Characteristic testing device

Abstract

To provide a characteristic testing device capable of easily measuring a secular change in damage of a tabular test piece in a pressure cycle process mainly for a gas under an environment of many kinds of fluids such as a hydrogen gas in a temperature range from a low temperature to a high temperature with a compact structure.SOLUTION: In a container 4 partitioned into a first interaction space 6 and a second interaction space 8 by a tabular test piece 2 and a rigid porous plate 3 placed so as to be superposed on the tabular test piece 2, and storing the tabular test piece 2 and the porous plate 3, a first fluid to be supplied to the first interaction space 6 is repeatedly compressed and decompressed to apply a pressure cycle in a thickness direction of the tabular test piece 2. A cross leak amount of the first fluid in the first interaction space 6 to a second fluid in the second interaction pace 8 in a pressure cycle process is measured by a concentration analyzer 26 attached to a second fluid discharge system 25 to quantify a secular change in damage of the tabular test piece 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a compact characteristic testing device that enables simulation of pressure cycle testing of a composite container capable of holding high-pressure gas and that has a reinforcing layer on the outer periphery of a liner made of a resin material or a metal material, and that enables measurement of the change in damage of the test piece over time while repeatedly applying pressure cycles to the flat test piece in a fluid environment such as hydrogen gas at temperatures ranging from extremely low to high temperatures. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a pressure cycle test method for a composite container that has a reinforcing layer on the outer periphery of a metal liner and can hold high-pressure gas. In the pressure cycle test method described in Patent Document 1, the interior of the composite container is filled with gas, which is a pressure medium, and the pressure medium is repeatedly pressurized and depressurized (depressurized), thereby evaluating the durability of the composite container.

[0003] Furthermore, the following Patent Document 2 describes a pressure cycle test method for a composite container that has a reinforcing layer on the outer periphery of a metal liner and can hold high-pressure gas. In the pressure cycle test method described in Patent Document 2, from the perspective of safety, a solution in which a solute has been added to a solvent containing ethylene glycol in a liquid state is used as the pressure medium, and the pressure medium is repeatedly pressurized and depressurized to evaluate the durability of the composite container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent application No. 2007-154927 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2019-197073 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, a pressure cycle test was carried out on an actual high-pressure tank, which was constructed by using gas as the pressure medium and covering the outer surface of a metal liner whose main component was an aluminum alloy with a reinforcing fiber layer, but the damage evaluation method was limited to post-analysis, and data was not obtained that would allow a detailed understanding of the destruction.

[0006] Furthermore, in Patent Document 2, for safety reasons, a pressure cycle test method is described in which a solution in which a solute has been added to a solvent containing ethylene glycol in a liquid state is used as the pressure medium, and the pressure medium is repeatedly pressurized and depressurized. However, as in Patent Document 2, this method does not yet present a method for directly observing the change over time in damage to a composite container.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main object is to provide a characteristic testing device that has a compact configuration and is capable of easily measuring the change over time in breakage of a flat test piece mainly during a gas pressure cycle process in a temperature range from low to high and in an environment of various fluids such as hydrogen gas. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the characteristic testing device according to claim 1 of the present invention enables a pressure cycle test by repeatedly pressurizing and depressurizing a pressure medium, which is mainly a gas and is also an environmental fluid, between a perforated plate placed on the back side of the pressure surface of a flat test piece made of a metal or resin material and a flat test piece in the thickness direction, in an environment of various fluids such as hydrogen gas in a desired temperature range from below freezing to high, and also enables damage to the flat test piece during the pressure cycle test to be simply measured as a change over time in the amount of cross leakage through the test piece by the environmental fluid.

[0009] Specifically, the characteristic testing device described in claim 1 of the present invention is equipped with a second fluid supply means for supplying a second fluid, different from the first fluid in the first operational space, to the second operational space, and a concentration analysis means for analyzing the concentration or change in concentration over time of the first fluid contained in the second fluid that cross-leaks into the second operational space due to damage to the test piece, thereby making it possible to quantify the progression of damage such as cracks and blisters that occur within the test piece.

[0010] The characteristic test device according to claim 2 of the present invention includes a thermostatic chamber capable of housing the container therein, and is capable of maintaining the temperature of the container, i.e., the temperature of the flat test piece, in a desired temperature range from a low temperature below freezing to a high temperature. In addition, according to the characteristic test device according to claim 2, the temperature in the thermostatic chamber is changed from a first set temperature to a second set temperature, which is set in advance, so that the pressure cycle test can be performed while changing the temperature of the container and the flat test piece. Furthermore, the pressure cycle test can be performed while repeatedly changing the temperature between the first set temperature and the second set temperature. In other words, it is possible to simultaneously or alternately perform the pressure cycle test and the heat cycle test of the test piece in a desired temperature range from a low temperature to a high temperature.

[0011] Furthermore, the characteristic testing device according to claim 3 of the present invention is provided with a visualization means, such as an endoscope, in the container, and can directly observe the progress of damage to the flat test piece. Furthermore, it is possible to continuously or intermittently capture images of the occurrence and progress of cracks in a metal test piece during a pressure cycle test or a heat cycle test, and the occurrence and progress of blisters in a resin test piece. Effect of the Invention

[0012] The characteristic testing device of the present invention has a compact configuration and repeatedly pressurizes and depressurizes a pressure medium, which is mainly a gas and is also an environmental fluid, in an environment of various fluids such as hydrogen gas in a desired temperature range from below freezing point to high temperature.This has the effect of applying a pressure cycle in the thickness direction of the flat test piece between a perforated plate arranged on the back side of the pressure-receiving surface of the flat test piece made of a metal or resin material, and easily quantifying damage to the flat test piece during the pressure cycle process as a change over time in the amount of cross leakage of the environmental fluid through the test piece.

[0013] More specifically, according to the characteristic testing device of the present invention, a second fluid having a different composition from the first fluid in the first working space is supplied to the second working space by a second fluid supply means, and the concentration or change in concentration over time of the first fluid that cross-leaks into the second working space due to damage to the flat test piece is analyzed by a concentration analysis means, thereby achieving the effect of quantifying damage to the flat test piece due to the pressure cycle test.

[0014] Furthermore, the characteristic test device according to the present invention has an effect that a pressure cycle test of the flat test piece can be performed in a desired temperature range from a low temperature below the freezing point of the flat test piece to a high temperature by storing a container in a thermostatic chamber and arbitrarily controlling the temperature of the thermostatic chamber. In addition, the characteristic test device according to the present invention can perform a pressure cycle test while changing the temperature of the container and the flat test piece by changing the temperature in the thermostatic chamber from a first set temperature to a second set temperature that is set in advance. Furthermore, the pressure cycle test can be performed while repeatedly changing the temperature between the first set temperature and the second set temperature. In other words, the characteristic test device has an effect that a pressure cycle test and a heat cycle test of the test piece can be performed simultaneously or alternately in a desired temperature range from a low temperature to a high temperature.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the characteristic testing device of the present invention, by attaching a visualization means such as an endoscope to the porous plate in the container, the damage condition of the flat test piece can be successively observed as images. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a characteristic test device according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a photograph showing the appearance of a lower vessel and a perforated plate fabricated according to a first embodiment of the characteristic test device of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of a characteristic test device according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 11 shows input and output values ​​of a pressure cycle of a triangular wave as an example in a pressure cycle test process carried out in accordance with the second embodiment of the characteristic test apparatus of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a third embodiment of a characteristic test device according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0018] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a first embodiment of the characteristic test device of the present invention. The characteristic test device 1 of the first embodiment includes a container 4 in which a flat test piece 2 and a perforated plate 3 placed on top of the flat test piece 2 are stored. The container 4 has a first working space 6 formed by the flat test piece 2 and a container upper part 5 having a generally inverted concave vertical cross section, and a second working space 8 formed by a container lower part 7 having a generally concave vertical cross section and spaced apart from the first working space 6 at a position opposite to the first working space 6 across the flat test piece 2, and the back surface of the flat test piece 2. The container 4, which forms the first working space 6 and the second working space 8 inside, is configured such that the container upper part 5 and the container lower part 7 are openable and closable. The container 4 includes a metal or resin packing 9, and when the container upper part 5 and the container lower part 7 are closed, the lower end of the container upper part 5 and the upper end of the container lower part 7 are overlapped via the packing 9. This allows the container 4 to be sealed, and allows the first working space 6 and the second working space 8 to be formed within the container 4, which are sealed.

[0019] The perforated plate 3 of the first embodiment may be made of ceramic or a metal material such as stainless steel. The perforated plate 3 may be made of a porous material, or may have at least one linear or non-linear through hole formed therein during the manufacturing process of the perforated plate 3.

[0020] The container 4 in the first embodiment is made of metal containing at least one of iron, nickel, chromium, aluminum, and copper. The upper container portion 5 is cylindrical, disc-shaped, or rectangular with a bottom that opens downward, and the lower container portion 7 is cylindrical, disc-shaped, or rectangular with a bottom that opens upward.

[0021] In the characteristic test device 1 of the first embodiment, the test piece 2 is flat, but it is possible to perform a characteristic test on the test piece in the same manner even if the test piece is roughly flat, hemispherical, etc. Also, the perforated plate 3 is preferably shaped to overlap with the test piece 2, and like the test piece 2, it may be roughly flat, hemispherical, etc.

[0022] In the characteristic test device 1 of the first embodiment, the first fluid supply system 12 that supplies the first fluid for forming a test environment to the first working space 6 includes a first fluid gas cylinder as the first fluid supply means 10, a first compressor as the first fluid pressurizing means 11 that pressurizes the fluid to be supplied to the first working space 6, a pressure cycle applying means 13 that applies a pressure cycle to the fluid to be supplied to the first working space 6, and a first fluid pressure gauge 17 that detects the pressure of the first working space 6. The pressure cycle applying means 13 includes a first actuator as the first fluid pressure control means 18 that adjusts the pressure of the pressure cycle applying means 13. The opening degree of the pressure cycle applying means 13 is repeatedly adjusted via the first actuator 18 as a drive unit under the control of the control means described later.

[0023] In the characteristic test device 1 of the first embodiment, the pressure cycle applying means 13 is provided in the first fluid supply system 12, and increases or decreases the pressure of the fluid supplied to the first action space 6. When the first action space 6 is reduced in pressure, excess first fluid is discharged to the outside of the characteristic test device 1 through a first fluid discharge system 19 provided in either the first fluid supply system 12 or the first action space 6 of the container 4. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the first fluid discharge system 19 is provided in the pressure cycle applying means 13.

[0024] In the characteristic test device 1 of the first embodiment, the pressure cycle applying means 13 is composed of a pneumatic gas pressure regulating valve capable of adjusting the opening degree of the valve according to the pressure value of the first fluid pressure gauge 17. The first actuator 18 is of the pneumatic type, and the first actuator 18 is capable of driving the pressure cycle applying means 13.

[0025] In the characteristic test device 1 of the first embodiment, the first actuator 18 can be composed of a motor (electric motor), an electromagnet (solenoid), a piezoelectric element (piezo stack), etc. other than air pressure, but in this first embodiment, it is a pneumatic type. The first actuator 18 imparts a desired pressure cycle to the internal pressure of the first working space 6.

[0026] The pressurization or depressurization of the first fluid by the pressure cycle applying means 13 is adjusted by driving a first actuator 18 according to an instruction from a first pressure regulator 20. A signal to the first actuator 18 is sent to a central processing unit (CPU) 21 via the first pressure regulator 20. A signal of the pressure value of the first fluid pressure gauge 17 is also sent to the central processing unit (CPU) 21. The central processing unit (CPU) 21 may include at least one of an operation unit 22 that receives operational inputs from a test implementer, a pressure display unit 23 that displays the inputs, and a storage means (data logger, RAM and ROM) 24.

[0027] In the characteristic testing device 1 of this first embodiment, the second fluid supply system 15 that supplies the second fluid to the second working space 8 includes a second fluid gas cylinder as a second fluid supply means 14 that supplies the second fluid to the second working space 8, and a second fluid pressure adjustment means 16 that adjusts the pressure of the second fluid supplied to the second working space 8.

[0028] The second fluid pressure adjustment means 16 sets the pressure on the outlet side of the second fluid pressure adjustment means 16, i.e., the pressure on the secondary side of the second fluid pressure adjustment means 16, and consequently, generally the pressure in the second working space 8, to a desired pressure value, and may be a so-called regulator.

[0029] In the characteristic test device 1 of the first embodiment, the container 4 is provided with a second fluid discharge system 25 for discharging a second fluid having a different composition from the first fluid in the first working space 6 to the outside of the container 4, and a concentration analyzer 26 for analyzing the concentration of the first fluid that cross-leaks from the first working space 6 to the second working space 8 via the flat test piece 2, contained in the second fluid discharged from the second working space 8 to the outside of the container 4. The concentration analyzer 26 may be provided with a data recording system 27 for recording the measured concentration value. The first fluid gas cylinder 10 and the second fluid gas cylinder 14 use gas cylinders having different compositions.

[0030] The concentration analyzer 26 is attached to the second fluid discharge system 25, and includes a metal oxide semiconductor gas sensor as a detector, and a column, which is a tube for separating the sample gas. The concentration analyzer 41 performs gas analysis using a gas chromatography method, and separates gases by utilizing the difference in speed at which gas components pass through the column. Gas components are identified by the appearance time (retention time) of peaks in a chromatogram. By changing the column, it is possible to handle various gas types.

[0031] In the characteristic testing device 1 of the second embodiment, the concentration analyzer 26 has been described as being of the metal oxide semiconductor type as an example, but the concentration analyzer 26 can be of any type, such as differential, infrared absorption, chemiluminescence, magnetic pressure, zirconia, or galvanic battery, and can similarly quantify characteristics such as damage to the test piece 2.

[0032] The concentration analyzer 26 may be equipped with a data recording system 27. The data recording system 27 is a personal computer equipped with dedicated software. For example, the sample name, measurement time, measurement temperature, etc. are input by operating the operation section of the data recording system 27, and the measurement results are displayed on the screen output section of the data recording system 27 after the measurement. Furthermore, the measurement data is stored in the memory section of the data recording system 27, making it easy to manage and search.

[0033] Next, a test method using the characteristic test device 1 of the first embodiment will be described. First, the perforated plate 3 in Fig. 1 is placed on the upper end of the lower container part 7, and then the flat test piece 2 is placed on top of the perforated plate 3. After that, the lower end of the upper container part 5 is overlapped via a packing 9 to seal it. This prevents fluid from leaking from the overlapping part between the upper end of the lower container part 7 and the lower end of the upper container part 5.

[0034] The characteristic test device 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 was actually produced as a prototype. FIG. 2(a) shows a photograph of the appearance of the prototype lower vessel part 28 (corresponding to the lower vessel part 7 in FIG. 1). FIG. 2(b) shows a photograph of the appearance of the prototype perforated plate 29 (corresponding to the perforated plate 3 in FIG. 1). The lower vessel part 28 and the perforated plate 29 in FIG. 2 were both produced as prototypes using austenitic stainless steel. The prototype lower vessel part 28 in FIG. 2(a) was machined with a packing groove 31 for fitting the packing 9 in FIG. 1. FIG. 2(a) also shows a photograph of the appearance of the prototype perforated plate 30 actually assembled in the prototype lower vessel part 28. The prototype second fluid exhaust system 25 of the characteristic test device 1 in FIG. 1 is attached to the prototype second fluid outlet 32 ​​shown in FIG. 2(a).

[0035] When assembling the container 4, the flat test piece 2 is placed on top of the prototype porous plate 30 shown in Fig. 2(a), and the packing 9 is fitted into the packing groove 31. The container upper part 5 shown in Fig. 1 is then placed on top of that, and the entire container 4 is assembled.

[0036] In FIG. 1, after the porous plate 3 and the flat test piece 2 are accommodated in the container 4, a first fluid is supplied from a first fluid gas cylinder 10 to a first working space 6 of the container 4 via a first fluid supply system 12. The fluid supplied to the first working space 6 is compressed by a first compressor 11. At this time, the first compressor 11 is controlled so that the first fluid maintains a desired pressure. When the pressure of the first fluid gas cylinder 10 is high, a pressure reducing valve can be used instead of the first compressor 11. In addition, the second fluid is supplied from a second fluid gas cylinder 14 to a second working space 8 in the lower part 7 of the container after pressure adjustment by a second fluid pressure adjustment means 16 of a second fluid supply system 15.

[0037] During the pressure cycle test, the flat test piece 2, together with the perforated plate 3, is sandwiched between the upper container part 5 and the lower container part 7, and is fixed in a state in which the first action space 6 and the second action space 8 are isolated from each other. The pressure cycle of the first action space 6 is applied to the upper surface of the flat test piece 2 by a pressure cycle applying means 13. The perforated plate 3, which acts rigidly against bending deformation, is attached to the rear surface of the pressure-receiving surface of the flat test piece 2, and between the pressure circle of the first action space 6 and the perforated plate 3, compression cycles are repeatedly applied in the thickness direction of the flat test piece 2.

[0038] During pressure cycling, a central processing unit 21 is used to receive a signal of the pressure value of the first fluid pressure gauge 17 while transmitting a signal to the first pressure regulator 20, and the opening of the pressure cycle applying means 13 is repeatedly varied by the first actuator 18 via the first pressure regulator 20 to repeatedly pressurize or depressurize the first fluid in the first working space 6 in the container 4. During this time, the tester can continuously or intermittently transmit a signal from the operation unit 22 to the first pressure regulator 20 via the central processing unit 21 in accordance with the pressure indication value of the pressure gauge 17 displayed on the pressure display unit 23. If necessary, the test input data and output data are stored in memory means (data logger, RAM and ROM) 24.

[0039] In the characteristic test device 1 of the first embodiment, unlike Patent Documents 1 and 2, a pressure cycle test is not performed on an actual composite container configured by covering the outer peripheral surface of a metal liner or a resin liner with a reinforcing fiber layer, but a pressure cycle test is performed on a test piece 2 stored in a compact container 4, and damage or changes over time in damage of the flat test piece 2 during the pressure cycle test process are continuously or intermittently measured. As a result, the characteristic test device 1 of the first embodiment is compact in itself, and despite its compactness, damage to the test piece 2 made of a metal material, a resin material, or the like is quantified in real time by the concentration measurement means 26.

[0040] In the first embodiment, hydrogen gas is suitable as the first fluid to be supplied to the first action space 6, and argon gas is suitable as the second fluid to be supplied to the second action space 8, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the fluid may be a liquid or gaseous substance at the test temperature. Examples of the liquid substance at the test temperature include liquid water, alcohol, and oil. The fluid may be any of these. Examples of the gaseous substance at the test temperature include reducing gases such as hydrogen, inert gases such as nitrogen and argon, rare gas elements such as helium, air, oxygen, and water vapor. The fluid may be any of these, or may be a gas mixture of these.

[0041] Furthermore, in the characteristic test device 1 of the first embodiment, hydrogen gas is used as the first fluid, argon gas is used as the second fluid, and a hydrogen concentration analyzer is used as the concentration analyzer 26, but the first fluid may be air, the second fluid may be an inert gas such as nitrogen gas, and the concentration analyzer 26 may be an oxygen concentration analyzer. In short, it is only necessary that the fluid type to be measured by the concentration analyzer 26 is contained in the first fluid and not contained in the second fluid, and the fluid type of the first fluid and the fluid type of the second fluid are not limited to a specific fluid type.

[0042] In the first embodiment, a gas analyzer is given as an example of the concentration analyzer 26, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the concentration analyzer 26 may be a liquid analyzer, an oxygen concentration meter, a mass spectrometer, a trace concentration gas analyzer, an oxygen analyzer conforming to the JIS standard, or the like.

[0043] (Second embodiment) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the characteristic test apparatus 1 of the second embodiment. The characteristic test apparatus 1 of the second embodiment is basically the same as the characteristic test apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, but is characterized in that the characteristics of the flat test piece 2 can be tested in a wide temperature range from low temperatures below freezing to high temperatures. Therefore, in the following, the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described, that is, the addition of a thermostatic chamber 33 for storing the container 4 and the effect of the compressibility of the first fluid on the pressure cycle test according to Boyle's law by storing the container 4 in the thermostatic chamber 33, and the description of the matters common to the first embodiment of FIG. 1 and the second embodiment of FIG. 3 will be omitted. In addition, the parts already described in the first embodiment of FIG. 1, especially the various instruments 22, 23, 24 associated with the first fluid system, will not be illustrated in order to avoid the complication of FIG. 3, and the illustration will be mainly focused on the attachment of the thermostatic chamber 33 and its effect.

[0044] The characteristic test apparatus 1 of the second embodiment is equipped with a container 4 having the same configuration and purpose as the characteristic test apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, a test piece 2 stored in the container 4, a porous plate 3 placed on the test piece 2, a pressure cycle applying means 13, a first actuator 18, a second pressure adjusting means 16, and a concentration analyzer 26. Although shown in FIG. 3, the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

[0045] The characteristic test device 1 of the second embodiment includes a thermostatic chamber 33 that houses a container 4. The thermostatic chamber 33 includes a thermometer 34 that measures the temperature inside the thermostatic chamber 33, and the temperature inside the thermostatic chamber 33 can be measured and set to a desired temperature. This makes it possible to set the temperatures of the container 4 and the flat test piece 3 to the desired temperatures.

[0046] The characteristic test device 1 of the second embodiment of FIG. 3 is provided with a pressure cycle applying means 13 for applying a pressure cycle to the fluid supplied to the first working space 6, as in the first embodiment of FIG. 1. Meanwhile, the volume (V) of the first fluid in the first working space 6 in the container 4 housed in the thermostatic bath 33, particularly when in a gaseous state, is proportional to the absolute temperature (T) and inversely proportional to the pressure (P) according to Boyle's Charles' law. That is, the relationship V∝T / P is established. In order to reflect the operation of the pressure cycle applying means 13 of the first fluid in the container 4, which is affected by Boyle's Charles' law, the first fluid supply system 12 is provided with a pressure gauge 17 for measuring the pressure value (P) of the first fluid in the container 4, and the thermostatic bath 33 is provided with a thermometer 34 for measuring the internal temperature (T).

[0047] In the characteristic test device 1 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a signal related to the pressure (P) of the first fluid pressure gauge 17 and a signal related to the temperature in the thermostatic chamber 33, i.e., a signal related to the temperature (T) generally in the container 4, are sent to a central processing unit (CPU) 21. The central processing unit (CPU) 21 calculates the volume (V0) of the first fluid in a standard state required for pressurization of the pressure cycle applying means 13 according to Boyle's Charles' law (V∝T / P). The central processing unit (CPU) 21 transmits information related to the calculated volume (V0) in the standard state as a signal to the first actuator 18. The first actuator 18 can receive the signal from the central processing unit (CPU) 21 and transmit a signal related to the valve opening degree corrected for the influence of Boyle's Charles' law (V∝T / P) to the pressure cycle applying means 13.

[0048] Next, a test method using the characteristic test device 1 of the second embodiment will be described. First, the perforated plate 3 in Fig. 3 is placed on the upper end of the lower container part 7, and then the flat test piece 2 is placed on top of the perforated plate 3. After that, the lower end of the upper container part 5 is overlapped via a packing 9 to seal it. This prevents fluid from leaking from the overlapping part between the upper end of the lower container part 7 and the lower end of the upper container part 5.

[0049] The container 4 assembled by housing the test piece 3 is housed in a thermostatic chamber 33. A first fluid supply system 12, a second fluid supply system 15, and a second fluid discharge system 25 are connected to the container 4 housed in the thermostatic chamber 33. A first fluid gas cylinder 10, for example, hydrogen gas, is repeatedly pressurized or depressurized by a pressure cycle applying means 13 and supplied to the first working space 6 via the first fluid supply system 12. In addition, a second fluid gas cylinder 14, for example, argon gas, is pressure-regulated by a second fluid pressure regulating means 16 and supplied to the second working space 8 via the second fluid supply system 15.

[0050] When the first fluid in the first working space 6 is depressurized by the pressure cycle applying means 13, the first fluid is discharged from the first fluid discharge system 19 to the outside of the characteristic test device 1. On the other hand, the second fluid is discharged from the second fluid discharge system 15 to the outside of the characteristic test device 1.

[0051] In the characteristic testing apparatus 1 of the second embodiment of Figure 3, when the first fluid in the first working space 6 in the container 4 stored in the thermostatic bath 33 is in a gaseous state, at the time of supply, i.e., pressurization, the pressure cycle applying means 13 supplies to the first working space 6 an amount of the first fluid volume (V) calculated in accordance with Boyle's law (V ∝ T / P) from the pressure (P) read from the first fluid pressure gauge 17 and the absolute temperature (T) read from the thermometer 34 in the thermostatic bath 33.

[0052] In the characteristic test device 1 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a signal related to the pressure (P) of the first fluid pressure gauge 17 and a signal related to the temperature in the thermostatic chamber 33, i.e., the temperature (T) generally in the container 4, are sent to a central processing unit (CPU) 21. The central processing unit (CPU) 21 calculates the volume (V0) of the first fluid in the standard state required for pressurization of the pressure cycle applying means 13 according to Boyle's Charles' law (V∝T / P). The central processing unit (CPU) 21 transmits information related to the calculated volume (V0) in the standard state as a signal to the first actuator 18. The first actuator 18 receives the signal from the central processing unit (CPU) 21 and transmits a signal related to the valve opening degree corrected for the influence of Boyle's Charles' law (V∝T / P) to the pressure cycle applying means 13. This makes it possible to easily and accurately perform pressure cycle tests and temperature cycle tests in a wide temperature range.

[0053] FIG. 4 shows an example of a pressure cycle test performed on a container 4 stored in a thermostatic chamber 33 set at, for example, -80°C, while performing temperature correction according to Boyle's law by the central processing unit (CPU) 21 in the characteristic test device 1 of the actual second embodiment. FIG. 4(a) shows the set value and measured value of the temperature of the thermostatic chamber 33 when it is set at -80°C. It can be seen that the temperature in the thermostatic chamber 33 also reaches -80°C for the set value of -80°C. FIG. 4(b) shows the input value (dashed line) and output value (solid line) to the gas pressure control valve, which is the actual pressure cycle applying means 13, in this temperature range, when the period is 10 seconds and the waveform is a triangular wave. A pressure cycle of the output value is applied to the actual test piece 2, and it can be seen that the output value follows the input value, even though the pressure of the gas at an extremely low temperature of -80°C is applied by the pressure cycle applying means 13 at room temperature.

[0054] Figure 4 shows an example of the input and output values ​​of a triangular pressure waveform when temperature compensation was performed in accordance with Boyle's law on a container 4 stored in a constant temperature bath 33 set at -80°C. However, it is also possible to perform a pressure cycle test when pressurization or depressurization is performed based only on the signal value related to the pressure of the first fluid pressure gauge 17 without performing temperature compensation, although the tracking response will be somewhat inferior. (Third embodiment)

[0055] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the characteristic test apparatus 1 of the third embodiment. The characteristic test apparatus 1 of the third embodiment is basically the same as the characteristic test apparatus 1 of the first and second embodiments, but is characterized in that a visualization means 35 is provided inside the container 4, and damage to the test piece 2 occurring during the pressure cycle test process can be observed in real time. Therefore, in the following, differences between the first and second embodiments and the third embodiment, that is, the visualization means 35 provided inside the container 4 and the function of the visualization means 35, will be mainly described, and descriptions of matters common to the first embodiment of FIG. 1 and the second embodiment of FIG. 3 will be omitted. In particular, the system outside the container 4 shown in the first embodiment of FIG. 1 and the embodiment of FIG. 3 will not be shown in the third embodiment of FIG. 5.

[0056] In the characteristic test device 1 of the third embodiment, the visualization means 35 is preferably one that can visualize damage to the test piece 2 from the surface by images, such as an endoscope. In Fig. 5, an example is shown in which one visualization means 35 is provided inside the container 4, but it is also possible to provide multiple visualization means 35 inside the container 4.

[0057] In the characteristic test device 1 of the third embodiment, the visualization means 35 is installed inside the container 4, and the signal of the visualization means 35 is transmitted via an instrumentation cable 37 to an image display unit 36 ​​arranged outside the container 4.

[0058] An instrumentation cable 37 extending from a visualization means 35 installed in the container 4 to an image display unit 36 ​​arranged outside the container 4 is provided with a seal structure 38 at a penetration portion of the container 4. The seal structure 38 has a function of preventing leakage of the first fluid and the second fluid in the container 4 to the outside of the container 4. The seal structure 38 may be a hermetic seal.

[0059] The image display unit 36 ​​may be equipped with a data analysis and recording system 39. The data analysis and recording system 39 may be a personal computer with dedicated software installed. The data analysis and recording system 39 can capture changes in the image of the test piece 2, i.e., the progression of damage to the test piece 2, for example, as changes in the shading of the image. The data analysis and recording system 39 also has an operation unit, which allows, for example, the input of the sample name, measurement time, measurement temperature, etc., and the measurement results are displayed on the screen output unit of the data analysis and recording system 39 after measurement. Furthermore, the measurement data or analysis data is stored in the memory unit of the data analysis and recording system 39, making it easy to manage and search.

[0060] Next, the operation of the characteristic test device 1 of the third embodiment will be described. First, the visualization means 35 is attached to the container 4 or the perforated plate 3. FIG. 5 shows an example in which an endoscope, which is the visualization means 35, is attached to the perforated plate 3. Next, one end of the instrumentation cable 37 is taken out of the container 4 via the seal structure 38. Next, the perforated plate 3 to which the visualization means 35 is attached is placed on the upper end of the container lower part 7, and then the flat test piece 2 is placed on top of the perforated plate 3. After that, the lower end of the container upper part 5 is overlapped and sealed via the packing 9. This prevents fluid from leaking from the overlapping part between the upper end of the container lower part 7 and the lower end of the container upper part 5.

[0061] In the third embodiment, in the case where the thermostatic bath 33 is not provided as in the first embodiment, the first fluid supply system 12, the second fluid supply system 15, and the second fluid discharge system 25 are connected to the container 4 in this state. In the case where the thermostatic bath 33 is provided as in the second embodiment, the container 4 is housed in the thermostatic bath 33, and then the first fluid supply system 12, the second fluid supply system 15, and the second fluid discharge system 25 are connected to the container 4.

[0062] After the connection of each system 12, 15, 25 is completed, the first fluid is supplied from the first fluid gas cylinder 10 to the first working space 6 of the container 4 via the first fluid supply system 12. The fluid supplied to the first working space 6 is compressed by the first compressor 11. At this time, the first compressor 11 is controlled so that the first fluid maintains a desired pressure. When the pressure of the first fluid gas cylinder 10 is high, a pressure reducing valve can be used instead of the first compressor 11. In addition, the second fluid is supplied from the second fluid gas cylinder 14 to the second working space 8 of the container 4 via the second fluid supply system 15 after pressure adjustment by the second fluid pressure adjustment means 16.

[0063] The flat test piece 2, together with the perforated plate 3, is sandwiched between the upper container 5 and the lower container 7, and is fixed in a state in which the first working space 6 and the second working space 8 are isolated from each other. In this state, a pressure cycle is applied to the first working space 6 on the upper surface of the flat test piece 2 by a pressure cycle application means 13. The perforated plate 3, which acts rigidly against bending deformation, is attached to the rear surface of the pressure-receiving surface of the flat test piece 2, and between the pressure circle of the first working space 6 and the perforated plate 3, the flat test piece 2 is repeatedly loaded with a compression cycle in the thickness direction.

[0064] During the pressure cycle test, the state of damage in the test piece 2 is visually observed by a visualization means 35 such as an endoscope. Information obtained by observing the surface of the test piece 2 is transmitted to an image display unit 36 ​​via an instrumentation cable 37. Furthermore, the information in the image display unit 36 ​​may be transmitted to a data analysis and recording system 39.

[0065] The data analysis and recording system 39 captures the progress of damage to the test piece 2 by quantifying it as changes in the shading and color of the image from the visualization means 35 that accompany the progress of damage to the test piece 2. The data analysis and recording system 39 is equipped with an operation unit, into which, for example, the sample name, measurement time, measurement temperature, etc. are input, and after measurement, the measurement results are displayed on the screen output unit of the data analysis and recording system 39. Furthermore, the measurement data or analysis data is stored in the memory unit of the data analysis and recording system 39.

[0066] The data relating to the progression of damage in the test piece 2 recorded in the data analysis recording system 39 can be matched with data relating to the progression of damage in the test piece 2 measured by the concentration analyzer 26, making it possible to make the damage in the test piece 2 more concrete.

[0067] As described above, the characteristic testing apparatus 1 of the third embodiment has a compact configuration and is capable of carrying out a pressure cycle test on the test piece 2 in a desired fluid environment in any temperature range from low to high temperatures while visualizing the progression of damage to the test piece 2.

[0068] The following technical ideas can be understood from the above embodiment. (1) A pressure cycle in the first action space 6 is applied to the upper surface of the flat test piece 2 by the pressure cycle applying means 13, and a perforated plate 3 acting rigidly against bending deformation is attached to the rear surface of the pressure-receiving surface of the flat test piece 2, and a compression cycle is repeatedly applied in the thickness direction of the flat test piece 2 between the pressure circle in the first action space 6 and the perforated plate 3. This makes it possible to provide a characteristic test device that enables a pressure cycle test on the test piece 2 in a desired temperature range from low temperature, including extremely low temperatures, to high temperatures.

[0069] (2) According to the invention of (1), a low-cost characteristic test device can be provided without requiring any large-scale, complicated structure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0070] The present invention expands the scope of application of this characteristic testing device to include fatigue tests of specimens exposed to fluid environments such as hydrogen environments from low temperatures including cryogenic temperatures to high temperatures, mechanical property tests such as slow strain rate bending tests, and durability tests such as creep tests, as well as pressure cycle tests. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1. Characteristic test equipment 2. Flat test piece (test piece) 3 perforated plate 4 containers 5. Top of container 6 First action space (first space) 7 Lower part of container 8 Second action space (second space) 9. Packing 10 First fluid supply means (first fluid gas cylinder) 11 First fluid pressurizing means (first compressor, first pressure reducing valve) 12 First fluid supply system 13 Pressure cycle applying means (gas pressure control valve) 14 Second fluid supply means (second fluid gas cylinder) 15 Second fluid supply system 16 Second fluid pressure adjusting means 17 First fluid pressure gauge 18 First fluid pressure control means (first actuator) 19 First fluid discharge system 20 First pressure regulator 21 Central Processing Unit (CPU) 22 Control section 23 Pressure display unit 24 Storage means (data logger, RAM, ROM) 25 Second fluid discharge system 26 Concentration analysis means (concentration analyzer) 27 Data Acquisition System 28. Lower part of prototype container 29 Prototype perforated plate 30 Perforated plate installed in the lower part of the prototype vessel 31 Processed packing groove 32 Prototype second fluid outlet 33 Constant temperature bath 34 Thermometer 35 Visualization methods (endoscopes) 36 Image display section 37 Instrumentation Cable 38 Sealing structure (hermetic shield) 39 Data Analysis and Recording System

Claims

1. A characteristic test device for evaluating the change over time in damage during a pressure cycle test of a flat test piece in an environment of various fluids such as hydrogen, a container for storing the flat test piece, the container being partitioned into a first working space and a second working space each having a fixed volume by the flat test piece and a perforated plate placed on top of the flat test piece; a fluid supply means for supplying a fluid to the first working space formed between the container and the flat test piece contained therein; a pressure cycle applying means for applying a pressure cycle to the first fluid in the first working space; a concentration analysis means for supplying a second fluid having a composition different from that of the first fluid to the second working space and analyzing the concentration of the first fluid contained in the second fluid that cross-leaks into the second working space due to breakage of the flat test piece; A characteristic test device comprising:

2. 2. The characteristic test device according to claim 1, further comprising a thermostatic chamber for housing the container therein, and capable of applying a pressure cycle to the first fluid in the first working space in accordance with the following Boyle's law in a desired temperature range. V ∝ T / P where T is the absolute temperature of the first fluid in the container, P: pressure of the first fluid in gaseous state, V: volume of the first fluid in the gaseous state at absolute temperature T;

3. 3. The characteristic test device according to claim 1, further comprising a visualization means for directly observing the state of damage to the flat test piece contained in the container during the pressure cycle test.

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