Gas filling device

Abstract

To suppress the elongation of a time taken to complete charging of a target tank on higher-pressure side (preceding side) when charging multiple target tanks with fuel gas from a pressure accumulator, or to keep the charging from finishing in the middle before a target termination pressure is reached.SOLUTION: A gas charging device 1 comprises a first gas supply conduit 7, a second gas supply conduit 8 and an integrated control board 9. The first gas supply conduit 7 supplies hydrogen gas to a first charged tank 53 mounted on a first vehicle 51 from a multistage pressure accumulator 2. The second gas supply conduit 8 supplies hydrogen gas to a second charged tank 54 mounted on a second vehicle 52 from the multistage pressure accumulator 2. When supplying hydrogen gas to both the first charged tank 53 and the second charged tank 54 from the multistage pressure accumulator 2, the integrated control board 9 adds a correction time to a charging finish time of one target tank (for example, the second charged tank 54) to determine a pressure rise rate (PRR) of the one target tank.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a gas filling device for filling (supplying) a fuel gas, such as hydrogen gas, into a vehicle's fuel tank. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a fuel gas filling control system that includes a filling path (gas supply path) connecting a filling nozzle and an accumulator of a filling device, and that fills (supplies) fuel gas (hydrogen gas) in the accumulator to the vehicle's tank (tank to be filled) via the filling nozzle. The fuel gas filling control system of Patent Document 1 controls the rate of increase of the fuel gas pressure so that it reaches a target completion pressure set according to the pressure in the vehicle's tank at that time when filling the vehicle's tank with fuel gas. Patent Documents 2 and 3 also describe a hydrogen supply system equipped with a multi-stage accumulator composed of multiple accumulators. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-190621 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-084328 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-084329 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] One possible configuration for a fuel gas filling control system is to enable the filling of multiple tanks with fuel gas. Specifically, the fuel gas filling control system could be configured to have multiple filling paths and to share an accumulator across these paths. More specifically, for example, the system could include a "first filling path" and a "first filling nozzle connected to the first filling path," and a "second filling path branching off from the first filling path" and a "second filling nozzle connected to the second filling path." The accumulator would then be shared between the first and second filling paths to enable the parallel filling of multiple tanks with fuel gas.

[0005] With this configuration, while fuel gas is being filled into the first tank to be filled via the first filling path, fuel gas can also be filled into the second tank to be filled via the second filling path (i.e., simultaneous filling of both the first and second tanks to be filled). However, when filling both tanks to be filled in this way (simultaneous filling), depending on the relationship between the pressure of the accumulator, the pressure of the first tank to be filled, and the pressure of the second tank to be filled, the pressure in the tank with the higher pressure (high-pressure side) may not rise easily. This may result in a longer time to complete filling of the high-pressure tank, or the filling may stop prematurely before reaching the target completion pressure.

[0006] The object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a gas filling device that can suppress the time required to complete filling of the high-pressure side (leading side) tank when filling (supplying) fuel gas from an accumulator to multiple tanks to be filled, or the problem of filling being terminated prematurely before reaching the target termination pressure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention is a gas filling apparatus comprising: a first gas supply path that supplies fuel gas from an accumulator in which fuel gas is stored to a first tank to be filled; a second gas supply path that supplies fuel gas from the accumulator to a second tank to be filled, which is different from the first tank to be filled; and a controller that controls the rate of pressure increase of the fuel gas supplied into the first tank to be filled through the first gas supply path and controls the rate of pressure increase of the fuel gas supplied into the second tank to be filled through the second gas supply path. In this gas filling apparatus, when the controller supplies fuel gas from the accumulator to both the first tank to be filled and the second tank to be filled, it adds a correction time to the completion time of filling of one of the tanks to be filled, which is the completion time of filling of the first tank to be filled and the completion time of filling of the second tank to be filled, to determine the rate of pressure increase of this one tank to be filled, and supplies fuel gas to the one tank to be filled with this determined rate of pressure increase. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when supplying (filling) fuel gas from an accumulator to multiple tanks to be filled (first tank to be filled, second tank to be filled), it is possible to suppress the time required until the supply (filling) of fuel gas to the high-pressure side (leading side) tank to be filled is completed, or to suppress the supply (filling) of fuel gas from being terminated prematurely before reaching the target termination pressure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic overall diagram showing a gas filling device according to the first embodiment, along with an accumulator, compressor, and the like. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the gas filling apparatus in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing the processes performed by the integrated control panel (controller) in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows the process following "A" and "B" in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows the processes following "C" and "D" in Figure 4. [Figure 6]This flowchart shows the "cooperative control" process in S21 of Figure 4. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing the process of "MC-Formula PRR calculation" in S41(A) and S41(B) in Figure 5. [Figure 8] This is a characteristic curve showing an example of the relationship between pressure and time according to the MC-Formula. [Figure 9] This characteristic curve shows an example of the time variation of the pressure in the first filled tank and the pressure in the second filled tank according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart illustrating the "cooperative control" process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] This characteristic curve shows an example of the time variation of the pressure in the first filled tank and the pressure in the second filled tank according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] This flowchart illustrates the "cooperative control" process according to the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] In the following description, a hydrogen gas filling device for filling a vehicle's tank with hydrogen gas will be used as an example of an embodiment of the gas filling device, and will be explained with reference to the attached drawings. Note that each step in the flowcharts shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, and 12 will be denoted as "S" (for example, Step 1 = "S1").

[0011] Figures 1 to 9 show a first embodiment. In Figures 1 and 2, the hydrogen gas filling device 1 fills the tanks 53 and 54 (Figure 2) of vehicles 51 and 52 (Figure 2), such as fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), with compressed hydrogen gas (hydrogen fuel). The hydrogen gas filling device 1 is installed in a facility (fuel supply station) called a hydrogen gas supply station (hydrogen station). The hydrogen gas filling device 1, together with a multi-stage accumulator 2, which is a gas accumulator, constitutes part of the hydrogen fuel supply system 3.

[0012] Specifically, the hydrogen fuel supply system 3 comprises a hydrogen gas filling device 1, a multi-stage accumulator 2, and a compressor 4. The hydrogen gas filling device 1 fills the tanks 53 and 54, which serve as fuel tanks for vehicles 51 and 52, with hydrogen gas (fuel gas). The multi-stage accumulator 2 stores hydrogen gas that has been compressed to a high pressure. The compressor 4 compresses the hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas filling device 1 comprises a dispenser unit 5 as a filling mechanism, gas supply pipelines 7 and 8, and an integrated control panel 9 as a controller. The dispenser unit 5 fills the tanks 53 and 54 of vehicles 51 and 52 with hydrogen gas from the multi-stage accumulator 2. The gas supply pipelines 7 and 8 extend from the multi-stage accumulator 2 into the dispenser housing 6 of the dispenser unit 5. The central control panel 9 controls the supply (filling) of hydrogen gas from the multi-stage accumulator 2 to the tanks 53 and 54 of the vehicles 51 and 52.

[0013] In this embodiment, the integrated control panel 9 controls the supply (filling) of hydrogen gas from the multi-stage accumulator 2 to the tanks 53 and 54 of the vehicles 51 and 52, as well as the supply (accumulation) of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen supply source (described later) to the multi-stage accumulator 2. That is, in this embodiment, the integrated control panel 9 controls the supply (filling) of hydrogen gas from the multi-stage accumulator 2 to the tanks 53 and 54 of the vehicles 51 and 52 (vehicle filling control), and controls the supply (accumulation) of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen supply source (not shown) to the multi-stage accumulator 2 (accumulation control). However, it is not limited to this, and for example, a control panel that performs vehicle filling control (filling controller, filling control unit) and a control panel that performs accumulation control (accumulation controller, accumulator control unit) may be configured separately, and these control panels (controllers) may be connected by a communication line. In this case, for example, the control panel that performs vehicle filling control (filling controller, filling control unit) may be provided inside the dispenser housing 6.

[0014] The multi-stage accumulator 2 is a hydrogen gas supply source (fuel gas supply source) that stores hydrogen gas compressed to high pressure. In other words, hydrogen gas, which will be used as fuel gas, is stored in the multi-stage accumulator 2. The multi-stage accumulator 2 is connected to the dispenser unit 5 by gas supply lines 7 and 8. The multi-stage accumulator 2 constitutes a gas storage section that stores hydrogen gas compressed to high pressure on the upstream side of the gas supply lines 7 and 8. The multi-stage accumulator 2 is composed of multiple accumulators 2A, 2B, and 2C with multi-stage minimum operating pressures, for example, a first accumulator 2A, a second accumulator 2B, and a third accumulator 2C. The first accumulator 2A, the second accumulator 2B, and the third accumulator 2C are each composed of gas cylinders (gas containers, gas cylinders).

[0015] In this embodiment, the first accumulator 2A corresponds to the low-pressure bank (1st.BNK, low-pressure accumulator) used until the lowest operating pressure is reached. The second accumulator 2B corresponds to the intermediate-pressure bank (2nd.BNK, intermediate accumulator) where the operating pressure is in the middle. The third accumulator 2C corresponds to the high-pressure bank (3rd.BNK, high-pressure accumulator) where the operating pressure is high. In this embodiment, the multistage accumulator 2 is configured with three accumulators 2A, 2B, and 2C, but it may be configured with two or four or more accumulators. Alternatively, instead of a multistage accumulator 2 with multiple accumulators 2A, 2B, and 2C, it may be a single accumulator.

[0016] The multistage accumulator 2 is supplied with high-pressure hydrogen gas from a hydrogen supply source (not shown) via a compressor 4. In other words, the multistage accumulator 2 is connected to the hydrogen supply source via the compressor 4. The pipeline connecting the discharge side of the hydrogen supply source and the compressor 4 is equipped with on-off valves, check valves, etc. (not shown). The hydrogen supply source corresponds to, for example, a cradle which is an assembly of gas containers (cylinders) filled with hydrogen gas, an intermediate accumulator with a large volume for storing hydrogen gas, a hydrogen production device which produces hydrogen gas, and / or a hydrogen trailer which fills and delivers hydrogen. The hydrogen gas from the hydrogen supply source is pressurized and stored in the multistage accumulator 2 by the compressor 4.

[0017] The compressor 4, which is a compressor (pressure booster), is configured, for example, as a reciprocating compressor. The compressor 4 can be configured, for example, as a multi-stage compressor that compresses hydrogen gas in multiple stages. The discharge side of the compressor 4 is connected to the first accumulator 2A of the multi-stage accumulator 2 by a first pipeline 10. A first on-off valve 13 is provided in the first pipeline 10. The discharge side of the compressor 4 is also connected to the second accumulator 2B of the multi-stage accumulator 2 by a second pipeline 11. A second on-off valve 14 is provided in the second pipeline 11. Furthermore, the discharge side of the compressor 4 is connected to the third accumulator 2C of the multi-stage accumulator 2 by a third pipeline 12. A third on-off valve 15 is provided in the third pipeline 12. The first on-off valve 13, the second on-off valve 14, and the third on-off valve 15 are opened and closed based on control signals from the integrated control panel 9. As a result, the first shut-off valve 13, the second shut-off valve 14, and the third shut-off valve 15 allow or block the flow of hydrogen gas within their respective pipelines 10, 11, and 12.

[0018] The hydrogen gas from the hydrogen supply source is supplied to the suction side of the compressor 4 after being reduced to a low pressure (e.g., 0.6 MPa) by a regulator (not shown). The compressor 4 is connected to the integrated control panel 9. Based on commands from the integrated control panel 9, the compressor 4 compresses the hydrogen gas supplied at low pressure from the hydrogen supply source and supplies it to each of the accumulators 2A, 2B, and 2C of the multi-stage accumulator 2. The compressor 4 compresses the gas until the pressure inside each of the accumulators 2A, 2B, and 2C of the multi-stage accumulator 2 reaches a predetermined high pressure (e.g., 82 MPa). In other words, the compressor 4 compresses the gas until the pressure on the discharge side reaches a predetermined high pressure (e.g., 82 MPa). To which accumulator 2A, 2B, and 2C the hydrogen gas is supplied from the compressor 4 is determined by the integrated control panel 9 controlling the opening and closing of the on-off valves 13, 14, and 15. In this case, the compressor 4 may be controlled to supply hydrogen gas to one accumulator, or it may be controlled to supply hydrogen gas to two or more accumulators simultaneously.

[0019] The multi-stage accumulator 2 is connected to two gas supply lines 7 and 8, namely, the first gas supply line 7 corresponding to system A (first gas supply route) and the second gas supply line 8 corresponding to system B (second gas supply route). As shown in Figure 1, the gas supply lines 7 and 8 extend from the multi-stage accumulator 2 toward the dispenser unit 5. As shown in Figure 2, the gas supply lines 7 and 8 are located within the dispenser housing 6 of the dispenser unit 5. The gas supply lines 7 and 8 are connected to the tanks 53 and 54 of the vehicles 51 and 52 via the filling nozzles 26A and 26B of the dispenser unit 5.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, each of the accumulators 2A, 2B, and 2C in the multistage accumulator 2 is connected to both the first gas supply pipeline 7 and the second gas supply pipeline 8. In this case, the first accumulator 2A is connected to the first gas supply pipeline 7 via the fourth on-off valve 16 and to the second gas supply pipeline 8 via the fifth on-off valve 17. The second accumulator 2B is connected to the first gas supply pipeline 7 via the sixth on-off valve 18 and to the second gas supply pipeline 8 via the seventh on-off valve 19. The third accumulator 2C is connected to the first gas supply pipeline 7 via the eighth on-off valve 20 and to the second gas supply pipeline 8 via the ninth on-off valve 21. In this embodiment, the accumulator for storing hydrogen gas is composed of multiple accumulators 2A, 2B, and 2C and is a common multistage accumulator 2 connected to both the first gas supply pipeline 7 and the second gas supply pipeline 8.

[0021] Furthermore, direct filling pipelines 22 are connected to the first gas supply pipeline 7 and the second gas supply pipeline 8 so that hydrogen pressurized by the compressor 4 can be directly supplied to the dispenser unit 5 based on a direct filling request from the dispenser unit 5. The first gas supply pipeline 7 and the second gas supply pipeline 8 are directly connected to the compressor 4 via direct filling pipelines 22 that bypass the multi-stage accumulator 2. Direct filling pipelines 22 are connected to the first gas supply pipeline 7 via a 10th on-off valve 23 and to the second gas supply pipeline 8 via an 11th on-off valve 24.

[0022] As described above, in this embodiment, hydrogen can be supplied individually from the multi-stage accumulator 2 and compressor 4 to the A system (first gas supply pipeline 7) and B system (second gas supply pipeline 8) of the dispenser unit 5. In other words, the hydrogen gas supply station of this embodiment is equipped with multiple gas supply pipelines 7 and 8 that share the multi-stage accumulator 2 and compressor 4. The dispenser unit 5 of this embodiment is configured as a double-type dispenser unit that integrates the two systems. However, it is not limited to this, and for example, it may be configured with two independent single-type dispenser units for each system, that is, a dispenser unit for system A and a dispenser unit for system B.

[0023] Here, we will explain the switching of each accumulator 2A, 2B, and 2C when supplying (filling) hydrogen gas from the multi-stage accumulator 2 to the tank 53 of the vehicle 51 via the A system (first gas supply pipeline 7) of the dispenser unit 5. As will be described later, with the filling nozzle 26A connected to the tank 53 of the vehicle 51, the supply of hydrogen gas from the multi-stage accumulator 2 to the tank 53 of the vehicle 51 begins. At this time, for example, when the fourth on-off valve 16 is opened from a state in which all on-off valves 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, and 24 are closed, the supply of hydrogen gas from the first accumulator 2A, which becomes the low-pressure bank (low-pressure accumulator), to the tank 53 is started. When the fourth on-off valve 16 opens, the hydrogen gas stored in the first accumulator 2A moves towards the tank 53 based on the pressure difference between the first accumulator 2A and the tank 53 being filled, and the pressure in the tank 53 gradually increases. Consequently, the pressure inside the first accumulator 2A gradually decreases.

[0024] The characteristic curve 61 in Figure 9 shows an example of the time variation of the pressure in the tank 53 of the vehicle 51. As the pressure in the tank 53 gradually rises and reaches a predetermined pressure (for example, point A in Figure 9), the fourth on-off valve 16 closes and the sixth on-off valve 18 opens. As a result, the supply of hydrogen gas from the first accumulator 2A stops, and the supply of hydrogen gas to the tank 53 from the second accumulator 2B, which becomes an intermediate pressure bank (intermediate accumulator), begins. In other words, the accumulator supplying hydrogen gas to the tank 53 is switched from the first accumulator 2A to the second accumulator 2B. The "△" in Figure 9 corresponds to the point at which the accumulators 2A, 2B, and 2C connected to the tank 53 are switched.

[0025] When the sixth on-off valve 18 opens, the hydrogen gas stored in the second accumulator 2B moves towards the tank 53 based on the pressure difference between the second accumulator 2B and the tank 53 being filled, and the pressure in the tank 53 continues to rise. Consequently, the pressure in the second accumulator 2B gradually decreases. When the pressure in the tank 53 reaches a predetermined pressure (for example, point B in Figure 9), the sixth on-off valve 18 closes and the eighth on-off valve 20 opens. As a result, the supply of hydrogen gas from the second accumulator 2B stops, and the supply of hydrogen gas to the tank 53 from the third accumulator 2C, which becomes the high-pressure bank (high-pressure accumulator), begins. In other words, the accumulator supplying hydrogen gas to the tank 53 is switched from the second accumulator 2B to the third accumulator 2C.

[0026] When the eighth on-off valve 20 opens, the hydrogen gas stored in the third accumulator 2C moves towards the tank 53 based on the pressure difference between the third accumulator 2C and the tank 53 being filled, causing the pressure in the tank 53 to rise further. Consequently, the pressure in the third accumulator 2C gradually decreases. Then, the pressure in the tank 53 reaches the target termination pressure (P) at which the supply of hydrogen gas is stopped. finalWhen the pressure reaches a certain level, the eighth on-off valve 20 closes, and the supply of hydrogen gas from the third accumulator 2C stops. This terminates the supply of hydrogen gas from the multi-stage accumulator 2 to the tank 53 of the vehicle 51. By adopting a configuration in which the accumulators 2A, 2B, and 2C used for supplying hydrogen gas are switched sequentially, it is possible to maintain a large difference between the pressures of the accumulators 2A, 2B, and 2C and the pressure of the tank 53 of the vehicle 51. This shortens the time required to complete the supply of hydrogen gas.

[0027] As will be described later, in this embodiment, hydrogen gas is supplied using a filling protocol called "MC standard (MC-Formula)" which allows for the sequential selection of the filling rate (pressure rise rate) according to the hydrogen gas supply temperature. That is, in this embodiment, during hydrogen gas filling, an appropriate pressure rise rate (PRR) is determined periodically (for example, every 1 to 5 seconds) based on the current hydrogen gas temperature, filling amount, etc., and filling control (MC standard filling control) is performed to fill the hydrogen gas at this determined pressure rise rate. In other words, it is not a constant pressure rise control where the pressure rise rate is constant, but rather a variable pressure rise rate. For this reason, characteristic lines 61 and 62 in Figure 9 (and the characteristic line in Figure 11 described later) are curves where the pressure rise rate changes sequentially.

[0028] In other words, characteristic curves 61 and 62 in Figure 9 (and the characteristic curve in Figure 11) are not straight lines (with a constant slope) where the pressure rise rate is constant. However, even when filling according to the MC standard (MC formula), depending on the temperature of the hydrogen gas at the time, the amount of filling, etc., the pressure rise rate obtained at a predetermined period (for example, a 1-second period) may be constant (the slope of the characteristic curve is constant). In any case, when filling is controlled by the MC formula, the pressure rise rate changes in accordance with the temperature of the hydrogen gas being filled (filling gas temperature).

[0029] The filling gas temperature changes depending on the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 29 (heat exchangers 29A, 29B) described later, the filling gas flow rate (filling rate), and the ambient temperature. Therefore, the pressure rise rate changes each time the filling gas temperature is calculated. In contrast, in the case of constant pressure rise control, the pressure rise rate is set with a certain margin (i.e., a pressure rise rate that prevents the gas temperature inside the tank from exceeding a predetermined temperature) in order to prevent the gas temperature inside the tank from exceeding a predetermined temperature. Comparing filling by constant pressure rise control with filling by MC formula, filling by MC formula can shorten the filling time because the pressure rise rate is calculated in real time.

[0030] Next, the dispenser unit 5 will be explained with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 shows a state in which hydrogen gas is being supplied (filled) to two vehicles 51 and 52. Specifically, Figure 2 shows a state in which hydrogen gas is being supplied (filled) to the tank 53 of vehicle 51 via system A (first gas supply pipeline 7), and hydrogen gas is being supplied (filled) to the tank 54 of vehicle 52 via system B (second gas supply pipeline 8). In other words, Figure 2 shows a state in which hydrogen gas is being filled to both the tank 53 of vehicle 51 and the tank 54 of vehicle 52 from the multi-stage accumulator 2 (i.e., simultaneous filling is being performed). Thus, the dispenser unit 5 of this embodiment has two gas supply paths (fuel supply paths). For this reason, the dispenser unit 5 can be used simultaneously by two vehicles 51 and 52, or by one vehicle 51 (or vehicle 52).

[0031] In the following explanation, vehicle 51 supplied with hydrogen gas through System A (First Gas Supply Pipeline 7) will be referred to as Vehicle 1 51, and vehicle 52 supplied with hydrogen gas through System B (Second Gas Supply Pipeline 8) will be referred to as Vehicle 2 52. This is simply a matter of conveniently designating one of the two systems (for example, System A) as "First" and the other system (for example, System B) as "Second". For this reason, one system could be designated as System B (Second) and the other as System A (First). Also, in the flowcharts in Figures 3 to 7 described later, "DSP-A" corresponds to System A (First), and "DSP-B" corresponds to System B (Second). "DSP" is an abbreviation for "dispenser".

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the dispenser unit 5 consists of a dispenser housing 6, filling hoses 25A, 25B, filling nozzles 26A, 26B, flow control valves 27A, 27B, shut-off valves 28A, 28B, cooler 29 (heat exchangers 29A, 29B), flow meters 30A, 30B, primary pressure sensors 31A, 31B, secondary pressure sensors 32A, 32B, temperature sensors 33A, 33B, depressurization valves 34A, 34B, nozzle holders 35A, 35B, and an ambient temperature sensor 36. In Figure 2, among the components installed in the dispenser unit 5, components (equipment) related to system A (first gas supply pipeline 7) are denoted with the subscript "A", and components (equipment) related to system B (second gas supply pipeline 8) are denoted with the subscript "B". Although not shown in the diagram, the dispenser unit 5 is equipped with switches for starting and stopping the filling process, namely a filling start switch and a filling stop switch for system A, and a filling start switch and a filling stop switch for system B.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the dispenser housing 6 constitutes the box-like structure that forms the outer shape of the dispenser unit 5. The dispenser housing 6 is formed, for example, in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped that is elongated in the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 2, the dispenser housing 6 houses gas supply lines 7, 8, flow control valves 27A, 27B, shut-off valves 28A, 28B, cooler 29 (heat exchangers 29A, 29B), primary pressure sensors 31A, 31B, secondary pressure sensors 32A, 32B, temperature sensors 33A, 33B, etc. The dispenser housing 6 is equipped with a display unit 37 (Figure 1), such as an LCD monitor or LCD touch panel, in a position that is easily visible to the worker (personnel) or user (customer) performing the hydrogen gas filling work.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the dispenser housing 6 is provided with a first nozzle holder 35A on the outside, which is detachably hooked onto the first filling nozzle 26A, and a second nozzle holder 35B on the outside, which is detachably hooked onto the second filling nozzle 26B. The nozzle holders 35A and 35B correspond to holding parts that hold the filling nozzles 26A and 26B. In this embodiment, a configuration having multiple (more specifically two) filling nozzles 26A and 26B in one dispenser unit 5 (a double-type dispenser unit) is used as an example for explanation, but for example, a configuration having one filling nozzle in one dispenser unit (a single-type dispenser unit) is also possible. Alternatively, for example, a configuration having three or more filling nozzles in one dispenser unit is also possible.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8 are arranged inside the dispenser housing 6. The gas supply pipelines 7 and 8 supply pressurized hydrogen gas from the multi-stage accumulator 2 to the filling hoses 25A and 25B. For this purpose, the upstream side of the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8 is connected to the multi-stage accumulator 2, and the downstream side is connected to the filling hoses 25A and 25B that extend to the outside of the dispenser housing 6. That is, the multi-stage accumulator 2 side of the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8 is the upstream side, and the filling hoses 25A and 25B side is the downstream side. Flexible pressure-resistant hoses are used for the filling hoses 25A and 25B. In this embodiment, the first gas supply pipeline 7 and the first filling hose 25A correspond to the first gas supply route (System A), and the second gas supply pipeline 8 and the second filling hose 25B correspond to the second gas supply route (System B).

[0036] The filling hoses 25A and 25B have their base ends connected to the downstream side of the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8. Specifically, the base end of the first filling hose 25A is connected to the downstream side of the first gas supply pipeline 7, and the base end of the second filling hose 25B is connected to the downstream side of the second gas supply pipeline 8. The tip of the first filling hose 25A is provided with a first filling nozzle 26A, which is connected to the first tank to be filled 53 mounted on the first vehicle 51. The tip of the second filling hose 25B is provided with a second filling nozzle 26B, which is connected to the second tank to be filled 54 mounted on the second vehicle 52. The filling hoses 25A and 25B, together with the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8, constitute a hydrogen gas filling path (fuel gas filling path). The hydrogen gas filling path is a path (pipeline) for filling the tanks 53 and 54 of vehicles 51 and 52 that run on hydrogen gas as fuel with hydrogen gas.

[0037] The filling nozzles 26A and 26B are connected to the downstream side of the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8 via filling hoses 25A and 25B. The filling nozzles 26A and 26B are airtightly connected to the tip side of the filling hoses 25A and 25B, forming a so-called filling coupling. The filling nozzles 26A and 26B are connected to the dispenser housing 6 (more specifically, the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8) via the filling hoses 25A and 25B. Inside the filling nozzles 26A and 26B, there is a valve that can be switched between, for example, an "open position" that allows the flow of hydrogen gas and a "closed position" that blocks the flow of hydrogen gas.

[0038] The tip of the filling nozzles 26A and 26B is a connecting coupler, which is detachably connected to the filling ports 53A and 54A of the tanks to be filled 53 and 54. In other words, the connecting coupler of the filling nozzles 26A and 26B is detachably connected in an airtight manner to the filling ports 53A and 54A of the tanks to be filled 53 and 54 of the vehicles 51 and 52 when supplying hydrogen gas to the tanks to be filled 53 and 54 of the vehicles 51 and 52 through a pipeline (not shown) inside the filling nozzles 26A and 26B. Furthermore, the filling nozzles 26A and 26B are equipped with a locking mechanism (not shown) that is detachably locked to the filling ports 53A and 54A of the tanks to be filled 53 and 54. This prevents the filling nozzles 26A and 26B from unintentionally detaching from the filling ports 53A and 54A when filling with hydrogen gas.

[0039] The high-pressure hydrogen gas in the multi-stage accumulator 2 is filled into the tanks 53 and 54 of the vehicles 51 and 52 through the gas supply lines 7 and 8, filling hoses 25A and 25B, and filling nozzles 26A and 26B, with the filling nozzles 26A and 26B locked to the filling ports 53A and 54A of the tanks 53 and 54 by a locking mechanism. In other words, the hydrogen gas filling device 1 is equipped with filling nozzles 26A and 26B. The hydrogen gas filling device 1 fills the tanks 53 and 54 of the vehicles 51 and 52 with hydrogen gas using the filling nozzles 26A and 26B. The filling nozzles 26A and 26B are held in place by nozzle holders 35A and 35B when not being used for filling.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2, flow control valves 27A and 27B are provided in the middle of the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8 as control valves to adjust the flow rate of fuel flowing through the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8. Furthermore, shut-off valves 28A and 28B are provided downstream of the flow control valves 27A and 27B in the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8. The flow control valves 27A and 27B and the shut-off valves 28A and 28B constitute control equipment for controlling the flow rate and pressure of hydrogen gas flowing through the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8. Flow meters 30A and 30B, primary pressure sensors 31A and 31B, secondary pressure sensors 32A and 32B, and temperature sensors 33A and 33B constitute measuring equipment for measuring the flow rate, pressure, and temperature of hydrogen gas flowing through the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8. Note that the arrangement (order) of the flow meters 30A, 30B, flow control valves 27A, 27B, and shut-off valves 28A, 28B, which are installed from the upstream side to the downstream side of the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8, is not limited to the order shown in Figure 2.

[0041] The flow control valves 27A and 27B control the flow of hydrogen gas to the tanks 53 and 54 of the vehicles 51 and 52. The flow control valves 27A and 27B are, for example, pneumatically operated valve devices that open when air is supplied, and the valve opening is adjusted by controlling the control pressure (air pressure) with a control signal. The flow control valves 27A and 27B are controlled to any valve opening by commands based on the control program of the integrated control panel 9, which is the control device, and variably control the flow rate and hydrogen gas pressure of the hydrogen gas flowing through the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8. The shut-off valves 28A and 28B are electromagnetic or pneumatically operated valve devices installed in the middle of the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8 (for example, between the heat exchangers 29A and 29B and the secondary pressure sensors 32A and 32B). The shut-off valves 28A and 28B are opened and closed based on control signals from the integrated control panel 9, thereby allowing or blocking the flow of hydrogen gas (fuel gas, filling gas) in the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8. The control device is not limited to one that comprehensively controls each piece of equipment. For example, it may include multiple control units (controllers), such as a filling control unit located within the dispenser housing that controls filling, and an accumulator control unit that controls the opening and closing valves of the accumulator, and these multiple control units (controllers) may be comprehensively controlled by the control device.

[0042] The central control panel 9 controls the opening and closing of flow control valves 27A, 27B and shut-off valves 28A, 28B when filling the tanks 53, 54 of vehicles 51, 52 with hydrogen gas via filling nozzles 26A, 26B, or when stopping (ending) the filling of hydrogen gas. The flow control valves 27A, 27B and shut-off valves 28A, 28B are installed in the middle of the gas supply pipelines 7, 8 and, when opened, correspond to supply control valves that supply hydrogen gas from the multi-stage accumulator 2 to the filling nozzles 26A, 26B.

[0043] The cooler 29 is a cooling device for cooling the hydrogen gas flowing through the gas supply lines 7 and 8. The cooler 29 cools the hydrogen gas at an intermediate point in the gas supply lines 7 and 8 in order to suppress the temperature rise of the hydrogen gas being filled into the tanks 53 and 54. The cooler 29 consists of heat exchangers 29A and 29B located between the flow control valves 27A and 27B and the shut-off valves 28A and 28B, and a chiller unit (not shown) connected to the heat exchangers 29A and 29B via a refrigerant line, and equipped with a drive mechanism such as a compressor or pump.

[0044] The refrigerant pipeline circulates the refrigerant (for example, a liquid containing ethylene glycol, etc.) between the chiller unit and the heat exchangers 29A and 29B. The chiller unit circulates the refrigerant between itself and the heat exchangers 29A and 29B via the refrigerant pipeline. As a result, the heat exchangers 29A and 29B of the cooler 29 exchange heat between the hydrogen gas flowing through the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8 and the refrigerant, lowering the temperature of the hydrogen gas supplied to the filling hoses 25A and 25B to a specified temperature (for example, -40°C to -17.5°C).

[0045] Inside the dispenser housing 6, Coriolis flow meters 30A and 30B are installed in the middle of the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8. The flow meters 30A and 30B measure the mass flow rate of the fluid being measured that flows through the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8. For example, the flow meters 30A and 30B measure the flow rate (mass flow rate) of hydrogen gas flowing through the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8 between primary pressure sensors 31A and 31B and flow control valves 27A and 27B, and output a signal (flow rate pulse) corresponding to the measurement result to the integrated control panel 9. The integrated control panel 9 calculates the amount of hydrogen gas to be filled into the tanks 53 and 54 of the vehicles 51 and 52, and displays the amount of hydrogen gas fuel dispensed (equivalent to the amount of fuel supplied) on the display unit 37, etc. This allows the display content to be communicated to customers, for example.

[0046] The primary pressure sensors 31A and 31B are located upstream of the flow meters 30A and 30B and the flow control valves 27A and 27B, and are installed in the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8. The primary pressure sensors 31A and 31B detect the gas pressure of the hydrogen gas supplied from the multi-stage accumulator 2 into the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8. The primary pressure sensors 31A and 31B are connected to the integrated control panel 9. The primary pressure sensors 31A and 31B measure the pressure in the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8 on the multi-stage accumulator 2 side and output a detection signal corresponding to the measured pressure to the integrated control panel 9.

[0047] The secondary pressure sensors 32A and 32B are located downstream of the shut-off valves 28A and 28B (i.e., on the side of the filling nozzles 26A and 26B) and are installed in the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8. The secondary pressure sensors 32A and 32B detect the pressure of the hydrogen gas supplied from the multi-stage accumulator 2, more specifically, the pressure in the tanks 53 and 54 of the vehicles 51 and 52, or the pressure along the pipeline that is approximately equivalent to the pressure inside the tanks 53 and 54. The secondary pressure sensors 32A and 32B are also connected to the integrated control panel 9. The secondary pressure sensors 32A and 32B measure the pressure in the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8 (i.e., the pressure in the tanks 53 and 54) near the filling nozzles 26A and 26B and output a detection signal corresponding to the measured pressure to the integrated control panel 9.

[0048] The temperature sensors 33A and 33B are located in the middle of the gas supply lines 7 and 8, closer to the filling nozzles 26A and 26B than the secondary pressure sensors 32A and 32B. The temperature sensors 33A and 33B detect the temperature of the hydrogen gas flowing through the gas supply lines 7 and 8. The temperature sensors 33A and 33B are also connected to the integrated control panel 9. The temperature sensors 33A and 33B measure the temperature of the hydrogen gas in the gas supply lines 7 and 8 and output a detection signal corresponding to the measured temperature to the integrated control panel 9. Note that the arrangement of the temperature sensors 33A and 33B and the secondary pressure sensors 32A and 32B is not limited to the arrangement shown in Figure 2; for example, they may be arranged in the opposite order.

[0049] The ambient temperature sensor 36 is installed inside the dispenser housing 6 and detects the ambient temperature of the dispenser housing 6. The ambient temperature sensor 36 is also connected to the integrated control panel 9. The ambient temperature sensor 36 measures the ambient temperature, which is the ambient temperature, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the measured temperature to the integrated control panel 9. The detected value of the ambient temperature sensor 36 (ambient temperature) is used, for example, to determine the pressure rise rate (PRR) and target end pressure (P) when supplying hydrogen gas to the tanks 53 and 54 of the vehicles 51 and 52. final It is used to calculate things like the target end pressure. The target end pressure can be calculated (read out) from the map based on the hydrogen gas temperature (precool temperature), ambient temperature (outside temperature), initial pressure, tank capacity, etc., at the start of filling.

[0050] Although not shown in the diagram, the front of the dispenser housing 6 is provided with a start-fill switch and a stop-fill switch (more specifically, a start-fill switch and a stop-fill switch for system A, and a start-fill switch and a stop-fill switch for system B), which serve as the operating parts for the dispenser unit 5. The start-fill switch and the stop-fill switch are switches that can be manually operated, for example, by an operator at a fuel supply station (hydrogen station). The start-fill switch is operated when starting the filling of hydrogen gas. The stop-fill switch is operated when stopping the filling of gas while hydrogen gas is being filled. The start-fill switch and the stop-fill switch output signals to the integrated control panel 9 according to their operating status. As a result, the integrated control panel 9 opens or closes the shut-off valves 28A and 28B according to these signals. In addition, the integrated control panel 9 is connected to an external device such as a POS (not shown), and the amount of hydrogen gas to be filled into the tanks 53 and 54 is set using a preset switch provided on the external device.

[0051] In the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8, depressurization pipelines 38A and 38B are provided downstream of the shut-off valves 28A and 28B. The depressurization pipelines 38A and 38B are branched off from the gas supply pipelines 7 and 8 and depressurize the gas pressure, for example, from the filling hoses 25A and 25B side. In the middle of the depressurization pipelines 38A and 38B, depressurization valves 34A and 34B, which are, for example, electromagnetic or pneumatically operated valve devices, are provided. The depressurization valves 34A and 34B are controlled to open based on a signal from the central control panel 9 when the hydrogen gas filling operation using the filling hoses 25A and 25B (filling nozzles 26A and 26B) is completed and the shut-off valves 28A and 28B are closed.

[0052] When removing the filling nozzles 26A and 26B (and their connecting couplers) from the filling ports 53A and 54A of the tanks to be filled 53 and 54, it is necessary to reduce the pressure inside the filling hoses 25A and 25B to atmospheric pressure. For this reason, when the gas filling operation is completed, the depressurization valves 34A and 34B are temporarily opened to open the ends of the depressurization lines 38A and 38B to the atmosphere. As a result, the hydrogen gas on the filling hoses 25A and 25B is released to the outside, and the pressure inside the filling hoses 25A and 25B is reduced to atmospheric pressure. As a result, the filling nozzles 26A and 26B can be removed from the filling ports 53A and 54A of the tanks to be filled 53 and 54.

[0053] As shown in Figure 1, the display unit 37 is located on the front side of the dispenser housing 6. The display unit 37 is positioned at a height easily visible to the operator performing the hydrogen gas filling operation and displays information necessary for the hydrogen gas filling operation. The display unit 37 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal monitor, a liquid crystal touch panel, etc. When the integrated control panel 9 is performing filling control in accordance with a filling protocol (for example, MC Formula), the display unit 37 displays, for example, the hydrogen gas filling status (hydrogen gas supply amount, occurrence of abnormalities, etc.) of the tanks 53 and 54 of the vehicles 51 and 52 based on control signals from the integrated control panel 9. If the display unit 37 is a liquid crystal touch panel, the display unit 37 may also be configured to include a filling start switch, a filling stop switch, and a preset switch, which serve as the operation unit.

[0054] The nozzle holders 35A and 35B are provided, for example, on the side of the dispenser housing 6. The first filling nozzle 26A is removably hooked onto the first nozzle holder 35A. The second filling nozzle 26B is removably hooked onto the second nozzle holder 35B. The filling nozzles 26A and 26B are hooked onto the nozzle holders 35A and 35B when hydrogen gas is not being filled (i.e., during the waiting time for filling operations). When filling with hydrogen gas, the filling nozzles 26A and 26B are removed from the nozzle holders 35A and 35B by the operator performing the filling operation. The nozzle holders 35A and 35B correspond to the nozzle housing section on the side of the dispenser housing 6 that houses the filling nozzles 26A and 26B.

[0055] Vehicles 51 and 52, which are driven using hydrogen gas as fuel, are composed of, for example, four-wheeled automobiles (passenger cars) as shown in Figure 2. Vehicles 51 and 52 are equipped with a drive system (not shown) which includes, for example, a fuel cell and an electric motor, and a tank to be filled 53 and 54, which are shown by dotted lines in Figure 1. The tank to be filled 53 and 54 are constructed as pressure-resistant containers into which hydrogen gas is filled, and are mounted, for example, on the rear side of vehicles 51 and 52. Note that the tank to be filled 53 and 54 are not limited to the rear side of vehicles 51 and 52, but may also be provided on the front side or the central side.

[0056] The tanks 53 and 54 to be filled are provided with filling ports 53A and 54A (receptacles) to which connecting couplers for filling nozzles 26A and 26B are detachably attached. Hydrogen gas is filled into the tanks 53 and 54 of the vehicles 51 and 52 with the filling nozzles 26A and 26B airtightly connected to the filling ports 53A and 54A. At this time, the filling nozzles 26A and 26B are locked by a locking mechanism to prevent them from being unintentionally detached from the filling ports 53A and 54A. The dispenser unit 5 fills the tanks 53 and 54 of the vehicles 51 and 52 with cooled hydrogen gas using differential pressure. Furthermore, check valves are provided inside the filling ports 53A and 54A, allowing hydrogen gas to flow from the filling nozzles 26A and 26B to the tanks 53 and 54 of the vehicles 51 and 52, while preventing the flow of hydrogen gas from the tanks 53 and 54 to the filling nozzles 26A and 26B.

[0057] The integrated control panel 9 constitutes a controller (control unit) that controls the compressor 4, on-off valves 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, flow control valves 27A, 27B, shut-off valves 28A, 28B, depressurization valves 34A, 34B, etc. The integrated control panel 9 controls the supply of fuel to the tanks 53 and 54 that are to be filled by controlling the compressor 4, on-off valves 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, flow control valves 27A, 27B and shut-off valves 28A, 28B. In particular, the integrated control panel 9 constitutes a filling control means that controls the supply of hydrogen gas to the tanks 53 and 54 of the vehicles 51 and 52 by controlling the opening and closing of on-off valves 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, which serve as supply control valves, as well as flow control valves 27A and 27B and shut-off valves 28A and 28B.

[0058] The integrated control panel 9 is configured to include, for example, a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, memory, etc. The input side of the integrated control panel 9 is connected to flow meters 30A, 30B, primary pressure sensors 31A, 31B, secondary pressure sensors 32A, 32B, temperature sensors 33A, 33B, ambient temperature sensor 36, filling start switch, filling stop switch, etc. On the other hand, the output side of the integrated control panel 9 is connected to the compressor 4, on-off valves 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, flow control valves 27A, 27B, shut-off valves 28A, 28B, depressurization valves 34A, 34B, display unit 37, etc. Note that the flow meter 30A, etc., are not limited to the integrated control panel 9, but may be connected to, for example, a filling control unit provided inside the dispenser housing.

[0059] When the filling start switch is operated with the filling nozzles 26A and / or 26B connected to the tank 53 of vehicle 51 and / or the tank 54 of vehicle 52, the central control panel 9 outputs an open signal to one of the on-off valves 16, 18, or 20, the flow control valve 27A, and the shut-off valve 28A and / or one of the on-off valves 17, 19, or 21, the flow control valve 27B, and the shut-off valve 28B, causing the valves to be opened to open. This starts the gas filling operation, which supplies hydrogen gas from the multi-stage accumulator 2 into the tank 53 and / or the tank 54.

[0060] Furthermore, the integrated control panel 9 monitors the measurement results of, for example, flow meters 30A, 30B, primary pressure sensors 31A, 31B, secondary pressure sensors 32A, 32B, and temperature sensors 33A, 33B, and adjusts the "opening and closing of on-off valves 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21" and the "opening degree of flow control valves 27A, 27B" according to a predetermined control method (e.g., MC formula). For example, during hydrogen gas filling, the integrated control panel 9 measures the hydrogen gas filling pressure using secondary pressure sensors 32A, 32B and the hydrogen gas temperature (filling gas temperature) using temperature sensors 33A, 33B. The integrated control panel 9 determines the pressure increase rate (pressure increase rate, filling speed) of the hydrogen gas supplied to the tanks 53, 54 according to the pressure detected by the secondary pressure sensors 32A, 32B, the temperature detected by the temperature sensors 33A, 33B, and the filling protocol (e.g., MC formula). The integrated control panel 9 controls the opening and closing of the on-off valves 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, and the opening degree of the flow control valves 27A and 27B, so as to match the calculated pressure rise rate. In this case, for example, the integrated control panel 9 calculates the pressure rise rate with a 1-second cycle and controls the flow control valves 27A and 27B to achieve this calculated pressure rise rate.

[0061] This allows the integrated control panel 9 to control the pressure and flow rate of hydrogen gas supplied from the multi-stage accumulator 2 to the tanks 53 and 54 of the vehicles 51 and 52 to an appropriate state. At this time, the integrated control panel 9 calculates the amount (mass) of fuel to be filled by integrating the flow rate pulses from the flow meters 30A and 30B, and the hydrogen gas pressure value detected by the secondary pressure sensors 32A and 32B is used to reach the target end pressure (P final When the value reaches ), the valve that is currently open is closed to stop fuel filling.

[0062] Furthermore, if the filling stop switch is operated during hydrogen gas filling, even if, for example, the amount or pressure of hydrogen gas has not reached the target, the valve that is open will be closed by a signal from the main control panel 9 to forcibly stop the filling operation. Subsequently, the main control panel 9 opens the depressurization valves 34A and 34B to release the hydrogen gas downstream of the shut-off valves 28A and 28B into the depressurization pipelines 38A and 38B, depressurizes the filling nozzles 26A and 26B, and then closes the depressurization valves 34A and 34B.

[0063] The memory of the integrated control panel 9 is composed of, for example, non-volatile memory, RAM, ROM, etc. The memory of the integrated control panel 9 stores, for example, a processing program for executing the processing flow shown in Figures 3 to 7 described later, i.e., a program for filling control processing. The memory also stores, for example, a table (map), parameters, and calculation formulas of the MC formula used to determine the pressure rise rate (PRR).

[0064] As described above, the hydrogen fuel supply system 3 of this embodiment includes a gas filling device 1. The gas filling device 1 includes a first gas supply pipeline 7 (and a first filling hose 25A) as a first gas supply route, a second gas supply pipeline 8 (and a second filling hose 25B) as a second gas supply route, and an integrated control panel 9 as a controller. The first gas supply pipeline 7 supplies hydrogen gas from a multi-stage accumulator 2 to a first tank to be filled 53 mounted on a first vehicle 51. The second gas supply pipeline 8 supplies hydrogen gas from the multi-stage accumulator 2 to a second tank to be filled 54 mounted on a second vehicle 52, which is separate from the first vehicle 51. Hydrogen gas, which will be used as fuel gas, is stored in the multi-stage accumulator 2.

[0065] The multi-stage accumulator 2 is composed of multiple accumulators 2A, 2B, and 2C, and is connected to both the first gas supply pipeline 7 and the second gas supply pipeline 8. In other words, the multi-stage accumulator 2 is a common accumulator for the first gas supply pipeline 7 and the second gas supply pipeline 8. The integrated control panel 9 controls the pressure rise rate of the hydrogen gas supplied to the first tank to be filled 53 through the first gas supply pipeline 7. The integrated control panel 9 also controls the pressure rise rate of the hydrogen gas supplied to the second tank to be filled 54 through the second gas supply pipeline 8. In this case, the integrated control panel 9 can control the pressure rise rate by, for example, adjusting the opening of the flow control valves 27A and 27B. The pressure rise rate of the fuel gas (hydrogen gas) corresponds to the filling speed of the fuel gas (hydrogen gas).

[0066] Incidentally, in a system where multiple dispensers share multiple accumulators, when hydrogen gas (hydrogen fuel) is supplied from the same accumulator and multiple tanks are filled simultaneously, the pressure (filling pressure) in each tank may differ. In such cases, hydrogen gas tends to be supplied only to the tank with the lower pressure, and the flow rate of hydrogen gas to the tank with the higher pressure may fall below the threshold (lower flow rate limit) at which filling stops. As a result, filling to the tank with the higher pressure may stop before reaching the target completion pressure (e.g., the pressure of a full tank). This phenomenon occurs when the pressure difference between the accumulator and the vehicle's tank is small during filling, more specifically, when filling is performed using a high-pressure bank (high-pressure accumulator) or when filling is performed through a direct filling route.

[0067] Here, for example, one could consider a configuration that includes a backup accumulator for use during high-pressure filling, so that filling of the tank with higher pressure can continue. However, in this case, the cost may increase compared to a configuration without a backup accumulator, as it is required. Also, for example, when starting to fill the second vehicle (the vehicle with lower pressure, the trailing vehicle) while the first vehicle (the vehicle with higher pressure, the leading vehicle) is being filled, one could consider delaying the start of this process. However, in this case, when the operation to start filling the second vehicle is performed, filling will not start despite this operation being performed. As a result, this may cause discomfort and frustration (irritation) to the workers performing the hydrogen gas filling work.

[0068] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the integrated control panel 9 fills (supplies) hydrogen gas from the multi-stage accumulator 2 to both the first tank to be filled 53 (first vehicle 51) and the second tank to be filled 54 (second vehicle 52), it adds a correction time to the filling completion time of one of the tanks to be filled (for example, the second tank to be filled 54) to determine the pressure rise rate (PRR) of this one tank to be filled (for example, the second tank to be filled 54). The integrated control panel 9 then supplies hydrogen gas to the one tank to be filled (for example, the second tank to be filled 54) using this determined pressure rise rate (PRR).

[0069] More specifically, for example, when filling (supplying) hydrogen gas from the multi-stage accumulator 2 to both the first tank to be filled 53 (first vehicle 51) and the second tank to be filled 54 (second vehicle 52), the tank to be filled on the side with higher pressure (leading side) (leading tank to be filled, high-pressure tank to be filled) is designated as the first tank to be filled 53, and the tank to be filled on the side with lower pressure (following side) (following tank to be filled, low-pressure tank to be filled) is designated as the second tank to be filled 54. In this case, as shown in Figure 9, the integrated control panel 9 sets the completion time (t) for filling the second tank to be filled 54. finalB ) is the time (t) when the filling of the first tank to be filled 53 is completed. finalA The filling completion time of the second tank to be filled 54 (t) is set to be delayed by a predetermined time (delay time) relative to ) finalB The first correction time (tc) is added to the second tank to be filled to determine the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the second tank to be filled 54. The integrated control panel 9 supplies hydrogen gas to the second tank to be filled 54 at this determined pressure rise rate (PRR). Note that the filling completion time (t finalA The subscript "A" in ) indicates that it is a value related to the first tank to be filled 53 (A system), and the filling completion time (t finalB The subscript "B" indicates that the value is related to the second filled tank 54 (B system).

[0070] Here, the filling control by the integrated control panel 9, that is, the filling control of the MC formula will be described. For the filling by the MC formula, first, at the start of filling, from the temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor 36 (ambient temperature) and the pressures measured by the secondary pressure sensors 32A and 32B after the initial pressure measurement filling (equivalent to the pressures of the tanks 53 and 54 to be filled), referring to the pre-registered MC formula table, the parameters required for filling control (a, b, c, d used in Equation (2) described later) are read out. After the start of filling, the filling amount Δm (i) and the filling gas temperature T PC(i) are used to obtain the mass average temperature MAT using the following Equation (1). "i" in Equation (1) is the time from the start of filling.

[0071] [[ID=�]]

Equation

[0072] Next, from the parameters (a, b, c, d) read out from the table in advance and the mass average temperature MAT, the filling end time t final is obtained using the following Equation (2).

[0073]

Equation

[0074] Next, from the obtained filling end time t final and the current filling time t current and the target pressure P at the end final and the current filling pressure P current and the initial pressure P initial and the minimum pressure P of the table initially referred to min the pressure rise rate PRR is obtained using the following Equation (3).

[0075]

Equation

[0076] Figure 8 shows the filling end time t final and the current filling time tcurrent And the target pressure P at the end final And the current filling pressure P current And, initial pressure P initial And, minimum pressure P min This shows the relationship. The pressure rise rate PRR is calculated periodically during filling, for example, at a 1-second cycle. That is, the integrated control panel 9 calculates the pressure rise rate PRR at a 1-second cycle and performs filling to achieve this calculated pressure rise rate PRR (for example, by controlling the opening of the flow control valves 27A and 27B). The pressure rise rate PRR is determined for each of the tanks being filled 53 and 54.

[0077] Next, Figure 9 shows an example of the time variation of the pressure in the first tank to be filled 53 and the pressure in the second tank to be filled 54 according to the first embodiment. In Figure 9, the solid characteristic line 61 represents the time variation of the pressure in the first tank to be filled 53 of the first vehicle 51 (FCV1), and the dashed characteristic line 62 represents the time variation of the pressure in the second tank to be filled 54 of the second vehicle 52 (FCV2). In this embodiment, the preceding vehicle that is filled with hydrogen gas first is designated as the first vehicle 51, and the following vehicle (following vehicle) that is filled with hydrogen gas after the first vehicle 51 is designated as the second vehicle 52. Furthermore, when the filling of the second vehicle 52, which is the following vehicle, begins, the pressure in the first tank to be filled 53 is designated as PA0 and the pressure in the second tank to be filled 54 is designated as PB0, in which case PA0 > PB0.

[0078] Specifically, when filling both the first tank to be filled 53 and the second tank to be filled 54 with hydrogen gas, the tank with the higher pressure (leading side) (i.e., the leading tank to be filled, the high-pressure tank to be filled) is designated as the first tank to be filled 53. Also, when filling both the first tank to be filled 53 and the second tank to be filled 54 with hydrogen gas, the tank with the lower pressure (following side) (i.e., the following tank to be filled, the low-pressure tank to be filled) is designated as the second tank to be filled 54. The pressure at which the filling of hydrogen gas into the tanks 53 and 54 of the vehicles 51 and 52 is stopped is set as the target termination pressure (P final) is set as follows. The preceding vehicle may be designated as the second vehicle and the following vehicle (following vehicle) as the first vehicle. In this case, the preceding tank to be filled can be designated as the second tank to be filled and the following tank to be filled as the first tank to be filled. Also, the target completion pressure (P) of the first tank to be filled 53 final ) and the target closing pressure (P) of the second filled tank 54 final ) may be different values. Also, the "△" in Figure 9 corresponds to the point where the accumulators 2A, 2B, and 2C connected to the tank to be filled 53 are switched.

[0079] As shown in Figure 9, in the first embodiment, the integrated control panel 9 determines the completion time (t) of the following tank to be filled (for example, the second tank to be filled 54). finalB ) is the time (t) when the filling of the preceding tank to be filled (for example, the first tank to be filled 53) is completed. finalA The filling completion time of the trailing tank to be filled (second tank to be filled 54) is set to be delayed by a predetermined time (delay time) relative to the following tank to be filled (t finalB The first correction time (tc) is added to the following tank to be filled (second tank to be filled 54) to determine the pressure rise rate (PRR). The integrated control panel 9 determines the pressure rise rate (PRR) periodically (for example, at a 1-second cycle). The integrated control panel 9 supplies hydrogen gas to the following tank to be filled (second tank to be filled 54) at the determined pressure rise rate (PRR). In this case, the integrated control panel 9 fills the following tank to be filled (second tank to be filled 54) at the determined pressure rise rate (PRR) by controlling the opening of the flow control valves 27A and 27B, for example.

[0080] The predetermined delay time (first predetermined time) can be set to a time (for example, 60 to 90 seconds) that allows the pressure rise rate of the leading tank to be filled (first tank to be filled 53) to be maintained at the same rate as when hydrogen gas is only filled into this leading tank (first tank to be filled 53), even when hydrogen gas is filled into both tanks to be filled 53 and 54. In other words, the delay time can be set to a time that allows for a pressure rise rate such that hydrogen gas is not supplied to both the first tank to be filled 53 and the second tank to be filled 54 from the third accumulator 2C, which is the high-pressure accumulator of the multistage accumulator 2, when hydrogen gas is supplied to both the first tank to be filled 53 and the second tank to be filled 54 from the multistage accumulator 2.

[0081] In other words, the delay time Delay can be set so that hydrogen gas is not supplied from the third accumulator 2C, which is the high-voltage accumulator of the multi-stage accumulator 2, to both the first tank to be filled 53 and the second tank to be filled 54. Also, for example, in a configuration where direct filling is performed at the end of filling through the direct filling pipeline 22, the delay time Delay can be set so that hydrogen gas is not supplied from the direct filling pipeline 22 to both the first tank to be filled 53 and the second tank to be filled 54. Such a delay time Delay can be determined in advance by experiment, calculation, simulation, etc.

[0082] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, in this embodiment, once the filling of the leading tank (first tank 53) with hydrogen gas is complete, the integrated control panel 9 calculates the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the trailing tank (second tank 54) without adding the first correction time (tc). The integrated control panel 9 then supplies hydrogen gas to the trailing tank (for example, the second tank 54) at this calculated pressure rise rate (PRR). That is, as shown in Figure 9, once the filling of the leading tank (first tank 53) is complete, the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the trailing tank (second tank 54) is the same as when hydrogen gas is only filled into the trailing tank (second tank 54), and hydrogen gas is then filled into the trailing tank (second tank 54).

[0083] As described above, the hydrogen fuel supply system 3 of this embodiment is equipped with a multi-stage accumulator 2 consisting of a plurality (for example, three) accumulators 2A, 2B, and 2C in which hydrogen gas is stored, and a dispenser unit 5 that receives hydrogen gas from the multi-stage accumulator 2 and fills a fuel cell vehicle (FCV) with hydrogen gas. The dispenser unit 5 has a plurality (for example, two) of gas supply lines 7 and 8 that share the multi-stage accumulator 2, and is configured to be able to fill a plurality (for example, two) of fuel cell vehicles (first vehicle 51, second vehicle 52) through these gas supply lines 7 and 8. That is, the dispenser unit 5 is able to start filling the second vehicle 52 with hydrogen gas via the second gas supply line 8 while the first vehicle 51 is being filled with hydrogen gas via the first gas supply line 7 (simultaneous filling of multiple vehicles).

[0084] As shown in Figure 9, first, the filling of the first tank 53 of the first vehicle 51 begins. Prior to the start of the main filling by the MC Formula, the integrated control panel 9 performs preparatory processes such as initial pressure measurement filling. In these preparatory processes, a small amount of gas is supplied to the first tank 53 before the start of the main filling to the first tank 53. The integrated control panel 9 estimates and calculates the initial pressure PA0 in the first tank 53 from the gas flow rate, gas pressure, etc. at that time. In addition, prior to the main filling, DSP information is measured. That is, the ambient temperature (outside temperature), etc., which are state variables necessary for performing filling control by the MC Formula, are measured. The integrated control panel 9 refers to the parameter data (table) of the MC Formula stored in memory in advance from the initial pressure PA0 in the first tank 53, ambient temperature (outside temperature), etc., and obtains the necessary data, and also calculates the pressure rise rate (PRR) using the aforementioned equations 1, 2, and 3. The central control panel 9 adjusts the opening of the flow control valve 27A so that the pressure in the first filled tank 53 increases at the rate of pressure increase (PRR).

[0085] Next, the filling of the second tank 54 by the second vehicle 52 is started. This initiates simultaneous filling of both vehicles. At this time, the integrated control panel 9 refers to the parameter data (table) of the MC formula stored in memory in advance, based on the initial pressure PB0 of the second tank 54, the ambient temperature, etc., and obtains the necessary data. It also calculates the pressure rise rate (PRR) using the aforementioned equations 1, 2, and 3 (or equation 4 described later). In this case, the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the second tank 54 is calculated as the filling completion time (t) of the second tank 54. finalB ) is the time (t) when the filling of the first tank to be filled 53 is completed. finalA The filling completion time of the second tank to be filled 54 (t) is set to be delayed by a predetermined delay time (Delay) relative to ). finalB This is calculated by adding the first correction time (tc) to ).

[0086] That is, the filling completion time (t) of the second tank to be filled, which is obtained from equations 1 and 2. finalB ) and the filling completion time (t) of the first tank to be filled, calculated from equations 1 and 2. finalA If the difference between ) and is smaller than the preset delay time Delay, the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the second filled tank 54 is calculated using the following equation 4. In equation 4, the "t" in equation 1 is used. final " is "(t final It says "+tc)".

[0087]

number

[0088] In this manner, the integrated control panel 9 fills the second tank to be filled 54 at a pressure rise rate (PRR) determined by adding the first correction time (tc). That is, the integrated control panel 9 adjusts the opening of the flow control valve 27B so that the pressure in the second tank to be filled 54 rises at a pressure rise rate (PRR) determined by adding the first correction time (tc). In this embodiment, the pressure PA0 of the first tank to be filled 53 and the pressure PB0 of the second tank to be filled are determined using the detected values ​​(or estimated values ​​calculated from these detected values) of the secondary pressure sensors 32A and 32B, which are pressure sensors on the discharge side of the dispenser unit 5. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, the detected values ​​(or estimated values ​​calculated from these detected values) of a pressure sensor on the vehicle side, such as a pressure sensor provided in the tank to be filled, may also be used.

[0089] When the filling of the first tank to be filled 53 is complete, the integrated control panel 9 calculates the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the second tank to be filled 54 without adding the first correction time (tc), and supplies hydrogen gas to the second tank to be filled 54 at this calculated pressure rise rate (PRR). In other words, when the filling of the first tank to be filled 53 is complete, the integrated control panel 9 calculates the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the second tank to be filled 54 using equation 3. To put it another way, it calculates the pressure rise rate (PRR) by setting the correction time (tc) in equation 4 to zero. The integrated control panel 9 adjusts the opening of the flow control valve 27B so that the pressure in the second tank to be filled 54 rises at the calculated pressure rise rate (PRR).

[0090] Next, the control processing (hydrogen gas filling control processing) performed in the integrated control panel 9 will be explained with reference to Figures 3 to 7. The control processing in Figures 3 to 7 is repeatedly executed at a predetermined control cycle (for example, 10 ms) while the integrated control panel 9 is energized. In Figures 3 to 5, the processing related to system A (first gas supply pipeline 7) is referred to as "DSP-A" with the subscript "(A)" for the step number, and the processing related to system B (second gas supply pipeline 8) is referred to as "DSP-B" with the subscript "(B)" for the step number.

[0091] For example, when the vehicle to be filled (vehicle 1, 51) arrives at the stopping position on the A system (side of the first gas supply pipeline 7), the processing related to "DSP-A" in Figures 3 to 5, that is, the processing with the subscript (A) added to the step number, begins. Also, for example, when the vehicle to be filled (vehicle 2, 52) arrives at the stopping position on the B system (side of the second gas supply pipeline 8), the processing related to "DSP-B" in Figures 3 to 5, that is, the processing with the subscript (B) added to the step number, begins. Below, the processing of "DSP-A," which is the processing for the A system (side of the first gas supply pipeline 7), will be mainly explained. The processing related to "DSP-B" is the same as the processing of "DSP-A," except that it is the processing for the B system (side of the second gas supply pipeline 8), so redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0092] In S1(A), it is determined whether the filling nozzle 26A has been removed from the nozzle holder 35A and connected to the filling port 53A of the tank 53 of the vehicle 51. If it is determined in S1(A) that the filling nozzle 26A is connected to the filling port 53A, the process proceeds to S2(A). In S2(A), information from the vehicle 51 is received. That is, the control panel 9 transmits and receives data from the vehicle 51 via wireless communication, etc., and obtains information from the vehicle 51, such as the capacity, pressure, and temperature of the tank 53 to be filled. The information on the capacity, pressure, and temperature of the tank 53 of the vehicle 51 is transmitted from the vehicle 51 to the control panel 9. In the following S3(A), it is determined whether the filling start operation has been performed. That is, in S3(A), it is determined whether the filling start switch for system A has been operated. If it is determined in S3(A) that the filling start switch for system A has been operated, the process proceeds to S4(A).

[0093] In S4(A), DSP information is measured. Specifically, in S4(A), state variables necessary for filling using the MC formula, such as ambient temperature (outside temperature) and the pressure (initial pressure) of the tank to be filled 53, are measured. The ambient temperature (outside temperature) is measured (detected) by the outside temperature sensor 36, and the pressure (initial pressure) of the tank to be filled 53 is measured (detected) by the secondary pressure sensors 32A and 32B. In this case, the pressure (initial pressure) of the tank to be filled 53 is measured when the initial pressure measurement filling process in S5(A) following S4(A) is performed. Specifically, in S5(A), a small amount of gas is supplied to the tank to be filled 53 in order to measure the pressure (initial pressure) of the tank to be filled 53. The integrated control panel 9 measures (calculates) the pressure (initial pressure) of the tank to be filled 53 based on the gas flow rate at that time and the pressures from the secondary pressure sensors 32A and 32B.

[0094] In S6(A), following S5(A), the parameter data (table) of the MC formula, which has been registered (stored) in advance, is referenced from the ambient temperature and initial pressure acquired (measured) in the processes of S4(A) and S5(A), and the data (parameters) necessary for control are obtained. Once the data necessary for control is obtained in S6(A), the process proceeds to S7(A) in Figure 4 via "A" in Figure 3 and "A" in Figure 4. In S7(A) in Figure 4, following S6(A) in Figure 3, it is determined whether or not the filling of DSP-B (system B) has started. If "NO" is determined in S7(A), that is, the filling of DSP-B (system B) has not started, the process proceeds to S41(A). If "YES" is determined in S7(A), that is, the filling of DSP-B (system B) has started, the process proceeds to the cooperative control process in S21.

[0095] In S41(A), the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the tank to be filled is calculated using the MC-Formula. The process in S41(A), that is, the calculation process of the pressure rise rate (PRR) shown in Figure 7, will be described later. After calculating the pressure rise rate (PRR) in S41(A), the process proceeds to S8(A). In S8(A), the main filling control is performed by the DSP-A (A system). That is, in S8(A), hydrogen gas is filled into the tank to be filled 53 using the pressure rise rate (PRR) calculated in S41(A). At this time, the integrated control panel 9 controls the opening and closing of the on-off valves 16, 18, and 20, the opening and closing of the shut-off valve 28A, and the opening degree of the flow rate control valve 27A so that hydrogen gas can be filled into the tank to be filled 53 using the pressure rise rate (PRR) calculated in S41(A).

[0096] In S9(A), following S8(A), it is determined whether or not to terminate the filling by DSP-A (System A). That is, in S9(A), the integrated control panel 9 determines whether or not to terminate the filling when the pressure in the tank being filled 53 reaches the target termination pressure (P final It is determined whether or not the target termination pressure (P) has been reached. Here, for example, the target termination pressure (P) final When the maximum filling pressure (the pressure corresponding to a full tank) is reached, the pressure in the tank being filled 53 is reached when the target completion pressure (P final When it reaches ), the filled tank 53 and the third accumulator 2C, which is the high-pressure accumulator of the multi-stage accumulator 2, are at approximately the same pressure (P final ) Therefore, the integrated control panel 9 will, for example, when the hydrogen gas filling rate to the tank 53 becomes 0, or when the state of 0 continues for a predetermined time, set the target end pressure (P final It can be determined that the target termination pressure (P) has been reached and the filling process can be terminated. finalThe completion of filling is determined by whether or not a certain pressure has been reached, but this is not the only method. For example, filling may be determined to be complete when the State of Charge (SOC), which is set in advance according to the fuel gas pressure and fuel gas temperature, reaches a predetermined value. Furthermore, when filling from the high-pressure accumulator (third accumulator 2C), as the tank being filled approaches the target completion pressure, the pressure difference between the accumulator and the tank decreases and the flow rate decreases. For this reason, if this flow rate falls below the lower limit of the flow rate or remains below the lower limit of the flow rate for a predetermined time, filling may be terminated or the system may switch to direct filling.

[0097] In S9(A), the response is "NO," meaning the pressure in the tank being filled 53 is the target closing pressure (P final If it is determined that the pressure has not reached the target end pressure (P), the process returns to before S7(A) and repeats the process from S7(A) onward. On the other hand, if "YES" is found in S9(A), that is, if the pressure of the tank being filled 53 is not reached the target end pressure (P final If it is determined that the pressure has reached ), the process proceeds to S10(A) via "C" in Figure 4 and "C" in Figure 5, and the pressure in the hose is released.

[0098] Specifically, in S10(A), the depressurization valve 34A is temporarily opened to release hydrogen gas from the filling hose 25A, thereby reducing the pressure inside the filling hose 25A. In the following S11(A), it is determined whether or not the filling nozzle 26A has been returned to the nozzle holder 35A. If it is determined in S11(A) that the filling nozzle 26A has been returned to the nozzle holder 35A, the process proceeds to S12(A). In S12(A), settlement is performed. Specifically, the integrated control panel 9 determines whether or not the amount of hydrogen gas fuel dispensed (corresponding to the amount supplied), which was determined by accumulating the flow rate pulses from the flow meter 30A during filling, has been paid. If it is determined in S12(A) that settlement has been made, the DSP-A process ends. That is, it enters a standby state waiting for the start of the DSP-A process shown in Figure 3. Note that an external settlement machine (POS, etc.) may also determine whether or not payment has been made. For example, the integrated control panel 9 may transmit information about the amount of filling to the payment machine via communication and receive information from the payment machine indicating whether or not payment has been made.

[0099] Next, we will explain the process in S21 of Figure 4, that is, the cooperative control process. If "YES" is determined in S7(A) or S7(B) of Figure 4, the process proceeds to the cooperative control process in S21. Figure 6 shows the cooperative control process in S21. Once the process in S21 starts, the process proceeds to S22. In S22, the filling completion time (t) of the first tank to be filled is determined. finalA ) and current time (t currentA ) and the completion time of filling the second tank 54 (t finalB ) and current time (t currentB ) is obtained. That is, in S22, the filling completion time (t) of the first tank to be filled is obtained from equation 1 and equation 2. finalA ) and the completion time of filling the second tank 54 (t finalB ) is calculated. Also, the current time (t currentA =t currentB ) obtain.

[0100] In the following S23, the remaining filling time (t) of the first tank to be filled 53 is calculated. A ) and remaining filling time of the second tank to be filled 54 (t B ) is calculated. The remaining filling time t can be determined from the following equation 5.

[0101]

number

[0102] In S24, following S23, the first correction time (tc) of the first tank to be filled 53 is performed. A ) and the first correction time (tc) of the second filled tank 54 B ) clears. That is, the first correction time (tc) of the first filled tank 53. A ) and the first correction time (tc) of the second filled tank 54 B Set ) to zero (tc A =0, tc B (=0). In S25, following S24, the remaining filling time (t) of the first tank to be filled 53 is determined. A ) and the remaining filling time (t) of the second tank to be filled 54 B ) is compared with the remaining filling time (t) of the first tank to be filled 53. A) is the remaining filling time (t) of the second tank to be filled 54. B Determine whether it is longer than ).

[0103] In S25, "NO", meaning the remaining filling time of the first tank to be filled 53 (t A ) is the remaining filling time (t) of the second tank to be filled 54. B ) is not longer than (t A ≤t B If it is determined that ), proceed to S26. In this case, the remaining filling time (t) of the second tank to be filled is determined. B ) is the remaining filling time (t) of the first tank to be filled 53. A ) or more. Therefore, in S26, the remaining filling time of the second tank to be filled 54, which has a longer remaining filling time (t B ) from the remaining filling time of the first tank to be filled 53 (t A By subtracting ), the remaining filling time difference dt is calculated. That is, in S26, "dt = t B -t A The following step in S26, S27, determines whether the remaining filling time difference dt is less than the predetermined delay time Delay. In other words, S27 determines whether "Delay > dt".

[0104] The delay time is such that even if hydrogen gas is filled into both tanks 53 and 54, the filling time of the leading tank (first tank 53) becomes longer, or the target completion pressure (P finalThis can be set as a time that can prevent the filling process from being terminated prematurely before reaching a certain pressure. Here, we will explain in detail what "the filling process being terminated prematurely" means. For example, when hydrogen gas is supplied (filled) simultaneously from the multistage accumulator 2 to the leading tank to be filled (first tank to be filled 53), which is on the high-pressure side, and the trailing tank to be filled (second tank to be filled 54), which is on the low-pressure side, due to the difference in pressure, the hydrogen gas from the multistage accumulator 2 may flow to the trailing tank to be filled, which has lower pressure, and the flow rate of hydrogen gas to the leading tank to be filled, which has higher pressure, may decrease significantly or stop. At this time, if it is detected that this flow rate has fallen to a predetermined predetermined flow rate or to a lower limit flow rate that can be measured by the flow meter, the filling process to the leading tank to be filled (first tank to be filled 53) will be terminated, which is what is meant by "the filling process being terminated prematurely". On the other hand, "longer filling time" means that hydrogen gas from the multi-stage accumulator 2 flows to the lower-pressure trailing tank, and the flow rate of hydrogen gas to the higher-pressure leading tank decreases significantly or stops, causing the pressure in the leading tank to reach the target completion pressure (P final This refers to the fact that it takes a long time to reach the desired state. The delay time is set to prevent the filling process from ending prematurely or the filling time from becoming excessively long.

[0105] If the answer in S27 is "YES," meaning the remaining filling time difference dt is determined to be smaller than the delay time, proceed to S28. In this case, if hydrogen gas filling continues into both tanks 53 and 54, the filling time of the leading tank (first tank 53) will be extended, or the target completion pressure (P final There is a possibility that the filling process may be terminated before reaching ). Therefore, in S28, the filling completion time (t) of the trailing tank to be filled (second tank to be filled 54) is set. finalB The first correction time (tc) is added to ). B ) is calculated. That is, in S28, the first correction time (tc) of the second tank to be filled, which is the trailing tank to be filled, is calculated. B ) is calculated. Specifically, the first correction time (tc) is calculated using the following formula 6.

[0106] [Number]

[0107] When the first correction time (tc B ) of the second filled tank 54 is calculated at S28, return. That is, proceed to S41(A) and S41(B) of FIG. 4 via "Return" in FIG. 6. In this case, the first correction time (tc A ) of the first filled tank 53 is zero. On the other hand, when "NO" is determined at S27, that is, when it is determined that the remaining filling time difference dt is larger than the delay time Delay, return without going through S28. That is, in this case, even if the filling of hydrogen gas is continued in both filled tanks 53 and 54 as it is, the filling time of the leading filled tank (the first filled tank 53) will become longer, or the filling may end halfway before reaching the target end pressure (P final ). Therefore, in this case, the first correction time (tc B ) remains zero and proceeds to S41(A) and S41(B). In this case as well, the first correction time (tc A ) of the first filled tank 53 is zero.

[0108] On the other hand, when "YES" is determined at S25, that is, when the remaining filling time (t A ) of the first filled tank 53 is longer than the remaining filling time (t B ) of the second filled tank 54 (t A >t B ), proceed to S29. In this case, the first filled tank 53 becomes the one with the longer filling time. Therefore, at S29, the remaining filling time (t A ) of the first filled tank 53 minus the remaining filling time (t BThe remaining filling time difference dt is calculated by subtracting ). Note that the process in S29 to S31 is the same as the process in S26 to S28, except that the one with the longer remaining filling time is the first tank to be filled 53. That is, the process in S29 to S31 is the first correction time (tc) of the first tank to be filled 53, which is the trailing tank to be filled (low-pressure tank to be filled). A The process is the same as in S26 to S28, except for the difference in the calculation of ). For this reason, the explanation of the process in S29 to S31 is omitted.

[0109] Next, we will explain the processes in S41(A) and S41(B) in Figure 4, that is, the calculation process of the pressure rise rate (PRR) using the MC formula shown in Figure 7. Regarding the calculation process of the pressure rise rate (PRR) in S41, we will mainly explain the process for system A (first gas supply pipeline 7 side). If "NO" is determined in S7(A), the process proceeds to S41(A). Also, if "YES" is determined in S7(A) and the process returns in the cooperative control process of S21, that is, the cooperative control process shown in Figure 6, the process proceeds to S41(A). Figure 7 shows the calculation process of the pressure rise rate (PRR) in S41. Once the process of S41 begins, the process proceeds to S42. In S42, the mass-average temperature MAT of the first filled tank 53 is determined. That is, in S42, the mass-average temperature MAT is calculated using equation 1.

[0110] In S43, following S42, the filling completion time t of the first tank to be filled is calculated using Equation 2, based on the MC formula parameter data (table) obtained in S6(A) and the mass-average temperature MAT calculated in S42. finalA The following S44 determines whether or not coordinated control is in progress. If it is determined in S44 that "YES", i.e., coordinated control is in progress, the process proceeds to S45. In S45, the completion time of filling the first tank to be filled 53 (t finalA ) at the first correction time (tc A ) is added. As a result, in S46 following S45, the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the first filled tank 53 is calculated using equation 4.

[0111] On the other hand, if it is determined as "NO" in S44, that is, if it is determined that the cooperative control is not in progress, the process proceeds to S46 without passing through S45. In this case, in S46, the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the first filled tank 53 is calculated using Equation (3). After calculating the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the first filled tank 53 in S46, the process returns. That is, the process proceeds to S8(A) in FIG. 4 via "Return" in FIG. 7. Note that the process of S41(B), that is, the process on the B system (the side of the second gas supply pipe 8), is the same process except that the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the second filled tank 54 is calculated, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0112] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the integrated control panel 9 adds the correction time (tc) to the filling end time (t finalA ) of one of the filled tanks, which is the filling end time (t finalB ) of the first filled tank 53 and the filling end time (t final ) of the second filled tank 54 different from the first filled tank 53, to obtain the pressure rise rate (PRR) of this one filled tank, and supplies hydrogen gas to this one filled tank at the obtained pressure rise rate (PRR). Therefore, when supplying hydrogen gas to both the first filled tank 53 and the second filled tank 54 different from the first filled tank 53 from the multi-stage accumulator 2, the time until the supply of hydrogen gas to the filled tank on the high-pressure side (preceding side) (for example, the first filled tank 53) is completed becomes longer, or it can be suppressed that the supply of hydrogen gas ends halfway before reaching the target end pressure (P final ).

[0113] That is, when supplying hydrogen gas from the multi-stage accumulator 2 to both the first tank to be filled 53 and the second tank to be filled 54, consider the case where, for example, the difference between the pressure in the first tank to be filled 53 and the pressure in the second tank to be filled 54 is large, and the difference between the pressure in the high-pressure side (leading side) tank to be filled and the pressure in the multi-stage accumulator 2 is small. In such a case, it may become difficult to supply hydrogen gas to the high-pressure side (leading side) tank to be filled, and the pressure in the high-pressure side (leading side) tank to be filled may not rise easily. As a result, the time until the supply of hydrogen gas to the high-pressure side (leading side) tank to be filled may be prolonged, or the supply of hydrogen gas may be terminated before reaching the target completion pressure. Therefore, in the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, when supplying hydrogen gas from the multi-stage accumulator 2 to both the first tank to be filled 53 and the second tank to be filled 54, the filling completion time (t) of one of the tanks to be filled may be shortened. final The correction time (tc) is added to the value to determine the pressure rise rate (PRR) of one of the tanks being filled, and hydrogen gas is supplied to the other tank at this determined pressure rise rate (PRR).

[0114] Therefore, for example, the completion time of filling the low-pressure side (following side) tank to be filled (for example, the second tank to be filled 54) (t final If a correction time (tc) is added to the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the low-pressure side (following side) tank being filled, the PRR of the low-pressure side (following side) tank being filled can be reduced. This allows the PRR of the high-pressure side (leading side) tank being filled to be maintained as is. In this case, by adding the correction time (tc), hydrogen gas is not supplied from the third accumulator 2C, which becomes a high-pressure accumulator, to both the first tank being filled 53 and the second tank being filled 54, as indicated by the "△" at the switching points of accumulators 2A, 2B, and 2C in Figure 9. As a result, the time until the supply of hydrogen gas to the high-pressure side (leading side) tank being filled becomes longer, or the supply of hydrogen gas reaches the target completion pressure (P final This prevents the process from ending prematurely before reaching the target.

[0115] Moreover, in the first embodiment, a backup accumulator is not required. This reduces costs. Also, in the first embodiment, even if the operation to start filling is performed, filling will not fail to start (there is no waiting period without filling). This reduces discomfort and unpleasantness (frustration) for the worker performing the hydrogen gas filling work. Furthermore, the delay in filling the follow-up tank (for example, the second tank to be filled 54) can be kept to a minimum, and unnecessary delays in filling time can be prevented.

[0116] According to the first embodiment, the integrated control panel 9 determines the completion time (t) of the following tank to be filled (for example, the second tank to be filled 54). finalB ) is the time (t) when the filling of the preceding tank to be filled (for example, the first tank to be filled 53) is completed. finalA The filling completion time of the following tank to be filled (t) is set to be delayed by a predetermined time (delay time) relative to the following tank. finalB ) at the first correction time (tc B The first correction time (tc) is added to determine the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the trailing tank to be filled, and hydrogen gas is supplied to the trailing tank to be filled using this calculated pressure rise rate (PRR). Therefore, the first correction time (tc) is added to the time when the trailing tank to be filled is completed. B By adding ), the rate of pressure increase (PRR) of the trailing tank can be reduced. This allows the rate of pressure increase (PRR) of the leading tank to remain unchanged. As a result, the time it takes for the hydrogen gas supply to the leading tank to be completed will be longer, or the hydrogen gas supply will not reach the target completion pressure (P final This prevents the process from ending prematurely before reaching the target.

[0117] According to the first embodiment, when the supply of hydrogen gas to the preceding tank to be filled (for example, the first tank to be filled 53) is completed, the integrated control panel 9 sets a first correction time (tc BWithout adding the above, the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the subsequent tank to be filled (for example, the second tank to be filled 54) is determined, and hydrogen gas is supplied to the subsequent tank to be filled using this determined pressure rise rate (PRR). Therefore, the filling completion time for the subsequent tank to be filled can be shortened compared to the case where the pressure rise rate of the subsequent tank to be filled remains low.

[0118] According to the first embodiment, hydrogen gas is stored in a multi-stage accumulator 2 composed of multiple accumulators 2A, 2B, and 2C. Therefore, when supplying hydrogen gas from the multi-stage accumulator 2 to both the first tank to be filled 53 and the second tank to be filled 54, a correction time (tc) can be set so that hydrogen gas is not supplied from "one accumulator 2A, 2B, or 2C of the multi-stage accumulator 2" to "both the first tank to be filled 53 and the second tank to be filled 54". In this case, for example, when the pressure in the first tank to be filled 53 and the pressure in the second tank to be filled 54 are high, in other words, when the pressures in both tanks to be filled 53 and 54 are close to the target end pressure, a correction time (tc) can be set so that hydrogen gas is not supplied from one of the multiple accumulators 2A, 2B, or 2C of the multi-stage accumulator 2 (for example, the high-pressure accumulator 2C) to both the first tank to be filled 53 and the second tank to be filled 54. As a result, from this perspective as well, the time it takes for the supply of hydrogen gas to the preceding tank to be filled (for example, the first tank to be filled 53) to be completed will be longer, or the supply of hydrogen gas will reach the target completion pressure (P final This prevents the process from ending prematurely before reaching the target.

[0119] According to the first embodiment, the integrated control panel 9 determines the completion time (t) of the preceding tank to be filled (for example, the first tank to be filled 53). finalA ) and the completion time of filling the following tank to be filled (for example, the second tank to be filled 54) (t finalBWhen the difference (remaining filling time difference dt) is greater than or equal to a preset delay time Delay (dt≧Delay), the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the trailing tank to be filled (second tank to be filled 54) is calculated without adding the first correction time (tc). The delay time Delay can be set as a boundary value (threshold) to determine whether it is possible to complete the filling of the leading tank to be filled (first tank to be filled 53) before the trailing tank to be filled (second tank to be filled 54) is connected to the high-pressure accumulator (high-pressure accumulator 2C) among the multiple accumulators 2A, 2B, 2C, even without adding the first correction time (tc). As a result, from this perspective as well, the time until the supply of hydrogen gas to the leading tank to be filled (first tank to be filled 53) is completed will be longer, or the supply of hydrogen gas will reach the target completion pressure (P final This prevents the process from ending prematurely before reaching the target.

[0120] Next, Figures 10 and 11 show a second embodiment. The characteristic of the second embodiment is that a second correction time is added to the filling completion time of the leading tank so that the filling completion time of the high-pressure side (leading side) tank becomes the same as the filling completion time of the low-pressure side (following side) tank. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the first embodiment described above, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0121] As shown in Figure 11, in the second embodiment, coordinated control is performed so that the filling of the first tank to be filled 53 (first vehicle 51) and the filling of the second tank to be filled 54 (second vehicle 52) are completed simultaneously. For this purpose, the integrated control panel 9 performs the process shown in Figure 10 as the coordinated control process of S21 in Figure 4. If "YES" is determined in S7(A) or S7(B) in Figure 4, the process proceeds to the coordinated control process of S21. Figure 10 shows the coordinated control process of S21 according to the second embodiment. Note that the processes of S22 to S24 in Figure 10 are the same as the processes of S22 to S24 in Figure 6, so their explanation is omitted.

[0122] In S51, following S24, the remaining filling time of the first tank to be filled 53 (t A) and the remaining filling time (t) of the second tank to be filled 54 B ) is compared with this. In this case, in S51, the remaining filling time of the first tank to be filled 53 (t A ) is the remaining filling time (t) of the second tank to be filled 54. B Determine whether it is shorter than ) in S51. If "YES" is determined in S51, that is, the remaining filling time (t) of the first tank to be filled is determined to be shorter than ). A ) is the remaining filling time (t) of the second tank to be filled 54. B Shorter than (t A <t B If it is determined that the remaining filling time is longer, proceed to S52. In S52, the remaining filling time of the second tank to be filled (t B ) from the remaining filling time of the first tank to be filled 53 (t A By subtracting ), the remaining filling time difference dt is calculated. That is, in S52, "dt = t B -t A Calculate ".

[0123] In S53, following S52, the filling completion time (t) of the preceding tank to be filled (first tank to be filled 53) is determined. finalA The second correction time (tc) to be added to ) is calculated. That is, in S53, the second correction time (tc) of the first tank to be filled, which is the leading tank to be filled, is calculated. A Let ) be dt. The second correction time (tc) of the second tank to be filled, which is the trailing tank to be filled, is dt. B ) is zero. Second correction time (tc) in S53 A If ) is set to dt, return. In this case, in the process of S41(A) in Figure 4, more specifically, in the process of S45 in Figure 7, the filling completion time (t) of the first tank to be filled is set. finalA ) at the second correction time (tc A ) is added. As a result, in S46 following S45, the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the first filled tank 53 is calculated using equation 4.

[0124] On the other hand, in S51, "NO", that is, the remaining filling time of the first tank to be filled 53 (t A ) is the remaining filling time (t) of the second tank to be filled 54. B (t) is not shorter than A ≧tB If it is determined that the remaining filling time is longer, proceed to S54. In S54, the remaining filling time of the first tank to be filled 53 (t A ) from the remaining filling time of the second tank to be filled 54 (t B By subtracting ), the remaining filling time difference dt is calculated. That is, in S55, "dt = t A -t B Calculate ".

[0125] In S55, following S54, the filling completion time (t) of the preceding tank to be filled (second tank to be filled 54) is determined. finalB The second correction time (tc) to be added to ) is calculated. That is, in S55, the second correction time (tc) of the second tank to be filled, which is the preceding tank to be filled, is calculated. B Let ) be dt. The second correction time (tc) of the first tank to be filled, which is the trailing tank to be filled. A ) is zero. The second correction time (tc) is calculated at S55. B If ) is set to dt, return. In this case, in the process of S41(B) in Figure 4, more specifically, in the process of S45 in Figure 7, the filling completion time (t) of the second tank to be filled is set. finalB ) at the second correction time (tc B ) is added. As a result, in S46 following S45, the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the second filled tank 54 is calculated using equation 4.

[0126] Thus, in the second embodiment, the integrated control panel 9 determines the completion time (t) of the preceding tank to be filled (for example, the first tank to be filled 53). finalA ) is the time (t) when the filling of the following tank to be filled (for example, the second tank to be filled 54) is completed. finalB The filling completion time (t) of the preceding tank to be filled (first tank to be filled 53) is set to be the same as ). finalA ) at the second correction time (tc A The pressure rise rate (PRR) of the leading tank to be filled (first tank to be filled 53) is calculated by adding the values ​​from the first tank to be filled. The integrated control panel 9 supplies hydrogen gas to the leading tank to be filled (first tank to be filled 53) using this calculated pressure rise rate (PRR).

[0127] The second embodiment performs the filling as described above, and its basic operation is no different from that of the first embodiment described above. In particular, according to the second embodiment, the integrated control panel 9 determines the completion time (t) of the preceding tank to be filled (for example, the first tank to be filled 53). finalA ) is the time (t) when the filling of the following tank to be filled (for example, the second tank to be filled 54) is completed. finalB ) so that the filling completion time of the preceding tank to be filled (t finalA ) at the second correction time (tc A ) is added. This makes it possible to lower the rate of pressure rise (PRR) of the leading tank being filled. Therefore, the pressure of the leading tank being filled and the pressure of the trailing tank being filled will be equal to the target closing pressure (P final When approaching the target end pressure (P), the pressure difference between the leading tank and the trailing tank can be reduced. As a result, the supply of hydrogen gas to the leading tank can be reduced to the target end pressure (P). final This prevents the process from ending prematurely before reaching the target.

[0128] Next, Figure 12 shows a third embodiment. The characteristic of the third embodiment is that, based on the difference between the completion time of filling the high-pressure side (leading side) tank to be filled and the completion time of filling the low-pressure side (following side) tank to be filled, one of the following is selected: "add a first correction time," "add a second correction time," or "do not add any correction time." In the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the first and second embodiments described above, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0129] In the third embodiment, the completion time of filling the first tank to be filled 53 (t finalA ) and the completion time of filling the second tank 54 (t finalBDepending on the difference with ), the system selects whether to perform the cooperative control of the first embodiment (calculation of the first correction time), the cooperative control of the second embodiment (calculation of the second correction time), or not perform cooperative control (set the correction time to zero). For this purpose, the integrated control panel 9 performs the process shown in Figure 12 as the cooperative control process of S21 in Figure 4. If "YES" is determined in S7(A) or "YES" is determined in S7(B) in Figure 4, the system proceeds to the cooperative control process of S21. Figure 12 shows the cooperative control process of S21 according to the third embodiment. Note that the processes of S22 to S31 in Figure 12 are the same as the processes of S22 to S31 in Figure 6. Also, the processes of S53 and S55 in Figure 12 are the same as the processes of S53 and S55 in Figure 10. For this reason, their explanations are omitted.

[0130] In S61, following S26, it is determined whether the remaining filling time difference dt calculated in S26 is greater than a predetermined first time difference t1. If the result in S61 is "YES," that is, if the remaining filling time difference dt is greater than the first time difference t1 (dt>t1), the process proceeds to S27. On the other hand, if the result in S61 is "NO," that is, if the remaining filling time difference dt is not greater than the first time difference t1 (dt≦t1), the process proceeds to S53. Meanwhile, in S62, following S29, it is determined whether the remaining filling time difference dt calculated in S29 is greater than a predetermined first time difference t1. If the result in S62 is "YES," that is, if the remaining filling time difference dt is greater than the first time difference t1 (dt>t1), the process proceeds to S30. On the other hand, if the result in S62 is "NO," meaning that the remaining filling time difference dt is not greater than the first time difference t1 (dt ≤ t1), the process proceeds to S55.

[0131] The first time difference t1 is, for example, the time at which the following tank to be filled (e.g., the second tank to be filled 54) is completed (t finalB ) Add the first correction time (tc) to ) or the completion time of filling of the preceding tank to be filled (for example, the first tank to be filled 53) (t finalA ) at the second correction time (tc AThis can be set as a boundary value (threshold) for whether to add ). The first time difference t1 can be determined in advance by experiment, calculation, simulation, etc.

[0132] Thus, in the third embodiment, the integrated control panel 9 determines the completion time (t) of the preceding tank to be filled (for example, the first tank to be filled 53). finalA ) and the completion time of filling the following tank to be filled (for example, the second tank to be filled 54) (t finalB When the difference between (remaining filling time difference dt) and the first time difference t1 (dt ≤ t1) is less than or equal to the preset first time difference t1, filling is performed as follows. That is, in this case, the central control panel 9 sets the filling completion time (t) of the preceding tank to be filled (first tank to be filled 53). finalA ) is the time (t) when the filling of the trailing tank to be filled (second tank to be filled 54) is completed. finalB The filling completion time (t) of the preceding tank to be filled (first tank to be filled 53) is set to be the same as ). finalA ) at the second correction time (tc A The pressure rise rate (PRR) of the leading tank to be filled (first tank to be filled 53) is calculated by adding the values ​​from the first tank to be filled. The integrated control panel 9 supplies hydrogen gas to the leading tank to be filled (first tank to be filled 53) using this calculated pressure rise rate (PRR).

[0133] Meanwhile, the integrated control panel 9 determines the completion time (t) of the preceding tank to be filled (for example, the first tank to be filled 53). finalA ) and the completion time of filling the following tank to be filled (for example, the second tank to be filled 54) (t finalB When the difference between (remaining filling time difference dt) and the preset first time difference t1 is greater than (dt>t1) and less than the preset second time difference (delay time), filling is performed as follows. That is, in this case, the integrated control panel 9 sets the filling completion time (t) of the trailing tank to be filled (second tank to be filled 54). finalB ) is the time (t) when the filling of the preceding tank to be filled (first tank to be filled 53) is completed. finalA The filling completion time of the trailing tank to be filled (second tank to be filled 54) is set to be delayed by a predetermined time (delay time) relative to the following tank to be filled (t finalB ) at the first correction time (tcB The pressure rise rate (PRR) of the trailing tank (second tank 54) is calculated by adding the values ​​from the first tank. The integrated control panel 9 supplies hydrogen gas to the trailing tank (second tank 54) using this calculated pressure rise rate (PRR).

[0134] Furthermore, the integrated control panel 9 sets the completion time (t) of the preceding tank to be filled (for example, the first tank to be filled 53). finalA ) and the completion time of filling the following tank to be filled (for example, the second tank to be filled 54) (t finalB When the difference between (remaining filling time difference dt) and (delay time difference Delay) is greater than or equal to a preset second time difference (delay time Delay) (dt≧Delay), filling is performed as follows. That is, in this case, the integrated control panel 9 sets the first correction time (tc B Without adding the second correction time (tc), the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the trailing tank to be filled (second tank to be filled 54) is determined, and hydrogen gas is supplied to the trailing tank to be filled (second tank to be filled 54) at this determined pressure rise rate (PRR). In addition, the integrated control panel 9 determines the second correction time (tc A Without adding the above, the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the preceding filled tank (first filled tank 53) is determined, and hydrogen gas is supplied to the preceding filled tank (first filled tank 53) at this determined pressure rise rate (PRR). The second time difference (delay time) is set in advance as a time difference that is larger than the first time difference t1.

[0135] The third embodiment performs the filling as described above, and its basic operation is no different from that of the first and second embodiments described above. In particular, according to the third embodiment, when the remaining filling time difference dt is greater than the first time difference t1 (and less than the second time difference (delay time)), the integrated control panel 9 sets the filling completion time (t) of the following tank to be filled (for example, the second tank to be filled 54). finalB ) at the first correction time (tc B) is added. Therefore, when the remaining filling time difference dt is large, the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the trailing tank to be filled (second tank to be filled 54) can be reduced. Also, when the remaining filling time difference dt is less than or equal to the first time difference t1, the integrated control panel 9 sets the filling completion time (t) of the leading tank to be filled (for example, the first tank to be filled 53). finalA ) at the second correction time (tc A ) is added. Therefore, when the remaining filling time difference dt is small, the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the preceding tank to be filled (first tank to be filled 53) can be lowered. As a result, the time until the supply of hydrogen gas to the preceding tank to be filled (first tank to be filled 53) is completed becomes longer, or the supply of hydrogen gas reaches the target completion pressure (P final This prevents the process from ending prematurely before reaching the target.

[0136] Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, the integrated control panel 9, when the remaining filling time difference dt is greater than or equal to the second time difference (delay time), sets the filling completion time (t final The correction time (first correction time tc, second correction time tc) is not added to the remaining filling time difference dt. In other words, the integrated control panel 9 sets the correction time (first correction time tc, second correction time tc) to zero when the remaining filling time difference dt is greater than or equal to the second time difference (delay time Delay). For this reason, when the remaining filling time difference dt is greater than or equal to the second time difference (delay time Delay), the uncorrected filling end time (t final Hydrogen gas can be supplied to the leading tank to be filled (e.g., the first tank to be filled 53) and the trailing tank to be filled (e.g., the second tank to be filled 54) at the pressure rise rate (PRR) calculated using ). In this case, the second time difference (delay time) can be set as a boundary value (threshold) to determine whether or not it is possible to complete the filling of the leading tank to be filled (first tank to be filled 53) before the trailing tank to be filled (second tank to be filled 54) is connected to the high-pressure accumulator (high-pressure accumulator 2C) among the multiple accumulators 2A, 2B, 2C, without adding the first correction time (tc). As a result, from this perspective as well, the time until the supply of hydrogen gas to the leading tank to be filled (first tank to be filled 53) is completed becomes longer, or the supply of hydrogen gas reaches the target completion pressure (P finalThis prevents the process from ending prematurely before reaching the target.

[0137] In the third embodiment, the filling completion time (t) of the preceding tank to be filled (for example, the first tank to be filled 53) is specified. finalA ) and the completion time of filling the following tank to be filled (for example, the second tank to be filled 54) (t finalB The explanation was given using an example where a configuration is used to determine whether or not to add a correction time (first correction time tc, second correction time tc) according to the time difference (remaining filling time difference dt), which is the difference between the two. However, the system is not limited to this, and for example, a configuration may be used to determine whether or not to add a correction time (first correction time tc, second correction time tc) according to the pressure difference, which is the difference between the pressure of the preceding tank to be filled (e.g., the first tank to be filled 53) and the following tank to be filled (e.g., the second tank to be filled 54).

[0138] In other words, the controller (for example, the integrated control panel 9) may, when the difference between the pressure of the leading tank to be filled and the pressure of the trailing tank to be filled is greater than a preset first pressure difference, add a first correction time to the filling completion time of the trailing tank to determine the pressure increase rate of the trailing tank so that the filling completion time of the trailing tank is delayed by a preset predetermined time compared to the filling completion time of the leading tank, and supply fuel gas to the trailing tank at this determined pressure increase rate. Alternatively, when the difference between the pressure of the leading tank to be filled and the pressure of the trailing tank to be filled is less than or equal to the first pressure difference, add a second correction time to the filling completion time of the leading tank to determine the pressure increase rate of the leading tank so that the filling completion time of the leading tank is the same as the filling completion time of the trailing tank, and supply fuel gas to the leading tank at this determined pressure increase rate.

[0139] Furthermore, the controller (for example, the integrated control panel 9) may, when the difference between the pressure of the leading tank and the pressure of the trailing tank is greater than or equal to a second pressure difference, which is a preset pressure difference greater than the first pressure difference, determine the pressure increase rate of the trailing tank without adding the first correction time, and supply fuel gas to the trailing tank at this determined pressure increase rate. It may also determine the pressure increase rate of the leading tank without adding the second correction time, and supply fuel gas to the leading tank at this determined pressure increase rate.

[0140] The first pressure difference can be set as a boundary value (threshold) for determining whether to "add a first correction time to the completion time of filling the trailing tank" or "add a second correction time to the completion time of filling the leading tank". The second pressure difference can be set as a boundary value (threshold) for determining whether it is possible to complete the filling of the leading tank before the trailing tank is connected to the high-pressure accumulator among the multiple accumulators, even without adding the first correction time. The first pressure difference and the second time difference can be determined in advance by experiments, calculations, simulations, etc.

[0141] In the first embodiment described above, the example described was one in which coordinated control is performed from the start of simultaneous filling, that is, a correction time is added to one of the tanks to be filled to determine the pressure increase rate of that tank. However, the invention is not limited to this, and for example, the coordinated control may be performed from a predetermined time (second predetermined time, for example, a preset start delay time) after a predetermined time (second predetermined time, for example, a preset start delay time) has elapsed from the start of simultaneous filling. That is, the controller (for example, the integrated control panel 9) may, after a predetermined time (second predetermined time, for example, a preset start delay time) has elapsed since the start of supplying fuel gas to both the first tank to be filled, add a correction time to the completion time of filling one of the tanks to be filled to determine the pressure increase rate of that tank, and then supply fuel gas to the tank with the determined pressure increase rate.

[0142] In this case, the timing of lowering the pressure rise rate of one of the tanks being filled can be delayed by a predetermined amount of time. This prevents the temperature of the hydrogen gas from rising due to lowering the pressure rise rate in the initial stages of filling. As a result, the temperature of the hydrogen gas in the initial stages of filling (pre-cooling temperature) can be maintained at a specified temperature (a temperature at which excessive temperature rise in the tank being filled can be suppressed). That is, if the pressure rise rate is lowered, the amount of hydrogen gas cooled by the cooler 29 (heat exchangers 29A, 29B) decreases, and the temperature of the hydrogen gas supplied to the vehicle may not cool down to the specified temperature. For example, if the pressure rise rate is lowered, the temperature of the hydrogen gas may not cool down to the specified temperature by 30 seconds after the start of the main filling. In contrast, if a correction time is added after a predetermined time (second predetermined time) has elapsed from the start of simultaneous filling, the temperature of the hydrogen gas supplied (filled) to the tank being filled can be cooled to the specified temperature. This is also true in the second and third embodiments.

[0143] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the case in which the pressures PA0 and PB0 of the tanks to be filled 53 and 54 are measured values, i.e., detected values ​​from pressure sensors (more specifically, secondary pressure sensors 32A and 32B), was used as an example. However, the invention is not limited to this, and for example, control target values ​​calculated by the integrated control panel 9, or estimated values ​​detected from sensor values ​​may also be used. In addition, the pressure of the tank to be filled (filling pressure) may be the pressure on the outlet side of the dispenser unit, or the pressure inside the tank to be filled (container pressure of the fuel cell vehicle). In this case, the pressure inside the tank to be filled detected or estimated on the fuel cell vehicle side may also be used. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

[0144] In each embodiment, the pressure rise rate (PRR) of the first tank to be filled 53 or the second tank to be filled 54 is reduced by adding a correction time (tc). At this time, depending on the calculated pressure rise rate (PRR), the hydrogen gas filling rate may become smaller than a preset threshold (lower filling rate) at which filling is stopped. Therefore, for example, if the calculated pressure rise rate (filling rate) becomes smaller than the threshold (lower filling rate) at which filling is stopped, the threshold (lower filling rate) is set to a different threshold (lower filling rate) that is lower than the calculated pressure rise rate. This allows the hydrogen gas filling to continue.

[0145] Furthermore, if the pressure in at least one of the first and second tanks being filled is equal to or greater than a preset filling pressure at the start of simultaneous filling, the correction time may be omitted.

[0146] Each embodiment was described using the example of filling the tanks 53 and 54 of vehicles 51 and 52 with compressed hydrogen gas. However, it is not limited to this, and can also be used to fill tanks (tanks, containers, etc.) other than vehicles with hydrogen gas. Furthermore, the dispenser unit 5 of the hydrogen gas filling device 1 may be installed in the middle of a pipeline (hydrogen supply pipeline) for supplying hydrogen gas to another location. In addition, although hydrogen gas was used as an example of fuel gas in the description, a configuration (gas filling device) using fuel gases other than hydrogen gas, such as natural gas (NG) or propane gas (LPG), may also be used.

[0147] In each embodiment, the configuration was described using an example where a first gas supply pipeline 7 and a second gas supply pipeline 8 are provided as multiple gas supply routes. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and for example, a configuration with three or more gas supply routes may be used. Also, in each embodiment, a multistage accumulator 2 composed of three accumulators 2A, 2B, and 2C was described using an example. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and a multistage accumulator may be composed of two accumulators, or of four or more accumulators. Furthermore, instead of a multistage accumulator, a configuration with one accumulator may be used, that is, a configuration in which one accumulator is connected to multiple gas supply routes (for example, a first gas supply route, a second gas supply route).

[0148] In each embodiment, the objects to be filled were described as a first tank to be filled in a first vehicle and a second tank to be filled in a second vehicle. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and may also be applied to a configuration in which, for example, the first tank to be filled and the second tank to be filled (multiple tanks) are mounted inside the body of the first vehicle (or second vehicle).

[0149] In each embodiment, when fuel gas is supplied from the accumulator to both the first and second tanks to be filled, the tank with the higher pressure is designated as the "leading tank to be filled," and the tank with the lower pressure is designated as the "following tank to be filled." However, the explanation is not limited to this, and for example, when fuel gas is supplied from the accumulator to both the first and second tanks to be filled, the tank with the shorter filling completion time is designated as the "leading tank to be filled," and the tank with the longer filling completion time is designated as the "following tank to be filled." That is, in each embodiment, the explanation was given using the case where the side to be corrected is determined by the side with the higher pressure and the side with the lower pressure (in other words, the side to be corrected is determined by the pressure difference). However, the explanation is not limited to this, and for example, the side to be corrected may be determined by the side with the shorter filling completion time and the side with the longer filling completion time (in other words, the side to be corrected may be determined by the time difference).

[0150] Each embodiment is illustrative, and it goes without saying that partial substitutions or combinations of the configurations shown in different embodiments are possible.

[0151] According to the embodiment described above, the controller adds a correction time (e.g., a first correction time and a second correction time) to the filling completion time of one of the two tanks to be filled, which is either the filling completion time of the first tank or the filling completion time of the second tank, to determine the pressure rise rate of the first tank to be filled, and supplies fuel gas to the first tank to be filled at this determined pressure rise rate. Therefore, when supplying fuel gas from the accumulator to both the first tank to be filled and the second tank to be filled (which is separate from the first tank to be filled), it is possible to prevent the time until the supply of fuel gas to the high-pressure side (leading side) tank to be filled from becoming long, or to prevent the supply of fuel gas from ending prematurely before reaching the target completion pressure.

[0152] In other words, when supplying fuel gas from the accumulator to both the first and second tanks to be filled, consider a case where, for example, the pressure difference between the first and second tanks is large, and the pressure difference between the high-pressure (leading) tank and the accumulator is small. In such a case, it may become difficult to supply fuel gas to the high-pressure (leading) tank, and the pressure in that tank may not rise easily. This may result in a longer time until the supply of fuel gas to the high-pressure (leading) tank is completed, or the fuel gas supply may be terminated before reaching the target completion pressure. Therefore, when supplying fuel gas from the accumulator to both the first and second tanks to be filled, a correction time is added to the completion time of one of the tanks to determine the pressure increase rate of that tank, and fuel gas is supplied to the tank using this determined pressure increase rate.

[0153] Therefore, for example, if a correction time (e.g., a first correction time) is added to the completion time of filling the low-pressure side (following side) tank, the pressure increase rate of this low-pressure side (following side) tank can be reduced. This allows the pressure increase rate of the high-pressure side (leading side) tank to be maintained as is. As a result, it is possible to prevent the time until the fuel gas supply to the high-pressure side (leading side) tank is completed from becoming longer, or to prevent the fuel gas supply from being terminated prematurely before reaching the target completion pressure. On the other hand, for example, if a correction time (e.g., a second correction time) is added to the completion time of filling the high-pressure side (leading side) tank, the pressure increase rate of this high-pressure side (leading side) tank can be reduced. This reduces the pressure difference between the two tanks when both the high-pressure (leading) and low-pressure (following) tanks approach the target termination pressure. As a result, it prevents the fuel gas supply to the high-pressure (leading) tank from being terminated prematurely before reaching the target termination pressure.

[0154] According to the embodiment, the controller adds a first correction time to the filling completion time of the trailing tank (low-pressure tank) to determine the pressure rise rate of the trailing tank, so that the filling completion time of the trailing tank (low-pressure tank) is delayed by a predetermined time (first predetermined time) compared to the filling completion time of the leading tank (high-pressure tank). Fuel gas is then supplied to the trailing tank at this determined pressure rise rate. Therefore, by adding the first correction time to the filling completion time of the trailing tank, the pressure rise rate of the trailing tank can be reduced. As a result, the pressure rise rate of the leading tank can be maintained as is. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the time until the fuel gas supply to the leading tank is completed from becoming longer, or the fuel gas supply from being terminated prematurely before reaching the target completion pressure.

[0155] According to the embodiment, when the supply of fuel gas to the preceding tank is completed, the controller determines the pressure rise rate of the trailing tank without adding the first correction time, and supplies fuel gas to the trailing tank at this determined pressure rise rate. Therefore, the filling completion time for the trailing tank can be shortened compared to the case where the pressure rise rate of the trailing tank is kept low.

[0156] According to the embodiment, the controller adds a second correction time to the filling completion time of the leading tank to determine the pressure rise rate of the leading tank so that the filling completion time of the leading tank is the same as the filling completion time of the trailing tank, and supplies fuel gas to the leading tank at this determined pressure rise rate. Therefore, by adding the second correction time to the filling completion time of the leading tank, the pressure rise rate of the leading tank can be reduced. As a result, when the pressures of the leading tank and the trailing tank approach the target completion pressure, the difference between the pressures of the leading tank and the trailing tank can be reduced. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the supply of fuel gas to the leading tank from being terminated prematurely before reaching the target completion pressure.

[0157] According to the embodiment, the controller adds a first correction time to the filling completion time of the trailing tank when the difference between the filling completion time (or pressure) of the leading tank and the filling completion time (or pressure) of the trailing tank is greater than a first time difference (or first pressure difference). Therefore, when the difference between the filling completion time (or pressure difference) between the leading tank and the trailing tank is large, the pressure rise rate of the trailing tank can be reduced. Furthermore, the controller adds a second correction time to the filling completion time of the leading tank when the difference between the filling completion time (or pressure) of the leading tank and the trailing tank is less than or equal to a first time difference (or first pressure difference). Therefore, when the difference between the filling completion time (or pressure difference) between the leading tank and the trailing tank is small, the pressure rise rate of the leading tank can be reduced. These measures help to prevent the time required to complete the supply of fuel gas to the preceding tank from becoming longer, or to prevent the fuel gas supply from being terminated prematurely before reaching the target termination pressure.

[0158] According to the embodiment, when the difference between the filling completion time (or pressure) of the leading tank and the following tank is greater than or equal to a second time difference (or second pressure difference), the controller determines the pressure increase rate of the following tank without adding a first correction time, and also determines the pressure increase rate of the leading tank without adding a second correction time. Therefore, when the difference in filling completion time (or pressure difference) between the leading tank and the following tank is greater than or equal to a second time difference (or second pressure difference), fuel gas can be supplied to the leading tank and the following tank at the pressure increase rate determined without correction. In this case, the second time difference (or second pressure difference) can be set, for example, as a boundary value (threshold) to determine whether or not it is possible to complete the filling of the leading tank before the following tank is connected to a high-pressure accumulator among the multiple accumulators, even without adding a first correction time. This also helps to prevent the time it takes to complete the supply of fuel gas to the preceding tank from becoming longer, or to prevent the fuel gas supply from being terminated prematurely before reaching the target termination pressure.

[0159] According to the embodiment, the controller adds a correction time to the completion time of filling one of the tanks after a predetermined time (second predetermined time) has elapsed since the start of supplying fuel gas to both the first and second tanks to be filled, to determine the pressure rise rate of that tank, and supplies fuel gas to the tank at the determined pressure rise rate. Therefore, the timing of lowering the pressure rise rate of one of the tanks to be filled can be delayed by a predetermined time. This makes it possible to suppress the rise in fuel gas temperature caused by lowering the pressure rise rate in the initial stages of filling. In other words, the fuel gas temperature in the initial stages of filling (pre-cool temperature) can be maintained at a specified temperature (a temperature that can suppress excessive temperature rise of the tanks to be filled).

[0160] According to the embodiment, the accumulator is a multi-stage accumulator. Therefore, when supplying fuel gas from the multi-stage accumulator to both the first and second tanks to be filled, a correction time can be set so that fuel gas is not supplied from "one accumulator of the multi-stage accumulator" to "both the first and second tanks to be filled." In this case, for example, when the pressure of the first and second tanks to be filled is high, in other words, when the pressure of both tanks to be filled is close to the target completion pressure, a correction time can be set so that fuel gas is not supplied from one of the multiple accumulators of the multi-stage accumulator (high-pressure accumulator) to both the first and second tanks to be filled. This also helps to prevent the time until the supply of fuel gas to the leading tank to be filled from becoming longer, or the supply of fuel gas from ending prematurely before reaching the target completion pressure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0161] 1. Hydrogen gas filling device (gas filling device) 2 Multi-stage pressure accumulator (pressure accumulator) 3. Hydrogen fuel supply system 5 Dispenser Unit 7. First gas supply pipeline (first gas supply route) 8. Second gas supply pipeline (second gas supply route) 9. Integrated control panel (controller) 25A First filling hose (first gas supply route) 25B Second filling hose (second gas supply route) 51 First vehicle 52 Second vehicle 53 First tank to be filled 54 Second tank to be filled

Claims

1. A first gas supply path that supplies fuel gas from an accumulator where fuel gas is stored to a first tank to be filled, A second gas supply path that supplies fuel gas from the accumulator to a second tank to be filled, which is different from the first tank to be filled, A controller that controls the rate of pressure increase of fuel gas supplied to the first tank to be filled through the first gas supply path, and controls the rate of pressure increase of fuel gas supplied to the second tank to be filled through the second gas supply path, In a gas filling device equipped with, The controller is, A gas filling device characterized in that, when supplying fuel gas from the accumulator to both the first tank to be filled and the second tank to be filled, a correction time is added to the filling completion time of one of the tanks to be filled, which is the filling completion time of the first tank to be filled and the filling completion time of the second tank to be filled, to determine the pressure rise rate of the one tank to be filled, and the fuel gas is supplied to the one tank to be filled with the determined pressure rise rate.

2. When fuel gas is supplied from the accumulator to both the first tank to be filled and the second tank to be filled, if the tank with the higher pressure is designated as the leading tank and the tank with the lower pressure is designated as the trailing tank, The controller is, The gas filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that a first correction time is added to the filling completion time of the trailing tank to be filled so that the filling completion time of the trailing tank to be filled is delayed by a predetermined amount of time compared to the filling completion time of the preceding tank to be filled, the pressure rise rate of the trailing tank to be filled is determined, and fuel gas is supplied to the trailing tank to be filled with the determined pressure rise rate.

3. When fuel gas is supplied from the accumulator to both the first tank to be filled and the second tank to be filled, if the tank with the shorter filling completion time is designated as the leading tank to be filled and the tank with the longer filling completion time is designated as the trailing tank to be filled, The controller is, The gas filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that a first correction time is added to the filling completion time of the trailing tank to be filled so that the filling completion time of the trailing tank to be filled is delayed by a predetermined amount of time compared to the filling completion time of the preceding tank to be filled, the pressure rise rate of the trailing tank to be filled is determined, and fuel gas is supplied to the trailing tank to be filled with the determined pressure rise rate.

4. The controller is, The gas filling apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that when the supply of fuel gas to the preceding tank to be filled is completed, the pressure rise rate of the trailing tank to be filled is determined without adding the first correction time, and fuel gas is supplied to the trailing tank to be filled with the determined pressure rise rate.

5. When fuel gas is supplied from the accumulator to both the first tank to be filled and the second tank to be filled, if the tank with the higher pressure is designated as the leading tank and the tank with the lower pressure is designated as the trailing tank, The controller is, The gas filling apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a second correction time is added to the filling completion time of the leading tank to determine the pressure rise rate of the leading tank to determine that the filling completion time of the leading tank to be filled is the same as the filling completion time of the trailing tank to be filled, and fuel gas is supplied to the leading tank to be filled with the determined pressure rise rate.

6. When fuel gas is supplied from the accumulator to both the first tank to be filled and the second tank to be filled, if the tank with the shorter filling completion time is designated as the leading tank to be filled and the tank with the longer filling completion time is designated as the trailing tank to be filled, The controller is, The gas filling apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a second correction time is added to the filling completion time of the leading tank to determine the pressure rise rate of the leading tank to determine that the filling completion time of the leading tank to be filled is the same as the filling completion time of the trailing tank to be filled, and fuel gas is supplied to the leading tank to be filled with the determined pressure rise rate.

7. When fuel gas is supplied from the accumulator to both the first and second tanks to be filled, if the tank with the higher pressure is designated as the leading tank and the tank with the lower pressure is designated as the trailing tank, or, When fuel gas is supplied from the accumulator to both the first tank to be filled and the second tank to be filled, if the tank with the shorter filling completion time is designated as the leading tank to be filled and the tank with the longer filling completion time is designated as the trailing tank to be filled, The controller is, When the difference between the completion time of filling the preceding tank and the completion time of filling the following tank is greater than a preset first time difference, To ensure that the completion time of filling the trailing tank is delayed by a predetermined amount of time compared to the completion time of filling the preceding tank, a first correction time is added to the completion time of filling the trailing tank to determine the pressure increase rate of the trailing tank, and fuel gas is supplied to the trailing tank at this determined pressure increase rate. When the difference between the completion time of filling the preceding tank and the completion time of filling the following tank is less than or equal to the first time difference, The gas filling apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a second correction time is added to the filling completion time of the leading tank to determine the pressure rise rate of the leading tank to determine that the filling completion time of the leading tank to be filled is the same as the filling completion time of the trailing tank to be filled, and fuel gas is supplied to the leading tank to be filled with the determined pressure rise rate.

8. The controller is, When the difference between the completion time of filling the preceding tank and the completion time of filling the following tank is greater than or equal to a second time difference, which is set as a time difference greater than the first time difference, The gas filling apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that it determines the pressure rise rate of the trailing tank to be filled without adding the first correction time, supplies fuel gas to the trailing tank to be filled with the determined pressure rise rate, and determines the pressure rise rate of the leading tank to be filled without adding the second correction time, and supplies fuel gas to the leading tank to be filled with the determined pressure rise rate.

9. When fuel gas is supplied from the accumulator to both the first and second tanks to be filled, if the tank with the higher pressure is designated as the leading tank and the tank with the lower pressure is designated as the trailing tank, or, When fuel gas is supplied from the accumulator to both the first tank to be filled and the second tank to be filled, if the tank with the shorter filling completion time is designated as the leading tank to be filled and the tank with the longer filling completion time is designated as the trailing tank to be filled, The controller is, When the difference between the pressure of the preceding tank to be filled and the pressure of the following tank to be filled is greater than a preset first pressure difference, To ensure that the completion time of filling the trailing tank is delayed by a predetermined amount of time compared to the completion time of filling the preceding tank, a first correction time is added to the completion time of filling the trailing tank to determine the pressure increase rate of the trailing tank, and fuel gas is supplied to the trailing tank at this determined pressure increase rate. When the difference between the pressure of the preceding tank to be filled and the pressure of the following tank to be filled is less than or equal to the first pressure difference, The gas filling apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a second correction time is added to the filling completion time of the leading tank to determine the pressure rise rate of the leading tank to determine that the filling completion time of the leading tank to be filled is the same as the filling completion time of the trailing tank to be filled, and fuel gas is supplied to the leading tank to be filled with the determined pressure rise rate.

10. The controller is, When the difference between the pressure of the preceding tank to be filled and the pressure of the following tank to be filled is greater than or equal to a second pressure difference, which is set as a pressure difference greater than the first pressure difference, The gas filling apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the pressure rise rate of the trailing tank to be filled is determined without adding the first correction time, fuel gas is supplied to the trailing tank to be filled with the determined pressure rise rate, and the pressure rise rate of the leading tank to be filled is determined without adding the second correction time, and fuel gas is supplied to the leading tank to be filled with the determined pressure rise rate.

11. The controller is, The gas filling apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of supplying fuel gas to both the first tank to be filled and the second tank to be filled, a correction time is added to the completion time of filling one of the tanks to be filled to determine the pressure rise rate of this one tank to be filled, and fuel gas is supplied to the one tank to be filled with the determined pressure rise rate.

12. The gas filling apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the accumulator is composed of a plurality of accumulators and is a common multi-stage accumulator connected to both the first gas supply path and the second gas supply path.

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