Hydrogen Gas Compressor

Abstract

One embodiment of a hydrogen gas compression device is a hydrogen gas compression device that converts low-pressure hydrogen gas introduced into at least one compression chamber into high-pressure hydrogen gas and discharges it, and includes: a pinion member that is rotated by a power unit; at least one rack member that has one end meshed with the pinion member and that undergoes reciprocating linear motion due to the rotational motion of the pinion member; at least one compression member that is provided on the other end side of each of the at least one rack member and that reciprocates due to the reciprocating linear motion of each of the at least one rack member, thereby reducing or expanding the volume of each of the at least one compression chamber; and a housing that has at least one hole into which the at least one compression member is inserted in a reciprocating state, and in which the at least one compression chamber into which the low-pressure hydrogen gas is introduced is formed, the housing having at least one hole that is inserted into the region of the at least one hole that is near the tip end of each of the at least one compression member.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen gas compression device, and more particularly to a hydrogen gas compression device capable of relatively reducing the overall size of the hydrogen gas compression device and substantially eliminating oil carry-over. [Background technology]

[0002] The hydrogen gas compression device transports hydrogen generated in oil refining and chemical processes through the gas exhaust pipe to a gas supplying company, where it is compressed and stored in a hydrogen transport cartridge vehicle. It has a one-stage suction pressure (20~25kg / cm 2 200kg / cm 2 The hydrogen gas compressor boosts the pressure to 1000 MPa (1.8 kPa) and compresses the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen gas production facility at high pressure to supply it to automobiles, fuel cells, etc. This hydrogen gas compressor is a device for increasing the efficiency of hydrogen gas, an alternative energy source developed to prevent the rise in energy prices due to the decrease in fossil fuel reserves and the increase in consumption due to changes in the global environment, the need to develop alternative energy sources due to the crisis in energy supply and demand, and the increase in the environmental pollution index due to transportation energy, which accounts for a large portion of domestic energy demand.

[0003] An example of such a conventional hydrogen gas compression device is shown in Figures 1 and 2. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the conventional hydrogen gas compression device may be composed of a drive unit made up of a crankshaft and a piston 11 that reciprocates in a stroke chamber when the crankshaft rotates, like an automobile engine, and a compression unit made up of a diaphragm 12 that compresses hydrogen gas as the pressure of oil located between the piston 11 increases.

[0004] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, when the piston 11 rises to its highest point, the pressure of the oil between the diaphragm 12 and the piston 11 rises, compressing the low-pressure hydrogen gas that has flowed in, and when the piston 11 falls to its lowest point as shown in FIG. 2, the opposite phenomenon occurs.

[0005] However, in the hydrogen gas compression device according to an example of the conventional technology shown in Figures 1 and 2, the driving part is made of a crankshaft, which increases the overall size of the hydrogen gas compression device, and a relatively large-capacity electric motor is required to continuously rotate the crankshaft, which causes an increase in costs and increases power consumption.

[0006] Meanwhile, a method of compressing hydrogen gas using a cylinder rod driven by a hydraulic cylinder (not shown) has been disclosed. In this case, however, a certain amount of oil may be carried over, and exposure of such carryover oil may cause the oil to solidify, ultimately resulting in a breakdown of the hydrogen gas compression device system.

[0007] Therefore, there is a demand for a hydrogen gas compression device that can relatively reduce the overall size of the hydrogen gas compression device and that generates almost no oil carry-over. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen gas compression device that can relatively reduce the overall size of the hydrogen gas compression device and that generates almost no oil carry-over.

[0009] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, a hydrogen gas compression device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a hydrogen gas compression device that converts low-pressure hydrogen gas introduced into at least one compression chamber into high-pressure hydrogen gas and discharges it, and is characterized by including: a pinion member that is rotated by a power unit; at least one rack member having one end meshed with the pinion member and that moves reciprocatingly in a linear manner due to the rotational motion of the pinion member; at least one compression member that is provided on the other end side of each of the at least one rack member and moves reciprocatingly due to the reciprocating linear motion of each of the at least one rack member to reduce or expand the volume of each of the at least one compression chamber; and a housing having at least one hole portion into which the at least one compression member is inserted in a state capable of reciprocating motion, and in which the at least one compression chamber into which the low-pressure hydrogen gas is introduced is formed in a region of the at least one hole portion toward the tip end of each of the at least one compression member.

[0011] Here, the at least one rack member may include a height adjustment section for compensating for a height difference between the one end and the other end.

[0012] Additionally, each of the at least one compression member may include a piston coupled to the other end of each of the at least one rack member.

[0013] Also, each of the at least one compression member may include a pressure section connected to the other end of each of the at least one rack member, and a diaphragm pressurized by the pressure section.

[0014] Further, the pressurizing section provided in each of the at least one compression member may include a pressurized space formed between each of the at least one rack member and a diaphragm provided in each of the at least one compression member, and a fluid filled in the pressurized space.

[0015] Further details of the embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to an embodiment of the hydrogen gas compression device of the present invention, the overall size of the hydrogen gas compression device can be relatively reduced, and a hydrogen gas compression device in which oil carry-over hardly occurs can be provided.

[0017] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a driving mechanism (when the piston is at its highest point) of a hydrogen gas compression device according to an example of the prior art. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a driving mechanism of a hydrogen gas compression device according to an example of the prior art (when the piston is at its lowest point). [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a hydrogen gas compression device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a hydrogen gas compression device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a front view showing a hydrogen gas compression device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the hydrogen gas compression device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a front view showing a modified example of the hydrogen gas compression device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a front view showing a hydrogen gas compression device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the hydrogen gas compression device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to such an extent that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention.

[0020] In describing the embodiments, technical details that are well known in the technical field to which the present invention pertains and are not directly related to the present invention will be omitted in order to more clearly convey the gist of the present invention without obscuring it.

[0021] For the same reason, some components in the accompanying drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or illustrated in a schematic manner. Also, the size of each component does not entirely reflect the actual size. The same reference numerals are used to refer to the same or corresponding components in each drawing.

[0022] Additionally, the expressions and terms used herein with respect to terms such as device or element orientation (e.g., "front", "back", "up", "down", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", "lateral"), etc., are used merely to simplify the description of the present invention and do not indicate or imply that the associated devices or elements should simply have a particular orientation.

[0023] The present invention has been devised to provide a hydrogen gas compression apparatus that can relatively reduce the overall size of the hydrogen gas compression apparatus and that generates almost no oil carry-over.

[0024] To this end, a hydrogen gas compression device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a hydrogen gas compression device that converts low-pressure hydrogen gas introduced into a compression chamber into high-pressure hydrogen gas and discharges it, and is characterized in including: a pinion member that is rotated by a power unit; a rack member having one end meshed with the pinion member and that moves linearly back and forth due to the rotational motion of the pinion member; a compression member that is provided on the other end side of the rack member and moves back and forth due to the reciprocating linear motion of the rack member to reduce or expand the volume of the compression chamber; and a housing having a hole into which the compression member is inserted in a state where it can move back and forth in the axial direction, and in which the compression chamber into which the low-pressure hydrogen gas is introduced is formed in an area of ​​the hole on the tip side of the compression member.

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings for explaining a hydrogen gas compression device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Hereinafter, a hydrogen gas compression device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a hydrogen gas compression device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a hydrogen gas compression device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a front view showing a hydrogen gas compression device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] 3 to 5, the hydrogen gas compression device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a hydrogen gas compression device that converts low-pressure hydrogen gas introduced into a compression chamber 420 into high-pressure hydrogen gas and discharges it, and may be configured to include a pinion member 100, a rack member 200, a compression member 300, and a housing 400.

[0029] First, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the pinion member 100 is connected to a power unit and rotated by the power unit, and the rotational motion is provided as a driving force for the reciprocating linear motion of the rack member 200 described later.

[0030] Here, the power unit may include a drive motor 120 for rotating the pinion member 100 in a forward or reverse direction, a reducer 110, etc., and when the drive motor 120 is operated, the pinion member 100 rotates while being decelerated by the reducer 110.

[0031] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the rack member 200 is configured to provide a driving force for the reciprocating motion required for the compression member 300 described below to convert the low-pressure hydrogen gas introduced into the compression chamber 420 into high-pressure hydrogen gas.

[0032] Specifically, one end of the rack member 200 is engaged with the pinion member 100, and the other end is connected to the center of the compression member 300. The rack member 200 moves in a reciprocating linear motion due to the rotational motion of the pinion member 100, thereby causing the compression member 300 to move in a reciprocating motion.

[0033] Here, the rack member 200 has one end connected to the pinion member 100 and the other end inserted into or positioned adjacent to a hole 410 of a housing 400 described below, thereby providing a driving force for reciprocating motion to the compression member 300.

[0034] Here, when the height of the pinion member 100 engaged with one end of the rack member 200 is different from the height of the hole portion 410, the rack member 200 may include a height adjustment section 201 for compensating for the height difference between the one end engaged with the pinion member 100 and the other end connected to the center of the compression member 300.

[0035] For example, the height-adjustable section 201 may have a diagonal line shape as shown in Figures 3 to 5, or may have a concave or convex curved or bent shape, although not shown in the figures, but is not limited thereto.

[0036] 3 to 5, the rack member 200 may be configured in two pieces, and the two rack members 200 may be engaged and driven with one pinion member 100, or, although not shown in the drawings, the rack member 200 may be configured in one piece, and engaged and driven with the pinion member 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0037] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the compression member 300 is configured to convert low-pressure hydrogen gas introduced into the compression chamber 420 into high-pressure hydrogen gas by reducing or expanding the volume of the compression chamber 420.

[0038] 3 to 5, the compression member 300 may be in the form of a piston (or cylinder) and may be connected to the other end of the rack member 200 so as to be reciprocated by the reciprocating linear motion of the rack member 200.

[0039] Specifically, when the part of the compression member 300 that is connected to the other end of the rack member 200 is the rear end of the compression member 300, the compression member 300 can compress the low-pressure hydrogen gas introduced into the compression chamber 420 through the front end.

[0040] 3 to 5, when two rack members 200 are configured and the two rack members 200 are engaged with one pinion member 100, the compression member 300 may be configured in two so as to be connected to the other end of each of the two rack members 200. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0041] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the housing 400 is configured to form, together with the tip of the compression member 300, a compression chamber 420 which is a closed space into which low pressure hydrogen gas is introduced.

[0042] Specifically, the housing 400 has a hole 410 into which the compression member 300 is inserted while being capable of reciprocating axially, and a compression chamber 420 into which low-pressure hydrogen gas is introduced is formed in the region of the hole 410 toward the tip end of the compression member 300.

[0043] 3 to 5, when the compression members 300 are formed in two so as to be connected to the other ends of the two rack members 200, the housing 400 may include two holes 410 into which the two compression members 300 are inserted and two compression chambers 420. In addition, the two compression chambers 420 may each be formed with a low pressure hydrogen gas inlet 4201 and a high pressure hydrogen gas outlet 4202.

[0044] Meanwhile, in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, the housing 400 is illustrated as housing all of the pinion member 100, the rack member 200 and the compression member 300 therein, however, this is not limited thereto, and the housing 400 may be designed and modified in various structures to form the compression chamber 420 together with the tip end of the compression member 300.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the hydrogen gas compression device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 6, if the clockwise rotation of the pinion member 100 is defined as the positive rotation, when the pinion member 100 rotates in the positive direction while positioned as shown in FIG. 6A, the rack member 200 and the compression member 300 connected to the rack member 200 move forward toward the compression chamber 420 as shown in FIG. 6B, and the low-pressure hydrogen gas introduced into the compression chamber 420 is compressed and converted into high-pressure hydrogen gas, which can then be discharged.

[0047] Conversely, when the pinion member 100 rotates in the reverse direction, that is, counterclockwise, it moves backward in the opposite direction of the compression chamber 420 as shown in FIG. 6A, and new low-pressure hydrogen gas can be introduced into the compression chamber 420.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a front view showing a modified example of the hydrogen gas compression device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] The hydrogen gas compression device 1' shown in FIG. 7 has the same configuration as the hydrogen gas compression device 1 shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 except for the housing 400 and the rack member 200'.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 7, the hole 410 of the housing 400 can be formed at the same height as the pinion member 100 that meshes with one end of the rack member 200′, so that the rack member 200′ can be formed in a straight line without a height adjustment section 201 to compensate for the height difference.

[0051] Hereinafter, a hydrogen gas compression device 1" according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9. For convenience of explanation, a description of the same structure as the hydrogen gas compression device 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 7 will be omitted, and only the differences will be described below.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a front view showing a hydrogen gas compression device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] The hydrogen gas compression device 1'' shown in FIG. 8 is otherwise identical in configuration to the hydrogen gas compression device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, but differs in the detailed configuration of a compression member 300''.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 8, in a hydrogen gas compression device 1 ″ according to a second embodiment of the present invention, a compression member 300 ″ may include a pressurizing portion 301 ″ and a diaphragm 302 ″.

[0055] First, the pressure member 301'' is connected to the other end of the rack member 200 and serves to transmit the reciprocating linear motion of the rack member 200 as a driving force for the reciprocating motion of the diaphragm 302''.

[0056] For example, the pressurizing part 301'' may be composed of a pressurized space 3011'' formed between the rack member 200 and the diaphragm 302'' and a fluid 3012'' such as oil filled in the pressurized space 3011'', and as the pressure of the fluid 3012'' such as oil increases, the diaphragm 302'' may be pressurized.

[0057] As another example, the pressure unit 301 ″ may be formed of a swinging structure configured to swing in response to the reciprocating linear motion of the rack member 200 .

[0058] When the portion of the compression member 300'' configured in this manner that is connected to the other end of the rack member 200 is the rear end of the compression member 300'', the compression member 300'' can compress the low-pressure hydrogen gas introduced into the compression chamber 420 through the front end.

[0059] Here, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, when two rack members 200 are configured and the two rack members 200 are engaged with one pinion member 100, the compression member 300'' may be configured in two so as to be connected to the other end of each of the two rack members 200. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0060] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the hydrogen gas compression device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 9, if the clockwise rotation of the pinion member 100 is defined as the positive rotation, when the pinion member 100 is positioned as shown in FIG. 9A and gradually rotates in the positive direction, the rack member 200 advances toward the compression chamber 420 as shown in FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C. As a result, the fluid 3012″ located in the pressurizing section 301″, i.e., the pressurizing space 3011″, is compressed and pressurizes the diaphragm 302″, thereby reducing the volume of the compression chamber 420. The low-pressure hydrogen gas introduced into the compression chamber 420 can be compressed and converted into high-pressure hydrogen gas, which can then be discharged.

[0062] Conversely, when the pinion member 100 rotates in the reverse direction, that is, counterclockwise, it moves backward in the opposite direction of the compression chamber 420 as shown in FIG. 9A, and new low-pressure hydrogen gas can be introduced into the compression chamber 420.

[0063] As described above, according to the hydrogen gas compression device 1, 1', 1" according to an embodiment of the present invention, the overall size of the hydrogen gas compression device can be relatively reduced, and a hydrogen gas compression device in which oil carry-over hardly occurs can be provided.

[0064] On the other hand, the present specification and drawings disclose preferred embodiments of the present invention, and specific terms are used, but these terms are used in a general sense to simply explain the technical content of the present invention and to aid in the understanding of the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It is obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains that other modifications based on the technical concept of the present invention can be implemented in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein. [Industrial Applicability]

[0065] The present invention relates to a hydrogen gas compression device, and more particularly, to a hydrogen gas compression device that can relatively reduce the overall size of the hydrogen gas compression device and is applicable to technical fields related to the hydrogen gas compression device that generates almost no oil carry-over.

Claims

1. A hydrogen gas compression device that converts low-pressure hydrogen gas introduced into two compression chambers into high-pressure hydrogen gas and discharges it, A pinion member that is rotated by a power unit; two rack members each having one end meshed with the pinion member and adapted to perform a reciprocating linear motion in response to the rotational motion of the pinion member; two compression members each having a central portion provided on the other end side of each of the two rack members and reciprocating by the reciprocating linear motion of each of the two rack members to reduce or expand the volume of each of the two compression chambers; a housing having two holes into which the two compression members are inserted in a reciprocating state, and the two compression chambers into which the low-pressure hydrogen gas is introduced are formed in regions of the two holes on the tip end side of each of the two compression members, Each of the two rack members has a height adjustment section for compensating for a height difference between the one end and the other end so that the other end is connected to a center of each of the two compression members; the housing is a generally cylindrical member, the pinion member is provided in a generally central portion inside the housing, and the rack members are two generally linear plate members located on both sides of the pinion member, In accordance with the rotational motion of the pinion member, the two rack members perform reciprocating linear motion in the axial direction of the housing, and the moving directions of the two rack members and the compression member are opposite to each other, A hole for accommodating the compression member and a compression chamber are located at both ends of the housing, and two compression members and two compression chambers are symmetrically provided on both sides of the pinion member in the same straight line along the axis of the housing. A hydrogen gas compression device.

2. Each of the two compression members comprises: a piston connected to the other end of each of the two rack members; The hydrogen gas compression device according to claim 1 .

3. Each of the two compression members comprises: a pressure applying portion connected to the other end of each of the two rack members, and a diaphragm pressurized by the pressure applying portion. The hydrogen gas compression device according to claim 1 .

4. The pressure applying portion provided on each of the two compression members is a pressurized space formed between each of the two rack members and a diaphragm provided on each of the two compression members, and a fluid filled in the pressurized space. The hydrogen gas compression device according to claim 3.

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