Station for filling gas tanks

Abstract

A station for filling a gas tank, comprising a gas source (2), a circuit (3) comprising an upstream end (4) connected to the source (2) and a downstream end (5) having a hose portion intended to be connected to the end of the tank(s) (6) to be filled, wherein the circuit (3) comprises an automatic shut-off breakaway coupling (7) arranged along an operating axis between the source (2) and the downstream end (5), wherein the breakaway coupling (7) ensures automatic shut-off of the circuit (3) when a determined tensile force is applied to the breakaway coupling (7) along the operating axis, wherein the station (1) comprises a distributor housing (8), wherein the breakaway coupling (7) is arranged within the distributor housing (8) in a determined orientation of the operating axis, and at least one portion of the hose portion of the downstream end (5) of the circuit protrudes from the distributor housing (8), and the distributor housing (8) comprises a guide member (9) for guiding a portion of the hose portion, wherein the guide The member (9) comprises assembly deflection wall(s) (10) converging toward a central passage area that ensures local retention of the hose portion, and the portion of the circuit (3) located between the breakaway coupling (7) and the guide member (9) is oriented at least substantially along the operating axis of the breakaway coupling (7), and the assembly of the deflection wall(s) (10) of the guide member (9) is further configured to transmit at least a portion of the tensile force on the hose portion oriented laterally with respect to the operating axis of the breakaway coupling (7) along the operating axis of the breakaway coupling (7), characterized in that the station is further configured to transmit at least a portion of the tensile force on the hose portion oriented laterally with respect to the operating axis of the breakaway coupling (7).

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas tank filling station. Background Technology

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a filling station for a gas tank, comprising a gas source and a circuit comprising an upstream end connected to said source and a downstream end including a hose portion intended to be connected to the end of the tank(s) to be filled, wherein the circuit comprises an automatic shut-off breakaway coupling arranged along an operating axis between said source and downstream end, said breakaway coupling ensures automatic shut-off of the circuit when a determined tensile force occurs on said breakaway coupling along said operating axis, the station comprises a distributor housing, said breakaway coupling is arranged within the distributor housing in a determined orientation of the operating axis, and at least a portion of the hose portion of the downstream end of the circuit protrudes outside the distributor housing, and the distributor housing comprises a guide member for guiding a section of the hose portion.

[0003] When refueling a vehicle's gas (or liquid) hydrogen tank, the end nozzle is connected to the vehicle. It is the user's responsibility to remember to disconnect the nozzle at the end of refueling. If the user forgets and drives with the nozzle connected to their vehicle, the hose may break and the distributor may be damaged.

[0004] To avoid damage to hoses and distributors, a coupling release system is required. Many systems utilize a "breakaway" coupling that disconnects the circuit if the vehicle is started while the nozzle is still connected. Therefore, disconnection is automatic regardless of whether the system is under pressure. The breakaway coupling is reusable and can be safely reconnected.

[0005] The disclosed system requires a tensile force applied on the operating axis of the breakaway coupling system (or at a small angle, i.e., between 0 and 30 degrees). In the disclosed safety system, the breakaway coupling is integrated into the nozzle.

[0006] In another known configuration referred to as "fixed mounting," the breakaway coupling is typically fixed in a vertical position at a height of 2 to 3 meters from the ground by a downward hose connection. However, when the nozzle is withdrawn, a large angle relative to the vertical is possible, and consequently, a large angle relative to the axis of the breakaway coupling is possible. This angle is generally greater than 45 degrees. This deviates from the optimal operating conditions of the coupling release system and may result in malfunction and a dangerous situation.

[0007] In other disclosed configurations, the breakaway coupling is arranged in a line between two hoses: the hose connecting the breakaway coupling to the distributor and the hose connecting the breakaway coupling to the vehicle. The advantage of this system is that it self-aligns when the hoses are pulled and the breakaway system functions correctly. However, the hose connecting the breakaway coupling to the distributor always moves when the user operates the nozzle. This leads to wear on the second hose. The problem to be solved

[0008] The objective of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art. means of solving the problem

[0009] To this end, a station according to the present invention, otherwise conforming to the general definition provided in the preamble above, essentially comprises an assembly of deflector walls(s) that converge toward a central passage area ensuring localized retention of the hose portion, and a portion of the circuit located between the breakaway coupling and the guide member is oriented at least substantially along the operating axis of the breakaway coupling, and the assembly of deflector walls(s) of the guide member is further configured to transmit at least a portion of the tensile force on the hose portion oriented transversely to the operating axis of the breakaway coupling along the operating axis of the breakaway coupling.

[0010] This provides a breakaway coupling that can be received in a rigid and fixed manner by the station (1) distributor. Additionally, without being disconnected first, any withdrawal of the hose is always on the operating axis of the breakaway coupling, regardless of the direction in which the vehicle departs (forward or backward) and regardless of the charging side of the vehicle (left or right).

[0011] In addition, embodiments of the present invention may include one or more of the following features:

[0012] - The assembly of deflector wall(s) comprises one or more curved walls having a radius of curvature between 5 mm and 300 mm;

[0013] - The assembly of deflection wall(s) includes at least one fixed wall;

[0014] - An assembly of deflector wall(s) comprises at least one movable wall, in particular a roller mounted on a movable axis and rotating thereon;

[0015] - The assembly of deflector wall(s) comprises at least two vertically oriented lateral walls forming lateral stops on both sides of the hose portion;

[0016] - An assembly of deflector walls(s) comprises at least one of an upper wall that is horizontally oriented and forms a vertical stop above the hose portion, and a lower wall that is horizontally oriented and forms a vertical stop below the hose portion;

[0017] - The breakaway coupling is arranged within the housing in an orientation parallel or substantially parallel to the operating axis;

[0018] - The breakaway coupling is arranged within the housing at a height between 5 cm and 3 m from the ground, preferably between 50 cm and 1 m;

[0019] - The gas source accepts a fuel gas containing hydrogen in liquid and / or gaseous form or composed of hydrogen in liquid and / or gaseous form.

[0020] The present invention may also relate to any alternative device or process comprising any combination of the features above or below within the scope of the claims. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0021] Additional specific features and advantages will become apparent from reading the following description provided with reference to the drawings: FIG. 1 schematically shows a partial side view illustrating one embodiment of the structure of a station according to the present invention. FIG. 2 schematically shows a partial view of a vertical cross-section illustrating one embodiment of a detailed part of a station according to the present invention. FIG. 3 schematically shows a partial perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the detailed part of the guide member of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 schematically shows a partial perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the structure of a station according to the present invention. FIG. 5 schematically shows a partial perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a part of the station according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0022] The illustrated gas tank filling station (1) includes a gas source (2) and a circuit (3) comprising an upstream end (4) connected to the source (2) and a downstream end (5) including a hose portion intended to be connected (e.g., through a nozzle) to the tank(s) (6) to be filled.

[0023] The circuit (3) further includes an automatic breakaway coupling (7) mounted along the operating axis between the supply source (2) and the downstream end (5). This breakaway coupling (7) is configured to automatically break off the circuit (3) (and, if necessary, separate the circuit into two parts) when a determined tension force occurs on the breakaway coupling (7) along the operating axis.

[0024] The station (1) includes a distributor housing (8), and the breakaway coupling (7) is arranged (e.g., fixed) in the distributor housing (8) in a determined orientation of the operating axis, e.g., a horizontal orientation in the illustrated example.

[0025] At least a portion of the hose portion of the downstream end (5) of the circuit protrudes from the distributor housing (8). Additionally, the distributor housing (8) includes a guide member (9) for guiding a section of the hose portion.

[0026] The guide member (9) comprises an assembly of deflection wall(s) (10) that converge toward the central section of the hose passage to ensure localized retention of the hose portion. The guide member (9) retains a portion of the circuit (3) located between the breakaway coupling (7) and the guide member (9) at least substantially along the operating axis of the breakaway coupling (7) (i.e., substantially horizontally in this embodiment—the term “substantially” means that, for example, a slight angle of 0 to 30 degrees, preferably 0 to 10 degrees, with respect to the operating axis may be possible).

[0027] The assembly of the deflection wall(s) (10) of the guide member (9) is further configured to transmit at least a portion of the tensile force applied to the hose portion oriented laterally with respect to the operating axis of the breakaway coupling (7) along the operating axis of the breakaway coupling (7). That is, when a tensile force is applied to the downstream end of the circuit (when the vehicle leaves without first disconnecting), even if the hose forms a large angle (A) with the operating axis of the breakaway coupling (7), the guide member (9) forms a deflection system, preferably a multidirectional deflection system, that transmits force to the operating axis of the breakaway coupling (7) and, in particular, allows the hose to exit the corner of the distributor housing (8). That is, preferably, the hose portion rests only on the assembly of the wall(s) of the guide member (9) regardless of the orientation of the downstream portion of the hose portion. For example, the guide member (9) may protrude from the surface of the distributor housing (8) where the guide member (9) is open.

[0028] Therefore, the safety of the station (1) is improved. In fact, when the vehicle leaves forward or backward, the deflection system allows force to be transmitted to the operating axis of the breakaway coupling (7). The station (1) is also more flexible because the system allows vehicle access from both directions, which is not currently possible to safely perform in existing facilities.

[0029] For example, an assembly of deflecting wall(s) (10) comprises one or more curved walls having a radius of curvature between, for example, 5 mm and 300 mm (this range is not limited). For example, an assembly of deflecting wall(s) (10) forms a converging tube or part of a tube (radius of curvature decreasing toward the upstream end).

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the assembly of the deflector wall(s) (10) may include a toroidal section (or the entire toroid).

[0031] The assembly of the deflection wall(s) (10) includes, for example, at least one fixed wall.

[0032] Alternatively, or in combination with it, the assembly of deflection wall(s) (10) may include at least one movable wall, for example, a roller mounted on an axis (movable or fixed) and rotating about this axis. As shown in FIG. 4, the guide member (9) may include two vertically oriented lateral deflection wall (10) forming lateral stops on both sides of the hose portion, and each of these two lateral walls (10) may be formed as a roller rotatable about a vertical axis.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the assembly of deflector wall(s) (10) may include an upper wall (particularly a roller rotatable about a horizontal axis) that is horizontally oriented and forms a vertical stop over the hose portion and / or a lower wall (particularly a roller rotatable about a horizontal axis) that is horizontally oriented and forms a vertical stop under the hose portion.

[0034] This configuration makes it possible to transmit horizontal tension on the hose on two opposing sides, as well as upward or downward tension on the hose, onto the operating axis of the breakaway coupling (7). This allows for the transmission of vertical and horizontal components of the tension force.

[0035] Of course, the operating axis of the breakaway coupling (7) does not necessarily have to be horizontal.

[0036] Additionally, these breakaway couplings (7) and guide members (9) can be arranged at any height.

[0037] Preferably, these breakaway couplings (7) and guide members (9) are fixed at a typical coupling height (average height of the tank inlet / outlet, e.g., about 1 meter) for coupling the hose end to the tank.

[0038] If the breakaway coupling (7) is fixed at the height of the inlet of the tank to be filled, the horizontal wall (10) or roller that transmits the vertical component of the force is optional. The guidance system can be further simplified accordingly.

[0039] Since the length of the hose is generally several meters, the height of the system relative to the average height of the tank can vary by tens of centimeters without hindering operation. Therefore, the maximum angle of inclination of the hose at the outlet of the deflection system is maintained below the value recommended by the manufacturer of the breakaway coupling (7) and within the effective height of the guide member (9).

[0040] The present invention can reduce the number of necessary parts (only one guide / deflection direction if necessary, or only one guide element in the case of a torus). Accordingly, this structure not only allows the structure and assembly to be simplified but also makes it less expensive while improving the utility of the safety system.

[0041] In particular, if the guide member (9) includes a torus or a semi-torus, this provides flexibility regarding the shape of the distributor housing (8) and the assembly position of the breakaway coupling (7) and the guide member (9).

Claims

Claim 1 A station for filling a gas tank, comprising a gas source (2), a circuit (3) comprising an upstream end (4) connected to the source (2) and a downstream end (5) having a hose portion intended to be connected to the end of the tank(s) (6) to be filled, wherein the circuit (3) comprises an automatic shut-off breakaway coupling (7) arranged along an operating axis between the source (2) and the downstream end (5), wherein the breakaway coupling (7) ensures automatic shut-off of the circuit (3) when a determined tensile force is applied to the breakaway coupling (7) along the operating axis, wherein the station (1) comprises a distributor housing (8), wherein the breakaway coupling (7) is arranged within the distributor housing (8) in a determined orientation of the operating axis, and at least one portion of the hose portion of the downstream end (5) of the circuit protrudes from the distributor housing (8), and the distributor housing (8) comprises a guide member (9) for guiding a portion of the hose portion, wherein the guide The member (9) comprises assembly deflection wall(s) (10) converging toward a central passage area that ensures local retention of the hose portion, and a portion of the circuit (3) located between the breakaway coupling (7) and the guide member (9) is oriented along the operating axis of the breakaway coupling (7), and the assembly of the deflection wall(s) (10) of the guide member (9) is further configured to transmit at least a portion of the tensile force on the hose portion oriented laterally with respect to the operating axis of the breakaway coupling (7) along the operating axis of the breakaway coupling (7), characterized in that the station is further configured to transmit at least a portion of the tensile force on the hose portion oriented laterally with respect to the operating axis of the breakaway coupling (7). Claim 2 The station according to claim 1, wherein the assembly (10) of the deflection wall(s) comprises one or more curved walls having a radius of curvature included between 5 mm and 300 mm. Claim 3 A station according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the assembly (10) of the deflection wall(s) comprises at least one fixed wall. Claim 4 A station according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the assembly (10) of the deflection wall(s) comprises at least one movable wall or a roller mounted on a movable axis and rotating thereon. Claim 5 A station according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the assembly (10) of the deflection wall(s) comprises at least two vertically oriented lateral walls forming a lateral stop on each side of the hose portion. Claim 6 A station according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the assembly (10) of the deflection wall(s) comprises at least one of an upper wall that is horizontally oriented and forms a vertical stop above the hose portion, and a lower wall that is horizontally oriented and forms a vertical stop below the hose portion. Claim 7 A station according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the breakaway coupling (7) is arranged within the housing (8) in an orientation parallel to the operating axis. Claim 8 A station according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the breakaway coupling (7) is arranged within the housing (8) at a height between 5 cm and 3 m or between 50 cm and 1 m from the ground. Claim 9 A station according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gas supply source (2) contains hydrogen in liquid and / or gaseous form or receives fuel gas composed of hydrogen in liquid and / or gaseous form.

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