Multi-port injector for filling a gas tank, and tank having such an injector

Abstract

Injector (1) for a gas reservoir (10), the injector extending along a main longitudinal axis (X1) and comprising: - a conduit (2) intended to fluidly connect a source of pressurized gas from a filling station and a reservoir (10), the conduit (2) comprising an inlet orifice (21) intended to receive a flow of pressurized gas and a plurality of outlet orifices (22) intended to inject said flow in at least one direction not parallel to the main longitudinal axis (X1), - a movable member (3) disposed inside the conduit (2) and configured to move relative to the conduit (2) between a first extreme position in which the movable member (3) gives all or part of the outlet orifices (22) a minimum passage area, and a second extreme position in which the movable member (3) gives all or part of the outlet orifices (22) a maximum passage area.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a multi-orifice injector for filling a gas tank. The invention also relates to a gas tank equipped with such an injector.

[0002] During the filling of a gas tank, particularly a gaseous hydrogen tank, the speed of the gas injected at the outlet of the injector, called the injection speed, is responsible for the proper thermal homogenization of the gas in the tank: the higher the injection speed, the better the injected gas will mix with the gas in the tank; and therefore the more thermally homogeneous the gas in the tank will be.

[0003] A thermally homogeneous gas is desirable to avoid hot spots that can damage the tank walls. In particular, for a composite tank, a temperature below 85°C is required by the SAE J2601 standard.

[0004] The filling of a gas tank is carried out at a mass flow rate that must not exceed a certain level imposed by standards. For example, the maximum mass flow rate is limited to 60 g / s for a light vehicle tank. Furthermore, the filling process must be such that the temperature of the gas in the tank does not exceed a certain threshold, set at 85°C by the SAE J2601 standard.

[0005] Thus, for a fixed mass flow filling rate, the injection speed will decrease proportionally with the growth of the density and pressure of the gas present in the tank.

[0006] With this decrease in speed, the gas is no longer sufficiently mixed. This results in thermal gradients or thermal stratification within the tank, and a risk of hot spots appearing, with temperatures exceeding the threshold set by the standard.

[0007] In a patent application no. FR2400140 previously filed by the applicant, an injector is described which makes it possible to overcome the disadvantages listed above.

[0008] This injector extends along a main axis X1 and includes a conduit for fluidly connecting a gas station to the tank to be filled. In particular, the conduit includes an inlet port for receiving a gas flow from the station and an outlet port for conveying said flow to the tank to be filled.

[0009] The injector also includes a movable part configured to move within the pipe, and relative to the outlet orifice, between a first extreme position in which the movable part gives the outlet orifice a minimum passage area and a second extreme position in which the movable part gives the outlet orifice a maximum passage area.

[0010] Thanks to its movable element, the injector allows the cross-section of the gas passage through the outlet to be modified. This maintains the gas injection velocity at a certain level as the gas density in the tank increases; a level sufficient to promote optimal gas mixing within the tank, and thus limit the risk of hot spots.

[0011] The injector described above was integrated into a tank with the main axis X1 of the injector arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tank, and then filling tests were carried out with the tank arranged horizontally or vertically.

[0012] These tests showed that the position of the tank relative to the ground (and therefore the position of the main axis X1 of the injector relative to the ground) influences the quality of the thermal mixture of the gas introduced into the tank.

[0013] Indeed, for a horizontally arranged tank (with the gravitational field perpendicular to the main direction of the tank), an outlet orifice turned upwards (for gas injection with a certain inclination relative to the ground) improves the thermal mixing in the tank.

[0014] With this orientation of the tank and the injector outlet, the injected gas more effectively reaches the bottom of the tank located opposite the injector: the direction of the injection compensates for the effects of gravity, thus promoting the mixing inside the tank.

[0015] In contrast, for a vertically arranged tank (with the gravitational field collinear with the main direction of the tank), and in which the injection orifice is turned upwards (for gas injection with some inclination relative to the main direction of the tank), the gas is injected against a side wall of the tank instead of reaching the bottom of the tank.

[0016] This results in a poorly mixed mixture and the appearance of hot spots in the tank.

[0017] Thus, there is a need to develop an injector that ensures a thermally homogeneous mixture regardless of the orientation (horizontal or vertical) and length of the tank.

[0018] Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention relates to an injector for a gas tank. The injector extends along a main axis and comprises: a pipe intended to fluidly connect a filling station and the tank, the pipe comprising an inlet port intended to receive a flow of pressurized gas from the filling station, and a plurality of outlet ports intended to introduce said flow into the tank to be filled, in at least one direction not parallel to the main axis of the injector; a movable element disposed inside the pipe and configured to move relative to the pipe, between a first extreme position in which the movable element confers a minimum passage cross-section to all or part of the outlet ports, and a second extreme position in which the movable element confers a maximum passage cross-section to all or part of the outlet ports.

[0019] Other embodiments of the invention include the following features: The moving part is provided with an inlet opening in fluidic communication with the inlet orifice of the pipe; the moving part is provided with at least one outlet opening configured to cooperate at least partially with all or part of the outlet orifices of the pipe; the outlet orifices and outlet openings are distributed respectively on the pipe and on the moving part angularly around the main axis of the injector; the outlet orifices and outlet openings are distributed respectively on the pipe and on the moving part along at least one circumferential row; each outlet orifice is configured to inject a part of the gas flow along a direction Y which forms with the main axis X1 and a radial axis X2 of the injector respectively a non-zero angle β and a non-zero angle y; for each outlet orifice, the direction Y as well as the angles β and y are fixed.The Y direction is variable over an angular sector delimited by a first line Ya and a second line Yb. The first line Ya and the second line Yb form with the radial axis X2 of the injector a first angle γa and a second angle γb respectively. The first line Ya and the first angle γa are respectively opposite to the second line Yb and the second angle γb with respect to the radial axis X2. The outlet orifices are distributed along the conduit in at least one longitudinal column. At least one outlet opening of the moving part is configured to cooperate successively with the outlet orifices distributed in at least one longitudinal column. The angle β varies from one outlet orifice to another. The angle β decreases between a maximum value β1 associated with a proximal outlet orifice and a minimum value associated with a distal outlet orifice.The angle β varies from 50° to 5° between the proximal and distal outlet orifices. The outlet orifices and outlet openings are distributed respectively on the pipe and on the moving part along a helical curve. The angle β is 90° for each outlet orifice, i.e., the Y direction is perpendicular to the main axis X1 of the injector. The outlet openings emerge from the moving part along a Z1 direction perpendicular to the main axis X1 of the injector. The moving part includes at least one deflector channel extending between the inlet and at least one outlet opening. At least one deflector channel is oriented along a Z1 direction that forms an acute angle α with the main axis X1 of the injector. At least one outlet opening emerges from the deflector channel along the same Z1 direction and the same angle α.The deflector channels and outlet openings are regularly distributed around the main axis X1 of the injector, the angle α is between 5 and 50°, the inlet orifice opens into the pipe parallel to the main axis X1 of the injector.

[0020] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a reservoir comprising a gas receiving opening and an injector according to any one of the embodiments above. The injector is disposed in the opening.

[0021] Other features and advantages will become apparent upon reading the description below, which refers to the following figures in which: [ Fig. 1 [ ] is a schematic view illustrating a tank equipped with the prior art injector, the injector having a single injection orifice. ] Fig. 2 ] is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the injector of the [ Fig. 1 ]. Fig. 3 [ ] is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the injector according to a first embodiment of the invention. Fig. 4 [ ] is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the injector according to a second embodiment of the invention. ] Fig. 5 ] is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the injector according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0022] [ Fig. 1 ] illustrates a tank 10 equipped with an injector 1 according to the prior art.

[0023] The tank 10 comprises a first bottom and a second bottom between which extends a side wall. The first bottom is provided with a neck 20 for receiving the gas in the tank.

[0024] In particular, the neck 20 is equipped with the injector 1 which extends along a main longitudinal axis X of the reservoir 10. The injector 1 is held in position in the neck 20 by means of a support 30.

[0025] With reference to the [ Fig. 2 ], the injector 1 includes a conduit 2 for fluidly connecting a gas distribution station to the tank to be filled 10, and a movable part 3 inside the conduit 2.

[0026] Pipe 2 includes an inlet port 21 for receiving a gas flow from the station, and an outlet port 22 for conveying said flow to the tank to be filled 10. In particular, the inlet port 21 opens into the pipe parallel to the main axis X1 of the injector 1. The outlet port 22 opens from the pipe 2 along an axis Y1 which forms with the main axis X1 of the injector 1 an angle β which is here between 5 and 50°.

[0027] The movable part 3 occupies the following extreme positions within the conduit 2: a first position in which the movable part 3 gives the outlet orifice 22 a minimum cross-sectional area, and a second position in which the movable part 3 gives the outlet orifice 22 a maximum cross-sectional area. In other words, the movable part 3 allows the gas to be modified (and in particular reduced) through the outlet orifice 22.

[0028] Furthermore, the moving part 3 includes a deflecting wall 31 which diverts the flow path of the gas from the inlet orifice 2. In particular, the deflecting wall 31 forms an angle α between 5 and 50° with the main axis X1 of the injector 1. The deflecting wall 31 is positioned opposite the inlet orifice 21.

[0029] The moving member 3 is configured to be moved in translation in the conduit 2 along the main axis X1 of the injector 1. To do this, the moving member 3 includes a head 32 which is provided with a channel 33 and a guide 34.

[0030] In particular, channel 33 is configured to align with outlet port 22 of line 2 to ensure gas flow from the station to the tank to be filled 10.

[0031] Furthermore, channel 33 extends between an inlet opening and an outlet opening of the moving part 3. The inlet opening communicates with the outlet orifice of the conduit 2. The outlet opening is intended to cooperate with the outlet orifice of the conduit 2.

[0032] Finally, channel 33 forms an angle α between 5 and 50° with the main axis X1 of injector 1.

[0033] In the illustrated example, the guide 34 of the moving part 3 is in the form of a prism with a hexagonal, square, or rectangular cross-section. The head 32 of the moving part 3 has a diameter close to an internal diameter of the conduit 2.

[0034] Reducing the cross-sectional area through which the gas introduced into the tank 10 passes through the outlet orifice 22 and diverting the path of this flow makes it possible to maintain and / or increase the injection speed of the gas at the outlet orifice 22.

[0035] Thanks to the control of the injection speed at the outlet orifice 22, the flow of gas injected into the tank 10 ensures a mixing of the gas already present in said tank, thus preventing the formation of hot spots.

[0036] Advantageously, the injector 1 includes a support 4 allowing the moving part 3 to be mounted in the pipe 2.

[0037] In particular, the support 4 is fixed to one end 24 of the pipe 2, opposite the inlet port 21 of the pipe 2. In addition, the support 4 includes a passage 41 configured to receive the guide 34. The passage 41 has a geometry complementary to that of the guide 34, i.e. a hexagonal, square or rectangular cross-section.

[0038] Thus, the support 4 prevents any rotation of the moving part 3 relative to the conduit 2.

[0039] In the illustrated example, the support 4 includes a threaded cylinder which cooperates by screwing with the pipe 2. Alternatively, other methods of fixing can be envisaged between the support 4 and the pipe 2.

[0040] Advantageously, the injector 1 includes an elastic return element 5 connecting the moving part 3 to the support 4.

[0041] In the illustrated example, the return element 5 is a spring which is arranged around the guide 34 of the moving member 3, between the head 32 and the support 4. More specifically, the spring 5 has a first coil fixed to the head 32 of the moving member 3 and a second coil fixed to the support 4.

[0042] Advantageously, the injector 1 includes an alignment member 6 allowing alignment of the channel 33 formed at the level of the moving member 3 and the outlet orifice 22 of the line 2.

[0043] The alignment member 6 is positioned around the support 4 and against the end 24 of the pipe 2. The alignment member 6 thus makes it possible to lock the position of the support 4 relative to the pipe 2.

[0044] In the illustrated example, the alignment member 6 is a nut with a hexagonal, square or rectangular cross-section.

[0045] In nominal position, the head 32 of the moving part 3 is pressed against a stop 25 of the pipe 2. The channel 33 is offset from the outlet orifice 22 along the main direction X of the injector 1, leaving a minimum passage section towards the outlet orifice 22.

[0046] When gas is admitted into injector 1, its pressure drives the moving part 3 towards the support 4, thus completely opening the outlet orifice 22. In the reservoir 10, the gas density is low and the pressure difference relative to the injected gas flow is relatively high. The gas flows at sufficient velocity from injector 1 to reservoir 10.

[0047] As the injection continues, the density of the gas in the reservoir 10 increases for the same mass flow delivered by the injector 1. Thus, the volumetric contribution decreases, as does the pressure difference with respect to the injected gas flow.

[0048] The moving part 3 is then driven in a reverse movement from the support 4 towards the stop 25 of the pipe 2. The return of the moving part 3 to its nominal position reduces the passage cross-section of the outlet orifice 22 and makes it possible to maintain the injection speed of the gas injected into the tank 10. This return is made possible by the return element 5.

[0049] It should be noted that the pipe 2 may include at least one vent opening 23 located downstream of the outlet port 22 and upstream of the support 4. The vent opening 23 prevents an accumulation of gas between the slide 3A and the support 4. In addition, the vent opening 23 allows gas to pass between the pipe 2 and the inside of the tank 10, in order to equalize the pressures.

[0050] Thus, thanks to the presence of the vent opening 23, the moving part 3 can move freely in the conduit 2.

[0051] According to the invention as illustrated in [ Fig. 3 ], [ Fig. 4 ] And [ Fig. 5 ], the conduit 2 includes a plurality of outlet orifices 22 intended to inject the flow into the reservoir 10 in at least two directions inclined with respect to the main axis X1 of the injector 1. The moving member 3 is then configured to move relative to the conduit 2, between a first extreme position in which the moving member 3 gives all or part of the outlet orifices 22 a minimum passage area, and a second extreme position in which the moving member 3 gives all or part of the outlet orifices 22 a maximum passage area.

[0052] According to a first embodiment illustrated in the [ Fig. 3 The moving member 3 also includes a plurality of outlet openings, each intended to cooperate with one of the outlet ports 22 of the conduit 2. The inlet opening leads into the moving member 3 along the main axis X1. The outlet openings lead from the moving member 3 through a lateral wall of the moving member 3.

[0053] Advantageously, the outlet openings are distributed on the moving part 3 in a circumferential row.

[0054] In this first embodiment, the outlet ports 22 are each configured to inject gas into the tank along an injection direction Y which forms an angle β with the main axis X1 of the injector 1. In other words, the injection direction Y forms an angle γ with a radial axis X2 of the injector 1. The angles β and γ are complementary.

[0055] Furthermore, the outlet orifices 22 are distributed on the pipe 2 angularly around the main axis X1 of the injector 1. Advantageously, the outlet orifices 22 are distributed regularly around the main axis X1 of the injector 1. Further advantageously, the outlet orifices 22 are distributed on at least one circumferential row of the pipe 2.

[0056] In the illustrated example, each outlet orifice 22 has a frustoconical shape through a lateral wall of the conduit 2. Thus, the injection direction Y associated with each outlet orifice 22 varies over an angular sector which is defined in a longitudinal plane of the injector 1 and delimited by a first straight line Ya and a second straight line Yb.

[0057] The first line Ya and the second line Yb form a first angle γa and a second angle γb respectively with the radial axis X2 of injector 1. Furthermore, the first line Ya and the first angle γa are respectively opposite to the second line Yb and the second angle γb with respect to the radial axis X2 of injector 1.

[0058] Advantageously, the angle γ varies between -85° and 85° with respect to the radial axis X2 of the injector. In other words, the angle γa is between 0 and 85°. The angle γb is between 0° and -85°.

[0059] To connect the inlet opening to the outlet openings of the moving part 3, the latter includes a plurality of deflector channels 33.

[0060] The deflector channels 33 are inclined with respect to the main axis X1 of the injector 1, i.e., they extend along a direction Z1 which forms an acute angle α with the main axis X1 of the injector 1. The outlet openings of the moving member 3 each open from a deflector channel 33 along the same direction Z1 and at the same acute angle α.

[0061] In this first embodiment, the deflector channels 33 and the outlet openings of the moving part 3 are distributed angularly around the main axis X1 of the injector 1, preferably in a regular manner.

[0062] In a second embodiment illustrated in the [ Fig. 4 ], the outlet ports and outlet openings are distributed respectively on the pipe 2 and on the moving part 3 in an angular manner and in a helical direction around the main axis X1 of the injector 1.

[0063] Unlike the first embodiment, here there is no plurality of deflector channels connecting the inlet opening to the outlet openings of the moving member 3. Rather, the moving member 3 comprises a hollow cylindrical body which delimits a single channel 33 extending between a first closed bottom and a second open bottom.

[0064] The inlet opening of the moving part 3 is located at the second bottom. The outlet openings of the moving part 3 are located on the side wall of the moving part 3. The injected gas is intended to flow between the inlet and outlet openings through the single channel 33 of the moving part 3.

[0065] In the example illustrated in relation to this second embodiment, the outlet ports of the pipe 2 open in a direction Y perpendicular to the main axis X1 of the injector 1. Similarly, the outlet openings of the moving part 3 open in a direction perpendicular to the main axis X1 of the injector 1. The outlet ports (22) and the outlet openings have a cylindrical shape through the side wall of the pipe 2 and the side wall of the moving part 3, respectively.

[0066] In a third embodiment illustrated in the [ Fig. 5The outlet orifices of line 2 are no longer distributed angularly around the main axis X1 of injector 1, but rather along a longitudinal column (i.e., along the longitudinal axis X of the injector). The moving part 3 comprises a single outlet opening and a single deflector channel 33 connecting the outlet opening to the inlet opening. This outlet opening of the moving part is configured to align successively with each of the outlet orifices 22 of line 2.

[0067] The outlet orifices 22 each open from the pipe 2 in a direction Y which forms an angle β with the main axis X1 of the injector 1. This angle varies from one orifice to another.

[0068] Advantageously, the angle β decreases between a proximal outlet orifice (close to the inlet orifice 21) and a distal outlet orifice (far from the inlet orifice 21), thus going from a maximum value β1 to a minimum value βn.

[0069] Thus, with outlet ports each having a different orientation Y1, Yn relative to the main axis X1, the injector 1 according to this third embodiment allows the gas to be injected into the reservoir 10 with an injection angle β (and therefore an injection speed) which adapts to the progressive rise in pressure in the reservoir.

Claims

1. Injector (1) for a gas reservoir (10), the injector extending along a main longitudinal axis (X1) and comprising: - a conduit (2) intended to fluidly connect a source of pressurized gas from a filling station and a reservoir (10), the conduit (2) comprising an inlet orifice (21) intended to receive a flow of pressurized gas and a plurality of outlet orifices (22) intended to inject said flow in at least one direction not parallel to the main longitudinal axis (X1), - a movable member (3) disposed inside the conduit (2) and configured to move relative to the conduit (2) between a first extreme position in which the movable member (3) confers to all or part of the outlet orifices (22) a minimum passage area, and a second extreme position in which the movable member (3) confers to all or part of the outlet orifices (22) a maximum passage area.

2. Injector (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the moving member (3) is provided with an inlet opening in fluidic communication with the inlet port (21) of the conduit (2), and with at least one outlet opening configured to cooperate at least in part with all or part of the outlet ports (22) of the conduit (2).

3. Injector (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the outlet ports (22) and outlet openings are distributed respectively on the conduit (2) and on the moving member (3) angularly around the main axis (X1) of the injector (1).

4. Injector (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the outlet ports (22) and outlet openings are distributed respectively on the conduit (2) and on the moving member (3) along at least one circumferential row.

5. Injector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each outlet orifice (22) is configured to inject a portion of the gas flow along a direction (Y) which forms with the main axis (X1) and a radial axis (X2) of the injector (1) respectively a non-zero angle (β) and a non-zero angle (γ).

6. Injector (1) according to the preceding claim, in which for each outlet orifice (22), the direction (Y) as well as the angles (β) and (γ) are fixed.

7. Injector according to claim 5, wherein the direction (Y) is variable over an angular sector delimited by a first line (Ya) and a second line (Yb), the first line (Ya) and the second line (Yb) forming with the radial axis (X2) of the injector (1) respectively a first angle (γa) and a second angle (γb), the first line (Ya) and the first angle (γa) being respectively opposite to the second line (Yb) and the second angle (γb) with respect to the radial axis (X2).

8. Injector (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the outlet ports (22) are distributed along the conduit (2) in at least one longitudinal column, the at least one outlet opening of the moving member (3) being configured to cooperate successively with the outlet ports (22) distributed along the at least one longitudinal column.

9. Injector (1) according to the preceding claim taken in its connection with claim 6, wherein the angle (β) varies from one outlet orifice (22) to another, the angle (β) being decreasing between a maximum value (β1) associated with a proximal outlet orifice (22a) and a minimum value (β2) associated with a distal outlet orifice (22n).

10. Injector (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the angle (β) varies from 50 to 5° between the proximal outlet orifice (22a) and the distal outlet orifice (22n).

11. Injector (1) according to claim 3, in which the outlet ports (22) and outlet openings are distributed respectively on the conduit (2) and on the moving member (3) along a helical curve.

12. Injector (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the angle (β) is 90° for each outlet orifice (22), i.e. the direction (Y) is perpendicular to the main axis (X1) of the injector (1).

13. Injector (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the outlet openings emerge from the moving member (3) in a direction (Z1) perpendicular to the main axis (X1) of the injector (1).

14. Injector (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the moving member (3) comprises at least one deflector channel (33) extending between the inlet opening and at least one outlet opening, the at least one deflector channel (33) being oriented along a direction (Z1) which forms an acute angle (α) with the main axis (X1) of the injector (1), the at least one outlet opening emerging from said deflector channel (33) along the same axis (Z1) and the same angle (α).

15. Injector (1) according to the preceding claim taken in relation to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the deflector channels (33) and outlet openings are regularly distributed around the main axis (X1) of the injector (1).

16. Injector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the inlet orifice (21) opens into the conduit (2) parallel to the main axis (X1) of the injector (1).

17. A pressurized gas storage tank (10) comprising a gas receiving opening (20) and an injector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, said injector (1) being disposed in said opening (10).

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