Multi-orifice injector for filling a gas tank, and tank equipped with 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) for fluidly connecting a pressurized gas source from a filling station and a reservoir (10), the conduit (2) comprising an inlet port (21) for receiving a flow of pressurized gas and a plurality of outlet ports (22) for injecting said flow in at least one direction not parallel to the main longitudinal axis (X1), - a movable element (3) disposed inside the conduit (2) and configured to move relative to the conduit (2) between a first extreme position in which the movable element (3) confers a minimum passage area to all or part of the outlet ports (22), and a second extreme position in which the movable element (3) confers a maximum passage area to all or part of the outlet ports (22). Figure from the abstract: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Multi-orifice injector for filling a gas tank, and tank equipped with such an injector.

[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, in particular a gaseous hydrogen tank, the speed of the gas injected at the outlet of the injector, called the injection speed, is responsible for the good 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 SAE J2601.

[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 must be carried out in such a way 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 filling at a fixed mass flow 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 in the tank, and a risk of the appearance of hot spots, having a temperature 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 XI 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 inside the pipe, and relative to the outlet orifice, between a first extreme position in which the moving part gives the outlet a minimum passage area and a second extreme position in which the moving part gives the outlet an maximum passage area.

[0010] Thanks to the movable part, the injector allows the cross-section of the gas passage through the outlet orifice to be modified. This makes it possible to maintain the gas injection velocity at a certain level when the density of the gas in the tank increases; a level sufficient to promote optimal gas mixing in the tank, and thus limit the risk of hot spots occurring.

[0011] The injector described above was integrated into a tank with the main axis XI 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 XI 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) makes it possible to improve the thermal mixing in the tank.

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

[0015] On the other hand, for a tank arranged vertically (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 a certain inclination relative to the main direction of the tank), the gas is injected against a lateral wall of the tank instead of reaching the bottom of the tank.

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

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

[0018] To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention relates to an injector for a gas tank. The injector extends along a main axis and comprises: - a conduit for fluidly connecting a filling station and the tank, the conduit comprising an inlet orifice for receiving a flow of pressurized gas from the filling station, and a plurality of outlet orifices 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 part disposed inside the pipe and configured to move relative to the pipe, between a first extreme position in which the movable part gives all or part of the outlet orifices a minimum passage area, and a second extreme position in which the movable part gives all or part of the outlet orifices a maximum passage area.

[0019] Other embodiments of the invention include the following features: - the moving part is equipped with an inlet opening for 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 XI and a radial axis X2 of the injector respectively a non-zero angle [3 and a non-zero angle y, - for each outlet orifice, the Y direction as well as the angles [3 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 straight line Ya and the second straight line Yb form with the radial axis X2 of the injector a first angle ya and a second angle yb respectively, - the first straight line Ya and the first angle ya are respectively opposite to the second straight line Yb and the second angle yb with respect to the radial axis X2, - the outlet orifices are distributed along the pipe in at least one longitudinal column, - at least one outlet opening of the moving part is configured to cooperate successively with the outlet ports distributed along at least one longitudinal column, - the angle [3 varies from one outlet orifice to another, - the angle [3] decreases between a maximum value

[31] associated with a proximal outlet and a minimum value associated with a distal outlet. - the angle [3 varies from 50 to 5° between the proximal outlet and the distal outlet, - the outlets and outlet openings are distributed respectively on the conduit and on the moving part following a helical curve, - the angle [3] is 90° for each outlet orifice, that is to say the direction Y is perpendicular to the main axis XI of the injector, - the outlet openings emerge from the moving part in a direction ZI perpendicular to the main axis XI of the injector, - the moving part includes at least one deflector channel extending between the inlet opening and at least one outlet opening, - at least one deflector channel is oriented along a direction ZI which forms an acute angle α with the main axis XI of the injector, - at least one outlet opening from the deflector channel follows the same direction ZI and the same angle a, - The deflector channels and outlet openings are regularly distributed around the main axis XI of the injector, - angle a is between 5 and 50°, - the inlet orifice opens into the pipe parallel to the main axis XI 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 from the description below, made with reference to the following figures in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] is a schematic view illustrating a tank equipped with the prior art injector, the injector being provided with a single injection orifice.

[0023] [Fig.2] is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the injector of [Fig. 1].

[0024] [Fig.3] is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the injector according to a first mode of the realization of the invention.

[0025] [Fig.4] is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the injector according to a second method of embodiment of the invention.

[0026] [Fig.5] is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the injector according to a third method of embodiment of the invention.

[0027] [Fig.1] illustrates a reservoir 10 equipped with an injector 1 according to the prior art.

[0028] 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.

[0029] In particular, the neck 20 is equipped with the injector 1 which 1 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.

[0030] With reference to [Fig.2], the injector 1 comprises a conduit 2 intended to fluidly connect a gas distribution station to the tank to be filled 10, and a movable part 3 inside the conduit 2.

[0031] The conduit 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 conduit parallel to the main axis XI of the injector 1. The outlet port 22 opens from the conduit 2 along an axis Y1 which forms with the main axis XI of the injector 1 an angle [3 which is here between 5 and 50°.

[0032] The movable part 3 occupies the following extreme positions inside the conduit 2: a first position in which the movable part 3 gives the outlet orifice 22 a minimum passage area, and a second position in which the movable part 3 gives the outlet orifice 22 a maximum passage area. In other words, the movable part 3 makes it possible to modify (and in particular to reduce) the passage area of ​​the gas through the outlet orifice 22.

[0033] Furthermore, the movable member 3 includes a deflecting wall 31 which diverts the path of the gas flow from the inlet orifice 2. In particular, the deflecting wall 31 forms an angle α of between 5 and 50° with the main axis XI of the injector 1. The deflecting wall 31 is positioned opposite the inlet orifice 21.

[0034] The moving member 3 is configured to be moved in translation in the conduit 2 along the main axis XI of the injector 1. To do this, the moving member 3 comprises a head 32 which is provided with a channel 33 and a guide 34.

[0035] In particular, the channel 33 is configured to align with the outlet port 22 of the line 2 in order to ensure a flow of gas from the station to the tank to be filled 10.

[0036] Furthermore, the channel 33 extends between an inlet opening and an outlet opening of the moving member 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.

[0037] Finally, the channel 33 forms with the main axis XI of the injector 1 an angle α between 5 and 50°.

[0038] In the illustrated example, the guide 34 of the moving member 3 is in the form of a prism with a hexagonal, square, or rectangular cross-section. The head 32 of the moving member 3 has a diameter close to an internal diameter of the conduit 2.

[0039] Reducing the cross-section of the passage of the gas introduced into the reservoir 10 through the outlet orifice 22 and diverting the trajectory of this flow makes it possible to maintain and / or increase the injection speed of the gas at the outlet orifice 22.

[0040] 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.

[0041] Advantageously, the injector 1 includes a support 4 allowing the moving part 3 to be mounted in the conduit 2.

[0042] 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.

[0043] Thus, the support 4 prevents any rotation of the moving part 3 relative to the conduit 2.

[0044] 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.

[0045] Advantageously, the injector 1 includes an elastic return element 5 connecting the moving part 3 to the support 4.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] In the illustrated example, the alignment member 6 is a nut with a hexagonal, square or rectangular cross-section.

[0050] In nominal position, the head 32 of the moving member 3 is pressed against a stop 25 of the conduit 2. The channel 33 is offset relative to the outlet orifice 22 along the main direction X of the injector 1, leaving a minimum passage section towards the outlet orifice 22.

[0051] 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 to be filled 10, the gas density is low and the pressure difference relative to the injected gas flow is relatively high. The gas flows at sufficient speed from injector 1 to reservoir 10.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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 area 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.

[0054] It should be noted that the conduit 2 may include at least one vent opening 23 located downstream of the outlet orifice 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 conduit 2 and the inside of the tank 10, in order to equalize the pressures.

[0055] Thus, thanks to the presence of the vent opening 23, the movable part 3 can move freely in the conduit 2.

[0056] According to the invention as illustrated in [Fig.3], [Fig.4] and [Fig.5], the 2 includes a plurality of outlet ports 22 for injecting the flow into the reservoir 10 in at least two directions inclined with respect to the main axis XI 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 ports 22 a minimum passage area, and a second extreme position in which the moving member 3 gives all or part of the outlet ports 22 a maximum passage area.

[0057] According to a first embodiment illustrated in [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 opens into the moving member 3 along the main axis XL. The outlet openings open from the moving member 3 through a lateral wall of the moving member 3.

[0058] Advantageously, the outlet openings are distributed on the moving member 3 in a circumferential row.

[0059] In this first embodiment, the outlet ports 22 are each configured to inject the gas into the tank along an injection direction Y which forms an angle [3] with the main axis XI of the injector 1. In other words, the injection direction Y forms an angle y with a radial axis X2 of the injector 1. The angles [3] and y are complementary.

[0060] Furthermore, the outlet orifices 22 are distributed along the conduit 2 angularly around the main axis XI of the injector 1. Advantageously, the outlet orifices 22 are distributed regularly around the main axis XI of the injector 1. Even more advantageously, the outlet orifices 22 are distributed over at least one circumferential row of the pipe 2.

[0061] 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 line Ya and a second line Yb.

[0062] The first line Ya and the second line Yb form a first angle ya and a second angle yb respectively with the radial axis X2 of the injector 1. Furthermore, the first line Ya and the first angle ya are respectively opposite to the second line Yb and the second angle yb with respect to the radial axis X2 of the injector 1.

[0063] Advantageously, the angle y varies between -85° and 85° with respect to the radial axis X2 of the injector. In other words, the angle ya is between 0 and 85°. The angle yb is between 0° and -85°.

[0064] To connect the inlet opening to the outlet openings of the moving member 3, the latter includes a plurality of deflector channels 33.

[0065] The deflector channels 33 are inclined with respect to the main axis XI of the injector 1, i.e., they extend along a direction ZI which forms an acute angle α with the main axis XI of the injector 1. The outlet openings of the moving member 3 each open from a deflector channel 33 along the same direction ZI and at the same acute angle α.

[0066] In this first embodiment, the deflector channels 33 and the outlet openings of the moving member 3 are distributed angularly around the main axis XI of the injector 1, preferably in a regular manner.

[0067] In a second embodiment illustrated in [Fig.4], the outlet ports and outlet openings are distributed respectively on the conduit 2 and on the moving member 3 in an angular manner and in a helical direction around the main axis XI of the injector 1.

[0068] 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.

[0069] The inlet opening of the moving part 3 is located at the level of the second bottom. The outlet openings of the moving part 3 are located at the level of the side wall of the moving part 3. The injected gas is intended to flow between the inlet opening and the outlet openings through the single channel 33 of the moving part 3.

[0070] In the illustrated example relating to this second embodiment, the outlet ports of the pipe 2 open in a direction Y perpendicular to the main axis XI of the injector 1. Similarly, the outlet openings of the moving member 3 open in a direction perpendicular to the main axis XI of the injector 1. The outlet ports (22) and the outlet openings have a cylindrical shape through respectively the side wall of the pipe 2 and the side wall of the moving member 3.

[0071] In a third embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 5], the outlet orifices of the pipe 2 are no longer distributed angularly around the main axis XI of the injector 1, but rather along a longitudinal column (i.e., along the longitudinal axis X of the injector). The moving member 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 member is configured to align successively with each of the outlet orifices 22 of the pipe 2.

[0072] The outlet orifices 22 each open from the conduit 2 in a direction Y which forms with the main axis XI of the injector 1 an angle [3. This varies from one orifice to another.

[0073] Advantageously, the angle [3 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 [31 to a minimum value [3n.

[0074] Thus, with outlet orifices each having a different orientation Yl, Yn with respect to the main axis XI, the injector 1 according to this third embodiment allows the gas to be injected into the reservoir 10 with an injection angle [3 (and therefore an injection speed) which adapts to the progressive rise in pressure in the reservoir.

Claims

Demands

1. Injector (1) for a gas reservoir (10), the injector extending along a main longitudinal axis (XI) and comprising: - a conduit (2) for fluidly connecting a pressurized gas source from a filling station and a reservoir (10), the conduit (2) comprising an inlet port (21) for receiving a flow of pressurized gas and a plurality of outlet ports (22) for injecting said flow in at least one direction not parallel to the main longitudinal axis (XI), - 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 a minimum passage area to all or part of the outlet ports (22), and a second extreme position in which the movable member (3) confers a maximum passage area to all or part of the outlet ports (22).

2. Injector (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein 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, wherein 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 (XI) of the injector (1).

4. Injector (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein 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 (XI) and a radial axis (X2) of the injector (1) respectively a non-zero angle (|3) and a non-zero angle (y).

6. Injector (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein for each outlet orifice (22), the direction (Y) as well as the angles (|3) and (y) 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 (ya) and a second angle (yb), the first line (Ya) and the first angle (ya) being respectively opposite to the second line (Yb) and the second angle (yb) 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 (|3) varies from one outlet orifice (22) to another, the angle (|3) being decreasing between a maximum value ( [31 ) associated with a proximal outlet orifice (22a) and a minimum value ( [32 ) associated with a distal outlet orifice (22n).

10. Injector (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the angle ([3] varies from 50 to 5° between the proximal outlet orifice (22a) and the distal outlet orifice (22n).

11. Injector (1) according to claim 3, wherein 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 ([3] is 90° for each outlet orifice (22), i.e. the direction (Y) is perpendicular to the main axis (XI) 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 (Zl) perpendicular to the main axis (XI) 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 (Zl) which forms with the main axis (XI) of the injector (1) an acute angle (a), the at least one outlet opening emerging from said deflector channel (33) along the same axis (Zl) and the same angle (a).

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 (XI) of the injector (1).

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