Tank module

Abstract

To provide a tank module which can be lifted up without increasing the mass while protecting a tank when the tank module vertically drops.SOLUTION: A tank module 100 includes tanks 10 for storing hydrogen, a case 20 for storing the plurality of tanks 10 arranged in parallel, and a mount member 30 for mounting neck parts 12 of the plurality of tanks 10, the mount member 30 extending along the direction where the plurality of tanks 10 are arranged in parallel, the mount member 30 having an end as a protruded part 32K protruded to the outside of the case 20, the protruded part 32K of the mount member 30 being provided with a hole part 32K for lifting operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tank module that accommodates and fixes a plurality of tanks. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in order to supply hydrogen to hydrogen vehicles (including fuel cell vehicles), a tank module is formed in which multiple tanks filled with hydrogen are stored in parallel, and the tank module is then loaded onto a hydrogen trailer and transported to a hydrogen station, where hydrogen is supplied to the hydrogen vehicle.

[0003] As described in Patent Document 1, a conventional tank module has multiple tanks with cylindrical bodies arranged in parallel inside a rectangular parallelepiped fixed frame that constitutes a case, and a restraining member is inserted into a small-diameter neck portion provided at the end of the body of the tank and connected to the fixed frame. Furthermore, an upper fixed frame that also serves as a lifting member is provided on the upper part of the fixed frame.

[0004] When lifting the tank module, one end of each of the four connecting wires is connected to the four corners of the rectangular upper fixed frame (or the middle parts of each of the four frame members), and the other end of each of the four connecting wires is connected to the lower end of one suspension wire. This makes it possible to transport the tank module by lifting upward the suspension wire located in the center of the upper fixed frame in a plan view of the tank module. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-211004 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the tank module described in Patent Document 1 has the following problems. (1) When the tank module falls vertically onto the floor, especially in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the multiple tanks, the distance between the fixed frame in contact with the floor and the tanks is small, so excessive input (impact force) is applied to the tanks, which may cause damage to the tanks.

[0007] (2) When the tank module is lifted using the lifting wires and the upper fixed frame, the four connecting wires apply a pull-in load to the four corners of the upper fixed frame (or the middle parts of each of the four frame members) toward the center of the upper fixed frame. In order to ensure the strength of the upper fixed frame against this pull-in load, it becomes necessary to increase the cross-section of each frame member that constitutes the upper fixed frame, etc. This raises concerns about an increase in the mass of the tank module.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to protect the tank when the tank module is dropped vertically, and to enable the tank module to be lifted without increasing its mass. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The invention of claim 1 is a tank module comprising a tank for storing high-pressure gas, a case for storing a number of the tanks in parallel, and a mounting member for mounting the neck portions of the number of the tanks, the mounting member extending along the direction in which the number of the tanks are arranged in parallel, an end of the mounting member protruding to the outside of the case as a protrusion, and a hole shape for lifting is provided in the protrusion of the mounting member. Effect of the Invention

[0010] (a) In the tank module, the end of the mounting member that mounts the neck portion of the tank protrudes as a protrusion to the outside of the case. Therefore, when the tank module is dropped vertically onto the floor, particularly in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the multiple tanks, the protrusion of the mounting member protruding from the case hits the floor, ensuring a distance between the tanks and the floor, preventing excessive input (impact force) from acting on the tanks and protecting the tanks from damage.

[0011] (b) The protruding portions of the mount members that protrude to the outside of the case are provided with lifting holes. As a result, lifting members are connected to the lifting holes provided in the protruding portions at both ends of the front and rear mount members on the left and right outsides of the case along the parallel arrangement direction of the tanks stored in the case. When lifting the tank module, each lifting member is stretched vertically upward so as to be parallel to the outer surface of the case, and applies a lifting force to the tank module via the mount members.

[0012] Therefore, the lifting force does not apply a pulling load toward the center of the case in a plan view of the tank module to the case, and there is no need to ensure the strength of the case more than necessary. In other words, the tank module can be lifted with reduced weight without increasing its mass. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing a tank module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the tank module. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing the tank module. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a lifting hole provided in a protruding portion of a mounting member. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the shock mitigating effect of the present invention when the tank module is dropped. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the lifting structure of the tank module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] As one embodiment of the present invention, a tank module 100 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 includes a tank 10 for storing high-pressure gas, and a case 20 for accommodating two tanks 10, one on the left and one on the right, arranged in parallel.

[0015] When the high-pressure gas tank 10 is used as a portable module, the tank module 100 requires transportation and loading using a crane, forklift, etc. Also, a large amount of hydrogen can be used by stacking multiple tanks in multiple stages.

[0016] The tank 10 has a cylindrical body 11 with front and rear necks 12, each having a smaller diameter than the body 11, provided at its front and rear ends. The body 11 is filled with high-pressure gas.

[0017] In this specification, the direction along the longitudinal direction of the body 11 of the tank 10 housed in the case 20 is referred to as the front-rear direction, the side of the neck 12 having the main valve of the tank 10 is referred to as the front side, and the opposite side is referred to as the rear side. Also, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body 11 of the tank 10 is referred to as the left-right direction.

[0018] The tank 10 is a composite container having, for example, a resin liner as the outermost layer and a CFRP layer on the outer side thereof, and can be filled with hydrogen or the like at a pressure of 70 mPa. One of the neck portions 12 on both sides is provided with a main valve (not shown) for gas supply.

[0019] The case 20 has one bottom frame 21 formed by connecting four lower frame members 21a in a rectangular frame shape, one ceiling frame 22 formed by connecting four upper frame members 22a in a rectangular frame shape, and four pillar members 23a erected between the four corners corresponding to the top and bottom of the bottom frame 21 and the ceiling frame 22. Four side frames 23 are provided, each of which is formed by connecting adjacent pillar members 23a, one lower frame member 21a, and one upper frame member 22a in a rectangular frame shape. The bottom frame 21, ceiling frame 22, and side frames 23 form a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A plate member 22P is attached to the upper surface of the ceiling frame 22. The side frame 23 also includes vertical members 23b and diagonal members 23c.

[0020] The case 20 has a protruding frame 24 on one end side along the longitudinal direction of the bottom frame 21. The protruding frame 24 provides an installation space for pipes, instruments, operating valves, etc. that are connected to the tank 10 accommodated in the case 20.

[0021] The case 20 may also be provided with cover materials (not shown) within the surfaces of the bottom frame 21, the ceiling frame 22, the side frames 23, and the protruding frame 24.

[0022] The case 20 is provided with two support members 25 at the bottom of the bottom frame 21. The support members 25 extend in the left-right direction at a fixed interval from each other at the bottom of the bottom frame 21 and are fastened by bolts or the like to the left and right lower frame members 21a of the bottom frame 21. Each support member 25 can support the middle portions of the two tanks 10 housed in the case 20.

[0023] The case 20 has one leg 26 protruding from each of the four corners of the bottom frame 21, and one head 27 protruding from each of the four corners of the ceiling frame 22. Each head 27 is provided on a triangular plate-shaped fixing member 27P that is fixed to each of the four corners of the upper surface of the ceiling frame 22. When the upper and lower tank modules 100 are stacked, the leg 26 of the case 20 in the upper tank module 100 is engaged with the head 27 of the case 20 in the lower tank module 100 in a concave-convex manner.

[0024] The tank module 100 includes front and rear mounting members 30 for mounting the front and rear neck portions 12 of the two tanks 10. The mounting members 30 include a connecting member 31 that fits into the neck portions 12 of the tanks 10, a beam member 32 to which the connecting member 31 is fixed, and an attachment member 33 that is integral with the beam member 32.

[0025] The mounting member 30 includes a front and rear connecting member 31 for each tank 10 housed in the case 20, into which the neck portions 12 at the front and rear ends of the tank 10 fit. Each of the front and rear connecting members 31 includes a fitting hole 31A into which the neck portion 12 fits. Each connecting member 31 also includes a connector 31B for piping to be connected to the neck portion 12.

[0026] The mount member 30 includes a front beam member 32 that extends in a left-right direction (radial direction of the body portion 11) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tank 10 housed in the case 20 so that the two front connecting members 31 that fit into the neck portions 12 at the front ends of the two tanks 10 housed in the case 20 can be fixed with a gap therebetween. The mount member 30 also includes a rear beam member 32 that extends in a left-right direction (radial direction of the body portion 11) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tank 10 housed in the case 20 so that the two rear connecting members 31 that fit into the neck portions 12 at the rear ends of the two tanks 10 housed in the case 20 can be fixed with a gap therebetween. The front and rear beam members 32 each have a corresponding connecting member 31 fixed to two locations along their longitudinal direction by a fixing means (not shown) such as bolts. In this embodiment, each beam member 32 is fixed to the front and rear side frames 23 of the case 20, and is fastened by bolts or the like to the lower frame members 21a that constitute the side frames 23.

[0027] The mounting member 30 includes one front and one rear attachment member 33 that are integrated into the longitudinal center of each of the front and rear beam members 32, and each attachment member 33 is fixed to the front and rear side frames 23 of the case 20. In this embodiment, each attachment member 33 is fastened to the upper frame member 22a that constitutes the side frame 23 by bolts or the like.

[0028] As described above, each mounting member 30 of the tank module 100 has front and rear beams 32 extending along the left-right direction (radial direction of the body 11) in which the two tanks 10 are arranged side by side within the case 20, and the left and right ends of each beam 32 protrude to the outside of the case 20 (the outside of the left and right side frames 23 of the case 20) as protrusions 32P, 32P.

[0029] Further, each mounting member 30 of the tank module 100 is provided with a hole 32K for lifting in the protruding portions 32P, 32P of the beams 32. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, each beam 32 is formed in a rectangular tube shape, and a hole 32K is provided in each of the upward and lateral surfaces of the beam 32, and a lifting tool 40K provided at the tip of the lifting member 40 is inserted into the hole 32K for attachment and detachment.

[0030] The order of assembling the mount members 30 and the tanks 10 into the case 20 of the tank module 100 will be described below.

[0031] 1. The beam members 32 and the attachment members 33 of the mounting member 30 are attached to the case 20. 2. Attach the connecting member 31 to the beam 32 attached to the case 20. 3. The tank 10 is carried into the case 20, and the neck portion 12 of the tank 10 is attached to the connecting member 31 attached to the beam 32. 4. Attach plate member 22B to the upper surface of ceiling frame 22 in case 20. 5. Fixing members 27P with heads 27 are provided at each of the four corners of the upper surface of the ceiling frame 22 of the case 20.

[0032] According to this embodiment, the following advantageous effects are obtained. (a) In the tank module 100, the ends of the beam members 32 in the mounting members 30 that mount the necks 12 of the tanks 10 are protruded as protrusions 32P to the outside of the case 20. Therefore, when the tank module 100 is dropped vertically onto the floor surface F, particularly in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the multiple tanks 10, the protrusions 32P of the mounting members 30 protruding from the case 20 hit the floor surface F, ensuring a distance between the tanks 10 and the floor surface F, preventing excessive input (impact force) from acting on the tanks 10 and protecting the tanks 10 from damage.

[0033] FIG. 5(A) shows a comparative example, and FIG. 5(B) shows an example of the present invention in which the end of the mounting member 30 (beam member 32) is formed as a protrusion 32P.

[0034] (b) A lifting hole 32K is provided in the protruding portion 32P of the mount member 30 that protrudes to the outside of the case 20. As a result, the lifting tool 40K of the lifting member 40 is connected to the lifting hole 32K provided in the protruding portion 32P at both ends of the front and rear mount members 30 on the left and right outside of the case 20 along the parallel arrangement direction of the tanks 10 stored in the case 20. When lifting the tank module 100, each lifting member 40 is stretched vertically upward so as to be parallel to the outer surface of the case 20, and applies a lifting force to the tank module 100 via the mount member 30. In FIG. 6, 41 denotes a lifting frame and 42 denotes a lifting wire.

[0035] Therefore, the lifting force does not apply a pulling load toward the center of the case 20 in a plan view of the tank module 100, and there is no need to ensure more strength than necessary for the case 20. In other words, the tank module 100 can be lifted with reduced weight without an increase in mass.

[0036] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the present invention also includes design changes and the like that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the practice of the present invention, three or more tanks may be arranged in parallel and stored in a case. [Industrial Applicability]

[0037] According to the present invention, it is possible to protect the tank when the tank module is dropped vertically, and to lift the tank module without increasing its mass. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 10. Tank 11. Torso 12 Neck 20 cases 30 Mounting material 32 Beam material 32K Lifting hole 32P protrusion 100 Tank Module

Claims

[Claim 1] In the tank module, A tank for storing high-pressure gas; A case for storing a plurality of the tanks in parallel; a mounting member for mounting neck portions of the plurality of tanks; The mount member extends along a direction in which the tanks are arranged side by side, and an end of the mount member protrudes to an outside of the case as a protrusion, A tank module, wherein the protruding portion of the mount member is provided with a hole shape for lifting.

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