Boost Pump and Fluid Supply System

Abstract

To prevent foreign matter from entering a boost pump and a fluid supply system and to improve the durability of a filter. [Solution] The compressor comprises a cylinder having a compression chamber, a piston supported for free movement inside the cylinder and compressing fluid sucked into the compression chamber, a suction valve that sucks fluid into the compression chamber from the fluid suction path, a discharge valve that discharges the fluid compressed by the piston, and a strainer provided in the fluid suction path, the strainer having a mesh-shaped filter, and first and second support members that sandwich the filter from both sides in the thickness direction to allow fluid to pass through.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to boost pumps and fluid supply systems. [Background technology]

[0002] One of the systems that can achieve carbon neutrality is to use hydrogen gas as fuel. Hydrogen is stored in a tank in liquid hydrogen state, and the liquid hydrogen stored in the tank is vaporized to produce hydrogen gas, which is then supplied to, for example, a fuel cell or a hydrogen engine. The hydrogen supply system includes a boost pump that boosts the pressure of the liquid hydrogen. One example of a boost pump is the technology described in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2015-501901 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The boost pump has a cylinder and a piston that can move within the cylinder. The boost pump boosts the liquid hydrogen supplied to the compression chamber of the cylinder by compressing it with the movement of the piston, and discharges it to the outside. However, the liquid hydrogen boosted by the boost pump may be contaminated with foreign matter. If the foreign matter mixed in the liquid hydrogen enters the sliding part of the boost pump, the boost pump may be damaged. In Patent Document 1, a cone-shaped filter is disposed between the chamber and the pumping chamber (compression chamber), and the filter receives the foreign matter mixed in the liquid hydrogen and prevents it from entering the sliding part. However, the boost pump sucks liquid hydrogen into the compression chamber when the piston moves to one side, and pressurizes and discharges the liquid hydrogen in the compression chamber when the piston moves to the other side. Therefore, when the boost pump is operated, a reciprocating pressure acts on the filter, which may cause the filter to flap and be damaged.

[0005] The present disclosure is devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a boost pump and a fluid supply system that suppress the intrusion of foreign matter into the interior and improve the durability of the filter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objective, the boost pump of the present disclosure comprises a cylinder having a compression chamber, a piston supported for movement inside the cylinder and compressing fluid drawn into the compression chamber, a suction valve that draws fluid into the compression chamber from a fluid suction path, a discharge valve that discharges the fluid compressed by the piston, and a strainer provided in the fluid suction path, the strainer having a mesh-shaped filter, and first and second support members that sandwich the filter from both sides in the thickness direction to allow fluid to pass through.

[0007] The fluid supply system of the present disclosure also includes a compression device having the boost pump and compressing a cryogenic fluid, an evaporation device which vaporizes the cryogenic fluid compressed by the compression device, and a dispenser which supplies the gas vaporized by the evaporation device. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the boost pump and fluid supply system of the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of foreign matter into the interior, and to improve the durability of the filter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a hydrogen supply system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the compression device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a main part of the boost pump of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3, illustrating the intake valve. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the strainer. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the filter unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of the filter. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating the first support member and the second support member. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a main part of a boost pump according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a main part of a boost pump according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and when there are multiple embodiments, the present disclosure also includes a configuration in which each embodiment is combined. In addition, the components in the embodiments include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range.

[0011] [First embodiment] <Hydrogen supply system> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a hydrogen supply system according to the first embodiment.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, a hydrogen supply system (fluid supply system) 10 supplies (replenishes) liquid hydrogen (fluid) stored in a container 11 as hydrogen gas (gas) at a predetermined pressure to a power source of a vehicle 12. Here, the power source is, for example, a fuel cell or a hydrogen engine, and is mounted on the vehicle 12. The hydrogen supply system 10 is, for example, a so-called hydrogen station that supplies (replenishes) hydrogen gas, which is a fuel, to the power source of the vehicle 12. However, the hydrogen supply system 10 is not limited to one that supplies hydrogen gas to the power source of the vehicle 12, but also includes one that supplies hydrogen gas to a tank of a trailer for transporting hydrogen. In addition, the hydrogen supply system 10 operates in the same manner when compressing and supplying not only hydrogen but also fluids including low-temperature fluids (for example, liquid hydrogen, liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen, liquefied carbon dioxide, liquefied natural gas, liquefied propane gas, etc.).

[0013] The hydrogen supply system 10 has a compressor 21, an evaporator 22, and a dispenser 23. The compressor 21 compresses liquid hydrogen (low-temperature fluid) supplied from the container 11 to a predetermined high pressure (high-pressure state) that is set in advance. The evaporator 22 generates hydrogen gas by vaporizing the high-pressure liquid hydrogen compressed by the compressor 21. The dispenser 23 fills the hydrogen gas generated by the evaporator 22 into the power source of the vehicle 12.

[0014] Although the compression device 21 compresses the liquid hydrogen stored in the container 11 to a predetermined high pressure, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, if the container 11 stores hydrogen gas, the compression device 21 may compress the hydrogen gas stored in the container 11 to a predetermined high pressure.

[0015] The compression device 21 has a drive motor 31 and a boost pump 32. The drive motor 31 is an electric motor that can be driven by power supplied from an external source. The rotation speed of the drive motor 31 is controlled by an inverter (not shown). The drive motor 31 transmits the rotational force to the boost pump 32. The boost pump 32 is operated by the rotational force of the drive motor 31.

[0016] <Compression device> FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the compression device.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 2, the drive motor 31 is connected to the boost pump 32 via a reducer 33. The reducer 33 reduces the rotational force of the drive motor 31 and transmits it to the boost pump 32. The boost pump 32 is a reciprocating pump. The boost pump 32 operates by converting the rotational force of the drive motor 31, which has been reduced in speed by the reducer 33, into reciprocating power. The boost pump 32 alternately draws in and compresses (pressurizes) liquid hydrogen using the reciprocating power, compressing the drawn in liquid hydrogen to a predetermined high pressure state and discharging it to the outside.

[0018] The boost pump 32 includes a crank mechanism 34, a crosshead 35, a piston rod 36, a piston 37, and a cylinder block 38.

[0019] The crank mechanism 34 converts the rotational force transmitted from the reducer 33 into linear reciprocating power and transmits it to the crosshead 35. The crosshead 35 reciprocates in the vertical direction VD by the reciprocating power in the vertical direction VD transmitted from the crank mechanism 34. The piston rod 36 has an upper end connected to the crosshead 35, and a piston 37 connected to the other end. The cylinder block 38 has a hollow shape, and the piston 37 is supported therein for movement along the vertical direction VD.

[0020] The lower part of the boost pump 32, i.e., the cylinder block 38, is disposed inside the vessel 39. The vessel 39 is an insulated vacuum vessel, and the inside thereof is maintained in a vacuum state together with the boost pump 32. Liquid hydrogen is supplied inside the vessel 39, and the vessel 39 is filled to atmospheric pressure.

[0021] When the boost pump 32 is operated, first, during the suction stroke when the piston 37 rises, liquid hydrogen in the container 39 is sucked into the inside of the cylinder block 38. Next, during the compression stroke when the piston 37 descends, the liquid hydrogen inside the cylinder block 38 is compressed, and high-pressure liquid hydrogen is discharged outside the container 39.

[0022] <Boost pump configuration> FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a main part of the boost pump of the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3, showing the suction valve.

[0023] 3, boost pump 32 includes a suction valve 41 and a discharge valve 42. When opened, suction valve 41 draws liquid hydrogen into compression chamber 43. When opened, discharge valve 42 discharges high-pressure liquid hydrogen compressed in compression chamber 43 to the outside.

[0024] The cylinder block 38 is disposed along the vertical direction VD. The cylinder block 38 has a fitting hole 51 that opens upward at its upper portion, and a recess 52 that opens downward at its lower portion. The fitting hole 51 and the recess 52 are cylindrical and communicate with each other through a communication hole 53 that is also cylindrical. The piston 37 fits into the fitting hole 51 of the cylinder block 38 from above, and is supported so as to be movable along the vertical direction VD. The piston 37 fits into the fitting hole 51 of the cylinder block 38, thereby forming a compression chamber 43 defined by the piston 37 and the fitting hole 51. The fitting hole 51, the recess 52, the communication hole 53, the piston 37, and the compression chamber 43 are disposed concentrically.

[0025] 3 and 4, the suction valve 41 is disposed in the recess 52 of the cylinder block 38. The suction valve 41 has a valve casing 61, a first valve body 62, a second valve body 63, and a pressing member 64.

[0026] The valve casing 61 has a convex cylindrical shape. The valve casing 61 has a small-diameter main body portion 61a and a flange portion 61b having a diameter larger than that of the main body portion 61a. The valve casing 61 is configured by integrally providing the flange portion 61b at the lower portion of the main body portion 61a. The recess 52 has a small-diameter hole 52a and a large-diameter hole 52b having a diameter larger than that of the small-diameter hole 52a. The recess 52 is configured by integrally providing the large-diameter hole 52b at the lower portion of the small-diameter hole 52a. The valve casing 61 has the main body portion 61a fitted into the small-diameter hole 52a of the recess 52, and the flange portion 61b fitted into the large-diameter hole 52b of the recess 52. At this time, the lower surface of the flange portion 61b of the valve casing 61 is continuous with the lower surface of the cylinder block 38 without any step. The length of the main body 61a of the valve casing 61 is shorter than the length of the small diameter hole 52a, so that the tip surface of the main body 61a and the bottom surface of the small diameter hole 52a face each other with a gap therebetween. Therefore, a first space 71 is defined between the recess 52 of the cylinder block 38 and the valve casing 61.

[0027] The valve casing 61 is provided at its center with a through hole 72 extending along the vertical direction VD. The valve casing 61 is also provided with a plurality of (six in this embodiment) suction holes 73 extending along the vertical direction VD at intervals in the circumferential direction on the radial outer periphery side. The valve casing 61 is also provided with a plurality of (eight in this embodiment) first discharge holes 74 extending along the vertical direction VD at intervals in the circumferential direction on the radial through hole 72 side. The suction holes 73 draw liquid hydrogen from the outside into the first space 71. The first discharge holes 74 discharge liquid hydrogen or hydrogen gas remaining in the first space 71 to the outside. The outside refers to the outside of the cylinder block 38, the inside of the container 29 (see FIG. 2), and the portion filled with liquid hydrogen at a low pressure of atmospheric pressure to about 1 MPaG.

[0028] The first valve body 62 has a rod portion 62a and a head portion 62b. The first valve body 62 has a head portion 62b integrally provided at the upper end of the rod portion 62a. The rod portion 62a is disposed inside the valve casing 61 along the vertical direction VD. That is, the rod portion 62a of the first valve body 62 is fitted into the through hole 72 of the valve casing 61, and is supported so as to be movable along the axial direction (vertical direction VD). The head portion 62b has a substantially truncated cone shape whose diameter increases upward. The flat upper surface of the head portion 62b of the first valve body 62 is a pressure receiving surface 62c, and the curved lower surface of the head portion 62b is a seat surface 62d. The pressure receiving surface 62c of the first valve body 62 faces the compression chamber 43.

[0029] On the other hand, the cylinder block 38 has a diameter enlarged upward so that the upper part of the communication hole 53 has the same shape as the head portion 62b, and a valve seat 53a is provided. The head portion 62b of the first valve body 62 is disposed at the upper part of the communication hole 53, and the seat surface 62d can be seated on the valve seat 53a. When the first valve body 62 moves downward and the seat surface 62d of the head portion 62b is seated on the valve seat 53a, the first valve body 62 closes the communication hole 53 and blocks the compression chamber 13 from the first space portion 71. On the other hand, when the first valve body 62 moves upward and the seat surface 62d of the head portion 62b is separated from the valve seat 53a, the communication hole 53 is opened and the compression chamber 13 is communicated with the first space portion 71.

[0030] Further, the lower end of the rod portion 62a of the first valve body 62 protrudes downward from the valve casing 61. A spring receiving member 76 is fixed to the lower end of the rod portion 62a by a nut 75. A compression coil spring 77 as a biasing member is disposed between a spring receiving portion 61c formed in the valve casing 61 and the spring receiving member 76 of the first valve body 62. The compression coil spring 77 biases the first valve body 62 downward with respect to the valve casing 61. That is, the first valve body 62 is biased by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 77 in a direction in which the seat surface 62d of the head portion 62b is seated on the valve seat 53a of the communication hole 53, and is biased and supported in a position where the communication hole 53 is closed and the compression chamber 13 and the first space portion 71 are blocked off.

[0031] The second valve body 63 is a plate-like member having a disk shape, and an opening 63a is provided in the center. The second valve body 63 has an outer diameter substantially equal to that of the valve casing 61, and an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the positions where the first discharge holes 74 are formed. The second valve body 63 is disposed in a first space 71 defined between the recess 52 of the cylinder block 38 and the valve casing 61. The second valve body 63 is supported in the first space 71 so as to be movable along the vertical direction VD relative to the cylinder block 38 and the valve casing 61. In addition, ring-shaped seal members 81 and 82 are provided between the second valve body 63 and the main body 61a of the valve casing 61. The seal member 81 is disposed on the outer periphery side of the main body 61a, and the seal member 82 is disposed on the inner periphery side of the main body 61a. That is, the seal members 81, 82 are disposed on both radial sides of the main body 61a with the plurality of suction holes 73 interposed therebetween. The second valve body 63 has an upper surface as a pressure receiving surface 63b and a lower surface as a seat surface 63c that contacts the seal members 81, 82. The pressure receiving surface 63b of the second valve body 63 faces the communication hole 53. When the seat surface 63c of the second valve body 63 is seated on the seal members 81, 82, the first space 71 is blocked from communicating with the plurality of suction holes 73. On the other hand, when the seat surface 63c of the second valve body 63 is separated from the seal members 81, 82, the first space 71 is communicated with the plurality of suction holes 73.

[0032] The pressing member 64 has a cylindrical shape. The pressing member 64 presses the valve casing 61 against the cylinder block 38. That is, the pressing member 64 is provided with a plurality of (e.g., eight) mounting holes 91 aligned along the vertical direction VD at intervals in the circumferential direction. The upper surface of the pressing member 64 contacts the lower surface of the cylinder block 38 and the lower surface of the flange portion 61b of the valve casing 61. In this state, a plurality of fastening bolts 92 are inserted from below into the respective mounting holes 91 of the pressing member 64, and their tip portions are screwed into the screw holes of the cylinder block 38. By fastening the pressing member 64 to the cylinder block 38, the valve casing 61 is pressed against the pressing member 64 while being disposed in the recess 52, and is supported by the cylinder block 38.

[0033] The pressing member 64 has an outer diameter substantially equal to that of the cylinder block 38, and an inner diameter larger than the diameter at the position where the plurality of suction holes 73 are formed. Therefore, the lower end openings of the plurality of suction holes 73 and the lower end openings of the plurality of first discharge holes 74 are exposed inside the pressing member 64. The plurality of suction pipes (fluid suction paths) 93 are supported by the pressing member 64 via a support member. The plurality of suction pipes 93 are U-shaped, with one end and the other end facing upward in the vertical direction VD. One end of the plurality of suction pipes 93 is connected to each of the lower end openings of the plurality of suction holes 73 in the suction valve 41, and the other end opens into the inside of the container 39 (see FIG. 2).

[0034] Since the pressing member 64 has a cylindrical shape, a second space 94 is provided inside the inner circumferential surface 64a. A plurality of first discharge holes 74 communicate with the second space 94 at the upper side. The second space 94 also communicates with the interior of the container 39 (see FIG. 2), that is, with the space filled with liquid hydrogen. Therefore, the liquid hydrogen or hydrogen gas in the first space 71 is discharged through the first discharge holes 74 into the liquid hydrogen in the second space 94.

[0035] The pressing member 64 is provided with a plurality of (e.g., eight) second discharge holes 95 spaced apart in the circumferential direction along a radial direction intersecting with the vertical direction VD. The second discharge holes 95 discharge the hydrogen gas discharged from the first space 71 through each of the first discharge holes 74 to the second space 94, to the radial outside of the pressing member 64.

[0036] The first discharge hole 74 is arranged along the vertical direction VD, and the second discharge hole 95 is arranged along the horizontal direction (radial direction). One end of the second discharge hole 95 communicates with the first discharge hole 74 via the second space portion 94, and the other end opens to the inside of the container 39 (see FIG. 2), which is the outside. The second discharge holes 95 are arranged along the radial direction of the pressing member 64 and are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the pressing member 64. The second discharge holes 95 are slit-shaped and open upward in the vertical direction VD of the pressing member 64. The lower surface of each slit-shaped second discharge hole 95 is aligned along the horizontal direction. However, the lower surface of each slit-shaped second discharge hole 95 may be inclined upward as it moves outward from the center of the pressing member 64, for example, at an angle of 5 degrees to 30 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0037] The discharge valve 42 is a check valve, and is disposed on the side of the cylinder block 38. The discharge valve 42 has a valve casing 101, a ball 102, a support 103, and a compression coil spring 104.

[0038] The valve casing 101 is hollow and has an inlet hole 101a and a discharge hole 101b. The inlet hole 101a communicates with the compression chamber 43, and the discharge hole 101b communicates with a discharge passage (not shown) for hydrogen gas. The ball 102 can open and close the discharge hole 101b. The support 103 supports the ball 102 and transmits the biasing force of the compression coil spring 104 to the ball 102.

[0039] The discharge valve 42 opens when the pressure of the liquid hydrogen in the compression chamber 43 reaches or exceeds a preset high pressure. That is, when the pressure of the liquid hydrogen in the compression chamber 43 is less than high pressure, the ball 102 closes the discharge hole 101b due to the biasing force of the compression coil spring 104. On the other hand, when the pressure of the liquid hydrogen in the compression chamber 43 reaches or exceeds the high pressure, the pressure of the liquid hydrogen becomes greater than the biasing force of the compression coil spring 104, and the ball 102 operates to open the discharge hole 101b.

[0040] In addition, boost pump 32 has a strainer 44. The strainer 44 is provided in each suction pipe 93 of boost pump 32. The strainer 44 is attached to one end of suction pipe 93 whose other end is connected to suction valve 41. The strainer 44 removes foreign matter that has become mixed in with liquid hydrogen.

[0041] <Strainer> FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the strainer.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, the device includes a main body 111, a pressing member 112, and a filter unit 113.

[0043] The other end of the suction pipe 93 opens upward in the vertical direction VD. The lower end of the connecting pipe 121 is integrally connected to the other end of the suction pipe 93. The connecting flange 122 is arranged along the horizontal direction, and one end is fixed to the lower part of the pressing member 64 of the suction valve 41 by a bolt 123. The connecting pipe 121 penetrates the other end of the connecting flange 122, and is fixed by a pair of nuts 124, 125. The connecting pipe 121 has a male thread portion 121a formed on the upper outer periphery. The main body portion 111 has a cylindrical shape, and a female thread portion 111a is formed on the lower inner periphery. The main body portion 111 is fixed by screwing the female thread portion 111a into the male thread portion 121a of the connecting pipe 121. A washer 126 is arranged between the connecting flange 122 and the nut 125, and a washer 127 is arranged between the nut 125 and the main body portion 111.

[0044] The main body 111 has a reduced diameter section 131 above the female thread section 111a, and a step section 132 above the reduced diameter section 131, with the upper part of the step section 132 being open. The reduced diameter section 131 has a truncated cone shape with a passage area decreasing from the step section 132 toward the female thread section 111a. The step section 132 has an inner diameter larger than the maximum inner diameter of the reduced diameter section 131. The filter unit 113 has a disk shape and is disposed in the step section 132 of the main body 111. The outer diameter of the filter unit 113 is the same as the inner diameter of the step section 132 of the main body 111 or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the step section 132.

[0045] The pressing member 112 presses and fixes the filter unit 113 to the main body 111. The pressing member 112 has a cylindrical shape. The main body 111 has a male thread portion 111b formed on the upper part of the outer circumference. The pressing member 112 has a female thread portion 112a formed on the inner circumference. The pressing member 112 is also provided with a pressing portion 112b on the upper part of the inner circumference. The pressing member 112 is fixed by screwing the female thread portion 112a into the male thread portion 111b of the main body 111. At this time, the pressing portion 112b of the pressing member 112 presses and fixes the outer circumference of the filter unit 113 arranged on the step portion 132 of the main body 111. The pressing member 112 is then engaged with the main body 111 by a plurality of anti-rotation bolts 114.

[0046] <Filter unit> FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a main portion of the filter unit, FIG. 7 is a front view of the filter, and FIG. 8 is a front view of the first support member and the second support member.

[0047] 5 and 6, filter unit 113 has filter 141, a first support member 142, and a second support member 143. Pressing member 112 fixes first support member 142 and second support member 143, which hold filter 141, to main body portion 111.

[0048] 6 and 7, the filter 141 has a disk mesh shape. Liquid hydrogen (fluid) can pass through the filter 141. The mesh size of the filter 141 is smaller than the sliding gap of the first valve body 62 of the suction valve 41. In other words, the mesh size of the filter 141 is smaller than the gap between the rod portion 62a of the first valve body 62 of the suction valve 41 and the through-hole 72 of the valve casing 61. Specifically, the filter 141 is, for example, 250 mesh (mesh size 62μ), but is not limited to this size.

[0049] 6 and 8, the first support member 142 and the second support member 143 have the same disk shape. However, the first support member 142 and the second support member 143 may have different shapes. The first support member 142 and the second support member 143 have the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the filter 141. The first support member 142 and the second support member 143 sandwich the filter 141 from both sides in the thickness direction. The first support member 142 and the second support member 143 allow liquid hydrogen (fluid) to pass through.

[0050] The first support member 142 and the second support member 143 are made of punching metal. A plurality of openings 142a, 143a That is, it is preferable that the first support member 142 and the second support member 143 are members having a higher strength than the filter. When the first support member 142 and the second support member 143 sandwich the filter 141 from both sides in the thickness direction, A plurality of openings 142a, 143a The filter 141 and the first support member 142 and the second support member 143 are disposed facing each other. A plurality of (two in this embodiment) positioning members 134 for positioning in the circumferential direction are provided between the filter 141 and the first support member 142 and the second support member 143. The positioning members 134 are provided on the first support member 142, and fit into holes formed in the filter 141 and the second support member 143. However, the positioning members 134 may be provided on the filter 141 or the second support member 143.

[0051] The filter 141 has a mesh shape (for example, 250 mesh / opening size 62μ), and the first support member 142 and the second support member 143 are made of punching metal, so that the openings of the first support member 142 and the second support member 143 are larger than the opening of the filter 141. In other words, when liquid hydrogen passes through the filter unit 113, the first support member 142 and the second support member 143 provide resistance to the filter 141, suppressing the occurrence of pressure loss.

[0052] However, the first support member 142 and the second support member 143 are not limited to punching metal. The first support member 142 and the second support member 143 may be in a mesh shape such as a wire net. However, it is preferable that the first support member 142 and the second support member 143 have a mesh shape with larger openings than the openings of the filter 141.

[0053] 5, in strainer 44, the outer surface of the filter unit is exposed to the outside by main body 111 and pressing member 112, and suction port 115 is provided here. Filter unit 113 (filter 141) is disposed at suction port 115 of strainer 44. Main body 111 is provided with reduced diameter section 131 downstream of filter unit 113 in the suction direction of liquid hydrogen. Reduced diameter section 131 is provided in the passage between filter unit 113 and the other end (connecting pipe 121) of suction pipe 93, and the passage area becomes smaller toward the downstream side in the suction direction of liquid hydrogen. That is, in strainer 44, reduced diameter section 131 makes inner diameter D1 (opening area) of suction port 115 larger than inner diameter D2 (passage area) of the other end of suction pipe 93.

[0054] <Booster pump operation> As shown in FIG. 3, when the piston 37 moves (rises) from the bottom dead center to the top dead center via the piston rod 36 during the suction stroke of the boost pump 32, the volume of the compression chamber 43 expands, and the pressure in the compression chamber 43 becomes negative. At this time, the first valve body 62 moves upward as the upward force (suction force) overcomes the biasing force of the compression coil spring 77, and the seat surface 62d of the head portion 62b moves away from the valve seat 53a. Then, the first valve body 62 opens the communication hole 53, and the compression chamber 13 and the first space portion 71 communicate with each other. Also, when the negative pressure of the compression chamber 43 acts on the second valve body 63 through the communication hole 53, the second valve body 63 moves upward due to the negative pressure, and the seat surface 63c moves away from the seal members 81 and 82. Then, the second valve body 63 communicates with the first space portion 71 and each suction hole 73. Therefore, the suction valve 41 draws external liquid hydrogen from each suction pipe 93 through each suction hole 73 into the first space 71 , and further through the communication hole 53 into the compression chamber 43 .

[0055] During the compression stroke of the boost pump 32, when the piston 37 moves (descends) to the top dead center or bottom dead center via the piston rod 36, the volume of the compression chamber 43 is reduced, and the pressure in the compression chamber 43 becomes positive. At this time, the first valve body 62 moves downward due to the biasing force of the compression coil spring 77 due to the decrease in suction force, and the seat surface 62d of the head portion 62b is seated on the valve seat 53a. Then, the first valve body 62 closes the communication hole 53, and the compression chamber 13 and the first space portion 71 are blocked. Also, when the positive pressure of the compression chamber 43 acts on the second valve body 63 through the communication hole 53, the second valve body 63 moves downward due to the decrease in suction force, and the seat surface 63c is seated on the seal members 81, 82. Then, the second valve body 63 blocks the first space portion 71 and each suction hole 73.

[0056] As the piston 37 moves further down, the volume of the compression chamber 43 is further reduced, causing the pressure in the compression chamber 43 to increase. At this time, when the pressure of the liquid hydrogen in the compression chamber 43 reaches or exceeds a predetermined high pressure, the pressure of the liquid hydrogen exceeds the biasing force of the compression coil spring 104, causing the ball 102 to operate and opening the discharge hole 101b. As a result, the discharge valve 42 discharges the high-pressure liquid hydrogen in the compression chamber 43 to the outside of the cylinder block 38 through the inlet hole 101a and the discharge hole 101b.

[0057] During the compression stroke of the boost pump 32, while the first valve body 62 descends and the seat surface 62d of the head portion 62b seats on the valve seat 53a to close the communication hole 53, a portion of the high-pressure liquid hydrogen in the compression chamber 13 leaks through the communication hole 53 into the first space 71. The high-pressure liquid hydrogen that leaks into the first space 71 is discharged through each of the first discharge holes 74 into the liquid hydrogen in the second space 94, which is at atmospheric pressure. However, the high-pressure liquid hydrogen that leaks into the first space 71 is partially gasified gas (hydrogen gas), and the hydrogen gas in the second space 94 flows horizontally through each of the second discharge holes 95 and is discharged to the outside on the outer circumferential side of the pressing member 64.

[0058] During the suction stroke of boost pump 32, when negative pressure in compression chamber 43 acts on suction valve 41, external liquid hydrogen is sucked into suction pipe 93 through strainer 44 and supplied to compression chamber 43. At this time, if foreign matter is mixed in the liquid hydrogen, the foreign matter is removed by filter 141 (see FIG. 6) of strainer 44 and prevented from entering suction valve 41.

[0059] In addition, since boost pump 32 repeatedly draws in and discharges liquid hydrogen, stress in the thickness direction repeatedly acts on filter unit 113 of strainer 44. That is, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, when boost pump 32 draws in liquid hydrogen, external liquid hydrogen flows into suction pipe 93, and the pressure of the liquid hydrogen acts on first support member 142, filter 141, and second support member 143 in that order against filter unit 113, causing filter unit 113 to deform inward (toward suction pipe 93). On the other hand, when boost pump 32 discharges liquid hydrogen, liquid hydrogen no longer flows into suction pipe 93 from the outside, so the pressure of the liquid hydrogen no longer acts on filter unit 113, and the inward deformation of filter unit 113 (toward suction pipe 93) returns to normal.

[0060] When the boost pump 32 is operating, stress is repeatedly exerted in the thickness direction on the filter unit 113 of the strainer 44. However, since the filter 141 is sandwiched between the first support member 142 and the second support member 143, damage due to deformation is suppressed.

[0061] [Second embodiment] 9 is a schematic diagram showing the main part of a booster pump according to the second embodiment. Note that members having the same functions as those in the above-mentioned embodiments are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 9, the boost pump 32A has a container 39. The boost pump 32A has a pump unit 151, including a cylinder, a piston, an intake valve, a discharge valve, and the like, disposed inside the container 39. The container 39 is a pressure container for storing liquid hydrogen, and an upper end portion thereof is supported by being suspended from a stand 152. The pump unit 151 is supported by being suspended from the stand 152 inside the container 39. A supply pipe 153 and a gas exhaust pipe 154 are connected to the side of the container 39. The supply pipe 153 is a pipe for supplying liquid hydrogen from an external supply source to the liquid storage chamber 39a of the container 39. The gas exhaust pipe 154 is a pipe for exhausting the component (hydrogen gas) vaporized in the liquid storage chamber 39a to the outside. The gas exhaust pipe 154 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the supply pipe 153 and above.

[0063] The boost pump 32A also has a strainer 44A. The strainer 44A is provided on a supply pipe 153 of the boost pump 32A. The supply pipe 153 penetrates the side of the container 39 from the outside, and an end 153a is bent upward. The end 153a of the supply pipe 153 is immersed in the liquid hydrogen in the liquid storage chamber 39a. The strainer 44A is attached to the end 153a bent upward. The strainer 44A removes foreign matter mixed in the liquid hydrogen. The strainer 44A has the same configuration as the strainer 44 of the first embodiment.

[0064] Boost pump 32A supplies external liquid hydrogen to liquid storage chamber 39a of container 39 through supply pipe 153. At this time, if foreign matter is mixed into the liquid hydrogen, the foreign matter is removed by filter 141 (see FIG. 6) of strainer 44A and prevented from entering suction valve 41.

[0065] [Third embodiment] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a main part of a booster pump according to the third embodiment. Note that members having the same functions as those in the above-mentioned embodiments are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 10, the boost pump 32B has a container 39. The boost pump 32B has a pump unit 151, including a cylinder, a piston, an intake valve, a discharge valve, and the like, disposed inside the container 39. The container 39 is a pressure container for storing liquid hydrogen, and an upper end portion thereof is supported by being suspended from a stand 152. The pump unit 151 is supported by being suspended from the stand 152 inside the container 39. A supply pipe 153 and a gas exhaust pipe 154 are connected to the side of the container 39. The supply pipe 153 is a pipe for supplying liquid hydrogen from an external supply source to the liquid storage chamber 39a of the container 39. The gas exhaust pipe 154 is a pipe for exhausting the component (hydrogen gas) vaporized in the liquid storage chamber 39a to the outside. The gas exhaust pipe 154 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the supply pipe 153 and above.

[0067] The boost pump 32B also has a strainer 44B. The strainer 44B is provided at the outlet 161a of the chamber 161 of the boost pump 32B. The container 39 has a chamber 161 defined by a partition wall 162 at the bottom. The supply pipe 153 passes through the side of the container 39 from the outside and communicates with the chamber 161. The chamber 161 has an outlet 161a at the top that communicates with the liquid storage chamber 39a. The strainer 44A is attached to the outlet 151a that opens upward. The strainer 44B removes foreign matter that has become mixed in the liquid hydrogen. The strainer 44B has the same configuration as the strainer 44 of the first embodiment.

[0068] In boost pump 32B, external liquid hydrogen is supplied to chamber 161 of container 39 through supply pipe 153, and is then supplied from chamber 161 to liquid storage chamber 39a. At this time, if foreign matter is mixed in the liquid hydrogen, the foreign matter is removed by filter 141 (see FIG. 6) of strainer 44B and prevented from entering suction valve 41.

[0069] [Effects of this embodiment] The boost pump of the first embodiment comprises a cylinder block (cylinder) 38 having a compression chamber 43, a piston 37 supported for movement inside the cylinder block 38 and compressing liquid hydrogen (fluid) sucked into the compression chamber 43, a suction valve 41 which sucks liquid hydrogen into the compression chamber 43 from the fluid suction path, a discharge valve 42 which discharges the liquid hydrogen compressed by the piston 37, and strainers 44, 44A, 44b provided in the fluid suction path, and the strainers 44, 44A, 44B have a mesh-shaped filter 141, and first and second support members 142 and 143 which sandwich the filter 141 from both sides in the thickness direction to allow liquid hydrogen to pass through.

[0070] In the boost pump according to the first aspect, when liquid hydrogen is supplied to the suction valve 41 through the fluid suction path, the strainers 44, 44A, 44B remove foreign matter mixed in the liquid hydrogen by the filter 141, thereby preventing the foreign matter from entering the suction valve 41 and suppressing damage to the boost pumps 32, 32A, 32B. Also, since the filter unit 113 is configured by sandwiching the filter 141 between the first support member 142 and the second support member 143 from both sides in the thickness direction, the rigidity of the filter unit 113 is improved, and damage to the filter 141 can be suppressed to improve durability.

[0071] The boost pump according to the second embodiment is the boost pump according to the first embodiment, and furthermore, the openings of the first support member 142 and the second support member 143 are larger than the opening of the filter 141. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of pressure loss due to the first support member 142 and the second support member 143.

[0072] The boost pump according to the third aspect is the boost pump according to the first or second aspect, and furthermore, the aperture of the filter 141 is smaller than the sliding gap of the first valve body 62 of the suction valve 41. This makes it possible to suppress damage caused by foreign matter mixed in the liquid hydrogen entering the sliding gap of the first valve body 62.

[0073] The boost pump according to the fourth aspect is the boost pump according to any one of the first to third aspects, and further, the first support member 142 and the second support member 143 are made of punching metal, and the openings 142a, 143a are arranged to face each other in a state in which the filter 141 is sandwiched from both sides in the thickness direction. This makes it possible to appropriately improve the rigidity of the filter 141.

[0074] The boost pump according to a fifth aspect is the boost pump according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and further includes a positioning member 144 for circumferentially positioning the filter 141 and the first support member 142 and the second support member 143. This allows the positioning member 144 to appropriately position the filter 141, the first support member 142, and the second support member 143.

[0075] The boost pump according to the sixth aspect is the boost pump according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, and further includes a suction pipe 93 having one end connected to the suction valve 41, and a strainer 44 attached to the other end of the suction pipe 93. By attaching the strainer 44 to the end of the suction pipe 93, the filter 141 can be easily replaced, and maintainability can be improved.

[0076] The boost pump according to the seventh aspect is the boost pump according to the sixth aspect, further comprising a larger opening area of ​​the suction port 115 of the strainer 44 than the passage area of ​​the other end of the suction pipe 93. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of pressure loss.

[0077] The boost pump according to the eighth aspect is the boost pump according to the seventh aspect, and further includes a filter 141 disposed at the suction port 115 of the strainer 44, and a reduced diameter section 131, the passage between the filter 141 and the other end of the suction pipe 93, the passage having a reduced passage area in the direction in which the liquid hydrogen is suctioned. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of pressure loss and ensure a smooth flow of the liquid hydrogen.

[0078] The boost pump according to the ninth aspect is the boost pump according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, and further includes strainer 44 having main body 111 fixed to suction pipe 93, and pressing member 112 that fixes first support member 142 and second support member 143, which hold filter 141, to main body 111. This allows filter unit 113 to be appropriately attached to the end of suction pipe 93.

[0079] The boost pump according to the tenth aspect is the boost pump according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, and further includes a container 39 for storing liquid hydrogen and in which suction hole 73 communicating with suction valve 41 is immersed, and a supply pipe 153 for supplying liquid hydrogen to container 39, and strainer 44A is attached to supply pipe 153. This improves the ease of attachment of strainer 44A.

[0080] The boost pump according to an eleventh aspect is the boost pump according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, and further comprises a container 39 for storing liquid hydrogen and in which suction hole 73 communicating with suction valve 41 is immersed, a supply pipe 153 for supplying liquid hydrogen to container 39, and a chamber 161 with which the downstream end of supply pipe 153 communicates inside container 39, and strainer 44B is attached to outlet portion 161a of chamber 161. This improves the ease of attachment of strainer 44B.

[0081] The fluid supply system according to the twelfth aspect includes a compressor 21 having the boost pumps 32, 32A, 32B according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects and compressing liquid hydrogen (fluid), an evaporator 22 that vaporizes the liquid hydrogen compressed by the compressor 21, and a dispenser 23 that supplies the gas vaporized by the evaporator 22. This allows foreign matter mixed in the liquid hydrogen to be removed by the filters 141 of the strainers 44, 44A, 44B, preventing the intrusion of foreign matter into the intake valve 41 and suppressing damage to the boost pumps 32, 32A, 32B. In addition, the rigidity of the filter unit 113 can be improved, and damage to the filter 141 can be suppressed, thereby improving durability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 10 Hydrogen supply system (fluid supply system) 11 Container 12 Vehicles 21 Compression device 22 Evaporation device 23 Dispenser 31 Drive motor 32, 32A, 32B Booster Pump 33 Reducer 34 Crank mechanism 35 Crosshead 36 Piston rod 37 Piston 38 Cylinder block (cylinder) 39 Container 41 Intake valve 42 Discharge valve 43 Compression Chamber 44, 44A, 44B Strainer 51 Fitting hole 52 Recess 53 Communication hole 61 Valve casing 62 First valve body 63 Second valve body 64 Pressing member 71 First space part 72 Through hole 73 Suction hole (suction flow path) 74 1st discharge hole 75 Nut 76 Spring support member 77 Compression coil spring 81, 82 Sealing material 91 Mounting hole 92 Fastening bolt 93 Suction pipe (fluid suction path) 94 Second space 95 2nd discharge hole) 101 Valve casing 102 Ball 103 Support 104 Compression coil spring 111 Main body 112 Pressing member 113 Filter unit 114 Anti-rotation bolt 121 Connecting pipe 122 Connecting flange 123 Volts 124,125 Nut 126,127 Washer 131 Reduced diameter section 132 Stepped section 141 Filters 142 First support member 143 Second support member 144 Positioning member 151 Pump unit 152 Mount 153 Supply pipe (fluid intake path) 154 Gas exhaust pipe 161 Chamber (fluid intake path) 162 Isolation Wall

Claims

1. A cylinder having a compression chamber; a piston supported movably inside the cylinder for compressing the fluid drawn into the compression chamber; a suction valve that draws fluid into the compression chamber from a fluid suction path; a discharge valve that discharges the fluid compressed by the piston; A strainer provided in the fluid suction path; Equipped with The strainer includes a mesh-shaped filter, a first support member and a second support member that sandwich the filter from both sides in a thickness direction and through which a fluid can pass; having The fluid suction path has a U-shaped suction pipe, one end and the other end of the suction pipe face upward in a vertical direction, the one end is connected to the suction valve, and the strainer is attached to the other end, the strainer has a main body portion fixed to the suction pipe, and a pressing member that fixes the first support member and the second support member, which sandwich the filter, to the main body portion, One end of a connecting flange arranged along a horizontal direction is connected to a pressing member of the suction valve, and the other end of the connecting flange is connected to the suction pipe. Booster pump.

2. The first support member and the second support member have a larger mesh size than the filter.

2. The boost pump of claim 1.

3. The aperture of the filter is smaller than the sliding gap of the valve body of the suction valve. The boost pump according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the first support member and the second support member are made of punching metal, and a plurality of openings are disposed opposite each other in a state in which the filter is sandwiched from both sides in a thickness direction.

2. The boost pump of claim 1.

5. A positioning member is provided between the filter and the first support member and the second support member to perform positioning in a circumferential direction.

2. The boost pump of claim 1.

6. The opening area of ​​the suction port of the strainer is larger than the passage area of ​​the other end of the suction pipe.

2. The boost pump of claim 1.

7. The filter is disposed at the suction port of the strainer, and a reduced diameter portion is provided in a passage between the filter and the other end of the suction pipe, the passage having a reduced passage area in a direction in which the fluid is suctioned.

7. The boost pump according to claim 6.

8. The apparatus includes a container for storing a fluid and in which a fluid suction hole communicating with the suction valve is immersed, and a supply pipe for supplying the fluid to the container, the strainer being attached to the supply pipe.

2. The boost pump of claim 1.

9. a container for storing a fluid and into which a fluid suction hole communicating with the suction valve is immersed, a supply pipe for supplying the fluid to the container, and a chamber with which a downstream end of the supply pipe communicates inside the container, the strainer being attached to an outlet portion of the chamber; 2. The boost pump of claim 1.

10. A compression device having the boost pump according to claim 1 for compressing a fluid; an evaporator for evaporating the fluid compressed by the compressor; a dispenser for supplying the gas vaporized by the vaporizer; A fluid delivery system comprising:

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