High pressure gas tank

Abstract

To provide a technique for suppressing a load on a tank when fixing a protection member to the tank.SOLUTION: A high pressure gas tank 10 includes a tank body 10a including a trunk part 12, and dome parts 14, 16 arranged on one side in the axial direction of the trunk part 12, a mouth piece 30 having a shaft part 32 extending from the center of the dome part 14 along the axial direction and a through-hole 36 passing through the shaft part 32 so that gas can be distributed thereinto, and a protection member 50 having a resin protection part 52 covering the dome part 14 around the mouth piece 30 and an annular or cylindrical metal connection part 54 which is integrated with the protection part 52 and into which the shaft part 32 of the mouth piece 30 is inserted, the mouth piece 30 including a first screw part 38 provided on the outer periphery of the shaft part 32, the protection member 50 including a second screw part 58 provided on the inner periphery of the connection part 54 and threaded to the first screw part 38.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to a high-pressure gas tank.

Background Art

[0002] As this type of high-pressure gas tank, a fixing structure of a protection member for protecting the tank from impact absorption has been disclosed (Patent Document 1). In this high-pressure gas tank, a metal fixing bracket provided on the protection member is fixed to the base of the tank by a plurality of bolts.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, according to the above fixing structure, when the fixing bracket and the base are bolted, the fastening force by the bolts acts in the radial direction with respect to the base. Since the base is likely to deform with respect to the radial force, there is a possibility that the base may deform according to the fastening force acting on the base.

[0005] This specification provides a technique for suppressing the load on the tank when fixing the protection member to the tank.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The disclosure herein is embodied in a high-pressure gas tank. This high-pressure gas tank includes a body portion, a dome portion disposed on one axial side of the body portion, a base having a shaft portion extending from the central portion of the partially spherical surface portion to the one side and a through-hole through which gas can flow through the shaft portion, a resin protection portion covering the dome portion around the base, and a metal connection portion integrated with the protection portion and having an annular or cylindrical shape into which the shaft portion of the base is inserted. The base includes a first threaded portion on the outer periphery of the shaft portion, and the protection member includes a second threaded portion on the inner periphery of the connection portion that engages with the first threaded portion.

[0007] According to this high-pressure gas tank, the protection member can be fixed to the base by screwing the second threaded portion provided on the connection portion of the protection member onto the first threaded portion provided on the shaft portion of the base. Since the fastening force by these threaded portions acts in the axial direction with respect to the base, deformation of the base is effectively suppressed.

[0008] Also, according to this high-pressure gas tank, since no fastening member such as a bolt is required, simple, rapid, and accurate fastening and fixing can be achieved without the need for additional members and equipment for fastening and fixing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 3C

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The high-pressure gas tank disclosed in this specification includes a tank body having a body portion and a dome portion disposed on one side in the axial direction of the body portion, a shaft portion extending along the axial direction from the central portion of the dome portion, a base having a through hole through which gas can flow through the shaft portion, a resin protective portion covering the dome portion around the base, and a metal connection portion integrated with the protective portion and having an annular or cylindrical shape into which the shaft portion of the base is inserted. The base includes a first screw portion on the outer periphery of the shaft portion, and the protective member can include a second screw portion that engages with the first screw portion on the inner periphery of the connection portion.

[0011] One aspect of the high-pressure gas tank may include a first movement restraining member on the shaft portion for restraining movement of the protective member to the one side. By doing so, loosening and coming off after fastening of the protective member can be easily and / or surely restrained. The first movement restraining member may include a third screw portion that engages with the first screw portion.

[0012] One aspect of the high-pressure gas tank is that the dome portion includes a fiber-reinforced resin layer, and the shaft portion includes a second movement restraining member for restraining proximity of the protective member to the fiber-reinforced resin layer. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the fiber-reinforced resin layer from being damaged by contact during fastening of the protective member.

[0013] One aspect of the high-pressure gas tank includes a refractory layer held by the protective member between the protective member and the surface of the dome portion. The protective member has the protective portion and the connecting portion integrated by an adhesive that softens upon heating. Thus, even when the refractory layer expands due to heating, the connecting portion does not separate or detach from the refractory layer due to the softening of the adhesive at the same time, preventing the manifestation or improvement of the heat insulation function due to the expansion of the refractory layer.

[0014] Hereinafter, the high-pressure gas tank disclosed in this specification will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In this specification, the gas stored or supplied by the high-pressure gas tank is not particularly limited, but for example, it is hydrogen. Also, the high-pressure gas tank is, for example, a hydrogen tank for operating a vehicle or a stationary fuel cell. Further, the high-pressure gas tank is not particularly limited, but for example, it is a gas tank having a pressure resistance of 20 MPa or more. The pressure resistance of a general hydrogen tank is 70 MPa.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the whole high-pressure gas tank, FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in the vicinity of the dome portion of the high-pressure gas tank, FIG. 3 is a view showing various aspects of the integrated structure of the protective portion and the connecting portion in the protective member, and FIG. 4 is a view showing the fastening and fixing process of the protective member.

[0016] The high-pressure gas tank (hereinafter simply referred to as the "tank") 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a tank body 10a that is a cylindrical hollow container as a whole, a base 30 on one side (the upper direction in the figure) of the axis CL of the tank body 10a, a base 40 on the other side, and a protective member 50.

[0017] The main body of the tank 10 as a whole has so-called gas barrier properties, and high-pressure gas such as hydrogen is supplied inside. The tank main body 10a is formed of a liner 11 and a reinforcing layer 20. The liner 11 is for forming a space for filling hydrogen and is produced, for example, by resin molding. When the liner 11 is formed by resin molding, it is an engineering plastic having known high mechanical strength and is integrally formed by a rotational molding method or a blow molding method. Note that the liner 11 may be formed of a light metal such as aluminum.

[0018] The reinforcing layer 20 covers the outer periphery of the liner 11 in order to reinforce the liner 11. The reinforcing layer 20 is made of a known fiber-reinforced resin, and the material thereof is, for example, CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics). Note that the types of fibers and resins in the reinforcing layer 20 can be used without particular limitation. The winding method of the fibers within the layer in the reinforcing layer 20 is also not particularly limited. The reinforcing layer 20 is an example of the fiber-reinforced resin layer in this specification.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the tank main body 10a includes a cylindrical body portion 12 and dome portions 14 and 16 provided so as to close both ends along the axial direction of the body portion 12. The body portion 12 is composed of a liner 11 and a reinforcing layer 20 and is a cylindrical body portion. The body portion 12 has a central axis that coincides with the axis CL direction. The dome portions 14 and 16 are part of the tank main body 10a including the liner 11 and the reinforcing layer 20 and are portions that close both ends in the axis CL direction of the body portion 12. The dome portions 14 and 16 have, for example, a curved planar shape, and specifically, have a slightly flattened hemispherical shape.

[0020] The dome portion 14 is provided with a base mounting portion 15 in a direction perpendicular to the axis CL. In the base mounting portion 15, only the liner 11 of the dome portion 14 is formed in a concave shape on one side (upper side in the figure), and can hold the flange portion 34 of the base 30 described later. A through hole through which the base 30 is inserted is formed in the central portion of the base mounting portion 15.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 30 has a shaft portion 32 and a flange portion 34. In FIG. 1, the bases 30 and 40 are shown in a plane rather than in cross-section for clarity in the drawing. The base 30 is fixed to the tank body 10a via the flange portion 34 and the base mounting portion 15. The shaft portion 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending from the central portion of the dome portion 14 to one side. The flange portion 34 has the shaft portion 32 at its center and is formed so as to expand the outer edge of the shaft portion 32 in the radial direction of the shaft portion 32. The base 30 is provided with a through hole 36 penetrating the shaft portion 32 and the flange portion 34, and a valve (not shown) provided with a safety valve or the like is to be fastened by screwing.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the shaft portion 32 is provided with a male screw portion 38 on its outer peripheral surface 32a. The male screw portion 38 is an example of the first screw portion disclosed in this specification.

[0023] Of the base 30, the flange portion 34 is covered by the reinforcing layer 20 that constitutes a part of the dome portion 14. On the other hand, the shaft portion 32 is not covered by the reinforcing layer 20 or only its base portion is covered. The base 30 is integrally formed of, for example, a metal material.

[0024] The dome portion 16 also has a base mounting portion 17 in a direction perpendicular to the axis CL, similar to the dome portion 14. Only the liner 11 of the dome portion 16 of the base mounting portion 17 is recessed on the other side (downward in the drawing), and the flange portion 44 of the base 40 can be held. A through hole 46 through which the base 40 is inserted is formed in the central portion of the base mounting portion 17.

[0025] The base 40 also has a shaft portion 42 and a flange portion 44, as well shown in Fig. 2 similar to the base 30. The base 40 is fixed to the tank body 10a via the flange portion 44 and the base mounting portion 17. The shaft portion 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending from the central portion of the dome portion 16 toward the other side, and the flange portion 44 has the shaft portion 42 at the center and is formed in multiple steps in the radial direction. The base 40 is used for heat dissipation and holding during the formation of the reinforcing layer 20 and the like.

[0026] The flange portion 44 of the base 40 is also covered by the reinforcing layer 20 that forms a part of the dome portion 16, similar to the base 30. The base 40 is also integrally formed of, for example, a metal material.

[0027] Next, the protective member 50 will be described. The protective member 50 is similarly attached to both of the dome portions 14 and 16. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the protective member 50 fixed to the dome portion 14 will be described, and the description of the protective member 50 fixed to the dome portion 16 will be omitted.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 2, the protective member 50 is fixed to the tank body 10a via the base 30. The protective member 50 includes a protective portion 52 and a connecting portion 54.

[0029] The protective portion 52 is an outer skin-like body that is separated from the surface of the dome portion 14 and covers most of it. The protective portion 52 has, for example, a side wall portion 52a and a panel portion 52b as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The side wall portion 52a is formed in a cylindrical shape that covers the outer periphery of the dome portion 14. The panel portion 52b is formed in a circular shape that covers the opening of the side wall portion 52a and has an opening at the center where the connecting portion 54 can be integrated.

[0030] In addition, the inner peripheral surface 52c of the protection part 52 facing the surface of the dome part 14 is a hemispherical inner surface generally following the hemispherical surface shape of the dome part 14. As a result, the protection part 52 is thicker with respect to the shoulder part of the dome part 14. Generally, it is useful because the thickness of the reinforcing layer 20 may become thinner at the shoulder part of the dome part 14. Also, a space part 56 is formed between the protection part 52 and the reinforcing layer 20.

[0031] The protection part 52 is not particularly limited. For example, known soft resins such as polyurethane and / or known hard resins such as epoxy resin can be used as a single layer or a layer structure of two or more layers.

[0032] The connection part 54 has an annular or cylindrical shape centered on the axis CL and is integrally provided at the central part of the protection part 52. The connection part 54 is provided with a female screw part 58 that screws into the male screw part 38 on its inner peripheral surface. The protection member 50 is fixed to the tank body 10a by fastening by this screwing. The connection part 54 is not particularly limited, but is formed of, for example, a metal material.

[0033] The integration of the protection part 52 and the connection part 54 in the protection member 50 is not particularly limited, and examples include integration by an adhesive layer 57a such as an adhesive as shown in FIG. 3A, integration by a screwing part 57b as shown in FIG. 3B, and integration by shrink fitting as shown in FIG. 3C.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, a retaining member 60 is attached to the male screw part 38 on one side beyond the protection member 50 of the shaft part 32. The retaining member 60 prevents loosening and removal of the protection member 50. The retaining member 60 is formed as a so-called nut having a female screw part 61 that screws into the male screw part 38 on its inner periphery and is attached by screwing. The retaining member 60 is configured to abut at least on the screwing part between the male screw part 38 and the female screw part 58.

[0035] The material of the retaining member 60 is not particularly limited and may be formed of, for example, a resin material or a metal material. Also, the mounting state of the retaining member 60 is not particularly limited. The retaining member 60 may be mounted by various methods other than screwing, such as joining. The retaining member 60 is an example of the first movement suppressing member disclosed in this specification.

[0036] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, a spacer 62 is provided on the side of the protective member 50 facing the tank body 10a. The spacer 62 is disposed to separate the reinforcing layer 20 covering the flange portion 34 at the base of the shaft portion 32 from the protective member 50. The spacer 62 is configured to contact, for example, at least the screwed portion of the male screw portion 38 and the female screw portion 58.

[0037] The material of the spacer 62 is not particularly limited and may be formed of, for example, a resin material or a metal material. Also, the mounting state of the spacer 62 is not particularly limited. For example, the spacer 62 may be provided with a female screw portion that screws into the male screw portion 38 and may be mounted by screwing. The spacer is an example of the second movement suppressing member disclosed in this specification.

[0038] Next, the operation of such a tank 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4. FIG. 4 shows the process of forming the fastening and fixing structure of the protective member 50 shown in FIG. 2.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, the tank body 10a with the spacer 62 attached to the base 30 and the protective member 50 are prepared, and the female screw portion 58 of the protective member 50 is screwed onto the male screw portion 38 of the base 30. The screwing is completed when the connecting portion 54 contacts the spacer 62. By doing so, the fastening force acts in the axial direction of the base 30. For this reason, it is possible to suppress or avoid a large fastening load being applied in the radial direction orthogonal to the axis CL to the shaft portion 32, and deformation of the base 30 is suppressed.

[0040] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4, the female screw portion 61 of the retaining member 60 is screwed onto the male screw portion 38 from the outside of the protective member 50 to prevent the protective member 50 from coming off.

[0041] Thus, according to the tank 10, since the protection member 50 and the base 30 are configured as described above, no unfavorable load is applied to the base 30 which is a component of the tank 10. Therefore, according to the tank 10, the protection member 50 is securely and reliably fastened and fixed to the tank body 10a. Also, the spacer 62 prevents the reinforcing layer 20 and the dome portion 14 from being overly pressed by the connecting portion 54. For this reason, damage to the reinforcing layer 20 and the dome portion 14 is suppressed or avoided. Further, by screwing the retaining member 60, loosening and detachment of the protection member 50 are easily avoided, and the fastened and fixed state is reliably maintained.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the tank 10, the protection member 50 can be simply and accurately attached to the tank body 10a without using a fastening member such as a bolt. As a result, a stable fastening and fixing structure can be constructed with high accuracy regardless of the operator or environmental conditions.

[0043] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, this tank 10 is provided with a space portion 56 between the dome portion 14 or the reinforcing layer 20. By providing the space portion 56, it is suppressed or avoided that the expansion of the reinforcing layer 20 when internal pressure is applied to the tank body 10a is restricted by the protection member 50. For this reason, the hydrogen storage efficiency of the tank 10 can be improved.

[0044] In addition, the fastening and fixing structure of the protective member 50 in the tank 10 can also contribute to improving the fire resistance of the tank 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a fire-resistant layer 70 such as a fire-resistant or heat-insulating sheet can be interposed in the space portion 56. Along with the fastening and fixing of the protective member 50, the fire-resistant layer 70 is held between the dome portion 14 and the protective portion 52 and is easily and securely fixed. Further, it is useful to use the protective member 50 (see FIG. 3A) in which the protective portion 52 and the connecting portion 54 are integrated by an adhesive layer 57a. At this time, if the adhesive layer 57a is softened or melted by heating, the protective portion 52 can be detached from the connecting portion 54 due to the softening of the adhesive layer 57a during heating. By doing so, since it is suppressed or avoided that the protective portion 52 hinders the expansion of the fire-resistant layer 70, excellent fire resistance and the like by the fire-resistant layer 70 are ensured.

[0045] The above-described action of the protective member 50 is similarly exhibited even when the protective member 50 is fastened and fixed to the base 40. In the above embodiment, the protective member 50 is provided at both ends of the tank body 10a, but it may be provided only on one side. Further, the shape of the protective portion 52 of the protective member 50 is not particularly limited as long as it can exhibit a protective performance against the dome portion 14 or the like. Furthermore, although the space portion 56 is provided between the protective member 50 and the dome portion 14 or the reinforcing layer 20, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0046] Note that this specification includes the following configurations. [1] A tank body including a body portion and a dome portion disposed on one side in the axial direction of the body portion, a base having a shaft portion extending along the axial direction from the central portion of the dome portion and a through hole through which gas can flow through the shaft portion, a resin-made protective portion that covers the dome portion around the base and a metal-made connecting portion that is integrated with the protective portion and has an annular shape or a cylindrical shape into which the shaft portion of the base is inserted, and comprising The base has a first threaded portion on the outer periphery of the shaft portion, and the protective member has a second threaded portion that engages with the first threaded portion on the inner periphery of the connecting portion. A high-pressure gas tank. [2] The high-pressure gas tank according to [1], further comprising a first movement restraining member provided on the shaft portion for restraining movement of the protective member toward the one side. [3] The high-pressure gas tank according to [2], wherein the first movement restraining member has a third threaded portion that engages with the first threaded portion. [4] The dome portion includes a fiber-reinforced resin layer. The high-pressure gas tank according to any one of [1] to [3], further comprising a second movement restraining member provided on the shaft portion for restraining proximity of the protective member to the fiber-reinforced resin layer. [5] A refractory layer held by the protective member is provided between the protective member and the surface of the dome portion. The high-pressure gas tank according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the protective portion and the connecting portion of the protective member are integrated by an adhesive that softens upon heating.

[0047] Some specific examples have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical utility either alone or in combination.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0048] 10 High-pressure gas tank, 10a Tank body, 11 Liner, 12 Body portion, 14, 16 Dome portion, 15 Base mounting portion, 17 Through hole, 20 Reinforcing layer, 30, 40 Base, 32, 42 Shaft portion, 36, 46 Through hole, 38 Male threaded portion, 34, 44 Flange portion, 50 Protective member, 52 Protective portion, 54 Connecting portion, 56 Space portion, 58 Female threaded portion, 60 Anti-disengagement member, 62 Spacer, 70 Refractory layer

Claims

1. A tank body comprising a body portion and a dome portion disposed on one side in the axial direction of the body portion, a base having a shaft portion extending along the axial direction from the central portion of the dome portion and a through hole through which gas can flow through the shaft portion, a protective member having a resin-made protective portion covering the dome portion around the base and a metal-made connecting portion integrated with the protective portion and having an annular shape or a cylindrical shape into which the shaft portion of the base is inserted, comprising, the base includes a first threaded portion on the outer periphery of the shaft portion, and the protective member includes a second threaded portion on the inner periphery of the connecting portion that engages with the first threaded portion, a high-pressure gas tank.

2. The high-pressure gas tank according to claim 1, wherein the shaft portion is provided with a first movement restraining member that restrains movement of the protective member to one side.

3. The high-pressure gas tank according to claim 2, wherein the first movement restraining member includes a third threaded portion that engages with the first threaded portion.

4. the dome portion includes a fiber-reinforced resin layer, The high-pressure gas tank according to claim 1, wherein the shaft portion is provided with a second movement restraining member that restrains proximity of the protective member to the fiber-reinforced resin layer.

5. a refractory layer held by the protective member is provided between the protective member and the surface of the dome portion, The high-pressure gas tank according to claim 1, wherein the protective portion and the connecting portion of the protective member are integrated by an adhesive that softens upon heating.

Images