Gas supply device

Abstract

To provide a technique for preventing entry of dust and the like when connecting a connector to a main stop valve of a gas cartridge in connection with a gas supply device that allows a gas cartridge to be detached and attached.SOLUTION: A gas supply device disclosed herein includes: a connector attached to and detached from a main stop valve of a gas cartridge; an actuator; and a gas ejector. The actuator moves the connector relatively closer to the main stop valve of the attached gas cartridge. The gas is ejected against a tip of the connector before being connected to the main stop valve. The disclosed gas supply device ejects gas against the tip of the connector before the connector is connected to the main stop valve to remove dust and the like attached to the connector. This can prevent entry of dust and the like into the gas supply device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a gas supply device in which a gas cartridge storing fuel gas is detachable and supplies the fuel gas in the gas cartridge to a gas utilization device.

Background Art

[0002] A technology for storing fuel gas in a gas cartridge and attaching it to a gas utilization device has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). An example of a gas utilization device is a fuel cell. Patent Document 1 discloses a gas cartridge that is detachable from a gas utilization device. In the operation of attaching the cartridge to the gas utilization device, the main stop valve of the gas cartridge is connected to the connector on the gas utilization device side.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When connecting a connector to the main stop valve of a gas cartridge, if dust or the like adheres to the connector, there is a risk that dust or the like will be mixed into the gas utilization device together with the fuel gas. This specification provides a technology for preventing dust or the like from being mixed in when connecting a connector to the main stop valve.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The gas supply device disclosed herein comprises a connector that is attached to and detached from the main shut-off valve of a gas cartridge, an actuator, and a gas discharger. The actuator brings the connector closer to the main shut-off valve of the installed gas cartridge. The gas discharger blows gas onto the tip of the connector before it is connected to the main shut-off valve. The gas supply device disclosed herein blows gas onto the tip of the connector prior to connecting it to the main shut-off valve to remove dust and other debris adhering to the connector. Therefore, it is possible to prevent dust and other debris from entering the gas supply device.

[0006] Details of the technology disclosed herein and further improvements are described in the following "Modes for Carrying Out the Invention". [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of the gas supply device 100. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the area around the connector. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the area around the modified connector. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The gas supply device 100 of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the gas supply device 100. The gas supply device 100 is a device that supplies hydrogen gas (fuel gas) stored in a gas cartridge 500 to a fuel cell 900. The fuel cell 900 is an example of a gas utilization device.

[0009] The gas cartridge 500 is detachably attached to the gas supply device 100. Reference numeral 500a in Figure 1 indicates the gas cartridge before it is installed in the gas supply device 100. The gas cartridge 500a is inserted by the user into the cartridge housing space 111 of the housing 110 of the gas supply device 100. The nozzle 510 of the gas cartridge 500 is equipped with a flange 511. The user inserts the gas cartridge 500 into the cartridge housing space 111 and rotates the gas cartridge 500. The cartridge housing space 111 is equipped with a cartridge holder 120. When the gas cartridge 500 rotates within the cartridge housing space 111, the flange 511 locks into the cartridge holder 120. A detailed explanation of the mechanism for locking the flange 511 (i.e., the gas cartridge 500) is omitted.

[0010] A connector 130 is located inside the cartridge housing space 111. A main shut-off valve 520 is provided at the nozzle 510 of the gas cartridge 500. One end of a gas passage 136 is connected to the connector 130, and the other end of the gas passage 136 is connected to the fuel cell 900. An auxiliary valve 140 is attached to the gas passage 136. When the connector 130 is connected to the main shut-off valve 520, and both the main shut-off valve 520 and the auxiliary valve 140 are opened, hydrogen gas from the gas cartridge 500 is supplied to the fuel cell 900 through the gas passage 136.

[0011] When the gas cartridge 500 is fixed to the cartridge holder 120, the nozzle 510 faces the connector 130. The cartridge holder 120 is equipped with an actuator 121, and when the actuator 121 is activated, the nozzle 510 (gas cartridge 500) is pulled towards the connector 130. The connector 130 is equipped with a push rod, which will be described later, and when the nozzle 510 approaches the connector 130, the push rod pushes open the main shut-off valve 520. The structure of the connector 130 will be described later.

[0012] The actuator 121 is composed of, for example, a ball screw and a stepping motor. When the stepping motor rotates the ball screw, the jig holding the flange 511 moves toward the connector 130. That is, the gas cartridge 500 moves toward the connector 130. Since the actuator 121 can employ a known structure, a detailed explanation of its specific structure is omitted. The actuator 121 may also move the connector 130 toward the nozzle 510. The actuator 121 is a mechanism that moves one of the gas cartridge 500 and the connector 130 toward the other. The gas supply device 100 is equipped with a controller 150, which controls the actuator 121 and the auxiliary valve 140.

[0013] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the area around the connector 130. In Figure 2, the cartridge holder 120 and actuator 121 are not shown.

[0014] First, let's explain the structure of the gas cartridge 500. The gas cartridge 500 is equipped with a main shut-off valve 520 on its nozzle 510. The main shut-off valve 520 closes an opening 512 provided in the nozzle 510. When the main shut-off valve 520 opens, hydrogen gas (fuel gas) inside the gas cartridge 500 is ejected to the outside through the opening 512.

[0015] The main shut-off valve 520 comprises a valve body 521 and a spring 522. The valve body 521 closes the opening 512 from the inside of the gas cartridge 500. The spring 522 presses the valve body 521 against the edge of the opening 512 from the inside of the gas cartridge 500. The rear end of the spring 522 abuts against a stopper 523 provided inside the gas cartridge 500. The opening 512 is closed when the spring 522 presses the valve body 521 against the edge of the opening 512. When the valve body 521 is pushed into the gas cartridge 500 from the outside, the main shut-off valve 520 opens and hydrogen gas is released.

[0016] The connector 130 of the gas supply device 100 includes a push rod 135 and a blower 132 fixed to the connector base 131. The inside of the push rod 135 forms a gas passage 136. A push piece 137 is also provided at the tip of the push rod 135. The push piece 137 pushes the valve body 521. Although the push piece 137 is fixed to the tip of the push rod 135, it does not block the gas passage 136 of the push rod 135, and when the main shut-off valve 520 opens, hydrogen gas passes beside the push piece 137 and flows into the gas passage 136.

[0017] The blower 132 discharges air. The outlet of the blower 132 is pointed towards the tip of the push rod 135. Figure 2(A) shows the state before the nozzle 510 of the gas cartridge 500 makes contact with the connector 130. When the gas cartridge 500 is fixed to the cartridge holder 120 and the connector 130 faces the nozzle 510, the controller 150 activates the blower 132. The blower 132 forcefully blows air onto the tip of the connector 130 (the tip of the push rod 135). At this time, the main shut-off valve 520 is still closed.

[0018] Next, the controller 150 stops the blower 132 and activates the actuator 121, bringing the nozzle 510 closer to the connector 130. As previously mentioned, when the main shut-off valve 520 of the nozzle 510 approaches the connector 130, the push piece 137 at the tip of the push rod 135 pushes the valve body 521 into the gas cartridge 500. The valve body 521 moves away from the opening 512, and the main shut-off valve 520 opens. When the main shut-off valve 520 opens, the hydrogen gas passes beside the push piece 137 and flows into the gas passage 136. Figure 2(B) shows the main shut-off valve 520 opening and the hydrogen gas inside the gas cartridge 500 flowing into the gas passage 136. The thick arrow lines in Figure 2(B) indicate the flow of hydrogen gas. As previously mentioned, the gas passage 136 is connected to the fuel cell 900, and when the auxiliary valve 140 in Figure 1 is opened, hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell 900.

[0019] Note that the space between the outer periphery of the push rod 135 approaching the main stop valve 520 and the base 510 is sealed by a gasket 513.

[0020] In the gas supply device 100 of the embodiment, before the push rod 135 opens the main stop valve 520, the blower 132 blows air onto the tip of the connector 130 (the outer surface of the tip of the push rod 135). Dust and the like adhering to the outer surface of the tip of the push rod 135 are removed. When hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell 900 through the gas flow path 136, it is prevented that dust and the like are mixed in. The blower 132 is an example of a gas discharger that discharges air to the tip of the push rod 135.

[0021] (Modified Example) A modified example of the main stop valve and the connector will be described. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view around the main stop valve 620 of the modified example and the connector 230 of the modified example. The gas supply device of the modified example includes a gas discharger 232. The gas discharger 232 blows nitrogen gas from the nitrogen tank 233 onto the tip of the connector 230 (the tip of the push rod 235). Nitrogen gas is a typical inert gas that does not significantly affect the operation of the fuel cell 900 even if it mixes into the fuel cell 900.

[0022] The main stop valve 620 has two valve bodies 621. The two valve bodies 621 are located inside the opening 612 of the gas cartridge 600. The two valve bodies 621 are pressed against each other by a spring 622 and block the opening 612 of the base 610 (FIG. 3(A)).

[0023] FIG. 3(A) shows a state before the base 610 of the gas cartridge 600 contacts the connector 230. In FIG. 3, the flange of the base 610, the cartridge holder of the gas supply device, and the actuator are shown. When the gas cartridge 600 is fixed to the cartridge holder and the connector 230 faces the base 610, the controller of the gas supply device operates the gas discharger 232. The gas discharger 232 blows nitrogen gas onto the tip of the connector 230 (the tip of the push rod 235). At this time, the main stop valve 620 is still closed.

[0024] The controller stops the gas ejector 232 and operates the actuator so as to move the base 610 closer to the connector 230. When the tip of the base 610 approaches the connector 230, the tip of the push rod 235 pushes open the two valve bodies 621 of the main stop valve 620, and the main stop valve 620 opens (FIG. 3(B)). The hydrogen gas in the gas cartridge 600 passes through the opening 612 and flows into the gas flow path 136 inside the push rod 235. The gas flow path 136 is connected to the fuel cell 900, and when the auxiliary valve 140 in FIG. 1 is opened, hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell 900. The thick arrow line in FIG. 3(B) represents the flow of hydrogen gas. Note that the space between the outer periphery of the push rod 235 approaching the main stop valve 620 and the base 610 is sealed by a gasket 613.

[0025] The gas supply device having the connector 230 of the modified example also has the same advantages as the gas supply device 100 of the first embodiment.

[0026] Some features of the gas supply device described in the embodiments are listed below. The gas supply device includes a gas ejector that blows gas onto the tip of the connector (the tip of the push rod). The gas supply device of the first embodiment includes a blower 132 that blows air onto the tip of the connector. The blower 132 is an example of a gas ejector. The controller of the gas supply device operates the blower 132 prior to connecting the connector to the main stop valve of the gas cartridge. Dust and the like at the tip of the connector (the tip of the push rod) are removed by the gas discharged from the blower 132. It is prevented that dust and the like mix into the fuel cell 900. The controller stops the blower and controls the actuator so that the connector 130 (230) further moves toward the main stop valve 520 (620). When the connector 130 (230) is connected to the main stop valve 520 (620) and the main stop valve 520 (620) is opened, hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell 900 through the connector.

[0027] The main shut-off valve comprises a valve body that closes the opening of the gas cartridge from the inside of the gas cartridge, and a spring that presses the valve body against the opening. The connector comprises a push rod that pushes the valve body open from the outside of the gas cartridge. When the connector comes into contact with the main shut-off valve and moves further toward the main shut-off valve, the tip of the push rod pushes the valve body open, and the main shut-off valve opens. The gas discharger blows gas onto the outer surface of the push rod. The gas may be air or an inert gas such as nitrogen.

[0028] A gasket 513 (613) is placed around the opening of the valve cap. The push rod is inserted into the gasket just before it pushes open the main shut-off valve. The gasket seals the space between the outer circumference of the push rod and the valve cap.

[0029] The fuel cell 900 is an example of a gas utilization device. The gas utilization device may be a device other than a fuel cell. The gas supply device in the embodiment may be incorporated into the gas utilization device.

[0030] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technologies described in the claims include various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives itself constitutes technical usefulness. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 100: Gas supply device 110: Housing 111: Cartridge housing space 120: Cartridge holder 121: Actuator 130, 230: Connector 131: Connector base 132: Blower 135, 235 Push rod 136: Gas passage 137: Push rod 140: Auxiliary valve 150: Controller 232: Gas discharger 233: Nitrogen tank 500, 600: Gas cartridge 510, 610: Nozzle 511: Flange 512, 612: Opening 513, 613: Gasket 520, 620: Main shut-off valve 521, 621: Valve body 522, 622: Spring 523: Stopper 900: Fuel cell

Claims

[Claim 1] A gas supply device that can be fitted with a gas cartridge containing fuel gas and a main shut-off valve that seals the fuel gas, and supplies the fuel gas in the gas cartridge to a gas utilization device, A connector that is attached to and detached from the main shut-off valve, An actuator that brings the connector closer to the main shut-off valve of the installed gas cartridge, A gas discharger that blows gas onto the tip of the connector before it is connected to the main shut-off valve, A gas supply device equipped with the following features.

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