High-pressure fluid storage container comprising end plug rotation-prevention structure using rotation-prevention member fixing method

Abstract

The high-pressure fluid storage container according to the present invention comprises: a container body having a storage space in which a high-pressure fluid is stored and a plug-coupling part formed on at least one end; and an end plug, at least a portion of which is coupled to the plug-coupling part, and having a fluid through-hole through which a fluid flows, wherein the container body and the end plug have a rotation-prevention processing groove which penetrates a preset position in the end plug and is recessed to a predetermined depth in the plug-coupling part of the container body, and a rotation-prevention member, which prevents the end plug from rotating when coupled to the plug-coupling part, is inserted into the rotation-prevention processing groove.

Description

A high-pressure fluid storage vessel including an end plug rotation prevention structure through a rotation prevention member fixing method

[0001] The present invention relates to a high-pressure fluid storage vessel, and more particularly, to a high-pressure fluid storage vessel including a rotation prevention structure capable of preventing an end plug coupled to a vessel body from rotating.

[0002] Fossil fuels, which have been used as the main energy source in the past, are facing concerns about their depletion over time, and due to environmental pollution issues, human interest is gradually shifting to other alternative energy sources.

[0003] Among these alternative energy sources, hydrogen fuel is attracting attention. Hydrogen is not only abundant but also poses no environmental pollution concerns, so its potential is very high.

[0004] In particular, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are being studied as an alternative to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, and the results are currently being seen.

[0005] Accordingly, various studies are actively being conducted on storage containers that can be installed in automobiles and charging stations to safely store hydrogen gas filled at high pressure.

[0006] Typically, a hydrogen storage container includes a container body and an end plug that is connected to an end of the container body, and the container body and the end plug are manufactured separately and then connected.

[0007] However, in the process of connecting the end plug and the container body to each other, the end plug may rotate while connected to the container body due to its structure, and this phenomenon may cause the end plug to separate from the container body or cause the fluid contained inside to leak.

[0008] Therefore, a method to solve these problems is required.

[0009] The present invention is an invention devised to solve the problems of the above-described prior art, and has the purpose of providing a high-pressure fluid storage container including a rotation prevention structure that can prevent an end plug coupled to a container body of the high-pressure fluid storage container from rotating and causing various problems.

[0010] The tasks of the present invention are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, a high-pressure fluid storage vessel including an end plug rotation prevention structure through a rotation prevention member fixing method of the present invention comprises a container body having a storage space in which high-pressure fluid is stored inside, a plug joint formed at at least one end thereof, and an end plug having a fluid passage hole formed inside thereof, at least a portion of which is joined to the plug joint, and through which fluid flows, an anti-rotation groove is formed in the container body and the end plug, which penetrates a preset position of the end plug and is sunk to a predetermined depth into the plug joint of the container body, and an anti-rotation member is inserted into the anti-rotation groove to prevent the end plug from rotating while being joined to the plug joint.

[0012] At this time, the above-mentioned anti-rotation processing groove may include a plug penetration hole penetrating the end plug and a body recessed groove that is connected to the plug penetration hole and is recessed to a predetermined depth in the plug joint portion of the container body.

[0013] And the end plug may further include a body coupling portion inserted into the plug coupling portion and an expansion shield portion connected to the body coupling portion and formed to have a larger cross-sectional area than the body coupling portion and in contact with an end surface of the plug coupling portion.

[0014] In addition, the above-mentioned anti-rotation processing groove can penetrate the above-mentioned expansion shield and be sunk to a predetermined depth in the above-mentioned plug-joining portion of the above-mentioned container body.

[0015] Meanwhile, the present invention may further include a sealing member provided between the plug coupling portion and the end plug to prevent gas from leaking between the plug coupling portion and the end plug.

[0016] At this time, the sealing member may be provided between the inner surface of the plug joint and the outer surface of the expansion shield.

[0017] The high-pressure fluid storage vessel including an end plug rotation prevention structure through a rotation prevention member fixing method of the present invention for solving the above-described problem has an advantage in that an anti-rotation processing groove is formed by penetrating a preset position of the end plug and sinking to a predetermined depth of the plug joint portion of the container body while the container body and the end plug are coupled to each other, and a rotation prevention member is inserted into the anti-rotation processing groove, thereby preventing the end plug from rotating while coupled to the plug joint portion.

[0018] Therefore, the present invention has the advantage of greatly improving safety and usability by fundamentally preventing various problems that may occur when the end plug is rotated while connected to the plug joint, such as separation of the end plug and fluid leakage.

[0019] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing in detail the appearance of a rotation prevention processing groove in a high-pressure fluid storage container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figures 3 to 6 are drawings sequentially showing the process of manufacturing a high-pressure fluid storage container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 is a drawing showing the structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 is a drawing showing the structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 9 is a drawing showing the structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Fig. 10 is a drawing showing the structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Fig. 11 is a drawing showing the structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Fig. 12 is a drawing showing the structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] In this specification, when it is said that a component (or region, layer, portion, etc.) is “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another component, it means that it can be directly disposed / connected / coupled to the other component, or a third component may be disposed between them.

[0030] Identical drawing numbers indicate identical components. Furthermore, in the drawings, the thicknesses, proportions, and dimensions of components are exaggerated for the purpose of effectively illustrating the technical content.

[0031] “And / or” includes any combination of one or more of the associated constructs that can be defined.

[0032] While terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first component may be referred to as a "second component," and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a "first component." Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0033] Additionally, terms such as "below," "lower," "above," and "upper" are used to describe the relationships between components depicted in the drawings. These terms are relative concepts and are described based on the directions indicated in the drawings.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. Furthermore, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with their meaning in the relevant technical context, and unless interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, they are explicitly defined herein.

[0035] Terms such as "include" or "have" should be understood to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but not to exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container (10) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] And Figure 2 is a drawing showing in detail the appearance of the anti-rotation machining groove (100) in the high-pressure fluid storage container (10) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a high-pressure fluid storage container (10) according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a container body (20) and an end plug (30).

[0040] The container body (20) has a storage space formed therein in which high-pressure fluid is stored, and a plug connection portion (21) is formed at least on one end.

[0041] Such a container body (20) can have various lengths and shapes depending on the application location and purpose.

[0042] In this embodiment, the high-pressure fluid filled in the storage space is exemplified as hydrogen, but the high-pressure fluid applicable to the high-pressure fluid storage container (10) according to the present invention is not limited to hydrogen.

[0043] The end plug (30) is connected to at least one of the two ends of the container body (20), and a fluid passage hole (31) through which fluid flows is formed inside.

[0044] That is, the end plug (30) may be provided only at one end of the container body (20) depending on the shape of the container body (20), or may be provided at both ends of the container body (20).

[0045] The fluid passage hole (31) forms a gas flow path when the high-pressure fluid storage tank (10) is docked to an external filling facility or gas extraction facility.

[0046] Meanwhile, in the case of this embodiment, a rotation prevention processing groove (100) may be formed in the container body (20) and the end plug (30) that penetrates the preset position of the end plug (30) and sinks to a predetermined depth in the plug joint (21) of the container body (20).

[0047] And, in this type of anti-rotation processing groove (100), a rotation prevention member (200) can be inserted to prevent the end plug (30) from rotating while connected to the plug coupling portion (21).

[0048] At this time, the anti-rotation member (200) may be in the form of a headless bolt, but may also be in the form of a general bolt with a head.

[0049] Accordingly, the present invention prevents the end plug (30) from rotating relative to the plug coupling portion (21), and fundamentally prevents various problems that may occur when the end plug (30) rotates while being coupled to the plug coupling portion (210), such as separation of the end plug (30), fluid leakage, etc., thereby greatly improving safety and usability.

[0050] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the anti-rotation machining groove (100) may include a plug penetration hole (110) and a body depression groove (120).

[0051] The plug penetration hole (110) is an area that penetrates the end plug (30) within the entire length of the anti-rotation processing groove (100).

[0052] And the body recessed groove (120) is an area recessed to a predetermined depth in the plug joint (21) of the container body (20) among the entire length of the anti-rotation processing groove (100), and is connected to the plug penetration hole (110).

[0053] In particular, in this embodiment, the end plug (30) includes a body coupling portion (32) inserted into the plug coupling portion (21) of the container body (20), and an expansion shield portion (33) connected to the body coupling portion (32).

[0054] At this time, the extended shielding portion (33) is formed to have a larger cross-sectional area than the body coupling portion (32), and may include an opposing surface that comes into contact with the end surface of the plug coupling portion (21).

[0055] And the plug penetration hole (110) of the anti-rotation processing groove (100) is provided to penetrate the expansion shielding portion (33) of the end plug (30), and the body depression groove (120) is formed to be depressed to a predetermined depth in the plug joint portion (21) on the end surface side of the container body (20).

[0056] Below, the process of manufacturing the high-pressure fluid storage container (10) of the present invention described above will be described in detail.

[0057] Figures 3 to 6 are drawings sequentially showing the process of manufacturing a high-pressure fluid storage container (10) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] First, as shown in Fig. 3, the container body (20) and end plug (30) are manufactured respectively.

[0059] In this process, the container body (20) can be formed by applying a spinning process to a molding pipe having a preset diameter, thereby narrowing the end inward to form a plug joint (21).

[0060] Next, as shown in Fig. 4, the preliminary assembly of the container body (20) and the end plug (30) is performed.

[0061] In this state, as shown in Fig. 5, a rotation prevention groove (100) is tapped into the container body (20) and the end plug (30). That is, a body depression groove (120) is formed in the container body (20), and a plug penetration hole (110) is formed in the end plug (30).

[0062] And after machining the anti-rotation machining groove (100), the container body (20) and the end plug (30) are separated from each other.

[0063] Next, the actual assembly process of the end plug (30) of the container body (20) is performed as shown in Fig. 6.

[0064] In this process, the body joint part (32) of the end plug (30) is inserted into the inside of the plug joint part (21) of the container body (20), and the positions are aligned so that the plug penetration hole (110) and the body recessed groove (120) are in communication with each other.

[0065] In this state, a rotation prevention member (200) is inserted into the rotation prevention processing groove (100).

[0066] Through the above process, the manufacture of a high-pressure fluid storage container (10) in which the container body (20) and the end plug (30) do not rotate relative to each other is completed.

[0067] The present embodiment has been described in detail above, and other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In each embodiment described below, redundant descriptions of components provided in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above will be omitted.

[0068] Figure 7 is a drawing showing the structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container (10) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] The high-pressure fluid storage container (10) of the second embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a container body (20) and an end plug (30) like the first embodiment described above, and is also provided with a rotation-preventing processing groove (100) and a rotation-preventing member (200).

[0070] And the present embodiment has the feature of further including a sealing member (300) provided between the plug joint (21) and the end plug (30) of the container body (20) to prevent gas from leaking between the plug joint (21) and the end plug (30).

[0071] In this embodiment, the sealing member (300) is exemplified as having an O-ring shape, but the shape of the sealing member (300) is not limited to the shape of this embodiment.

[0072] At this time, the sealing member (300) can be provided at any location where it can seal the space between the plug joint (21) and the end plug (30).

[0073] In particular, in the present embodiment, the sealing member (300) has the characteristic of being provided between the inner surface of the plug joint (21) of the container body (20) and the outer surface of the extended shielding portion (33) of the end plug (30).

[0074] To this end, a sealing groove (40) in which a sealing member (300) can be accommodated can be formed between the inner surface of the plug joint (21) of the container body (20) and the outer surface of the extended shielding portion (33) of the end plug (30).

[0075] The reason why the sealing member (300) is positioned in this embodiment is to prevent interference from occurring during the process of processing the anti-rotation machining groove (100) by the sealing member (300) and the process of inserting the anti-rotation member (200) into the anti-rotation machining groove (100).

[0076] That is, when the sealing member (300) is placed between the end surface of the container body (20) and the facing surface of the expanded shield portion (33) of the end plug (30), there is a possibility that the sealing member (300) may be damaged during the process of machining the anti-rotation machining groove (100). However, in the present embodiment, as described above, the sealing member (300) is placed between the inner surface of the plug joint portion (21) of the container body (20) and the outer surface of the expanded shield portion (33) of the end plug (30), thereby preventing such a situation from occurring.

[0077] Figure 8 is a drawing showing the structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] The high-pressure fluid storage container according to the third embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 8 has a sealing groove (40) formed between the inner surface of the plug joint portion (21) of the container body (20) and the outer surface of the expansion shield portion (33) of the end plug (30), as in the second embodiment described above, and a sealing member (400) is provided within the sealing groove (40).

[0079] However, the sealing member (400) applied to this embodiment has the characteristic of being formed in a form that includes a sealing jacket (410) and a pressure spring (420) in detail.

[0080] The sealing jacket (410) is formed of an elastic material so as to fit into the sealing groove (40), and has a shape in which an insertion space (411) with one side open is formed inside.

[0081] At this time, the sealing jacket (410) can be placed in the sealing groove (40) so that the opening of the insertion space (411) faces the storage space direction along the leakage path of the high-pressure fluid.

[0082] Additionally, in this embodiment, the sealing jacket (410) may include a pair of tight sealing portions (413) and a connecting portion (412).

[0083] A pair of sealing parts (413) are provided so that they are in contact with the inner surface of the plug-joining part (21) of the container body (20) or the outer surface of the body-joining part (32) of the end plug (30).

[0084] And the connecting portion (412) connects one side of a pair of sealing portions (413) to each other, and forms an insertion space (411) together with the pair of sealing portions (413).

[0085] That is, the sealing jacket (410) has an insertion space (411) formed inside, and the insertion space (411) has an opening formed in some area.

[0086] More specifically, in this embodiment, a lip (Lip, 413a) protruding in an outwardly curved shape may be formed on the outer surface of the connecting portion (412).

[0087] Such a lip (413) can be elastically deformed to increase airtightness while in contact with the inner surface of the plug joint (21) of the container body (20) or the outer surface of the body joint (32) of the end plug (30).

[0088] Additionally, in this embodiment, a detachment prevention protrusion (413b) may be formed on the connecting portion (412) to extend toward another connecting portion (412) on the opposite side and block a portion of the opening of the receiving space (411).

[0089] Such a detachment prevention protrusion (413b) can prevent a pressure spring (420) inserted into the receiving space (411) from detaching through the opening.

[0090] The pressure spring (420) is formed of a metal material and inserted into the insertion space (411), and provides elastic pressure to both sides centered on the opening of the insertion space (411). Accordingly, the pressure spring (420) can perform the function of bringing the sealing jacket (410) into close contact with the opposing surfaces of the container body (20) and the end plug (30).

[0091] And in this embodiment, the pressure spring (420) has a form including an elastic providing portion (421) and a pair of pressure portions (422).

[0092] Among these, the elasticity providing unit (421) is formed in a curved shape and plays a role in generating elasticity.

[0093] And the pressurizing portion (422) extends from both sides of the elastic providing portion (421) by a predetermined length, and when inserted into the insertion space (411), performs the function of pressing a pair of sealing portions (413) against the inner surface of the plug-joining portion (21) of the container body (20) or the outer surface of the body-joining portion (32) of the end plug (30).

[0094] That is, in this embodiment, the pressure spring (420) has the characteristic of being bent at a predetermined point to generate elastic force and having a cross-section formed in the shape of an open curve.

[0095] Figure 9 is a drawing showing the structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] In the fourth embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 9, a sealing member (400) having the same shape as the third embodiment described above is provided.

[0097] And the sealing jacket (410) of the present embodiment has the characteristic of further including a gap sealing portion (414) formed on one side of the connecting portion (412).

[0098] A gap sealing portion (414) like this is formed in a form with an expanded volume on one side of the connecting portion (412) so that it can fill the gap (G) formed between the container body (20) and the end plug (30), thereby preventing the phenomenon of high-pressure fluid leaking through the gap (G).

[0099] In this embodiment, the gap sealing portion (414) is exemplified as having a cross-section having an arc shape, but it is obvious that the shape of the gap sealing portion (414) can be modified in various ways without limitation.

[0100] Fig. 10 is a drawing showing the structure of a high-pressure fluid storage container according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] In the fifth embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 10, a sealing member (400) having the same shape as the third embodiment described above is provided.

[0102] At this time, the sealing jacket (410) of the present embodiment has the characteristic of further including an auxiliary depression groove (415) that is depressed from the inside of the receiving space (411) toward the connecting portion (412).

[0103] Such auxiliary depression grooves (415) serve to enable a pair of sealing parts (413) to be more easily opened when they are elastically deformed outward by a pressure spring (420).

[0104] In this embodiment, the inner surface of the auxiliary depression (415) is formed in an overall curved shape so as not to be easily broken, but the shape of the auxiliary depression (415) can also be modified in various ways.

[0105] FIG. 11 is a drawing showing the inside of a sealing groove (40) and a sealing jacket (410) in a high-pressure fluid storage container according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] The sixth embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 11 also has a sealing jacket (410) formed to have a shape almost similar to that of the third and fourth embodiments described above, including a connecting portion (412) and a tight sealing portion (413).

[0107] However, in this embodiment, a fluid blocking protrusion (22) protruding a predetermined length toward the inner space of the sealing groove (40) is formed in the container body (20).

[0108] In addition, in this embodiment, the sealing jacket (410) has a shape in which a protrusion insertion groove (416) is formed so that the fluid blocking protrusion (22) can be inserted by being sunken in a shape corresponding to the fluid blocking protrusion (22) based on the state in which the sealing jacket (410) is inserted into the sealing groove (40).

[0109] Accordingly, in this embodiment, since the fluid blocking projection (22) is inserted into the projection insertion groove (416) of the sealing jacket (410) while the sealing jacket (410) is inserted into the sealing groove (40), the high-pressure fluid can be physically blocked from flowing into the gap (G) between the container body (20) and the end plug (30) inside the receiving space of the high-pressure fluid storage container.

[0110] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing the inside of a sealing groove (40) in a high-pressure fluid storage container according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0111] In the seventh embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 12, a plurality of sealing projections (23, 34) protruding toward the inner space of the sealing groove (40) are sequentially arranged on each of the inner surface of the plug-joining portion (21) of the container body (20) and the outer surface of the body-joining portion (32) of the end plug (30).

[0112] Such a sealing projection (23, 34) strongly presses the outer surface of the sealing sealing portion (413) while the sealing jacket (410) is inserted into the sealing groove (40), thereby maximizing the sealing effect.

[0113] As described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms, in addition to the embodiments described above, without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the above description, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A container body having a storage space formed inside where high-pressure fluid is stored and a plug joint formed at at least one end; and An end plug, at least part of which is joined to the plug joint, and having a fluid passage hole formed inside through which fluid flows; Including, In the above container body and the end plug, a rotation prevention processing groove is formed that penetrates the preset position of the end plug and sinks to a predetermined depth of the plug joint portion of the container body. In the above anti-rotation processing groove, a rotation prevention member is inserted to prevent the end plug from rotating while connected to the plug joint. A high pressure fluid storage vessel comprising an end plug rotation prevention structure.

2. In paragraph 1, The above anti-rotation processing groove is, A plug through hole penetrating the above end plug; and A body recessed groove that is connected to the plug penetration hole and is sunken into the plug joint of the container body to a predetermined depth; Including, A high pressure fluid storage vessel comprising an end plug rotation prevention structure.

3. In paragraph 1, The above end plug is, A body joint inserted into the plug joint; and It further includes an extended shielding portion that is connected to the body joint portion and is formed to have a larger cross-sectional area than the body joint portion and comes into contact with the end face of the plug joint portion. A high pressure fluid storage vessel comprising an end plug rotation prevention structure.

4. In paragraph 3, The above anti-rotation processing groove penetrates the expansion shield and sinks to a predetermined depth in the plug joint of the container body. A high pressure fluid storage vessel comprising an end plug rotation prevention structure.

5. In paragraph 3, Further comprising a sealing member provided between the plug joint and the end plug to prevent gas from leaking between the plug joint and the end plug. A high pressure fluid storage vessel comprising an end plug rotation prevention structure.

6. In paragraph 5, The above sealing member is provided between the inner surface of the plug joint and the outer surface of the expansion shield. A high pressure fluid storage vessel comprising an end plug rotation prevention structure.

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