JPH09196295A - Gas supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: The present invention solves the problem that it is difficult to prevent gas leakage of a gas filled hose and to detect gas leakage. A gas supply device (21) includes a check valve (24), a compressor (25), an opening / closing valve (26), and a pressure switch (27) in a housing (22). The downstream end of the gas supply conduit 23 is connected to a gas filling hose 29 via an emergency disconnect coupler 28. The gas filling hose 29 is formed so as to cover the outer circumference of the inner hose 35 and the inner hose 35 that communicates the emergency disconnecting coupler 28 and the connecting coupler 30 to supply the gas compressed by the compressor 25 to the connecting coupler 30. It has a double structure in which the outer hose 36 and the outer hose 36 are concentrically formed. The outer hose 36 of the gas filling hose 29 is connected at its upstream end to a gas leak detection conduit 40 that leads to the gas sensor 39 via the casing 38 of the emergency disconnecting coupler 28.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas supply device, and more particularly to a gas supply device configured to fill a filled tank with a compressed gas.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Compressed natural gas (CN) obtained by compressing natural gas
Along with the development of a vehicle (CNG vehicle) that runs on G) as a fuel, a gas supply device that supplies compressed natural gas to a fuel tank of the vehicle has been put into practical use. This type of gas supply device is configured such that compressed gas is stored in a gas pressure accumulator and the gas stored in the gas pressure accumulator is filled in a fuel tank of a CNG vehicle.

As a conventional gas supply device, for example, FIG.
There is a small booster device incorporating a small compressor as shown in FIG. This small booster is a device that is used when an individual fills a fuel tank of a CNG vehicle with gas at home, for example, and uses gas during the night when the CNG vehicle is not used. Can be filled.

In this apparatus, a check valve 2, a compressor 3, an opening / closing valve 4 and a pressure switch 5 are arranged in a gas supply line 1 to which compressed natural gas is supplied. The downstream end of the gas supply line 1 is connected to a gas filling hose 7 via an emergency disconnect coupler 6, and the leading end of the gas filling hose 7 is connected to a connection port of a fuel tank as a tank to be filled. Connection coupler 8 is connected.

Further, a relief valve 10 for exhaust is arranged in the low pressure pipe 9 which is branched between the on-off valve 4 and the pressure switch 5. In addition, a gas sensor 12 for detecting gas leakage is provided on a ceiling portion in the housing 11. Then, when the gas sensor 12 outputs a gas detection signal, an alarm (alarm) is issued from the alarm device 13 and is notified to the worker. The on-off valve 4 and the relief valve 10
Comprises an electromagnetic valve, and opens or closes according to a control signal from the control device 14.

When refueling a CNG vehicle, the gas filling hose 7 is extended to connect the connecting coupler 8 to the fuel tank (not shown) of the CNG vehicle. Then, when the gas filling start button is pressed to open the on-off valve 4, the compressor 3 starts to move, and the gas compressed by the compressor 3 is started to fill the fuel tank.

At this time, since the relief valve 10 is closed, the gas introduced into the gas supply pipeline 1 connected to the gas pipe for city gas passes through the check valve 2 to the compressor 3. It is supplied and the pressure is increased to about 20 MPa by the compressor 3. Therefore, the gas filling hose 7 has 20M
A pressure resistant hose having a wall thickness capable of withstanding the pressure of Pa is used.

[0008]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, the gas filling hose 7 is exposed, and 2
Since the pressure of 0 MPa is supplied, when the gas-filled hose 7 is damaged due to aging, gas may leak from the cracked portion of the gas-filled hose 7.

In the conventional apparatus, the gas leak in the housing 11 could be detected by the gas sensor 12, but the housing 1
Since there was no effective gas leak detection means for the gas filled hose 7 exposed to the outside of 1, the gas filled hose 7 should be regularly inspected and the gas filled hose 7 should be replaced with a new one as soon as possible. However, the usage period of the gas filling hose 7 was short.

In the case of a commercial high-speed filling machine used in a gas station or the like, in the case where a three-way valve is connected to the tip of the gas filling hose 7 and a connecting coupler 8 is connected to the discharge port of the three-way valve. After the gas filling of the fuel tank is completed, the three-way valve is switched to release the pressure in the connecting coupler 8 to the outside, so that an exhaust hose different from the gas filling hose 7 is required. In that case, the operator of the gas station draws the gas filling hose 7 and the exhaust hose when connecting the connection coupler 8 to the connection port of the fuel tank.
It was difficult to operate and required extra effort.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gas supply device which solves the above problems.

[0012]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following features. The invention according to claim 1 is a gas supply line for supplying a compressed gas to a filling tank, and a gas filling hose having one end connected to the gas supply line and the other end connected to the filling tank. And a connecting coupler which is provided at an end of the gas filling hose and is connected to a connection port of the tank to be filled, wherein the gas filling hose includes the gas supply pipeline and the connecting coupler. It has a double structure including an inner hose for communicating compressed gas to the filled tank and an outer hose formed so as to cover the outer circumference of the inner hose. .

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the gas-filled hose comprises the inner hose in which the gas supply line and the connection coupler are communicated with each other, and the outer hose formed so as to cover the outer periphery of the inner hose. Due to the double structure, even if the inner hose is damaged due to aging and gas leakage occurs, it is possible to prevent the gas leaking from the inner hose from being contained in the outer hose and leaking to the outside from the outer hose.

Further, in the invention of claim 2, the outer hose is provided so as to exhaust gas between the connection coupler and the tank to be filled by a switching operation of a three-way valve provided in the connection coupler. It is characterized by that. Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the gas between the connecting coupler and the tank to be filled can be exhausted by the switching operation of the three-way valve provided on the connecting coupler, the inner hose is aged. Even if the gas leaks from the inner hose and the gas leaks, the gas leaking from the inner hose is exhausted through the outer hose and can be prevented from leaking to the outside from the outer hose. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to separately provide an exhaust hose for exhausting the gas of the connecting coupler and reducing the pressure after the filling of the filled tank with gas is completed,
The hose can be easily routed during gas filling work, and the labor of gas filling work can be reduced.

Further, the invention of claim 3 is characterized in that the end portion of the outer hose is provided so as to communicate with a gas sensor for detecting gas leaked from the inner hose. Therefore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the end portion of the outer hose is provided so as to communicate with the gas sensor that detects the gas leaked from the inner hose, the inner hose is damaged due to aging and gas leaks. Even if the gas leaks, the gas leaked from the inner hose can be stored in the outer hose and prevented from leaking to the outside from the outer hose, and when a gas leak from the inner hose occurs, it can be detected by a gas sensor. it can.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Incidentally, FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the gas supply device according to the present invention. The gas supply device 21 is a small booster device having a built-in compressor for compressing gas,
It is mainly used for filling the fuel tank of CNG vehicles with gas at home. In this device 21, a gas supply pipeline 23 connected to a gas pipe (not shown) for natural gas (CNG) is provided in a housing 22, and this gas supply pipeline 23 is provided.
A check valve 24, a compressor 25, an opening / closing valve 26, and a pressure switch 27 are provided in the.

The downstream end of the gas supply line 23 is
A connection coupler 3 is connected to a gas filling hose 29 via an emergency disconnect coupler 28, and is connected to a connection port of a fuel tank as a tank to be filled at the tip of the gas filling hose 29.
0 is connected. The emergency disconnecting coupler 28 is configured to be detached when the vehicle starts while the connecting coupler 30 is still connected to the vehicle, and at the same time as being detached, the gas supply pipeline 23 is shut off to prevent gas leakage.

Further, in the low pressure pipe 31 branched from the gas supply pipe 23 between the on-off valve 26 and the pressure switch 27, an exhaust relief valve for reducing the pressure in the connecting coupler 30 after completion of gas filling. 32 is provided, and the downstream end of the low pressure pipe 31 is connected to a low pressure part such as a gas recovery tank. Further, a gas sensor 39 for detecting gas leakage is arranged on the ceiling portion inside the housing 22.

The gas filling hose 29 is used for the emergency disconnecting coupler 2.
8 and the connecting coupler 30 communicate with each other to supply the gas compressed by the compressor 25 to the connecting coupler 30, and an outer hose 36 formed so as to cover the outer circumference of the inner hose 35 are concentrically formed. It has a double structure. In this way, the inner hose 35 is protected by the outer hose 36, is not directly exposed to the outside air, and is prevented from coming into direct contact with an external member, so that the inner hose 35 does not easily deteriorate.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of the gas filling hose 29. The inner hose 35 of the gas filling hose 29 is 2
A high pressure resistant hose is formed to withstand a pressure of 0 MPa, and an outer hose 36 of the gas filling hose 29 is formed of a low pressure resistant hose to withstand a pressure of 1 MPa. That is, the inner hose 35 has a wall thickness capable of withstanding a pressure of 20 MPa, but the outer hose 36 does not receive high pressure, and therefore a relatively thin hose is used.

Therefore, the inner hose 35 is replaced by the outer hose 36.
Since the inner hose 35 has a pressure resistance higher than that of the outer hose 36, the outer hose 36 has a pressure resistance higher than that of the outer hose 36. The outer hose 36 is made of a material having sufficient strength and flexibility because it is exposed to the outside and can be freely bent.

Inside the inner hose 35, there is formed a passage 35a through which the gas supplied from the gas supply pipe 23 passes, and between the inner hose 35 and the outer hose 36, the inner hose 35 leaks. A passage 36a for containing gas is formed. Therefore, even if the inner hose 35 is damaged due to aging and gas leakage occurs, the annular passage 3 formed between the inner hose 35 and the outer hose 36 is formed.
Since the leaked gas is confined in 6a, the leaked gas is prevented from flowing out.

Between the inner hose 35 and the outer hose 36, a large number of columns 37 (37 _{1 to} 37 _n) that support the outer hose 36 so as to maintain the gap between the inner hose 35 and the outer hose 36 at a predetermined distance. ) Are provided at predetermined intervals. The columns 37 are arranged at intervals of 90 degrees when viewed in the axial direction, and are provided at positions that are slightly deviated in the longitudinal direction when viewed from the side.

The outer hose 36 of the gas filling hose 29 has its downstream end opened to the atmosphere in the vicinity of the connection coupler 30, and its upstream end connected to the connection port 38a of the casing 38 accommodating the emergency disconnect coupler 28. Has been done. A gas leak detection conduit 40 that guides the gas leaked from the inner hose 35 to the gas sensor 39 is connected to the connection port 38b of the casing 38 that opens in the housing 22. Since the gas sensor 39 has a pump (not shown) built therein, a gas leak detection conduit 40 is provided inside the casing 38 and in the space 36a formed between the inner hose 35 and the outer hose 36. Sucking air.

Since the downstream end of the outer hose 36 is open to the atmosphere, the outside air is normally sucked into the space 36a from the downstream end of the outer hose 36, and the inner hose 3
Even if a gas leak occurs in 5, there is no possibility that the leaked gas will flow out. When the inner hose 35 is damaged and gas leaks, the gas leaked into the space 36a is sucked by the gas sensor 39, and the gas sensor 39 can detect the gas leak.

The gas sensor 39 can also detect gas leakage in the housing 22. Therefore, when gas leaks from the inner hose 35 or when gas leaks in the device inside the housing 22, a gas detection signal is output from the gas sensor 34 to the control device 42. Then, the control device 42 issues an alarm from the alarm device 41 to notify the operator, stops the compressor 25, and opens / closes the open / close valve 26.
Is closed and the relief valve 32 is opened.

In this way, the alarm of the alarm 41 indicates that the gas filling hose 29 has reached the replacement time.
It is not necessary to replace the gas-filled hose 29 that can be used at the time of regular inspection, and the gas-filled hose 29 can be used until it reaches the end of its life. Therefore, the replacement time of the gas filling hose 29 can be extended.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the fuel tank of a CNG vehicle is filled with gas. When refueling the CNG vehicle 43, first, the connection coupler 30 is connected to the connection port 45 of the fuel tank 44 of the CNG vehicle 43, and the manual opening / closing valve 46 is connected.
Open. When performing the connecting work of the connecting coupler 30, the gas filling hose 29 has a large number of columns 37 interposed between the inner hose 35 and the outer hose 36 at predetermined intervals.
Even if the gas filling hose 29 is bent, the distance between the inner hose 35 and the outer hose 36 is maintained at a constant distance, and the outer hose 36 is not crushed inward.

When the gas filling start button (not shown) is pressed to open the on-off valve 26, the compressor 2
5 starts moving, and the gas compressed by the compressor 25 is started to be filled in the fuel tank 44. The fuel tank 4
A check valve 47 is provided between the valve 4 and the manual on-off valve 46, so that the gas with which the fuel tank 44 is filled does not flow backward.

Since the relief valve 32 is closed during gas filling, the gas introduced into the gas supply line 23 connected to the gas pipe for city gas passes through the check valve 24 and the compressor 25. Is supplied to the compressor, and the compressor 25 uses 20MP
The voltage is increased to about a. The compressor 25 has 5N
Since it is a small-sized one having a capacity of about m ³ / h, the compressed gas discharged from the compressor 25 is filled in the fuel tank 44 of the CNG vehicle with almost no influence of the pressure loss.

By driving the compressor 25 with the opening / closing valve 26 opened, the pressure on the discharge side (outlet side) of the compressor 25 is gradually increased, and the increased gas is supplied to the fuel tank 44. To be done. On-off valve 26
The pressure switch 27 disposed on the downstream side of the pressure sensor detects the pressure supplied to the fuel tank 44, and when the detected pressure value reaches the full pressure (normally 20 MPa) of the CNG vehicle, the contact (Fig. (Not shown) is removed, the compressor 25 is stopped, and the on-off valve 26 is closed.

After that, the relief valve 32 is opened, the gas remaining between the manual on-off valve 46 and the relief valve 32 is exhausted to the low pressure pipe 31, the pressure of the connecting coupler 30 is reduced, and the connecting coupler is closed. 30 separations are possible. Then, after closing the manual on-off valve 46, the connection coupler 30 of the gas filling hose 29 is removed from the connection port 45 of the fuel tank 44, and the connection coupler 30 is used as a hook portion (not shown) of the housing 22. Hang up. This completes the gas filling operation.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. A three-way valve 51 is connected to the downstream end of the gas filling hose 29, and the discharge pipe 5 of the three-way valve 51 is connected.
2 is provided with a connection coupler 30. Further, the low pressure pipe 31 is connected to the connection port 38b of the casing 38. Therefore, the gas in the passage 36 a of the gas filling hose 29 is collected in the low pressure pipe 31 via the casing 38.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the three-way valve 51. The three-way valve 51 includes a ball-shaped valve body 54 provided in the center of the main body 53, a discharge pipe 52 provided on the front surface of the main body 53, an outer hose connection portion 55 provided on the rear surface of the main body 53, and an inner hose. And a connecting portion 56. The outer hose 36 is connected to the outer hose connection portion 55, and the inner hose 35 is connected to the inner hose connection portion 56. Further, inside the main body 53, a supply passage 57 communicating with the inner hose connecting portion 56, a discharge passage 58 communicating with the connecting coupler 30, and an exhaust passage 5 communicating with the outer hose connecting portion 55.
9 and are provided.

The valve body 54 of the three-way valve 51 can be rotated and the communication direction can be switched by rotating the switching handle 60 projecting on the upper surface of the main body 53. Valve 5
4, a through passage 54a passing through the center and a through passage 54a.
And a branch path 54b that branches in a direction orthogonal to.

At the time of gas filling, the openings at both ends of the through passage 54a are positioned so as to connect the supply passage 57 and the discharge passage 58, and close the exhaust passage 59. Therefore, the gas filling hose 29
The gas supplied through the inner hose 35 of the
7, the through passage 54a of the valve body 54, and the discharge passage 58 to be supplied to the connection coupler 30.

After the fuel tank 44 is filled with the gas, the valve body 54 is rotated clockwise by 90 ° so that the supply passage 57 is blocked and the discharge passage 58 and the exhaust passage 59 are communicated with each other. As a result, the pressure inside the connection coupler 30 is reduced, and the connection coupler 30 can be removed from the connection port 45 of the fuel tank 44.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a state where the fuel tank 44 of the CNG vehicle 43 is filled with gas. CNG car 43
When refueling, first connect the coupler 3 of the three-way valve 51.
0 is connected to the connection port 45 of the fuel tank 44 of the CNG vehicle 43, and the manual on-off valve 46 is opened. At this time, the three-way valve 5
The valve body 54 of No. 1 is operated to connect the supply passage 57 and the discharge passage 58 as shown in FIG. 5, and the gas filling start button (not shown) is pressed to open the on-off valve 26. Then, the compressor 25 starts to move, and the compressor 25
The gas compressed by is started to be filled into the fuel tank 44 via the inner hose 35 of the gas filling hose 29, the three-way valve 51, the connection coupler 30 and the like.

When the connecting coupler 30 is connected as described above, the gas filling hose 29 has a double structure in which the inner hose 35 and the outer hose 36 are concentrically formed. You don't have to run around the hose
Therefore, the labor is reduced and the connection work of the connection coupler 30 can be easily performed.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the switching operation of the three-way valve 51 after the completion of gas filling. As described above, when the fuel tank 44 is completely filled with gas, the switching handle 60 of the three-way valve 51 is rotated. As a result, the three-way valve 5
1, the valve body 54 rotates 90 ° clockwise and the supply passage 57
The discharge passage 58 and the exhaust passage 59 are communicated with each other.

Therefore, the three-way valve 51 and the manual on-off valve 46
The gas that remains between the discharge passage 58 of the three-way valve 51,
The through passage 54a and the branch passage 54b of the valve body 54, the exhaust passage 5
It flows out to the outer hose 36 of the gas filling hose 29 via 9. Then, the gas flowing into the outer hose 36 is exhausted to the low pressure pipe 31 through the casing 38 to which the outer hose 36 is connected.

As a result, the pressure in the connecting coupler 30 is reduced to the atmospheric pressure, and the connecting coupler 30 can be separated.
Then, after the manual on-off valve 46 is closed, the connection coupler 30 of the gas filling hose 29 is connected to the connection port 4 of the fuel tank 44.
5, the connection coupler 30 is hooked on a hooking portion (not shown) of the housing 22. This completes the gas filling operation.

In the above embodiment, the small booster used by individuals at home or the like has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the compressor is provided outside the casing, and the fuel tank is filled with the control valve. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to a gas supply device for high-speed filling used in a gas station or the like configured to control the pressure of the gas.

In the above embodiment, the case where compressed natural gas (CNG) obtained by compressing city gas is supplied is given as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and gas such as butane and propane may be supplied. Of course, it can be applied. Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the compressed gas is filled in the fuel tank 44 of the automobile has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the invention can be applied to a device that supplies the compressed gas to another container or the like. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to an apparatus configured to be installed in the middle of a pipeline for feeding the compressed gas to another place.

[0045]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the gas filling hose is formed so as to cover the inner hose in which the gas supply conduit and the connecting coupler are communicated with each other and the outer circumference of the inner hose. Due to the double structure consisting of the outer hose,
Even if the inner hose is damaged due to aging and gas leakage occurs, the gas leaked from the inner hose can be contained in the outer hose and prevented from leaking to the outside from the outer hose. Further, since the inner hose is protected from the outside air by the outer hose and is prevented from coming into direct contact with the external member, deterioration of the inner hose can be suppressed and the hose replacement period can be extended.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the gas between the connecting coupler and the tank to be filled can be exhausted by the switching operation of the three-way valve provided on the connecting coupler for the outer hose, so that the inner hose can be exhausted. Even if gas is leaked due to deterioration over time, the gas leaked from the inner hose will be exhausted through the outer hose, and it is possible to prevent the gas from leaking to the outside from the outer hose. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to separately provide an exhaust hose for exhausting the gas of the connecting coupler and reducing the pressure after the filling tank is filled with gas, it is easy to route the hose during the gas filling operation.
The labor of gas filling work can be reduced.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, since the end portion of the outer hose is provided so as to communicate with the gas sensor for detecting the gas leaked from the inner hose, the inner hose is damaged due to aging. Even if a gas leak occurs, the gas leaked from the inner hose can be stored in the outer hose and prevented from leaking to the outside from the outer hose, and when a gas leak from the inner hose occurs, it can be detected by the gas sensor. can do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first embodiment of a gas supply device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a gas filling hose.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state where a fuel tank of a CNG vehicle is filled with gas.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a three-way valve.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a fuel tank of a CNG vehicle is filled with gas.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the switching operation of the three-way valve after the end of gas filling.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional gas supply device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 21 Gas Supply Device 23 Gas Supply Pipeline 25 Compressor 26 Open / close Valve 27 Pressure Switch 28 Emergency Release Coupler 29 Gas Filling Hose 30 Connection Coupler 31 Low Pressure Pipeline 35 Inner Hose 36 Outer Hose 37 Strut 39 Gas Sensor 40 Gas Leak Detection Conduit 41 Alarm Machine 44 Fuel tank 51 Three-way valve 54 Valve body 55 Outer hose connection portion 56 Inner hose connection portion 57 Supply passage 58 Discharge passage 59 Exhaust passage

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A gas supply pipeline for supplying a compressed gas to a filling tank, a gas filling hose having one end connected to the gas supply pipeline and the other end connected to the filling tank, and the gas. In a gas supply device having a connection coupler provided at an end of a filling hose and connected to a connection port of the tank to be filled, the gas filling hose connects the gas supply pipeline and the connection coupler. A gas supply device having a double structure including an inner hose for supplying compressed gas to the tank to be filled and an outer hose formed so as to cover the outer circumference of the inner hose. 2. The outer hose is provided so as to exhaust gas between the connection coupler and the tank to be filled by a switching operation of a three-way valve provided in the connection coupler. The gas supply device according to claim 1. 3. The gas supply device according to claim 1, wherein the outer hose is provided so that an end thereof communicates with a gas sensor that detects gas leaked from the inner hose.