Method for Assembling Gas Container and Gas Container

Abstract

To easily assemble an accommodation member in a vessel body of a gas vessel.SOLUTION: A gas vessel comprises: a cylindrical vessel body including a first dome split body and a second dome split body, formed of a plurality of split bodies which are dividedly arranged in an axial direction, and having an internal space for storing a gas therein; a first mouthpiece attached to the first dome split body; a second mouthpiece attached to the second dome split body; a storage material for occluding and discharging the gas; and a cylindrical accommodation member arranged in the internal space, and having an accommodation space for accommodating the storage material. A assembling method of the gas vessel comprises a first step for assembling and fixing the accommodation member to the first mouthpiece which is attached to the first dome split body, and temporarily assembling the accommodation member to the second mouthpiece which is attached to the second dome split body, and a second step for connecting the split bodies to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for assembling a gas container capable of occluding and releasing a gas, and a gas container.

Background Art

[0002] A gas container (for example, Patent Document 1) mounted on a vehicle or the like for storing and releasing a gas such as hydrogen gas or natural gas is known. The gas container described in Patent Document 1 includes a storage material such as a hydrogen storage alloy. The storage material physically or chemically occludes and releases the gas to be stored. The storage material is stored and held in a housing member disposed in the internal space of a cylindrical container body. According to this storage material, the amount of gas that can be stored in the internal space of the container body can be increased.

[0003] The storage material generates heat when occluding the gas and absorbs heat when releasing the gas. This temperature change of the storage material is related to the performance of gas storage. Therefore, if a temperature deviation occurs in the entire storage material, the performance of the storage material cannot be maximally exerted. Therefore, in the gas container described in Patent Document 1 above, in order to control the temperature of the storage material, a pipe for flowing a heat exchange medium and performing heat exchange with the storage material is provided.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, in the gas container described in Patent Document 1 above, the accommodating member for accommodating the storage material is held in the internal space of the container body via a support member on the inner surface of the container body. However, if a support member is used to hold the accommodating member and thus the storage material in the internal space of the container body in this way, the structure inside the container body becomes complicated, and it takes time to assemble the accommodating member into the container body, and there is a risk that the assemblability thereof decreases.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object thereof is to provide an assembling method of a gas container capable of facilitating the assembly of an accommodating member in the container body of the gas container, and a gas container in which the assembly of the accommodating member in the container body is facilitated.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is an assembling method for assembling a gas container including a cylindrical container body formed by a plurality of divided bodies including a first dome divided body and a second dome divided body and arranged separately in the axial direction, having an internal space for storing gas, a first base attached to the first dome divided body, a second base attached to the second dome divided body, a storage material that occludes and releases gas, and a cylindrical accommodating member arranged in the internal space and having an accommodating space for accommodating the storage material, the method including: a first step of assembling and fixing the accommodating member to the first base attached to the first dome divided body and temporarily assembling the accommodating member to the second base attached to the second dome divided body; and a second step of connecting the divided bodies to each other.

[0008] According to this configuration, the assembly of the accommodating member in the container body of the gas container can be facilitated.

[0009] In addition, one aspect of the present invention is a cylindrical container body formed by a plurality of divided parts including a first dome divided part and a second dome divided part and arranged axially separated, having an internal space for storing gas, a first base attached to the first dome divided part, a second base attached to the second dome divided part, a storage material that stores and releases gas, and a cylindrical storage member disposed in the internal space and having a storage space for accommodating the storage material. The storage member is assembled and fixed to the first base attached to the first dome divided part, and is assembled to the second base attached to the second dome divided part and fixed to the second base using a fixing member. The divided parts are connected to each other, and it is a gas container.

[0010] According to this configuration, a gas container in which the assembly of the storage member in the container body is facilitated can be realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the gas container and its assembling method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0013] The gas container 1 according to one embodiment is a container that stores gas and discharges the stored gas. The gas container 1 is mounted on a vehicle or the like that uses the stored gas as fuel. The gas stored in the gas container 1 may be any type of gas, but is preferably a fuel gas such as hydrogen gas or natural gas. Also, the pressure of the gas that the gas container 1 can store may be any, but may be a high pressure (for example, 100 MPa or the like). That is, the gas container 1 may be a pressure vessel or a pressure-resistant container.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the gas container 1 includes a container body 10, bases 20 and 30, a reinforcing member 40, a housing member 50, and a storage material 60.

[0015] The container body 10 is a liner for storing gas. The container body 10 has an internal space 11. The internal space 11 has a capacity capable of storing a predetermined amount of gas. The container body 10 is made of a material having a gas barrier property that does not permeate or hardly permeates the gas stored in the internal space 11. Note that the material of the container body 10 may be selected according to the usage environment of the gas container 1 or the like.

[0016] For example, when the gas is hydrogen, the material of the container body 10 is a polyethylene resin, a polypropylene resin, or the like. Note that the inside of the container body 10 may be coated with a material having excellent gas barrier properties such as ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH). Also, when the gas container 1 is used for residential use or when the mass of the gas container 1 may be large, the material of the container body 10 may be a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel.

[0017] The container body 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to enclose the internal space 11. The container body 10 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape or a regular polygonal cylindrical shape such that the pressure of the gas is uniformly distributed within the internal space 11. The container body 10 extends in the axial direction. The container body 10 is formed so as to have a reduced diameter from the axial center side to the axial end side at both axial ends.

[0018] The container body 10 is formed by a plurality of divided parts. It should be noted that the container body 10 may be formed by connecting a plurality of divided parts by welding or soldering to be integrated. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the container body 10 may be formed by two cylindrical cylindrical divided parts 10a and 10b and two dome-shaped dome divided parts 10c and 10d. In this case, the container body 10 may be configured in a state where the divided parts are arranged in the order of dome divided part 10c → cylindrical divided part 10a → cylindrical divided part 10b → dome divided part 10d from one axial end side to the other axial end side. Hereinafter, the dome divided part 10d will be referred to as the first dome divided part 10d and the dome divided part 10c will be referred to as the second dome divided part 10c as appropriate.

[0019] The container body 10 has openings 12 and 13. The opening 12 is a part that opens at one axial end of the container body 10. The opening 13 is a part that opens at the other axial end of the container body 10. The openings 12 and 13 are provided at both axial ends of the container body 10 and are formed in a circular shape, for example. A base 20 is inserted into the opening 12. Also, a base 30 is inserted into the opening 13. Hereinafter, the base 30 will be referred to as the first base 30 and the base 20 will be referred to as the second base 20 as appropriate.

[0020] The bases 20 and 30 are members that allow gas to enter and exit between the internal space 11 of the container body 10 and the outside. That is, the bases 20 and 30 are used for introducing gas from the outside of the container body 10 into the internal space 11 and discharging gas from the internal space 11 to the outside of the container body 10. The bases 20 and 30 are attached to the axial ends of the container body 10. A seal member such as an O-ring for preventing gas leakage from the internal space 11 of the container body 10 to the outside is interposed between the bases 20 and 30 and the container body 10.

[0021] The bases 20 and 30 have communication passages 21 and 31. The communication passages 21 and 31 are passages that communicate the internal space 11 of the container body 10 to the outside. The communication passages 21 and 31 extend in the axial direction and are formed in a cylindrical shape, for example. The communication passages 21 and 31 are connected to a gas pipe and a valve (not shown).

[0022] The gas container 1 may allow gas to flow in and out through both of the communication passages 21 and 31 of the caps 20 and 30, or as shown in FIG. 2, may allow gas to flow in and out through only one of them (specifically, the communication passage 31) while a plug is attached to the other (specifically, the communication passage 21). Further, the gas container 1 may have a second cap 20 or a first cap 30 for allowing gas to flow in and out attached to either one of the axial end portions of the container body 10. Further, the container body 10 may be formed separately from the caps 20 and 30 and integrated with the caps 20 and 30 by inserting the formed caps 20 and 30. Incidentally, the container body 10 may be integrally formed with the caps 20 and 30 by, for example, insert molding or the like.

[0023] The caps 20 and 30 function as heat exchangers through which a heat exchange medium circulates for temperature adjustment of the gas container 1. Although it is preferable that both of the caps 20 and 30 function as heat exchangers, either one of the caps 20 and 30 may function as a heat exchanger. For example, when gas flows in and out through one cap (for example, the first cap 30), the other cap (for example, the second cap 20) on the opposite side in the axial direction to that cap may function as a heat exchanger. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that gas flows in and out through the first cap 30 and the second cap 20 functions as a heat exchanger.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the second cap 20 has an inlet 22, an outlet 23, and a passage portion 24. The inlet 22 is an opening portion through which a heat exchange medium flows in from the outside. A storage tank, a pipe, and a valve (none of which are shown) provided outside are connected to the inlet 22. The outlet 23 is an opening portion through which the heat exchange medium flows out toward the outside. A storage portion and a pipe (none of which are shown) provided outside are connected to the outlet 23. The passage portion 24 is a pipe portion through which the heat exchange medium flows, with one end connected to the inlet 22 and the other end connected to the outlet 23.

[0025] The heat exchange medium is a medium that performs heat exchange between the internal space 11 of the container body 10 and thus the storage material 60, and may be a liquid such as cooling water. The heat exchange medium flows in from the inlet 22 from the outside, circulates through the passage portion 24, and then flows out to the outside from the outlet 23.

[0026] The second base 20 has a base body 26 and a lid body 27. Note that the second base 20 may be composed of at least the base body 26 and the lid body 27, and may be configured to include a wall body 28 separately. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the second base 20 is assumed to be configured to include the wall body 28.

[0027] The base body 26 is the main body member of the second base 20. The base body 26 is formed of a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel in order to ensure rigidity. The base body 26 has a shaft portion 26a and a flange portion 26b. The shaft portion 26a is a portion extending in the axial direction. The shaft portion 26a is formed in a shape (for example, a cylindrical shape) that fits into the opening 12 of the container body 10. The above-described communication passage 21 is provided at the axial center portion of the shaft portion 26a. The flange portion 26b is a portion that spreads in the radial direction. The flange portion 26b is integrated with the shaft portion 26a. The flange portion 26b is formed in a shape that follows the outer surface of the second dome portion 10c of the container body 10 from the outer surface of the shaft portion 26a toward the radially outer side.

[0028] A groove portion 26c is formed in the base body 26. Specifically, the groove portion 26c is formed so as to open axially outward at the axial end surface of the shaft portion 26a of the base body 26. The axial depth of the groove portion 26c is set so that the groove portion 26c approaches the axial end surface on the opposite side of the shaft portion 26a as much as possible. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the groove portion 26c is formed in an annular shape so as to extend continuously in the circumferential direction around the axial center of the shaft portion 26a. Note that the cross section of the groove portion 26c may be, for example, a rectangular shape composed of a bottom surface and side surfaces, or a curved semi-circular shape.

[0029] The lid 27 is a member that closes the groove portion 26c of the base body 26. The lid 27 is formed of a resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyvinyl chloride, which has lower thermal conductivity than the base body 26. The lid 27 is formed in an annular shape according to the groove portion 26c and is formed in a cylindrical shape (for example, a circular cylindrical shape). The axial length of the lid 27 is shorter than the axial depth of the groove portion 26c so that a space is formed between the base body 26 and the lid 27 in the groove portion 26c.

[0030] Each of the above-mentioned inlet 22, outlet 23, and passage portion 24 has a size (for example, area, cross-sectional area, length, etc.) necessary and sufficient for performing heat exchange between the heat exchange medium and the storage material 60. The inlet 22 and the outlet 23 are formed in the lid 27 (specifically, its axial end face). The inlet 22 and the outlet 23 are not arranged at symmetric positions sandwiching the axial center of the lid 27, but are arranged at asymmetric positions so as to be close to each other in the circumferential direction. In addition, in order to prevent the pressure loss of the heat exchange medium due to a sudden increase or decrease in the diameter of the flow path, it is desirable that the flow path near the inlet 22 and the outlet 23 is configured to gradually increase or decrease in diameter.

[0031] The inlet 22 and the outlet 23 communicate with the passage portion 24, respectively. The passage portion 24 is formed in the base body 26 and the lid 27. The passage portion 24 is formed including the space between the base body 26 and the lid 27 in the groove portion 26c. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the passage portion 24 has a first passage portion 24a, a second passage portion 24b, and a third passage portion 24c.

[0032] The first passage portion 24a is a portion formed in the lid body 27 connected to the inlet 22. The first passage portion 24a extends axially as a through-hole penetrating the lid body 27. The second passage portion 24b is a portion formed between the base body 26 and the lid body 27 in the groove portion 26c. The second passage portion 24b is interposed between the first passage portion 24a and the third passage portion 24c. The second passage portion 24b is a space surrounded by the base body 26 and the lid body 27 that remains on the axially rear side of the groove portion 26c when the lid body 27 closes the axially open side of the groove portion 26c of the base body 26. The passage portion 24 extends annularly around the axis center. The third passage portion 24c is a portion formed in the lid body 27 connected to the outlet 23. The third passage portion 24c extends axially as a through-hole penetrating the lid body 27.

[0033] The wall body 28 is a partitioning member that partitions the groove portion 26c into an inlet 22 side and an outlet 23 side by partitioning a part of the annular groove portion 26c. The wall body 28 is disposed at an intermediate position between the inlet 22 and the outlet 23 that are close to each other in the circumferential direction within the groove portion 26c. The wall body 28 has a partitioning portion 28a. The partitioning portion 28a closes a part of the groove portion 26c to form a C-shaped passage portion 24 around the axis center. The wall body 28 blocks the path with the shorter distance among the two paths (for example, the clockwise path and the counterclockwise path) connecting the inlet 22 and the outlet 23 in the annular groove portion 26c, and makes the path with the longer distance function as the passage portion 24.

[0034] The wall body 28 is formed of a resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyvinyl chloride, which has lower thermal conductivity than the base body 26. The wall body 28 is configured separately from the base body 26 and the lid body 27. The wall body 28 is attached to at least one of the base body 26 and the lid body 27 so that its movement within the groove portion 26c is restricted and is fixed to the base body 26 and the lid body 27.

[0035] The reinforcing member 40 is a member that covers the radially outer surface of the container body 10 to reinforce the container body 10. The reinforcing member 40 is preferably used particularly when the gas container 1 is a pressure-resistant container. The reinforcing member 40 is composed of, for example, high-strength fibers impregnated with resin (i.e., FRP). The high-strength fibers are carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers, etc. The resin impregnated in the high-strength fibers is a thermosetting resin such as epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin, vinyl ester resin, etc.

[0036] The reinforcing member 40 may be formed as a helical layer or a hoop layer, for example, by winding high-strength fibers impregnated with resin around the outer surface of the container body 10, or may be formed by attaching a helical layer or a hoop layer formed in a sheet shape using resin and high-strength fibers to the outer surface of the container body 10. Further, the reinforcing member 40 may be one in which the resin is heat-cured after the formation of the helical layer or the hoop layer.

[0037] The accommodating member 50 is a member that accommodates the storage material 60, which will be described in detail later. The accommodating member 50 is disposed in the internal space 11 of the container body 10. The accommodating member 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction of the gas container 1. The accommodating member 50 is formed in a honeycomb shape. The accommodating member 50 has a partition wall 51 and an accommodating space 52.

[0038] The partition wall 51 is a plate-shaped wall portion that partitions the accommodating space 52. The accommodating space 52 is a space for accommodating the storage material 60. The storage material 60 is accommodated in the accommodating space 52 and held by the partition wall 51. A plurality of accommodating spaces 52 are provided. The plurality of accommodating spaces 52 are arranged side by side in the radial direction from the axis center and in the radial direction around the axis center so that the honeycomb shape of the accommodating member 50 is formed.

[0039] Each accommodation space 52 extends in a columnar shape in the axial direction. The cross-section obtained by cutting each accommodation space 52 with a plane orthogonal to the axial direction may be a regular polygonal shape such as a regular hexagon. When the cross-section of the accommodation space 52 is a regular hexagon, the accommodation space 52 is partitioned by six partition walls 51. Also, the cross-sectional shape of each accommodation space 52 may be constant regardless of the axial position. All the accommodation spaces 52 may be formed in the same shape as each other, or may be formed in different shapes from each other. Two adjacent accommodation spaces 52 may be partitioned in a state where the partition walls 51 partitioning the respective accommodation spaces 52 are in contact with each other, or may be partitioned by a common single partition wall 51.

[0040] The partition wall 51 is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the accommodation space 52. The partition wall 51 is stretched in the internal space 11 of the container body 10 corresponding to a plurality of accommodation spaces 52. The partition wall 51 is formed of a heat conductive material and functions as a heat exchanger. The heat conductive material constituting the partition wall 51 is a material having a higher thermal conductivity at normal temperature (for example, 25°C) than the thermal conductivity of air. Specifically, it is a metal, alloy, ceramics, etc. typified by stainless steel, aluminum, alumina, silicon carbide, etc.

[0041] Incidentally, the partition wall 51 may be formed by integrating plate materials by welding or adhesion, etc., or may be formed by extrusion molding and firing a ceramic raw material, etc. Also, the thickness of the partition wall 51 is desirably not excessive in order to reduce the weight of the gas container 1 and increase the gas storage amount. For example, it is preferably less than 1 mm.

[0042] Also, the partition wall 51 may have a communication path connecting adjacent accommodation spaces 52 to each other. This communication path is provided to evenly distribute the gas throughout the internal space 11 to make the gas concentration and heat in the internal space 11 uniform or substantially uniform and improve the gas occlusion and release performance. One or more communication paths may be provided for each partition wall 51. When two or more communication paths are provided in one partition wall 51, they may be provided continuously or intermittently at intervals in the axial direction.

[0043] The central portion of the housing member 50 is formed hollow. A connecting portion 53 is integrated with the central portion of the housing member 50. The connecting portion 53 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and extends toward the second base 20 side and the first base 30 side in the axial direction, respectively. One axial end side of the connecting portion 53, which is the second base 20 side, protrudes axially outward from one axial end of the housing member 50 (specifically, the partition wall 51). Also, the other axial end side of the connecting portion 53, which is the first base 30 side, protrudes axially outward from the other axial end of the housing member 50 (specifically, the partition wall 51). The connecting portion 53 is formed of the same material as the partition wall 51.

[0044] The bases 20 and 30 and the housing member 50 have a concavo-convex structure that fits with each other. Specifically, one axial end side of the connecting portion 53 of the housing member 50 is fitted to the base body 26 of the second base 20. One axial end side of the connecting portion 53 is assembled in contact with the base body 26. The base body 26 has a fitting groove 26d. The connecting portion 53 has a fitting convex portion 53a.

[0045] The fitting groove 26d is a groove portion into which the fitting convex portion 53a is fitted. The fitting groove 26d opens to the axially inner end face of the shaft portion 26a of the base body 26 and is formed to extend axially outward from the opening. The fitting groove 26d and the communication passage 21 communicate with each other. The diameter of the fitting groove 26d is larger than the diameter of the communication passage 21.

[0046] The fitting projection 53a is a part that fits into the fitting groove 26d. The fitting projection 53a is provided on one axial end side of the connecting portion 53. The fitting projection 53a projects shaft-like outward in the axial direction from one axial end of the housing member 50 (specifically, the partition wall 51). Incidentally, when assembling the gas container 1, in order to apply surface pressure in the axial direction when connecting (for example, welding) the respective components 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d of the container body 10 to each other, when the housing member 50 and the second base 20 are temporarily assembled, it is desirable that a gap 90 (see FIG. 4) is formed between the axial end face of the fitting projection 53a and the axial bottom face of the fitting groove 26d. This gap 90 allows relative movement in the axial direction between the housing member 50 and the second base 20 until at least the second dome component 10c and the cylindrical component 10a come into contact with each other and surface pressure is generated, and it may remain after the connection of the components 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d.

[0047] Also, in order to ensure contact between the fitting projection 53a of the connecting portion 53 and the fitting groove 26d of the base body 26, the fitting projection 53a and the fitting groove 26d may be formed in a tapered shape so as to gradually increase or decrease in diameter. Further, in order to increase the contact area between the housing member 50 and the base body 26, heat transfer fins may be attached to one axial end portion of the connecting portion 53 or the housing member 50.

[0048] Incidentally, as a method of fixing the second base 20 and the housing member 50 that fit into each other with an uneven structure, various methods can be adopted. This fixing only needs to suppress relative movement between the second base 20 and the housing member 50, and for example, it may be performed by press-fitting, bolt fastening, screwing, welding, soldering, or the like.

[0049] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the gas container 1 includes a fixing member 70. The fixing member 70 is a member for fixing the second base 20 and the housing member 50. The fixing member 70 is configured separately from the second base 20 and the housing member 50. The fixing member 70 is a shaft member formed with a male screw. The fitting convex portion 53a of the connecting portion 53 of the housing member 50 has a hole portion 54. The hole portion 54 is a portion where a female screw corresponding to the male screw of the fixing member 70 is formed. The hole portion 54 is provided so as to penetrate the axial end surface portion on one axial end side of the fitting convex portion 53a. The fixing member 70 is inserted into the hole portion 54 of the housing member 50 and screwed into the housing member 50. The fixing member 70 fixes the second base 20 and the housing member 50 by screwing with the housing member 50.

[0050] Note that, although the female screw corresponding to the male screw of the fixing member 70 is formed in the hole portion 54 of the housing member 50, alternatively, it may be formed in a nut member that is separate from the housing member 50 and also separate from the second base 20, and the second base 20 and the housing member 50 may be fixed by screwing the fixing member 70 and the nut member. Further, although the fixing member 70 is a shaft member formed with a male screw as described above, it may have a structure capable of fixing the second base 20 and the housing member 50, and for example, instead of the above shaft member, it may be a member that sandwiches the second base 20 and the housing member 50.

[0051] The base body 26 of the second base 20 has a communication passage 21 provided in the shaft portion 26a. The communication passage 21 is a passage that communicates the internal space 11 of the container body 10 to the outside as described above. The communication passage 21 is a through hole that penetrates the base body 26 and through which the fixing member 70 is inserted. The fixing member 70 is inserted into the communication passage 21 from the outside of the second base 20 and screwed into the connecting portion 53. The second base 20 and the housing member 50 are fastened to each other by screwing the male screw of the fixing member 70 and the female screw of the housing member 50 (specifically, the hole portion 54 of the fitting convex portion 53a of the connecting portion 53) with the fixing member 70 inserted into the communication passage 21 of the base body 26 of the second base 20.

[0052] Also, the other axial end side of the connecting portion 53 is fitted to the first base 30 and assembled in contact with the first base 30. The connecting portion 53 has a fitting convex portion 53b. The communication passage 31 of the first base 30 constitutes a fitting groove into which the fitting convex portion 53b is fitted. The fitting convex portion 53b is provided on the other axial end side of the connecting portion 53. The fitting convex portion 53b projects shaft-like axially outward from the other axial end of the housing member 50 (specifically, the partition wall 51).

[0053] In addition, as a method of fixing the first base 30 and the housing member 50 that are fitted to each other with an uneven structure, various methods can be adopted. This fixing only needs to suppress the relative movement between the first base 30 and the housing member 50, and for example, it may be performed by press-fitting, bolt fastening, screwing, welding, brazing, etc. In this embodiment, the first base 30 and the housing member 50 are to be screwed together.

[0054] A male screw is formed on the radially outer surface of the fitting convex portion 53b of the connecting portion 53. Also, a female screw is formed on the radially inner surface that constitutes the communication passage 31 of the first base 30. The first base 30 and the housing member 50 are fastened to each other by screwing the female screw of the first base 30 and the male screw of the fitting convex portion 53b of the connecting portion 53.

[0055] The gas container 1 also includes a seal member 80 as shown in FIG. 4. The seal member 80 is a member that seals the internal space 11 of the container body 10 from the outside. The seal member 80 is interposed between the fixing member 70 and the base body 26 of the second base 20, and seals the internal space 11 in a state where the fixing member 70 is inserted through the communication passage 21 of the base body 26 of the second base 20. The seal member 80 is formed in an annular shape, for example, and is disposed between the outer surface of the shaft portion of the fixing member 70 and the inner surface that constitutes the communication passage 21 of the base body 26 of the second base 20. The seal member 80 is an O-ring or the like.

[0056] Further, the gas container 1 may include a sealing member that seals the internal space 11 while being interposed between the caps 20 and 30 and the accommodating member 50. For example, the sealing member applied to the second cap 20 side may be disposed between the radially inner surface of the fitting groove 26d of the cap body 26 and the radially outer surface of the fitting convex portion 53a of the connecting portion 53, or may be disposed between the axially inner end surface of the shaft portion 26a of the cap body 26 and the axially outer end surface of the general portion of the connecting portion 53. Here, the general portion of the connecting portion 53 refers to a portion having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the fitting convex portion 53a. Specifically, it is a portion that is sandwiched between the fitting convex portion 53a and the fitting convex portion 53b, is located axially in the middle, and fits into the hollow portion of the accommodating member 50.

[0057] The storage material 60 is a member that absorbs and releases gas. The storage material 60 is stored in the storage space 52 and held by the partition wall 51. Further, the storage material 60 may be stored in all the storage spaces 52 of the accommodating member 50, or may be limited to and stored in a part of all the storage spaces. The reason for limiting the storage space 52 in which the storage material 60 is stored to a part is to make the storage space 52 in which the storage material 60 is not stored function as a gas flow path and equalize the gas concentration in the internal space 11.

[0058] The storage material 60 is formed in a columnar shape following the shape of the storage space 52. The storage material 60 extends in the axial direction. The cross section of the storage material 60 cut by a plane orthogonal to the axial direction corresponds to the cross section of the storage space 52 and may be a regular polygon such as a regular hexagon. The storage material 60 is formed of a material corresponding to the type of gas to be stored. Examples of the material of the storage material 60 include porous carbon materials such as carbon nanotubes, porous metal complexes (i.e., MOF), zeolites, hydrogen storage alloys, and metal hydrides.

[0059] The storage material 60 is formed in a solid state of powders such as primary particles and secondary particles, that is, in a pellet shape. According to the pellet-shaped storage material 60, a large contact area of the storage material 60 with respect to the gas can be ensured, so that the occlusion and release performance of the gas can be improved. Incidentally, the volume of the storage material 60 is preferably close to 100% with respect to the volume of the accommodation space 52 in order to ensure the gas storage amount, but 90% or more is sufficient. The storage material 60 is formed by crosslinking the powder of the storage material material with a crosslinking agent or binding it with a binder. The crosslinking agent and the binder are formed of, for example, silicon-based, epoxy-based, or amine-based materials.

[0060] Incidentally, the storage material 60 has performance that varies according to the axial position. Specifically, the storage material 60 may be configured such that the breakage resistance at the axial end is higher than that at the axial center. This breakage resistance is an index indicating the difficulty of powdering the storage material 60 solidified with powder. This breakage resistance can be paraphrased as strength, rigidity, abrasion resistance, viscosity, elastic force, and the like.

[0061] Incidentally, when the amount of the crosslinking agent or the like that crosslinks the material powder of the storage material 60 increases, the amount of the storage material 60 that can be accommodated in the accommodation space 52 decreases by that amount, and the amount of the gas that the storage material 60 can store decreases, resulting in a decrease in the occlusion and release performance of the storage material 60. Therefore, in the storage material 60, the fact that the breakage resistance at the axial end is higher than that at the axial center is synonymous with the fact that the occlusion and release performance at the axial end is lower than that at the axial center.

[0062] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, an example of a method for assembling and manufacturing the gas container 1 will be described. The assembly and manufacture of the gas container 1 are performed according to the following procedure by a predetermined manufacturing apparatus.

[0063] First, prepare two cylindrical parts 10a and 10b and two dome parts 10c and 10d that constitute the container body 10 by injection molding or the like, and also prepare the bases 20 and 30. Further, prepare a honeycomb-shaped storage member 50 and a pellet-shaped storage material 60 (step S100 shown in FIG. 6). Then, insert the storage material 60 into the storage space 52 of the storage member 50 (step S110). Also, attach and mount the second base 20 together with a sealing member to the opening 12 of the second dome part 10c, and attach and mount the first base 30 together with a sealing member to the opening 13 of the first dome part 10d (step S120).

[0064] Next, screw the fitting convex part 53b of the connecting part 53 of the storage member 50 onto the first base 30 and bring it into contact with the first base 30 to assemble and fix the storage member 50 to the first base 30 (step S130). Then, connect (for example, weld) the first dome part 10d to which the first base 30 is attached and the cylindrical parts 10b and 10a while applying surface pressure in the axial direction (step S140). After that, fit the fitting convex part 53a of the connecting part 53 into the fitting groove 26d of the base body 26 and bring it into contact with the second base 20 to temporarily assemble the storage member 50 to the second base 20 (step S150). Next, connect (for example, weld) the second dome part 10c to which the second base 20 is attached and the cylindrical part 10a while applying surface pressure in the axial direction (step S160). Then, screw the fixing member 70 onto the storage member 50 to assemble and fix the storage member 50 to the second base 20 (step S170).

[0065] Finally, coat the outer surface of the container body 10 with the reinforcing member 40 by the filament winding (FW) method (step S180). By these processes, the gas container 1 is manufactured.

[0066] Thus, in the method of assembling the gas container 1, the second base 20 and its housing member 50 are temporarily assembled with each other in a state where the first base 30 and the housing member 50 are assembled and fixed to each other. In this temporarily assembled state, the second base 20, and thus the second dome part 10c to which the second base 20 is attached, can move axially relative to the housing member 50 side (i.e., including the first base 30, the first dome part 10d, and the cylindrical parts 10a and 10b) by the above gap 90. Then, the second base 20 and the second dome part 10c are integrally moved toward the housing member 50 side and connected (e.g., welded) while bringing the second dome part 10c into axial contact with the cylindrical part 10a.

[0067] In this configuration, it is avoided that all parts of the container body 10 are connected in a state where both axial ends of the housing member 50 are fixed to both the first base 30 and the second base 20. That is, when the second dome part 10c and the cylindrical part 10a are connected in a state where the housing member 50 is assembled and fixed to the first base 30 on the first dome part 10d side, the second base 20 on the second dome part 10c side is allowed to move relative to the housing member 50.

[0068] Therefore, it is possible to suppress the positional deviation at the time of connecting the second dome part 10c and the cylindrical part 10a of the container body 10, and it is possible to secure the surface pressure to be applied axially to their connection part, and the second dome part 10c and the cylindrical part 10a can be connected by welding or the like while applying surface pressure axially. Thereby, the rigidity of the container body 10 can be ensured.

[0069] After the connection between the second dome unit 10c and the cylindrical unit 10a described above, the second base 20 and the housing member 50, which have already been temporarily assembled, are finally assembled and fixed using the fixing member 70. In this configuration, the housing member 50 is assembled and fixed to the first base 30 by screwing and then fixed to the second base 20 using the fixing member 70. Therefore, the housing member 50 can be held and fixed in the internal space 11 of the container body 10, so that damage to the housing member 50 and thus the storage material 60 or the generation of abnormal noise inside the container body 10 due to vibration or the like can be suppressed.

[0070] Therefore, according to the method of assembling the gas container 1, the container body 10 of the gas container 1 can be appropriately configured by connecting the units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d, and the housing member 50 can be assembled and held and fixed in the container body 10.

[0071] In this configuration, it is not necessary to use a dedicated support member or the like to hold the housing member 50 in the container body 10. Therefore, the housing member 50 can be stably held with a simple configuration without complicating the structure inside the container body 10. That is, the assembly of the housing member 50 inside the container body 10 of the gas container 1 can be facilitated.

[0072] The operation and action of the gas container 1 will be described. In the gas container 1 after manufacture, when gas is supplied into the internal space 11 of the container body 10 through the first base 30, the gas flows from the axial end face on the first base 30 side of the housing member 50 disposed in the internal space 11 through the hollow inside of the connecting portion 53 into each storage space 52 of the housing member 50. The gas that has flowed into the storage space 52 circulates from the first base 30 side to the second base 20 side of the storage space 52 and is gradually occluded by the storage material 60 stored and held in the storage space 52.

[0073] Still, the gas that has flowed into the accommodation space 52 where the storage material 60 is not arranged among all the accommodation spaces 52 flows through the accommodation space 52 from the first base 30 side to the second base 20 side. At this time, in the structure having communication paths that connect the accommodation spaces 52 adjacent to each other by the partition walls 51, a part of the gas that has flowed through the accommodation space 52 flows into the adjacent accommodation space 52 through the communication path.

[0074] In this way, in the gas container 1, the internal space 11 can be uniformly filled with gas throughout its entirety, and the gas concentration is made uniform. In particular, according to the structure in which the storage material 60 is not arranged in a part of all the accommodation spaces 52 or the structure in which the above-mentioned communication path is provided in the partition wall 51, the gas flow path can be spread over the entire internal space 11, so the gas can be distributed throughout the internal space 11.

[0075] In the above-described gas container 1, an accommodation member 50 that accommodates and holds the storage material 60 is arranged in the internal space 11 of the container body 10. The accommodation member 50 has partition walls 51 that partition the accommodation spaces 52, and is formed in a honeycomb shape in which the partition walls 51 are stretched so that a plurality of accommodation spaces 52 are regularly arranged in the internal space 11. The storage material 60 is accommodated in the accommodation space 52 and held by the partition wall 51. The partition wall 51 is formed of a heat conductive material. Therefore, since the internal space 11 is thermally uniform throughout its entirety, the temperature of the storage material 60 in the internal space 11 is made uniform.

[0076] Still, the partition wall 51 is in contact with the bases 20 and 30 via the connecting portion 53 and is thermally connected to the bases 20 and 30. In this case, since the partition wall 51 indirectly exchanges heat with the bases 20 and 30, the internal space 11 and thus the storage material 60 are efficiently and quickly temperature-controlled. Therefore, according to the gas container 1, the occlusion of gas into the storage material 60 and the release of gas from the storage material 60 in the internal space 11 can be smoothly performed.

[0077] Also, in the gas container 1, the second base 20 functions as a heat exchanger through which a heat exchange medium circulates for temperature adjustment of the gas container 1. The base body 26 of the second base 20 is formed of metal and is in contact with the connecting portion 53 of the housing member 50 that houses and holds the storage material 60. The second base 20 has an inlet 22 through which the heat exchange medium flows in, an outlet 23 through which the heat exchange medium flows out, and a passage portion 24 having one end connected to the inlet 22 and the other end connected to the outlet 23 through which the heat exchange medium circulates.

[0078] In this second base 20, the heat exchange medium flows into the inlet 22 from the outside of the second base 20, circulates through the passage portion 24, and then flows out of the second base 20 from the outlet 23. When the heat exchange medium circulates through the inside and outside of the second base 20 in this way, heat exchange occurs between the heat exchange medium and the housing member 50 and thus the storage material 60 in the internal space 11 of the container body 10. In particular, since the second base 20 and the housing member 50 are in contact with each other, the heat generated by the storage material 60 is easily transmitted to the second base 20 through the housing member 50, and this heat is easily discharged to the outside through the heat exchange medium.

[0079] Therefore, according to the gas container 1, the storage material 60 can be cooled by the circulation of the heat exchange medium through the inside and outside of the second base 20, and the temperature of the storage material 60 can be appropriately controlled. And, in controlling the temperature of the storage material 60, it is not necessary to arrange a pipe through which the heat exchange medium that exchanges heat with the storage material 60 circulates in the internal space 11 of the container body 10.

[0080] Therefore, according to the gas container 1, simplification of the structure can be achieved in controlling the temperature of the storage material. Also, since the piping space in the internal space 11 can be eliminated to increase the amount of the storage material 60, the gas storage amount can be increased, and the gas storage and release performance using the storage material 60 can be improved. Furthermore, the pipe for circulating the heat exchange medium that performs heat exchange with the storage material 60 in the gas container 1 is limited to the second base 20. For this reason, even if the shape and size of the container body 10 (excluding the location where the second base 20 is attached) change, heat exchange can be carried out using the same second base 20, that is, the second base 20 can be shared in performing heat exchange with a number of different types of container bodies 10, and the manufacturing cost of the gas container 1 can be reduced.

[0081] Also, in the gas container 1, the second base 20 has a base body 26 in which a groove portion 26c is formed and a lid body 27 that closes the groove portion 26c. The inlet 22 and the outlet 23 are formed in the lid body 27, and the passage portion 24 is formed to include the space between the base body 26 and the lid body 27 in the groove portion 26c. Specifically, a part of the passage portion 24 (specifically, the second passage portion 24b) is the space remaining on the back side of the groove portion 26c when the lid body 27 closes the groove portion 26c of the base body 26.

[0082] In this configuration, by attaching the lid body 27 in which the inlet 22 and the outlet 23 are formed and the first passage portion 24a and the third passage portion 24c are formed to the base body 26 to close the groove portion 26c of the base body 26, the passage portion 24 (specifically, the second passage portion 24b) can be formed. Thus, the structure for enabling the second base 20 to function as a heat exchanger can be made simple, and the manufacture of the gas container 1 can be facilitated.

[0083] In the gas container 1, the groove portion 26c formed in the base body 26 is formed in an annular shape around the axis center on the axial end face of the shaft portion 26a of the base body 26. And the second base 20 has a wall body 28 that partitions the groove portion 26c into an inlet 22 side and an outlet 23 side to form a passage portion 24. In this case, a C-shaped passage portion 24 is formed around the axis center of the second base 20 when a part of the groove portion 26c is blocked by the partition portion 28a of the wall body 28. For this reason, the temperature deviation around the axis center of the second base 20 can be suppressed, so that the temperature of the storage material 60 can be adjusted efficiently and quickly, and the absorption and release of gas in the storage material 60 can be performed smoothly.

[0084] In the gas container 1, the wall body 28 is provided separately from the base body 26 and the lid body 27 and is formed of resin. According to this configuration, compared with a configuration in which the wall body 28 is formed of metal, a relatively cold heat exchange medium flowing from the inlet 22 to the passage portion 24 (specifically, flowing from the first passage portion 24a to the second passage portion 24b), and a relatively warm heat exchange medium flowing from the passage portion 24 to the outlet 23 (specifically, flowing from the second passage portion 24b to the third passage portion 24c), heat exchange through the partition portion 28a is less likely to occur. For this reason, heat exchange between the heat exchange medium in the passage portion 24 and the storage member 50 and thus the storage material 60 can be promoted, whereby the storage material 60 can be cooled appropriately and promptly by the circulation of the heat exchange medium, and the accuracy of temperature control of the storage material 60 can be improved.

[0085] The lid body 27 is also formed of resin like the wall body 28. The lid body 27 closes the groove portion 26c of the base body 26 to form the passage portion 24. According to this configuration, compared with a configuration in which the lid body 27 is formed of metal, the lid body 27 is prevented from becoming high temperature, and heat transfer from the storage member 50 and thus the storage material 60 to the heat exchange medium in the passage portion 24 is likely to occur. For this reason, heat exchange between the heat exchange medium and the storage member 50 and thus the storage material 60 can be promoted, whereby the storage material 60 can be cooled appropriately and promptly by the circulation of the heat exchange medium, and the accuracy of temperature control of the storage material 60 can be improved.

[0086] As described above, according to the gas container 1, it is possible to sufficiently extract the gas storage and release performance of the storage material 60 and improve its storage and release performance.

[0087] Further, in the gas container 1, the second base 20 and the housing member 50 have a concavo-convex structure that fits with each other, and the first base 30 and the housing member 50 have a concavo-convex structure that fits with each other. According to such a concavo-convex structure, since the bases 20, 30 and the housing member 50 fit with each other, the housing member 50 can be held in the internal space 11 of the container body 10. In addition, it is not necessary to use a dedicated support member or the like for holding the housing member 50 in the internal space 11. Therefore, the housing member 50 can be stably held without complicating the structure inside the container body 10.

[0088] Further, the second base 20 and the housing member 50 are fixed by a fixing member 70 in a state where they are fitted to each other. Specifically, the second base 20 and the housing member 50 are fastened to each other by screwing the male screw of the fixing member 70 and the female screw of the hole portion 54 of the connecting portion 53 of the housing member 50 in a state where the fixing member 70 is inserted into the communication passage 21 of the base body 26. In this structure, since the second base 20 and the housing member 50 are fixed using the fixing member 70, it is possible to prevent the housing member 50 from coming off the second base 20.

[0089] Further, in the gas container 1, a sealing member 80 for sealing the internal space 11 is provided between the fixing member 70 and the base body 26 of the second base 20. For this reason, even in a configuration where the second base 20 and the housing member 50 are fastened to each other by screwing the housing member 50 in a state where the fixing member 70 is inserted into the communication passage 21 of the base body 26, it is possible to prevent the gas in the internal space 11 of the container body 10 from leaking to the outside through the gap between the fixing member 70 and the base body 26, and the airtightness of the internal space 11 can be maintained.

[0090] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the dome segments 10c and 10d and the cylindrical segments 10a and 10b correspond to the "segments" described in the claims.

[0091] Incidentally, in the above-described embodiment, the second base 20 has a wall 28 that divides the groove 26c into an inlet 22 side and an outlet 23 side, and the wall 28 is configured separately from the base body 26 and the lid 27. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the wall that divides the groove 26c into the inlet 22 side and the outlet 23 side may be integrally formed with the base body 26 or the lid 27 instead of being separate from the base body 26 and the lid 27.

[0092] In the above-described modified form, in order to make it difficult for heat exchange to occur through the partition 28a between the relatively cold heat exchange medium flowing from the inlet 22 to the passage portion 24 and the relatively warm heat exchange medium flowing from the passage portion 24 to the outlet 23, it is preferable that the wall is integrally formed with the resin-made lid 27 as compared with the metal-made base body 26. Also, the wall that divides the groove 26c into the inlet 22 side and the outlet 23 side is preferably a member formed of resin, but may be formed of metal instead of resin, or may be integrally formed with the base body 26.

[0093] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the heat exchange medium is made to flow through the second base 20 on the side opposite to the first base 30 where gas enters and exits. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the heat exchange medium may be made to flow through the first base 30 where gas enters and exits.

[0094] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the base through which the heat exchange medium flows among the bases 20 and 30 is limited to the second base 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the heat exchange medium may flow through both of the bases 20 and 30.

[0095] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the inlet 22 and the outlet 23 of the second base 20 are formed in the lid body 27. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the inlet 22 and the outlet 23 of the second base 20 may be formed in the base body 26, or may be formed between the base body 26 and the lid body 27.

[0096] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the base body 26 of the second base 20 has the fitting groove 26d, and the connecting portion 53 of the accommodating member 50 has the fitting convex portion 53a that fits into the fitting groove 26d. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and conversely, the base body 26 of the second base 20 may have the fitting convex portion, and the connecting portion 53 of the accommodating member 50 may have the fitting groove into which the fitting convex portion fits.

[0097] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the like, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0098] 1: Gas container, 10: Container body, 11: Internal space, 20: Second base, 21: Communication path, 22: Inlet, 23: Outlet, 24: Passage portion, 26: Base body, 26c: Groove portion, 26d: Fitting groove, 27: Lid body, 28: Wall body, 28a: Partition portion, 30: First base, 31: Communication path, 50: Accommodating member, 51: Partition wall, 52: Accommodating space, 53: Connecting portion, 53a: Fitting convex portion, 54: Hole portion, 60: Storage material, 70: Fixing member, 80: Sealing member.

Claims

1. A cylindrical container body formed by a plurality of divided parts that include a first dome divided part and a second dome divided part and are arranged separately in the axial direction, and that has an internal space for storing gas; A first base attached to the first dome divided part; A second base attached to the second dome divided part; A storage material that absorbs and releases gas; A cylindrical housing member that is arranged in the internal space and has a housing space for housing the storage material; An assembling method for assembling a gas container including: A first step of assembling and fixing the housing member to the first base attached to the first dome divided part, and temporarily assembling the housing member to the second base attached to the second dome divided part; A second step of connecting the divided parts adjacent to each other in the axial direction; An assembling method for a gas container, including the above steps.

2. The assembling method for a gas container according to Claim 1, further including a third step of fixing the housing member to the second base using a fixing member after the connection of the divided parts adjacent to each other in the axial direction is completed.

3. A cylindrical container body formed by a plurality of divided parts that include a first dome divided part and a second dome divided part and are arranged separately in the axial direction, and that has an internal space for storing gas; A first base attached to the first dome divided part; A second base attached to the second dome divided part; A storage material that absorbs and releases gas; A cylindrical housing member that is arranged in the internal space and has a housing space for housing the storage material; The gas container includes: The housing member is assembled and fixed to the first base attached to the first dome divided part, and is assembled to the second base attached to the second dome divided part and fixed to the second base using a fixing member; The divided parts adjacent to each other in the axial direction are connected.

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