Flow path opening and closing device

Abstract

The invention provides a flow path opening and closing device which has a compact structure and can control the opening and closing of a flow path through which a cryogenic fluid flows. This flow path opening and closing device is provided in a flow path through which a cryogenic fluid supplied from a supply device flows, and is provided with: a check valve provided in the flow path; and a valve provided on the upstream side of the flow path with respect to the check valve, the check valve being provided with: a valve body seat provided with a through hole that is a part of the flow path; a valve body which is in contact with the valve body seat from the downstream side of the flow path to close the flow path by closing the through hole; and a spring part which presses the valve body against the valve body seat, and when the low-temperature fluid is supplied to the flow path from the supply device, the valve is switched to an open state, and the nozzle tip of the supply device passes through the inside of the valve and separates the valve body from the valve body seat while pressing the valve body, thereby opening the flow path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a flow path opening and closing device. Background Technology

[0002] Cryogenic valves are used to control the opening and closing of flow paths through which cryogenic fluids such as liquid hydrogen and liquid helium pass. For example, the cryogenic valve, or flow path opening and closing device, disclosed in Patent Document 1, includes a valve body for opening and closing the flow path and an actuator for driving the valve body. If the temperature of the actuator drops below its minimum operating temperature due to the cryogenic fluid flowing through the cryogenic valve, the actuator will not operate, and the flow path may not be able to be opened or closed. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, the temperature drop of the actuator is suppressed by lengthening the rod connecting the actuator and the valve body.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-197949 Summary of the Invention

[0004] Regarding the flow path opening and closing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the inventors have discovered the following problems. The flow path opening and closing device shown in Patent Document 1 is large. When the flow rate of the supplied cryogenic fluid is increased, the temperature of the actuator is more likely to fall below the minimum operating temperature, thus requiring further lengthening of the rod, further increasing the size of the flow path opening and closing device. From a design point of view, such a large flow path opening and closing device limits the installation location.

[0005] The present invention was made to solve this problem, and its purpose is to provide a flow path opening and closing device with a compact structure that can control the opening and closing of the flow path for the flow of cryogenic fluid.

[0006] The flow path opening and closing device of the present invention is disposed in a flow path for cryogenic fluid supplied from a supply device. The flow path opening and closing device includes: a check valve disposed in the flow path; and a valve disposed upstream of the flow path relative to the check valve. The check valve includes: a valve body seat having a through hole that is part of the flow path; a valve body that contacts the valve body seat from the downstream side of the flow path and blocks the through hole, thereby closing the flow path; and a spring portion that presses the valve body against the valve body seat. When the cryogenic fluid is supplied from the supply device to the flow path, the valve switches to an open state, and the nozzle tip of the supply device passes through the valve, pressing the valve body in and separating it from the valve body seat, thereby opening the flow path.

[0007] Thus, the flow path opening and closing device opens the flow path by separating the valve body from the valve body seat caused by the forward movement of the nozzle tip. Even if the flow path of the cryogenic liquid supplied to the flow path increases, the flow path opening and closing device does not need to be large-scaled. Therefore, a compact flow path opening and closing device can be achieved.

[0008] The check valve may further include: a nozzle seat disposed on the upstream side of the flow path relative to the valve body seat and capable of contacting the nozzle tip; and a connecting pipe connecting the nozzle seat and the valve body, the nozzle seat and the connecting pipe having a through hole that forms part of the flow path, the nozzle tip contacting and being pressed into the nozzle seat, thereby pressing the valve body in, and the cryogenic fluid discharged from the nozzle tip flowing to the downstream side of the flow path through the through hole disposed in the nozzle seat, the connecting pipe and the valve body seat.

[0009] The flow path opening and closing device can be connected to a tank mounted on a vehicle, and the cryogenic fluid is supplied to the tank via the flow path opening and closing device.

[0010] The flow rate of the cryogenic fluid can be controlled by the amount of pressure applied to the valve body by the nozzle tip.

[0011] The nozzle tip can be separated from the nozzle seat, thereby pressing the valve body against the valve body seat by the reaction force of the spring, thus closing the flow path.

[0012] Invention Effects

[0013] The present invention provides a flow path opening and closing device with a compact structure, which can control the opening and closing of the flow path for cryogenic fluid. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a cryogenic fluid supply system for supplying cryogenic fluid to a vehicle equipped with the flow path opening and closing device according to Embodiment 1.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the connection state of the flow path opening and closing device and the supply gun involved in Embodiment 1.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the flow path opening and closing device in the open state according to Embodiment 1.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the flow path opening and closing device in the closed state according to Embodiment 1.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a method for supplying cryogenic fluid using the flow path opening and closing device described in Embodiment 1. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, the following description and drawings have been appropriately simplified.

[0020] (Implementation Method 1)

[0021] <Cryogenic Fluid Supply System>

[0022] The flow path opening and closing device according to this embodiment is provided in the flow path of a cryogenic fluid. Examples of cryogenic fluids include liquefied gases such as liquid hydrogen and liquid helium. Furthermore, the following description illustrates an example of mounting the flow path opening and closing device according to this embodiment in a vehicle, but is not limited to this. For example, the flow path opening and closing device can be applied to systems that supply cryogenic fluid to equipment installed in a factory and using cryogenic fluid within the factory.

[0023] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The cryogenic fluid supply system equipped with the flow path opening and closing device described in Embodiment 1 will be explained. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a cryogenic fluid supply system for supplying cryogenic fluid to a vehicle equipped with the flow path opening and closing device according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the connection state of the flow path opening / closing device and the supply gun according to Embodiment 1. Figure 1 As shown, the cryogenic fluid supply system 1 includes a supply device 10 and a vehicle 20.

[0024] The supply device 10, located at a so-called hydrogen station, is used to supply cryogenic fluid to the vehicle 20. In this embodiment, the cryogenic fluid is liquid hydrogen. The supply device 10 includes a supply nozzle 11.

[0025] When supplying liquid hydrogen to vehicle 20, the supply gun 11 is connected to the supply port P located on vehicle 20. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the supply gun 11 has a nozzle 111 for supplying liquid hydrogen. When supplying liquid hydrogen to the vehicle 20, the supply gun 11 advances the nozzle 111 toward the supply port P, inserting the nozzle tip 111a into the vehicle 20. Then, liquid hydrogen is discharged from the nozzle tip 111a. If the supply of liquid hydrogen ends, the supply gun 11 retracts the nozzle 111 toward the supply gun 11, retracting the nozzle tip 111a into the supply gun 11.

[0026] Return to Figure 1 The vehicle 20 is an automobile (fuel cell vehicle) equipped with a fuel cell (FC) not shown. The vehicle 20 has a liquid hydrogen tank 21, piping 22 and flow path opening and closing device 23.

[0027] Liquid hydrogen tank 21 is a container for storing liquid hydrogen supplied from supply device 10. Liquid hydrogen tank 21 is, for example, made of stainless steel and has a vacuum-insulated structure. The temperature inside liquid hydrogen tank 21 is, for example, below -253°C, maintained below the boiling point of liquid hydrogen. The upper part of liquid hydrogen tank 21 is filled with hydrogen gas. Hydrogen obtained by evaporating the liquid hydrogen stored in liquid hydrogen tank 21 is supplied to the fuel cell.

[0028] One end of pipe 22 is connected to liquid hydrogen tank 21, and the other end is connected to... Figure 2 The flow path opening and closing device 23 shown is connected. Liquid hydrogen is stored in liquid hydrogen tank 21 through piping 22. To prevent the liquid hydrogen from vaporizing due to the intrusion of external heat, piping 22 is covered with insulating material. As the insulating material, for example, a material made of alternating layers of aluminum or aluminum vapor-deposited film and glass fiber pads is used, but it is not limited to this.

[0029] The flow path opening and closing device 23 is installed in the flow path where the cryogenic fluid is supplied from the supply device 10 to control the flow of liquid hydrogen. The structure of the flow path opening and closing device 23 will be described in detail below.

[0030] <Structure of the flow path opening and closing device>

[0031] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The flow path opening and closing device involved in Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the flow path opening and closing device in the open state according to Embodiment 1. Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the flow path opening / closing device in the closed state according to Embodiment 1. One end (outside the vehicle) of the flow path opening / closing device 23 becomes the supply port P, and when liquid hydrogen is supplied from the supply device 10, the flow path opening / closing device 23 is connected to the supply gun 11. Furthermore, the connection structure between the flow path opening / closing device 23 and the supply gun 11 can have an interlock function to prevent disengagement at an inappropriate time. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the flow path opening and closing device 23 includes a valve 24 and a check valve 25.

[0032] First, let’s explain valve 24.

[0033] In the flow path opening and closing device 23, valve 24 is provided on the upstream side (supply port P side). In this embodiment, from the viewpoint of easily inserting nozzle 111 into valve 24, a ball valve with a ball body is used as valve 24, but it is not limited to this. For example, gate valve, butterfly valve, etc. can be used as valve 24. Valve 24 includes valve body 241, ball 242, stem 243 and actuator 244.

[0034] A ball 242 is disposed within a valve body 241, which is a cylindrical component. The ball 242 has a through hole. By rotating the ball 242, the direction of the through hole is changed, and the valve 24 switches between open and closed states. Figure 4 As shown, when valve 24 is in the open state, the nozzle tip 111a passes through the through hole of ball 242 into valve 24. Therefore, the inner diameter of the through hole of ball 242 is preferably larger than the outer diameter of nozzle 111.

[0035] Actuator 244 is connected to ball 242 via rod 243. Actuator 244 switches the open and closed states of valve 24 by rotating ball 242. Alternatively, a handle can be provided instead of actuator 244, and ball 242 can be rotated by rotating the handle.

[0036] When supplying liquid hydrogen from the supply device 10 to the liquid hydrogen tank 21, valve 24 switches to... Figure 4 The valve is in the open state as shown. On the other hand, if the supply of liquid hydrogen ends, valve 24 switches from the open state to the open state. Figure 3 The valve 24 is closed, thus preventing hydrogen from leaking from the liquid hydrogen tank 21 to the outside of the vehicle 20.

[0037] Next, the check valve 25 will be explained.

[0038] In the flow path opening and closing device 23, the check valve 25 is located on the downstream side (the side of the liquid hydrogen tank 21). The check valve 25 includes a check valve body 251, a valve body seat 252, a valve body 253, a spring part 254, a nozzle seat 255, and a connecting pipe 256.

[0039] The check valve body 251 is a cylindrical component. The check valve body 251 is connected to the valve body 241.

[0040] The valve body seat 252 is an annular component with a through hole that becomes part of the flow path. The valve body seat 252 is disposed inside the check valve body 251 and functions as a valve seat for the valve body 253.

[0041] The valve body 253 is housed within the check valve body 251 in a manner that allows it to move towards and away from the valve body seat 252. For example... Figure 3 As shown, valve body 253 contacts valve body seat 252 from the downstream side of the flow path, blocking the through hole of valve body seat 252. Thus, valve body 253 closes the flow path. Check valve 25 closes the flow path through the contact between valve body 253 and valve body seat 252, for example, preventing leakage of liquid hydrogen stored in liquid hydrogen tank 21 from the vehicle 20 to the outside of the vehicle 20 due to shaking of the vehicle 20.

[0042] The spring portion 254 is disposed downstream of the valve body 253 within the check valve body 251. The valve body 253 is pressed against the valve body seat 252 by the reaction force of the spring portion 254. For example, a coil spring, leaf spring, or disc spring can be used as the spring portion 254.

[0043] The nozzle seat 255 is disposed upstream of the valve body seat 252 within the check valve body 251 and is capable of contacting the nozzle tip 111a. The nozzle seat 255 is an annular component having a through hole that forms part of the flow path. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of improving the seal with the nozzle tip 111a, the nozzle seat 255 may be tapered in the inner diameter of its upstream face. By improving the seal between the nozzle seat 255 and the nozzle tip 111a of the check valve 25, leakage of liquid hydrogen from between the nozzle seat 255 and the nozzle tip 111a can be suppressed.

[0044] The connecting pipe 256 connects the nozzle seat 255 and the valve body 253. The connecting pipe 256 is a cylindrical component with a through-hole that forms part of the flow path. The through-hole of the connecting pipe 256 is not only located at the center of the connecting pipe 256 but also on the side of the connecting pipe 256 near the valve body 253. One or more through-holes are provided on the side of the connecting pipe 256 radially. The opening downstream of the central through-hole is sealed by the valve body 253. Therefore, as... Figure 4 As shown, liquid hydrogen flowing out of the through hole of the nozzle seat 255 flows downstream through the through hole in the center of the connecting pipe 256 and the through hole on the side.

[0045] <Operation of the flow path opening and closing device>

[0046] The operation of the flow path opening and closing device 23 will be explained by the opening and closing action of the flow path driven by the flow path opening and closing device 23.

[0047] If valve 24 is switched to the open state, the nozzle tip 111a can advance downstream within valve 24. The nozzle tip 111a, passing through valve 24, contacts the nozzle seat 255 within check valve 25. Then, the nozzle tip 111a advances further, thereby pressing the nozzle seat 255 downstream. Then, the valve body 253, connected to the nozzle seat 255 via connecting pipe 256, is pressed downstream. The downstream pressing of the valve body 253 causes it to separate from the valve body seat 252, thus opening the flow path.

[0048] On the other hand, if the nozzle tip 111a retracts, the nozzle tip 111a separates from the nozzle seat 255. Then, by the reaction force of the spring part 254, the valve body 253 is pressed against the valve body seat 252. Then, the valve body 253 blocks the through hole of the valve body seat 252, thereby closing the flow path.

[0049] As described above, the flow path opening and closing device 23 switches between opening and closing the flow path by the separation and contact between the valve body 253 and the valve body seat 252 caused by the forward and backward movement of the nozzle tip 111a. Furthermore, the flow path opening and closing device 23 can control the flow rate of liquid hydrogen through the flow path based on the amount of pressure applied to the valve body 253 by the nozzle tip 111a, in other words, based on the separation distance between the valve body 253 and the valve body seat 252. That is, the flow path opening and closing and flow rate control are performed by the check valve 25 instead of the valve 24. Liquid hydrogen does not pass through the valve 24, therefore there is no need to consider the temperature drop of the actuator 244 caused by liquid hydrogen and thus require a larger valve 24.

[0050] More specifically, liquid hydrogen is discharged from the nozzle tip 111a within valve 24, thus avoiding contact with the inner walls of valve body 241 and ball 242. Therefore, the temperature drop in actuator 244 caused by liquid hydrogen is less significant compared to the case where liquid hydrogen flows through the channels within valve body 241 and ball 242 and contacts the inner walls. Consequently, there is no need to extend rod 243 to suppress the temperature drop in actuator 244, thus further minimizing the need for larger valves.

[0051] <Methods for supplying cryogenic fluids>

[0052] Next, a method for supplying liquid hydrogen as a cryogenic fluid using the flow path opening and closing device 23 described in Embodiment 1 will be explained. Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a method for supplying cryogenic fluid using the flow path opening and closing device described in Embodiment 1. Figure 5 The flowchart begins with the supply gun 11 connected to the supply port P located on the vehicle 20. Furthermore, Figure 5 After the flowchart is completed, disconnect the supply gun 11 from the supply port P.

[0053] First, the flow path opening and closing device 23 switches valve 24 to the open state (step S101). The actuator 244 rotates ball 242, and valve 24 becomes open. If valve 24 is open, nozzle tip 111a can pass through valve body 241 and advance into check valve 25.

[0054] Next, the flow path opening / closing device 23 switches the check valve 25 to the open state (step S102). The nozzle seat 255 is pressed downstream by contact between the nozzle tip 111a inside the valve 24 and the nozzle tip 111a. Then, the valve body 253, connected to the nozzle seat 255 via the connecting pipe 256, is pressed downstream. The valve body 253 then separates from the valve body seat 252, thereby opening the flow path. Through these actions, the check valve 25 becomes open.

[0055] Next, the supply device 10 begins supplying liquid hydrogen (step S103). The liquid hydrogen discharged from the nozzle tip 111a flows downstream through the through holes provided in the nozzle seat 255, connecting pipe 256, and valve body seat 252. Then, the liquid hydrogen is stored in the liquid hydrogen tank 21.

[0056] After discharging a specified amount of liquid hydrogen, the supply device 10 ends the supply of liquid hydrogen (step S104).

[0057] Next, the flow path opening and closing device 23 switches the check valve 25 to the closed state (step S105). The nozzle tip 111a separates from the nozzle seat 255 by the retraction of the nozzle 111. Then, the valve body 253 is pressed against the valve body seat 252 by the reaction force of the spring 254. The valve body 253 then blocks the through hole of the valve body seat 252, thereby closing the flow path. Through these actions, the check valve 25 is in the closed state.

[0058] Finally, the flow path opening and closing device 23 switches the valve 24 to the closed state (step S106). After the nozzle 111 retracts and the nozzle tip 111a is stored in the supply gun 11, similar to opening the passage through the valve 24 in step S101, the actuator 244 rotates the ball 242, and the valve 24 becomes closed.

[0059] As explained above, according to the flow path opening and closing device 23 of Embodiment 1, the opening and closing of the flow path is switched by the separation and contact between the valve body 253 and the valve body seat 252 caused by the forward and backward movement of the nozzle tip 111a. Furthermore, the flow path opening and closing device 23 can control the flow rate of liquid hydrogen through the flow path based on the amount of pressure applied to the valve body 253 by the nozzle tip 111a, in other words, based on the separation distance between the valve body 253 and the valve body seat 252. Thus, the opening and closing of the flow path and the control of the flow rate are performed by the check valve 25 instead of the valve 24, eliminating the need for a large valve 24. Therefore, a compact flow path opening and closing device 23 can be achieved.

[0060] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from its spirit.

[0061] Symbol Explanation

[0062] 1-Cryogenic fluid supply system, 10-Supply device, 11-Supply gun, 20-Vehicle, 21-Liquid hydrogen tank, 22-Piping, 23-Flow path opening and closing device, 24-Valve, 25-Check valve, 111-Nozzle, 111a-Nozzle tip, 241-Valve body, 242-Ball, 243-Rod, 244-Actuator, 251-Check valve body, 252-Valve body seat, 253-Valve body, 254-Spring part, 255-Nozzle seat, 256-Connecting pipe, P-Supply port.

Claims

1. A flow path opening and closing device, disposed in a flow path for a cryogenic fluid supplied from a supply device, characterized in that it comprises: A check valve, which is disposed in the flow path; and A valve, which is disposed upstream of the check valve in the flow path. The check valve includes: A valve body seat having a through hole that forms part of the flow path; A valve body, which contacts the valve body seat from the downstream side of the flow path to block the through hole, thereby closing the flow path; and The spring portion presses the valve body against the valve body seat. When the cryogenic fluid is supplied from the supply device to the flow path When the valve is switched to the open state, the nozzle tip of the supply device passes through the valve and presses the valve body in while separating it from the valve body seat, thereby opening the flow path.

2. The flow path opening and closing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The check valve also features: A nozzle seat, disposed upstream of the flow path relative to the valve body seat, and capable of contacting the nozzle tip; and A connecting pipe connects the nozzle seat to the valve body. The nozzle seat and the connecting pipe have through holes that form part of the flow path. The nozzle tip contacts and is pressed into the nozzle seat, thereby pressing the valve body in. The cryogenic fluid discharged from the nozzle tip flows to the downstream side of the flow path through the through hole provided in the nozzle seat, the connecting pipe and the valve body seat.

3. The flow path opening and closing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The flow path opening and closing device is connected to the tank mounted on the vehicle. The cryogenic fluid is supplied to the tank via the flow path opening and closing device.

4. The flow path opening and closing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The flow rate of the cryogenic fluid is controlled based on the amount of pressure applied to the valve body by the nozzle tip.

5. The flow path opening and closing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The nozzle tip separates from the nozzle seat, thereby pressing the valve body against the valve body seat by the reaction force of the spring, thus closing the flow path.

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