Hydrogen leak detection system

Abstract

To provide a hydrogen leak detection system that can efficiently detect hydrogen leaks from drones. [Solution] The hydrogen leak detection system 1 according to the present invention comprises a drone 11 powered by a fuel cell, a hydrogen detector 12 separate from the drone 11, and a housing box 13 capable of housing the drone 11 and the hydrogen detector 12. The hydrogen detector 12 measures the hydrogen concentration in the housing box 13 in which the drone 11 is housed, and detects a hydrogen leak when the hydrogen concentration exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen leakage detection system.

Background Art

[0002] Drones powered by fuel cells and their control systems are known. Patent Document 1 discloses a drone system equipped with a hydrogen concentration sensor that takes an evacuation action when hydrogen leakage from a fuel cell is detected.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a hydrogen concentration sensor is mounted on a drone, the sensor may malfunction due to the impact caused by the movement of the drone itself. Therefore, there has been a need for a technology that efficiently detects hydrogen leakage from a drone using a hydrogen concentration sensor separate from the drone.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a hydrogen leakage detection system capable of efficiently detecting hydrogen leakage from a drone.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The hydrogen leakage detection system according to the present invention includes a drone powered by a fuel cell, a hydrogen detector separate from the drone, and a storage box capable of accommodating the drone and the hydrogen detector. The hydrogen detector measures the hydrogen concentration in the storage box in which the drone is accommodated, and detects that there is hydrogen leakage when the hydrogen concentration exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] The present invention provides a hydrogen leak detection system that can efficiently detect hydrogen leaks from drones. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the hydrogen leak detection system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the hydrogen leak detection system according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a hydrogen leak detection system when the containment box has an opening on its underside. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. For clarity, the following description and drawings have been simplified as appropriate. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted as necessary for clarity. Furthermore, the right-handed xyz coordinate system shown in Figures 2 and 3 is for explaining the positional relationships of the components, with the positive z-axis pointing vertically upward.

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the hydrogen leak detection system 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the hydrogen leak detection system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the hydrogen leak detection system 1 comprises a drone 11, a hydrogen detector 12, and a containment box 13.

[0011] The drone 11 is an aircraft powered by a fuel cell. The drone 11 is equipped with a fuel cell and a hydrogen tank, and flies using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank as fuel. The hydrogen detector 12 is a sensor that detects hydrogen gas and is separate from the drone 11. The housing box 13 is an enclosure capable of housing the drone 11 and the hydrogen detector 12. The housing box 13 has an opening through which the drone 11 can pass.

[0012] When detecting a hydrogen leak from the drone 11, the drone 11 and the hydrogen detector 12 are first housed in the containment box 13. The hydrogen detector 12 then measures the hydrogen concentration in the containment box 13 containing the drone 11, and detects a hydrogen leak if the hydrogen concentration exceeds a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold can be, for example, 2000 ppm. In a hydrogen leak detection system 1 with this configuration, the hydrogen detector 12 is configured separately from the drone 11, while still efficiently detecting hydrogen leaks from the drone 11.

[0013] Furthermore, if a hydrogen leak occurs in the drone 11, the hydrogen concentration in the containment box 13 will increase with the time spent inside. Therefore, it is preferable for the hydrogen detector 12 to measure the hydrogen concentration in the containment box 13 after a predetermined time (e.g., 60 seconds) has elapsed since the drone 11 was placed inside the containment box 13. Doing so can improve the sensitivity of hydrogen leak detection.

[0014] Furthermore, because hydrogen gas is light and tends to accumulate at the top of the containment box 13, the hydrogen concentration is higher at the top of the containment box 13. Therefore, it is preferable for the hydrogen detector 12 to measure the hydrogen concentration above the containment position of the drone 11 within the containment box 13. Specifically, by placing the hydrogen detector 12 at the top of the containment box 13, the hydrogen concentration above the drone 11 can be measured. In such a configuration, the sensitivity of hydrogen leak detection can be increased.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferable that the containment box 13 is formed to be airtight. By making the inside of the containment box 13 a sealed space, hydrogen is less likely to diffuse to the outside, so hydrogen leaks from the drone 11 can be efficiently detected.

[0016] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, it is preferable that the upper surface of the containment box 13 has a top portion 131 that protrudes upward, and in this case, it is preferable that the hydrogen detector 12 measures the hydrogen concentration at the top portion 131 of the containment box 13. Specifically, by placing the hydrogen detector 12 at the top portion 131, the hydrogen concentration above the drone 11 can be measured. Since hydrogen tends to accumulate at the top portion 131, the sensitivity of hydrogen leak detection can be increased in this configuration.

[0017] Furthermore, when the containment box 13 has a top portion 131, it is preferable that the top portion 131 is tapered. When the top portion 131 is tapered, hydrogen gas tends to concentrate more easily near the tip, thereby increasing the sensitivity of hydrogen leak detection. In this case, a smaller taper angle θ is preferable because it tends to result in a higher hydrogen concentration. Specifically, the taper angle θ can be 60 degrees or less.

[0018] Furthermore, it is preferable that the containment box 13 has an opening on its lower surface. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the hydrogen leak detection system 1 when the containment box 13 has an opening on its lower surface. As shown in Figure 3, when the containment box 13 has an opening, the drone 11 moves under its own power from below and is contained within the containment box 13. At this time, if a hydrogen leak occurs in the drone 11, hydrogen gas flows into the containment box 13, and the hydrogen concentration inside the containment box 13 increases. In other words, in this configuration, a hydrogen leak can be detected without landing the drone 11.

[0019] Furthermore, when detecting a hydrogen leak, it is preferable to have the drone 11 landed and stopped (see Figure 2). By stopping the drone 11, vibrations and wind generation can be suppressed, and the sensitivity of hydrogen leak detection can be improved.

[0020] Also, the storage box 13 is preferably formed of a material with high hydrogen resistance, airtightness, fire resistance, or corrosion resistance. Specifically, stainless steel or a polymer with high hydrogen airtightness can be used as the material for the storage box 13.

[0021] Although described along specific embodiments above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above embodiments. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist thereof.

Explanation of Signs

[0022] 1 Hydrogen leakage detection system 11 Drone 12 Hydrogen detector 13 Storage box 131 Top

Claims

1. A drone powered by a fuel cell, A hydrogen detector separate from the aforementioned drone, The system comprises the drone and a housing box capable of housing the hydrogen detector, The hydrogen detector measures the hydrogen concentration in the containment box in which the drone is housed, and detects a hydrogen leak when the hydrogen concentration exceeds a predetermined threshold. Hydrogen leak detection system.

2. The hydrogen detector measures the hydrogen concentration above the drone's location within the containment box. The hydrogen leak detection system according to claim 1.

3. The upper surface of the aforementioned storage box has a top that protrudes upward, The hydrogen detector measures the hydrogen concentration at the top of the containment box. The hydrogen leak detection system according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned storage box is formed to be airtight. The hydrogen leak detection system according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned housing box has an opening on its underside through which the drone can pass. The hydrogen leak detection system according to claim 1.

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