Abnormality detection device and abnormality detection method

Abstract

To detect abnormality of a valve of a hydrogen supply system.SOLUTION: The hydrogen supply system includes a common unit including a common supply path communicating with a hydrogen consuming device and a common pressure sensor of the common supply path, and a plurality of individual units including a tank storing hydrogen, an on-off valve opening and closing the tank, an individual supply path communicating with the on-off valve and the common supply path, a check valve disposed in the individual supply path, and an individual pressure sensor of the individual supply path between the on-off valve and the check valve. The abnormality detection device includes an acquisition unit that acquires pressures measured by the common pressure sensor and the individual pressure sensor of the stop individual unit before and after the on-off valve of the stop individual unit that stops the supply of hydrogen is closed and the on-off valve of the start individual unit that starts the supply of hydrogen is opened, and a determination unit that determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in at least one of the on-off valve of the start individual unit and the check valve of the stop individual unit based on a pressure change.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an anomaly detection device and an anomaly detection method. [Background technology]

[0002] In a system in which a valve is provided in a hydrogen supply path between a hydrogen tank and a fuel cell, a technique is known for detecting an abnormality in the valve from the hydrogen concentration in the hydrogen supply path (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-216310 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned conventional technology does not take into account the case where hydrogen is supplied to a hydrogen consuming device such as a fuel cell in sequence from multiple tanks, so there is a need for technology that can correctly detect valve abnormalities in a system in which hydrogen is supplied to a hydrogen consuming device in sequence from multiple tanks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present disclosure can be realized in the following forms.

[0006] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an abnormality detection device for detecting an abnormality in a hydrogen supply system, the hydrogen supply system comprising: a common section including a common supply channel communicating with a hydrogen consuming device that consumes hydrogen and a common pressure sensor that measures the pressure in the common supply channel; a plurality of individual sections including a tank that stores the hydrogen, an on-off valve that opens and closes the tank, individual supply channels that communicate with the on-off valve and the common supply channel, check valves disposed in the individual supply channels, and individual pressure sensors that measure the pressure in the individual supply channels between the on-off valve and the check valve; and a control section that closes the on-off valve of a stop individual section that is an individual section that stops the supply of hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device and opens the on-off valve of a start individual section that is an individual section that starts the supply of hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device. The abnormality detection device includes an acquisition unit that acquires the pressure measured by the common pressure sensor and the individual pressure sensors of the stop individual unit before the opening / closing valve of the start individual unit is opened, and the pressure measured by the common pressure sensor and the individual pressure sensors of the stop individual unit after the opening / closing valve of the start individual unit is opened, and a determination unit that determines whether an abnormality has occurred in at least one of the opening / closing valve of the start individual unit and the check valve of the stop individual unit based on the change in pressure measured by the common pressure sensor and the individual pressure sensors of the stop individual unit before and after the opening / closing valve of the start individual unit is opened. According to the abnormality detection device of this aspect, an abnormality in at least one of the on-off valve of the start individual section and the check valve of the stop individual section can be correctly detected. (2) In the abnormality detection device of the above form, the judgment unit may determine whether an abnormality has occurred in at least one of the opening / closing valve of the start individual unit and the check valve of the stop individual unit when the pressure of the tank of the stop individual unit is lower than the pressure of the tank of the start individual unit. According to the abnormality detection device of this aspect, it is possible to prevent the presence or absence of an abnormality from being erroneously determined. (3) In the abnormality detection device of the above aspect, the tank and the on-off valve may be detachably attached to the individual supply path. With this type of abnormality detection device, even if foreign matter enters the hydrogen supply system when the tank and on-off valve are attached or detached to the individual supply path, causing an abnormality in the on-off valve or check valve due to the foreign matter, the abnormality can be detected by the abnormality detection device. (4) In the abnormality detection device of the above form, the judgment unit may prohibit detachment of the tank and the on-off valve from the individual supply path of the stop individual unit when it determines that an abnormality has occurred in the check valve of the stop individual unit. With this type of abnormality detection device, when an abnormality occurs in the check valve of the stop individual unit, the tank is detached from the individual supply path of the stop individual unit, thereby preventing hydrogen that should be supplied from the tank of the start individual unit to the hydrogen consumption device from being released into the atmosphere from the individual supply path of the stop individual unit. (5) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an anomaly detection method for detecting an anomaly in a hydrogen supply system, the hydrogen supply system comprising: a common part including a common supply channel communicating with a hydrogen consumption device that consumes hydrogen and a common pressure sensor that measures the pressure in the common supply channel, and a plurality of individual parts including a tank that stores the hydrogen, an on-off valve that opens and closes the tank, individual supply channels that communicate with the on-off valve and the common supply channel, check valves arranged in the individual supply channels, and individual pressure sensors that measure the pressure in the individual supply channels between the on-off valve and the check valve. The abnormality detection method closes the on-off valve of a stop individual unit, which is an individual unit among the multiple individual units that stops the supply of hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device, opens the on-off valve of a start individual unit, which is an individual unit that starts the supply of hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device, acquires the pressure measured by the common pressure sensor and the individual pressure sensors of the stop individual unit before the on-off valve of the start individual unit is opened, and the pressure measured by the common pressure sensor and the individual pressure sensors of the stop individual unit after the on-off valve of the start individual unit is opened, and determines whether an abnormality has occurred in at least one of the on-off valve of the start individual unit and the check valve of the stop individual unit from the change in pressure measured by the common pressure sensor and the individual pressure sensors of the stop individual unit before and after the on-off valve of the start individual unit is opened. According to the abnormality detection method of this aspect, an abnormality in at least one of the on-off valve of the start individual section and the check valve of the stop individual section can be correctly detected. The present disclosure can be realized in various forms other than the abnormality detection device and the abnormality detection method, for example, in the form of a hydrogen supply system, a fuel cell system, or the like. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of a hydrogen supply system. [Figure 2] Schematic diagram of a detachment device. [Figure 3] Schematic diagram of an anomaly detection device. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of an abnormality detection process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A. Implementation: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hydrogen supply system 10 including an abnormality detection device 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The hydrogen supply system 10 includes a first individual unit 11A, a second individual unit 11B, and a common unit 12. The hydrogen supply system 10 is used to supply hydrogen to a hydrogen consumption device. In this embodiment, the hydrogen consumption device is a fuel cell 50 that consumes hydrogen to generate power. However, the hydrogen consumption device is not limited to a fuel cell 50, and may be any device that consumes hydrogen. For example, the hydrogen consumption device may be a hydrogen engine that consumes hydrogen to generate power.

[0009] The first individual part 11A includes a first tank unit 110A, a first individual supply path 115A, a first individual pressure sensor 116A, and a first check valve 117A. The second individual part 11B includes a second tank unit 110B, a second individual supply path 115B, a second individual pressure sensor 116B, and a second check valve 117B. In the following description, when the first individual part 11A and the second individual part 11B are described without any particular distinction, they will be simply referred to as individual parts 11. When the components of the first individual part 11A and the second individual part 11B are described without any particular distinction, the components will not be named with "first" or "second," and the components will not be referenced with "A" or "B." For example, when the first tank unit 110A, which is a component of the first individual portion 11A, and the second tank unit 110B, which is a component of the second individual portion 11B, are described without any particular distinction, they will be simply referred to as tank units 110.

[0010] The first tank unit 110A includes a first tank 111A and a first on-off valve 112A attached to the first tank 111A. The first tank 111A stores hydrogen to be supplied to the fuel cell 50. The first tank 111A is connected to the upstream end of the first individual supply path 115A via the first on-off valve 112A. When the first on-off valve 112A is opened, the supply of hydrogen from the first tank 111A to the first individual supply path 115A begins, and when the first on-off valve 112A is closed, the supply of hydrogen from the first tank 111A to the first individual supply path 115A stops. In this embodiment, the first tank unit 110A is detachably connected to the upstream end of the first individual supply path 115A, and the hydrogen supply system 10 further includes an attachment / detachment device 400 for attaching and detaching the first tank unit 110A.

[0011] Hydrogen supplied from the first tank 111A flows through the first individual supply path 115A. The first individual supply path 115A is configured, for example, by piping. A first individual pressure sensor 116A and a first check valve 117A are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream in the first individual supply path 115A. The first individual pressure sensor 116A is a pressure sensor that measures the pressure of hydrogen in the portion between the upstream end of the first individual supply path 115A and the first check valve 117A. The first check valve 117A allows hydrogen to pass from the upstream side to the downstream side and prevents hydrogen from flowing back from the downstream side to the upstream side.

[0012] The second tank unit 110B includes a second tank 111B and a second on-off valve 112B attached to the second tank 111B. The second tank 111B stores hydrogen to be supplied to the fuel cell 50. The second tank 111B is connected to the upstream end of the second individual supply path 115B via the second on-off valve 112B. When the second on-off valve 112B is opened, the supply of hydrogen from the second tank 111B to the second individual supply path 115B begins, and when the second on-off valve 112B is closed, the supply of hydrogen from the second tank 111B to the second individual supply path 115B stops. In this embodiment, the second tank unit 110B is detachably connected to the upstream end of the second individual supply path 115B, and the hydrogen supply system 10 further includes an attachment / detachment device 400 for attaching and detaching the second tank unit 110B.

[0013] Hydrogen supplied from the second tank 111B flows through the second individual supply path 115B. The second individual supply path 115B is formed, for example, by piping. A second individual pressure sensor 116B and a second check valve 117B are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream in the second individual supply path 115B. The second individual pressure sensor 116B is a pressure sensor that measures the pressure of hydrogen in the portion between the upstream end of the second individual supply path 115B and the second check valve 117B. The second check valve 117B allows hydrogen to pass from the upstream side to the downstream side and prevents hydrogen from flowing back from the downstream side to the upstream side.

[0014] The common section 12 includes a common supply channel 121, a common pressure sensor 122, a pressure reducing valve 123, and an injector 124. The upstream end of the common supply channel 121 is connected to the downstream end of the first individual supply channel 115A and the downstream end of the second individual supply channel 115B, and the downstream end of the common supply channel 121 is connected to the hydrogen supply port of the fuel cell 50. Hydrogen supplied from the first individual supply channel 115A and hydrogen supplied from the second individual supply channel 115B flow through the common supply channel 121. The common supply channel 121 is formed, for example, by piping. The common supply channel 121 includes, in order from the upstream side, a common pressure sensor 122, a pressure reducing valve 123, and an injector 124. The common pressure sensor 122 measures the hydrogen pressure in the portion between the upstream end of the common supply channel 121 and the pressure reducing valve 123. The pressure reducing valve 123 reduces the pressure of the hydrogen passing from the upstream side to the downstream side. The injector 124 injects the hydrogen toward the fuel cell 50.

[0015] The fuel cell 50 is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. In addition to a hydrogen supply inlet connected to a common supply channel 121, the fuel cell 50 has a hydrogen outlet connected to a hydrogen outlet channel 131, an air supply inlet connected to an air supply channel 211, and an air outlet connected to an air outlet channel 221. The fuel cell 50 generates electricity using hydrogen supplied to the hydrogen supply inlet and air supplied to the air supply inlet, and discharges excess hydrogen and water produced by power generation from the hydrogen outlet, and discharges excess air and water produced by power generation from the air outlet.

[0016] The hydrogen discharge channel 131 carries hydrogen and water discharged from the fuel cell 50. The hydrogen discharge channel 131 is formed, for example, of piping. Arranged in the hydrogen discharge channel 131, in this order from upstream, are a gas-liquid separator 132, an exhaust / drain valve 133, and a diluter 134. The gas-liquid separator 132 stores hydrogen and water discharged from the fuel cell 50 and separates the hydrogen from the water. The exhaust / drain valve 133 adjusts the amount of hydrogen and water discharged from the gas-liquid separator 132. The exhaust / drain valve 133 opens when the water level in the gas-liquid separator 132 reaches or exceeds a predetermined value, and closes when the water level in the gas-liquid separator 132 falls below the predetermined value. The diluter 134 is connected to an air discharge channel 221. The diluter 134 dilutes the hydrogen flowing in from the hydrogen discharge channel 131 with air flowing in from the air discharge channel 221. The downstream end of the hydrogen discharge channel 131 is connected to the atmosphere. The hydrogen and water flowing through the hydrogen discharge channel 131 are discharged into the atmosphere. In this embodiment, the upstream end of a hydrogen circulation channel 141 is connected to the gas-liquid separator 132. The hydrogen circulation channel 141 is configured, for example, by piping. The downstream end of the hydrogen circulation channel 141 is connected to a portion of the common supply channel 121 between the injector 124 and the fuel cell 50. A hydrogen pump 142 is disposed in the hydrogen circulation channel 141 to pump hydrogen from the gas-liquid separator 132 to the common supply channel 121. A portion of the hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell 50 is supplied again to the fuel cell 50 via the hydrogen circulation channel 141.

[0017] The upstream end of the air supply path 211 is connected to the atmosphere. Air introduced from the atmosphere flows through the air supply path 211. The air supply path 211 is formed, for example, by piping. In the air supply path 211, an air cleaner 212 that collects foreign matter contained in the air and an air compressor 213 that pressurizes and sends air to the fuel cell 50 are provided in this order from the upstream side.

[0018] Air and water discharged from the fuel cell 50 flow through the air discharge path 221. The air discharge path 221 is formed of, for example, piping. The downstream end of the air discharge path 221 is connected to the diluter 134. The air and water flowing through the air discharge path 221 are discharged into the atmosphere via the hydrogen discharge path 131.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an attachment / detachment device 400 that attaches and detaches the tank unit 110 to and from the individual supply path 115. The attachment / detachment device 400 includes a base portion 410, a slide portion 420, and a lock pin 430. The relative positional relationship between the base portion 410 and the individual supply path 115 is fixed. The slide portion 420 slides on the base portion 410. In this embodiment, a guide rail (not shown) is provided on the base portion 410, and the slide portion 420 moves along the guide rail by a stepping motor (not shown). In the following description, movement of the slide portion 420 toward the individual supply path 115 is referred to as the slide portion 420 advancing, and movement of the slide portion 420 away from the individual supply path 115 is referred to as the slide portion 420 retreating. The lock pin 430 is configured to be receivable in the base portion 410, and restricts the movement of the slide portion 420 by protruding from the base portion 410 and coming into contact with the slide portion 420.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2(a), the tank unit 110 is attached to the slide portion 420. In this embodiment, the on-off valve 112 of the tank unit 110 is configured to open when pressed against the end of the individual supply path 115 and close when moved away from the end of the individual supply path 115. In the state shown in FIG. 2(a), the on-off valve 112 is closed because the on-off valve 112 and the individual supply path 115 are separated. The lock pin 430 contacts the front end of the slide portion 420, thereby preventing the slide portion 420 from moving forward. As shown in FIG. 2(b), when the lock pin 430 is housed in the base portion 410, the slide portion 420 is able to move forward.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2(c), when the sliding portion 420 advances to a predetermined position, the on-off valve 112 is connected to the end of the individual supply path 115. When the sliding portion 420 advances to the predetermined position, the lock pin 430 protrudes from the base portion 410. The lock pin 430 contacts the front end of a recess provided in the bottom surface of the sliding portion 420, thereby preventing the sliding portion 420 from moving backward. In the state shown in FIG. 2(c), a gap is formed between the rear end of the recess provided in the bottom surface of the sliding portion 420 and the lock pin 430, allowing the sliding portion 420 to move further forward. Although a seal is maintained between the on-off valve 112 and the individual supply path 115, the on-off valve 112 remains closed. As shown in FIG. 2(d), when the sliding portion 420 advances further, the on-off valve 112 is pushed against the end of the individual supply path 115 and opens. When the on-off valve 112 opens, hydrogen begins to be supplied from the tank 111 to the individual supply path 115.

[0022] When the tank unit 110 is detached from the sliding part 420, the attachment / detachment device 400 performs the reverse operation of the above-described operation. Specifically, first, the sliding part 420 retracts from the position shown in FIG. 2(d) to the position shown in FIG. 2(c), thereby closing the on-off valve 112. Closing the on-off valve 112 stops the supply of hydrogen from the tank 111 to the individual supply path 115. Next, the lock pin 430 is retracted, and the sliding part 420 further retracts from the position shown in FIG. 2(c) to the position shown in FIG. 2(b), thereby releasing the connection between the on-off valve 112 and the individual supply path 115. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2(a), the lock pin 430 protrudes, thereby restricting the forward movement of the sliding part 420. In the state shown in FIG. 2(a), the tank unit 110 is detached from the sliding part 420.

[0023] Although not shown in the drawings, in this embodiment, the attachment / detachment device 400 includes two slide portions 420 that can operate independently of each other and two lock pins 430 that can also operate independently of each other. The first tank unit 110A is fixed to one slide portion 420, and the second tank unit 110B is fixed to the other slide portion 420. However, the number of slide portions 420 and the number of lock pins 430 provided in the attachment / detachment device 400 may be one each. In this case, it is sufficient to provide an attachment / detachment device 400 for attaching and detaching the first tank unit 110A to and from the first individual supply path 115A, and an attachment / detachment device 400 for attaching and detaching the second tank unit 110B to and from the second individual supply path 115B.

[0024] 3 is a schematic diagram of an anomaly detection device 300. The anomaly detection device 300 is configured by a computer including a processor 301, a memory 302, an input / output interface 303, and an internal bus 304. The processor 301 executes a computer program PG pre-stored in the memory 302 to function as a control unit 310, an acquisition unit 320, and a determination unit 330. The anomaly detection device 300 can also be called a control device.

[0025] The control unit 310 controls power generation by the fuel cell 50. In this embodiment, the control unit 310 executes a switching process in which, of the first individual unit 11A and the second individual unit 11B, the control unit 310 closes the on-off valve 112 of the stop individual unit, which is the individual unit 11 that stops the supply of hydrogen to the fuel cell 50, and opens the on-off valve 112 of the start individual unit, which is the individual unit 11 that starts the supply of hydrogen to the fuel cell 50. In other words, in this embodiment, the control unit 310 does not supply hydrogen to the fuel cell 50 from the first individual unit 11A and the second individual unit 11B simultaneously, but rather supplies hydrogen to the fuel cell 50 sequentially from the first individual unit 11A and the second individual unit 11B. In the switching process, the control unit 310 controls the stepping motor of the slide unit 420 and the actuator of the lock pin 430 to move the slide unit 420 and open or close the on-off valve 112. In addition, the control unit 310 adjusts the amounts of hydrogen and air supplied to the fuel cell 50 by controlling, for example, the actuator of the injector 124 and the actuator of the air compressor 213 .

[0026] The acquisition unit 320 acquires the pressure measured by the first individual pressure sensor 116A, the pressure measured by the second individual pressure sensor 116B, and the pressure measured by the common pressure sensor 122. The determination unit 330 uses the pressure measured by the first individual pressure sensor 116A, the pressure measured by the second individual pressure sensor 116B, and the pressure measured by the common pressure sensor 122 to determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the hydrogen supply system 10.

[0027] Abnormalities in the hydrogen supply system 10 include an abnormality in the on-off valve 112 and an abnormality in the check valve 117. For example, if an abnormality occurs in which the on-off valve 112 does not open, there is a possibility that a shortage of hydrogen will be supplied to the common supply channel 121. If an abnormality occurs in which a foreign object blocks the flow path of the check valve 117, the check valve 117 will not be able to pass hydrogen in the forward direction from the on-off valve 112 toward the common supply channel 121, and there is a possibility that a shortage of hydrogen will be supplied to the common supply channel 121. If an abnormality occurs in which the check valve 117 does not close due to foreign object being caught in it, for example, while the first tank unit 110A is detached from the first individual supply channel 115A, hydrogen that should be supplied from the second tank unit 110B to the common supply channel 121 may pass through the first check valve 117A and be released into the atmosphere from the end of the first individual supply channel 115A. In this embodiment, the abnormality detection device 300 can detect an abnormality in the on-off valve 112 or the check valve 117 described above by executing an abnormality detection process.

[0028] 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the abnormality detection process executed by the abnormality detection device 300. The abnormality detection process is executed when the first tank unit 110A is attached to the first individual supply path 115A and the second tank unit 110B is attached to the second individual supply path 115B. In this embodiment, the abnormality detection process is started when the tank 111 that is supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell 50 becomes short of hydrogen, while the tank 111 that is not supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell 50 is not short of hydrogen. Here, the tank 111 becoming short of hydrogen means that the amount of hydrogen in the tank 111 has decreased and the pressure in the tank 111 has fallen below a predetermined value.

[0029] In step S110, the control unit 310 closes the on-off valve 112 of the stop individual unit, which is the individual unit 11 of the first individual unit 11A or the second individual unit 11B that stops the supply of hydrogen to the fuel cell 50. In step S120, the control unit 310 opens the on-off valve 112 of the start individual unit, which is the individual unit 11 of the first individual unit 11A or the second individual unit 11B that starts the supply of hydrogen to the fuel cell 50.

[0030] In step S130, the determination unit 330 determines whether the pressure measured by the common pressure sensor 122 has increased. In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 320 acquires the pressure measured by the common pressure sensor 122 before the on-off valve 112 of the starting individual unit is opened and the pressure measured by the common pressure sensor 122 after the on-off valve 112 of the starting individual unit is opened. The determination unit 330 determines that the pressure measured by the common pressure sensor 122 has increased if the pressure measured by the common pressure sensor 122 after the on-off valve 112 of the starting individual unit is opened is higher than the pressure measured by the common pressure sensor 122 before the on-off valve 112 of the starting individual unit was opened.

[0031] If it is determined in step S130 that the pressure measured by the common pressure sensor 122 has not increased, the judgment unit 330 determines in step S157 that at least one of the following abnormalities has occurred: an abnormality in which the on-off valve 112 does not open, or an abnormality in which the check valve 117 does not allow hydrogen to pass in the forward direction.

[0032] If it is determined in step S130 that the pressure measured by the common pressure sensor 122 has increased, the determination unit 330 determines in step S140 whether the pressure measured by the individual pressure sensor 116 of the stopped individual unit has increased. In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 320 acquires the pressure measured by the individual pressure sensor 116 of the stopped individual unit before the on-off valve 112 of the start individual unit is opened, and the pressure measured by the individual pressure sensor 116 of the stopped individual unit after the on-off valve 112 of the start individual unit is opened. The determination unit 330 determines that the pressure measured by the individual pressure sensor 116 of the stopped individual unit has increased if the pressure measured by the individual pressure sensor 116 of the stopped individual unit after the on-off valve 112 of the start individual unit is opened is higher than the pressure measured by the individual pressure sensor 116 of the stopped individual unit before the on-off valve 112 of the start individual unit was opened.

[0033] If it is determined in step S140 that the pressure measured by the individual pressure sensor 116 of the stopped individual unit has increased, the determination unit 330 determines in step S150 that an abnormality has occurred in the check valve 117 of the stopped individual unit, causing hydrogen to pass in the reverse direction. In this case, the determination unit 330 prohibits detachment of the tank unit 110 from the individual supply path 115 of the stopped individual unit in step S160. In this embodiment, the determination unit 330 transmits a prohibition notice to the control unit 310 prohibiting detachment of the tank unit 110 from the individual supply path 115 of the stopped individual unit. Upon receiving the prohibition notice, the control unit 310 is unable to operate the lock pin 430 of the stopped individual unit.

[0034] If it is determined in step S140 that the pressure measured by the individual pressure sensor 116 of the stopped individual unit has not increased, the determination unit 330 determines in step S155 that the check valve 117 of the stopped individual unit is normal. In this case, the determination unit 330 permits detachment of the tank unit 110 from the individual supply path 115 of the stopped individual unit in step S165. In this embodiment, the determination unit 330 transmits a permission notice to the control unit 310 permitting detachment of the tank unit 110 from the individual supply path 115 of the stopped individual unit. Upon receiving the permission notice, the control unit 310 can operate the lock pin 430 of the stopped individual unit.

[0035] The abnormality detection process ends after step S157, step S160, or step S165. Note that the method executed by the abnormality detection process may be referred to as the abnormality detection method.

[0036] According to the abnormality detection device 300 of this embodiment described above, it is possible to correctly detect that an abnormality has occurred in the check valve 117 of the stop individual unit, and that an abnormality has occurred in at least one of the opening / closing valve 112 and the check valve 117 of the start individual unit.

[0037] In this embodiment, the abnormality detection device 300 starts the abnormality detection process when the pressure in the tank 111 of the stop individual unit is lower than the pressure in the tank 111 of the start individual unit. This makes it possible to prevent errors in determining whether or not an abnormality exists.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tank unit 110 is detachable from the individual supply path 115. Therefore, when the tank unit 110 is attached or detached, there is a possibility that foreign matter will adhere to the on-off valve 112 exposed to the external environment, or that foreign matter that has entered from the end of the individual supply path 115 will adhere to the check valve 117. In this embodiment, even if an abnormality occurs in the on-off valve 112 or the check valve 117 due to foreign matter adhering to the on-off valve 112 or the check valve 117, the abnormality can be detected by the abnormality detection device 300.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the abnormality detection device 300 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the check valve 117 of the stop individual unit, causing hydrogen to pass in the reverse direction, it prohibits detachment of the tank unit 110 from the individual supply path 115 of the stop individual unit. Therefore, when an abnormality has occurred in the check valve 117 of the stop individual unit, causing hydrogen to pass in the reverse direction, the tank unit 110 of the stop individual unit is detached from the individual supply path 115, thereby preventing hydrogen that should be supplied from the tank unit 110 of the start individual unit to the fuel cell 50 from being released into the atmosphere from the end of the individual supply path 115 of the stop individual unit.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the abnormality detection device 300 determines that the check valve 117 of the stopped individual unit is normal, it permits the tank unit 110 to be detached from the individual supply path 115 of the stopped individual unit. Therefore, while hydrogen is being supplied from the tank unit 110 of the start supply unit to the fuel cell 50, the tank unit 110 of the stopped individual unit can be detached from the individual supply path 115 and a tank unit 110 refilled with hydrogen, or another tank unit 110 filled with hydrogen, can be attached to the individual supply path 115 of the stopped individual unit. Therefore, hydrogen can be supplied to the fuel cell 50 continuously for a long period of time without interrupting power generation by the fuel cell 50.

[0041] B. Other Embodiments: (B1) In the above-described embodiment, the hydrogen supply system 10 is configured so that the tank unit 110 can be attached to and detached from the individual supply path 115. In contrast, in other embodiments, the hydrogen supply system 10 does not have to be configured so that the tank unit 110 can be attached to and detached from the individual supply path 115.

[0042] (B2) In the above-described embodiment, the hydrogen supply system 10 includes two individual units 11. In contrast to this, in other embodiments, the hydrogen supply system 10 may include three or more individual units 11.

[0043] (B3) In the above-described embodiment, the hydrogen supply system 10 is equipped with the attachment / detachment device 400. In contrast, in other embodiments, the hydrogen supply system 10 may not be equipped with the attachment / detachment device 400. In this case, the tank unit 110 may be attached to and detached from the individual supply path 115 by manual operation by an operator, for example.

[0044] (B4) In the above-described embodiment, the attachment / detachment device 400 is configured to attach / detach the tank unit 110 to / from the individual supply path 115 by moving the tank unit 110 along a horizontal plane. In contrast to this, in other embodiments, the attachment / detachment device 400 may be configured to attach / detach the tank unit 110 to / from the individual supply path 115 by moving the tank unit 110 along a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane. Alternatively, the attachment / detachment device 400 may be configured to attach / detach the tank unit 110 to / from the individual supply path 115 by moving the tank unit 110 along a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0045] (B5) In the above-described embodiment, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the check valve 117 of the stop individual unit, the abnormality detection device 300 prohibits detachment of the tank unit 110 from the individual supply path 115 of the stop individual unit. In contrast to this, in other embodiments, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the check valve 117 of the stop individual unit, the abnormality detection device 300 does not have to prohibit detachment of the tank unit 110 from the individual supply path 115 of the stop individual unit.

[0046] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described in the Summary of the Invention section can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above-described problems or achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10...hydrogen supply system, 11A...first individual part, 11B...second individual part, 12...common part, 50...fuel cell (hydrogen consumption device), 110A...first tank unit, 110B...second tank unit, 111A...first tank, 111B...second tank, 112A...first on-off valve, 112B...second on-off valve, 115A...first individual supply path, 115B...second individual supply path, 116A...first individual pressure sensor, 116B...second individual pressure sensor, 117A...first check valve, 117B...second check valve, 121...common supply path, 122...common pressure sensor, 123 ...pressure reducing valve, 124...injector, 131...hydrogen discharge path, 132...gas-liquid separator, 133...exhaust drain valve, 134...diluter, 141...hydrogen circulation path, 142...hydrogen pump, 211...air supply path, 212...air cleaner, 213...air compressor, 221...air discharge path, 300...abnormality detection device, 301...processor, 302...memory, 303...input / output interface, 304...internal bus, 310...control unit, 320...acquisition unit, 330...determination unit, 400...attachment / detachment device, 410...base unit, 420...slide unit, 430...lock pin

Claims

1. An abnormality detection device for detecting an abnormality in a hydrogen supply system, The hydrogen supply system includes: a common section including a common supply passage communicating with a hydrogen consuming device that consumes hydrogen, and a common pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the common supply passage; a plurality of individual parts including a tank for storing the hydrogen, an on-off valve for opening and closing the tank, an individual supply path communicating with the on-off valve and the common supply path, a check valve disposed in the individual supply path, and an individual pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in the individual supply path between the on-off valve and the check valve; a control unit that closes the on-off valve of a stop individual unit that is an individual unit that stops the supply of hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device among the plurality of individual units and opens the on-off valve of a start individual unit that is an individual unit that starts the supply of hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device; Equipped with The abnormality detection device an acquisition unit that acquires pressures measured by the common pressure sensor and the individual pressure sensors of the stop individual units before the on-off valve of the start individual unit is opened, and pressures measured by the common pressure sensor and the individual pressure sensors of the stop individual units after the on-off valve of the start individual unit is opened; a determination unit that determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in at least one of the on-off valve of the start individual unit and the check valve of the stop individual unit based on a change in pressure measured by the common pressure sensor and the individual pressure sensors of the stop individual unit before and after the on-off valve of the start individual unit is opened; An abnormality detection device comprising:

2. The abnormality detection device according to claim 1, The judgment unit is an abnormality detection device that determines whether an abnormality has occurred in at least one of the opening / closing valve of the start individual unit and the check valve of the stop individual unit when the pressure of the tank of the stop individual unit is lower than the pressure of the tank of the start individual unit.

3. The abnormality detection device according to claim 1, The tank and the on-off valve are detachably attached to the individual supply path.

4. The abnormality detection device according to claim 3, The abnormality detection device, wherein the judgment unit prohibits detachment of the tank and the on-off valve from the individual supply path of the individual stop unit when it determines that an abnormality has occurred in the check valve of the individual stop unit.

5. 1. A method for detecting an abnormality in a hydrogen supply system, comprising: The hydrogen supply system includes: a common section including a common supply passage communicating with a hydrogen consuming device that consumes hydrogen, and a common pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the common supply passage; a plurality of individual parts including a tank for storing the hydrogen, an on-off valve for opening and closing the tank, an individual supply path communicating with the on-off valve and the common supply path, a check valve disposed in the individual supply path, and an individual pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in the individual supply path between the on-off valve and the check valve; Equipped with The abnormality detection method includes: Among the plurality of individual units, close the on-off valve of a stop individual unit that is an individual unit that stops the supply of hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device, and open the on-off valve of a start individual unit that is an individual unit that starts the supply of hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device; Acquire pressures measured by the common pressure sensor and the individual pressure sensors of the stop individual units before the on-off valve of the start individual unit is opened, and pressures measured by the common pressure sensor and the individual pressure sensors of the stop individual units after the on-off valve of the start individual unit is opened; and determining whether or not an abnormality has occurred in at least one of the on-off valve of the start individual unit and the check valve of the stop individual unit based on a change in pressure measured by the common pressure sensor and the individual pressure sensors of the stop individual unit before and after the on-off valve of the start individual unit is opened. Anomaly detection methods.

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