Movable body including hydrogen consuming apparatus

Abstract

In order to further spread the use of hydrogen, there is a demand for a technique for hydrogen supply that is small in scale, inexpensive, and simple.SOLUTION: A moving body including a hydrogen consuming apparatus configured to consume hydrogen includes at least one hydrogen tank configured to be filled with hydrogen, a filling port configured to receive filling of hydrogen from an outside of the moving body, a filling pipe configured to connect the filling port and the hydrogen tank, a first supply pipe configured to supply hydrogen from the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen consuming apparatus, a supply port configured to supply hydrogen to a supply destination outside the moving body, and a second supply pipe configured to connect the hydrogen tank and the supply port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a mobile body equipped with a hydrogen consuming device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile hydrogen station. According to Patent Document 1, a hydrogen gas filling device that uses a differential pressure filling method to supply hydrogen gas to hydrogen gas-using equipment is mounted on a trailer. The trailer can be towed by a towing vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-137926 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 merely describes a portable hydrogen gas filling device dedicated to the sole purpose of supplying hydrogen gas to facilities that use hydrogen gas. In light of this situation, to further promote the spread of hydrogen use, there is a need for a technology for hydrogen refueling that is small-scale, inexpensive, simple, or at least one of these. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This specification discloses a mobile body equipped with a hydrogen consuming device that consumes hydrogen. The mobile body includes at least one hydrogen tank to be filled with hydrogen, a fill port for receiving hydrogen from outside the mobile body, a fill pipe connecting the fill port to the hydrogen tank, a first supply pipe for supplying hydrogen from the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen consuming device, a refill port for refilling hydrogen to a refill destination outside the mobile body, and a second supply pipe connecting the hydrogen tank to the refill port.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the vehicle can refuel with hydrogen from at least one hydrogen tank equipped to supply hydrogen to its onboard hydrogen consuming devices, which makes it possible to realize hydrogen refueling with a smaller, cheaper, and simpler configuration than conventional hydrogen stations or mobile hydrogen stations that are solely intended for hydrogen supply. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a part of a vehicle according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram showing the piping structure for the nozzle of the hydrogen tank. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a hydrogen replenishment control process. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a safety ensuring process. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram showing a nozzle, a nozzle holder, and the like. [Figure 6] 10 is a graph for illustrating the effect of a configuration in which a hydrogen tank with a low internal tank pressure is preferentially selected. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment including a vehicle with a hydrogen cartridge connected to a fueling port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Each drawing is merely an example, and the present embodiment is not limited to the contents shown in the drawings. Also, since each drawing is an example, some parts may be omitted.

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a part of a vehicle 1 according to this embodiment. The vehicle 1 is an example of a moving body. However, in this specification, the moving body is not limited to a land moving body such as a vehicle. The moving body may be, for example, a ship or an aircraft.

[0010] The vehicle 1 includes a hydrogen consuming device 10 and at least one hydrogen tank 20 that is filled with hydrogen. The hydrogen consuming device 10 is, for example, a fuel cell or a hydrogen engine. Therefore, the vehicle 1 equipped with the hydrogen consuming device 10 can be considered a vehicle that runs using a fuel cell or a hydrogen engine as at least one of its power sources. The hydrogen consuming device 10 may also be a hydrogen combustor such as a hydrogen burner that uses hydrogen as fuel. The vehicle 1 may also be configured to be equipped with multiple hydrogen consuming devices 10.

[0011] Vehicle 1 is equipped with a fill port 30 for receiving hydrogen from an external source and a refueling port 31 for refueling hydrogen to an external refueling destination. Figure 1 shows multiple hydrogen tanks 20a, 20b, and 20c as hydrogen tanks 20. Hydrogen tanks 20 are, for example, cylindrical high-pressure hydrogen tanks with nozzles at both ends. Hereinafter, a hydrogen tank 20 with either of its nozzles connected to refueling port 31 via piping will be referred to as a "refueling tank" as appropriate. Among the hydrogen tanks 20 possessed by vehicle 1, hydrogen tanks 20 that do not qualify as refueling tanks will be referred to as "normal tanks" as appropriate. In the example of Figure 1, hydrogen tank 20a corresponds to a normal tank, and hydrogen tanks 20b and 20c each qualify as refueling tanks. Needless to say, the number of hydrogen tanks 20 is merely an example. The number of normal tanks and refueling tanks is not particularly limited. For example, a normal tank may be omitted. In this specification, the mobile body has at least one replenishment tank.

[0012] The filling port 30 and each hydrogen tank 20 are connected by a filling pipe. As shown in Figure 1, the filling port 30 and hydrogen tank 20a are connected by filling pipe 40a. Similarly, the filling port 30 and hydrogen tank 20b are connected by filling pipe 40b, and the filling port 30 and hydrogen tank 20c are connected by filling pipe 40c. Hydrogen gas is filled into each of the hydrogen tanks 20a, 20b, and 20c from an external hydrogen station or the like (not shown) via the filling port 30 and filling pipes 40a, 40b, and 40c.

[0013] In this specification, each pipe may be partially shared or branched, as long as it can still fulfill its respective function. Sharing or branching of pipes is achieved, for example, via a manifold.

[0014] A first supply pipe is connected to each hydrogen tank 20 to supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device 10. As shown in Fig. 1, a first supply pipe 50a is connected to a first nozzle 21a to which the filling pipe 40a of hydrogen tank 20a is connected. Similarly, a first supply pipe 50b is connected to a first nozzle 21b to which the filling pipe 40b of hydrogen tank 20b is connected, and a first supply pipe 50c is connected to a first nozzle 21c to which the filling pipe 40c of hydrogen tank 20c is connected. Each of hydrogen tanks 20a, 20b, and 20c can supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device 10 via the first supply pipes 50a, 50b, and 50c.

[0015] Hydrogen tank 20, which corresponds to a refueling tank, is connected to refueling port 31 by a second supply pipe. As shown in FIG. 1, second nozzle 22b of hydrogen tank 20b, which is located opposite first nozzle 21b, is connected to refueling port 31 by a second supply pipe 60b. Similarly, second nozzle 22c of hydrogen tank 20c, which is located opposite first nozzle 21c, is connected to refueling port 31 by a second supply pipe 60c. In other words, hydrogen can be supplied from the refueling tank to hydrogen consumption device 10 of vehicle 1, or to the outside of vehicle 1 via refueling port 31. Note that second nozzle 22a of hydrogen tank 20a, which corresponds to a normal tank, is not in use and is closed.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, in vehicle 1, a pressure reduction unit 100 is connected to refilling port 31. The pressure reduction unit 100 is capable of reducing the pressure of hydrogen supplied from the refilling tank through the second supply pipe. The pressure reduction unit 100 includes, for example, an adjustment valve (regulator) for reducing the pressure of the fluid, and a mass flow controller for measuring the mass flow rate of the fluid and controlling the flow rate. Furthermore, in vehicle 1, the output side of the pressure reduction unit 100 is provided with a hose 110 for refilling the hydrogen decompressed by the pressure reduction unit 100 to a refilling destination, and a nozzle 120 attached to the tip of the hose 110. The hose 110 is flexible.

[0017] Nozzle 120 is connected to a refueling destination outside vehicle 1. The refueling destination is a hydrogen tank possessed by another vehicle or facility that requires hydrogen refueling. In the example of FIG. 1, the refueling destination is a hydrogen tank 4 possessed by a vehicle 3 other than vehicle 1. Vehicle 3 is, for example, a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell or a hydrogen engine, and nozzle 120 is connected to a filling port (not shown) possessed by vehicle 3. As a result, hydrogen filled in the refueling tank of vehicle 1 is refueled into hydrogen tank 4 of vehicle 3.

[0018] The configuration including the pressure reducing unit 100, the hose 110, and the nozzle 120 can be considered as the hydrogen refueling module 130. In the vehicle 1, the hydrogen refueling module 130 may be detachable from the refueling port 31. By making the hydrogen refueling module 130 detachable, for example, the hydrogen refueling module 130 can be attached to the refueling port 31 of the vehicle 1, and the vehicle 1 can be temporarily used as a means for supplying hydrogen to the outside.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, a transfer pipe 70b may be connected to the second nozzle 22b of hydrogen tank 20b, which is a replenishment tank. In this specification, the supply of hydrogen from one hydrogen tank 20 to another hydrogen tank 20 in vehicle 1 is referred to as "transfer." Transfer pipe 70b connects manifold 80, which leads to hydrogen consuming device 10, to second nozzle 22b of hydrogen tank 20b. In addition, first supply pipes 50a, 50b, and 50c are connected to manifold 80 from hydrogen tanks 20a, 20b, and 20c, respectively. Therefore, according to FIG. 1, in vehicle 1, for example, hydrogen filled in hydrogen tank 20a or hydrogen tank 20c can be transferred to hydrogen tank 20b via first supply pipes 50a and 50c, manifold 80, and transfer pipe 70b.

[0020] Although not shown in the figures, for example, the manifold 80 and the second nozzle 22c of the hydrogen tank 20c may also be connected by a transfer pipe, so that hydrogen can be transferred from another hydrogen tank 20 to the hydrogen tank 20c. Also, while FIG. 1 shows the manifold 80 simply as a single manifold, the manifold 80 may be separated into multiple manifolds. That is, the manifolds to which the first supply pipes 50a, 50b, and 50c each connect may be common or separate. For example, by using multiple manifolds, the correspondence between the hydrogen tank 20 that is the source of hydrogen transfer and the hydrogen tank 20 that is the destination of hydrogen transfer may be more specifically defined. In any case, this specification may employ a configuration in which hydrogen is transferred from another hydrogen tank 20 to at least one replenishment tank in the vehicle 1.

[0021] The vehicle 1 has a control unit 2. The control unit 2 is configured to include, for example, at least one ECU (Electronic Control Unit) mounted on the vehicle 1. The control unit 2 executes a program to control the vehicle 1. The control unit 2 is an example of a control unit that can control the refueling of hydrogen from each of the hydrogen tanks 20 to a refueling destination.

[0022] 2 shows a simplified example of the piping structure for each of the first nozzle 21b and the second nozzle 22b of the hydrogen tank 20b. The filling pipe 40b and the first supply pipe 50b are connected to the first nozzle 21b via a first piping structure 91. The second supply pipe 60b and the transfer pipe 70b are connected to the second nozzle 22b via a second piping structure 92.

[0023] 2, the first piping structure 91 includes a check valve 91a for preventing backflow of hydrogen on the piping connecting the filling piping 40b and the first nozzle 21b. The first piping structure 91 also includes a first gate valve 91b and a check valve 91c on the piping connecting the first supply piping 50b and the first nozzle 21b. The piping connecting the filling piping 40b and the first nozzle 21b and the piping connecting the first supply piping 50b and the first nozzle 21b are shared at a position closer to the first nozzle 21b than these valves.

[0024] The second piping structure 92 includes a check valve 92a on the piping connecting the transfer piping 70b and the second nozzle 22b, and a second gate valve 92b and a check valve 92c on the piping connecting the second supply piping 60b and the second nozzle 22b. The piping connecting the transfer piping 70b and the second nozzle 22b and the piping connecting the second supply piping 60b and the second nozzle 22b are shared at a position closer to the second nozzle 22b than these valves.

[0025] Although not shown, it may be understood that the first piping structure 91 is similarly applied to the connection between the first nozzles 21a, 21c of the hydrogen tanks 20a, 20c and the corresponding filling pipes and first supply pipes, respectively. It may also be understood that the second piping structure 92 is similarly applied to the connection between the second nozzle 22c of the hydrogen tank 20c and the second supply pipe 60c, and in some cases, the connection to the transfer pipe (or the connection to the third supply pipe, described below). FIG. 2 is merely an example. Various valves, such as control valves and pressure relief valves, may be appropriately provided in the first piping structure 91 and the second piping structure 92. Furthermore, the first piping structure 91 and the second piping structure 92 may have a single port on the side opposite to the port connected to the nozzle of the hydrogen tank 20, in order to, for example, share a portion of the filling pipe and the first supply pipe, or share a portion of the transfer pipe and the second supply pipe.

[0026] The control unit 2 opens and closes the flow paths by individually controlling each gate valve of the first piping structure 91 and the second piping structure 92. Therefore, for example, by individually controlling the first gate valve 91b and the second gate valve 92b for a given supply tank, the control unit 2 can supply hydrogen from the supply tank to the hydrogen consuming device 10 via the first supply pipe, or replenish hydrogen to an external supply destination via the second supply pipe.

[0027] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the hydrogen refueling control process executed by the control unit 2. The control unit 2 starts the hydrogen refueling control process on the condition that the "hydrogen refueling mode" has been selected by the user of the vehicle 1. Note that, before selecting the hydrogen refueling mode, the user first connects the nozzle 120 to a desired external refueling destination.

[0028] For example, the user presses down the ignition switch of the vehicle 1 to turn the ignition on, and then performs a predetermined operation to select the hydrogen refueling mode. For example, the vehicle 1 is provided with a dedicated switch for selecting the hydrogen refueling mode, and the user selects the hydrogen refueling mode by operating the dedicated switch. The control unit 2 recognizes that the hydrogen refueling mode has been selected in this manner, and starts the hydrogen refueling control process. Note that the control unit 2 may start energizing the second gate valve 92b and place the second gate valve 92b in a state where it can be driven (opened) only when it recognizes that the hydrogen refueling mode has been selected.

[0029] In step S200, the control unit 2 acquires the internal tank pressure of the replenishment tank and selects the hydrogen tank 20 to be used for refueling with hydrogen to the refueling destination based on the internal tank pressure. The control unit 2 selects the refueling tank whose internal tank pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold. If there are multiple refueling tanks in the vehicle 1, the control unit 2 will preferentially select the refueling tank with the lowest internal tank pressure from among the refueling tanks whose internal tank pressure exceeds the threshold.

[0030] There is no particular limitation on the method for acquiring the internal tank pressure of the replenishment tank. The control unit 2 can acquire the internal tank pressure, for example, using a pressure sensor provided for each hydrogen tank 20. Alternatively, the control unit 2 may use the internal tank pressure of the replenishment tank that has been stored before step S200 in step S200. The control unit 2 may also individually open the first gate valve 91b corresponding to the replenishment tank and acquire the pressure measured when this valve is opened as the internal tank pressure.

[0031] There are various methods for obtaining the threshold value for comparison with the internal tank pressure. The control unit 2 may obtain from a predetermined memory a threshold value that is a fixed value set in advance based on the characteristics of the hydrogen tank 4 as a refueling destination. The control unit 2 may also obtain an appropriate value input by a user as the threshold value. Alternatively, the control unit 2 may obtain the internal tank pressure of the hydrogen tank 4 through wired or wireless communication with the vehicle 3, and use the value obtained by adding a predetermined coefficient to the internal tank pressure of the hydrogen tank 4 as the threshold value.

[0032] In step S210, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the selection of a hydrogen tank 20 was successful in step S200, and if the selection of a hydrogen tank 20 was successful, the control unit 2 determines "Yes" and proceeds to step S220. On the other hand, if there is no selectable hydrogen tank 20 at that time, that is, if the selection of a hydrogen tank 20 was not successful, the control unit 2 determines "No" and proceeds to step S240. If the internal tank pressure of all of the replenishment tanks possessed by the vehicle 1 is below the threshold in step S200, the control unit 2 determines "No" in step S210 and proceeds to step S240 because there is no selectable hydrogen tank 20.

[0033] In step S220, the control unit 2 opens the second gate valve 92b corresponding to the hydrogen tank 20 selected in step S200, and starts hydrogen refueling from the selected hydrogen tank 20 to the refueling destination. This allows hydrogen gas to be refueled by differential pressure. In step S220, if the first gate valve 91b corresponding to the hydrogen tank 20 selected in step S200 is open, the control unit 2 closes this first gate valve 91b and then opens the second gate valve 92b corresponding to the hydrogen tank 20 selected in step S200. Furthermore, when starting hydrogen refueling to the refueling destination in step S220, the control unit 2 may also cut off the supply of hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device 10 from all hydrogen tanks 20 of the vehicle 1, including the hydrogen tank 20 selected in step S200.

[0034] In step S230, the control unit 2 repeatedly determines whether hydrogen refueling using the hydrogen tank 20 selected in step S200 as the refueling source has been completed. The method of determination in step S230 is not particularly limited. For example, the control unit 2 may end the process in step S230, i.e., determine "Yes" in step S230, when the internal tank pressure of the hydrogen tank 20 selected in step S200 reaches the threshold value used in the determination in step S200. Alternatively, the control unit 2 may make the determination in step S230 based on the flow rate of hydrogen gas through the opened second gate valve 92b, etc. If the control unit 2 determines that hydrogen refueling using the hydrogen tank 20 selected in step S200 as the refueling source has been completed, the control unit 2 proceeds from "Yes" in step S230 to step S200. The control unit 2 closes the second gate valve 92b corresponding to the hydrogen tank 20 for which hydrogen refueling has been completed.

[0035] In step S200, which follows from step S230, the control unit 2 selects the next hydrogen tank 20 to be used for hydrogen refueling to the refueling destination. According to this processing flow, the control unit 2 can switch the refueling tank to be used for external hydrogen refueling, such as selecting hydrogen tank 20b in the first step S200 after starting the hydrogen refueling control processing, and selecting hydrogen tank 20c in the second step S200.

[0036] In step S240, the control unit 2 determines that hydrogen refueling to the outside using the refueling tank will be terminated, and ends the hydrogen refueling control process. If the first determination in step S210 after starting the hydrogen refueling control process is "No," the control unit 2 essentially prohibits hydrogen refueling to the outside using the refueling tank, and ends the hydrogen refueling control process. In step S240, the control unit 2 may notify the user that hydrogen refueling to the outside using the refueling tank has been terminated or prohibited. There is no particular restriction on the method of this notification. The control unit 2 may notify the user by image and / or sound using a display or speaker provided on the vehicle 1. Alternatively, the control unit 2 may send the notification to a pre-designated external terminal or the like.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the safety assurance process executed by the control unit 2. FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram of the nozzle 120, nozzle holder 140, etc. When not in use, the nozzle 120 is held in the nozzle holder 140. The vehicle 1 has the nozzle holder 140. Alternatively, the nozzle holder 140 may be considered to be part of the hydrogen refueling module 130 mounted on the vehicle 1. When using the nozzle 120, the user removes it from the nozzle holder 140 and connects it to an external refueling destination as described above.

[0038] The determination unit 2a recognizes whether the nozzle 120 is being held by the nozzle holder 140, for example, based on a response from a sensor (not shown) incorporated in the nozzle holder 140. The determination unit 2a can be considered to be part of the control unit 2. The determination unit 2a determines that the nozzle 120 has not been used while the nozzle 120 was held by the nozzle holder 140, and when it recognizes that the nozzle 120 has been removed from the nozzle holder 140, it determines that use of the nozzle 120 has started (step S300). When the determination unit 2a determines that use of the nozzle 120 has started ("Yes" in step S300), the control unit 2 prohibits the vehicle 1 from starting (step S310). Prohibiting the vehicle 1 from starting means maintaining the vehicle speed at 0. The control unit 2 maintains the prohibition of the vehicle 1 from starting at least until the determination unit 2a again determines that the nozzle 120 is not being used.

[0039] According to this specification, a mobile body equipped with a hydrogen consumption device 10 that consumes hydrogen comprises at least one hydrogen tank 20 that is filled with hydrogen, a filling port 30 for receiving hydrogen from outside the mobile body, a filling pipe connecting the filling port 30 to the hydrogen tank 20, a first supply pipe for supplying hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 20 to the hydrogen consumption device 10, a refilling port 31 for refilling hydrogen to a refilling destination outside the mobile body, and a second supply pipe connecting the hydrogen tank 20 to the refilling port 31.

[0040] According to the above configuration, a mobile object can refuel an external refueling destination with hydrogen from at least one hydrogen tank 20 equipped to supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device 10 mounted on the mobile object. In other words, by adding a second supply pipe and refueling port 31 to a mobile object such as a vehicle 1 equipped with a hydrogen consuming device 10 and a hydrogen tank 20, the mobile object can also be used as a hydrogen refueling means for an external refueling destination. This technology can be applied to, for example, fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen engine vehicles that are driven by a user, and therefore makes it possible to realize hydrogen refueling with a smaller, cheaper, and simpler configuration than conventional mobile hydrogen stations.

[0041] Furthermore, according to this specification, the mobile object may include a decompression unit 100 that is connected to the supply port 31 and is capable of decompressing hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank 20 through the second supply pipe. According to the above configuration, hydrogen can be safely refueled to the refueling destination by decompressing the hydrogen as needed using the decompression unit 100. For example, in some cases, pre-cooling is required to cool the hydrogen in advance in anticipation of a temperature rise that may occur when high-pressure hydrogen gas is filled into the hydrogen tank 4 at the refueling destination, but by decompressing the hydrogen using the decompression unit 100, it is possible to reduce the pressure to a level that does not require such pre-cooling.

[0042] According to the present specification, the mobile object may also include a hose 110 and a nozzle 120 attached to the tip of the hose 110 for supplying hydrogen decompressed by the decompression unit 100 to a supply destination. According to the above configuration, since the mobile body is provided with the hose 110 and the nozzle 120, hydrogen refueling from the hydrogen tank 20 of the mobile body to the refueling destination can be more easily carried out.

[0043] The nozzle 120 may be, for example, a nozzle of a standard that is compatible with the filling port 30. In other words, by making the standard of the nozzle 120 the same as the standard of the nozzles used in existing hydrogen stations and the like, convenience for users is improved and costs are reduced.

[0044] Further, according to the present specification, the moving body includes a plurality of hydrogen tanks 20 and a control unit 2 capable of controlling the supply of hydrogen from each of the hydrogen tanks 20 (for example, hydrogen tanks 20b and 20c) to the supply destination. The control unit 2 preferentially selects a hydrogen tank 20 having a lower tank internal pressure among the hydrogen tanks 20 in which the tank internal pressure, which is the pressure in the hydrogen tank 20, exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and can supply hydrogen from the selected hydrogen tank 20 to the supply destination.

[0045] If a supply tank with a higher tank internal pressure is selected first, then it becomes impossible to use a supply tank with a lower tank internal pressure as a supply source to the supply destination thereafter. On the other hand, if the control unit 2 selects a supply tank with a lower tank internal pressure first in step S200, then a supply tank with a higher tank internal pressure can be used as a supply source to the supply destination thereafter. Therefore, as a result, it becomes possible to fill the hydrogen tank 4 at the supply destination with hydrogen up to a higher pressure.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a graph for exemplarily explaining the effect of a configuration that preferentially selects a hydrogen tank 20 with a low tank internal pressure. The vertical axis of the graph indicates the tank internal pressure. Pb is the tank internal pressure of the hydrogen tank 20b before hydrogen is supplied to the hydrogen tank 4, and Pc is the tank internal pressure of the hydrogen tank 20c before hydrogen is supplied to the hydrogen tank 4. Here, it is assumed that Pb < Pc. P4b is the tank internal pressure of the hydrogen tank 4 after hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen tank 20b to the hydrogen tank 4 because the hydrogen tank 20b is selected before the hydrogen tank 20c in step S200. The tank internal pressure P4b is about half of the tank internal pressure Pb. Also, P4bc is the tank internal pressure of the hydrogen tank 4 after hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen tank 20c to the hydrogen tank 4 because the hydrogen tank 20c is selected after the hydrogen tank 20b in step S200. In this case, about half of the difference between Pc and P4b is added to P4b to obtain the tank internal pressure P4bc.

[0047] P4c is the internal tank pressure of hydrogen tank 4 when it is assumed that hydrogen tank 20c was selected before hydrogen tank 20b in step S200 and hydrogen was replenished from hydrogen tank 20c to hydrogen tank 4. The internal tank pressure P4c is approximately half the internal tank pressure Pc. At this time, since P4c > Pb, further hydrogen cannot be replenished from hydrogen tank 20b to hydrogen tank 4. Therefore, by executing the flowchart of FIG. 3, the control unit 2 can fill the replenishment destination with hydrogen up to a higher pressure (for example, by the difference between P4bc and P4c shown in FIG. 6).

[0048] Furthermore, according to this specification, the mobile body may be provided with a judgment unit 2a that judges whether or not use of the nozzle 120 has started, and when the judgment unit 2a judges that use of the nozzle 120 has started, the mobile body may be prohibited from starting. According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the moving body from starting when the nozzle 120 is connected to an external supply destination, thereby ensuring safety.

[0049] The present specification further discloses the following features. When hydrogen is refueled from the refueling tank to a refueling destination, the control unit 2 may receive information about the hydrogen tank 4 and the filling port of the refueling destination from a vehicle 3 or facility equipped with the hydrogen tank 4 at the refueling destination, and may refuel hydrogen to the refueling destination at a hydrogen flow rate or pressure increase rate based on the received information, for example, by controlling the decompression unit 100. Communication for acquiring such information may be wired or wireless. Furthermore, information acquired in this manner may include, for example, the internal tank pressure and tank capacity of the hydrogen tank 4. By performing hydrogen refueling based on this information, external hydrogen refueling can be carried out more safely.

[0050] For example, the control unit 2 may preferentially select and use a normal tank as the hydrogen tank 20 that supplies hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device 10. When the normal tank becomes empty, the control unit 2 may open a first gate valve corresponding to the replenishment tank to supply hydrogen from the replenishment tank to the hydrogen consuming device 10.

[0051] 3, when a replenishment tank cannot be selected because its internal tank pressure is lower than a threshold, the control unit 2 may transfer hydrogen to the replenishment tank from another hydrogen tank 20 having a higher internal tank pressure than the replenishment tank. For example, when the control unit 2 determines that the internal tank pressure of hydrogen tank 20b is lower than the threshold, it may open the first gate valve corresponding to hydrogen tank 20c and transfer hydrogen from hydrogen tank 20c to hydrogen tank 20b via first supply piping 50c, manifold 80, and transfer piping 70b. As a result, the internal tank pressure of hydrogen tank 20b exceeds the threshold, and hydrogen tank 20b can be selected, allowing hydrogen to be replenished from hydrogen tank 20b to the replenishment destination.

[0052] If the vehicle 1 is equipped with multiple refueling tanks, the refueling tanks may have different capacities. For example, in FIG. 1, the volume of hydrogen tank 20c is larger than the volume of hydrogen tank 20b. In such a case, the control unit 2 may control the hydrogen supply to the hydrogen consuming device 10 so that the internal tank pressure of the hydrogen tank 20 with the larger volume is higher. This makes it easier to preferentially select the hydrogen tank 20 with the smaller volume in step S200 in the hydrogen refueling control process of FIG. 3. Even if the hydrogen consumption amount is the same between a hydrogen tank 20 with a larger volume and a hydrogen tank 20 with a smaller volume, the larger volume hydrogen tank 20 will have a slower depressurization rate. Therefore, since the smaller volume hydrogen tank 20 has a faster depressurization rate and is more likely to increase pressure by transferring hydrogen from other hydrogen tanks 20, selecting this hydrogen tank 20 as the refueling source for external hydrogen refueling can make hydrogen refueling more efficient.

[0053] Furthermore, by lowering the priority of selecting a hydrogen tank 20 with a larger volume in step S200, it becomes easier to use a hydrogen tank 20 with a larger volume to supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption equipment 10 of the vehicle 1. A hydrogen tank 20 with a larger volume has a slower decompression rate and is less likely to reduce the gas temperature in the tank when hydrogen is consumed, allowing the vehicle to run at a higher power output when the hydrogen consumption equipment 10 is in use.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 7 , a hydrogen cardle 150 may be temporarily connected to the vehicle 1's refilling port 31 instead of the decompression unit 100 shown in FIG. 1 . The hydrogen cardle 150 is a cardle that carries multiple hydrogen tanks 5 filled with hydrogen and allows hydrogen to be supplied from these hydrogen tanks 5. In FIG. 7 , the hydrogen cardle 150 may be mounted on a carriage 6 that can move with the vehicle 1, or it may be mounted on the vehicle 1 itself. Furthermore, in a configuration that can employ the example of FIG. 7 , the vehicle 1 is equipped with a third supply pipe for supplying hydrogen from the refilling port 31 to the hydrogen tank 20. As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 , for example, a third supply pipe 160 may be provided that connects the refilling port 31 to the second nozzle 22c of the hydrogen tank 20c. In other words, according to the example of FIG. 7 , the vehicle 1 can also receive hydrogen refueling from each hydrogen tank 5 of the hydrogen cardle 150 connected to the refilling port 31 to its own hydrogen tank 20 via the refilling port 31 and the third supply pipe 160.

[0055] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Furthermore, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieves multiple objectives, and achieving one of those objectives itself has technical utility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1: vehicle, 2: control unit, 2a: determination unit, 10: hydrogen consumption device, 20, 20a, 20b, 20c: hydrogen tank, 21a, 21b, 21c: first nozzle, 22a, 22b, 22c: second nozzle, 30: filling port, 31: refilling port, 40a, 40b, 40c: filling piping, 50a, 50b, 50c: first supply piping, 60b, 60c: second supply piping, 70b: transfer piping, 80: manifold, 91: first piping structure, 91b: first gate valve, 92: second piping structure, 92b: second gate valve, 100: pressure reduction unit, 110: hose, 120: nozzle, 130: hydrogen refueling module, 140: nozzle holder, 150: hydrogen cardle 160:Third supply piping

Claims

1. A mobile body equipped with a hydrogen consumption device that consumes hydrogen, at least one hydrogen tank filled with hydrogen; a filling port for receiving hydrogen filling from the outside of the moving body; a filling pipe connecting the filling port and the hydrogen tank; a first supply pipe for supplying hydrogen from the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen consuming device; a refilling port for refilling hydrogen to a refilling destination outside the vehicle; a second supply pipe connecting the hydrogen tank and the refilling port;

2. 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure reducing unit connected to the supply port and capable of reducing the pressure of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank through the second supply pipe.

3. 3. The vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising a hose for supplying hydrogen decompressed by said decompression unit to said refueling destination, and a nozzle attached to the tip of said hose.

4. A plurality of the hydrogen tanks; a control unit capable of controlling the replenishment of hydrogen from each of the hydrogen tanks to the replenishment destination, 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control unit preferentially selects, from among the hydrogen tanks whose internal tank pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold, the hydrogen tank whose internal tank pressure is lower, and refuels hydrogen from the selected hydrogen tank to the refueling destination.

5. a determination unit that determines whether use of the nozzle has started, The moving body according to claim 3 , wherein the moving body is prohibited from starting when the determining unit determines that use of the nozzle has started.

Images