Gas tank filling station

Abstract

To ensure automatic cutoff of a circuit when a tensile force on an automatic cutoff break-away coupling along a hose operating shaft is determined.SOLUTION: In a station 1, a guide member 9 converges towards a central passage region and includes an assembly of one or a plurality of deflector walls that compensates a topical holding of a hose portion. A circuit portion is positioned between the automatic cutoff break-away coupling 7 and the guide member 9 oriented at least substantially along an operating shaft of the automatic cutoff break-away coupling 7. The assembly of one or the plurality of deflector walls of the guide member 9 is further composed so as to transmit at least a part of the tensile force on the hose portion horizontally oriented relative to the operating shaft of the automatic cutoff break-away coupling 7, along the operating shaft of the automatic cutoff break-away coupling 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas tank filling station.

[0002] The invention more particularly relates to a filling station for gas tanks comprising a gas source and a circuit having an upstream end connected to the gas source and a downstream end comprising a hose portion, the end of the hose portion being intended to be connected to one or more gas tanks to be filled, the circuit comprising an automatic shut-off breakaway coupling arranged along an actuation axis between the gas source and the downstream end, the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling ensuring automatic shut-off of the circuit when a predetermined pulling force on the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling along its actuation axis is applied, the station comprising a dispenser housing, the automatic shut-off break-away coupling being arranged in the dispenser housing with a predetermined orientation of the actuation axis, at least a part of the hose portion at the downstream end of the circuit protruding from the dispenser housing, the dispenser housing comprising a guide member for guiding a zone of the hose portion. [Background technology]

[0003] When filling a vehicle's gaseous (or liquid) hydrogen tank, a tip nozzle is connected to the vehicle. It is up to the user to remember to disconnect the nozzle when finished filling. If he forgets and drives off in his vehicle with the nozzle still connected, the hose can tear and the dispenser can be damaged.

[0004] A decoupling system is essential to avoid damage to the hose and dispenser. Many systems use "breakaway" couplings that interrupt the circuit if the vehicle begins to move while the nozzle is still connected. Disconnection is therefore automatic whether the system is under pressure or not. Breakaway couplings are reusable and can be safely reconnected.

[0005] Known systems require a pulling force to be exerted relative to the actuation axis of the breakaway coupling system (or at a small angle, i.e., 0-30 degrees). In known safety systems, the breakaway coupling is integrated into the nozzle.

[0006] In another known configuration, called a "fixed mount," the breakaway coupling is fixed in a vertical position, typically 2-3 meters above the ground, with the hose connection pointing downwards. However, when the nozzle is withdrawn, it can be at a large angle to the vertical, and therefore to the axis of the breakaway coupling. This angle is typically greater than 45 degrees. This is outside the optimal operating conditions for the decoupling system and can result in failure, leading to a dangerous situation.

[0007] In another known configuration, the breakaway coupling is positioned in line between two hoses: one connecting it to the dispenser and the other connecting it to the vehicle. The advantage of this system is that the hoses align themselves when pulled, thus ensuring proper functioning of the breakaway system. However, the hose connecting the breakaway coupling to the dispenser is constantly moving when the user operates the nozzle. This leads to wear on the second hose.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome all or some of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] To this end, a station according to the invention, which otherwise meets the generic definition provided in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that the guide member comprises an assembly of one or more deflecting walls converging towards the central passage area and ensuring local retention of the hose section, and that a section of the circuit is located between the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling and the guide member oriented at least substantially along the operating axis of the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling, and the assembly of one or more deflecting walls of the guide member is further configured to transmit at least a part of the pulling force along the operating axis of the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling to the hose section oriented transversely to the operating axis of the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling.

[0010] This provides a breakaway coupling that can be housed in a rigid and fixed manner in the dispenser of station 1. In addition, any withdrawal of the hose is always in the working axis of the breakaway coupling, regardless of the starting direction of the vehicle (forward or backward) without first disconnecting, and regardless of the fill side of the vehicle (left or right).

[0011] Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: the assembly of one or more deflection walls comprises one or more curved walls having a radius of curvature between 5 mm and 300 mm; the assembly of one or more deflection walls comprises at least one fixed wall, the assembly of one or more deflection walls comprises at least one movable wall, in particular a roller mounted on a movable shaft and rotating thereon; the assembly of one or more deflection walls comprises at least two vertically oriented side walls forming lateral stops on either side of the hose section; the one or more deflection wall assemblies comprise at least one of an upper wall that is horizontally oriented and forms a vertical stop above the hose section, and a lower wall that is horizontally oriented and forms a vertical stop below the hose section; the automatic shutoff breakaway coupling is disposed in the dispenser housing in an orientation parallel or substantially parallel to the actuation axis; the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling is arranged in the dispenser housing at a height comprised between 5 cm and 3 m from the ground, preferably between 50 cm and 1 m, The gas source includes a fuel gas comprising or consisting of hydrogen in liquid and / or gaseous form.

[0012] The invention may also relate to any alternative device or process comprising any combination of the above or below features within the scope of the claims.

[0013] Further particular features and advantages will become apparent from the following description, which is provided with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B schematically represent partial side views illustrating embodiments of the structure of a station according to the invention; [Figure 2] 2A and 2B represent diagrammatically a partial view in vertical section illustrating an embodiment of a detail of a station according to the invention; [Figure 3] 3A and 3B schematically represent partial perspective views illustrating embodiments of details of the guide member of FIG. 2; [Figure 4] 1A and 1B schematically represent partial perspective views illustrating embodiments of the structure of a station according to the invention; [Figure 5] 2 shows a schematic partial perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a part of a station according to the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The illustrated gas tank filling station 1 comprises a gas source 2 and a circuit 3 having an upstream end 4 connected to the gas source 2 and a downstream end 5 comprising a hose portion, the end of which is intended to be connected (e.g. via a nozzle) to one or more tanks 6 to be filled.

[0016] The circuit 3 further comprises an automatic shut-off breakaway coupling 7 mounted along an actuation axis between the gas source 2 and the downstream end 5. The break-away coupling 7 is configured to automatically shut off the circuit 3 (and, if necessary, separate the circuit into two parts) when a pulling force on the break-away coupling 7 along its actuation axis is determined.

[0017] The station 1 comprises a dispenser housing 8, in which the breakaway coupling 7 is arranged (eg fixed) with a determined orientation of the actuation axis, for example horizontal in the example shown.

[0018] At least a part of the hose section at the downstream end 5 of the circuit protrudes from the dispenser housing 8. In addition, the dispenser housing 8 comprises a guide member 9 for guiding a zone of the hose section.

[0019] The guide member 9 comprises an assembly 10 of one or more deflecting walls that converge towards the central passage area of ​​the hose and ensure local retention of the hose section. The guide member 9 holds the section of the circuit 3 located between the breakaway coupling 7 and the guide member 9 at least substantially along the working axis of the breakaway coupling 7 (i.e. substantially horizontal in this embodiment, the term "substantially" meaning that a slight angle relative to the working axis may be possible, e.g. between 0 and 30 degrees and preferably between 0 and 10 degrees).

[0020] The deflection wall assembly 10 of the guide member 9 is further configured to transmit at least a portion of a pulling force exerted on a hose portion oriented transversely to the working axis of the breakaway coupling 7 along the working axis of the breakaway coupling 7. That is, when a pulling force is exerted on the downstream end of the circuit (the vehicle drives away without first disconnecting), even if the hose forms a large angle A with the working axis of the breakaway coupling 7, the guide member 9 preferably forms a multi-directional deflection system that transmits the force onto the working axis of the breakaway coupling 7, particularly allowing the hose to escape corners of the dispenser housing 8. That is, preferably, the hose portion rests only on the deflection wall assembly 10 of the guide member 9, regardless of the orientation of the downstream portion of the hose portion. For example, the guide member 9 may protrude from the face of the dispenser housing 8 onto which the guide member 9 opens.

[0021] The safety of station 1 is therefore improved. In effect, when a vehicle is launched forward or backward, the deflection system allows a force to be transmitted to the working shaft of the breakaway coupling 7. Station 1 is also more flexible as the system allows vehicle access in both directions, which is not currently possible to do safely with existing installations.

[0022] For example, the deflecting wall assembly(ies) 10 may comprise one or more curved walls having a radius of curvature, for example, between 5 mm and 300 mm (this range is not limiting), for example, the deflecting wall assembly(ies) 10 may form a converging tube or a portion of a tube (with the radius of curvature decreasing towards the upstream end).

[0023] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the deflection wall assembly 10 may comprise a torus cross section (or an entire torus).

[0024] The assembly 10 of one or more deflecting walls comprises, for example, at least one fixed wall.

[0025] Alternatively, or in combination therewith, the assembly of one or more deflecting walls 10 may comprise at least one movable wall, for example a roller mounted on an axis (movable or fixed) and rotating around this axis. As illustrated in Figure 4, the guide member 9 may comprise two vertically oriented deflecting side walls 10 forming lateral stops on either side of the hose section, the two side walls 10 each being formed from a roller rotatable around a vertical axis.

[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the assembly 10 of one or more deflecting walls may comprise an upper wall (particularly a roller rotatable about a horizontal axis) that is horizontally oriented and forms a vertical stop above the hose section, and / or a lower wall (particularly a roller rotatable about a horizontal axis) that is horizontally oriented and forms a vertical stop below the hose section.

[0027] This configuration allows horizontal pulling forces on the hose on two opposite sides as well as upward or downward pulling forces on the hose to be transmitted onto the working shaft of the breakaway coupling 7. This allows the transmission of vertical and horizontal components of pulling forces.

[0028] Naturally, the operating axis of the breakaway coupling 7 is not necessarily horizontal.

[0029] Furthermore, the breakaway coupling 7 and the guide member 9 can be positioned at any height.

[0030] Preferably, the breakaway coupling 7 and guide member 9 are fixed at a normal coupling height for coupling the hose end to the tank (at the average height of the tank inlet / outlet, for example about 1 meter).

[0031] If the breakaway coupling 7 is fixed at the level of the inlet of the tank to be filled, the horizontal wall 10 or rollers transmitting the vertical component of the force are optional. The guidance system can therefore be further simplified.

[0032] Since the hoses are typically several meters long, the height of the system relative to the average height of the tank can vary by a few tens of centimeters without impairing operation. The maximum angle of inclination of the hose at the outlet of the deflection system therefore remains below the value recommended by the manufacturer of the breakaway coupling 7 and within the useful height of the guide member 9.

[0033] The invention makes it possible to reduce the number of parts required (only one guidance / deflection direction if required, or only one guidance element in the case of a torus), and such a structure therefore makes it possible to simplify the structure and assembly, as well as improve the effectiveness of the safety system while being inexpensive.

[0034] In particular, if the guide member 9 comprises a torus or semi-torus, this provides flexibility with regard to the shape of the dispenser housing 8 and the location of the assembly of the breakaway coupling 7 and the guide member 9 . The following is a summary of the claims as originally filed: [1] A station (1) for filling gas tanks, comprising a gas source (2) and a circuit (3) having an upstream end (4) connected to the gas source (2) and a downstream end (5) comprising a hose portion, the ends of which are intended to be connected to one or more gas tanks (6) to be filled, the circuit (3) comprising an automatic shut-off breakaway coupling (7) arranged along its operating axis between the gas source (2) and the downstream end (5), the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling (7) being arranged along its operating axis. a station (1) that ensures automatic shutoff of the circuit (3) in the event of a predetermined pulling force on a breakaway coupling (7), the station (1) comprising a dispenser housing (8), the automatic shutoff breakaway coupling (7) being arranged in the dispenser housing (8) with a predetermined orientation of the actuation axis, at least one portion of the hose portion of the downstream end (5) of the circuit protruding from the dispenser housing (8), the dispenser housing (8) comprising a guide member (9) for guiding a zone of the hose portion; the guide member (9) comprises one or more deflection wall assemblies (10) converging towards a central passage area and compensating for localized retention of the hose portion, the portion of the circuit (3) being located between the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling (7) and the guide member (9) oriented at least substantially along an actuation axis of the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling (7), and the one or more deflection wall assemblies (10) of the guide member (9) are further configured to transmit at least a portion of a tensile force along the actuation axis of the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling (7) to the hose portion oriented transversely to the actuation axis of the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling (7). [2] The station according to [1], characterized in that the one or more deflection wall assemblies (10) comprise one or more curved walls having a radius of curvature comprised between 5 mm and 300 mm. [3] The station according to [1] or [2], characterized in that the one or more deflection wall assemblies (10) comprise at least one fixed wall. [4] A station according to any one of [1] to [3], characterized in that the assembly (10) of one or more deflection walls comprises at least one movable wall, in particular a roller mounted on a movable shaft and rotating thereon. [5] A station described in any one of [1] to [4], characterized in that the one or more deflection wall assemblies (10) have at least two vertically oriented side walls forming lateral stops on each side of the hose portion. [6] A station described in any one of [1] to [5], characterized in that the one or more deflection wall assemblies (10) comprise at least one of an upper wall that is horizontally oriented and forms a vertical stop above the hose portion, and a lower wall that is horizontally oriented and forms a vertical stop below the hose portion. [7] A station described in any one of [1] to [6], characterized in that the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling (7) is arranged in the dispenser housing (8) in an orientation parallel or substantially parallel to the operating axis. [8] A station according to any one of [1] to [7], characterized in that the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling (7) is arranged in the dispenser housing (8) at a height comprised between 5 cm and 3 m, preferably between 50 cm and 1 m, from the ground. [9] The station according to any one of [1] to [8], characterized in that the gas source (2) contains a fuel gas comprising or consisting of hydrogen in liquid and / or gaseous form.

Claims

1. A station (1) for filling gas tanks, comprising a gas source (2) and a circuit (3) with an upstream end (4) connected to the gas source (2) and a downstream end (5) with a hose portion, the ends of which are intended to be connected to one or more gas tanks (6) to be filled, the circuit (3) comprising an automatic shut-off breakaway coupling (7) arranged along its operating axis between the gas source (2) and the downstream end (5), the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling (7) being arranged along its operating axis. a station (1) for ensuring automatic shutoff of the circuit (3) in the event of a predetermined pulling force on a breakaway coupling (7), the station (1) comprising a dispenser housing (8), the automatic shutoff breakaway coupling (7) being arranged in the dispenser housing (8) with a predetermined orientation of the actuation axis, at least one portion of the hose portion of the downstream end (5) of the circuit protruding from the dispenser housing (8), the dispenser housing (8) comprising a guide member (9) for guiding a zone of the hose portion, the guide member (9) comprises one or more deflection wall assemblies (10) converging towards a central passage area and compensating for localized retention of the hose sections, the portion of the circuit (3) being located between the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling (7) and the guide member (9) oriented at least substantially along the actuation axis of the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling (7), the one or more deflection wall assemblies (10) of the guide member (9) being further configured to transmit at least a portion of a pulling force to the hose sections oriented transversely to the actuation axis of the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling (7) along the actuation axis of the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling (7).

2. A station according to claim 1, characterized in that said assembly (10) of deflecting walls comprises one or more curved walls with a radius of curvature comprised between 5 mm and 300 mm.

3. 3. A station according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the assembly (10) of one or more deflection walls comprises at least one fixed wall.

4. Station according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the assembly (10) of one or more deflection walls comprises at least one movable wall, in particular a roller mounted on a movable shaft and rotating thereon.

5. Station according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the assembly (10) of one or more deflection walls comprises at least two vertically oriented side walls forming lateral stops on each side of the hose section.

6. 6. Station according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the assembly (10) of one or more deflection walls comprises at least one of an upper wall oriented horizontally and forming a vertical stop above the hose section, and a lower wall oriented horizontally and forming a vertical stop below the hose section.

7. A station according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling (7) is arranged in the dispenser housing (8) in an orientation parallel or substantially parallel to the actuation axis.

8. Station according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the automatic shut-off breakaway coupling (7) is arranged in the dispenser housing (8) at a height comprised between 5 cm and 3 m from the ground, preferably between 50 cm and 1 m.

9. Station according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the gas source (2) contains a fuel gas comprising or consisting of hydrogen in liquid and / or gaseous form.

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