of fuel gas supplied from a tank storing fuel gas to a preset pressure; A supply quantity adjustment unit adjusts the supply quantity of fuel gas from the fuel supply path by selecting a fuel supply path via at least one throttle orifice formed downstream of the at least one pressure reducing valve. as well as A pressure sensor detects the pressure of the fuel gas inside the tank. The supply adjustment unit repeatedly changes at least one fuel supply path selected from a variety of fuel supply paths, and adjusts based on a detection signal input from the pressure sensor, so as to maintain the average supply of fuel gas at a preset target supply by varying the state maintenance time of maintaining the state of selecting the at least one fuel supply path. The supply adjustment unit has: A lookup table storage unit stores lookup tables that represent the correlation between the pressure of the fuel gas in the tank and the supply amount of each of the states in which the at least one fuel supply path is selected. as well as The supply quantity adjustment unit determines the pressure of the fuel gas in the tank based on the detection signal input from the pressure sensor, determines the supply quantity in the state where at least one fuel supply path is selected corresponding to the determined fuel gas pressure by referring to the lookup table, calculates the state maintenance time when the average supply quantity becomes the target supply quantity based on the determined supply quantity and a preset switching cycle when repeatedly changing the at least one fuel supply path, and performs control to maintain the state of selecting at least one fuel supply path for the calculated state maintenance time.

2. The fuel gas supply device according to claim 1, wherein, The supply adjustment unit changes the state maintenance time according to the time change of the target supply, thereby changing the average supply.

3. The fuel gas supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The supply quantity adjustment unit also adjusts the supply quantity of fuel gas from the fuel supply path by repeatedly and alternately generating a state in which the fuel supply path selected via at least one throttle orifice formed downstream of the at least one pressure reducing valve is selected, and a state in which the fuel supply to the downstream side is cut off.

4. A fuel gas supply device, wherein, The fuel gas supply device includes: At least one pressure reducing valve, said pressure reducing valve to a preset pressure for fuel gas supplied from a tank storing fuel gas; and A supply quantity adjustment unit adjusts the supply quantity of fuel gas from the fuel supply path by selecting a fuel supply path via at least one throttle orifice formed downstream of the at least one pressure reducing valve. The supply adjustment unit switches to either a first state that selects only the first fuel supply path through two different throttling orifices with different diameters, or a second state that selects the second fuel supply path that bypasses the smaller of the two throttling orifices and only passes through the other throttling orifice, or a second state that selects only the first fuel supply path.

5. The fuel gas supply device according to claim 4, wherein, The fuel gas supply device further includes a main body portion having a first recess, the first recess communicating at its bottom with the downstream side of the at least one pressure reducing valve and on its inner wall communicating with a second throttling orifice member having the other throttling orifice. The supply adjustment unit has: The first throttling orifice component is columnar and has a second recess at its front end. A throttling orifice is provided through the first recess in such a way that it communicates with the inner side and the outer side wall of the second recess. The first throttling orifice component is slidably embedded in the first recess. as well as The driving unit drives the first throttling orifice member. The driving unit drives the first throttling orifice member so that by changing the position of the first throttling orifice member in the first recess, it can switch to either the first state or the second state.

6. The fuel gas supply device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, The supply adjustment unit is also capable of obtaining a state in which the fuel supply path is selected via at least one throttle orifice formed downstream of the at least one pressure reducing valve, and a state in which the fuel supply to the downstream side is cut off.

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