pressure vessel

The pressure vessel design with an anti-rotation structure between the shaft and storage material addresses the issue of relative rotation, preventing damage and ensuring efficient gas handling and structural stability.

JP7800388B2Active Publication Date: 2026-01-16TOYODA GOSEI CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022181453
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-11-11
Publication Date
2026-01-16
Estimated Expiration
2042-11-11

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing pressure vessels allow for relative rotation between storage materials and mouthpieces or the container body, potentially causing damage due to contact during filament winding or vehicle vibrations.

Method used

A pressure vessel design with a shaft and storage material having an anti-rotation structure, where the shaft and storage material are in contact and restricted from relative rotation, integrated with nozzles to prevent rotational movement.

Benefits of technology

Prevents damage to storage materials by restricting relative rotation, ensuring smooth gas absorption and release, and maintaining structural integrity during assembly and vehicle operation.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To prevent relative rotation of a mouthpiece and a storage material.SOLUTION: A pressure vessel includes: a cylindrical vessel body which has an internal space formed therein; a first mouthpiece which is arranged in one end side in an axial direction of the vessel body; a second mouthpiece which is arranged in the other side in the axial direction of the vessel body; a shaft which is disposed in the internal space and is connected to the first mouthpiece at one end in the axial direction and is connected to the second mouthpiece at the other end in the axial direction; a reinforcement layer which covers an outer surface of the vessel body; and a storage material which is stored in the internal space in such a manner of covering an outer surface of the shaft and can store and discharge gas. The shaft and the storage material respectively have a detent structure which comes into contact with each other to regulate relative rotation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pressure vessel that can be filled with gas at high pressure. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, pressure vessels (for example, Patent Document 1) that can be mounted on vehicles and filled with gases such as hydrogen gas and natural gas at high pressure have been known. The pressure vessel described in Patent Document 1 has a vessel body such as a liner, mouthpieces disposed on both axial ends of the vessel body, and a reinforcing layer covering the outer surface of the vessel body. This reinforcing layer can improve the pressure resistance of the pressure vessel.

[0003] The reinforcing layer is disposed on the outside of the container body by winding a fibrous member around the outer surface of the container body using a filament winding (FW) method. This FW requires that the nozzles on both axial sides be rotated about their axes and that the rotational torque be transmitted to the container body. Therefore, in the pressure vessel described in Patent Document 1, the connection between the container body and the nozzles is formed in a polygonal shape to prevent deformation of the container body and free rotation of the nozzles during FW. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-167298 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to increase the amount of gas that can be stored in the internal space of the container body, it is effective to accommodate a storage material, such as a hydrogen storage alloy, which physically or chemically absorbs and releases gas, in the internal space of the container body. However, if this storage material is simply placed inside the container body without being fixed to the mouthpiece or the container body, relative rotation between the storage material and the mouthpiece or the container body is permitted. For example, when the mouthpiece rotates due to FW, the storage material may not rotate despite the rotation, or the storage material may rotate relative to the mouthpiece or the container body due to vibrations while the vehicle is running. If such a situation occurs, the storage material may come into contact with the mouthpiece or the container body and be damaged.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide a pressure vessel capable of preventing relative rotation between the mouthpiece and the storage material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a pressure vessel comprising: a cylindrical container body having an internal space; a first nozzle disposed at one axial end of the container body; a second nozzle disposed at the other axial end of the container body; a shaft disposed within the internal space and connected at one axial end to the first nozzle and at the other axial end to the second nozzle; a reinforcing layer covering the outer surface of the container body; and a storage material contained in the internal space so as to cover the outer surface of the shaft and capable of absorbing and releasing gas, wherein the shaft and the storage material are in contact with each other and have an anti-rotation structure that restricts relative rotation.

[0008] This configuration makes it possible to prevent relative rotation between the mouthpiece and the storage material. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a pressure vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the pressure vessel of the embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pressure vessel according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pressure vessel of the embodiment taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Specific embodiments of the pressure vessel according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

[0011] A pressure vessel 1 according to one embodiment is a vessel that stores gas and releases the stored gas. The pressure vessel 1 is mounted on a vehicle that runs on the stored gas as fuel, for example. The gas stored in the pressure vessel 1 may be any type of gas, but is preferably a fuel gas such as hydrogen gas or natural gas. The pressure of the gas that can be stored in the pressure vessel 1 may be any pressure, but may also be high pressure (for example, 100 MPa). In other words, the pressure vessel 1 may be a pressure-resistant vessel.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the pressure vessel 1 comprises a vessel body 10, a first nozzle 20, a second nozzle 30, a shaft 40, a reinforcing layer 50, and a storage material 60.

[0013] The container body 10 is a liner for storing gas. The container body 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The container body 10 contains an internal space 11. That is, an internal space is formed within the container body 10. The container body 10 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape or a regular polygonal cylindrical shape so that the gas pressure is uniformly dispersed in the internal space 11. The container body 10 extends in the direction in which the axis C extends (axial direction). The container body 10 is formed so that it has approximately the same diameter at the axial center and decreases in diameter at both axial ends from the axial center to the axial ends.

[0014] The internal space 11 has a capacity capable of storing a predetermined amount of gas. The container body 10 is made of a material with gas barrier properties that is impermeable or difficult to permeate for the gas stored in the internal space 11. The material of the container body 10 may be selected depending on the environment in which the pressure vessel 1 is used, etc.

[0015] For example, when the gas is hydrogen, the material of the container body 10 is polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, or the like. The inside of the container body 10 may be coated with a material with excellent gas barrier properties, such as ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH). Furthermore, when the pressure vessel 1 is to be used for residential purposes, and the mass of the pressure vessel 1 can be large, the material of the container body 10 may be a metal material, such as aluminum or stainless steel.

[0016] The container body 10 may be formed from multiple segments, which may be integrated by joining together by welding or other means. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the container body 10 may be formed from one cylindrical segmented body 10a and two dome-shaped segmented dome bodies 10b and 10c. In this case, the container body 10 may be configured such that the segments are arranged in the following order from one axial end (left side in FIG. 2) to the other axial end (right side in FIG. 2): dome segmented body 10b → cylindrical segmented body 10a → dome segmented body 10c. Hereinafter, the dome segmented body 10b will be referred to as the first dome segmented body 10b, and the dome segmented body 10c will be referred to as the second dome segmented body 10c, as appropriate.

[0017] The container body 10 has openings 12 and 13. The opening 12 is a portion that opens at one axial end of the container body 10. The opening 13 is a portion 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. The opening 12 is provided in the first dome segment 10b. The opening 13 is provided in the second dome segment 10c. The openings 12 and 13 are each formed in a circular shape, for example. A first nozzle 20 is inserted into the opening 12. A second nozzle 30 is inserted into the opening 13.

[0018] The first nozzle 20 and the second nozzle 30 are members that allow gas to flow in and out between the internal space 11 and the outside of the container body 10. That is, the first nozzle 20 and the second nozzle 30 are used to introduce gas from the outside of the container body 10 into the internal space 11, and to release gas from the internal space 11 to the outside of the container body 10.

[0019] The first nozzle 20 is disposed at one axial end of the container body 10. The second nozzle 30 is disposed at the other axial end of the container body 10. The first nozzle 20 and the second nozzle 30 are formed from a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel to ensure rigidity. The first nozzle 20 and the second nozzle 30 each have a shaft portion 20a, 30a and a flange portion 20b, 30b.

[0020] The shaft portions 20a, 30a are portions that extend in the axial direction. The shaft portions 20a, 30a are formed in a shape (for example, a cylindrical shape) that fits into the opening 12 of the container body 10. The flange portions 20b, 30b are portions that expand in the radial direction. The flange portions 20b, 30b are integrated with the shaft portions 20a, 30a. The flange portions 20b, 30b are formed in a shape that extends radially outward from the outer surface of the shaft portions 20a, 30a to fit along the inner surface of the first dome segment 10b or the second dome segment 10c of the container body 10.

[0021] Sealing members 70 (see Figure 7) such as O-rings are interposed between the first nozzle 20 (specifically, the axial outer surface of the flange portion 20b) and the container body 10 (specifically, the inner surface of the first dome segment 10b), and between the second nozzle 30 (specifically, the axial outer surface of the flange portion 30b) and the container body 10 (specifically, the inner surface of the second dome segment 10c) to prevent gas from leaking from the internal space 11 of the container body 10 to the outside.

[0022] The first nozzle 20 has a communicating passage 21. The second nozzle 30 has a communicating passage 31. The communicating passages 21, 31 are passages that connect the internal space 11 of the container body 10 to the outside. The communicating passage 21 is provided at the axial center of the shaft portion 20a. The communicating passage 31 is provided at the axial center of the shaft portion 30a. The communicating passages 21, 31 extend in the axial direction and are formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. The communicating passages 21, 31 are connected, for example, to a gas pipe or a valve (not shown).

[0023] The pressure vessel 1 may be one in which gas is let in and out through both the communicating passages 21, 31 of the nozzles 20, 30, or one in which gas is let in and out through only one of the communicating passages 21, 31 with a stopper attached to the other. The container body 10 may be formed separately from the nozzles 20, 30, and then integrated with the nozzles 20, 30 by inserting the nozzles 20, 30 therein, or may be integrally molded with the nozzles 20, 30 by, for example, insert molding.

[0024] Furthermore, the first nozzle 20 and the second nozzle 30 are made of a heat conductive material. The first nozzle 20 and the second nozzle 30 may function as a heat exchanger through which a heat exchange medium circulates in order to adjust the temperature of the pressure vessel 1. It is preferable that both nozzles 20, 30 function as heat exchangers, but it is also possible for either one of the nozzles 20, 30 to function as a heat exchanger. For example, when gas flows in and out through one nozzle (e.g., the first nozzle 20), the other nozzle on the axially opposite side of that nozzle (e.g., the second nozzle 30) may function as a heat exchanger.

[0025] The shaft 40 is an axial member connected to the first nozzle 20 and the second nozzle 30. One axial end of the shaft 40 is connected to the first nozzle 20, and the other axial end is connected to the second nozzle 30. The shaft 40 is disposed in the internal space 11 of the container body 10. The shaft 40 extends linearly in the axial direction, and connects the first nozzle 20 and the second nozzle 30.

[0026] The first mouthpiece 20 and the shaft 40 are assembled together. One axial end of the shaft 40 is inserted into the communicating passage 21 of the first mouthpiece 20. The first mouthpiece 20 and the shaft 40 are integrated with each other and rotate together. Furthermore, the second mouthpiece 30 and the shaft 40 are assembled together. The other axial end of the shaft 40 is inserted into the communicating passage 31 of the second mouthpiece 30. The second mouthpiece 30 and the shaft 40 are integrated with each other and rotate together. Note that it is sufficient that the first mouthpiece 20, the shaft 40, and the second mouthpiece 30 are fixed to each other so that their relative rotation is restricted, and this may be done by, for example, press-fitting, bolting, screwing, welding, or melt-adhesion.

[0027] The shaft 40 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape. The shaft 40 has a through hole 41 and an air vent 42. The through hole 41 penetrates between the first nozzle 20 side and the second nozzle 30 side. The through hole 41 is a passage for guiding gas that has flowed from the outside into one of the communication passages 21, 31 of the first nozzle 20 and the second nozzle 30 to the other communication passage 31, 21. The air vent 42 is a hole that connects to the through hole 41, extends radially outward, and is exposed to the outside from the outer surface of the shaft 40. The air vent 42 is a passage for guiding gas flowing through the through hole 41 from the middle of the axial direction of the shaft 40 to the storage material 60 on the radial outside before it reaches the other communication passage 31, 21. A plurality of air vents 42 are provided evenly throughout the shaft 40.

[0028] The shaft 40 is made of a thermally conductive material. This thermally conductive material is, for example, a material whose thermal conductivity at room temperature (e.g., 25°C) is higher than that of air, and specifically includes metals, alloys, ceramics, etc., such as stainless steel, aluminum, alumina, and silicon carbide.

[0029] The reinforcing layer 50 is a layer that covers the outer surface of the container body 10 (i.e., the surface facing radially outward) and reinforces the container body 10. The reinforcing layer 50 is formed by winding a fibrous member around the outer surface of the container body 10. The reinforcing layer 50 may be a hoop layer in which a fibrous member is hoop-wound or a helical layer in which a fibrous member is helically wound. The fibrous member that constitutes the reinforcing layer 50 is, for example, a high-strength fiber impregnated with resin (i.e., FRP), such as carbon fiber, glass fiber, or aramid fiber.

[0030] The reinforcing layer 50 may be formed by attaching a helical layer or hoop layer formed from a fibrous member in a sheet shape to the outer surface of the container body 10, instead of directly winding a fibrous member around the outer surface of the container body 10. The reinforcing layer 50 may also be formed by impregnating the fibrous member with a resin, for example, by forming a helical layer or a hoop layer and then heat-curing the resin. The resin impregnated into the fibrous member may be a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin, an unsaturated polyester resin, or a vinyl ester resin.

[0031] The storage material 60 is a member capable of absorbing and releasing gas. The storage material 60 is accommodated in the internal space 11 of the container body 10 so as to cover the outer surface of the shaft 40. To increase the amount of gas stored in the pressure vessel 1, it is preferable that the storage material 60 be accommodated throughout substantially the entire internal space 11 of the container body 10. However, the storage material 60 may be accommodated in only a portion of the internal space 11. The apparent volume of the storage material 60 is preferably close to 100% of the volume of the internal space 11, and may be, for example, 90% or more. The reason why the internal space 11 in which the storage material 60 is accommodated is limited to a portion as described above is, for example, to allow the internal space 11 in which the storage material 60 is not accommodated to function as a gas flow path to homogenize the gas concentration in the internal space 11.

[0032] The storage material 60 is formed in a columnar shape following the shape of the inner surface of the container body 10, i.e., the shape of the internal space 11. The storage material 60 extends in the axial direction. The shape of a cross section of the storage material 60 cut along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction corresponds to the cross section of the container body 10, and may be, for example, a circle or a regular polygon such as a regular hexagon. The storage material 60 is formed from a material depending on the type of gas to be stored. Examples of materials for the storage material 60 include porous carbon materials such as carbon nanotubes, porous metal complexes (i.e., MOFs), zeolites, hydrogen storage alloys, and metal hydrides.

[0033] The storage material 60 may be formed, for example, in a pellet-like state by solidifying powders such as primary particles or secondary particles. The pellet-like storage material 60 can ensure a large contact area between the storage material 60 and the gas, thereby improving the gas absorption and desorption performance. In this case, the storage material 60 may be formed by cross-linking the powder of the storage material with a cross-linking agent or binding it with a binder. The cross-linking agent or binder may be formed, for example, from a silicon-based, epoxy-based, or amine-based material.

[0034] The storage material 60 may have performance that changes depending on the axial position, and may be configured, for example, so that the axial end portions have higher breakage resistance than the axial center portion. This breakage resistance is an index that indicates how difficult it is for the powdered storage material 60 to be pulverized. This breakage resistance can be expressed in terms of strength, rigidity, abrasion resistance, viscosity, elasticity, etc.

[0035] Furthermore, the storage material 60 may be accommodated in each accommodation space of a storage member formed, for example, in a honeycomb shape, and be held within the compartment walls of the storage member. In this case, the storage member accommodating the storage material 60 may have a rotation prevention structure, described below, as part of the storage material 60. Furthermore, when the storage material 60 is accommodated in a storage member, the compartment walls of the storage member may be formed of a thermally conductive material and function as a heat exchanger. This thermally conductive material, like the shaft 40, is a material whose thermal conductivity at room temperature (e.g., 25°C) is higher than that of air, and may specifically be a metal, alloy, ceramic, or the like, such as stainless steel, aluminum, alumina, or silicon carbide.

[0036] The shaft 40 and the storage material 60 have a rotation prevention structure that contacts each other and restricts relative rotation. The storage material 60 is arranged to cover the outer surface of the shaft 40, and the shaft 40 passes through the storage material 60. The storage material 60 has a through hole 61 through which the shaft 40 passes. The rotation prevention structure is a structure that restricts the shaft 40 from rotating relative to the storage material 60 within the through hole 61.

[0037] The anti-rotation structure for the shaft 40 and the storage material 60 may be any structure that restricts the relative rotation between the shaft 40 and the storage material 60, and one example is that the outer shape of the shaft 40 or the shape of the through-hole 61 of the storage material 60 (i.e., the inner shape of the portion around the periphery of the through-hole 61) is other than circular. Note that the portion of the shaft 40 whose outer shape is other than circular may be only the portion that is inserted into the through-hole 61 of the storage material 60, and the portion that does not fit into the through-hole 61 (for example, both axial ends) may be circular.

[0038] In this embodiment, the through-hole 61 of the storage material 60 is formed with a non-circular cross section to provide a rotation-preventing structure. The shaft 40 also has a shaft fitting portion 43 formed with a non-circular cross section that fits into the through-hole 61 to provide a rotation-preventing structure. These non-circular cross sections may be, for example, star-shaped as shown in Figures 3 and 4, or regular polygons such as an equilateral triangle or square. In this case, it is sufficient for the outer surface of the shaft 40 to have a non-circular cross section, and the shaft 40 may be formed in a frame-like or spoke-like shape with a hollow interior.

[0039] The shaft 40 is composed of two shaft segments 45, 46 separated in the axial direction. The shaft segments 45, 46 are each formed as separate bodies. The shaft segments 45, 46 are connected to each other at the axial center of the shaft 40. Hereinafter, the shaft segment 45 connected to the first nozzle 20 will be referred to as the first shaft segment 45, and the shaft segment 46 connected to the second nozzle 30 will be referred to as the second shaft segment 46.

[0040] The first shaft segment 45 and the second shaft segment 46 are fitted together at the axial center of the shaft 40, connected so as to be unable to rotate relative to each other, and can rotate integrally around the axis C. The first shaft segment 45 and the second shaft segment 46 can be fitted together in any manner as long as the fitting protrusion 45a provided on the first shaft segment 45 fits into the fitting groove 46a provided on the second shaft segment 46 so as to be unable to rotate relative to each other, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0041] The storage material 60 is composed of two storage material segments 65, 66 separated in the axial direction. The storage material segments 65, 66 are each formed as separate bodies. In the storage material 60, the storage material segments 65, 66 are axially opposed to or in contact with each other at the axial center. Hereinafter, the storage material segment 65 into which the first shaft segment 45 is inserted will be referred to as the first storage material segment 65, and the storage material segment 66 into which the second shaft segment 46 is inserted will be referred to as the second storage material segment 66.

[0042] Next, we will explain an example of the procedure for assembling and manufacturing the pressure vessel 1. The assembly and manufacturing of the pressure vessel 1 is carried out according to the following procedure using a predetermined manufacturing device.

[0043] First, one cylindrical segment 10a and two dome segments 10b, 10c that make up the container body 10 are prepared by injection molding or the like, and nozzles 20, 30 are also prepared. Furthermore, two shaft segments 45, 46 as the shaft 40 are prepared, and two storage material segments 65, 66 as the storage material 60 are also prepared.

[0044] Then, the first mouthpiece 20 is attached to the first dome segment 10b with the seal member 70 interposed therebetween, the first shaft segment 45 is connected to the first mouthpiece 20, and the first storage material segment 65 is attached so that the first shaft segment 45 is inserted into the through-hole 61 of the first storage material segment 65. In this case, a first sub-assembly is assembled in which the first mouthpiece 20, the first shaft segment 45, and the first storage material segment 65 are assembled.

[0045] Furthermore, the second nozzle 30 is attached to the second dome segment 10c with the seal member 70 interposed therebetween, the second shaft segment 46 is connected to the second nozzle 30, and the second storage material segment 66 is attached so that the second shaft segment 46 is inserted into the through-hole 61 of the second storage material segment 66. In this case, a second sub-assembly is assembled in which the second nozzle 30, the second shaft segment 46, and the second storage material segment 66 are assembled.

[0046] Thereafter, the cylindrical segment 10a is inserted into either the first or second subassembly, and the other subassembly is then brought close to the first subassembly in the axial direction and assembled. This assembly is achieved by integrating the segments 10a, 10b, and 10c of the container body 10 by welding or the like while applying surface pressure in the axial direction. When this assembly is complete, the first shaft segment 45 and the second shaft segment 46 fit together at the axial center of the shaft 40, and the storage material 60 is housed and disposed in the internal space 11 of the container body 10.

[0047] Finally, the reinforcing layer 50 is coated on the outer surface of the vessel body 10 by a filament winding (FW) method. Through these processes, the pressure vessel 1 is manufactured.

[0048] The operation and function of the pressure vessel 1 will now be described. In the manufactured pressure vessel 1, for example, when gas is supplied to the internal space 11 of the container body 10 via the communicating passage 21 of the first nozzle 20 with the communicating passage 31 of the second nozzle 30 closed, the gas flows from the axial end face of the shaft 40 (specifically, the first shaft segment 45) arranged in the internal space 11 on the first nozzle 20 side to the through hole 41, and then flows into the storage material 60 through the vent hole 42. The gas that flows into the storage material 60 is gradually occluded in the storage material 60. After the gas flows in, the communicating passage 21 of the first nozzle 20 is closed and the internal space 11 is filled with gas.

[0049] Furthermore, after the pressure vessel 1 is filled with gas, when the communicating passage 31 of the second nozzle 30 is opened by a valve, for example, the gas in the internal space 11 is released to the outside from the communicating passage 31 via the ventilation hole 42 and through hole 41 of the shaft 40.

[0050] Therefore, according to the pressure vessel 1, the entire internal space 11 can be filled with gas using the storage material 60, and the filled gas can be released to the outside.

[0051] In the pressure vessel 1, the shaft 40 and the storage material 60 have a rotation prevention structure that contacts each other and restricts relative rotation, as described above. Therefore, the shaft 40 and the storage material 60 can rotate integrally with each other. Furthermore, the shaft 40 is connected at one axial end to the first nozzle 20 and at the other axial end to the second nozzle 30. Therefore, with the configuration of the pressure vessel 1, relative rotation between the first nozzle 20 and the storage material 60 and relative rotation between the second nozzle 30 and the storage material 60 can be prevented.

[0052] In particular, the shaft 40 is inserted into a through hole 61 provided in the storage material 60. This through hole 61 is formed with a non-circular cross section, and the shaft 40 has a shaft fitting portion 43 formed with a non-circular cross section that fits into the through hole 61 of the storage material 60. With this configuration, for example, even if the shaft 40 tries to rotate, the rotational torque is transmitted from the shaft fitting portion 43 to the storage material 60, causing the storage material 60 to rotate together, and conversely, even if the storage material 60 tries to rotate, the rotational torque is transmitted to the shaft fitting portion 43, causing the shaft 40 to rotate together. Therefore, the relative rotation between the shaft 40 and the storage material 60 can be restricted, and thereby the relative rotation between the mouthpieces 20, 30 and the storage material 60 can be prevented.

[0053] If relative rotation between the mouthpieces 20, 30 and the storage material 60 is prevented as described above, even when the mouthpieces 20, 30 rotate and the reinforcing layer 50 is wound around the outer surface of the container body 10 during FW when assembling the pressure vessel 1, the shaft 40 and therefore the storage material 60 rotate integrally with the mouthpieces 20, 30, thereby preventing idling of the mouthpieces 20, 30. Furthermore, when the pressure vessel 1 is mounted on a vehicle, the storage material 60 will not rotate relative to the mouthpieces 20, 30, the shaft 40, or the container body 10 due to vibrations that occur while the vehicle is traveling. Therefore, the pressure vessel 1 can prevent damage to the storage material 60 due to contact caused by relative rotation with the mouthpieces 20, 30, the shaft 40, or the container body 10.

[0054] Furthermore, the storage material 60 generates heat when it absorbs gas and absorbs heat when it releases gas. The shaft 40 is assembled and integrated with the first nozzle 20 and the second nozzle 30 in a state where relative rotation between the shaft 40 and the storage material 60 is restricted. The shaft 40 is made of a heat-conductive material, which facilitates heat transfer between the first nozzle 20 and the second nozzle 30. The first nozzle 20 and the second nozzle 30 are also made of a heat-conductive material, which facilitates heat transfer between them and the outside.

[0055] In this configuration, when the storage material 60 generates heat due to gas absorption, the high temperature heat can be transferred to the nozzles 20, 30 via the shaft 40, thereby efficiently and quickly adjusting the temperature of the storage material 60 and, by extension, the internal space 11. Therefore, with the pressure vessel 1, gas can be smoothly absorbed into the storage material 60 in the internal space 11 and released from the storage material 60.

[0056] In the pressure vessel 1, the shaft 40 is configured to be divided into two shaft segments 45, 46 in the axial direction. The first shaft segment 45 is connected to the first mouthpiece 20 at one axial end. The second shaft segment 46 is formed separately from the first shaft segment 45 and is connected to the second mouthpiece 30 at the other axial end. The first shaft segment 45 and the second shaft segment 46 are fitted together and connected so as to be unable to rotate relative to each other.

[0057] In this configuration, the first shaft segment 45 and the second shaft segment 46 are fitted together to form the shaft 40, thereby ensuring the coaxiality of the axis C. Therefore, when manufacturing the pressure vessel 1, simply by fitting the first shaft segment 45 and the second shaft segment 46 together, it is possible to assemble the first sub-assembly, which is an assembly of the first mouthpiece 20, the first shaft segment 45, and the first storage material segment 65, and the second sub-assembly, which is an assembly of the second mouthpiece 30, the second shaft segment 46, and the second storage material segment 66, while ensuring the coaxiality of both sub-assemblies.

[0058] According to this configuration, it is not necessary to ensure coaxiality between the sub-assemblies on the vessel body 10 side, and therefore it can be applied to a pressure vessel 1 having a so-called linerless structure.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, this specification not only discloses the technical ideas indicated by the citation relationships set forth in the claims at the time of filing, but also discloses technical ideas obtained by appropriately combining the matters set forth in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1: pressure vessel, 10: vessel body, 11: internal space, 20: first nozzle, 30: second nozzle, 40: shaft, 43: shaft fitting portion, 45: first shaft segment, 46: second shaft segment, 50: reinforcing layer, 60: storage material, 61: through hole, 65: first storage material segment, 66: second storage material segment.

Claims

1. a cylindrical container body having an internal space; a first nozzle disposed on one axial end side of the container body; a second nozzle disposed on the other axial end side of the container body; a shaft disposed in the internal space, the shaft having one axial end connected to the first mouthpiece and the other axial end connected to the second mouthpiece; a reinforcing layer covering the outer surface of the container body; a storage material accommodated in the internal space so as to cover an outer surface of the shaft and capable of absorbing and releasing gas; Equipped with the shaft and the storage material have a rotation prevention structure that contacts each other and restricts relative rotation; The shaft a first shaft segment connected to the first mouthpiece; a second shaft segment formed separately from the first shaft segment and connected to the second mouthpiece; and The first shaft segment and the second shaft segment are fitted together and connected to each other so as not to rotate relative to each other.

2. 2. The pressure vessel according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing layer is formed by winding a fibrous member around the outer surface of the vessel body.

3. the storage material has a through hole through which the shaft passes, The through hole of the storage material is formed to have a non-circular cross section as the anti-rotation structure, The pressure vessel according to claim 1 , wherein the shaft has, as the anti-rotation structure, a shaft fitting portion formed in a non-circular cross section that fits into the through-hole of the storage material.

Citation Information

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