Gas fuel supply device

Abstract

To provide a gas fuel supply device for injecting gas stored in a tank from an injector, which can achieve a cruising distance required for a vehicle on which the gas fuel supply device is mounted by using up the gas stored in the tank.SOLUTION: A gas fuel supply device includes: a first supply passage having a pressure regulating valve for regulating a pressure of gas fuel stored in a storage tank, and a first shutoff valve that supplies the gas fuel whose pressure is regulated by the pressure regulating valve to an injector; and a second supply passage having a booster pump that sucks the gas fuel stored in the storage tank and boosts the pressure, and a second shutoff valve that supplies the gas fuel whose pressure is boosted by the booster pump to the injector. When a value of the pressure measured by measurement means is equal to or greater than a prescribed value, the first shutoff valve is opened and the second shutoff valve is closed, and when the value of the pressure measured by the measurement means is less than the prescribed value, the first shutoff valve is closed and the second shutoff valve is opened.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaseous fuel supply device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, from the perspective of environmental issues and the like, the development of engines using gaseous fuels such as hydrogen as a power source has been underway. In particular, an engine using hydrogen as a power source has attracted attention as a method of energy utilization that can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide because only water is generated after combustion.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a fuel injection device using hydrogen as fuel. The fuel injection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 supplies hydrogen stored in a tank to an injector via a supply passage, and injects hydrogen from the injector. A shut-off valve is provided in the supply path, and by opening and closing the shut-off valve, the supply of hydrogen stored in the tank to the injector is controlled.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in a gaseous fuel supply device that injects a gas such as hydrogen stored in a tank from an injector, when the amount of gas stored in the tank decreases, the pressure in the tank decreases, and as a result, the gas stored in the tank cannot be used up. As a result, there is a problem that the cruising range of a vehicle or the like equipped with the gaseous fuel supply device becomes shorter by that amount, and the required cruising range cannot be achieved.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the conventional technology described above, and aims to provide a gaseous fuel supply device that injects gas stored in a tank from an injector, and that can achieve the required driving range for the vehicle on which it is installed by using up the gas stored in the tank. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides: A gaseous fuel supply device having a storage tank for storing gaseous fuel, an injector for injecting the gaseous fuel stored in the storage tank, and a supply path for supplying the gaseous fuel stored in the storage tank to the injector, The aforementioned supply route is A first supply path having a pressure regulating valve for adjusting the pressure of the gaseous fuel stored in the storage tank, and a first shut-off valve for supplying the gaseous fuel, whose pressure has been adjusted by the pressure regulating valve, to the injector, The system includes a second supply path having a booster pump that draws up the gaseous fuel stored in the storage tank and increases its pressure, and a second shut-off valve that supplies the gaseous fuel, whose pressure has been increased by the booster pump, to the injector. moreover, A measuring means for measuring the pressure in the aforementioned storage tank, The device is characterized by having a control means that opens the first shut-off valve and closes the second shut-off valve when the pressure value measured by the measuring means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and closes the first shut-off valve and opens the second shut-off valve when the pressure value measured by the measuring means is less than the predetermined value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, in a gaseous fuel supply device that injects gas stored in a tank from an injector, the required driving range for the vehicle on which it is installed can be achieved by using up all of the gas stored in the tank. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example configuration of a vehicle equipped with a typical gaseous fuel supply system. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the configuration of the gaseous fuel supply system installed in the vehicle shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This figure shows one embodiment of the gaseous fuel supply device of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the gaseous fuel supply system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <Typical gaseous fuel supply system> Figure 1 shows an example configuration of a vehicle equipped with a typical gaseous fuel supply system. Note that in Figure 1, components not directly related to gas supply are omitted from the illustration. Figure 2 shows the configuration of the gaseous fuel supply system installed in the vehicle shown in Figure 1.

[0012] An example of a vehicle to which a general gaseous fuel supply system is vehicle 2 shown in Figure 1. Vehicle 2 has an engine 3 that uses hydrogen as a power source and has a gaseous fuel supply system 101 that supplies hydrogen to the engine 3.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the gaseous fuel supply device 101 injects hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 into the cylinder (not shown) of the engine 3 from the injector 20. At this time, the pressure of the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 is reduced to the equivalent of atmospheric pressure by a pressure reducing valve 31 provided in the supply path 30. The injection of hydrogen whose pressure has been adjusted by the pressure reducing valve 31 is controlled by opening and closing a shut-off valve 32 provided in the supply path 30. As a result, the vehicle 2 can rotate its wheels 4 and move.

[0014] However, in such a gaseous fuel supply device 101, when the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 decreases, the pressure in the hydrogen tank 10 drops, and as a result, the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 cannot be used up. Consequently, the cruising range of the vehicle 2 is shortened accordingly, and the required cruising range cannot be achieved.

[0015] Here, in some cases, a booster pump is provided in the supply path 30, and the pressure of the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 is boosted by this booster pump so as to satisfy the injection conditions in the injector 20. However, in such a configuration, since the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 is constantly supplied to the injector 20 via the booster pump, pressure loss due to the booster pump continues to occur.

[0016] <Configuration of the gaseous fuel supply device of the present invention> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the gaseous fuel supply device of the present invention.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, this embodiment is a gaseous fuel supply device 1 that supplies hydrogen to an engine 3, and includes a hydrogen tank 10, an injector 20, two supply paths 30a and 30b, a pressure sensor 40, and a control unit 50.

[0018] The hydrogen tank 10 is an example of a storage tank in the present invention, and stores hydrogen, which is an example of a gaseous fuel serving as a power source for the engine 3.

[0019] When the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 is supplied to the injector 20, the injector 20 injects the supplied hydrogen into a cylinder (not shown) of the engine 3.

[0020] The two supply paths 30a and 30b are provided in parallel with each other between the hydrogen tank 10 and the injector 20, and supply the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 to the injector 20.

[0021] The supply path 30a is an example of the first supply path in the present invention, and a pressure reducing valve 31 and a shut-off valve 32a are provided on the hydrogen tank 10 side.

[0022] The pressure reducing valve 31 is an example of a pressure regulating valve in the present invention and functions as a regulator. The pressure reducing valve 31 adjusts the pressure of the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 by lowering it to a certain pressure.

[0023] The shut-off valve 32a is an example of the first shut-off valve in the present invention and is opened and closed by the control unit 50. When the shut-off valve 32a is open, it supplies hydrogen, whose pressure has been adjusted by the pressure reducing valve 31, to the injector 20.

[0024] The supply path 30b is an example of a second supply path in the present invention, and a booster pump 33 and a shut-off valve 32b are provided on the hydrogen tank 10 side.

[0025] The booster pump 33 draws up hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 and increases its pressure.

[0026] The shut-off valve 32b is an example of a second shut-off valve in the present invention and is opened and closed by the control unit 50. When the shut-off valve 32b is open, it supplies hydrogen pressurized by the booster pump 33 to the injector 20.

[0027] The pressure sensor 40 is an example of a measuring means in the present invention. The pressure sensor 40 is installed in the hydrogen tank 10 or between the hydrogen tank 10 and the supply paths 30a and 30b, and measures the pressure in the hydrogen tank 10.

[0028] The control unit 50 is an example of a control means in the present invention and includes a pressure value acquisition unit 51 and a valve control unit 52.

[0029] The pressure value acquisition unit 51 acquires the pressure value of the hydrogen tank 10 measured by the pressure sensor 40.

[0030] The valve control unit 52 controls the opening and closing states of the shut-off valves 32a and 32b based on the pressure value acquired by the pressure value acquisition unit 51. Specifically, if the pressure value acquired by the pressure value acquisition unit 51 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the shut-off valve 32a is opened and the shut-off valve 32b is closed. If the pressure value acquired by the pressure value acquisition unit 51 is less than a predetermined value, the shut-off valve 32a is closed and the shut-off valve 32b is opened.

[0031] The gaseous fuel supply device 1 configured as described above can be mounted on the vehicle 2 shown in Figure 1 instead of the gaseous fuel supply device 101 shown in Figure 2. As a result, the vehicle 2 shown in Figure 1 can move by rotating the wheels 4 when hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 by the gaseous fuel supply device 1 is injected from the injector 20 into the engine 3.

[0032] <Operation of the gaseous fuel supply system> The operation of the gaseous fuel supply device 1, configured as described above, will be explained below.

[0033] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the gaseous fuel supply device 1 shown in Figure 3.

[0034] In the gaseous fuel supply device 1 shown in Figure 3, the pressure of the hydrogen tank 10 is measured by the pressure sensor 40. The pressure value of the hydrogen tank 10 obtained by the pressure sensor 40 is acquired by the pressure value acquisition unit 51 of the control unit 50 (step S1).

[0035] The pressure value acquired by the pressure value acquisition unit 51 is provided to the valve control unit 52.

[0036] The valve control unit 52 compares the pressure value provided by the pressure value acquisition unit 51 with a predetermined threshold value (step S2). This threshold value is set in advance, and for example, it may be set to the lower limit of the pressure at which hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 can be supplied to the injector 20 without increasing its pressure.

[0037] If the pressure value acquired by the pressure value acquisition unit 51 is above the threshold value, there is no need to pressurize the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 with the booster pump 33, so the valve control unit 52 opens the shut-off valve 32a and closes the shut-off valve 32b (step S3). As a result, if the pressure value of the hydrogen tank 10 is above the threshold value, the pressure of the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 is adjusted by the pressure reducing valve 31 and supplied to the injector 20 via the supply path 30a.

[0038] On the other hand, if the pressure value acquired by the pressure value acquisition unit 51 is below the threshold, the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 is low. Therefore, in order to use up the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10, it is necessary to pump up the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 using the booster pump 33 and increase its pressure. Accordingly, if the pressure value acquired by the pressure value acquisition unit 51 is below the threshold, the valve control unit 52 closes the shut-off valve 32a and opens the shut-off valve 32b (step S4). As a result, if the pressure value in the hydrogen tank 10 is below the threshold, the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 is pumped up by the booster pump 33, its pressure is increased, and it is supplied to the injector 20 via the supply path 30b. Then, the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 is pumped up by the booster pump 33 and increased in pressure, so that even if the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 decreases and the pressure inside the hydrogen tank 10 drops, the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 can be used up. As a result, the required driving range for the vehicle on which it is installed can be achieved.

[0039] In this embodiment, if the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 can be supplied to the injector 20 without pressurizing it, the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 is supplied to the injector 20 without going through the booster pump 33. Only when the pressure value of the hydrogen tank 10 falls below a threshold and pressurization by the booster pump 33 becomes necessary, the supply path for supplying hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 to the injector 20 is switched, and hydrogen is supplied to the injector 20 via the booster pump 33.

[0040] As a result, hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 10 is no longer constantly supplied to the injector 20 via the booster pump, and pressure loss due to the booster pump 33 can be reduced.

[0041] In this case, if the amount of gas stored in the hydrogen tank 10 becomes low, a booster pump 33 may be installed in the area where a conventional booster pump was installed in order to use up the gas stored in the hydrogen tank 10. This will allow for space saving. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1,101 Gas fuel supply device 2 vehicles 3 Engines 4 wheels 10 hydrogen tanks 20 Injectors 30a, 30b Supply routes 31 Pressure Reducing Valve 32a, 32b Shut-off valves 33. Booster pump 40 Pressure Sensors 50 Control Unit 51 Pressure value acquisition unit 52 Valve control unit

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaseous fuel supply device having a storage tank for storing gaseous fuel, an injector for injecting the gaseous fuel stored in the storage tank, and a supply path for supplying the gaseous fuel stored in the storage tank to the injector, The aforementioned supply route is A first supply path having a pressure regulating valve for adjusting the pressure of the gaseous fuel stored in the storage tank, and a first shut-off valve for supplying the gaseous fuel, whose pressure has been adjusted by the pressure regulating valve, to the injector, The system includes a second supply path having a booster pump that draws up the gaseous fuel stored in the storage tank and increases its pressure, and a second shut-off valve that supplies the gaseous fuel, whose pressure has been increased by the booster pump, to the injector. moreover, A measuring means for measuring the pressure in the aforementioned storage tank, A gaseous fuel supply device characterized by having a control means that, when the pressure value measured by the measuring means is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, opens the first shut-off valve and closes the second shut-off valve to supply gaseous fuel whose pressure has been adjusted by the pressure regulating valve to the injector, and when the pressure value measured by the measuring means is less than the predetermined value, closes the first shut-off valve and opens the second shut-off valve to supply gaseous fuel whose pressure has been increased by the booster pump directly to the injector.

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