Valve devices, tanks, fuel cell systems, and hydrogen combustion engine systems

Abstract

The present invention provides a valve device for a tank in which, when the tank is filled with hydrogen via the valve device, moisture mixed with the hydrogen will not be channeled into a control valve provided to the valve device. Provided is a valve device that is provided to a tank for storing hydrogen, wherein: the valve device comprises a control valve that controls the supply of hydrogen stored in a tank body of the tank to the outside, a supply path on which the control valve is provided, a tank path that communicates with the tank body, a three-way valve to which the tank path and the supply path are connected, and a filling path through which hydrogen is introduced into the three-way valve; and when the tank is filled with hydrogen, a valve body of the three-way valve is actuated by the pressing force of the hydrogen introduced through the filling path, the filling path and the tank path intercommunicate, and the filling path and the supply path are blocked from each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve device for a tank constituting a fuel cell system or a hydrogen combustion engine system, a tank provided with the valve device, and a fuel cell system or a hydrogen combustion engine system provided with the tank.

Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell, power generation by the fuel cell is performed using hydrogen as a fuel gas stored in the mounted tank and oxygen as an oxidizing gas contained in air. Filling of hydrogen into the tank is performed, for example, at a hydrogen station by fitting and attaching a hydrogen supply nozzle extending from a hydrogen filling device to a receptacle for receiving hydrogen supply on the fuel cell vehicle side and supplying hydrogen toward the tank of the fuel cell vehicle. One or more valves are provided in the hydrogen filling path.

[0003] On the other hand, the supply of hydrogen from the tank toward the fuel cell is controlled by a control valve having an opening / closing mechanism or the like. It is advantageous from the viewpoints of mountability and cost that the control valve and the valve in the filling path are integrated into one valve device as an interface connecting the tank and the outside. (See, for example, the valve unit of Patent Document 1)

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when filling tanks with hydrogen at hydrogen stations, small amounts of moisture may be mixed into the hydrogen. For example, water adhering to the fitting part when the nozzle is fitted, or moisture contained in the outside air, may be mixed into the filled hydrogen. When hydrogen is filled, as the hydrogen passes through the valve device, this moisture may enter the control valve installed in the valve device, and if it remains in the opening and closing mechanism, it may freeze due to a drop in ambient temperature, potentially causing problems such as the opening and closing mechanism becoming stuck.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a valve device for a tank in which, when hydrogen is filled into the tank via a valve device at a hydrogen station or the like, water mixed in with the hydrogen does not flow into the control valve provided in the valve device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The valve device for a tank according to the present invention is a valve device provided in a tank for storing hydrogen, comprising: a control valve that controls the supply of hydrogen stored in the tank body of the tank to the outside; a supply passage on which the control valve is provided; a tank passage communicating with the tank body; a three-way valve to which the tank passage and the supply passage are connected; and a filling passage for introducing hydrogen into the three-way valve, wherein when hydrogen is filled into the tank, the valve body of the three-way valve is activated by the pressing force of the hydrogen introduced from the filling passage, causing communication between the filling passage and the tank passage and closing between the filling passage and the supply passage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a valve device for a tank that prevents water mixed with hydrogen from flowing into the control valve provided in the valve device when filling the tank with hydrogen via the valve device at a hydrogen station or the like. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1]This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fuel cell system in which a valve device for a tank according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a valve device for a tank according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of a three-way valve used in a valve device for a tank according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a valve device for a tank according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a valve device for a tank according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a specific example of a three-way valve used in a valve device for a tank according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This diagram illustrates the operation of a specific example of a three-way valve. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates the operation of a specific example of a three-way valve. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of a hydrogen combustion engine system in which a valve device for a tank according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The valve device for a tank according to the present invention and the fuel cell system in which the valve device is used will be described in detail below, with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In each figure, components with the same reference numerals indicate the same part unless otherwise specified, and explanations are omitted as appropriate.

[0011] <Overall configuration of the fuel cell system> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a fuel cell system 1. The fuel cell system 1 includes a tank 21, a fuel cell 10, an air compressor 30, auxiliary equipment 40, a consumption device 50, and the like. The fuel cell system 1 is, for example, a fuel cell system for a fuel cell vehicle.

[0012] The fuel cell 10 is, for example, a solid polymer fuel cell, and is formed by stacking a plurality of single cells in which a MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) is sandwiched between a pair of conductive separators.

[0013] The tank 21 is a storage vessel in which hydrogen is compressed and filled. The tank 21 includes a tank body 20 and a valve device 60. The hydrogen in the tank 21 exits from the valve device 60, passes through the pipe 70, the branch 70A, and the pipe 72, and is supplied to the fuel cell 10 via the auxiliary equipment 40. Although only one tank 21 is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of tanks may be provided.

[0014] Another pipe 71 extending from the branch 70A is provided with a receptacle 73 for filling the tank 21 with hydrogen. The receptacle 73 is, for example, a connector that fits and attaches to the nozzle of a hydrogen filling device when filling the tank 21 with hydrogen at a hydrogen station.

[0015] The air compressor 30 takes in and compresses external air, and supplies it to the fuel cell 10 via the pipe 80 and the auxiliary equipment 40.

[0016] The auxiliary equipment 40 includes a pressure reducing valve for reducing the pressure of hydrogen, an injector for adjusting the amount of hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell 10, etc. Further, the auxiliary equipment 40 includes a humidifier for humidifying the air supplied from the air compressor 30, a back pressure valve for controlling the pressure, etc. The equipment included in the auxiliary equipment 40 is not limited to these. Also, the equipment included in the auxiliary equipment 40 may be provided at individual locations without being grouped together as the auxiliary equipment 40.

[0017] The consumer equipment 50 is, for example, equipment that operates using electricity, such as an electric motor, an electronic control device, a sensor, and an actuator. The electric motor is, for example, an electric motor for driving wheels. The consumer equipment 50 is supplied with power directly or indirectly from the fuel cell 10.

[0018] <Valve device> FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a valve device 60 for the tank 21 according to the present invention. Inside the valve device 60, a filling passage 61, a supply passage 62, a tank passage 63, a common passage 64, a check valve 65, a three-way valve 90, a control valve 67, a check valve 68, etc. are provided. The three-way valve 90 has a first connection part 91, a second connection part 92, and a third connection part 93 that communicate with respective parts of the three-way valve 90.

[0019] The valve device 60 has a seal part (not shown) that seals the inside and outside of the tank body 20 between the valve device 60 and the tank body 20. Further, the valve device 60 has an external connection part 60A and a tank connection part 60C. The tank connection part 60C is provided at a position that opens inside the tank body 20. That is, the tank connection part 60C is formed at a position inside the tank body 20 with respect to the seal part and facing the hydrogen storage area. On the other hand, the external connection part 60A is provided so as to open outside the tank 21 with the seal part interposed therebetween. A pipe 70 is connected to the external connection part 60A outside the tank 21.

[0020] One end of the tank passage 63 is connected to the tank connection part 60C, and the other end is connected to the third connection part 93 of the three-way valve 90. A check valve 65 is provided in the middle of the tank passage 63. The check valve 65 operates to limit the flow rate when the flow rate of hydrogen flowing from the tank connection part 60C toward the third connection part 93 exceeds a predetermined amount. On the other hand, the check valve 65 does not limit the flow rate when hydrogen flows in the reverse direction.

[0021] One end of the common passage 64 is connected to the external connection part 60A, and the other end is connected to a branch 60B. To the branch 60B, in addition to the common passage 64, a filling passage 61 and a supply passage 62 are connected.

[0022] The supply passage 62 is connected at one end to branch 60B and at the other end to the second connection part 92 of the three-way valve 90. Along the supply passage 62, a check valve 68 and a control valve 67 are provided in order from branch 60B. The check valve 68 is a valve that operates to allow flow only from the control valve 67 towards branch 60B. The control valve 67 is a solenoid valve configured to be switched open and closed by turning the power on and off. The control valve 67 works in cooperation with the pressure reducing valve and injector in the auxiliary equipment 40 to regulate the hydrogen supplied from the tank 21 to the fuel cell 10.

[0023] The filling passage 61 has one end connected to the branch 60B and the other end connected to the first connection part 91 of the three-way valve 90.

[0024] <Three-way valve> The three-way valve 90 will be explained using Figure 3. The three-way valve 90 is composed of a first connecting portion 91, a second connecting portion 92, a third connecting portion 93, a first valve 96 consisting of a first valve seat 94 and a first valve body 95, a second valve 99 consisting of a second valve seat 97 and a second valve body 98, and an elastic body 100. Preferably, the elastic body 100 may be a spring.

[0025] Here, the first valve body 95 and the second valve body 98 are formed integrally. For example, when the first valve 96 is closed by the first valve body 95, the second valve body 98 separates from the second valve seat 97 and the second valve 99 opens. On the other hand, when the second valve 99 is closed by the second valve body 98, the first valve body 95 separates from the first valve seat 94 and the first valve 96 opens.

[0026] The first connection part 91 is in communication with the first valve 96, and when the first valve 96 opens, the first connection part 91 is configured to communicate with the third connection part 93. In this case, the second valve 99 closes, and the connection between the second connection part 92 and the third connection part 93 is blocked. On the other hand, the second connection part 92 is in communication with the second valve 99, and when the second valve 99 opens, the second connection part 92 is configured to communicate with the third connection part 93. In this case, the first valve 96 closes, and the connection between the first connection part 91 and the third connection part 93 is blocked.

[0027] The spring 100 pushes the first valve body 95 in the direction that closes the first valve 96, so when no external force is acting, the first valve 96 closes and the second valve 99 opens. For example, at a fuel station, when the nozzle of the hydrogen refueling device is fitted into the receptacle 73, hydrogen flows through the refueling passage 61 from the first connection of the three-way valve 90, pressing against the first valve body 95. The spring force of the spring 100 is set so that the first valve 96 opens due to this pressure of hydrogen during refueling.

[0028] <Operation of valve device 60 during hydrogen supply and refueling> The operation of the valve device 60 during hydrogen supply from tank 21 to fuel cell 10 will be explained using Figure 4. By controlling the control valve 67, which is a solenoid valve, to open, the hydrogen in tank 21 is sent through the overflow prevention valve 65, the open second valve 99 of the three-way valve 90, the control valve 67, the check valve 68, the external connection part 60A, the piping 70, and the piping 72. This hydrogen is regulated by the pressure reducing valve and injector provided in the auxiliary equipment 40, and the required amount is supplied to the fuel cell 10. The arrow P in the figure represents the hydrogen supply path. For example, if the control valve 67, pressure reducing valve, or injector malfunctions and a flow rate exceeding a predetermined amount flows, the overflow prevention valve 65 will work to limit the hydrogen flow rate. Furthermore, since a check valve is provided to prevent hydrogen from flowing from branch 70A towards the receptacle 73, hydrogen will not leak out from the receptacle 73 during hydrogen supply.

[0029] The operation of the valve device 60 during hydrogen filling from the hydrogen filling device to the tank 21 will be explained using Figure 5. When the nozzle N of the hydrogen filling device H is fitted into the receptacle 73, hydrogen in the hydrogen filling device flows in from the first connection part 91 of the three-way valve 90 through the piping 71, piping 70, external connection part 60A, and filling passage 61, pressing against the first valve body 95. As described above, the spring force of the spring 100 is set so that the first valve 96 opens due to the pressing force of this incoming hydrogen, so the first valve 96 opens, and hydrogen is filled into the tank body 20 through the tank passage 63 and tank connection part 60C. On the other hand, since the second valve 99 is closed by the opening of the first valve 96, hydrogen does not reach the control valve 67 through the supply passage 62 during hydrogen filling. Therefore, there is no risk of problems such as moisture mixed with hydrogen flowing into the control valve 67 in the valve device and freezing due to a decrease in ambient temperature, causing the opening and closing mechanism of the control valve 67 to seize up. The arrow Q in the figure represents the hydrogen filling path.

[0030] <Specific examples of three-way valves> Figure 6 shows a specific example of a three-way valve 90. The three-way valve 90 has an outer casing 110 having an inner chamber 111 which is a cylindrical space, a cylindrical body 120 provided inside the inner chamber 111, and a compression spring 100 that presses against the cylindrical body 120. A first connection part 91, a second connection part 92, and a third connection part 93 leading to the inner chamber 111 are provided on the upper surface, lower surface, and side surface of the inner chamber 111, respectively. In addition, a first valve seat 94 is provided on the upper surface of the inner chamber 111 so as to surround the opening of the first connection part 91 in an annular shape, and a second valve seat 97 is provided on the lower surface of the inner chamber 111 so as to surround the opening of the second connection part 92 in an annular shape. The outer casing 110 may be formed as part of the housing of the valve device 60.

[0031] The cylindrical body 120 has an upper cylindrical portion 121, a lower cylindrical portion 122 which has a smaller diameter than the upper cylindrical portion 121 and is formed coaxially with the upper cylindrical portion 121, and a stepped portion 123 between the upper cylindrical portion 121 and the lower cylindrical portion 122.

[0032] The sides of the upper cylindrical portion 121 and the lower cylindrical portion 122 have gaps between them and the inner surface of the inner chamber 111 that serve as hydrogen flow paths. Furthermore, the sides of the upper cylindrical portion 121 may be formed to have a sliding surface with the inner surface of the inner chamber 111 and an axial groove that serves as a hydrogen flow path. In this case, the groove is formed to penetrate from the upper surface of the upper cylindrical portion 121 to the stepped portion 123. There may be one or more grooves.

[0033] The upper cylindrical portion 121 functions as the first valve body 95, and has a first seal portion 951 arranged in an annular convex shape on its upper surface, corresponding to the first valve seat 94. The first valve 96 closes when the first valve seat 94 and the first seal portion 951 come into contact, and opens when the first valve seat 94 and the first seal portion 951 separate. The seat structure between the first valve seat 94 and the first seal portion 951 is not limited to this example. Various known seat structures can be applied to this seat structure.

[0034] The lower cylindrical portion 122 functions as a second valve body 98, and has a second seal portion 981 arranged in an annular convex shape on its lower surface, corresponding to the second valve seat 97. The second valve 99 closes when the second valve seat 97 and the second seal portion 981 come into contact, and opens when the second valve seat 97 and the second seal portion 981 separate. The seat structure between the second valve seat 97 and the second seal portion 981 is not limited to this example. Various known seat structures can be applied to this seat structure.

[0035] A compression spring 100 is positioned between the stepped portion 123 and the lower surface of the inner chamber 111. The compression spring 100 presses the cylindrical body 120 upward. When filling the tank 21 with hydrogen, the spring force of the compression spring 100 is set such that the pressing force of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen filling device moves the cylindrical body 120 downward, opening the first valve 96.

[0036] <Specific example of operation of a three-way valve> When hydrogen is supplied, the control valve 67 is controlled to open, causing the hydrogen to flow out through the open second valve 99 to the supply passage 62 from the second connection point. (See Figure 7) The arrow R in the figure represents the hydrogen's movement route.

[0037] During hydrogen refueling, hydrogen flows in from the first connection 91 and presses against the cylindrical body 120. As described above, the spring force of the spring 100 is set so that the cylindrical body 120 moves downward due to the pressure of the hydrogen during refueling, so the first valve 96 opens, and the hydrogen flows out through the inner chamber 111 to the tank passage 63 from the third connection 93 (see Figure 8). The arrow S in the figure represents the hydrogen movement route.

[0038] On the other hand, as the cylindrical body 120 moves downward, the second seal portion 981 of the second valve body 98 comes into contact with the second valve seat 97, causing the second valve 99 to close, and the filled hydrogen does not reach the control valve 67 through the supply passage 62 from the second connection portion 92. Therefore, there is no risk of moisture mixed with the hydrogen flowing into the control valve 67 provided in the valve device 60 and freezing due to a decrease in ambient temperature, causing problems such as the opening and closing mechanism becoming stuck.

[0039] As described above, if the valve device 60 according to the present invention is used in a tank 21 for a fuel cell system, when filling the tank 21 with hydrogen via the valve device 60 at a hydrogen station or the like, there is no risk of problems occurring such as moisture mixed with the hydrogen flowing into the control valve 67 provided in the valve device 60, freezing due to a decrease in ambient temperature, and causing the opening and closing mechanism to seize up.

[0040] A tank 21 having a valve device 60 may be applied to a hydrogen combustion engine system 200. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a hydrogen combustion engine system 200 to which the tank 21 is applied. The hydrogen combustion engine 201 is an internal combustion engine that generates a driving force F by burning hydrogen in a cylinder. Hydrogen in the tank 21 is supplied to the hydrogen combustion engine 201 via pipes 270 and 272 and a hydrogen supply device 240 (including an injector, etc.). Also, during hydrogen refueling, hydrogen in a hydrogen refueling device connected to a receptacle 273 is filled into the tank 21 via pipes 271 and 270. The operation of the valve device 60 when supplying hydrogen to the hydrogen combustion engine 201 and when refueling the tank 21 is as described above as the operation of the valve device 60 in the fuel cell system 1. Although only one tank 21 is shown in Figure 9, multiple tanks may be provided.

[0041] As described above, if the valve device 60 according to the present invention is used in a tank 21 for a hydrogen combustion engine system 200, when filling the tank 21 with hydrogen via the valve device 60 at a hydrogen station or the like, there is no risk of problems occurring such as moisture mixed with the hydrogen flowing into the control valve 67 provided in the valve device 60, freezing due to a decrease in ambient temperature, and causing the opening and closing mechanism to seize up. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 Fuel cell system, 10 Fuel cell, 20 Tank body, 21 Tank, 30 Air compressor, 40 Auxiliary equipment, 50 Consumption equipment, 60 Valve device, 60A External connection, 60B Branch, 60C Tank connection, 61 Filling passage, 62 Supply passage, 63 Tank passage, 64 Common passage, 65 Overflow prevention valve, 67 Control valve, 68 Check valve, 70 Piping, 70A Branch, 71 Piping, 72 Piping, 73 Receptacle, 80 Piping, 90 Three-way valve, 91 First connection, 92 Second connection, 93 Third connection, 94 First valve seat, 95 First valve body, 96 First valve, 97 Second valve seat, 98 Second valve body, 99 Second valve, 100 Elastic body (spring, compression spring), 110 Outer casing, 111 Inner chamber, 120 Cylindrical body, 121 Upper cylindrical section, 122 Lower cylindrical section, 123 Stepped section, 200 Hydrogen combustion engine system, 201 Hydrogen combustion engine, 240 Hydrogen supply device, 270 Piping, 271 Piping, 272 Piping, 273 Receptacle, 951 First seal section, 981 Second seal section

Claims

1. A valve device (60) provided in a tank (21) for storing hydrogen, A control valve (67) that controls the supply of hydrogen stored in the tank body (20) of the tank (21) to the outside, The supply passage (62) is provided with the control valve (67), A tank passage (63) that communicates with the tank body (20), A three-way valve (90) is connected to the tank passage (63) and the supply passage (62), A filling passage (61) for introducing hydrogen into the three-way valve (90), Equipped with, When filling the tank (21) with hydrogen, the pressure of the hydrogen introduced from the filling passage (61) activates the valve bodies (95, 98) of the three-way valve (90), opening the space between the filling passage (61) and the tank passage (63), while closing the space between the filling passage (61) and the supply passage (62). Valve device (60).

2. The valve device (60) described in claim 1 is provided, Tank (21)

3. The tank (21) according to claim 2 is provided, Fuel cell system (1)

4. The tank (21) according to claim 2 is provided, Hydrogen combustion engine system (200)

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