Hydrogen supply device and hydrogen supply method

Abstract

To open an on-off valve when the on-off valve fails to open although control is executed to open the on-off valve.SOLUTION: A hydrogen supply device comprises a power storage device, a tank, an on-off valve, an intermediate pressure sensor, and a hydrogen sensor. The on-off valve switches between supplying hydrogen from the tank to a hydrogen consuming device and cutting off the supply. The intermediate pressure sensor is provided downstream of the on-off valve in a direction in which hydrogen flows. A hydrogen sensor is provided to detect leakage of hydrogen. The control device, when receiving a command to activate the hydrogen supply device, executes control to open the on-off valve. If the pressure measured by the intermediate pressure sensor is less than a threshold value in a state where leakage of hydrogen is not detected, the control device executes the control to open the on-off valve again.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hydrogen supply device and a hydrogen supply method. [Background technology]

[0002] The hydrogen supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a tank, an on-off valve, and a control device. The hydrogen supply device supplies hydrogen to a hydrogen consumption device. The hydrogen consumption device operates by consuming hydrogen. The hydrogen consumption device is, for example, a fuel cell system or a hydrogen engine. The tank stores hydrogen. The on-off valve is an electromagnetic valve. The on-off valve switches between supplying and cutting off hydrogen from the tank to the hydrogen consumption device. The on-off valve opens when voltage is applied from the power storage device. The on-off valve closes when voltage is no longer applied from the power storage device. When opening the on-off valve, the control device executes control so that voltage is applied to the on-off valve from the power storage device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-243563 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the power storage device supplies power to a load other than the on-off valve, a voltage drop occurs in the power storage device based on the current flowing from the power storage device to the load and the internal resistance of the power storage device. When a voltage drop occurs in the power storage device, the on-off valve may not be able to open even though the control device executes control to open the on-off valve. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A hydrogen supply device that solves the above problem is a hydrogen supply device that supplies hydrogen to a hydrogen consumption device that operates by consuming hydrogen, and is equipped with: a storage device that supplies power to a load; a tank that stores the hydrogen; a supply flow path through which hydrogen released from the tank flows toward the hydrogen consumption device; an on-off valve that switches between supplying and cutting off the supply of hydrogen from the tank to the hydrogen consumption device, and closes when no voltage is applied from the storage device; a pressure sensor provided in the supply flow path, the pressure sensor being provided downstream of the on-off valve in the direction of hydrogen flow; a hydrogen sensor for detecting hydrogen leakage; and a control device.When the control device receives a start-up command for the hydrogen supply device, it executes control to open the on-off valve, and then, if the pressure measured by the pressure sensor when no hydrogen leakage is detected is below a threshold value, it executes control to open the on-off valve again.

[0006] When the control device receives a start command for the hydrogen supply device, it executes control to open the on-off valve. When no hydrogen leak is detected and the pressure measured by the pressure sensor is below the threshold, the pressure downstream of the on-off valve is dropping. In this case, it is assumed that the on-off valve is closed and hydrogen is being consumed by the hydrogen consumption device. Therefore, by executing control to open the on-off valve again in this case, the on-off valve can be opened even if it was not able to open despite the execution of control to open the on-off valve.

[0007] In the above-described hydrogen supply device, the hydrogen consumption device may be an internal combustion engine that operates by burning the hydrogen, the load may include a starter for starting the internal combustion engine, and the control device may execute control so that, when a key switch is set to the start state, power is supplied from the power storage device to the starter and the on-off valve.

[0008] The hydrogen supply device may further include a pressure reducing valve provided in the supply flow path, and the pressure sensor may be provided downstream of the pressure reducing valve in the direction in which the hydrogen flows. A hydrogen supply method that solves the above problem is a hydrogen supply method that supplies hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device using a hydrogen supply device that includes: a power storage device that supplies power to a load; a tank that stores hydrogen; a supply flow path through which hydrogen released from the tank flows toward a hydrogen consumption device that operates by consuming the hydrogen; an on-off valve that switches between supplying and cutting off the supply of hydrogen from the tank to the hydrogen consumption device, the on-off valve closing when no voltage is applied from the power storage device; a pressure sensor provided in the supply flow path, the pressure sensor being provided downstream of the on-off valve in the direction of hydrogen flow; a hydrogen sensor for detecting hydrogen leakage; and a control device.When the control device receives a start-up command for the hydrogen supply device, it executes control to open the on-off valve, and then, if the pressure measured by the pressure sensor when no hydrogen leakage is detected is below a threshold value, it executes control to open the on-off valve again.

[0009] When the control device receives a start command for the hydrogen supply device, it executes control to open the on-off valve. When no hydrogen leak is detected and the pressure measured by the pressure sensor is below the threshold, the pressure downstream of the on-off valve is dropping. In this case, it is assumed that the on-off valve is closed and hydrogen is being consumed by the hydrogen consumption device. Therefore, by executing control to open the on-off valve again in this case, the on-off valve can be opened even if it was not able to open despite the execution of control to open the on-off valve. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, even in a case where the on-off valve has not been able to be opened despite control being executed to open the on-off valve, the on-off valve can be opened. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hydrogen supply device. [Figure 2] 3 is a flowchart showing valve state determination control executed by the control device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a state transition diagram showing the return control executed by the control device of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An embodiment of a hydrogen supply device and a hydrogen supply method will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 is equipped with a hydrogen consumption device 11. The vehicle 10 is, for example, an industrial vehicle or a passenger car. The industrial vehicle is, for example, a forklift or a towing tractor. The hydrogen consumption device 11 operates by consuming hydrogen. In this embodiment, the hydrogen consumption device 11 is an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine is a hydrogen engine that operates by burning hydrogen.

[0013] The vehicle 10 is equipped with a starter 12. The starter 12 starts the internal combustion engine, which is the hydrogen consumption device 11. As the starter 12, for example, a starter motor is used. The vehicle 10 includes a key switch 13. The key switch 13 is switched by the user of the vehicle 10 to one of a key-off state, a start state, and an ignition state.

[0014] <Hydrogen supply device> The vehicle 10 is equipped with a hydrogen supply device 20. The hydrogen supply device 20 supplies hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device 11.

[0015] The hydrogen supply device 20 includes an electricity storage device 21. The electricity storage device 21 is, for example, a lead-acid battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, or a lithium-ion secondary battery. The electricity storage device 21 supplies electric power to loads included in the vehicle 10. The loads include the starter 12.

[0016] The hydrogen supply device 20 includes a control device 22. The control device 22 includes a processor 23 and a memory unit 24. The memory unit 24 includes a random access memory (RAM) and a read-only memory (ROM). The memory unit 24 stores program code or instructions configured to cause the processor 23 to execute processes. The memory unit 24, i.e., a computer-readable medium, includes any available medium accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. The control device 22 may be configured with a hardware circuit such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The control device 22, which is a processing circuit, may include one or more processors operating according to a computer program, one or more hardware circuits such as an ASIC or FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0017] The control device 22 is connected to the power storage device 21 via the key switch 13. The control device 22 determines the state of the key switch 13 from the voltage applied from the power storage device 21 via the key switch 13. The key-off state is a state in which hydrogen is not supplied from the hydrogen supply device 20 to the hydrogen consumption device 11. The start state is a state in which the internal combustion engine, which is the hydrogen consumption device 11, is started by supplying power from the power storage device 21 to the starter 12. The ignition state is a state in which hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen supply device 20 to the hydrogen consumption device 11.

[0018] The hydrogen supply device 20 includes a tank 25. The tank 25 stores hydrogen. The hydrogen supply device 20 includes a receptacle 26. The receptacle 26 is connected to a plug of a hydrogen filling device.

[0019] The hydrogen supply device 20 includes a filling channel 27. The filling channel 27 connects the receptacle 26 and the tank 25. The hydrogen supply device 20 is equipped with a check valve 28. The check valve 28 prevents hydrogen from flowing from the tank 25 toward the receptacle 26. The check valve 28 allows hydrogen to flow from the receptacle 26 toward the tank 25. When filling the tank 25 with hydrogen, a plug of a hydrogen filling device is connected to the receptacle 26. The hydrogen filling device supplies hydrogen at a pressure higher than the pressure of the tank 25. The hydrogen is supplied to the tank 25 via a filling flow path 27. In this way, the tank 25 is filled with hydrogen. The check valve 28 may be single or multiple.

[0020] The hydrogen supply device 20 includes a supply flow path 29. The supply flow path 29 connects the tank 25 and the hydrogen consumption device 11. Hydrogen released from the tank 25 flows through the supply flow path 29 toward the hydrogen consumption device 11. The hydrogen consumption device 11 operates when hydrogen is supplied from the tank 25 to the hydrogen consumption device 11 via the supply flow path 29.

[0021] The hydrogen supply device 20 includes an on-off valve 30. The on-off valve 30 is provided, for example, in the tank 25 or the supply flow path 29. The on-off valve 30 switches between supplying and blocking hydrogen from the tank 25 to the hydrogen consumption device 11. When the on-off valve 30 is open, hydrogen is supplied from the tank 25 to the hydrogen consumption device 11. When the on-off valve 30 is closed, the supply of hydrogen from the tank 25 to the hydrogen consumption device 11 is blocked. The on-off valve 30 is a normally closed solenoid valve. The on-off valve 30 closes when no voltage is applied from the power storage device 21. The on-off valve 30 opens when voltage is applied from the power storage device 21.

[0022] The hydrogen supply device 20 includes a connection line 31. The connection line 31 connects the on-off valve 30 and the control device 22. The control device 22 controls whether or not a voltage from the electricity storage device 21 is applied to the on-off valve 30 via the connection line 31. This allows the control device 22 to control the open / close state of the on-off valve 30.

[0023] The hydrogen supply device 20 includes a valve relay 32. The valve relay 32 includes a coil 33 and a switch 34. The coil 33 is connected to the control device 22. The control device 22 switches between energizing and de-energizing the coil 33. The switch 34 is provided on the connection line 31. When the coil 33 is energized, the switch 34 is turned on. When the coil 33 is de-energized, the switch 34 is turned off.

[0024] The hydrogen supply device 20 includes a pressure reducing valve 35. The pressure reducing valve 35 is provided in the supply flow path 29. The pressure reducing valve 35 reduces the pressure of hydrogen released from the tank 25. The pressure reducing valve 35 is, for example, a regulator that reduces the pressure of hydrogen to a predetermined pressure. The pressure reducing valve 35 reduces the pressure of hydrogen to, for example, 1 MPa. The pressure reducing valve 35 is provided downstream of the on-off valve 30 in the direction in which hydrogen flows.

[0025] The hydrogen supply device 20 is equipped with a high-pressure sensor 41. The high-pressure sensor 41 is provided downstream of the on-off valve 30 in the direction of hydrogen flow. The high-pressure sensor 41 is provided in the supply flow path 29 between the on-off valve 30 and the pressure reducing valve 35. The high-pressure sensor 41 measures the pressure in the supply flow path 29 between the on-off valve 30 and the pressure reducing valve 35. The high-pressure sensor 41 outputs the pressure obtained by the measurement to the control device 22. The control device 22 monitors the pressure measured by the high-pressure sensor 41.

[0026] The hydrogen supply device 20 is equipped with an intermediate-pressure pressure sensor 42. The intermediate-pressure pressure sensor 42 is provided downstream of the on-off valve 30 in the direction of hydrogen flow. The intermediate-pressure pressure sensor 42 is provided downstream of the pressure reducing valve 35 in the direction of hydrogen flow. The intermediate-pressure pressure sensor 42 measures the pressure in the supply flow path 29 downstream of the pressure reducing valve 35 in the direction of hydrogen flow. The intermediate-pressure pressure sensor 42 outputs the measured pressure to the control device 22. The intermediate-pressure pressure sensor 42 is a pressure sensor. The control device 22 monitors the pressure measured by the intermediate-pressure pressure sensor 42. The intermediate-pressure pressure sensor 42 is provided at a location where the pressure is lower than that of the high-pressure pressure sensor 41. Therefore, the measurement error allowable for the intermediate-pressure pressure sensor 42 is smaller than the measurement error allowable for the high-pressure pressure sensor 41. The resolution of the intermediate-pressure pressure sensor 42 is smaller than the resolution of the high-pressure pressure sensor 41.

[0027] The hydrogen supply device 20 is equipped with hydrogen sensors 43, 44. The hydrogen sensors 43, 44 are sensors for detecting hydrogen leakage. The hydrogen sensors 43, 44 measure the concentration of hydrogen. The hydrogen sensors 43, 44 output the measured hydrogen concentration to the control device 22. The hydrogen sensors 43, 44 include a first hydrogen sensor 43 and a second hydrogen sensor 44. The first hydrogen sensor 43 is provided so that the control device 22 can detect hydrogen leakage from the hydrogen supply device 20. The first hydrogen sensor 43 is provided, for example, in the storage space that houses the tank 25. The second hydrogen sensor 44 is provided so that the control device 22 can detect hydrogen leakage from the hydrogen consumption device 11. The second hydrogen sensor 44 is provided, for example, in the storage space that houses the hydrogen consumption device 11.

[0028] <Control performed by the control device> When the key switch 13 is changed from the key-off state to the start state, the control device 22 executes control so that power is supplied from the power storage device 21 to the starter 12 .

[0029] When the key switch 13 is changed from the key-off state to the start state, the control device 22 supplies hydrogen from the tank 25 to the hydrogen consumption device 11. Changing the key switch 13 from the key-off state to the start state is a start command for the hydrogen supply device 20. When the control device 22 receives the start command for the hydrogen supply device 20, it starts supplying hydrogen from the tank 25 to the hydrogen consumption device 11. When supplying hydrogen from the tank 25 to the hydrogen consumption device 11, the control device 22 executes control to open the on-off valve 30. In this embodiment, the control device 22 energizes the coil 33 so that the switch 34 is turned on. Furthermore, the control device 22 executes control to apply a voltage from the power storage device 21 to the on-off valve 30. When the control device 22 executes control to open the on-off valve 30, it maintains the application of a voltage to the on-off valve 30 so that the on-off valve 30 is maintained in an open state.

[0030] <Valve state judgment control> The control device 22 performs valve state determination control at a predetermined control cycle. The valve state determination control is control for determining whether the on-off valve 30 is open or closed.

[0031] 2, in step S1, the control device 22 determines whether or not predetermined conditions are met. Meeting of the predetermined conditions means that all of the first to fourth conditions are met. The predetermined conditions are conditions for determining whether the on-off valve 30 is open or closed.

[0032] Condition 1: Key is on. Second condition: No hydrogen leakage. Third condition: the pressure measured by the medium pressure sensor 42 is less than the threshold value.

[0033] Fourth condition: Valve control status is normal or standby. The first condition is met when the key switch 13 is in the start state or the ignition state. The key-on state indicates the start state or the ignition state.

[0034] The second condition is met when the hydrogen concentration measured by the hydrogen sensors 43, 44 is less than the leak threshold. The leak threshold is a predetermined value. The leak threshold is set so that the control device 22 can detect a hydrogen leak if hydrogen leaks from the hydrogen consumption device 11 or the hydrogen supply device 20. In this embodiment, the second condition is met when both the hydrogen concentration measured by the first hydrogen sensor 43 and the hydrogen concentration measured by the second hydrogen sensor 44 are less than the leak threshold.

[0035] The third condition is met when the amount of hydrogen in supply flow path 29 decreases. The threshold is a predetermined value. The threshold is a value lower than the pressure that hydrogen reaches when the pressure is reduced by pressure reducing valve 35. When hydrogen consumption device 11 consumes hydrogen without hydrogen being released from tank 25, the pressure in supply flow path 29 decreases. As a result, the pressure measured by intermediate pressure sensor 42 decreases. The threshold is set so that the pressure measured by intermediate pressure sensor 42 does not fall below the threshold when hydrogen is being released from tank 25. The threshold can be set to any value between 250 and 350 kPaA, for example.

[0036] The fourth condition is met when the valve control state is brought into the normal state or the standby state by the return control described later. When a predetermined condition is met, the on-off valve 30 is closed. When the key is on and the valve control state is normal or standby, the control device 22 controls the on-off valve 30 to open. If the pressure measured by the intermediate pressure sensor 42 is below the threshold value even though there is no hydrogen leakage, it is considered that the on-off valve 30 is not open despite the control being performed to open the on-off valve 30. Therefore, by determining whether a predetermined condition is met, it can be determined whether the on-off valve 30 is open or closed.

[0037] If the determination result in step S1 is positive, the control device 22 performs the process of step S2. If the determination result in step S1 is negative, the control device 22 performs the process of step S11. In step S2, the control device 22 counts the time that has elapsed in a state in which a predetermined condition is met.

[0038] Next, in step S3, the control device 22 determines whether the elapsed time during which the predetermined condition is satisfied has exceeded a predetermined time. The predetermined time is set in advance. For example, even if the predetermined condition is temporarily satisfied due to the influence of a disturbance or a measurement error, the predetermined time is set so that the on-off valve 30 is not determined to be closed. If the determination result in step S3 is positive, the control device 22 performs the process of step S4. If the determination result in step S3 is negative, the control device 22 performs the process of step S12.

[0039] In step S4, the control device 22 determines whether the number of retries is less than a predetermined number. The number of retries is the number of times that control to open the on-off valve 30 is executed after it is determined that the predetermined condition is met. An arbitrary value can be set as the predetermined number. The predetermined number is set to a number of times that can determine that an abnormality has occurred in the on-off valve 30. The predetermined number can be set to an arbitrary number from 3 to 5, for example. If the determination result in step S4 is positive, the control device 22 performs the processing of step S5. If the determination result in step S4 is negative, the control device 22 performs the processing of step S13.

[0040] In step S5, the control device 22 turns on the retry flag. In step S11, the control device 22 turns off the retry flag and resets the elapsed time.

[0041] In step S12, the control device 22 turns off the retry flag. In step S13, the control device 22 turns off the retry flag. The control device 22 determines that a pressure drop abnormality has occurred. The pressure drop abnormality is, for example, an abnormality that occurs when the on-off valve 30 does not open even when control to open the on-off valve 30 is executed. If it is determined that a pressure drop abnormality has occurred, for example, a notification is given to the user of the vehicle 10. The notification is given, for example, by sound or by display.

[0042] <Return control> A description will now be given of the return control performed by the control device 22. The return control is performed, for example, when the retry flag is turned on.

[0043] 3, the return control is performed by setting the valve control state to one of a normal state ST1, a stopped state ST2, an activated state ST3, and a waiting state ST4. The normal state ST1, the stopped state ST2, the activated state ST3, and the waiting state ST4 are each associated with a control to be executed by the control device 22. The control device 22 performs control according to each of the states ST1 to ST4.

[0044] In the normal state ST1, control is executed so that the on-off valve 30 is maintained in an open state. In the normal state ST1, control is executed so that the switch 34 is maintained in an on state. In the normal state ST1, the number of retries is reset.

[0045] In the stopped state ST2, control is executed to close the on-off valve 30. In the stopped state ST2, control is executed to turn off the switch . In the activation state ST3, the on-off valve 30 is activated. Activating the on-off valve 30 means that the on-off valve 30 is changed from a closed state to an open state. In the activation state ST3, control is executed to switch the on-off valve 30 from a closed state to an open state. When the on-off valve 30 is switched from a closed state to an open state, a larger current flows from the power storage device 21 to the on-off valve 30 than when the on-off valve 30 is maintained in an open state. In the activation state ST3, control is executed to switch the switch 34 from off to on.

[0046] In the waiting state ST4, control is executed so that the on-off valve 30 is maintained in an open state. In the waiting state ST4, control is executed so that the switch 34 is maintained in an on state. In the waiting state ST4, the number of retries is incremented.

[0047] When the retry flag is turned on while the valve control state is in the normal state ST1, the control device 22 transitions the valve control state to the stopped state ST2. When the retry flag is on, the on-off valve 30 is closed despite the control being executed by the control device 22 to maintain the on-off valve 30 in an open state. In other words, the open / closed state of the on-off valve 30 recognized by the control device 22 does not match the actual open / closed state of the on-off valve 30. When the retry flag is on, the valve control state is transitioned to the stopped state ST2, so that the open / closed state of the on-off valve 30 recognized by the control device 22 matches the actual open / closed state of the on-off valve 30.

[0048] When the valve control state becomes the stopped state ST2, the on-off valve 30 is closed, and the switch 34 is turned off, the control device 22 transitions the valve control state to the activated state ST3. When the valve control state becomes the activated state ST3, the control device 22 switches the on-off valve 30 from closed to open. When the retry flag is turned on, the valve control state changes to the activated state ST3 via the stopped state ST2. The retry flag is turned on when a predetermined condition is met, and therefore, when the predetermined condition is met, the valve control state changes to the activated state ST3. Therefore, when a hydrogen leak is not detected and the pressure detected by the intermediate pressure sensor 42 is below the threshold, the control device 22 re-executes control to open the on-off valve 30. When the control device 22 executes control to open the on-off valve 30, the control device 22 executes control to maintain the on-off valve 30. Furthermore, when the control device 22 executes control to turn on the switch 34, the control device 22 executes control to maintain the on-off valve 34.

[0049] When the valve control state becomes the activation state ST3, the control device 22 executes control to maintain the on-off valve 30 in an open state and also executes control to maintain the switch 34 in an on state, and then transitions the valve control state to the waiting state ST4, thereby incrementing the number of retries.

[0050] If the retry flag is maintained on in the valve state determination control when the valve control state is in the waiting state ST4, the control device 22 transitions the valve control state to the stopped state ST2. In this case, it can be said that the on-off valve 30 did not open when activated in the activated state ST3. If the on-off valve 30 did not open when activated in the activated state ST3, the control device 22 executes control to open the on-off valve 30 again via the stopped state ST2.

[0051] When the return control is turned off while the valve control state is in the waiting state ST4, the control device 22 transitions the valve control state to the normal state ST1. When the return control is turned off, the valve control state is maintained in the normal state ST1. The return control is turned off when the control device 22 has not determined that there is a pressure drop abnormality and the retry flag has been off for a predetermined time or longer. The predetermined time is set so that it can be determined that the on-off valve 30 is open. The predetermined time can be set arbitrarily within a range of, for example, 3 to 7 seconds.

[0052] As described above, the hydrogen supply method for supplying hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device 11 is carried out by the control device 22 executing the valve state determination control and the return control. [Operation of this embodiment] When the key switch 13 is set to the start state, the control device 22 executes control to open the on-off valve 30. At this time, even though the control device 22 executes control to open the on-off valve 30, the on-off valve 30 may not open. When the key switch 13 is set to the start state, the control device 22 executes control to supply power from the power storage device 21 to the starter 12. A voltage drop occurs in the power storage device 21 based on the current flowing through the starter 12 and the internal resistance of the power storage device 21. When a voltage drop occurs in the power storage device 21, it may not be possible to secure the voltage required to start the on-off valve 30, and the on-off valve 30 may not be able to open.

[0053] When the control device 22 is unable to open the on-off valve 30, it re-executes control to open the on-off valve 30. When the pressure measured by the intermediate pressure sensor 42 is below the threshold, it is assumed that hydrogen in the supply flow path 29 is decreasing. One cause of the decrease in hydrogen in the supply flow path 29 is that hydrogen is being consumed by the hydrogen consumption device 11 even though hydrogen is not being supplied to the supply flow path 29. When the pressure measured by the intermediate pressure sensor 42 is below the threshold, it is a state in which the pressure downstream of the on-off valve 30 is decreasing. In this case, it is assumed that hydrogen is being consumed by the hydrogen consumption device 11 while the on-off valve 30 is closed. In this case, by re-executing control to open the on-off valve 30, the control device 22 can execute control to open the on-off valve 30 when it was unable to open the on-off valve 30.

[0054] [Effects of this embodiment] (1) When the control device 22 has executed control to open the on-off valve 30 but has been unable to open the on-off valve 30, the control device 22 re-executes control to open the on-off valve 30. Therefore, even when the control device 22 has executed control to open the on-off valve 30 but has been unable to open the on-off valve 30 due to a voltage drop in the power storage device 21, the control device 22 can open the on-off valve 30 by re-executing control to open the on-off valve 30.

[0055] (2) If the control device 22 is unable to open the on-off valve 30, it again executes control to open the on-off valve 30. If the hydrogen supply device 20 is mounted on the vehicle 10, the supply of hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device 11 can be continued without causing any discomfort to the user of the vehicle 10.

[0056] (3) When hydrogen is leaking, the control device 22 does not execute control to open the on-off valve 30. When hydrogen is leaking, opening the on-off valve 30 may result in further hydrogen leakage. When hydrogen is leaking, not executing control to open the on-off valve 30 can prevent further hydrogen leakage.

[0057] (4) When hydrogen is leaking, the control device 22 does not execute control to open the on-off valve 30. When hydrogen is leaking, even though the on-off valve 30 is open, the pressure measured by the medium pressure sensor 42 may be below the threshold due to hydrogen leakage. When hydrogen is not leaking, the control device 22 executes control to open the on-off valve 30 again, so that the on-off valve 30 can be opened when it is not open.

[0058] (5) When the key switch 13 is set to the start state, the control device 22 executes control so that power is supplied from the power storage device 21 to the starter 12. When power is supplied to the starter 12, a voltage drop occurs in the power storage device 21 due to the current flowing through the starter 12. The starter 12 is used temporarily when starting the internal combustion engine, which is the hydrogen consumption device 11. When the control device 22 executes control again to open the on-off valve 30, no voltage drop occurs in the power storage device 21 due to the supply of power to the starter 12. By executing control again to open the on-off valve 30, it is less likely that the on-off valve 30 will be unable to open due to the influence of the starter 12.

[0059] (6) When the pressure measured by the medium-pressure sensor 42 is less than the threshold value, the control device 22 again executes control to open the on-off valve 30. The resolution of the medium-pressure sensor 42 is smaller than the resolution of the high-pressure sensor 41. This improves the accuracy of determining whether the pressure in the supply flow path 29 has become less than the threshold value.

[0060] [Example of change] The embodiment can be modified as follows: The embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0061] When the pressure measured by the high-pressure sensor 41 is below the threshold value without detecting a hydrogen leak, the control device 22 may again execute control to open the on-off valve 30. In this case, the high-pressure sensor 41 is the pressure sensor.

[0062] The hydrogen consumption device 11 may be a fuel cell system. In this case, the load is not a starter, but rather an electric fan or other device that consumes relatively large amounts of power. The hydrogen supply device 20 may include a first hydrogen sensor 43 or a second hydrogen sensor 44 as a hydrogen sensor.

[0063] Hydrogen supply device 20 may be provided in any device that includes hydrogen consumption device 11. In this case, hydrogen supply device 20 may be provided with an operation unit that can be operated by a user, and a start-up command may be output to hydrogen supply device 20 by operating the operation unit.

[0064] The hydrogen supply device 20 does not have to include the valve relay 32. Even in this case, the control device 22 can control whether or not to apply voltage to the on-off valve 30, as in the embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 11...hydrogen consumption device, 12...starter which is a load, 13...key switch, 20...hydrogen supply device, 21...electricity storage device, 22...control device, 25...tank, 30...opening / closing valve, 35...pressure reducing valve, 42...medium pressure sensor which is a pressure sensor, 43, 44...hydrogen sensors.

Claims

1. A hydrogen supply device that supplies hydrogen to a hydrogen consumption device that operates by consuming hydrogen, a power storage device that supplies power to a load; a tank for storing the hydrogen; a supply flow path through which the hydrogen released from the tank flows toward the hydrogen consumption device; an on-off valve that switches between supplying and cutting off the supply of hydrogen from the tank to the hydrogen consumption device, and that closes when no voltage is applied from the power storage device; a pressure sensor provided in the supply flow path, the pressure sensor being provided downstream of the on-off valve in the direction in which the hydrogen flows; a hydrogen sensor for detecting the leakage of the hydrogen; a control device; The control device When a start command for the hydrogen supply device is received, control is executed to open the on-off valve, and then If the pressure measured by the pressure sensor is less than the threshold value while no hydrogen leakage is detected, the control for opening the on-off valve is executed again; The hydrogen supply device determines that a pressure drop abnormality has occurred when the number of retries, which is the number of times that control to open the on-off valve is executed again, is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

2. the hydrogen consuming device is an internal combustion engine that operates by burning the hydrogen; the load includes a starter for starting the internal combustion engine; 2. The hydrogen supply device according to claim 1, wherein the control device executes control so that, when a key switch is turned to a start state, power is supplied from the power storage device to the starter and the on-off valve.

3. a pressure reducing valve provided in the supply flow path, 3. The hydrogen supply device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is provided downstream of the pressure reducing valve in the direction in which the hydrogen flows.

4. a power storage device that supplies power to a load; a tank for storing hydrogen; a supply flow path through which the hydrogen released from the tank flows toward a hydrogen consumption device that operates by consuming the hydrogen; an on-off valve that switches between supplying and cutting off the supply of hydrogen from the tank to the hydrogen consumption device, and that closes when no voltage is applied from the power storage device; a pressure sensor provided in the supply flow path, the pressure sensor being provided downstream of the on-off valve in the direction in which the hydrogen flows; a hydrogen sensor for detecting the leakage of the hydrogen; a control device; and a hydrogen supply method for supplying hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption device by a hydrogen supply device including the control device, The control device When a start command for the hydrogen supply device is received, control is executed to open the on-off valve, and then If the pressure measured by the pressure sensor is less than the threshold value while no hydrogen leakage is detected, the control for opening the on-off valve is executed again; The hydrogen supply method determines that a pressure drop abnormality has occurred when the number of retries, which is the number of times that control to open the on-off valve is executed again, is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

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