Vehicle-mounted gas cylinder external cooling device

Abstract

The utility model discloses an external cooling device for a vehicle-mounted gas cylinder. The external cooling device comprises a heat exchange device and a refrigerating device, the heat exchange device comprises a heat exchange pipe and a fixing piece, the section of the heat exchange pipe is semicircular, the surface where the diameter of the semicircle is located is directly attached to and surrounds the outer surface of the gas cylinder, and a semicircular hole matched with the heat exchange pipe in shape is reserved in the fixing piece for the heat exchange pipe to penetrate through and fix the heat exchange pipe on the outer surface of the gas cylinder; the refrigeration device comprises a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, a refrigeration pipeline and a refrigerant, the refrigerant is stored and conveyed in the refrigeration pipeline, and the compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve and the heat exchange pipe are sequentially connected through the refrigeration pipeline to form a heat dissipation cooling circulation loop. Refrigerant with high heat exchange efficiency is used as a heat transfer and heat dissipation medium, meanwhile, the semicircular heat exchange pipes increase the direct contact area, the heat dissipation efficiency is improved, and a guarantee is provided for the inflation and deflation efficiency and the working safety of the vehicle-mounted gas cylinder.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of on-vehicle gas cylinder heat dissipation, in particular to an external cooling device for an on-vehicle gas cylinder. Background Technique

[0002] In recent years, compared with traditional fuel vehicles, environment-friendly vehicles have been more and more favored by consumers. Environment-friendly vehicles usually use more environmentally friendly materials to replace traditional fuel materials, such as hydrogen fuel, natural gas fuel, etc. And the on-vehicle gas cylinder, as an indispensable device in energy vehicles, plays a crucial role in providing power for the vehicle, such as on-vehicle hydrogen cylinders, on-vehicle natural gas cylinders, etc. However, the on-vehicle gas cylinder often has the problem of untimely heat dissipation during operation.

[0003] Taking the on-vehicle hydrogen cylinder as an example, it provides a stable hydrogen supply for the normal operation of the hydrogen fuel cell. During the hydrogen charging and discharging process of the on-vehicle hydrogen cylinder, due to the combined action of factors such as throttling, compression, and jet effects, the hydrogen in the hydrogen cylinder generates a significant temperature rise. Especially when the on-vehicle hydrogen cylinder is quickly charged and discharged, a large amount of heat is generated by the hydrogen in the hydrogen cylinder, causing the internal temperature of the hydrogen cylinder to rise rapidly. If the heat dissipation is not timely, the too high temperature will not only affect the density and pressure of hydrogen, reduce the working stability of the hydrogen cylinder, but also damage the structure and materials of the hydrogen cylinder in extreme cases, posing potential risks of burning and explosion, and seriously threatening the safety of the vehicle and passengers.

[0004] The existing heat dissipation of hydrogen cylinders mostly relies on natural convection heat dissipation, air-cooled heat dissipation, and water-cooled heat dissipation. Among them, natural convection heat dissipation depends greatly on the ambient temperature and air flow, and the cooling effect is relatively weak; air-cooled heat dissipation depends on a fan, which has a large noise, and the temperature and wind speed changes in the external environment will directly affect the heat dissipation effect; water-cooled heat dissipation realizes cooling by spraying water around the hydrogen cylinder. However, this method has problems of unstable heat dissipation and low efficiency, and requires manual regular filling of cooling water, resulting in a relatively high manual maintenance cost.

[0005] In summary, the current methods such as natural convection heat dissipation, air-cooled heat dissipation, and water-cooled heat dissipation all use media with relatively low heat exchange efficiency, such as air or water, to conduct the heat of the on-vehicle gas cylinder. These methods generally have the disadvantages of low heat dissipation and cooling efficiency, poor effect, and are restricted by the natural environment, with poor applicability and high use cost. Therefore, these methods are difficult to be widely promoted. The current heat dissipation methods of on-vehicle gas cylinders cannot meet the heat dissipation requirements of existing on-vehicle gas cylinders, and a device for efficiently dissipating heat and cooling the on-vehicle gas cylinder when it is over-temperature is needed, so as to improve the charging and discharging efficiency and working safety of the on-vehicle gas cylinder. Content of the Utility Model

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present utility model is to provide an external cooling device for vehicle-mounted gas cylinders, which can achieve efficient heat dissipation and cooling for the vehicle-mounted gas cylinders when they are in an over-temperature condition.

[0007] To solve the above technical problem, the technical solution of the present utility model is: an external cooling device for vehicle-mounted gas cylinders, including a heat exchange device and a refrigeration device; the heat exchange device includes a heat exchange pipe and a fixing member, the cross section of the heat exchange pipe is semi-circular, the plane where the diameter of the semi-circle is located is directly attached and surrounded on the outer surface of the gas cylinder, and the fixing member has a semi-circular hole matching the shape of the heat exchange pipe for the heat exchange pipe to pass through and fix it on the outer surface of the gas cylinder; the refrigeration device includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, a refrigeration pipeline and a refrigerant, the refrigerant is stored and transported in the refrigeration pipeline, and the compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve and the heat exchange pipe are sequentially connected by the refrigeration pipeline to form a heat dissipation and cooling circulation loop.

[0008] Preferably, a temperature sensor and a controller are further provided, the temperature sensor is installed on the gas cylinder to detect the surface temperature of the gas cylinder, and the controller receives the temperature data uploaded by the temperature sensor and controls the operation of the refrigeration device.

[0009] Preferably, a control valve for regulating the refrigerant flow is provided on the refrigeration pipeline between the expansion valve and the heat exchange pipe, and this control valve is controlled by the controller.

[0010] Preferably, the refrigerant uses difluoromethane refrigerant or freon.

[0011] Preferably, the heat exchange pipe is made of copper pipe.

[0012] Preferably, a support mechanism for increasing the support strength is provided below the gas cylinder.

[0013] After adopting the above scheme, the present utility model has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0014] 1. The cross section of the heat exchange pipe of the present utility model is semi-circular, and the plane where the diameter of the semi-circle is located is directly attached and surrounded on the outer surface of the heat-generating area of the gas cylinder, increasing the contact area between the heat exchange pipe and the outer surface of the gas cylinder, improving the heat dissipation efficiency, effectively reducing the working temperature of the vehicle-mounted gas cylinder, enabling it to work normally within a suitable working temperature range, and at the same time reducing potential safety hazards;

[0015] 2. Compared with traditional heat dissipation methods such as air cooling and water cooling, the present utility model uses a refrigerant with high heat exchange efficiency as the heat transfer and heat dissipation medium to efficiently dissipate heat from the gas cylinder. At the same time, the refrigerant can be recycled with less consumption, so there is no need for frequent replenishment, which can reduce the maintenance frequency of the equipment, lower the difficulty of worker maintenance and the use and maintenance cost;

[0016] 3. Through the combination of the temperature sensor and the controller, the utility model realizes the intelligent regulation of the refrigerant flow rate, improving the heat dissipation and cooling efficiency and safety.

[0017] 4. Each component of the cooling device of the utility model adopts a modular design, which is convenient for installation, maintenance and replacement, improving the economy and saving costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the cooling device of the utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of the heat exchange tube of the utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 is a working principle diagram of the utility model.

[0021] In the figure: 1 - heat exchange device; 11 - heat exchange tube; 12 - fixing member; 2 - refrigeration device; 21 - compressor; 22 - condenser; 23 - four-way valve; 24 - expansion valve; 25 - refrigeration pipeline; 3 - temperature sensor; 4 - controller; 5 - support mechanism; 6 - gas cylinder; 7 - control valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The following further details the utility model in conjunction with the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0023] What the utility model discloses is an external cooling device for an on-vehicle gas cylinder, as Figures 1-3 shown, which is a preferred embodiment of the utility model and may include a heat exchange device 1, a refrigeration device 2, a temperature sensor 3, a controller 4 and a support mechanism 5.

[0024] The heat exchange device 1 may include a heat exchange tube 11 and a fixing member 12. The fixing member 12 installs and fixes the heat exchange tube 11 on the outer surface of the gas cylinder 6. When the gas cylinder 6 is being filled and discharged with gas and during operation, heat is generated, causing the surface to heat up. The heat exchange tube 11 is laid on the outer surface of the gas cylinder 6 for heat dissipation. The heat exchange tube 11 may be made of copper pipe or other metal materials with high heat exchange efficiency. Specifically, the cross-section of the heat exchange tube 11 is semi-circular, and the plane where the diameter of the semi-circle is located directly fits and surrounds the outer surface of the heat-generating area of the gas cylinder 6. The semi-circle can increase the contact area between the heat exchange tube 11 and the outer surface of the gas cylinder 6. The fixing member 12 may be made of I-beam, and a semi-circular hole matching the shape of the heat exchange tube 11 is provided thereon for the heat exchange tube 11 to pass through.

[0025] The refrigeration device 2 is installed beside the gas cylinder 6 and may include a compressor 21, a condenser 22, an expansion valve 24, a refrigeration pipeline 25 and a refrigerant. The refrigerant is stored and conveyed in the refrigeration pipeline 25. The compressor 21, the condenser 22, the expansion valve 24 and the heat exchange pipe 11 of the heat exchange device 1 are sequentially connected by the refrigeration pipeline 25 to form a heat dissipation and cooling circulation loop. The main function of the refrigeration device 2 is to change the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant, so as to efficiently absorb the heat dissipated from the surface of the gas cylinder 6. A four-way valve 23 for switching between refrigeration and heating modes can be added between the compressor 21 and the condenser 22 as required. The four-way valve 23 is connected to the controller 4 to adapt to different ambient temperatures. The refrigerant can use refrigerants with high-efficiency heat exchange characteristics such as R-32 (difluoromethane refrigerant) and Freon as the medium. Since the refrigerant can be recycled and has less loss, it is not necessary to replenish it frequently, which can reduce the maintenance times of the equipment, the difficulty of maintenance by workers and the use and maintenance costs.

[0026] Further, a control valve 7 for regulating the refrigerant flow rate may be provided on the refrigeration pipeline 25 between the expansion valve 24 and the heat exchange pipe 11 of the heat exchange device 1, and the control valve 7 is controlled by the controller 4.

[0027] The temperature sensor 3 can be installed at the surface position of the gas cylinder 6 near the bottle mouth, and its main function is to detect the surface temperature of the gas cylinder 6.

[0028] The controller 4 can be installed on the expansion valve 24 or other fixable positions, and is used to receive the temperature data uploaded by the temperature sensor 3 and control the operation of the refrigeration device 2. Specifically, the controller 4 is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 3, the compressor 21 and the control valve 7.

[0029] The support mechanism 5 is installed below the gas cylinder 6 to increase the support strength and improve the stability of the gas cylinder 6.

[0030] Working process of the cooling device of the present utility model: When the temperature sensor 3 detects that the surface of the gas cylinder 6 reaches the high-temperature warning temperature, the controller 4 activates the heat dissipation and cooling function of the refrigeration device 2. Specifically, the controller 4 starts the compressor 21, and the compressor 21 compresses the refrigerant at normal temperature and pressure into a refrigerant at high temperature and pressure. The refrigerant at high temperature and pressure flows through the condenser 22 through the refrigeration pipeline 25, releases heat to form a refrigerant at low temperature and high pressure. The refrigerant at low temperature and high pressure reduces its pressure through the expansion valve 24 to form a refrigerant at low temperature and low pressure. The controller 4 adjusts the valve opening degree of the control valve 7 according to the data of the temperature sensor 3, and transports the refrigerant to the surface area of the gas cylinder 6 with rising temperature through the refrigeration pipeline 25, that is, into the heat exchange pipe 11 attached to the outer surface of the gas cylinder 6. The refrigerant at low temperature and low pressure can efficiently absorb the heat dissipated from the surface of the gas cylinder 6, and evaporates into a vapor state at low temperature and low pressure in the heat exchange pipe 11 to achieve heat exchange. The refrigerant in the vapor state at low temperature and low pressure then enters the compressor 21 to complete the heat dissipation and cooling cycle of the refrigeration device 2, thereby realizing efficient heat dissipation and cooling of the gas cylinder 6. When the temperature sensor 3 detects that the surface of the gas cylinder 6 drops to the warning temperature, the controller 4 shuts down the compressor 21, and the refrigerant stops flowing, so that the refrigeration device 2 stops working. Particularly, for the device equipped with the four-way valve 23, when the temperature sensor 3 detects that the surface of the gas cylinder 6 drops to an excessively low temperature, the controller 4 can control the four-way valve 23 to switch to the heating mode. The cooling device of the present utility model can effectively reduce the working temperature of the vehicle-mounted gas cylinder by improving the heat dissipation efficiency, so that it can work normally within a suitable working temperature range; reduce the leakage of gaseous fuel caused by high temperature, improve the utilization rate of gaseous fuel and the filling speed, and enhance the working efficiency; avoid the working failures of the vehicle-mounted gas cylinder caused by excessive temperature, and prevent the occurrence of explosion and leakage accidents; at the same time, it can reduce the thermal stress of the vehicle-mounted gas cylinder and extend the service life of the vehicle-mounted gas cylinder and its internal components.

[0031] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present utility model, and do not impose any limitation on the technical scope of the present utility model. Therefore, any changes or modifications made in accordance with the claims and the description of the present utility model shall fall within the scope covered by the patent of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An external cooling device for vehicle-mounted gas cylinders, characterized in that: It includes a heat exchange device and a refrigeration device; the heat exchange device includes a heat exchange pipe and a fixing member, the cross-section of the heat exchange pipe is semi-circular, and the plane where the diameter of the semi-circle is located is directly attached to and surrounds the outer surface of the gas cylinder. The fixing member has a semi-circular hole matching the shape of the heat exchange pipe for the heat exchange pipe to pass through and fix it on the outer surface of the gas cylinder; the refrigeration device includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, a refrigeration pipeline and a refrigerant. The refrigerant is stored and transported in the refrigeration pipeline. The compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve and the heat exchange pipe are sequentially connected by the refrigeration pipeline to form a heat dissipation and cooling circulation loop.

2. The external cooling device for vehicle-mounted gas cylinders according to claim 1, characterized in that: A temperature sensor and a controller are also provided. The temperature sensor is installed on the gas cylinder to detect the surface temperature of the gas cylinder. The controller receives the temperature data uploaded by the temperature sensor and controls the operation of the refrigeration device.

3. The external cooling device for vehicle-mounted gas cylinders according to claim 2, characterized in that: A control valve for regulating the refrigerant flow rate is provided on the refrigeration pipeline between the expansion valve and the heat exchange pipe, and this control valve is controlled by the controller.

4. The external cooling device for vehicle-mounted gas cylinders according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refrigerant used is difluoromethane fluorine refrigerant or freon.

5. The external cooling device for vehicle-mounted gas cylinders according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchange pipe is made of copper pipe.

6. The external cooling device for vehicle-mounted gas cylinders according to claim 1, characterized in that: A support mechanism for increasing the support strength is provided below the gas cylinder.

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