Fluid Control Valve Assembly

Abstract

The fluid control valve assembly of the present invention comprises a high-pressure container in which hydrogen gas is stored, a first flow path connected to a hydrogen gas filling section and a gas use section and through which hydrogen gas for filling and use passes in a single flow path, a second flow path connected between the high-pressure container and the first flow path, a third flow path connected between the high-pressure container and the first flow path, a passive valve attached to the first flow path and passively opening and closing the first flow path, a solenoid valve attached to the third flow path and opening and closing the third flow path, a fourth flow path connected between the high-pressure container and the first flow path, and a bleed valve attached to the fourth flow path and opening and closing the fourth flow path to discharge hydrogen gas inside the high-pressure container through the first flow path.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid control valve assembly for controlling the flow of hydrogen gas when the hydrogen gas stored in a high-pressure container is filled into the high-pressure container or supplied to a gas-using portion. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, in the case of hydrogen fuel cell systems, a fluid control valve is installed in the high-pressure vessel in which hydrogen gas is stored, to control the flow of hydrogen gas when filling the vessel with hydrogen gas and to control the flow of raw gas when supplying the hydrogen gas stored in the vessel to the gas-using section.

[0003] The fluid control valve must be able to precisely control the flow of hydrogen gas in response to electrical signals, maintain a constant pressure of the fluid stored in the pressure vessel, and prevent the high-pressure vessel from exploding in the event of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle tipping over or a fire breaking out.

[0004] As disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1407015 (June 5, 2014), a conventional fluid control valve assembly is attached to the inlet of a high-pressure vessel and is composed of a first flow path through which the filling source gas passes, a second flow path through which the supply source gas passes, and a seventh flow path connected to the high-pressure vessel, and when the bleed valve is activated, the source gas in the high-pressure vessel is immediately released to the outside through the seventh flow path.

[0005] In this case, the high-pressure gas inside the high-pressure container is immediately released to the outside, reducing stability, and in the case of a vehicle equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell system, the high-pressure raw material gas is released into the engine compartment of the vehicle, increasing the risk of danger. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fluid control valve assembly that can improve safety by changing the flow path in which the bleed valve is installed so that gas discharged from a high-pressure container is not discharged to the outside when the bleed valve is activated, thereby preventing high-pressure gas from being directly discharged to the outside. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the fluid control valve assembly of the present invention includes a high-pressure container in which hydrogen gas is stored, a first flow path connected to a filling section that fills the hydrogen gas and a gas using section that uses the hydrogen gas, and through which hydrogen gas passes for filling and use in one flow path, a second flow path connected between the high-pressure container and the first flow path, and through which hydrogen gas is supplied to the high-pressure container during filling, a third flow path connected between the high-pressure container and the first flow path, and through which hydrogen gas stored in the high-pressure container during use, a passive valve attached to the first flow path and manually opening and closing the first flow path, a solenoid valve attached to the third flow path and automatically opening and closing the third flow path, a fourth flow path connected between the high-pressure container and the first flow path, and a bleed valve attached to the fourth flow path and opening and closing the fourth flow path to discharge hydrogen gas inside the high-pressure container through the first flow path.

[0008] The second and third flow paths may be connected to a first flow path after a passive valve, and the fourth flow path may be connected to the first flow path before a passive valve.

[0009] A pressure release device is installed in the fourth flow path, and when the pressure in the high pressure vessel increases due to temperature, the pressure inside the high pressure vessel can be released to the outside.

[0010] The second flow path may be equipped with a first check valve that opens the flow of hydrogen gas supplied to the high-pressure vessel and blocks the flow in the opposite direction, and the third flow path may be equipped with a second check valve that opens the flow of hydrogen gas discharged from the high-pressure vessel and blocks the flow in the opposite direction.

[0011] A flow path connected to the first flow path and supplying hydrogen gas to the gas-using part is provided with a gas discharge outlet that reduces the pressure of the high-pressure hydrogen gas discharged from the high-pressure container to the gas-using pressure and discharges it. When the bleed valve is operated in the opening direction, the high-pressure hydrogen gas discharged through the fourth flow path can pass through the first flow path and be discharged to the outside through the gas discharge outlet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] As described above, the fluid control valve assembly of the present invention has a fourth flow path connected between the high-pressure container and the first flow path, a bleed valve attached to the fourth flow path, and when the bleed valve is activated, high-pressure hydrogen gas in the high-pressure container passes through the first flow path and is discharged through the gas discharge outlet, which is reduced to the gas working pressure, thereby preventing high-pressure hydrogen gas from being directly discharged to the outside, thereby improving safety. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a fluid control valve assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 10 is a diagram showing the flow of gas when hydrogen gas is filled in the fluid control valve assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram showing the flow of gas when hydrogen gas is used in a fluid control valve assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram illustrating a gas flow when a bleed valve is operated in a fluid control valve assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this description, the size and shape of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience. Furthermore, terms specifically defined in consideration of the configuration and operation of the present invention may vary depending on the intentions or practices of users and operators. Definitions of such terms should be based on the overall content of this specification.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fluid control valve assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] The fluid control valve assembly according to this embodiment includes a first flow path 10 connected to a high-pressure container in which hydrogen gas is stored, a filling section for filling the hydrogen gas, and a gas using section for using the hydrogen gas, and through which hydrogen gas passes for filling and use in a single flow path; a second flow path 12 connected between the high-pressure container 100 and the first flow path 10, through which hydrogen gas is supplied to the high-pressure container 100 when filling; a third flow path 14 connected between the high-pressure container 100 and the first flow path 10, through which hydrogen gas stored in the high-pressure container 100 is discharged when the gas is used; and a plurality of valves attached to the first flow path 10, the second flow path 12, and the third flow path 14 to control the flow of fluid.

[0017] A first filter 20 is attached to the first flow path 10 to filter hydrogen gas passing through the first flow path 10 for gas filling and use, and a second filter 22 is attached to the third flow path 14 to filter hydrogen gas discharged from the high-pressure vessel 100.

[0018] The second flow path 12 is equipped with a first check valve 30 that opens the gas flow supplied to the high-pressure container 100 for hydrogen gas filling and blocks the gas flow in the opposite direction, and the third flow path 14 is equipped with a second check valve 32 that opens the flow for discharging hydrogen gas stored in the high-pressure container 100 and blocks the gas flow in the opposite direction.

[0019] A manual valve 24 is attached to the first flow path 10 to manually open and close the first flow path 10, and a solenoid valve 26 is attached to the third flow path 14 to automatically open and close the third flow path 14 using an electrical signal.

[0020] An excess flow cutoff valve 34 is installed in the third flow path 14 to prevent the source gas from flowing out excessively from the high pressure vessel 100 in the event of a vehicle accident or overturning and the vehicle's piping being cut. The excess flow cutoff valve 34 may be disposed between the high pressure vessel 100 and the solenoid valve 26.

[0021] A temperature sensor 36 is attached to the high-pressure vessel 100 to measure the temperature inside the high-pressure vessel 100, and the temperature sensor 36 is connected to a control unit 38 that applies an electrical signal to the solenoid valve 26 to control the solenoid valve 26, and applies a temperature signal to the control unit 38.

[0022] A fourth flow path 16 is connected between the first flow path 10 and the high pressure vessel 100, and a bleed valve 50 is installed in the fourth flow path 16. The bleed valve 50 opens the fourth flow path 16 to release the pressure in the high pressure vessel 100 or when the pressure inside the high pressure vessel exceeds a set pressure, thereby discharging the hydrogen gas inside the high pressure vessel 100 to the first flow path 10.

[0023] The fourth flow path 16 is provided with a pressure release device 52 that releases the pressure inside the high-pressure vessel 100 to the outside when the pressure inside the high-pressure vessel 100 increases due to temperature in the event of a vehicle accident or vehicle fire.

[0024] A gas discharge outlet 60 is provided on the first flow path 10 connected to the gas use portion, through which the high-pressure hydrogen gas stored in the high-pressure vessel 100 is reduced to the use pressure and discharged to the outside.

[0025] The fourth flow path 16 is connected to the first flow path 10, which is connected in front of the passive valve 24, and the hydrogen gas discharged into the fourth flow path 16 does not pass through the passive valve 24 but directly flows into the gas discharge outlet 60 and is discharged to the outside through the gas discharge outlet 60.

[0026] In the valve assembly according to this embodiment, the fourth flow path 16 is connected to the first flow path 10, and a bleed valve 50 is installed on the fourth flow path 16. When the bleed valve 50 is opened, hydrogen gas in the high-pressure vessel 100 is supplied to the gas discharge outlet 60 via the fourth flow path 16 and the first flow path 10, reduced in pressure, and then discharged, thereby improving stability.

[0027] When the valve assembly according to this embodiment is operated during filling, as shown in FIG. 2, hydrogen gas supplied through the first passage 10 passes through the second passage 12 as indicated by arrow A and is filled into the high-pressure vessel 100.

[0028] At this time, the flow of gas for filling into the third flow path 14 is blocked by the second check valve 32, and the flow into the fourth flow path 16 is also blocked by the bleed valve 50.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, when the solenoid valve 26 is opened, the hydrogen gas stored in the high-pressure container 100 is discharged through the third flow path 14 as shown by arrow B, passes through the first flow path 10, and is depressurized to the gas usage pressure by the pressure reducing device before being supplied to the gas usage section.

[0030] At this time, the flow of gas for use into the second flow path 14 is blocked by the first check valve 30 .

[0031] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the flow of hydrogen gas when bleed valve 50 is activated. In Figure 4, when bleed valve 50 is activated and fourth flow path 16 is opened as indicated by arrow C, hydrogen gas stored in high-pressure vessel 100 is discharged through fourth flow path 16, flows into first flow path 10, and is supplied to gas discharge outlet 60. Then, as it passes through gas discharge outlet 60, the pressure is reduced to the operating pressure, and the hydrogen gas is either discharged to the outside or flows into the gas-using section.

[0032] At this time, the high-pressure hydrogen gas that is discharged through the fourth flow path 16 and flows into the first flow path 10 is prevented from re-entering the high-pressure vessel 100 through the first flow path 10 because the passive valve 24 is closed.

[0033] Therefore, if the high-pressure hydrogen gas stored in the high-pressure container is immediately released, there is a problem that the stability will decrease due to the high pressure. However, in the valve assembly according to this embodiment, the bleed valve is installed on the fourth flow path connected between the first flow path and the high-pressure container, and by opening the fourth flow path, the high-pressure hydrogen gas stored in the high-pressure container can be prevented from being directly released to the outside.

[0034] Although the present invention has been described in detail above by taking specific preferred embodiments as examples, the present invention is not limited to the above content, and various changes and modifications may be made by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the invention pertains without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0035] The present invention can be applied to fluid control for controlling the flow of raw material gas when filling a high-pressure container with hydrogen gas in a hydrogen fuel cell system or when supplying hydrogen gas stored in a high-pressure container to a gas-using section.

Claims

1. a high-pressure vessel in which hydrogen gas is stored; a first flow path connected to a filling unit for filling hydrogen gas and a gas using unit for using hydrogen gas, through which hydrogen gas passes for filling and using; a second flow path connected between the high pressure vessel and the first flow path, through which hydrogen gas is supplied to the high pressure vessel during filling; a third flow path connected between the high pressure vessel and the first flow path, through which hydrogen gas stored in the high pressure vessel is discharged when the gas is used; a passive valve attached to the first flow path and passively opening and closing the first flow path; a solenoid valve attached to the third flow path and automatically opening and closing the third flow path; a fourth flow path connected between the high-pressure vessel and the first flow path; a bleed valve attached to the fourth flow path and opening and closing the fourth flow path to discharge hydrogen gas inside the high-pressure vessel through the first flow path.

2. 2. The fluid control valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the second and third flow paths are connected to the first flow path after the passive valve, and the fourth flow path is connected to the first flow path before the passive valve.

3. 2. The fluid control valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein a pressure release device is installed in the fourth flow path, and releases the pressure inside the high-pressure vessel to the outside when the pressure in the high-pressure vessel increases due to temperature.

4. 2. The fluid control valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein a first check valve is installed in the second flow path to open the flow of hydrogen gas supplied to the high-pressure vessel and block the flow in the opposite direction, and a second check valve is installed in the third flow path to open the flow of hydrogen gas discharged from the high-pressure vessel and block the flow in the opposite direction.

5. a gas outlet for reducing the pressure of high-pressure hydrogen gas discharged from a high-pressure container to hydrogen gas at a working pressure and discharging the hydrogen gas; 2. The fluid control valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein when the bleed valve is actuated in an opening direction, high-pressure hydrogen gas discharged through the fourth flow path passes through the first flow path and is discharged through the gas discharge outlet.

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