JP7762101B2 - Gas filling equipment - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a gas filling device (gas supply device) that fills (supplies) a gas (fuel gas) such as hydrogen gas into a filling tank (fuel tank) of a vehicle, for example.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a fuel gas filling device that fills a fuel tank (filling tank) mounted on a vehicle such as a fuel cell vehicle with a gas (fuel gas) such as hydrogen gas under high pressure. With this type of conventional fuel gas filling device, hydrogen gas can be filled into the fuel tank from the dispenser housing via a hose, with a filling nozzle attached to the end of the hose connected to the vehicle's fuel tank.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-133825

When installing non-explosion-proof equipment such as a display or POS terminal inside the dispenser housing, it is necessary to provide an area for accommodating non-explosion-proof equipment (hereinafter referred to as the non-explosion-proof area) to house these devices. In this case, to prevent flammable gases from entering the non-explosion-proof area, it is possible to purge (purify) the non-explosion-proof area using compressed air (dry air) and maintain the concentration of flammable gases below the non-explosion-proof threshold (below the lower explosion limit).

However, in dispensers, compressed air is consumed in a wide range of ways, not only for driving shut-off valves, but also as dry air sprayed onto the filling nozzle to melt ice, prevent condensation, and prevent freezing. For this reason, for example, if compressed air is constantly supplied to a non-explosion-proof area and constantly discharged from the non-explosion-proof area into the atmosphere, the amount of compressed air consumed will increase.

An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a gas filling device that can suppress an increase in the amount of compressed air consumed.

One embodiment of the present invention comprises a gas filling path for filling a tank with gas, a measuring device for measuring the state of the gas flowing through the gas filling path, a control device powered by compressed air supplied from a compressed air supply source and for controlling the flow of gas through the gas filling path, a filling nozzle provided at the tip of the gas filling path and connected to the filling port of the tank to be filled, and a sealed container for housing non-explosion-proof equipment with a certain degree of airtightness; compressed air from the compressed air supply source is supplied into the sealed container, and the compressed air in the sealed container is sent from the sealed container toward the filling nozzle.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an increase in the amount of compressed air consumed can be suppressed.

1 is an overall configuration diagram schematically illustrating a hydrogen gas filling device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the dispenser unit. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a sealed container that houses non-explosion-proof equipment together with the non-explosion-proof equipment.

The following describes an embodiment of a gas filling device, taking as an example a hydrogen gas filling device for a vehicle that fills a filling tank (fuel tank) mounted on the vehicle with hydrogen gas (gas), with reference to the attached drawings.

In FIG. 1, hydrogen gas filling device 1 is a gas filling device (gas supply device) that fills (supplies) compressed hydrogen gas (filling gas) into a fuel tank 52 (hereinafter referred to as filling tank 52) of a vehicle 51, such as a fuel cell vehicle. Hydrogen gas filling device 1 for vehicles is installed, for example, at a facility (fuel supply station) known as a hydrogen gas supply station. Hydrogen gas filling device 1 includes a gas accumulator 2 serving as a gas storage unit (storage tank) that stores highly compressed hydrogen gas, a dispenser unit 3 serving as a filling mechanism that fills the hydrogen gas from gas accumulator 2 into filling tank 52 of vehicle 51, and a hydrogen gas supply pipe 5 that extends from gas accumulator 2 to within dispenser housing 4 of dispenser unit 3.

The gas accumulator 2 is a hydrogen gas supply source that stores highly compressed hydrogen gas. The gas accumulator 2 is connected to the dispenser unit 3. The gas accumulator 2 is located upstream of the hydrogen gas supply pipeline 5 and constitutes a gas storage section that stores highly compressed hydrogen gas. The dispenser unit 3 includes a dispenser housing 4, a filling hose 6, a filling nozzle 7, a nozzle hanger 8, a flow control valve 12, a shut-off valve 13, a flow meter 14, a heat exchanger 16, a pressure sensor 19, a temperature sensor 20, a filling start switch 24, a filling stop switch 25, a control device 21, etc.

The dispenser housing 4 constitutes the housing (box) that forms the outer shape of the dispenser unit 3, and is formed, for example, in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped (box) that is long in both the vertical and horizontal directions. The dispenser housing 4 houses a hydrogen gas supply line 5, a flow control valve 12, a shut-off valve 13, a heat exchanger 16, a pressure sensor 19, a temperature sensor 20, a control device 21, and other components. The front side of the dispenser housing 4, which faces the worker or customer performing the hydrogen gas filling operation, is provided with a display 22 that displays information that should be notified, such as the fill amount.

A nozzle hanger 8 is provided on the side of the dispenser housing 4, to which the filling nozzle 7 is removably attached. The nozzle hanger 8 corresponds to a holder that holds the filling nozzle 7. The filling nozzle 7 is hung on the nozzle hanger 8 when hydrogen gas is not being filled (i.e., when waiting for the filling operation). When filling hydrogen gas, the filling nozzle 7 is removed from the nozzle hanger 8 by the operator performing the filling operation. As described below, the nozzle hanger 8 is provided with a compressed air blowing device 41 that blows compressed air (dry air) toward the tip of the filling nozzle 7. The compressed air blowing device 41 prevents the filling nozzle 7 from freezing due to condensation by blowing compressed air (dry air) toward the tip of the filling nozzle 7.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen gas supply pipe 5 is disposed within the dispenser housing 4 and supplies pressurized hydrogen gas from the gas accumulator 2 toward the filler hose 6. The gas accumulator 2 side of the hydrogen gas supply pipe 5 is the upstream side, and the filler hose 6 side is the downstream side. The downstream end of the hydrogen gas supply pipe 5 is connected to the filler hose 6, which serves as a gas supply connection path extending to the outside of the dispenser housing 4. The filler hose 6 is a flexible hose, such as a pressure-resistant hose.

The base end of the filling hose 6 is connected to the downstream end of the hydrogen gas supply pipe 5. A filling nozzle 7 is provided at the tip of the filling hose 6, which is connected to the filling port 52A of the filling tank 52. The filling hose 6, together with the hydrogen gas supply pipe 5, constitutes a gas filling path (gas supply path). The gas filling path (gas supply path) is a path (pipe) for filling (supplying) gas (hydrogen gas) into the filling tank 52 mounted on a vehicle 51 that runs on gas (hydrogen gas) as fuel.

The filling nozzle 7 is airtightly connected to the tip of the filling hose 6, forming a so-called filling coupling. The filling nozzle 7 is connected to the dispenser housing 4 (more specifically, the hydrogen gas supply line 5) via the filling hose 6. The filling nozzle 7 has a built-in on-off valve (not shown). The on-off valve can be switched between an "open position" that allows the flow of hydrogen gas and a "closed position" that blocks the flow of hydrogen gas. Note that the filling nozzle 7 may be provided with a check valve instead of or in addition to the on-off valve. The check valve allows the flow of hydrogen gas from the filling nozzle 7 to the tank 52 to be filled and prevents the flow of hydrogen gas from the tank 52 to the filling nozzle 7.

The tip of the filling nozzle 7 is a connection coupler 7A, which is detachably connected to the filling port 52A, which serves as the connection port for the tank 52 to be filled. That is, the connection coupler 7A of the filling nozzle 7 is detachably connected in an airtight manner to the filling port 52A of the tank 52 to be filled when hydrogen gas is supplied to the tank 52 of the vehicle 51 through a pipe (not shown) within the filling nozzle 7. The filling nozzle 7 also has a locking mechanism (not shown) that detachably locks to the filling port 52A of the tank 52 to be filled. This prevents the filling nozzle 7 from accidentally coming off the filling port 52A when filling hydrogen gas.

High-pressure hydrogen gas in the gas accumulator 2 is filled into the tank 52 of the vehicle 51 through the hydrogen gas supply line 5, filling hose 6, and filling nozzle 7, with the filling nozzle 7 locked to the filling port 52A of the tank 52 by a locking mechanism. In other words, the hydrogen gas filling device 1 is equipped with the filling nozzle 7, and uses this filling nozzle 7 to fill the tank 52 of the vehicle 51 with hydrogen gas.

As shown in FIG. 1, the dispenser unit 3 is provided with an inlet valve 11 located midway along the hydrogen gas supply line 5 and opened and closed, for example, manually; a flow rate adjustment valve 12 connected downstream of the inlet valve 11 and opened and closed by a control device 21 to adjustably control the flow rate of fuel flowing through the hydrogen gas supply line 5; and a shutoff valve 13, a valve device connected downstream of the flow rate adjustment valve 12. The arrangement (installation order) of the flow meter 14, flow rate adjustment valve 12, and shutoff valve 13, which are arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side of the hydrogen gas supply line 5, is not limited to the order shown in FIG. 1.

The inlet valve 11 is located inside the dispenser housing 4 and is provided midway through the hydrogen gas supply line 5. The inlet valve 11 is installed as needed and may be omitted if not required. The flow rate adjustment valve 12, shutoff valve 13, and depressurization valve 18 constitute control equipment that controls the flow (i.e., flow rate, pressure) of hydrogen gas flowing through the hydrogen gas supply line 5. The flow meter 14, pressure sensor 19, and temperature sensor 20 constitute measurement equipment that measures the status (i.e., flow rate, pressure, temperature) of the hydrogen gas flowing through the hydrogen gas supply line 5.

A flow control valve 12 is provided within the dispenser housing 4, located midway along the hydrogen gas supply line 5 (for example, between the flow meter 14 and the heat exchanger 16). The flow control valve 12 is, for example, an electromagnetic valve device, and its opening is controlled based on a signal from the control device 21. In this case, the flow control valve 12 is controlled to an arbitrary valve opening degree by commands based on the control program of the control device 21, and variably controls the flow rate and hydrogen gas pressure of the hydrogen gas flowing through the hydrogen gas supply line 5. In other words, the flow control valve 12 is adjusted to the required opening degree by having its valve opening degree controlled by a control signal from the control device 21.

Shut-off valve 13 is located midway along hydrogen gas supply line 5 (e.g., downstream of flow control valve 12 and heat exchanger 16). Shut-off valve 13 is a pneumatically operated valve device that opens when compressed air is supplied. That is, shut-off valve 13 opens when compressed air (including gases other than air, such as compressed nitrogen gas) is supplied via compressed air supply line 31, which serves as a drive gas supply line. To this end, a compressed air supply line 31 is connected to shut-off valve 13, which supplies compressed air. Shut-off valve 13 is a normally closed valve that remains closed unless compressed air above a predetermined pressure is supplied. The compressed air supplied to shut-off valve 13 is controlled by a solenoid valve 32 located midway along compressed air supply line 31.

The solenoid valve 32 is, for example, a normally closed solenoid valve that is normally in a closed position, and is connected to the control device 21. The solenoid valve 32 opens when a control current is supplied from the control device 21. The shut-off valve 13 opens when compressed air is supplied through the solenoid valve 32, whose opening and closing is controlled by the control current of the control device 21. At this time, the shut-off valve 13 is kept open by the compressed air supplied when the compressed air is at a predetermined pressure (or higher than the predetermined pressure).

In this way, the shutoff valve 13 opens and closes based on a control signal from the control device 21, thereby allowing or blocking the flow of hydrogen gas (fuel gas, filler gas) within the hydrogen gas supply pipeline 5. In this case, the control device 21 controls the opening and closing of the flow rate adjustment valve 12 and the shutoff valve 13 when filling hydrogen gas into the filling tank 52 of the vehicle 51 via the filling nozzle 7, or when stopping (terminating) the filling of hydrogen gas.

A Coriolis flow meter 14 is provided within the dispenser housing 4, positioned midway along the hydrogen gas supply line 5 (e.g., upstream of the flow control valve 12) to measure the mass flow rate of the fluid being measured. The flow meter 14 measures the flow rate (mass flow rate) of hydrogen gas flowing through the hydrogen gas supply line 5, for example, between the inlet valve 11 and the flow control valve 12, and outputs the measurement result (detection signal) to the control device 21. The control device 21 calculates the amount of hydrogen gas filled into the filling tank 52 of the vehicle 51, and displays the amount of hydrogen gas fuel dispensed (equivalent to the amount of fuel refueled) on a display 22 or the like. This allows the displayed content to be notified to, for example, a customer.

The cooler 15 is a cooling device for cooling the hydrogen gas flowing through the hydrogen gas supply pipeline 5. The cooler 15 cools the hydrogen gas at an intermediate position in the hydrogen gas supply pipeline 5 to prevent the temperature of the hydrogen gas being filled into the filling tank 52 from rising. In other words, the cooler 15 cools the hydrogen gas being supplied to the vehicle 51 (filling tank 52) via the hydrogen gas supply pipeline 5. The cooler 15 includes a heat exchanger 16 installed at an intermediate position in the hydrogen gas supply pipeline 5 (for example, between the flow control valve 12 and the shut-off valve 13), and a chiller unit (not shown) connected to the heat exchanger 16 via a refrigerant pipeline and equipped with drive mechanisms for a compressor, pump, etc.

Although not shown, the cooler 15 is equipped with a supply-side refrigerant pipe that supplies refrigerant (e.g., a liquid containing ethylene glycol) from the chiller unit toward the heat exchanger 16, and a return-side refrigerant pipe that returns the refrigerant after heat exchange from the heat exchanger 16 toward the chiller unit. The chiller unit circulates refrigerant between it and the heat exchanger 16 via the refrigerant pipe. As a result, the heat exchanger 16 of the cooler 15 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the hydrogen gas flowing through the hydrogen gas supply pipe 5, lowering the temperature of the hydrogen gas supplied to the filling hose 6 to a specified temperature (e.g., -33 to -40°C).

Downstream of the shutoff valve 13 on the hydrogen gas supply line 5, a depressurization line 17 branches off, for example, from the filling hose 6 side, to release gas pressure. A depressurization valve 18 is provided midway along the depressurization line 17. The depressurization valve 18 is controlled to open based on a signal from the control device 21 when the hydrogen gas filling operation using the filling hose 6 (filling nozzle 7) is completed and the shutoff valve 13 is closed.

In other words, when removing the connection coupler 7A of the filling nozzle 7 from the filling port 52A of the tank 52 to be filled, the pressure inside the filling hose 6 must be reduced to atmospheric pressure. Therefore, when the gas filling operation is complete, the depressurization valve 18 is temporarily opened to open the tip of the depressurization line 17 to the atmosphere. This releases the hydrogen gas in the filling hose 6 to the outside, reducing the pressure inside the filling hose 6 to atmospheric pressure. As a result, the connection coupler 7A of the filling nozzle 7 can be removed from the filling port 52A of the tank 52 to be filled.

The depressurization valve 18 is a pneumatically operated valve device that opens when air is supplied. That is, the depressurization valve 18 opens when compressed air is supplied via the compressed air supply line 31. For this purpose, the depressurization valve 18 is connected to the compressed air supply line 31, which supplies compressed air. The depressurization valve 18 is, for example, a normally closed valve that remains closed unless compressed air above a predetermined pressure is supplied. The compressed air supplied to the depressurization valve 18 is controlled by a solenoid valve 33 installed midway along the compressed air supply line 31. As described above, the depressurization valve 18 in this embodiment is a normally closed valve (a valve that closes when no compressed air is supplied), but a normally open valve (a valve that opens when no compressed air is supplied) may also be used. When a normally open valve is used, the opening and closing control of the depressurization valve 18 by the solenoid valve 33 is the opposite of the opening and closing control when a normally closed valve is used.

The solenoid valve 33 is, for example, a normally closed solenoid valve that is normally in a closed position and is connected to the control device 21. The solenoid valve 33 opens when a control current is supplied from the control device 21. The depressurization valve 18 opens when compressed air is supplied through the solenoid valve 33, whose opening and closing is controlled by the control current of the control device 21. At this time, the depressurization valve 18 is kept open by the compressed air supplied when the compressed air is at a predetermined pressure (or higher than the predetermined pressure). In this way, the depressurization valve 18 opens and closes based on a control signal from the control device 21, allowing or blocking the flow of hydrogen gas (fuel gas, filler gas) within the depressurization line 17. In this case, the control device 21 controls the opening and closing of the depressurization valve 18 when the hydrogen gas filling operation is completed.

The pressure sensor 19 is provided in the hydrogen gas supply pipeline 5 downstream of the shut-off valve 13 (i.e., on the filling nozzle 7 side). The pressure sensor 19 detects the pressure of the hydrogen gas supplied from the gas accumulator 2 (i.e., the pressure in the tank 52 to be filled, or the pressure midway through the pipeline that roughly corresponds to the pressure inside the tank 52 to be filled). The pressure sensor 19 measures the pressure inside the hydrogen gas supply pipeline 5 near the filling nozzle 7, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the measured pressure to the control device 21.

The temperature sensor 20 is located in the hydrogen gas supply line 5, between the shut-off valve 13 and the pressure sensor 19. The temperature sensor 20 detects the temperature of the hydrogen gas flowing through the hydrogen gas supply line 5 and outputs the detection result (detection signal) to the control device 21. The relative positions of the temperature sensor 20 and the pressure sensor 19 are not limited to those shown in Figure 1, and may be reversed, for example.

The control device 21 constitutes a controller (control unit) that controls the flow rate adjustment valve 12, shutoff valve 13 (solenoid valve 32), depressurization valve 18 (solenoid valve 33), display 22, etc. The control device 21 controls the supply of fuel to the filling tank 52 to be filled by controlling the flow rate adjustment valve 12 and shutoff valve 13 (solenoid valve 32). The control device 21 is a control circuit, and is constituted, for example, by a microcomputer having a CPU (arithmetic unit), memory 21A (storage device), timer, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, the input side of the control device 21 is connected to the flow meter 14, pressure sensor 19, temperature sensor 20, humidity sensor (not shown), filling start switch 24, filling stop switch 25, nozzle detector 26, gas detector 27, etc. On the other hand, the output side of the control device 21 is connected to the flow control valve 12, shutoff valve 13 (solenoid valve 32), depressurization valve 18 (solenoid valve 33), display 22, supply valve 42, etc.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the display 22 is provided on the front side of the dispenser housing 4. The display 22 is positioned at a height that is easily visible to the worker performing the hydrogen gas filling operation, and displays information necessary for the hydrogen gas filling operation. Also, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, a POS terminal 23 that displays and manages sales information is provided adjacent to the display 22 on the front side of the dispenser housing 4. As will be described later, the display 22, POS terminal 23, and control device 21, which are non-explosion-proof devices, are housed in a sealed container 35, which is an airtight box. Also, as shown in Figure 2, in addition to the display 22 and POS terminal 23, operation units such as a filling start switch 24 and a filling stop switch 25 are provided on the front side of the dispenser housing 4.

The filling start switch 24 and filling stop switch 25 are switches that can be manually operated, for example, by an operator at a fuel supply station (hydrogen station). The filling start switch 24 is operated to start filling hydrogen gas. The filling stop switch 25 is operated to stop filling hydrogen gas while it is being filled. The filling start switch 24 and filling stop switch 25 each output a signal to the control device 21 according to their operating status. In response to these signals, the control device 21 opens or closes the shutoff valve 13.

As shown in FIG. 1, the nozzle detector 26 is provided on the nozzle hanger 8. The nozzle detector 26 detects whether the filling nozzle 7 is latched. The nozzle detector 26 is configured as a switch (nozzle switch), for example, a two-position switch, and is connected to the control device 21. For example, when the filling nozzle 7 is latched on the nozzle hanger 8, the nozzle detector 26 is pushed by the filling nozzle 7 and switches to the ON state. When the filling nozzle 7 is removed (or detached) from the nozzle hanger 8, the nozzle detector 26 switches to the OFF state.

The nozzle detector 26 outputs a detection signal (ON signal or OFF signal) to the control device 21 corresponding to whether the filling nozzle 7 is hooked onto the nozzle hanger 8. The nozzle detector 26 does not have to be provided on the nozzle hanger 8 on the dispenser housing 4 side, but may also be provided on the filling nozzle 7 side. In either case, when hydrogen gas is not being filled (i.e., when waiting for the filling operation), the filling nozzle 7 is held in the nozzle hanger 8 of the dispenser unit 3. In other words, when the filling operation of filling hydrogen gas into the filling tank 52 of the vehicle 51 is completed, the filling nozzle 7 is returned to the nozzle hanger 8 and held in a stored state.

The vehicle 51, which is powered by hydrogen gas as fuel, is, for example, a four-wheeled automobile (passenger car) as shown in Figure 1. The vehicle 51 is equipped with a drive unit (not shown) including, for example, a fuel cell and an electric motor, a filling tank 52 shown by dotted lines in Figure 1, and the like. The filling tank 52 is configured as a pressure-resistant container that is filled with hydrogen gas, and is mounted, for example, on the rear side of the vehicle 51. Note that the filling tank 52 is not limited to being located on the rear side of the vehicle 51, and may also be located on the front or center side.

The filling tank 52 is provided with a filling port 52A (receptacle) to which the connection coupler 7A of the filling nozzle 7 is detachably attached. Hydrogen gas is filled into the filling tank 52 of the vehicle 51 with the filling nozzle 7 airtightly connected (connected) to the filling port 52A. At this time, the filling nozzle 7 is locked to the filling port 52A by a locking mechanism to prevent it from accidentally coming off.

When installing non-explosion-proof equipment such as the control device 21, display 22, and POS terminal 23 inside the dispenser housing 4, it is necessary to provide a non-explosion-proof area (an area capable of accommodating non-explosion-proof equipment) to house these devices. In this case, to prevent hydrogen gas from entering the non-explosion-proof area, it is possible to purge (purify) the non-explosion-proof area using compressed air (dry air) and maintain the hydrogen gas concentration below the non-explosion-proof threshold (below the lower explosion limit).

However, in the dispenser unit 3, compressed air is consumed for a wide range of purposes, including driving the shut-off valve 13 and other components, as well as for blowing dry air onto the filling nozzle 7 to melt ice, prevent condensation, and prevent freezing. For this reason, for example, if compressed air is constantly supplied to a non-explosion-proof area and constantly discharged from the non-explosion-proof area to the atmosphere, the amount of compressed air consumed will increase.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the compressed air supplied to the non-explosion-proof area (sealed container 35) is used as dry air to be blown onto the filling nozzle 7, thereby preventing an increase in compressed air consumption. In other words, in this embodiment, compressed air is supplied to the non-explosion-proof area (sealed container 35) to maintain the explosion-proof function of the non-explosion-proof area (sealed container 35) as dry air to be blown onto the filling nozzle 7 to thaw, prevent condensation, and prevent freezing of the filling nozzle 7, thereby reducing compressed air consumption. In this case, the temperature of the compressed air increases due to heat generated by the electronic devices (control device 21, display 22, POS terminal 23, etc.) housed in the non-explosion-proof area (sealed container 35), which can be expected to increase the temperature of the compressed air (dry air) blown onto the filling nozzle 7. This improves the effectiveness of thawing, preventing condensation, and preventing freezing. These points are explained in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen gas filling device 1 includes a compressor 34 and a compressed air supply line 31. The compressor 34 is a compressed air supply source (compressed air supply source, instrument air supply source, compressed gas supply source, dry air supply source) that supplies compressed air. Compressed air from the compressor 34 flows through the compressed air supply line 31. The compressor 34 and compressed air supply line 31 supply compressed air to control devices such as the shutoff valve 13 and depressurization valve 18, which are driven by compressed air, and also to the sealed container 35 that constitutes the non-explosion-proof area. The compressed air supplied by the compressor 34 may be compressed air or a non-flammable gas such as nitrogen gas.

The compressor 34 generates compressed air (compressed air, instrument air, drive gas) to drive pneumatically operated valve devices such as the shutoff valve 13 and the depressurization valve 18. The compressor 34 is a compressor driven by a drive source such as an electric motor, and supplies compressed air to the shutoff valve 13, the depressurization valve 18, etc. via the compressed air supply line 31. In addition, the compressor 34 also supplies compressed air to the sealed container 35, and ultimately to the filling nozzle 7 via the sealed container 35.

The compressed air supply line 31 is arranged within the dispenser housing 4. The compressed air supply line 31 connects the compressor 34 to the shutoff valve 13 and depressurization valve 18, which are pneumatically operated valve devices. The compressed air supply line 31 also connects the compressor 34 to the sealed container 35. The sealed container 35 constitutes a non-explosion-proof area. In other words, the sealed container 35 is a container that houses, with a certain degree of airtightness, non-explosion-proof equipment such as the control device 21, display 22, and POS terminal 23.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sealed container 35 comprises a main case 36, a bottom plate 37, a back plate 38, and a top plate 39. The main case 36, bottom plate 37, back plate 38, and top plate 39 are each connected via seals (packing) not shown, thereby ensuring the airtightness required for the sealed container 35. In this case, the sealed container 35 does not form a completely sealed space (sealed space). For this reason, compressed air is constantly supplied to the sealed container 35 to prevent hydrogen gas from entering the sealed container 35. This prevents gas from entering the sealed container 35 from outside (such as leaked hydrogen gas, which is not normally present).

The main body case 36 has a front portion 36A, a bottom portion 36B, and a pair of side portions 36C. The front portion 36A has openings 36A1 at positions facing the display 22 and the POS terminal 23, respectively. This allows the display 22 and the POS terminal 23 to be viewed and operated. Although not shown, a seal (packing) can be provided around (on the edge of) the opening 36A1 in the front portion 36A to ensure the necessary airtightness between the display 22 and the POS terminal 23 and the front portion 36A.

The bottom surface 36B of the main body case 36 is placed on the bottom plate 37. The bottom surface 36B of the main body case 36 is provided with an inlet hole 36B1, which serves as a compressed air supply port. The compressed air supply pipe 31 extending from the compressor 34 is connected to the inlet hole 36B1 via an air fitting (not shown). In contrast, the top plate 39 is provided with an outlet hole 39A, which serves as an exhaust port, at a position diagonally opposite the inlet hole 36B1 on the bottom surface 36B of the main body case 36. The nozzle-side supply pipe 40, which extends from the sealed container 35 toward the filling nozzle 7, is connected to the outlet hole 39A via an air fitting (not shown). The nozzle-side supply pipe 40 is connected to the spray port 43 of the compressed air spray device 41.

That is, compressed air is supplied to the sealed container 35 from the inlet port 36B1 via the compressed air supply line 31, which serves as an air tube. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the compressed air supply line 31 includes a main line 31A that supplies compressed air to the shutoff valve 13 and the depressurization valve 18, and a branch line 31B that branches off from the main line 31A. Compressed air is constantly supplied to the sealed container 35 via the branch line 31B. Meanwhile, the outlet port 39A is connected to a nozzle-side supply line 40, which serves as an air tube. The compressed air supplied into the sealed container 35 is then supplied toward the filling nozzle 7 via the nozzle-side supply line 40. More specifically, the compressed air is supplied to a compressed air spraying device 41 via the nozzle-side supply line 40.

A gas detector 27 (see Figure 1) is also provided within the sealed container 35. The gas detector 27 is connected to the control device 21. When hydrogen gas is detected by the gas detector 27, the control device 21 stops supplying power to the non-explosion-proof devices within the sealed container 35: the control device 21, display 22, and POS terminal 23.

Next, the compressed air spraying device 41 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the compressed air spraying device 41 includes a supply valve 42 provided midway through the nozzle-side supply conduit 40 and a spray port 43, which serves as a compressed air outlet. Although not shown, a dryer (dryer, desiccant) for drying the compressed air may be provided midway through the nozzle-side supply conduit 40, if necessary. The nozzle-side supply conduit 40 is connected to the spray port 43, which serves as a compressed air outlet (second outlet). The supply valve 42 is, for example, a valve device consisting of an electromagnetic three-way valve, and is controlled based on a control signal from the control device 21 to switch between supplying the compressed air from the nozzle-side supply conduit 40 to the spray port 43 or releasing it outside the nozzle-side supply conduit 40. The supply valve 42 is a three-way valve that is normally (when no control signal is input from the control device 21 instructing the compressed air supplied from the nozzle-side supply line 40 to be supplied to the spray port 43) switched to a position that dissipates the compressed air supplied from the nozzle-side supply line 40 out of the nozzle-side supply line 40, and is connected to the control device 21. In this embodiment, when an ON signal is input from the nozzle detector 26 because the filling nozzle 7 is hooked to the nozzle hanger 8, the control device 21 outputs a control signal to the compressed air spraying device 41 (supply valve 42) instructing the compressed air supplied from the nozzle-side supply line 40 to be supplied to the spray port 43. Furthermore, when an OFF signal is input from the nozzle detector 26 because the filling nozzle 7 is not hooked to the nozzle hanger 8, the control device 21 outputs a control signal to the compressed air spraying device 41 (supply valve 42) instructing the air to be dissipated out of the nozzle-side supply line 40.

When the compressed air spraying device 41 receives a "control signal instructing the supply of compressed air from the nozzle-side supply line 40 to the spray port 43" from the control device 21, the supply valve 42 switches the compressed air supply destination to the spray port 43, and the compressed air flows through the nozzle-side supply line 40 toward the spray port 43. As a result, the compressed air, which becomes dry air, is sprayed from the spray port 43 toward the tip of the filling nozzle 7. On the other hand, when the control device 21 no longer receives a "control signal instructing the supply of compressed air from the nozzle-side supply line 40 to the spray port 43" (i.e., the control device 21 outputs a "control signal instructing the dissipation outside the nozzle-side supply line 40"), the supply valve 42 switches to dissipate the compressed air supplied from the nozzle-side supply line 40 outside the nozzle-side supply line 40, and the spraying of compressed gas from the spray port 43 stops. At this time, the compressed air is released through the open conduit 44 connected to the supply valve 42. A throttle 45 can be provided in the open conduit 44. The throttle 45 may also be provided in the nozzle-side supply conduit 40. Alternatively, the throttle effect can be achieved by narrowing the diameter of the nozzle-side supply conduit 40 itself without providing the throttle 45. This is because the pressure inside the sealed container 35 must be maintained higher than the pressure outside the sealed container 35 to prevent hydrogen gas from entering the sealed container 35 from outside. That is, the nozzle-side supply conduit 40 is given some throttle function to maintain high pressure inside the sealed container 35. However, this high pressure does not need to be very high. For example, it is sufficient if the pressure inside the sealed container 35 is slightly higher than the ambient air pressure. If the pressure inside the sealed container 35 does not need to be high enough to open the shut-off valve 13, the depressurization valve 18, etc., a throttle can be provided in the branch conduit 31B, or the diameter of the branch conduit 31B itself can be narrowed.

In this embodiment, the control device 21 always supplies compressed air to the spray port 43 when the filling nozzle 7 is hooked to the nozzle hook 8, but this is not limited to this. For example, if the control device 21 determines that the humidity detected by a humidity sensor (not shown) is equal to or greater than the humidity threshold (the ambient humidity is high and condensation is likely to occur), it may activate the compressed air spray device 41 (i.e., open the supply valve 42) and spray compressed air from the spray port 43 for a predetermined period of time, but if it determines that the humidity is lower than the humidity threshold (the ambient air is dry and condensation is unlikely to occur), it may not activate the compressed air spray device 41 (i.e., keep the supply valve 42 closed).

As described above, in this embodiment, the hydrogen gas filling device 1 includes a hydrogen gas supply line 5 and/or a filling hose 6 corresponding to the gas filling path, a flow meter 14, a pressure sensor 19, and/or a temperature sensor 20 corresponding to measuring instruments, a shutoff valve 13 and/or a depressurization valve 18 corresponding to control instruments, a filling nozzle 7, and a sealed container 35. The hydrogen gas supply line 5 and/or the filling hose 6 are a path (gas supply path) for filling the tank 52 with hydrogen gas. The flow meter 14, the pressure sensor 19, and/or the temperature sensor 20 are devices that measure the status of the hydrogen gas flowing through the hydrogen gas supply line 5. The shutoff valve 13 and/or the depressurization valve 18 are driven by compressed air supplied from the compressor 34, which serves as a compressed air supply source, and control the flow of hydrogen gas through the hydrogen gas supply line 5. The filling nozzle 7 is provided at the tip of the hydrogen gas supply line 5 (more specifically, at the tip of the filling hose 6) and is connected to the filling port 52A of the tank 52. The sealed container 35 houses the control device 21, display 22, and POS terminal 23, which are non-explosion-proof devices, with a certain degree of airtightness.

The hydrogen gas filling device 1 then supplies compressed air from the compressor 34 into the sealed container 35 and sends (directs, guides) the compressed air from the sealed container 35 toward the filling nozzle 7. To this end, according to this embodiment, the hydrogen gas filling device 1 has a compressed air supply line 31 as a first compressed air supply path connecting the compressor 34 and the sealed container 35, and a nozzle-side supply line 40 as a second compressed air supply path that sends compressed air from the sealed container 35 toward the filling nozzle 7.

The nozzle hanger 8, to which the filling nozzle 7 is removably attached, has a spray port 43 facing the filling nozzle 7 as a second outlet for releasing compressed air. The sealed container 35 and the spray port 43 are connected by a nozzle-side supply line 40, which serves as a second compressed air supply path. Furthermore, the sealed container 35 is provided with a gas detector 27 that detects hydrogen gas within the sealed container 35. The gas detector 27 is connected to the control device 21, and when hydrogen gas is detected by the gas detector 27, the supply of power to the control device 21, display 22, and POS terminal 23 within the sealed container 35 is stopped.

The hydrogen gas filling device 1 according to this embodiment has the configuration described above. Next, we will explain the hydrogen gas filling operation using the hydrogen gas filling device 1.

When filling hydrogen gas into the tank 52 of the vehicle 51, the worker performing the filling operation removes the filling nozzle 7 from the nozzle hanger 8. Then, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 1, the worker connects the filling nozzle 7 to the filling port 52A of the tank 52 and locks the connection. In this state, when the worker performing the filling operation turns on the filling start switch 24, the control device 21 outputs an open signal to the flow rate adjustment valve 12 and the shutoff valve 13 (solenoid valve 32), opening them.

As a result, the hydrogen gas in the gas accumulator 2 is filled into the filling tank 52 of the vehicle 51 through the hydrogen gas supply pipeline 5, filling hose 6, and filling nozzle 7. The control device 21 monitors the measurement results of, for example, the flow meter 14, pressure sensor 19, and temperature sensor 20, and adjusts the opening of the flow control valve 12 using a preset control method (constant pressure rise control method or constant flow control method). This allows the pressure and flow rate of the hydrogen gas supplied into the hydrogen gas supply pipeline 5 to be controlled to an appropriate flow state.

At this time, the control device 21 integrates the flow pulses from the flow meter 14 to calculate the amount (mass) of hydrogen gas filled, and determines whether the amount of hydrogen gas filled has reached a preset target amount, or whether the hydrogen gas pressure detected by the pressure sensor 19 has reached a preset target filling pressure. When it determines that the target filling amount (pressure) has been reached, a signal from the control device 21 closes the flow adjustment valve 12 and shut-off valve 13 (solenoid valve 32), and the filling of hydrogen gas into the filling tank 52 is terminated. The filling operation also ends when the operator operates the filling stop switch 25.

Next, in this state, the control device 21 executes the filling end control process. In this filling end control process, a signal from the control device 21 controls the depressurization valve 18 (solenoid valve 33) to open from a closed state. When the depressurization valve 18 opens, the depressurization line 17 is opened to the atmosphere, releasing gas on the filling nozzle 7 side to the outside and reducing the pressure in the filling nozzle 7 to atmospheric pressure. In this state, the operator can remove the connection coupler 7A of the filling nozzle 7 from the filling port 52A of the tank 52 to be filled.

After removing the filling nozzle 7 from the filling port 52A of the tank 52 to be filled, the operator returns it to the nozzle hanger 8 on the dispenser housing 4 and manually latches it. The nozzle detector 26 attached to the nozzle hanger 8 detects whether the filling nozzle 7 has been returned to the nozzle hanger 8. When the filling nozzle 7 is returned to the nozzle hanger 8 and latched, a detection signal from the nozzle detector 26 is output to the control device 21. This causes the control device 21 to determine that the filling operation using the filling nozzle 7 has been completed and enter a standby state for the next filling operation.

In this embodiment, compressed air from the compressor 34 is supplied into the sealed container 35, and the compressed air inside the sealed container 35 is then sent from the sealed container 35 toward the filling nozzle 7. This allows the compressed air supplied into the sealed container 35 to be used on the filling nozzle 7 side. In other words, the compressed air supplied into the sealed container 35 can be used as compressed air (dry air) to melt ice, prevent condensation, and prevent freezing of the filling nozzle 7. This prevents an increase in the amount of compressed air consumed. Furthermore, the temperature of the compressed air inside the sealed container 35 rises due to heat generation by electronic devices such as the control device 21, display 22, and POS terminal 23. As a result, the temperature of the compressed air (dry air) blown toward the filling nozzle 7 also rises, improving the effectiveness of melting ice, preventing condensation, and preventing freezing.

According to this embodiment, when hydrogen gas is detected by the gas detector 27 installed in the sealed container 35, the supply of power to the control device 21, display 22, and POS terminal 23 inside the sealed container 35 is stopped. Therefore, even if hydrogen gas enters the sealed container 35, it is possible to prevent the hydrogen gas from igniting.

According to this embodiment, there is a compressed air supply line 31 connecting the compressor 34 and the sealed container 35, and a nozzle-side supply line 40 that sends compressed air from the sealed container 35 toward the filling nozzle 7. Therefore, the compressed air sent from the sealed container 35 to the filling nozzle 7 through the nozzle-side supply line 40 can be used as compressed air (dry air) to melt ice, prevent condensation, and prevent freezing of the filling nozzle 7.

According to this embodiment, the sealed container 35 and the spray port 43 of the nozzle hanger 8 are connected by a nozzle-side supply pipe 40. Therefore, the compressed air released from the spray port 43 of the nozzle hanger 8 can be used as dry air (spray air) to melt the ice on the filling nozzle 7, prevent condensation, and prevent freezing.

In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the "spray port 43 provided opposite the filling nozzle 7" and the "sealed container 35" are connected by the nozzle-side supply pipe 40. However, this is not limiting. For example, the filling nozzle may be provided with an outlet (first outlet) for releasing compressed air, and this outlet may be connected to the sealed container by the nozzle-side supply pipe. That is, although not shown, the filling nozzle may be provided with a first outlet for releasing compressed air. Then, the sealed container and the first outlet are connected by a second compressed air supply path (nozzle-side supply pipe).

In this case, the filling nozzle is provided with a communication hole (first outlet) that passes through the filling nozzle and communicates with the tip of the filling nozzle, and a second compressed air supply path (nozzle-side supply pipe) can be connected to this communication hole (first outlet). Furthermore, for example, the second compressed air supply path can be arranged from the dispenser housing along the filling hose. However, this is not limited to this, and the second compressed air supply path can be separated from the filling hose, and the second compressed air supply path and the filling hose can be arranged separately. In either case, the second compressed air supply path connects the sealed container and the first outlet of the filling nozzle. Therefore, the compressed air released from the first outlet of the filling nozzle can be used as dry air (blowing air) to thaw, prevent condensation, and prevent freezing of the filling nozzle.

In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the non-explosion-proof equipment, that is, the control device 21, display device 22, and POS terminal 23, are housed within the sealed container 35. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, the control device may be installed in a different location outside the dispenser housing. Furthermore, the non-explosion-proof equipment is not limited to the control device 21, display device 22, and POS terminal 23, but may also be other non-explosion-proof equipment. At least one non-explosion-proof device can be housed within the sealed container.

In the embodiment, an automobile has been used as an example of the vehicle 51 on which the filling tank 52 is mounted. However, this is not limited to this, and the vehicle may also be a work vehicle such as a forklift. Furthermore, the automobile may also be, for example, a passenger vehicle such as a bus, or a freight vehicle such as a truck.

In the embodiment, the case of filling a filling tank 52 of a vehicle 51 with hydrogen gas has been described as an example. However, this is not limited to this, and the device can also be used, for example, when filling a filling tank (tank, container, etc.) other than a vehicle with hydrogen gas. The dispenser unit 3 of the hydrogen gas filling device 1 may also be installed midway along a pipeline (hydrogen supply pipeline) for supplying hydrogen gas to another location. Furthermore, while hydrogen gas has been described as an example of gas, the gas filling device may also be configured to use gases (fuel gases) other than hydrogen gas, such as natural gas (NG) or propane gas (LPG).

In the embodiment, an example has been described in which one dispenser unit 3 is configured to fill one vehicle 51 with hydrogen gas through one hydrogen gas supply line 5 and filling hose 6. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, one dispenser unit may be configured to fill multiple vehicles with fuel gas through multiple gas supply lines and gas supply connection lines.

In the embodiment, the compressed air supply source has been described as being constituted by a compressor 34. However, this is not limiting, and the compressed air supply source may be a compressed air supply source other than a compressor, such as a gas container (high-pressure gas container, gas cylinder), for example.

In the embodiment described above, compressed air is supplied from a compressed air supply source into a sealed container, and the compressed air inside the sealed container is then sent from the sealed container toward the filling nozzle. This allows the compressed air supplied into the sealed container to be used on the filling nozzle side. For example, the compressed air supplied into the sealed container can be used as compressed air (dry air) to melt ice, prevent condensation, and prevent freezing of the filling nozzle. This prevents an increase in the amount of compressed air consumed.

According to one embodiment, when gas is detected by a gas detector installed in the sealed container, the supply of power to non-explosion-proof equipment inside the sealed container is stopped. Therefore, even if flammable gas enters the sealed container, it is possible to prevent the gas from igniting.

According to one embodiment, the device has a first compressed air supply path connecting the compressed air supply source and the sealed container, and a second compressed air supply path that sends compressed air from the sealed container toward the filling nozzle. Therefore, the compressed air sent from the sealed container to the filling nozzle through the second compressed air supply path can be used as compressed air (dry air) to melt ice, prevent condensation, and prevent freezing of the filling nozzle, for example.

In this embodiment, the sealed container and the first outlet of the filling nozzle are connected by a second compressed air supply path. Therefore, the compressed air discharged from the first outlet of the filling nozzle can be used as dry air (blowing air) to melt ice, prevent condensation, and prevent freezing of the filling nozzle.

In this embodiment, the sealed container and the second outlet of the nozzle hanger are connected by a second compressed air supply path. Therefore, the compressed air released from the second outlet of the nozzle hanger can be used as dry air (blowing air) to melt the ice on the filling nozzle, prevent condensation, and prevent freezing.

1. Hydrogen gas filling device (gas filling device)
5. Hydrogen gas supply line (gas filling path)
6. Filling hose (gas filling path)
7 Filling nozzle 8 Nozzle hanger 13 Shut-off valve (control device)
14 Flow meter (measuring instrument)
18. Pressure release valve (control device)
19 Pressure sensor (measuring device)
20 Temperature sensor (measuring device)
21 Control equipment (non-explosion-proof equipment)
22 Display (non-explosion-proof equipment)
23 POS terminal (non-explosion-proof equipment)
27 Gas detector 31 Compressed air supply line (first compressed air supply path)
34 Compressor (compressed air supply source)
35 Sealed container 40 Nozzle side supply pipe (second compressed air supply path)
43 Spraying port (second discharge port)
52 Filling tank 52A Filling port

Claims (5)

a gas filling path for filling the tank with gas;
a measuring device for measuring the state of the gas flowing through the gas filling path;
a control device that is driven by compressed air supplied from a compressed air supply source as a power source and controls the flow of gas through the gas filling path;
a filling nozzle provided at the tip end of the gas filling path and connected to the filling port of the tank to be filled;
and a sealed container that accommodates non-explosion-proof equipment with a certain degree of airtightness;
A gas filling device that supplies compressed air from the compressed air supply source into the sealed container and sends the compressed air in the sealed container out from the sealed container toward the filling nozzle. The sealed container is provided with a gas detector that detects gas inside the sealed container,
2. The gas filling device according to claim 1, wherein when gas is detected by the gas detector, the supply of power to the non-explosion-proof equipment in the sealed container is stopped. The gas filling device of claim 1 or 2, comprising a first compressed air supply path connecting the compressed air supply source and the sealed container, and a second compressed air supply path that sends the compressed air from the sealed container toward the filling nozzle. The filling nozzle is provided with a first outlet for discharging the compressed air,
4. The gas filling device according to claim 3, wherein the sealed container and the first outlet are connected by the second compressed air supply path. a nozzle hanger to which the filling nozzle is removably attached, the nozzle hanger having a second outlet for discharging the compressed air, the second outlet being provided opposite the filling nozzle;
The gas filling device according to claim 3, wherein the sealed container and the second outlet are connected by the second compressed air supply path.