Compatible adapter structure for liquefied hydrogen charging port

Abstract

The present invention has a compatible adapter (100) structure, in which an Air Force-compatible Linde HQK female connector part (110) and a Linde HQK-compatible Air Force male connector part (120) are integrated, for connecting a transport tank (200) and a storage tank (400), on which a heterogeneous bayonet coupling (300), a Linde HQK female connector (310) and an Air Force female connector (320) are mounted, so as to enable charging therebetween, thereby eliminating the need to simultaneously apply the two types of connectors, for example, an Air Force type connector and a Linde HQK type connector, which are not compatible for every operation company, and thus can have improved convenience of use and efficiency of operation.

Description

Liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter structure

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter structure, and more particularly, to a liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter structure capable of connecting between different types of connectors so as to enable charging between a storage tank and a transport tank equipped with different types of connectors.

[0002] As liquefied hydrogen plants and liquefied hydrogen storage and gaseous hydrogen charging stations begin to be built and distributed in Korea and overseas, the compatibility of the liquefied hydrogen supply infrastructure and key equipment that fills the liquefied hydrogen transport tanks from the storage tanks of the liquefied hydrogen production base and supplies them to each liquefied hydrogen charging station is becoming a major issue.

[0003] The charging port for transferring and charging liquid hydrogen between the liquid hydrogen storage tank and the liquid hydrogen transport tank uses a vacuum-insulated byonet coupling method to ensure insulation of the charging port.

[0004] The bionet coupling is composed of a female connector in the form of a socket and a male connector in the form of a plug, as shown in Fig. 1.

[0005] The male connector is attached to the ends of the flex hose for charging or the outlet end of the loading arm and is combined with the female connectors attached to the charging ports on the transport tank and storage tank sides, respectively.

[0006] Currently, there is no international standard for bionets for liquid hydrogen refueling. Therefore, users select and use them based on the bionet manufacturer's specifications. Furthermore, because multiple manufacturers produce bionets, there are a variety of bionet coupling types.

[0007] In addition, the most reliable bionet coupling types for liquid hydrogen charging are mainly the Linde (LNDE) HQK type as shown in Fig. 2 and the Air Force type as shown in Fig. 3, and in the case of Korea, the charging ports applied to storage tanks and transport tanks introduced by liquid hydrogen plant operators and transport operators are applied with both the Linde HQK type and the Air Force type at the same time depending on the operator.

[0008] In particular, the Linde HQK type and the Air Force type have different specifications for each fastener and inner pipe sealing method, so there is a problem of incompatibility between the two types. Therefore, charging is not possible between storage tanks and transport tanks equipped with different types of bionet connectors, which reduces operational efficiency.

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter structure that can improve convenience of use and efficiency of operation by applying a compatible adapter that can be connected between different types of connectors so that charging can be performed between a storage tank and a transfer tank equipped with different types of connectors.

[0010] In order to solve the above technical problem, a liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is a compatible adapter that connects a transport tank and a storage tank equipped with a heterogeneous bionet coupling, a Linde HQK female connector, and an air force female connector so that charging can be performed, and the compatible adapter is characterized by including: an air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part; and a Linde HQK compatible air force male connector part integrally formed on one side of the air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part.

[0011] In another embodiment, the air force compatible Linte HQK female connector part of the present invention is characterized in that one end of the bionet coupling connected to the charging port of the transport tank or the charging port of the storage tank is received and fastened.

[0012] In another embodiment, the Linde HQK compatible air force male connector part of the present invention is characterized in that it is inserted into and connected to the Linde HQK female connector attached to the filling port of the storage tank or the filling port of the transport tank.

[0013] In another embodiment, the compatible adapter of the present invention is characterized in that it has a structure consisting of an inner tube and an outer tube, and a vacuum insulation layer is formed between the inner tube and the outer tube to which the air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part and the Linde HQK compatible air force male connector part are connected.

[0014] In another embodiment, the inner tube and the outer tube of the air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part of the present invention are characterized in that they are formed to have diameters larger than the inner tube and the outer tube of the air force compatible Linde HQK male connector part, respectively.

[0015] In another embodiment, the vacuum insulation layer of the present invention is characterized in that an insulating material is installed inside the vacuum insulation layer to surround the outer surface of the air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part and the outer surface of the air force compatible Linde HQK male connector part.

[0016] As another embodiment, the insulating material of the present invention is characterized by being one of glass bubble particle type, pearlite particle type, and MLI (Multi-Layer Insulation).

[0017] As another embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that a vacuum porter connected to the vacuum insulation layer is installed on one side of the outer surface of the air force compatible Linte HQK female connector part.

[0018] As another embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that a screw cap is installed at one end or the other end of the outer appearance of the air force compatible LINTE HQK female connector part.

[0019] In another embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that a flange portion for a flange joint is formed at the opposite end of the outer surface of the air force compatible LINTE HQK female connector part side, where the screw cap is not installed, to one end or the other end.

[0020] In another embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that at least one tip seal is installed at the end of the Linde HQK compatible air force male connector part.

[0021] As another embodiment, the air force compatible Linte HQK female connector part of the present invention is characterized in that a first O-ring is installed at one end and a second O-ring is installed at the other end.

[0022] The present invention has a structure of a compatible adapter that is integrally composed of an air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part and a Linde HQK compatible air force male connector part that connects a transport tank and a storage tank equipped with a heterogeneous bionet coupling, a Linde HQK female connector, and an air force female connector so that charging can be performed therebetween. Therefore, it has the effect of improving the convenience of use and the efficiency of operation by eliminating the need for each operator to simultaneously apply two types of incompatible air force type connectors and a Linde HQK connector type.

[0023] Figure 1 is an example diagram showing the separation state of a conventional bionet coupling for charging liquid hydrogen.

[0024] Figure 2 is an example diagram showing the coupling process of a conventional air force type connector.

[0025] Figure 3 is an example diagram showing the coupling process of a conventional Linde HQK type connector.

[0026] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional example showing a liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b) are examples of using a liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter to connect an air force according to the first embodiment of the present invention to the Linde HQK.

[0028] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional example showing a liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b) are examples of using a liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter for connecting a Linde HQK to an air force side according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Hereinafter, to fully understand the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings, FIGS. 4 to 7. The embodiments of the present invention may be modified in various ways, and the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described in detail below. It should be noted that in each drawing, the same components are sometimes depicted with the same reference numerals. Detailed descriptions of well-known functions and components that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention are omitted.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter for connecting an air force to a Linde HQK according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are cross-sectional views illustrating a liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter for connecting an air force to a Linde HQK according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter for connecting a Linde HQK to an air force according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) are cross-sectional views illustrating a liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter for connecting a Linde HQK to an air force according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7(a) and 7(b), the compatible adapter (100) used in the liquid hydrogen charging port according to the present invention is configured as an air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part (110) and a Linde HQK compatible air force male connector part (120) that connect between a transport tank (200) and a storage tank (400) equipped with a heterogeneous bionet coupling (300), a Linde HQK female connector (310), and an air force female connector (320) so as to enable charging, wherein the air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part (110) is fitted and fastened so that the other end of the bionet coupling (300), which has one end connected to the charging port of the transport tank (200) or the charging port of the storage tank (400), is received, and the Linde HQK compatible air force The male connector part (120) is inserted into and connected to the Linde HQK female connector (310) attached to the filling port of the storage tank (400) or the filling port of the transport tank (200).

[0033] At this time, the above compatible adapter (100) is a structure composed of an inner tube (140) and an outer tube (150), and a vacuum insulation layer (160) is formed between the inner tube (140) and the outer tube (150) to which an air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part (110) and a Linde HQK compatible air force male connector part (120) are connected.

[0034] The inner tube (140) and outer tube (150) of the above-mentioned air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part (110) are formed to be larger in diameter than the inner tube (140) and outer tube (150) of the above-mentioned air force compatible Linde HQK male connector part (120).

[0035] Inside the vacuum insulation layer (160), a particle-type or MLI (Multi-Layer Insulation) insulation material (170) such as glass bubbles or pearlite is installed parallel to the center line of the air pore compatible Linte HQK female connector part (110) and the Linde HQK compatible air pore male connector part (120) to surround the inner surface of the inner surface of the air pore compatible Linde HQK female connector part (110) and the outer surface of the inner surface of the air pore compatible Linde HQK male connector part (120).

[0036] In addition, the point where the inner tube of the air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part (110) and the Linde HQK compatible air force male connector part (120) are connected is connected with a thickness thicker than the inner tube thickness of each of the air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part (110) and the Linde HQK compatible air force male connector part (120), so that no insulation is formed in a direction perpendicular to the inner tube center line.

[0037] A vacuum porter (180) connected to a vacuum insulation layer (160) is installed on one side of the outer surface (160) of the air force-compatible Linte HQK female connector part (110), a screw cap (130) is installed on one end or the other end of the outer surface (150) of the air force-compatible Linte HQK female connector part (110), and a flange portion (190) for a flange joint is formed on the opposite end of the outer surface (150) of the air force-compatible Linte HQK female connector part (110) where the screw cap (130) is not installed.

[0038] That is, the screw cap (130) serves to fasten the air force compatible Linte HQK female connector part (110) and the bionet coupling (300) when connecting them, as shown in FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b).

[0039] In addition, the screw cap (130) serves to connect the air force female connector (320) attached to the charging port of the storage tank (400) and the air force compatible Linte HQK female connector part (110) as shown in FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b) or to connect the air force female connector (320) attached to the charging port of the transport tank (200).

[0040] The above flange part (190) serves to connect by flange joint when the air force compatible Linde HQK male connector part (120) is inserted into the Linde HQK female connector (310) attached to the filling port of the storage tank (400) or the Linde HQK female connector (310) attached to the filling port of the transport tank (200), as shown in FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b), and the air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part (110) comes into contact with the end of the Linde HQK female connector (310).

[0041] In addition, the flange portion (190) is fitted to the outer diameter of the bionet coupling (300) in the air force compatible Linte HQK female connector part (110) as shown in FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b), and then serves to be fastened by a flange joint when the end of the air force compatible Linte HQK female connector part (110) comes into contact with the central side of the bionet coupling (300).

[0042] At least one tip seal (192) is installed at the end of the above Linde HQK compatible air force male connector part (120) to seal when the Linde HQK compatible air force male connector part (120) is inserted into a bionet coupling (300) connected to the filling port of the transport tank (200).

[0043] A first O-ring (194) and a second O-ring (96) can be installed on both sides of the above air force compatible Linte HQK female connector part (110) as shown in FIG. 6.

[0044] That is, referring to FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b), the first O-ring (194) serves to increase the sealing force when one end of the air force compatible Linte HQK female connector part (110) comes into contact with the end of the air force female connector (320), and the second O-ring (196) serves to increase the sealing force when the other end of the air force compatible Linte HQK female connector part (110) comes into contact with one end of the bionet coupling (300).

[0045] In addition, an air force female connector (320) for fastening a bionet coupling (300) is installed in the charging port of the transport tank (200) or the charging port of the storage tank (400).

[0046] At this time, the bionet coupling (300) is composed of a left male connector (304) and a right male connector (306) that are connected in opposite directions via a flexible hose (302).

[0047] Referring to FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 7(a), the air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part (110) of the compatible adapter (100) can be used to be connected by inserting the right male connector (306) of the bionet coupling (300) that is connected to the air force female connector (320) attached to the charging port of the transport tank (200), and the Linde HQK compatible air force male connector part (120) of the compatible adapter (100) can be used to be connected by inserting the Linde HQK female connector (310) attached to the charging port of the storage tank (400).

[0048] Referring to FIG. 5(b) and FIG. 7(b), the air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part (110) of the compatible adapter (100) can be used to be connected by inserting the left male connector (304) of the bionet coupling (300) that is connected to the air force female connector (320) attached to the charging port of the storage tank (400), and the Linde HQK compatible air force male connector part (120) of the compatible adapter (100) can be used to be connected by inserting the Linde HQK female connector (310) attached to the charging port of the transport tank (200).

[0049] In this way, the present invention has a structure of a compatible adapter (100) in which an air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part (110) and a Linde HQK compatible air force male connector part (120) are integrally formed to connect a transport tank (200) and a storage tank (400) equipped with a heterogeneous bionet coupling (300), a Linde HQK female connector (310), and an air force female connector (320) so as to enable charging, and thus has the advantage of improving convenience of use and operational efficiency by eliminating the need for simultaneous application of two types of incompatible air force type connectors and a Linde HQK connector type for each operator.

[0050] Meanwhile, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be implemented by modifying and changing the same within a scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention, and the technical ideas to which such modifications and changes are applied should also be considered to fall within the scope of the following patent claims.

Claims

1. A compatible adapter (100) that connects a transport tank (200) equipped with a heterogeneous bionet coupling (300), a Linde HQK female connector (310), and an air force female connector (320) to enable charging between the storage tank (400), The above compatible adapter (100) is Air Force compatible Linte HQK female connector part (110); and A liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter structure characterized by including a Linde HQK compatible air force male connector part (120) integrally formed on one side of the above air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part (110).

2. In claim 1, A liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter structure characterized in that the air force compatible Linte HQK female connector part (110) is connected to accommodate one end of the bionet coupling (300) connected to the charging port of the transport tank (200) or the charging port of the storage tank (400).

3. In claim 1, A liquefied hydrogen charging port compatible adapter structure characterized in that the above Linde HQK compatible air force male connector part (120) is inserted into and connected to the Linde HQK female connector (310) attached to the charging port of the storage tank (400) or the charging port of the transport tank (200).

4. In claim 1, The above compatible adapter (100) is structured with an inner tube (140) and an outer tube (150). A liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter structure characterized in that a vacuum insulation layer (160) is formed between the inner tube (140) and the outer tube (150) to which the air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part (110) and the Linde HQK compatible air force male connector part (120) are connected.

5. In claim 4, A liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter structure characterized in that the inner tube (140) and the outer tube (150) of the above-mentioned air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part (110) are formed to have diameters larger than those of the inner tube (140) and the outer tube (150) of the above-mentioned air force compatible Linde HQK male connector part (120).

6. In claim 4, A liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter structure characterized in that an insulating material (170) is installed inside the vacuum insulation layer (160) to surround the outer surface of the air force compatible Linde HQK female connector part (110) and the Linde HQK compatible air force male connector part (120).

7. In claim 6, A liquefied hydrogen charging port compatible adapter structure characterized in that the above insulation material (170) is one of glass bubble particle type, pearlite particle type, and MLI (Multi-Layer Insulation).

8. In claim 4, A liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter structure characterized in that a vacuum porter (180) connected to the vacuum insulation layer (160) is installed on one side of the outer appearance (160) of the air force compatible Linte HQK female connector part (110).

9. In claim 4, A liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter structure characterized in that a screw cap (130) is installed at one end or the other end of the outer appearance (150) of the above air force compatible Linte HQK female connector part (110).

10. In claim 9, A liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter structure characterized in that a flange portion (190) for flange joint is formed at the opposite end of the outer surface (150) side (110) of the air force compatible Linte HQK female connector part) where the screw cap (130) is not installed.

11. In claim 1, A liquid hydrogen charging port compatible adapter structure characterized in that at least one tip seal (192) is installed at the end of the above Linde HQK compatible air force male connector part (120).

12. In claim 1, The above air force compatible Linte HQK female connector part (110) is A first O-ring (194) is installed on one side, A liquefied hydrogen charging port compatible adapter structure characterized in that a second O-ring (96) is installed on the other end.

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