Pressure vessel

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pressure vessel capable of storing a fluid, the pressure vessel being provided with: a plurality of main body parts in which spaces are formed; and a connecting part which is connected to one end of each of the plurality of main body parts and which connects the plurality of main body parts to each other, the cross-section of the main body parts perpendicular to the longitudinal direction being substantially quadrilateral. The main body part is provided with a reinforcing part which connects a pair of opposite surfaces in the space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to pressure vessels. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-3069 discloses a tank unit configured for a transport vehicle. The tank unit has multiple cylindrical tanks for storing fuel gas and connecting parts for connecting the multiple tanks.

[0003] In the past, tanks were cylindrical, making it difficult to say that they effectively ensured the volume used for storing fluids. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This specification discloses a pressure vessel capable of storing fluid. The pressure vessel comprises: a plurality of main body sections forming an internal space; and a connecting portion connected to one end of each of the plurality of main body sections, thereby enabling communication between the plurality of main body sections, wherein the cross-section of each main body section perpendicular to its length direction is approximately quadrilateral.

[0005] According to the structure described, the cross-section perpendicular to the length direction in the main body of the pressure vessel is approximately quadrilateral. Therefore, compared to the conventional circular cross-section, a larger volume can be ensured. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Hereinafter, the features, advantages, technical and industrial importance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same constituent elements, wherein:

[0007] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a pressure vessel.

[0008] Figure 2 Based on Figure 1 A sectional view along line II-II.

[0009] Figure 3 Based on Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along line III-III.

[0010] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of one end of the main body with the connector installed.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating a modified example of a pressure vessel housed in the space beneath the floor of a vehicle.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an existing pressure vessel housed in the space beneath the floor of a vehicle. Detailed Implementation

[0013] This embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely illustrative, and this embodiment is not limited to the content shown. Furthermore, since the drawings are illustrative, some parts are omitted.

[0014] Figure 1 The pressure vessel 10 of this embodiment is shown in a simplified cross-sectional view. The pressure vessel 10 is capable of storing fluid. The fluid may be, for example, a fuel gas such as hydrogen. In each figure, the X and Y directions are appropriately shown for ease of explanation. The X and Y directions are orthogonal. The pressure vessel 10 includes: a plurality of main body sections 20 forming an internal space; and a connecting section 30 connected to one end of each of the plurality of main body sections 20, thereby communicating the plurality of main body sections 20 with each other. The connecting section 30 is a flow path for supplying fluid. The plurality of main body sections 20 are connected via the connecting section 30. Furthermore, the fluid stored in each of the plurality of main body sections 20 is supplied to the outside of the pressure vessel 10 via the connecting section 30. Figure 1 The image shows a cross-section of the main body 20.

[0015] according to Figure 1 The main body 20 is elongated in the Y direction, with openings 23 at both ends in the Y direction. According to... Figure 1 The Y direction corresponds to the length direction of the main body 20. All main body parts 20 have their openings 23 at one end in the Y direction connected to the connecting part 30 in the same manner. According to... Figure 1 Multiple main body sections 20 are arranged side by side along the X direction (one direction). Additionally, the multiple main body sections 20 are positioned approximately at the same location in the Y direction. However, the lengths of the multiple main body sections 20 in, for example, the Y direction, may not be consistent with each other.

[0016] The main body 20 includes: a main stem 21, the shape of which is approximately constant in its cross-section perpendicular to the length direction; and tapered portions 22, which form the two ends of the main stem 21 in the length direction. The tapered portions 22 gradually or in stages reduce their cross-sectional area perpendicular to the length direction from the main stem 21 toward the opening 23. Hereinafter, the cross-section perpendicular to the length direction in the cross-section of the main body 20 will be referred to as the "first cross-section".

[0017] Figure 2 Based on Figure 1 A sectional view along line II-II. Figure 2 The shape of the first cross-section of the main body 20 is shown. (Example) Figure 2 As shown, the first cross-section is approximately quadrilateral. An approximately quadrilateral shape refers to a shape having two pairs of opposing planes (planes 25a and 25b, and planes 26a and 26b) and four corners connecting these four planes. For the four corners of the first cross-section, it is closer to reality that the planes intersect at right angles rather than curving. Furthermore, the opposing planes forming the first cross-section do not need to be strictly parallel, and each plane can be slightly curved.

[0018] Figure 3 Based on Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along line III-III. The main body 20 has reinforcing members 24 that connect opposite pairs of parts within the space of the main body 20. Figure 3 The diagram shows a wire 24a that connects the opposing pairs 25a and 25b of the main body 20 in a wavy manner. The wire 24a is formed of a composite material of carbon fiber and resin, namely carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). That is, the reinforcing member 24 has one or more wires 24a that stitch the pairs of pairs together and extend in the length direction of the main body 20.

[0019] exist Figure 3 In the main body 20, the multiple black dots represent cross-sections of the wire 24a. Additionally, in... Figure 2 In the main body 20, multiple lines depicted as a grid pattern also represent wires 24a. That is, within the space of the main body 20, multiple wires 24a are stitched together between opposite pairs 25a and 25b, and between another pair of opposing pairs 26a and 26b. The reinforcing member 24 possesses such multiple wires 24a. Figure 1 The reinforcing component 24 has been omitted.

[0020] An example of a method for manufacturing the pressure vessel 10 will be briefly described. Multiple hollow liners are prepared, serving as the substrate for the main body 20. The liners are formed, for example, from resin such as nylon. The liners are hollow bodies having a shape corresponding to the main body 20. Wires, for example, in a mesh or spiral shape, are wound onto the outer surface of such liners using a winding machine. The winding machine is also called a braiding machine, tape-tapping machine, etc. The wires wound relative to the liners are also CFRP impregnated with resin in carbon fibers. By winding the wires using a winding machine, a fiber layer 27 formed of CFRP is formed, covering the outer surface of the liners.

[0021] While the thread is wound using a winding machine, the thread 24a is simultaneously sewn relative to the lining using a sewing machine. Sewing methods for the thread 24a using a sewing machine include various types such as wavestitching and machine sewing, which connects the upper thread (thread 24a) to the lower thread (thread 24a). Through sewing the thread 24a with the sewing machine, the thread 24a penetrates the space inside the lining, for example, by setting... Figure 3 The reinforcing component 24 is shown.

[0022] The lining, winding machine, and sewing machine move relative to each other along the length of the lining. For example, the positions of the winding machine and sewing machine are fixed, and the lining moves relative to them along its length. Accompanying this movement, the sewing machine sewing the thread 24a and the winding machine winding the thread are performed in parallel. Thus, the portion of the thread 24a other than the portion passing through the space of the main body 20 can be removed. Figure 3 The main body 20 is efficiently manufactured by housing it within the fiber layer 27 as shown. These multiple main body parts 20 are then connected to the connecting part 30 at one end to form a unit. Figure 1 Pressure vessel 10 with the shape shown.

[0023] Thus, according to this embodiment, the first cross-section of the pressure vessel 10 is approximately quadrilateral. Therefore, compared to the existing structure where the cross-section of the pressure vessel perpendicular to the length direction is circular, a larger volume for storing fluid can be ensured.

[0024] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of ensuring strength relative to fluid pressure, it can be said that the existing circular cross-section is superior to the first cross-section which is approximately quadrilateral. However, in this embodiment, the main body 20 is configured to have a reinforcing member 24 that connects the opposing surfaces. Thus, the first cross-section of the main body 20 is approximately quadrilateral, and strength relative to fluid pressure can be ensured.

[0025] In the pressure vessel 10, a connector 40 is provided at one end of the main body 20. Figure 1 As shown by the double-dotted line, a connector 40 is installed at one end of one of the main body parts 20 and the other end of the main body part 20 in the Y direction. Figure 4 An enlarged sectional view shows the vicinity of one end of the main body 20 where the connector 40 is mounted. According to... Figure 4 The main body 20 has an inner liner 50 as the inner layer and a fiber layer 27 as the outer layer. Furthermore, in addition to... Figure 4 In the figures other than those shown, the liner 50 is simplified and not depicted. At one end of the main body 20, for example, the area near the opening 23 of the tapered portion 22 becomes a tube with approximately the same diameter as the opening 23, and the connector 40 is installed from the outside in the area near the opening. The connector 40 is, for example, made of metal and formed in a ring shape.

[0026] A threaded groove 41 for screwing into the fastening portion 60 (described later) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connector 40. On the other hand, a plurality of locking claws 42 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the connector 40. When the connector 40 is riveted to the vicinity of the opening of the main body 20, the plurality of locking claws 42 bite into the outer peripheral surface of the fiber layer 27, thereby locking the connector 40 into the main body 20.

[0027] The fastening part 60 is fastened to the connector 40 from the outside. That is, the fastening part 60 is fastened to the connector 40 by screwing the internal thread formed on the inside of the fastening part 60 into the threaded groove 41 of the connector 40. Figure 4 In this example, a portion of the fastener 60 extends into the inside of the opening 23, sealing the opening 23. The fastener 60 may also be configured to connect the opening 23 to other flow paths, such as the connector 30.

[0028] As described above, the reinforcing member 24 includes a wire 24a that stitches the opposing surfaces of the main body 20 together and extends along the length of the main body 20. Therefore, in this embodiment, one end of the wire 24a can also be fixed at a position away from the joint 40 at one end of the main body 20 where the joint 40 is provided. Figure 4 In the diagram, the thread 24a is shown in solid lines within the fiber layer 27. The end of the thread 24a is embedded within the fiber layer 27 in a position inaccessible to the locking claw 42 of the connector 40. That is, when the sewing machine and winding machine simultaneously perform sewing of the thread 24a as described above, one end of the main body 20 of the connector 40 is subsequently installed such that one end of the thread 24a is embedded in a predetermined position within the fiber layer 27 inaccessible to the locking claw 42. With this structure, contact between the locking claw 42 and the thread 24a within the fiber layer 27 is avoided. Therefore, the engagement of the locking claw 42 into the fiber layer 27 is not obstructed, and the connector 40 is securely locked to the main body 20.

[0029] Pressure vessel 10 is, for example, a space housed under the floor of a vehicle. The vehicle referred to here is a fuel cell electric vehicle or a hydrogen engine vehicle, which uses hydrogen stored in pressure vessel 10 as fuel to generate electricity or power. Figure 6 This refers to the existing pressure vessel 1 housed in the underfloor space A of the vehicle. The pressure vessel 1 is a conventional cylindrical hydrogen tank with a circular cross-section perpendicular to its length. A portion of the underfloor space A is defined by the body member 70 that divides the vehicle's floor and underfloor areas.

[0030] The body component 70 has a downwardly projecting protrusion 71 at a designated location. The body component 70 and the protrusion 71 constitute a part of the body. The protrusion 71 is, for example, a floor beam used to improve the rigidity of the body. Figure 6 As shown, the presence of the protrusion 71 previously created a dead space B between the vehicle body component 70 and the pressure vessel 1. Furthermore, the pressure vessel 1 has been miniaturized so that it can be housed in the underfloor space A at a position lower than the protrusion 71.

[0031] In view of this situation, as a variation of this embodiment, the main body 20 may also have a concave-convex shape along the shape of the vehicle body that defines at least a portion of the space for housing the pressure vessel 10. Figure 5 This refers to a modified example of a pressure vessel 10 housed in the space A beneath the floor of a vehicle. Figure 5 In China, through cooperation with Figure 3 The cross-section from the same viewpoint shows only the main body 20 of the pressure vessel 10.

[0032] according to Figure 5 A recess 28 is formed on the upper surface of the main body 20, that is, the surface opposite to the body component 70, at a position corresponding to the protrusion 71, to avoid contact with the protrusion 71. The recess 28 is formed in the main body 21. As can be seen from the description up to this point, the outer surface of the main body 21 is flat, so it is easier to form the recess 28 compared to the existing pressure vessel 1, which is cylindrical. The first cross-section of the main body 21 in which the recess 28 is formed is naturally narrower than the first cross-section of the main body 21 in which the recess 28 is not formed.

[0033] The main body 20 has a recess 28, and based on the recess 28, it can be said that the main body 20 also has a protruding portion. Therefore, the shape of the recess 28 and its surrounding area is a concrete example of a concave-convex shape along the shape of the vehicle body. According to this example, by utilizing the recess 28 to avoid contact with the protrusion 71, the space B in the underfloor space A can also be used to house the pressure vessel 10. That is, the limited underfloor space A of the vehicle can be effectively utilized, and the pressure vessel 10 can be enlarged and its volume increased. Figure 5 Only one main body 20 is shown in the diagram, but it can also be understood that, in accordance with the length of the protrusion 71 in the X direction, multiple main body parts 20 arranged along the X direction each have a recess 28. Since the multiple main body parts 20 are manufactured separately before being connected to the connecting part 30, it is easy to provide concave and convex shapes matching the shape of the vehicle body on each main body part 20.

[0034] In the pressure vessel 10 of this embodiment, the presence of a liner is not necessary. The pressure vessel 10 may, for example, be a structure that does not have a liner, at least in the post-manufacturing stage. Alternatively, the pressure vessel 10 may also be manufactured without a liner.

[0035] The above description provides detailed examples of the specific technologies disclosed in this specification. However, these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of protection claimed in this application. The technology described in the scope of protection of this application includes technologies obtained by various modifications and alterations to the specific examples described above. Furthermore, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings exert their technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the technical solution at the time of application. Additionally, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieve multiple objectives, and achieving one of these objectives is itself technically useful.

Claims

1. A pressure vessel capable of storing fluid, wherein, have: Multiple main sections form an internal space; and The connecting part is connected to one end of each of the plurality of main body parts, thereby enabling the plurality of main body parts to communicate with each other. The cross-section of the main body perpendicular to the length direction is approximately quadrilateral.

2. The pressure vessel according to claim 1, wherein, The main body has reinforcing members that connect opposite pairs of objects within the space.

3. The pressure vessel according to claim 2, wherein, The reinforcing member comprises one or more threads that stitch the two sides together and extend in the length direction. A connector is provided at one end of the main body. One end of the wire is fixed away from the connector at one end of the main body where the connector is provided.

4. The pressure vessel according to claim 1, wherein, The main body has a concave-convex shape along the shape of at least a portion of the vehicle body that defines the space for housing the pressure vessel.

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