Piping plug and tank valve device equipped therewith

Abstract

To provide a piping plug capable of reducing a pressure loss of a flowing fluid.SOLUTION: A piping plug 2 is equipped with a housing 11 that includes a through-hole 20, and a filter device 12 that is inserted in the through-hole and is provided in the housing. The filter device includes a holder 25 that includes a holder passage 25a having a first opening 25e and a second opening 25f, and a filter 26 that is provided in the holder so as to cover the first opening. The first opening is on an outer peripheral surface of the holder, and the second opening is at one end of the holder. The holder is supported in a cantilever state within the housing by one end side part of the holder so as to keep a gap around an outer peripheral surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a piping plug provided with a filter and a tank valve device provided with the same.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of a piping plug, for example, the joint of Patent Document 1 is known. In the joint, a filter is disposed in the through-hole of the joint body. And in the joint, gas flows from one opening of the through-passage through the filter to the other opening.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the joint of Patent Document 1, a support member and a valve chamber forming member are fitted to each other in the through-hole of the joint body with a separation in the axial direction. And the filter is interposed between the support member and the valve chamber forming member. Further, a plurality of slits are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the valve chamber forming member. Therefore, in the joint, gas is guided from one opening of the through-passage through the plurality of slits to the radially outer side of the filter. Further, after passing through the filter, the gas flows through the inside of the filter and the inside of the support member to the other opening of the through-passage. In the joint configured as described above, gas passes through the plurality of slits. Therefore, the pressure loss of the gas flowing through the joint is large.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a piping plug capable of reducing the pressure loss of a flowing fluid and a tank valve device provided with the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The pipe plug of the present invention comprises a housing including a through hole, and a filter device inserted into the through hole and provided in the housing, wherein the filter device includes a holder including a holder passage having a first opening and a second opening, and a filter provided in the holder so as to cover the first opening, the first opening being on the outer circumferential surface of the holder, the second opening being at one end of the holder, and the holder being cantilevered to the housing at one end portion of the holder such that there is a gap around the outer circumferential surface.

[0007] According to the present invention, the gap around the outer surface of the holder is connected to the holder passage via a filter and a first opening. Therefore, a filter can be interposed in the through-hole. Furthermore, since the holder is cantilevered to the housing at one end, the gap can be made annular. This allows for a larger flow area in the gap than when the holder is supported at both ends, thereby reducing the pressure loss of the fluid flowing through the through-hole.

[0008] The tank valve device of the present invention comprises a casing provided in a tank and the aforementioned piping plug, wherein the piping plug is attached to the casing.

[0009] According to the present invention, a tank valve device having the functions described above can be provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, the pressure loss of the flowing fluid can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view showing the pipe plug of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a disassembled pipe plug, as shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a magnified view of area X of the pipe plug in Figure 1. [Figure 4]Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the gas flow in a pipe plug. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The following describes the tank valve device 1 and piping plug 2 according to the present invention with reference to the aforementioned drawings. The concept of direction used in the following description is for convenience of explanation and does not limit the orientation of the invention's configuration to that direction. Furthermore, the tank valve device 1 and piping plug 2 described below are merely one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and additions, deletions, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0013] <Tank valve device> The tank valve device 1 comprises a valve block 3 and a piping plug 2. The tank valve device 1 is installed in a tank (not shown) that stores a fluid. The fluid is, for example, a gas. In this embodiment, the gas is hydrogen gas. However, the gas is not limited to hydrogen, and may be other gases such as helium, nitrogen, and natural gas, or it may be a liquid. The tank valve device 1 seals the tank by sealing the mouth of the tank. The tank valve device 1 also controls the flow of gas delivered from the tank by various valves. The various valves are, for example, solenoid valves and manual valves. Furthermore, the tank valve device 1 can be used to fill the tank with gas.

[0014] <Valve Block> A valve block 3, an example of a casing, is installed in a tank. More specifically, the valve block 3 is inserted into the mouth of the tank. In this way, the valve block 3 seals the mouth of the tank. As shown in Figure 2, the valve block 3 has a passage 3a and a mounting hole 3b. The passage 3a is a passage through which the filling and supplying gas flows. One end of the passage 3a is connected to the inside of the tank. The mounting hole 3b is a bottomed hole formed along a predetermined axis L1. The other end of the passage 3a opens at the bottom surface of the mounting hole 3b. The opening of the passage 3a is formed at the bottom surface of the mounting hole 3b such that its center is located on the axis L1. The valve block 3 is also equipped with the various valves described above. The various valves are interposed in the passage 3a. The various valves control the flow of gas delivered from the tank.

[0015] <Pipe plug> The pipe plug 2 in this embodiment, shown in Figure 1, is a plug for attaching a fluid-carrying pipe 4 to a valve block 3. The pipe plug 2 comprises a housing 11 and a filter device 12. The pipe plug 2 is inserted into the mounting hole 3b. This attaches the pipe plug 2 to the valve block 3. The pipe 4 is attached to the pipe plug 2. The pipe 4 is configured as follows. Note that the pipe 4 described below is merely an example. Therefore, the pipe 4 is not limited to what is described below.

[0016] The pipe 4 has a pipe body 4a and a cap nut 4b. Gas can flow through the pipe body 4a. The tip of the pipe body 4a is connected to the pipe plug 2. More specifically, the tip of the pipe body 4a is formed in a partially spherical shape. The pipe body 4a is connected to the pipe plug 2 so that its tip end abuts against the pipe plug 2 (more specifically, so that it sits on the pipe seat 20f, which will be described later). The cap nut 4b is attached to the tip end of the pipe body 4a and is designed not to come off the tip of the pipe body 4a. The cap nut 4b is screwed onto the pipe plug 2 with the tip end of the pipe body 4a abutting against the pipe plug 2. In this way, the pipe 4 is attached to the pipe plug 2.

[0017] <Housing> As shown in Figure 1, the housing 11 can be connected to the piping 4. The housing 11 also includes a through hole 20, as shown in Figure 2, and the filter device 12 is housed in the through hole 20. More specifically, the housing 11 is cylindrical, and the internal bore of the housing 11 forms the through hole 20. One axial end of the housing 11 is inserted into the mounting hole 3b. More specifically, one axial end of the housing 11 is screwed into the mounting hole 3b. As a result, one axial opening of the through hole 20 faces the passage 3a. The axial direction is the direction in which the axis of the housing 11 extends. In this embodiment, the axis of the housing 11 coincides with the aforementioned axis L1. That is, the axial direction is synonymous with the direction in which the axis L1 extends.

[0018] The through hole 20 also includes a large-diameter portion 20a and a small-diameter portion 20b. More specifically, the through hole 20 includes a tapered portion 20c, a press-fitting portion 20d, and a stepped portion 20e in addition to the large-diameter portion 20a and the small-diameter portion 20b. The large-diameter portion 20a is disposed on one axial side in the through hole 20. The small-diameter portion 20b is disposed on the other axial end side in the through hole 20. And the small-diameter portion 20b has a smaller hole diameter than that of the large-diameter portion 20a. Also, the small-diameter portion 20b has a pipe seat 20f in the present embodiment. The pipe seat 20f is disposed at the other axial end portion, i.e., the opening end portion, of the small-diameter portion 20b. The pipe seat 20f is where the tip portion of the pipe body 4a seats as described above. In the present embodiment, the pipe seat 20f is formed so as to reduce its diameter as it extends axially in one direction from the opening end.

[0019] The tapered portion 20c is disposed between the small-diameter portion 20b and the large-diameter portion 20a. The tapered portion 20c expands in diameter from the small-diameter portion 20b toward the large-diameter portion 20a, i.e., is tapered. The press-fitting portion 20d is located on one axial side of the large-diameter portion 20a in the through hole 20. The press-fitting portion 20d has a larger hole diameter than that of the large-diameter portion 20a. Thereby, a stepped shape is formed between the large-diameter portion 20a and the press-fitting portion 20d, and the portion formed in a stepped shape constitutes the stepped portion 20e.

[0020] The housing 11 also has a pipe connection portion 21, a seating portion 22, and a block mounting portion 23. The pipe connection portion 21 is disposed on the other axial side in the housing 11. The pipe connection portion 21 can connect the pipe 4. More specifically, a male thread is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe connection portion 21. And a socket nut 4b of the pipe 4 is screwed onto the pipe connection portion 21. Thereby, the pipe 4 is connected to the pipe connection portion 21. Also, the small-diameter portion 20b of the through hole 20 is disposed in the pipe connection portion 21.

[0021] The seating portion 22 is disposed at the axial middle portion in the housing 11. More specifically, the seating portion 22 is disposed between the pipe connection portion 21 and the block attachment portion 23. Further, the outer diameter of the seating portion 22 is formed to be larger than the mounting hole 3b of the valve block 3. And the seating portion 22 abuts against the valve block 3 when the housing 11 is attached to the valve block 3. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the seating portion 22 is formed to be larger than that of the pipe connection portion 21. Thereby, the strength of the housing 11 is ensured. Also, a small-diameter portion 20b extends from the pipe connection portion 21 to the seating portion 22. Further, a tapered portion 20c is disposed on the seating portion 22.

[0022] The block attachment portion 23, which is an example of the casing attachment portion, is disposed on one axial side in the housing 11. And the block attachment portion 23 is attached to the valve block 3. More specifically, the block attachment portion 23 is inserted into the mounting hole 3b. And the block attachment portion 23 is screwed into the mounting hole 3b in a sealed state. Also, the block attachment portion 23 is formed to have a larger diameter than the pipe connection portion 21. Further, a tapered portion 20c extends from the seating portion 22 to the block attachment portion 23. Furthermore, a large-diameter portion 20a is disposed on the block attachment portion 23.

[0023] <Filter device> As shown in FIG. 3, the filter device 12 is inserted into the through hole 20 and provided in the housing 11. More specifically, the filter device 12 is disposed in the large-diameter portion 20a of the through hole 20. And the filter device 12 is supported by the housing 11 in a cantilever manner at one axial end side portion. Thereby, the filter device 12 is inserted into the through hole 20 so as to have a gap with the inner peripheral surface of the housing 11. The filter device 12 includes a holder 25 and a filter 26.

[0024] The holder 25 includes a holder passage 25a. More specifically, the holder 25 includes a filter mounting groove 25b and a flange 25c. The holder 25 is inserted into the through hole 20. The holder 25 is cantilevered to the housing 11 at one axial end. More specifically, the holder 25 is positioned so that there is a gap around its outer circumferential surface, and its axial end is supported by the housing 11. Thus, the holder 25 is cantilevered to the housing 11 at one axial end. The holder 25 also forms an annular flow path 27 between the outer circumferential surface of the holder 25 and the inner circumferential surface of the housing 11 by creating a gap around its outer circumferential surface on the other axial side.

[0025] The holder passage 25a penetrates the holder 25 in the axial direction. More specifically, the holder 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top. The inner bore of the holder 25 forms the holder passage 25a. The holder passage 25a has a first opening 25e and a second opening 25f. The first opening 25e is located on the outer circumferential surface of the holder 25. More specifically, multiple first openings 25e are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the holder 25 at intervals in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, four first openings 25e are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the holder 25 in the axial middle portion. The second opening 25f is located at one end of the holder 25 in the axial direction (i.e., the bottom surface).

[0026] The filter mounting groove 25b is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the holder 25. The filter mounting groove 25b is arranged to correspond to a plurality of first openings 25e. In this embodiment, the filter mounting groove 25b is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the holder 25 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. In addition, the filter mounting groove 25b is formed to straddle the first openings 25e in the axial direction.

[0027] The flange 25c is located on the axial end portion of the holder 25. The flange 25c is formed around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the holder 25 and protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the holder 25. The flange 25c is press-fitted into the press-fit portion 20d. Thus, the holder 25 is supported by the housing 11 at the flange 25c (i.e., the axial end portion). On the other hand, the holder 25 has a gap between it and the inner circumferential surface of the housing 11 at least on the axial side of the flange 25c and the first opening 25e. Therefore, the holder 25 is cantilevered to the housing 11 at the flange 25c. An annular flow path 27 is formed around the holder 25. The flange 25c is also press-fitted into the through hole 20 (more specifically, the press-fit portion 20d) so as to abut against the stepped portion 20e.

[0028] Furthermore, the flange 25c has a corner portion 25g, as shown in the enlarged view of Figure 3. The corner portion 25g faces the stepped portion 20e. The corner portion 25g forms a trapping space 28 between itself and the housing 11. More specifically, the housing 11 has a corner portion 20g at the stepped portion 20e. The corner portion 20g faces the corner portion 25g. Both the corner portion 20g and the corner portion 25g are rounded. The diameter of the rounded chamfer of the corner portion 25g is larger than the diameter of the rounded chamfer of the corner portion 20g. As a result, a trapping space 28 is formed between the corner portion 20g and the corner portion 25g, and the housing 11 has a trapping space 28.

[0029] To describe the configuration of the holder 25 in more detail, the holder 25 includes a holder body 31 and a cap 32. The holder body 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The inner bore of the holder body 31 contains a holder passage 25a. Multiple first openings 25e are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the holder body 31, and the opening at one end of the holder passage 25a of the holder body 31 forms a second opening 25f. The holder body 31 also has a flange 25c on one end. The cap 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The cap 32 is inserted into the other end of the inner bore of the holder body 31 with one end. When the cap 32 is inserted, the other end of the inner bore of the cylindrical holder body 31 is closed, and the holder 25 is configured as a cylindrical holder with a top. Furthermore, a filter mounting groove 25b is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the configured holder 25, extending from the holder body 31 to the cap 32.

[0030] The filter 26 captures contaminants and the like that flow through it with the gas. The filter 26 is provided on the holder 25 so as to cover the four first openings 25e. The filter 26 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. The filter 26 is then externally mounted on the axially intermediate portion of the holder 25. In this embodiment, the filter 26 is externally mounted on the other axial end of the holder body 31. Furthermore, the cap 32 is inserted into the inner hole of the holder body 31. As a result, the filter 26 fits into the filter mounting groove 25b of the holder 25 (i.e., externally mounted on the axially intermediate portion of the holder 25) and is held between the cap 32 and the holder body 31. In this way, all four first openings 25e are covered by the filter 26. The filter 26, positioned in this manner, is interposed in the through hole 20 and captures contaminants and the like that flow through the through hole 20 with the gas.

[0031] <Gas flow in a pipe plug> In the pipe plug 2, gas can flow from pipe 4 to passage 3a via pipe plug 2, as shown by the thick line in Figure 4. More specifically, the gas introduced from pipe 4 to pipe plug 2 first passes through the small diameter section 20b. Then, the gas is guided through the tapered section 20c to the large diameter section 20a. As a result, the gas flows along the inner circumferential surfaces of the tapered section 20c and the large diameter section 20a. This allows the gas to be guided into the flow path 27 around the holder 25. The gas then flows from the flow path 27 into the holder passage 25a via multiple first openings 25e. At this time, contaminants flowing with the gas are captured by the filter 26. Furthermore, in the filter device 12, since multiple first openings 25e are formed in the holder 25 at circumferential intervals, the gas can be evenly guided from the annular flow path 27 to the holder passage 25a via the multiple first openings 25e. Therefore, the entire filter 26 can be used efficiently to capture contaminants. After being captured, the gas is delivered from the holder passage 25a through the second opening 25f to passage 3a.

[0032] Furthermore, the pipe plug 2 allows gas to flow from passage 3a to pipe 4 via the pipe plug 2. In this case, the gas flows in the opposite direction to the flow described above. That is, the gas flows from passage 3a through the second opening 25f to the holder passage 25a. After that, the gas flows out of the multiple first openings 25e through the filter 26 into the flow path 27. The gas that flows out into the flow path 27 flows around the holder 25 along the inner circumferential surface of the housing 11 towards the tapered section 20c. After being constricted in the tapered section 20c, the gas is sent into pipe 4 through the small diameter section 20b.

[0033] In the pipe plug 2 of this embodiment, the gap around the outer surface of the holder 25, i.e., the flow path 27, is connected to the holder passage 25a via the filter 26 and the first opening 25e. Therefore, the filter 26 can be interposed in the through hole 20. Furthermore, since the holder 25 is cantilevered to the housing 11 by the flange 25c, which is one end portion, the flow path 27 can be made annular. This allows the flow area of ​​the flow path 27 to be larger than when the holder 25 is supported at both ends, thereby reducing the pressure loss of the gas flowing through the through hole 20.

[0034] Furthermore, according to the pipe plug 2 of this embodiment, since the filter device 12 is inserted into the larger diameter section 20a, the flow area of ​​the flow path 27 can be increased compared to when it is inserted into the smaller diameter section 20b. This further reduces the pressure loss of the gas flowing through the through hole 20.

[0035] Furthermore, according to the pipe plug 2 of this embodiment, the large-diameter portion 20a is positioned on the block mounting portion 23, which has a larger outer diameter than the pipe connection portion 21, thus ensuring the strength of the housing 11.

[0036] Furthermore, according to the piping plug 2 of this embodiment, gas flows from the small diameter portion 20b through the tapered portion 20c to the large diameter portion 20a, so the gas flows along the inner circumferential surface of the tapered portion 20c and the inner circumferential surface of the large diameter portion 20a. Therefore, pressure loss caused by the gas flowing through the through hole 20 hitting the holder 25 can be suppressed.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the piping plug 2 of this embodiment, multiple first openings 25e are formed at intervals on the outer surface of the cylindrical holder 25, so that the portions between adjacent first openings 25e function as reinforcing members in the holder 25. Therefore, the filter device 12 has high strength against load. This prevents the filter device 12 from being crushed by gas.

[0038] Furthermore, according to the piping plug 2 of this embodiment, since multiple first openings 25e are formed at intervals on the outer circumferential surface of the holder 25, the flow area for the gas flowing from the annular flow path 27 to the holder passage 25a can be secured. This suppresses pressure loss of the gas flowing through the through hole 20. In addition, since the filter 26 is provided around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the holder 25 so as to cover the multiple first openings 25e, the entire filter 26 can be used efficiently by allowing the gas to flow uniformly through the annular flow path 27. That is, the filtration efficiency of the filter device 12 can be increased.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the pipe plug 2 of this embodiment, although contamination occurs due to press-fitting, the flange 25c of the holder 25 is in contact with the stepped portion 20e. Therefore, when the contaminants generated by press-fitting try to pass between the flange 25c and the stepped portion 20e along with the gas, they are blocked by the flange 25c and the stepped portion 20e. This prevents the contaminants from flowing into the flow path 27.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the pipe plug 2 of this embodiment, contaminants generated during press-fitting and blocked by the flange 25c and the stepped portion 20e can be stored in the capture space 28. This prevents the contaminants from being pushed into the flow path 27.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the tank valve device 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to provide a tank valve device 1 having the functions described above.

[0042] <Regarding other embodiments> In this embodiment, the pipe plug 2 is attached to the valve block 3, but the casing to which the pipe plug 2 is attached is not limited to the valve block 3. Any casing to which the pipe 4 is connected will suffice.

[0043] Furthermore, in the pipe plug 2 of this embodiment, the through hole 20 of the housing 11 has a tapered portion 20c, but this is not necessarily required. Also, the small diameter portion 20b and the large diameter portion 20a are not necessarily required in the through hole 20 of the housing 11. That is, the through hole 20 may have the same diameter in the axial direction. In addition, in the pipe plug 2 of this embodiment, the holder 25 is press-fitted into the through hole 20 of the housing 11, but the holder 25 may be attached to the through hole 20 by other methods such as screwing.

[0044] Furthermore, in the pipe plug 2 of this embodiment, the pipe 4 is connected to the pipe connection part 21 by tightening the pipe body 4a into the pipe connection part 21 with a cap nut 4b, but the pipe 4 may be connected to the pipe connection part 21 by other connection methods. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 1. Tank valve device 2. Pipe plug 3. Valve block (casing) 4 Piping 11 Housing 12 Filter device 20 Through holes 20a Large diameter section 20b Small diameter section 20c tapered section 20e Stepped section 21 Pipe connection section 23. Block mounting section (casing mounting section) 25 holder 25a Holder passage 25e 1st opening 25f 2nd opening 25g corner 26 filters 27 Flow channels (gaps) 28 Capture space

Claims

1. A housing including a through hole, The system comprises a filter device inserted into the through hole and provided in the housing, The filter device includes a holder including a holder passage having a first opening and a second opening, and a filter provided in the holder so as to cover the first opening. The first opening is located on the outer circumferential surface of the holder. The second opening is located at one end of the holder, The holder is cantilevered to the housing at one end, leaving a gap around its outer surface. The through hole has a large diameter portion, a small diameter portion having a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion, and a tapered portion between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion. The filter device is arranged in the large diameter section, The aforementioned tapered portion expands in diameter from the small diameter portion to the large diameter portion, forming a pipe plug.

2. The housing includes a pipe connection portion to which piping is connected, and a casing mounting portion having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the pipe connection portion and being attached to the casing. The small diameter portion is located at the pipe connection portion. The large-diameter portion is located in the casing mounting portion, as described in claim 1.

3. The holder is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top, The first opening is formed in multiple locations on the outer circumferential surface of the holder, with spacing between them in the circumferential direction. The piping plug according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the filter is provided on the holder so as to cover a plurality of the first openings.

4. The through hole has a stepped portion, The pipe plug according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein one end of the holder is press-fitted into the through hole of the housing so as to contact the stepped portion and is cantilevered to the housing.

5. The pipe plug according to claim 4, wherein the housing has a capture space between the corner facing the stepped portion at one end of the holder.

6. A casing installed in the tank, The piping plug according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising The aforementioned pipe plug is a tank valve device attached to the casing.

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