JP3566352B2 - Gas supply device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a gas supply device, and more particularly to a gas supply device configured to estimate a residual pressure of a tank to be charged before gas filling.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, as a gas supply device for supplying compressed natural gas (CNG) obtained by compressing natural gas to another tank, there is a device as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-64699. The apparatus of this publication employs a method of rapidly filling the compressed gas, in which the gas pressurized to a predetermined pressure or more by the compressor is temporarily stored in a gas supply tank, and then stored in the gas supply tank. Gas is injected into a fuel tank (a tank to be filled) of an automobile, and the fuel tank is filled until a predetermined pressure is reached.
[0003]
The amount of gas supplied to the fuel tank of the car is measured by a flow meter, so that the total flow rate filled in the fuel tank can be known, and the pressure filled in the fuel tank outputs a signal corresponding to the pressure. Can be detected by a detector. A connecting member (for example, a quick coupler or the like) connected to a connecting portion (for example, a quick coupler or the like) of the fuel tank is provided at a tip of the gas filling hose drawn from the apparatus main body. The connecting member is connected to the fuel tank of the vehicle before gas supply, and is removed from the fuel tank after gas filling is completed.
[0004]
However, if the pressure inside the connecting member is high, the connecting member cannot be removed from the connecting portion of the fuel tank. By switching the provided manual three-way valve, the residual gas in the connection member is collected in the low-pressure tank, and the pressure in the connection member is reduced to the atmospheric pressure. Then, before switching the three-way valve, the operator closes the on-off valve provided at the connection part of the fuel tank in order to prevent the gas filled in the fuel tank from flowing out to the low-pressure tank.
[0005]
Therefore, the operator confirms that the on-off valve provided at the connection portion of the fuel tank is closed before reducing the pressure in the connection member to the atmospheric pressure, and switches the three-way valve to remain in the connection member. The high-pressure gas to be recovered is collected in a low-pressure tank, and the inside of the connection member is depressurized.
[0006]
When the decompression operation in the connection member is completed, the connection member can be detached from the connection portion of the fuel tank with a small force.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the gas supply device having the above-described configuration, when the fuel tank is filled with the fuel tank, the gas can be filled irrespective of the residual pressure in the fuel tank. Therefore, it is not necessary to measure the pressure remaining in the fuel tank. Therefore, in the case of full filling, after connecting the connecting member to the connecting portion of the fuel tank, the gas is filled by gradually increasing the gas supply pressure by the pressure control operation of the pressure control valve. Was measured by a flow meter until the predetermined pressure was reached.
[0008]
However, when prefilling only a certain amount specified by the customer instead of filling up the tank, the pressure difference between the pressure remaining in the fuel tank and the gas supply pressurelargeWhen the supply flow rate of the fuel tank rises rapidly and fills more than a specified amount of gas, the pressure control operation of the pressure control valve is performed based on the pressure remaining in the fuel tank. There must be.
[0009]
Therefore, before filling the tank to be filled, the gas supply opening / closing valve is opened to maintain the inside of the gas supply line at a predetermined pressure, and after connecting the gas supply line to the connection portion of the tank to be filled, the pressure detection means It has been considered to estimate the residual pressure of the tank to be filled before filling from the pressure value detected by the method.
[0010]
However, before filling the tank to be filled in this way, the gas supply on-off valve is opened and the inside of the gas supply pipe is set to a predetermined pressure (for example, 200 kgf / cm).²), The inside of the gas-filled hose is also held at a predetermined pressure, and the flexible gas-filled hose has rigidity due to the internal pressure. Therefore, when connecting the connecting member provided at the tip of the gas filling hose to the connection portion of the tank to be filled during the gas filling operation, the gas filling hose becomes considerably hard, and the worker works in such a way that the connection operation is difficult to perform. Can not.
[0011]
In addition, since the pressure inside the gas supply pipe and the gas filling hose is increased to a predetermined pressure even when the gas is not charged, a considerably high pressure is applied to the flexible gas filling hose, so that the connection portion at the end of the hose is overloaded. I am worried.
[0012]
Moreover, since it takes time to increase the pressure in the gas supply pipe and the gas filling hose to a predetermined pressure before filling the tank to be filled, a waiting time is required until the pressure is increased after the previous gas filling operation is completed. Gas filling operation cannot be performed continuously.
[0013]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gas supply device that solves the above-mentioned problems.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention provides a gas supply tank for storing compressed gas,
A gas supply pipe connected to the gas supply tank and guiding the gas supplied from the gas supply tank to the tank to be filled;
A gas supply opening / closing valve disposed in the gas supply line;
A pressure control valve for controlling the pressure of the gas supply line,
PreviousNotePressure detection means disposed in the gas supply pipe so as to be located downstream of the gas supply on-off valve, and detecting a pressure in the gas supply pipe,
A gas-filled hose having one end connected to the downstream end of the gas supply pipe and the other end connected to a fill-side pipe having a check valve of the tank to be filled;
After the end of the gas filling hose is connected to the tank to be filled, the gas supply opening / closing valve is opened, and the valve opening of the pressure control valve is made very small so that the gas at a small flow rate is supplied to the gas filling hose. Gas filling supply start means for supplying to the tank to be filled through,
Pressure change detecting means for detecting a pressure change rate in the gas supply pipe from a pressure value detected by the pressure detecting means while supplying a small flow rate of gas by the gas filling supply starting means,
Pressure estimating means for estimating the residual pressure of the tank to be filled based on the pressure value detected by the pressure detecting means when it is detected that the pressure rise rate detected by the pressure change detecting means has decreased; ,
When the pressure estimating means estimates the residual pressure in the tank to be filled, the valve opening of the pressure control valve is adjusted based on the estimated residual pressure to fill the gas to be supplied to the tank to be filled. Filling pressure control means for controlling pressure,
It is characterized by comprising.
[0015]
[Action]
According to the present invention, after the end of the gas filling hose is connected to the tank to be filled, the gas supply opening / closing valve is opened, and the valve opening of the pressure control valve is made very small, so that a gas with a small flow rate is supplied to the gas filling hose. When the pressure change rate detected by the pressure change detecting means is detected to be lower than the pressure change rate detected by the pressure change detecting means, the residual pressure in the filled tank is determined based on the pressure value detected by the pressure detecting means. Estimate pressureThe filling pressure of the gas supplied to the filling tank is controlled by adjusting the valve opening of the pressure control valve based on the estimated residual pressure.I do. Therefore, when a check valve is provided in the tank to be filled, the residual pressure in the tank to be filled is estimated at the timing when the rate of pressure rise due to the opening of the check valve is reduced, and the supply pressure is determined by the supply pressure according to the residual pressure. Gas filling of the tank can be performed. Therefore, even when only a predetermined amount specified by the customer is pre-filled, a sudden increase in the supply flow rate to the fuel tank can be prevented and the specified amount of gas can be accurately filled.
[0016]
【Example】
1 to 4 show an embodiment of a gas supply device according to the present invention.
[0017]
In each figure, a gas supply device 1 is installed at a gas supply station that supplies compressed natural gas (CNG) obtained by compressing city gas to a predetermined pressure to a fuel tank (filled tank) 3 of an automobile 2, for example.
[0018]
The gas supply device 1 generally includes a pressure generation unit 4 that compresses city gas to a predetermined pressure to generate a pressurized gas, and a dispenser unit that supplies the gas compressed by the pressure generation unit 4 to the fuel tank 3. 5 and more.
[0019]
In the pressure generating unit 4, a multi-stage compressor 12 for compressing gas is disposed in a branch line 11 connected to a medium-pressure line 10 before city gas or the like is branched to homes. The compressor 12 is provided with, for example, a plurality of (three or four) cylinders for compressing gas, and pressurizes the gas compressed by the previous cylinder to a higher pressure by the next cylinder. The gas supplied from the medium pressure line 10 is compressed stepwise.
[0020]
Further, a check valve 14 for preventing backflow of gas generated by the compressor 12, an on-off valve 17 composed of an electromagnetic valve, and a pressure transmitter 18 are arranged in the high-pressure pipe 13 drawn from the compressor 12. Is established. Further, a high-pressure gas accumulator 16 is connected to an end of a branch pipe 15 branched from the high-pressure pipe 13. The high-pressure gas accumulator 16 is generally called a gas accumulator in literatures and the like.
[0021]
When the compressor 12 is driven with the on-off valve 17 closed, the high-pressure gas compressed by the compressor 12 is supplied to the high-pressure gas accumulator 16. In this embodiment, the compressor 12 has a high pressure gas accumulator 16 of 250 kgf / cm.²The compressed gas is supplied until the pressure increases.
[0022]
The pressure transmitter 18 is provided with a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the gas flowing through the high-pressure pipe 13, and transmits a detection signal corresponding to the gas pressure to the control circuit 19 and the control device 47.
[0023]
Therefore, in the step where the gas compressed by the compressor 12 is supplied to the high-pressure gas accumulator 16, the on-off valve 17 is closed by a command from the control device 47. Then, when the pressure in the high-pressure gas accumulator 16 reaches a predetermined pressure, the pressure generating unit 4 enters a standby state in which a filling operation can be performed.
[0024]
The pressure generating unit 4 and the dispenser unit 5 are connected via a gas supply pipe 28. The gas supply line 28 extending into the dispenser unit 5 is provided with a gas supply opening / closing valve 29 composed of an electromagnetic valve for communicating or blocking the gas supply line 28, and a gas supply / discharge valve 1. A primary pressure transmitter 30 for detecting a secondary pressure, a mass flow meter 31 for measuring a supply amount of gas flowing through a gas supply line 28, and a pressure control for controlling a gas pressure supplied to a downstream side to a predetermined pressure. A valve 32, a secondary pressure transmitter 33 for detecting a secondary pressure controlled by the pressure control valve 32, a manual three-way valve 34, and an emergency disconnecting coupler 35 for separating when pulled by a predetermined force or more. , Are arranged.
[0025]
The mass flow meter 31 vibrates a pipe called a sensor tube, and the phase difference between the inflow side and the outflow side of the pipe due to Coriolis force corresponding to the gas flow rate flowing in the vibrating pipe is proportional to the flow rate. It is a Coriolis type mass flow meter that measures a flow rate by using a mass spectrometer. Therefore, the mass flow meter 31 can accurately measure the mass flow rate of the gas compressed to a high pressure, and controls the flow rate measurement value per unit time (or the number of flow rate pulses per unit time) during the gas filling operation. Output to the device 47.
[0026]
The pressure control valve 32 controls the gas supply amount (the flow rate is determined by pressure × time) to be supplied to the fuel tank 3 by controlling the filling pressure in accordance with a command from the control device 47, as well as at the start of filling and at the time of filling. At the end, the pressure is controlled so that the filling pressure gradually changes (increases or decreases in pressure) to prevent each device from being damaged by a sudden change in pressure.
[0027]
The gas supply opening / closing valve 29 functions as a main valve of the pressure generating unit 4 and automatically opens or closes in response to a command from the control device 47. The gas supply on-off valve 29 may be a manual on-off valve instead of an electromagnetic valve.
[0028]
The primary pressure transmitter 30 and the secondary pressure transmitter 33 transmit a detection signal corresponding to the pressure detected at each mounting position to the control device 47.
[0029]
The three-way valve 34 is configured to be switched by a manual operation. Before and after gas filling, the filling port b and the exhaust port c are communicated, and the inflow port a is shut off. Further, at the time of gas filling, switching operation is performed so that the inflow port a and the filling port b communicate with each other and the exhaust port c is shut off.
[0030]
Further, one end of a gas filling hose 37 that can withstand high-pressure gas is connected to the emergency disconnecting coupler 35, and a gas filling pipe 39 is connected to the other end of the gas filling hose 37.
[0031]
An attachable / detachable coupler 40 is provided at an end of the gas filling pipe 39. The detachable coupler 40 is hooked on a coupler hook 36 provided on the side surface of the housing of the dispenser unit 5. The coupler retaining portion 36 is provided with a coupler housing switch 36a that is turned on when the detachable coupler 40 is engaged, and is switched from on to off when the detachable coupler 40 is detached.
[0032]
The exhaust port c of the three-way valve 34 is connected to a low-pressure pipe 41 that allows the residual gas in the detachable coupler 40 to escape to the outside so that the detachable coupler 40 can be detached after the gas supply is completed. The low-pressure pipe 41 is connected to a gas recovery path that opens to the atmosphere or recovers residual gas in the coupler 40.
[0033]
In addition, the emergency disconnect coupler 35 releases the connection when the vehicle 2 starts while the detachable coupler 40 is still connected to the detachable coupler 42 on the fuel tank 3 side, and a check provided inside the emergency disconnect coupler 35. A valve (not shown) closes to prevent gas leakage.
[0034]
The detachable coupler 40 and the detachable coupler 42 are each provided with a check valve (not shown) inside. When not connected to each other, the check valve closes, and the detachable coupler 40 is detached from the detachable coupler 40. When the coupler 42 is connected, each check valve is displaced to the valve-opening position to be in a mutually communicating state.
[0035]
Reference numeral 43 denotes a display, which displays the gas filling amount and the filling pressure filled in the fuel tank 3.
[0036]
The control device 47 is connected to each of the above-described devices, and is also connected to a start button 51, a display 52, an alarm device 53, a filling display lamp 54, a gas release lamp 55, and a stop button 56.
[0037]
The memory (ROM) 48 of the control device 47 has a gas filling program for filling the fuel tank 3 with gas, and the secondary pressure transmitter 33 detects when the detachable coupler 40 is connected to the detachable coupler 42 of the fuel tank 3. A pressure estimating program for estimating the residual pressure of the fuel tank 3 based on the set pressure value, and a supply pressure at the start of gas filling is set to a pressure higher than the estimated residual pressure of the fuel tank 3 by a predetermined value. And a pressure adjustment program for adjusting the set pressure of the pressure control valve 32.
[0038]
Accordingly, the control device 47 calculates the flow rate by integrating the flow rate pulses output from the mass flow meter 31 based on each of the programs, and also controls the gas supply on-off valve 29, the primary pressure transmitter 30, the mass flow meter 31 , The pressure control valve 32, the operation control of the secondary pressure transmitter 33, and the flow rate correction of the flow rate measurement value measured by the mass flow meter 31. The control device 47 and the control circuit 19 exchange control signals with each other, and control each device in cooperation with each other.
[0039]
A pipe 44 connected to the fuel tank 3 of the automobile 2 filled with the high-pressure gas has a detachable coupler 42 to which the detachable coupler 40 of the dispenser unit 5 is coupled from the upstream side, and a manual coupler for filling the gas. A manual opening / closing valve 45 that is opened by operation and a check valve 46 that prevents the gas filled in the fuel tank 3 from flowing back are provided.
[0040]
Next, a gas charging operation in the gas supply device 1 having the above configuration will be described.
[0041]
When filling the fuel tank 3 of the vehicle 2 with gas, an operator first removes the detachable coupler 40 from the coupler engaging portion 36 of the dispenser unit 5 and connects the detachable coupler 40 to the detachable coupler 42 of the vehicle 2. Then, the manual opening / closing valve 45 of the automobile 2 is opened, and switching is performed so that the inflow port a and the filling port b of the three-way valve 34 communicate with each other.
[0042]
Next, when the operator operates the start button 51 to turn on, the control device 47 opens the on-off valve 17 and opens the gas supply on-off valve 29. Accordingly, the high-pressure gas stored in the high-pressure gas accumulator 16 is charged into the fuel tank 3 via the gas supply line 28, the gas filling hose 37, the detachable couplers 40 and 42, the gas filling line 39, and the line 44. Is done.
[0043]
Immediately after the start of filling, the valve opening of the pressure control valve 32 disposed in the gas supply line 28 is slightly narrowed, and the pressure from the high-pressure gas accumulator 16 to each device is reduced by the gas from the high-pressure gas accumulator 16. Protect each device from high pressure gas. Then, when a predetermined time (for example, about 5 seconds) elapses, the valve opening of the pressure control valve 32 is gradually opened to increase the gas charging flow rate.
[0044]
When the fuel tank 3 is filled with gas in this way and becomes full, the pressure of the fuel tank 3 becomes approximately 200 kgf / cm.²It becomes.
[0045]
The gas filling amount that has passed through the gas supply pipe 28 is measured by the mass flow meter 31, and a voltage value (phase difference between the inflow side and the outflow side) according to the gas filling amount is used as a flow rate measurement signal by the controller 47. Is output to The control device 47 integrates the supply pressure detected by the secondary pressure transmitter 33 and the flow measurement value from the mass flow meter 31 and displays the amount of gas filling the fuel tank 3 on the display 43. .
[0046]
When the filling of the fuel tank 3 with the gas is completed, the operator connects the filling port b and the exhaust port c of the three-way valve 34 and shuts off the inflow port a. The exhaust port c exhausts the gas remaining in the gas filling hose 37, the detachable couplers 40 and 42 and the gas filling conduit 39 via the low-pressure conduit 41, and depressurizes the gas. To Thereby, the operator can draw the gas filling hose 37 with a light force, and the efficiency of the filling operation can be improved.
[0047]
Further, after closing the manual opening / closing valve 45 on the vehicle 2 side, the worker separates the detachable coupler 40 of the dispenser unit 5 from the detachable coupler 42 of the vehicle 2 and locks the coupler on the coupler locking portion 36. When the stop button 56 is turned on, a series of gas filling operations is completed.
[0048]
Here, the processing executed by the control device 47 of the gas supply device 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0049]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the gas filling start or stop processing. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process executed at predetermined time intervals during a gas filling operation.
[0050]
The operator connects the detachable coupler 40 provided at the tip of the gas filling hose 37 to the detachable coupler 42 of the fuel tank 3 and then opens the manual opening / closing valve 45 provided on the vehicle 2. At this time, since the high-pressure gas does not remain in the gas filling hose 37, the gas filling hose 37 can be drawn lightly, and the connection work of the detachable coupler 40 can be easily performed.
[0051]
Then, the operator turns on the start button 51 to start gas filling.
[0052]
In FIG. 2, step S1 (hereinafter, "step" is omitted) is a loop for waiting for an input, in which the start button 51 or the stop button 56 is turned on to wait until a start signal or a stop signal is input. I have.
[0053]
In S2, it is checked whether or not the start button 51 has been turned on. If the operator has turned on the start button 51 and a start signal has been input, the process proceeds to S3, in which the operation state ratio flag is set to " Set to "Initial measurement" and return to S1.
[0054]
However, if the start button 51 has not been turned on in S2, the process proceeds to S4, and it is checked whether the stop button 56 has been turned on. Therefore, when the worker operates the stop button 56 to turn on and a stop signal is input, the process proceeds to S5, sets the operation state ratio flag to "wait", and returns to S1.
[0055]
The process in FIG. 3 is started by a timer interrupt every 10 msec, for example.
[0056]
In FIG. 3, at S11, the pressure value detected by the secondary pressure transmitter 33 is the filling target value (in this embodiment, the specified pressure value of the fuel tank 3 is 200 kgf / cm).²Check if: In S11, when the pressure value detected by the secondary pressure transmitter 33 has not reached the filling target value (specified value), the process proceeds to S12, where the pressure value detected by the secondary pressure transmitter 33 is changed to the filling target value ( If it has reached the (specified value), the process proceeds to S19.
[0057]
In S12, it is checked whether the operating state ratio flag is set to “initial measurement”. If the start button 51 is turned on and the operating state ratio flag is set to "initial measurement" in S12 as described above, the process proceeds to S13. However, if the operation state ratio flag is not set to “initial measurement” in S12, the process proceeds to S16.
[0058]
In S13, the pressure increase rate from the start of the initial measurement is compared with “the integrated flow rate from the start of the initial measurement ÷ the pipe capacity”. If the pressure increase rate is smaller in S13, the pressure value detected by the secondary pressure transmitter 33 at that time is set as the initial pressure (residual pressure) of the fuel tank 3 and the process proceeds to S14. However, if the pressure increase rate is larger in S13, the process proceeds to S15.
[0059]
In S14, the operation state ratio flag is changed from “initial measurement” to “fill”. In S15, the valve opening of the pressure control valve 32 is reduced, and the gas is filled into the fuel tank 3 at a very small flow rate. Accordingly, gas is charged at a very small flow rate, and the pressure in the gas supply line 28, the gas filling hose 37, the detachable couplers 40 and 42, the gas filling line 39, and the line 44 gradually increases.
[0060]
Here, the closing force of the check valve 46 provided in the pipeline 44 has a magnitude obtained by adding the residual pressure of the fuel tank 3 to the spring force for urging the valve body in the valve closing direction. Therefore, the pressure upstream of the check valve 46 (the pressure in the gas supply line 28, the gas filling hose 37, the detachable couplers 40 and 42, the gas filling line 39, and the line 44) is higher than the closing force of the check valve 46. When it becomes large, the gas in the pipeline 44 opens the check valve 46 and flows into the fuel tank 3.
[0061]
At that time, since the valve opening of the pressure control valve 32 is narrowed and the gas is filled with a very small flow rate, the rate of increase in the secondary pressure of the gas supply pipe 28 decreases. At this time, the pressure value detected by the secondary pressure transmitter 33 changes as shown in FIG. Then, the secondary pressure of the gas supply line 28 is in equilibrium with the pressure remaining in the fuel tank 3. Therefore, the secondary pressure of the gas supply line 28 is substantially equal to the pressure of the fuel tank 3.
[0062]
That is, it is determined that the check valve 46 provided immediately before the fuel tank 3 is opened when the pressure rise rate first decreases after the gas filling by the minute flow rate is started. The pressure value detected by the pressure transmitter 33 is read. Then, it can be estimated that the pressure value at that time is the residual pressure in the fuel tank 3.
[0063]
Therefore, in S13, when the check valve 46 is opened and the pressure rise rate is smaller than “the integrated flow rate from the start of the initial measurement ÷ the pipe capacity”, the pressure value detected by the secondary pressure transmitter 33 To S14 as the initial pressure (residual pressure) of the fuel tank 3, and sets the operating state ratio flag to "fill".
[0064]
In S16, it is checked whether or not the operation state ratio flag is set to “fill”. If the operation state ratio flag is set to "filling" in S16, the process proceeds to S17, and the gas supply to the fuel tank 3 is performed by the optimal control of the gas supply amount and the gas supply pressure.
[0065]
That is, in S17, the supply pressure at the start of gas filling is higher than the estimated residual pressure of the fuel tank 3 by a predetermined value based on the residual pressure of the fuel tank 3 estimated as described above. The set pressure of the pressure control valve 32 is adjusted so as to be a pressure. Therefore, the gas supply pressure at the beginning of filling is set to a pressure slightly higher than the residual pressure in the fuel tank 3, and thereafter the valve opening is gradually increased every predetermined time, and the pressure in the fuel tank 3 is gradually increased. The gas is filled at the optimum pressure.
[0066]
If the operation state ratio flag is not set to "fill" in S16, the process proceeds to S18, and all the solenoid valves, that is, the on-off valve 17, the gas supply on-off valve 29, and the pressure control valve 32 are closed.
[0067]
In S11 described above, when the pressure value detected by the secondary pressure transmitter 33 reaches the filling target value (specified value), the pressure of the fuel tank 3 becomes 200 kgf / cm.²Has been reached and the gas filling into the fuel tank 3 has been completed, so the flow proceeds to S19, and the operating state ratio flag is set to “wait”. Then, in S20, all the solenoid valves, that is, the on-off valve 17, the gas supply on-off valve 29, and the pressure control valve 32 are closed.
[0068]
As described above, the residual pressure in the fuel tank 3 can be estimated by supplying a very small flow rate before the gas filling into the fuel tank 3 is started. On the other hand, it does not become too large, and the pressure of the fuel tank 3 is prevented from increasing rapidly. Thus, for example, when filling the fuel tank 3 with only a certain amount specified by the customer, the supply flow rate to the fuel tank 3 rapidly increases, and the gas amount exceeding the specified amount is filled. It is possible to prevent the gas from being charged and to precisely fill the specified fixed amount of gas.
[0069]
In addition, the gas supply pressure at the time of starting the filling is too higher than the residual pressure in the fuel tank 3 as in the conventional case, and the secondary pressure transmitter 33, the three-way valve 34, the detachable coupler It is possible to prevent the valve parts such as 40, 42, on-off valve 45 and check valve 46 from being damaged. Further, it is possible to prevent a disadvantage that the gas supply pressure at the start of the filling is lower than the residual pressure in the fuel tank 3 and the gas is not filled.
[0070]
Furthermore, not only when filling is performed until the pressure in the fuel tank 3 reaches the target pressure, but also when preset filling is performed only with a fixed amount specified by the customer, the supply flow rate to the fuel tank 3 rapidly increases at the start of filling. This prevents the specified amount of gas from being filled accurately.
[0071]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where compressed natural gas (CNG) obtained by compressing city gas is supplied as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to supply gas such as butane and propane. Of course.
[0072]
Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the compressed gas is filled in the fuel tank 3 of the automobile 2 has been described as an example. Of course, it is also possible to apply the present invention to an apparatus configured to be installed in the middle of a pipe for feeding compressed gas to another place.
[0073]
In the above embodiment, the city gas is compressed from the medium-pressure pipe 10 before branching to the home. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The gas may be taken out from the pipe.
[0074]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the gas supply device according to the present invention, after the end of the gas filling hose is connected to the tank to be filled, the gas supply opening / closing valve is opened and the valve opening of the pressure control valve is made small to make the gas supply minute. A gas at a flow rate is supplied to the tank to be filled, and when it is detected that the pressure rise rate detected by the pressure change detecting means has decreased, the pressure of the tank to be filled is determined based on the pressure value detected by the pressure detecting means. Estimate residual pressureThe filling pressure of the gas supplied to the filling tank is controlled by adjusting the valve opening of the pressure control valve based on the estimated residual pressure.can do. Therefore, when a check valve is provided in the tank to be filled, the residual pressure of the tank to be filled is estimated at the timing when the rate of pressure rise due to the opening of the check valve decreases, and the optimum supply pressure according to the residual pressure is used. Gas filling of the tank to be filled can be performed, so that the gas filling time can be shortened, and each device on the downstream side can be prevented from being damaged by excessive pressure supply. Furthermore, even when only a predetermined amount specified by the customer is preset, it is possible to prevent a sudden increase in the supply flow rate to the fuel tank at the start of filling and to accurately fill the specified amount of gas. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of a gas supply device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process executed in a standby state of an input of a control circuit.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process executed by the control circuit when gas filling is completed.
FIG. 4 is a graph showing a pressure change at the start of gas filling.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Gas supply device
3 Fuel tank
4 Pressure generating unit
5 Dispenser unit
12 Compressor
16 High pressure gas accumulator
18 Pressure transmitter
19 Control circuit
17 On-off valve
28 Gas supply line
29 Gas supply on-off valve
30 Primary pressure transmitter
31 Flow meter
32 Pressure control valve
33 Secondary pressure transmitter
34 Three-way valve
37 Gas-filled hose
40, 42 Detachable coupler
47 control circuit

Claims (1)

A gas supply tank for storing the compressed gas,
A gas supply pipe connected to the gas supply tank and guiding the gas supplied from the gas supply tank to the tank to be filled;
A gas supply opening / closing valve disposed in the gas supply line;
A pressure control valve for controlling the pressure of the gas supply line,
Disposed in the gas supply line so as to be located downstream of the front Kiga scan feed off valve, a pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure of the gas supply conduit,
A gas-filled hose having one end connected to the downstream end of the gas supply pipe and the other end connected to a fill-side pipe having a check valve of the tank to be filled;
After the end of the gas filling hose is connected to the tank to be filled, the gas supply opening / closing valve is opened, and the valve opening of the pressure control valve is made very small so that the gas at a small flow rate is supplied to the gas filling hose. Gas filling supply start means for supplying to the tank to be filled through,
Pressure change detecting means for detecting a pressure change rate in the gas supply pipe from a pressure value detected by the pressure detecting means while supplying a small flow rate of gas by the gas filling supply starting means,
Pressure estimating means for estimating the residual pressure of the tank to be filled based on the pressure value detected by the pressure detecting means when it is detected that the pressure rise rate detected by the pressure change detecting means has decreased; ,
When the pressure estimating means estimates the residual pressure in the tank to be filled, the valve opening of the pressure control valve is adjusted based on the estimated residual pressure to fill the gas to be supplied to the tank to be filled. Filling pressure control means for controlling pressure,
A gas supply device comprising:

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