gas supply system

Abstract

This invention provides a gas supply system that allows for gas leak checks without interrupting the gas supply to gas-consuming devices. [Solution] The gas supply system includes a gas tank equipped with an automatic shut-off valve, a gas supply pipe connecting the gas tank and a gas consumption device, a seal, and a check valve provided on the gas supply pipe. A push rod is provided at the end of the gas supply pipe, and as the gas tank approaches, the push rod pushes open the automatic shut-off valve. The seal seals the connection space including the automatic shut-off valve and the end of the gas supply pipe when the distance between the automatic shut-off valve and the push rod is less than or equal to a threshold distance. The controller moves the gas tank forward until the automatic shut-off valve is pushed open, and then moves the gas tank backward to a position where the automatic shut-off valve is closed while maintaining the seal of the connection space. The controller determines that a gas leak has occurred if the pressure in the gas supply pipe upstream of the check valve is lower than the pressure downstream.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a gas supply system that supplies gas in a gas tank to a gas-consuming device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a gas supply system that includes a plurality of gas tanks and supplies gas from the gas tanks to a gas-consuming device. In the gas supply system of Patent Document 1, when the gas remaining amount in all the gas tanks decreases, a gas leakage check is performed prior to replacing the gas tanks. When the remaining amounts of all the gas tanks decrease, the controller of the system closes the on-off valves of all the gas tanks, consumes the gas in the gas supply pipe, and then stops the gas-consuming device. After that, the controller removes the gas tank from the system after confirming that the gas pressure in the gas supply pipe has not increased. If the gas pressure in the gas supply pipe has increased, it means that gas leakage has occurred from the on-off valve. In this case, if the gas tank is removed from the system, the gas in the gas tank will leak to the surroundings. When the gas pressure in the gas supply pipe has increased, the controller stops removing the gas tank.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the gas supply system of Patent Document 1, the presence or absence of gas leakage is detected based on whether the gas pressure in the gas supply pipe increases or not. Therefore, it is necessary to temporarily stop the gas supply to the gas-consuming device for the gas leakage check. This specification provides a technology that can perform a gas leakage check without stopping the gas supply to the gas-consuming device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The gas supply system disclosed herein comprises a gas tank, a gas supply pipe, an actuator, a seal, a check valve, first and second pressure sensors, and a controller. The gas tank has an auto-close valve that opens when a push rod is pushed in and closes when the push rod is withdrawn. The gas tank is connected to the gas supply pipe. The gas supply pipe has a push rod at its end and guides the gas from the gas tank to a gas consumption device. The actuator moves the gas tank forward and backward relative to the gas supply pipe. The seal seals the connection space, including the opening of the auto-close valve and the end of the gas supply pipe, when the distance between the auto-close valve and the push rod is shorter than a predetermined threshold distance. A check valve is provided in the gas supply pipe to prevent backflow of gas. A first pressure sensor measures the pressure in the gas supply pipe upstream of the check valve. A second pressure sensor measures the pressure in the gas supply pipe downstream of the check valve.

[0006] The controller controls the actuator to advance the gas tank until the automatic shut-off valve is pushed open, and then retracts the gas tank to a position where the automatic shut-off valve is closed while maintaining the seal of the connection space. Furthermore, after a predetermined time, the controller advances the gas tank again so that the automatic shut-off valve opens if the reading from the first pressure sensor is greater than or equal to the reading from the second pressure sensor, and outputs a signal indicating a gas leak if the reading from the first pressure sensor is less than the reading from the second pressure sensor.

[0007] Opening the automatic shut-off valve of the gas tank initiates the supply of gas to the gas-consuming device. In the gas supply system disclosed herein, a gas leak check is performed upstream of the check valve while the gas supply pipe downstream of the check valve is filled with gas. While the gas tank is retracted and the automatic shut-off valve is closed, and the gas leak check is being performed, the high-pressure gas accumulated in the gas supply pipe downstream of the check valve continues to be supplied to the gas-consuming device. The gas supply system disclosed herein can perform a gas leak check without interrupting the gas supply to the gas-consuming device.

[0008] In the gas supply system disclosed herein, the gas supply pipe is divided into multiple branches, each of which may be equipped with a first pressure sensor, a check valve, and a push rod. A gas tank is connected to each branch. The actuator may be able to move the gas tank relative to the push rod in each branch. The other gas tank can be replaced while gas is being supplied from one gas tank to a gas consumption device.

[0009] Details of the technology disclosed herein and further improvements are described in the following "Modes for Carrying Out the Invention". [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of the gas supply system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of a gas tank and gas supply pipe (sealing position). [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of the gas tank and gas supply pipe (valve open position). [Figure 4] This is a flowchart for the gas leak check procedure. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram of the gas supply system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart of the gas leak check process (second embodiment). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] (First Embodiment) The gas supply system 2 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the gas supply system 2. A fuel cell 90 is connected to the gas supply system 2 of this embodiment, and the gas supply system 2 supplies hydrogen gas from the gas tank 10 to the fuel cell 90. The fuel cell 90 is an example of a gas-consuming device to which the gas supply system 2 supplies gas.

[0012] The gas supply system 2 includes a gas tank 10, a gas supply pipe 30, a push rod 35, an actuator 19, a first pressure sensor 41, a second pressure sensor 42, a check valve 31, a controller 50, and a display device 51.

[0013] In this embodiment, the gas tank 10 is filled with high-pressure hydrogen gas. The gas tank 10 and the fuel cell 90 are connected by a gas supply pipe 30. The gas supply pipe 30 guides the hydrogen gas from the gas tank 10 to the fuel cell 90. A check valve 31 and a pressure reducing valve 32 are connected to the gas supply pipe 30. The pressure reducing valve 32 is located downstream of the check valve 31. Here, "downstream" means the side of the gas supply pipe 30 closer to the fuel cell 90 (gas consuming device), and "upstream" means the side closer to the gas tank 10.

[0014] The pressure reducing valve 32 reduces the pressure of the hydrogen gas supplied from the gas tank 10 to a pressure suitable for the operation of the fuel cell 90. In other words, the gas pressure suitable for the fuel cell 90 is lower than the gas pressure supplied from the gas tank 10.

[0015] The check valve 31 allows gas to pass from upstream to downstream, but prevents gas from flowing from downstream to upstream. The check valve 31 also prevents hydrogen gas from leaking to the outside from downstream of the check valve 31 in the event of a gas leak at the connection point between the gas tank 10 and the gas supply pipe 30.

[0016] The first pressure sensor 41 measures the pressure inside the gas supply pipe 30 upstream of the check valve 31. If the gas tank 10 is connected to the gas supply pipe 30, the value measured by the first pressure sensor 41 is approximately equal to the internal pressure of the gas tank 10 (the measured value will be lower than the internal tank pressure due to pressure losses from the automatic shut-off valve 20, which will be described later).

[0017] The second pressure sensor 42 measures the pressure in the gas supply pipe 30 downstream of the check valve 31. While gas is being supplied from the gas tank 10, the measured value of the second pressure sensor 42 is approximately equal to the measured value of the first pressure sensor 41 (the measured value of the second pressure sensor 42 is lower than the measured value of the first pressure sensor 41 by the amount of the pressure loss such as that of the check valve 31).

[0018] Below Figure 1, a cross-sectional view of the base 11 of the gas tank 10 and the tip of the gas supply pipe 30 is shown. The base 11 of the gas tank 10 is provided with an automatic shut-off valve 20. The automatic shut-off valve 20 includes a sleeve 21, a valve body 22, and a spring 23. The sleeve 21 is attached inside the base 11. The valve body 22 is disposed adjacent to the sleeve 21 inside the tank. The spring 23 presses the valve body 22 against the opening of the sleeve 21 (the opening that opens into the tank) from the inside of the tank. The opposite end of the spring 23 is supported by the inner wall of the tank.

[0019] By the force of the spring 23, the valve body 22 is in close contact with the opening of the sleeve 21. While the valve body 22 is in close contact with the opening of the sleeve 21, the automatic shut-off valve 20 is closed. When the valve body 22 is pushed inward from the outside of the tank, the automatic shut-off valve 20 opens. When the load on the valve body 22 is removed, the valve body 22 is again in close contact with the opening of the sleeve 21 by the force of the spring 23, and the automatic shut-off valve 20 closes.

[0020] A push rod 35 is provided at the tip of the gas supply pipe 30. The push rod 35 is fixed to the tip of the gas supply pipe 30 by a rod support 36. The rod support 36 is provided with a hole through which gas can flow from the gas tank 10 into the gas supply pipe 30.

[0021] When the gas tank 10 is set in the gas supply system 2, the push rod 35 at the tip of the gas supply pipe 30 faces the base 11. The actuator 19 moves the gas tank 10. The actuator 19 moves the gas tank 10 closer to or farther away from the gas supply pipe 30. More specifically, the actuator 19 moves the automatic shut-off valve 20 closer to or farther away from the tip of the gas supply pipe 30 (i.e., the push rod 35). The cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 shows the state where the push rod 35 is separated from the automatic shut-off valve 20.

[0022] The actuator 19 moves the gas tank 10 forward and backward relative to the tip of the gas supply pipe 30. The case where the gas tank 10 approaches the gas supply pipe 30 is referred to as "forward movement", and the case where the gas tank 10 moves away from the gas supply pipe 30 is referred to as "backward movement". The actuator may move the gas supply pipe 30 forward and backward with respect to the gas tank 10.

[0023] A sealing 12 is arranged inside the base 11. When the tip of the gas supply pipe 30 (push rod 35) approaches the automatic shut-off valve 20, the outer periphery of the gas supply pipe 30 contacts the sealing 12, and the space including the opening of the automatic shut-off valve 20 (the opening open to the outside of the gas tank 10) and the tip of the gas supply pipe 30 is sealed. The space including the opening of the automatic shut-off valve 20 and the tip of the gas supply pipe 30 is referred to as the connection space S for convenience. More precisely, the connection space S is inside the base 11 and refers to the space including the opening of the automatic shut-off valve 20 and the tip of the gas supply pipe 30. In the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, the push rod 35 is separated from the automatic shut-off valve 20, and a gap G is secured between the tip of the gas supply pipe 30 and the sealing 12. In this state, the connection space S is not sealed from the outside world.

[0024] Figure 2 shows a cross-section when the tip of the gas supply pipe 30 is in contact with the sealing 12. When the distance between the push rod 35 and the automatic shut-off valve 20 reaches L1, the sealing 12 comes into contact with the outer circumference of the gas supply pipe 30, sealing the connection space S. In other words, when the distance between the push rod 35 and the valve body 22 of the automatic shut-off valve 20 becomes shorter than L1, the connection space S is isolated from the outside world. When the distance between the push rod 35 and the valve body 22 is L1, the automatic shut-off valve 20 remains closed. Distance L1 may be called the threshold distance.

[0025] The dashed line in Figure 2 shows the state where the gas tank 10 has advanced until the valve body 22 touches the tip of the push rod 35. When the gas tank 10 advances further than the dashed line, the push rod 35 pushes open the automatic shut-off valve 20. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view when the gas tank 10 has advanced until the automatic shut-off valve 20 is open. The thick arrow A indicates the flow of gas. While the automatic shut-off valve 20 is open, the hydrogen gas in the gas tank 10 flows through the connection space S to the gas supply pipe 30. Since the connection space S is sealed by the seal 12, the hydrogen gas does not leak to the outside.

[0026] The gas in the gas tank 10 passes through the open automatic shut-off valve 20, through the hole in the rod support 36, and flows into the gas supply pipe 30. For the sake of explanation, the position of the gas tank 10 when the connection space S is sealed but the automatic shut-off valve 20 is closed is called the sealing position, and the position of the gas tank 10 when the connection space S is sealed and the automatic shut-off valve 20 is open is called the open valve position. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view in the sealing position, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view in the open valve position. The sealing position is when the distance between the push rod 35 and the valve body 22 of the automatic shut-off valve 20 is L1 or less and greater than zero. Even in the open valve position, the seal 12 is in contact with the outer circumference of the gas supply pipe 30, and the connection space S remains sealed.

[0027] The controller 50 (see Figure 1) controls the actuator 19 to check for gas leaks in the sealing 12. Figure 4 shows a flowchart of the gas leak check process. The controller 50 starts the gas leak check process when the gas tank 10 is set in the gas supply system 2 (actuator 19).

[0028] Next, the gas leak check process will be explained according to the flowchart in Figure 4. The gas leak check process begins when the gas tank 10 is set in the gas supply system 2. The controller 50 moves the gas tank 10 to the open valve position (step S12). The automatic shut-off valve 20 opens, and the hydrogen gas in the gas tank 10 flows into the gas supply pipe 30. The hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell 90 through the gas supply pipe 30. Since hydrogen gas is supplied, the fuel cell 90 becomes operational. The fuel cell 90 may start operation.

[0029] Next, the controller 50 moves the gas tank 10 to the sealing position (step S13). Then the controller 50 waits for a predetermined time (step S14). When the gas tank 10 moves to the sealing position, the automatic shut-off valve 20 closes, but since high-pressure hydrogen gas is filled downstream of the check valve 31, hydrogen gas continues to be supplied to the fuel cell 90 for a while. In other words, the fuel cell 90 can continue to operate.

[0030] After waiting for a predetermined time, the controller 50 acquires the measured values ​​from the first pressure sensor 41 and the second pressure sensor 42 and compares them (steps S15, S16). In Figure 4, the measured value from the first pressure sensor 41 is labeled as the "first measured value," and the measured value from the second pressure sensor 42 is labeled as the "second measured value."

[0031] In step S15, the first measured value (measured by the first pressure sensor 41) indicates the pressure in the connection space S. The second measured value (measured by the second pressure sensor 42) indicates the pressure in the gas supply pipe 30 downstream of the check valve 31. If no gas is leaking from the connection space S, the first measured value is maintained. If gas is leaking from the connection space S, the first measured value continues to decrease for a predetermined time.

[0032] If the first measurement value is equal to or higher than the second measurement value, the controller 50 moves the gas tank 10 back to the open valve position (step S16: YES, S17). If the first measurement value remains equal to or higher than the second measurement value after a predetermined time has elapsed, it can be determined that no gas is leaking from the connection space S sealed by the sealing 12. In that case, the controller 50 moves the gas tank 10 back to the open valve position, opens the automatic shut-off valve 20, and continues supplying gas from the gas tank 10 to the fuel cell 90.

[0033] If the first measured value falls below the second measured value, the controller 50 outputs a sealing abnormality signal to the display device 51 and stops the gas supply system 2 and the fuel cell 90 (steps S16:NO, S18, S19). The sealing abnormality signal is a signal indicating that a gas leak has occurred in the sealing 12. Upon receiving the sealing abnormality signal, the display device 51 illuminates a warning lamp (or emits a warning sound) to indicate that a gas leak has occurred in the sealing 12.

[0034] If the first measured value falls below the second measured value after a predetermined time has elapsed, it can be determined that gas in the connection space S is leaking to the outside through the seal 12. In other words, it can be determined that a sealing abnormality has occurred. In this case, the controller 50 outputs a sealing abnormality signal indicating that a gas leak has occurred in the seal 12. At this time, the controller 50 holds the gas tank 10 in the sealing position. In the sealing position, the automatic shut-off valve 20 is closed, so gas in the connection space S will not leak to the outside. In addition, since the gas supply pipe 30 is equipped with a check valve 31, the gas filled in the gas supply pipe 30 downstream of the check valve 31 will not leak into the connection space S.

[0035] As explained above, the gas supply system 2 can perform a gas leak check of the seal 12 without stopping the gas supply to the fuel cell 90 (gas consumption device).

[0036] Let me add some information about the actuator 19. In the gas supply system 2 of the embodiment, the actuator 19 moves the gas tank 10 (automatic shut-off valve 20) closer to or further away from the gas supply pipe 30 (push rod 35). The actuator may also be one that moves the gas supply pipe 30 (push rod 35) closer to or further away from the automatic shut-off valve 20. In other words, the actuator can be any device that moves the gas tank 10 forward or backward relative to the gas supply pipe 30.

[0037] In the gas supply system 2 of the embodiment, after the gas tank 10 is set, the controller 50 performs the following process as a gas leak check: (1) The controller 50 controls the actuator 19 to advance the gas tank 10 until the automatic shut-off valve 20 is pushed open, and then moves the gas tank 10 backward to the position where the automatic shut-off valve 20 is closed while maintaining the seal of the connection space S. In other words, the controller 50 controls the actuator 19 to bring the gas tank 10 relatively closer to the gas supply pipe 30 until the automatic shut-off valve 20 is pushed open, and then moves the gas tank 10 relatively further away from the gas supply pipe 30 to the position where the automatic shut-off valve 20 is closed while maintaining the seal of the connection space S.

[0038] (2) After a predetermined time, the controller 50 moves the gas tank 10 forward so that the automatic shut-off valve 20 opens again if the measurement value of the first pressure sensor 41 is equal to or greater than the measurement value of the second pressure sensor 42. In other words, after a predetermined time, the controller 50 moves the gas tank 10 relatively toward the gas supply pipe so that the automatic shut-off valve 20 opens again if the measurement value of the first pressure sensor 41 is equal to or greater than the measurement value of the second pressure sensor 42. On the other hand, if the measurement value of the first pressure sensor 41 is lower than the measurement value of the second pressure sensor 42, the controller 50 outputs a sealing abnormality signal indicating that a gas leak has occurred.

[0039] In this embodiment, a sealing abnormality signal is sent to the display device 51. Upon receiving the sealing abnormality signal, the display device 51 outputs a notification (message, warning light, warning sound, etc.) indicating that a gas leak has occurred in the sealing 12.

[0040] (Second Embodiment) The gas supply system 2a of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 shows a block diagram of the gas supply system 2a. The gas supply system 2a comprises two gas tanks 10a and 10b. Each of the two gas tanks 10a and 10b has the same structure as the gas tank 10 of the gas supply system 2 of the first embodiment, and has the structure shown in Figures 2-4. Each of the two gas tanks 10a and 10b is equipped with a nozzle 11 including a sealing 12 and an automatic shut-off valve 20.

[0041] The gas supply pipe 30 of the gas supply system 2a branches into several branch lines 30a and 30b. Branch line 30a is equipped with a check valve 31a and a first pressure sensor 41a, and branch line 30b is equipped with a check valve 31b and a first pressure sensor 41b. Note that branch lines 30a and 30b are part of the gas supply pipe 30. The first pressure sensor 41a (41b) is installed upstream of the check valve 31a (31b) and measures the pressure in branch line 30a (30b) upstream of the check valve 31a (31b). The roles of the check valves 31a and 31b are the same as the role of the check valve 31 in the gas supply system 2 of the first embodiment.

[0042] The gas tank 10a (10b) is set on the actuator 19a (19b). Actuators 19a and 19b are the same as the actuator 19 in the first embodiment.

[0043] A gas tank 10a is connected to branch 30a of the gas supply pipe 30, and a gas tank 10b is connected to branch 30b. In the gas supply system 2a, hydrogen gas is alternately supplied to the fuel cell 90 from the two gas tanks 10a and 10b via the gas supply pipe 30. That is, when the gas level in one gas tank 10a falls below a predetermined lower limit, the gas supply system 2a stops supplying gas from gas tank 10a and supplies gas to the fuel cell 90 from the other gas tank 10b. While hydrogen gas is being supplied to the fuel cell 90 from gas tank 10b, gas tank 10a can be replaced with a new gas tank. Then, when the gas level in gas tank 10b falls below a predetermined lower limit, the gas supply from gas tank 10b is stopped, and gas is supplied to the fuel cell 90 from the other gas tank 10a. While hydrogen gas is being supplied to the fuel cell 90 from gas tank 10a, gas tank 10b can be replaced with a new gas tank.

[0044] The gas supply system 2a performs a gas leak check before replacing the gas tank. Figure 6 shows a flowchart of the gas leak check process performed by the controller of the gas supply system 2a.

[0045] The gas leak check in the gas supply system 2a of the second embodiment will be explained following the flowchart in Figure 6. In the example in Figure 6, gas tank 10a is referred to as the first gas tank, and gas tank 10b is referred to as the second gas tank. In the example in Figure 6, the second gas tank 10b is replaced while hydrogen gas is being supplied from the first gas tank 10a to the fuel cell 90. The gas leak check process in Figure 6 starts when the new second gas tank 10b is set in the actuator 19b.

[0046] The controller 50 moves the second gas tank 10b to the sealing position (step S22). In the sealing position, the connection space S of the second gas tank 10b is sealed, but the automatic shut-off valve 20 remains closed.

[0047] The controller 50 waits until the pressure in the first gas tank 10a reaches a predetermined lower limit (step S23). The measurement value of the first pressure sensor 41a provided in the branch line 30a is equal to the pressure in the first gas tank 10a. There is a positive correlation between the remaining amount in the gas tank and the pressure, and when the pressure in the gas tank reaches the lower limit, the remaining amount in the gas tank has reached the lower limit. In other words, the process in step S23 is equivalent to "waiting until the remaining amount in the first gas tank 10a reaches the lower limit."

[0048] When the pressure in the first gas tank 10a reaches the lower limit, the controller 50 moves the first gas tank 10a to the sealing position (step S24). The automatic shut-off valve of the first gas tank 10a closes. Subsequently, the controller 50 performs the gas leak check process shown in Figure 4 on the second gas tank 10b (step S25).

[0049] When the gas leak check process shown in Figure 4 is performed on the second gas tank 10b, it is determined whether or not there is a gas leak in the seal 12 of the second gas tank 10b. If the seal of the second gas tank 10b is normal, the controller 50 moves the second gas tank 10b to the open valve position (steps S16: YES, S17 in Figure 4). The automatic shut-off valve of the second gas tank 10b opens, and hydrogen gas is supplied from the second gas tank 10b to the fuel cell 90. Once hydrogen gas has started to be supplied from the second gas tank 10b to the fuel cell 90, the user replaces the first gas tank 10a. Once the new first gas tank 10a is set, the gas leak check process shown in Figure 6 is started on the new first gas tank 10a.

[0050] If the sealing of the second gas tank 10b is not functioning correctly, the controller 50 outputs a sealing abnormality signal indicating that there is an abnormality in the sealing 12 of the second gas tank 10b (steps S16:NO, S18 in Figure 4). Upon receiving the sealing abnormality signal, the display device 51 outputs a message indicating that there is a gas leak in the sealing 12 of the second gas tank 10b (the display device 51 illuminates a warning lamp or emits a warning sound). The controller 50 then shuts down the system (step S19 in Figure 4).

[0051] Furthermore, while the gas leak check of the second gas tank 10b is being performed, the hydrogen gas that was filled in the gas supply pipe 30 downstream of the check valves 31a and 31b continues to be supplied to the fuel cell 90. In other words, the supply of hydrogen gas to the fuel cell 90 continues even while the gas leak check process is being performed. There is no need to shut down the fuel cell 90 while the gas leak check process is being performed.

[0052] By having multiple gas tanks, the gas supply system 2a can replace one gas tank while supplying hydrogen gas to the fuel cell 90 from the other gas tank.

[0053] The following points concern the technology described in the embodiments. In the second embodiment, the gas supply system 2a is equipped with two gas tanks. The gas supply system disclosed herein may be equipped with three or more gas tanks. The controller 50, which detects a gas leak at the sealing 12, outputs a sealing abnormality signal indicating that a gas leak has occurred. The sealing abnormality signal may be output to a host computer managing the gas supply system, or to a terminal of a staff member managing the gas supply system.

[0054] The gas supply system 2(2a) of the embodiment supplies hydrogen gas to the fuel cell 90. The fuel cell 90 is an example of a gas-consuming device. The gas-consuming device to which the gas supply system 2(2a) supplies gas may be a device other than the fuel cell 90. The gas pressure suitable for operating the gas-consuming device is lower than the internal pressure of the gas tank 10. Therefore, while the gas leak check process is being performed, the gas-consuming device can continue to operate with the gas accumulated in the gas supply pipe 30 downstream of the check valve 31.

[0055] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technologies described in the claims include various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives itself constitutes technical usefulness. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 2, 2a: Gas supply system 10, 10a, 10b: Gas tank 11: Valve 12: Sealing 19, 19a, 19b: Actuator 20: Automatic shut-off valve 21: Sleeve 22: Valve body 23: Spring 30: Gas supply pipe 30a, 30b: Branch line 31, 31a, 31b: Check valve 32: Pressure reducing valve 35: Push rod 36: Rod support 41, 41a, 41b: First pressure sensor 42: Second pressure sensor 50: Controller 51: Display device 90: Fuel cell

Claims

1. A gas tank having an automatic shut-off valve that opens when a push rod is pushed in and closes when the push rod is removed, A gas supply pipe to which the gas tank is connected, the gas supply pipe having the push rod at its tip, and which guides the gas from the gas tank to a gas consumption device, An actuator that moves the gas tank forward and backward relative to the gas supply pipe, A sealing mechanism that seals the connection space including the opening of the automatic shut-off valve and the tip of the gas supply pipe when the distance between the automatic shut-off valve and the push rod is shorter than a predetermined threshold distance, The aforementioned gas supply pipe is equipped with a check valve that prevents backflow of gas, A first pressure sensor is located upstream of the check valve and measures the pressure inside the gas supply pipe. A second pressure sensor, located downstream of the check valve, measures the pressure inside the gas supply pipe. Controller and It is equipped with, The aforementioned controller, The actuator is controlled to advance the gas tank until the automatic shut-off valve is pushed open, and then the gas tank is moved backward to the position where the automatic shut-off valve is closed, while maintaining the sealing of the connection space. After a predetermined time, if the measurement value of the first pressure sensor is equal to or greater than the measurement value of the second pressure sensor, the gas tank is moved forward so that the automatic shut-off valve opens again. If the measurement value of the first pressure sensor is lower than the measurement value of the second pressure sensor, a signal indicating that a gas leak has occurred is output. Gas supply system.

2. The aforementioned gas supply pipe is divided into several branch lines. Each of the aforementioned branch lines is equipped with the first pressure sensor, the check valve, and the push rod. The gas tanks are connected to each of the aforementioned branch lines. The gas supply system according to claim 1.

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