JP2883789B2 - Hydrogen fueled vehicles - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hydrogen-fueled vehicle which is powered by hydrogen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional hydrogen-fueled vehicle is shown in a block diagram of FIG. The hydrogen gas released from the hydrogen storage tank 100 is sent to a hydrogen-air fuel cell 101, which supplies power to a running motor 102, a cooling compressor 103, and other electric loads (not shown) for a vehicle. I do. The exhaust heat of the fuel cell 101 is sent to the hydrogen storage tank 100 by the hot water circulated by the pump 104, and is consumed as the amount of heat absorbed when releasing hydrogen.

[0003] The compressor 103 is operated as a normal refrigeration cycle apparatus using a fluoride gas as a refrigerant, similarly to a normal vehicle cooling apparatus, whereby heat is absorbed by the evaporator 105 and heat is released by the condenser 106.

[0004]

However, the above-described apparatus has the following problems. First, the amount of hydrogen gas generated in the hydrogen storage tank 100 depends on the amount of heat transferred from the fuel cell 101 to the hydrogen storage tank 100, while the amount of exhaust heat of the fuel cell 101 depends on the amount of power generation, that is, the amount of hydrogen consumed. The amount of hydrogen gas generated depends on the temperature state of the fuel cell 101, and the control is not easy.

For example, when the vehicle starts running, the fuel cell 1
No. 01 has not started to generate heat, and even after the start, the temperature of the hot water from the fuel cell 101 is low for a while, and the hydrogen storage tank 100 cannot release sufficient hydrogen gas. In addition, it has been strongly expected that the refrigeration cycle apparatus using a fluoride gas as a refrigerant, which has been widely used as a vehicle cooling apparatus, is stopped in terms of environmental destruction due to chlorofluorocarbons.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can improve the controllability of the amount of hydrogen gas generated.
An object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen-fueled vehicle capable of realizing a vehicle cooling device having a simple configuration without using Freon.

[0007]

The hydrogen-fueled vehicle according to the present invention is provided with a heat exchanger, three or more heat-absorption tanks for storing metal hydrides, and a compressor for compressing hydrogen gas. A suction-side transfer pipe connecting the respective heat-absorbing / heating tanks and a suction port of the compressor via a valve so that hydrogen gas can be transferred; and each of the heat-absorbing / heating tanks and a discharge port of the compressor via a valve. A discharge-side transfer pipe connecting hydrogen gas to be able to transfer hydrogen gas; control means for sequentially opening and closing the valves to sequentially switch communication between each of the heat-absorbing / heating tanks and one of the two pipes; And a power source for generating power using pressurized hydrogen gas supplied from a transfer pipe via a valve as fuel.

As a power source, a hydrogen fuel cell or a hydrogen engine can be employed.

[0009]

In the cooling operation, the compressor is driven, and the compressor pumps hydrogen gas from the suction-side transfer pipe to the discharge-side transfer pipe. Some of the heat absorbing / heating tanks release hydrogen gas to a suction side transfer pipe through a valve, and the cold generated at this time is transported to the outside through a heat exchanger for air conditioning. Some other heat-absorbing and heat-absorbing tanks absorb hydrogen gas from the discharge-side transfer pipe through valves,
The heat generated at this time is transported outside through the heat exchanger.

[0010] The control means sequentially switches each heat absorbing / heating tank to a suction side transfer pipeline and a discharge side transfer pipeline. The power source generates power using hydrogen gas supplied from the discharge-side transfer pipe as fuel. In an example when the cooling operation is stopped, the compressor is driven to supply hydrogen gas to the motive power source, while heat is supplied from the outside air or the motive power source to the heat absorbing and discharging tank that discharges the hydrogen gas.

In an example when the cooling operation is stopped, the compressor is also stopped, and heat is supplied from the power source to the heat absorbing / heating tank that supplies pressurized hydrogen gas to the power source.

[0012]

As described above, the hydrogen-fueled vehicle of the present invention employs a configuration in which the power source is supplied with pressurized hydrogen gas from the discharge-side transfer pipe of the compressor pressurized hydrogen storage / release type air conditioner. Therefore, the following effects are achieved as compared with the conventional method in which the amount of hydrogen gas released from the heat absorbing / heating tank depends on the exhaust heat of the fuel cell.

First, since the hydrogen gas is sucked from the heat absorbing / heating tank by the compressor, the fluctuation of the amount of hydrogen gas released due to the exhaust heat temperature of the power source can be suppressed, and even if the temperature of the heat absorbing / heating tank is low, it is sufficient. An appropriate amount of hydrogen gas can be released, and stable control of the flow rate of hydrogen gas supplied to the power source can be realized. For example, even when the fuel cell used as a power source at the start of traveling is at a low temperature, a sufficient supply of hydrogen gas can be realized by driving the compressor.

Second, a compressor of a vehicle air conditioner such as a cooling device can be shared with a fuel supply compressor. Third, since a fluorine compound gas is not used as a vehicle air conditioner, environmental degradation can be prevented. Fourth, since there are three or more heat absorbing / heating tanks, the heat absorbing / heating tanks can stably release hydrogen regardless of the hydrogen consumption of the fuel cell or the hydrogen engine, and the cooling output can be stabilized.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. 1 is a running motor,
Power is supplied from an output terminal of a fuel cell (power source in the present invention) 2 through a power supply line L. A large number of cells are connected in series inside the fuel cell 2 so that a required voltage can be output. The power line L is connected to the high end of the auxiliary battery 3 and the motors M1 and M2. The motor M1 drives the air compressor 4, and the motor M2 is a compressor 7 for compressing hydrogen gas.
Drive. The air compressor 4 pressurizes the outside air to the required pressure (several atmospheric pressure)
And supplied to an oxygen chamber (not shown) of the fuel cell 2. The air having a reduced oxygen content in the oxygen chamber is discharged to the outside air through a predetermined flow rate adjusting means (not shown).

Reference numeral 5 denotes a suction-side transfer line for transporting hydrogen gas, 6 denotes a discharge-side transfer line for transporting hydrogen gas, and 7 denotes hydrogen gas sucked from the suction-side transfer line 5 at about 10 atm. And discharges it to the discharge-side transfer pipeline 6. 4
Numeral 0 denotes a flow rate control valve or a pressure control valve, and a hydrogen gas flow rate corresponding to a required electric power from the discharge side transfer pipe line 6 to a hydrogen chamber (not shown) of the fuel cell 2 according to the opening degree corresponds to a required pressure (number). (Atmospheric pressure).

Numeral 8a denotes an electromagnetic opening / closing valve (a valve in the present invention) for individually controlling the introduction and control of hydrogen gas into each of the heat absorbing / heating tanks 11 to 18, and is provided for each of the heat absorbing / heating tanks 11 to 18. Then, the hydrogen gas in the discharge-side transfer pipe 6 is introduced into each of the heat absorbing / heating tanks 11 to 18 through the valve 8a and a check valve connected in series with the valve 8a. Each endothermic and exothermic heat tank 11~18 LaNi ₅ · M
Metal hydrides such as mNi ₅ (Mm is a Mitsumi metal) and FeTi are stored. These metal hydrides are well known to absorb heat by a dehydrogenation reaction and generate heat by a hydrogenation reaction. The valve 8b is connected to each of the heat absorbing / heating tanks 11 to
An electromagnetic on-off valve (a valve in the present invention) for individually controlling the outflow of the hydrogen gas released from 18 to the suction-side transfer pipe line 5;
It is provided for each of the heat absorbing / heating tanks 11 to 18. Then, each of the heat absorbing / heating tanks 11 to 18 is connected to the suction side transfer pipe 5 through the valve 8b.
Releases hydrogen.

A cooling water pump P1 and a cooling water (or brine) pump P2 are provided for air conditioning.
The cooling water pump P1 sends the cooling water sucked from the cooling water pipe 91 to the radiator 92, and the cooling water cooled by the radiator 92 is sent to the cooling water pipe 93. The chilled water pump P2 sends the chilled water sucked from the chilled water pipe 94 to the cooling air conditioner 98 through the electromagnetic three-way valve 95, the heat storage tank 96, and the electromagnetic three-way valve 97, and the chilled water heated by the air conditioner 98 is sent to the cooling water pipe 99. Sent.

Reference numeral 9a denotes an electromagnetic three-way valve,
Each electromagnetic three-way valve 9a connects one of the pipes 93 and 99 to the inlet of the heat exchangers 11a to 18a incorporated in each of the heat absorbing and heating tanks 11 to 18. Reference numeral 9b denotes an electromagnetic three-way valve, which is provided for each of the heat absorbing / heating tanks 11 to 18. Each electromagnetic three-way valve 9b has a heat exchange built in one of the pipes 91 and 94 and each of the heat absorbing / heating tanks 11 to 18. Vessels 11a-1
8a is connected to the outlet.

Reference numeral 2a denotes a heat exchanger built in the fuel cell 2, which is connected to lines 93 and 99 through an electromagnetic three-way valve 9c and connected to lines 91 and 94 through an electromagnetic three-way valve 9d. Controller (control means in the present invention) 10
Has a built-in microcomputer, running motor 1, compressor 7,
Drive control of rotating devices such as the pumps P1 and P2, opening control of the valve 40, and opening / closing control of the valves 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d are performed.

Hereinafter, various operation modes of the air-conditioning-traveling drive system will be described. (Cooling-power generation mode) However, to simplify the explanation,
The controller 10 opens and closes the valves 8a to 9d periodically, and it is assumed that the compressors 4, 7 and the pumps P1, P2 are driven at a desired rotation speed.

First, the cooling operation will be described. Here, it is assumed that the heat absorbing / heating tank 11 operates as a hydrogen storage tank, and the heat absorbing / heating tank 12 operates as a hydrogen releasing tank. The valve 8a attached to the heat absorbing / heating tank 11 and the valve 8b attached to the heat absorbing / heating tank 12 are opened, and the other valves 8a, 8b are closed. The valves 9a and 9b attached to the heat absorbing and heating tank 12 communicate the heat exchanger 12a and the cold water pipes 94 and 99, and the remaining valves 9a and 9b cool the other heat exchangers 11a and 13a to 18a. Water pipeline 91, 9
And 3 is communicated.

In this way, hydrogen gas is released from the heat absorbing / heating tank 12 to the suction side transfer line 5, and the compressor 7 pressurizes it and discharges it to the discharge side transfer line 6. Road 6
Hydrogen gas is stored in the heat absorbing / heating tank 11. Heat absorbing / heating tank 12
Of the air conditioner 9 through the heat storage tank 96 by the pump P2.
The heat generated in the heat absorbing / heating tank 11 is sent to the radiator 92 by the pump P1 and released to the outside air.

Next, the power generation operation will be described. Valve 40
Is extracted from the high pressure (about 10 atm) discharge side transfer line 6,
The pressure is reduced to a desired pressure and supplied to the fuel cell 2. The fuel cell 2 supplies electric power generated by a cell reaction of the supplied hydrogen gas and oxygen gas to the traveling motor 1, and supplies the remaining electric power to various vehicle electric loads and the auxiliary battery 3. The control of the power generated by the load fluctuation of the fuel cell 2 is mainly performed by adjusting the opening of the valve 40. The heat exchanger 2 a communicates with the pipes 91 and 93 through the electromagnetic three-way valves 9 c and 9 d, and the heat generated by the fuel cell 2 is radiated to the radiator 92.

Next, when the heat absorbing / heating tank 12 becomes empty, the valve 8b attached to the heat absorbing / heating tank 12 is closed, and the valve 8b attached to the heat absorbing / heating tank 13 is opened. Further, valves 9a and 9b attached to the heat absorbing and heating tank 13 communicate the heat exchanger 13a with the cold water pipes 94 and 99, and the remaining valves 9a and 9b are connected to the other heat exchangers 11 and 9, respectively.
a, 12a, 14a to 18a and the cooling water pipes 91, 93 are communicated. As a result, the heat absorbing / heating tank 13 operates as a hydrogen releasing tank. The detection of the empty state can be performed by detecting the temperature or pressure in the tank, the pipe temperature or pressure, or the flow rate of hydrogen gas.

Next, when the heat absorbing / heating tank 11 is fully filled with hydrogen gas, the valve 8a attached to the heat absorbing / heating tank 11 is closed, and the valve 8a attached to the heat absorbing / heating tank 12 is opened. This allows
The heat absorbing / heating tank 12 operates as a hydrogen storage tank. The detection of the full filling can be performed by detecting the temperature or pressure in the tank, the temperature or pressure of the pipeline, or the flow rate of hydrogen gas. Next, even when the heat absorbing and heating tank 12 is fully filled with hydrogen gas and when the heat absorbing and heating tank 13 is emptied, the heat absorbing and heating tank 13 operates as a hydrogen storage tank in the same procedure as described above. The heating tank 14 operates as a hydrogen releasing tank. Hereinafter, each of the heat absorbing / heating tanks 11 to 11 will be sequentially described.
18 sequentially performs hydrogen storage and hydrogen release to generate cold heat.

The heat storage tank 96 is provided to improve the temporary imbalance between the amount of cold generated by the heat absorbing and heating tanks 11 to 18 and the required amount of cold from the air conditioner 98, but can be omitted. is there. When it is not necessary to store excess cold energy or generate insufficient cold energy, the cooling water may be circulated around the heat storage tank 96 by switching the electromagnetic three-way valves 95 and 97. (Cooling / heating-non-power generation mode) Next, when the power generation of the fuel cell 2 is stopped, for example, when the traveling motor 1 is stopped, the valve 40 may be closed and the compressor 4 may be stopped.

(Example of cooling / heating stop-power generation mode)
An example of the power generation operation at the time of cooling / heating stop will be described. In this case, in principle, the pumps P1 and P2 are stopped, and the hydrogen gas discharged from the non-empty tank among the heat absorbing / heating tanks 11 to 18 is supplied to the compressor 7, the discharge side transfer line 6, and the valve 4
0 to the fuel cell 2.

This mode is suitable when the fuel cell 2 is in a cooling state. Next, another example of the power generation operation when the cooling / heating is stopped will be described. In this case, the pump P1 is operated, and the pump P2 and the compressor 7 are stopped. The hydrogen gas discharged from any of the heat absorbing / heating tanks 11 to 18 toward the discharge side transfer pipe 6 is supplied to the fuel cell 2 through the valve 40. The heat generated in the fuel cell 2 is
A is circulated to the radiator 92 through a. At this time, the heat exchanger built in the heat-absorbing / heating tank which is releasing hydrogen gas is connected to the pipelines 91 and 93 by switching the valves 9a and 9b, thereby a part of the heat received by the heat exchanger 2a. Is supplied to the hydrogen release tank. In this case, the radiator 92
It is preferable to add a bypass pipe to the apparatus and control the flow rate of the bypass pipe so that the heat received by the heat exchanger 2a is not radiated by the radiator 92 but is supplied to the hydrogen release tank as much as possible.

(Example of heating / power generation mode) In this case, as in the other examples of the cooling / heating stop / power generation mode described above,
The electromagnetic three-way valves 9c and 9d are switched to the cold water pipes 93 and 94. Then, the pump P1 is stopped, and the pump P2 is operated. In this way, the amount of heat received by the heat exchanger 2 can be supplied to the air conditioner 98 and the hydrogen discharge tank.

(Other example of heating / power generation mode) In this case, as in the above-described example of the cooling / heating stop-power generation mode,
By controlling the switching of each of the electromagnetic three-way valves 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, the amount of heat received by the heat exchanger 2 is supplied to the air conditioner 98 and the hydrogen discharge tank, and the amount of heat generated by the hydrogen storage tank is also supplied to the air conditioner. In this case, however, the pump P1 is operated and the valves 9a and 9b provided with the hydrogen release tank are switched to the pipe lines 91 and 93 so that the required heat absorption of the hydrogen discharge tank can be absorbed from the outside air through the radiator 92. If the amount of heat generated by the fuel cell 2 and the hydrogen storage tank is excessive, it can be used.

(Heating-power generation stop mode) In this case,
The compressor 7, the pumps P1 and P2 are operated, and the heat absorbing /
1 to 18 are sequentially switched and controlled as a hydrogen storage tank and a hydrogen release tank in the same manner as described above. The amount of heat absorbed by the hydrogen release tank is supplied from the radiator 92, and the amount of heat generated by the hydrogen storage tank is supplied to the air conditioner 98.

As described above, in the hydrogen-fueled vehicle of the present invention, since the cooling and heating system and the fuel cell power generation system are realized with a common device configuration, the device configuration is simpler than when they are separately configured. In addition, the amount of hydrogen gas supplied to the fuel cell 2 can be stably controlled, and the use of a fluorine compound gas can be avoided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 is a fuel cell (power source in the present invention), 5 is a transfer pipe on the suction side, 6 is a transfer pipe on the discharge side, 7 is a compressor, 8a and 8b are solenoid on-off valves (valves in the present invention), 9a , 9b are electromagnetic three-way valves, 10 is a controller (control means in the present invention), 1
Numerals 1 to 18 are heat absorbing and heating tanks.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI H01M 8/06 H01M 8/06 R (72) Inventor Masayoshi Miura 2-1-1 Toyota-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Prefecture Toyota Industries Corporation (72) Inventor Nobuo Fujita 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Aoki 41 No. 41, Chukumi Yokomichi, Nagakute-cho, Aichi County, Aichi Prefecture 1 Toyota Central Research Institute, Inc. 72) Inventor Hiroyuki Mitsui 41 Toyoda Central Research Laboratories Co., Ltd., 41-cho, Yokomichi, Nagakute-cho, Aichi-gun, Aichi Prefecture (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) F02B 43/10 F02M 21/02

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A heat exchanger is provided and three or more heat absorbing / heating tanks for storing metal hydrides, a compressor for compressing hydrogen gas, and each of said heat absorbing / heating tanks via a valve. A suction-side transfer pipe connecting the suction port of the compressor so as to transfer hydrogen gas, and a discharge-side transfer pipe connecting each of the heat-absorbing / heating tanks and the discharge port of the compressor via a valve so as to transfer hydrogen gas. Control means for sequentially controlling the opening and closing of each valve so as to sequentially switch the communication between each of the heat absorbing and heating tanks and one of the two pipe lines; and pressurized water supplied from the discharge side transfer pipe line via a valve. A hydrogen-fueled vehicle comprising: a power source that generates power using raw gas as fuel.