U.S. patent application number 13/133825 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-13 for gas filling system, gas fuel vehicle and gas station.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Eiji Okawachi.
Application Number | 20110247726 13/133825 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42242455 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110247726 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Okawachi; Eiji |
October 13, 2011 |
GAS FILLING SYSTEM, GAS FUEL VEHICLE AND GAS STATION
Abstract
A gas filling system, a gas fuel vehicle and a gas station
capable of avoiding the joint of a receptacle and a nozzle freezing
and filling a gas smoothly is provided. A gas filling system
comprises: a gas fuel vehicle including a receptacle; and a gas
station which sends and fills a cooled gas via a filling nozzle
connected to the receptacle into a tank in the gas fuel vehicle,
wherein the gas filling system comprises a waterproof cover which
covers a joint of the receptacle and the filling nozzle.
Inventors: |
Okawachi; Eiji; (Toyota-shi,
JP) |
Assignee: |
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Toyota-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
42242455 |
Appl. No.: |
13/133825 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
December 11, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2008/072550 |
371 Date: |
June 9, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/82 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F17C 5/007 20130101;
F17C 2270/0184 20130101; F17C 2227/0337 20130101; F17C 2250/043
20130101; F17C 2223/035 20130101; F17C 2250/034 20130101; F17C
2227/0388 20130101; F17C 2265/065 20130101; F17C 2205/0308
20130101; F17C 2205/0364 20130101; F17C 2250/0447 20130101; Y02E
60/32 20130101; F17C 2250/0439 20130101; F17C 5/06 20130101; Y02E
60/321 20130101; F17C 2223/0123 20130101; F17C 2260/032 20130101;
F17C 2270/0168 20130101; F17C 2221/012 20130101; F17C 2205/0323
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/82 |
International
Class: |
B65B 3/04 20060101
B65B003/04 |
Claims
1. A gas filling system, comprising: a gas fuel vehicle having a
receptacle; and a gas station sending and filling a cooled gas via
a nozzle connected to the receptacle into a tank in the gas fuel
vehicle, wherein a cover which covers a joint of the receptacle and
the nozzle is provided in a nozzle of the gas station, and wherein
the cover forms into a cylindrical shape and is mounted so as to
extend along from an outer edge of a head of the nozzle outward in
an axial direction, and in a state where the nozzle is connected to
the receptacle, the cover is configured to be kept in non-contact
with the receptacle.
2-6. (canceled)
7. The gas filling system according to claim 1, wherein the cover
includes a drain pore formed at a lower part thereof.
8-10. (canceled)
11. A gas station which sends and fills a cooled gas via a nozzle
connected to a receptacle provided in a gas fuel vehicle into a
tank in the gas fuel vehicle, wherein a cover which covers a joint
of the receptacle and the nozzle is provided in a nozzle of the gas
station, and wherein the cover forms into a cylindrical shape and
is mounted so as to extend along from an outer edge of a head of
the nozzle outward in an axial direction, and in a state where the
nozzle is connected to the receptacle, the cover is configured to
be kept in non-contact with the receptacle .
12. The gas station according to claim 11, wherein the cover
includes a drain pore formed at a lower part thereof.
13. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a gas filling system, a gas
fuel vehicle and a gas station.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In recent years, fuel cell vehicles or the like which
employ, as an energy source, a fuel cell that generates electric
power through an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an
oxidant gas have been attracting attention. A fuel cell vehicle
which mounts such kinds of fuel cells is equipped with a filling
port for a fuel gas and a filling nozzle of a gas station is
connected to a receptacle which constitutes this filling port so
that a hydrogen gas, which is the fuel gas, is sent into a
high-pressure tank mounted on a vehicle.
[0003] In a case where a gas is filled into a vehicle, the idea of
cooling down the filling gas in consideration of reducing the
filling time and suppressing the temperature rise of the gas caused
by high-pressure filling has already been thought of. Therefore,
there has been developed a technology of cooling a gas to be filled
by a heat exchanger and then filling the gas into a vehicle (see,
e.g., Patent Document 1).
[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese laid-open patent publication
2005-69329 A
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In a case where a gas is cooled and then filled into a
vehicle, the joint of a receptacle and a nozzle is cooled to below
zero degrees centigrade, and if water adheres to the joint of a
receptacle and a nozzle, for example, in rainy conditions, the
adhered water freezes and thus the nozzle may adhere to the
receptacle.
[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the
above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to
provide a gas filling system, a gas fuel vehicle and a gas station
capable of avoiding the joint of a receptacle and a nozzle freezing
and filling a gas smoothly.
MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM
[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the gas filling system
according to the present invention comprises: a gas fuel vehicle
including a receptacle; and a gas station which sends and fills a
cooled gas via a nozzle connected to the receptacle into a tank in
the gas fuel vehicle, wherein the gas filling system comprises a
cover which covers a joint of the receptacle and the nozzle.
[0008] According to the gas filling system with such a
configuration, even in rainy weather, the joint of a receptacle and
a nozzle is covered with a cover, so it is possible to avoid water
adhering to the joint of a receptacle and a nozzle. Thus, it is
possible to avoid the joint of a receptacle and a nozzle freezing
at the time of filling the cooled gas.
[0009] The cover may be provided in a filling port having the
receptacle of the gas fuel vehicle. In this case, the cover is
formed into a closed-bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom
plate on the axial one end of a cylindrical part, an insertion hole
is formed in the bottom plate, and the receptacle may be inserted
into this insertion hole. Further, the cylindrical part of the
cover may have an inner diameter substantially the same as the
outer diameter of the head of the nozzle.
[0010] The cover may also be provided in the nozzle of the gas
station. In this case, the cover may form a cylindrical shape, and
may be mounted so as to extend along from the outer edge of the
head of the nozzle outward in an axial direction.
[0011] The cover may include a drain pore formed at an inferior
part thereof.
[0012] According to the gas filling system with such a
configuration, water which entered into the cover flows out through
the drain pore, so it is possible to avoid water in the cover
adhering to the joint of the receptacle and the nozzle.
[0013] The gas fuel vehicle according to the present invention, in
which a cooled gas is filled via a nozzle of a gas station
connected to a receptacle into an inner tank, comprises a cover
which covers the joint of the receptacle and the nozzle.
[0014] According to the gas fuel vehicle with such a configuration,
even in rainy weather, the joint of a receptacle and a nozzle is
covered with a cover, so it is possible to avoid water adhering to
the joint of a receptacle and a nozzle. Thus, it is possible to
avoid the joint of a receptacle and a nozzle freezing at the time
of filling the cooled gas.
[0015] The cover may be provided in a filling port for a gas fuel
having the receptacle. In this case, the cover is formed into a
closed-bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom plate on the
axial one end of a cylindrical part, an insertion hole is formed in
the bottom plate, and the receptacle may be inserted into this
insertion hole.
[0016] The gas station according to the present invention, in which
the gas station sends and fills a cooled gas via a nozzle connected
to a receptacle provided in a gas fuel vehicle into the tank of the
gas fuel vehicle, comprises a cover which covers the joint of the
receptacle and the nozzle.
[0017] According to the gas station with such a configuration, even
in rainy weather, the joint of a receptacle and a nozzle is covered
with a cover, so it is possible to avoid water adhering to the
joint of a receptacle and a nozzle. Thus, it is possible to avoid
the joint of a receptacle and a nozzle freezing at the time of
filling the cooled gas.
[0018] The cover may also be provided in the nozzle. In this case,
the cover may form a cylindrical shape, and may be mounted so as to
extend along from the outer edge of the head of the nozzle outward
in an axial direction.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0019] According to the gas filling system, gas fuel vehicle and
gas station of the present invention, it is possible to avoid the
joint of a receptacle and a nozzle freezing and to fill a gas
smoothly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a gas
fuel vehicle and a gas station.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the joint of the filling
port of a gas fuel vehicle and a filling nozzle according to the
first embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the joint of the filling
port of a gas fuel vehicle and a filling nozzle according to the
second embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the filling port of a gas
fuel vehicle according to the third embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a schematic plane cross-section view of the
filling port of a gas fuel vehicle according to the third
embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
[0025] 1: gas fuel vehicle, 2: gas station, 11: filling port, 12:
receptacle, 13, 61, 72: cover, 23: filling nozzle (nozzle), 34, 62:
drain pore, 100: gas filling system
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0026] The concept of the present invention, and the gas filling
system, gas fuel vehicle and gas station according to the
embodiments of the present invention will be described below with
reference to the attached drawings.
Concept of the Present Invention
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a gas filling system 100 comprising: a gas fuel
vehicle 1 such as a fuel cell vehicle mounting, as an energy
source, a fuel cell that generates electric power through an
electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas; and
a gas station 2 for filling a fuel gas into this gas fuel vehicle
1.
[0028] The gas fuel vehicle 1 includes a filling port 11 for a fuel
gas, and the filling port is equipped with a receptacle 12. In this
gas fuel vehicle 11, the filling port 11 is provided with a
waterproof cover 13.
[0029] The gas station 2 comprises a filling apparatus 21 for
sending out a fuel gas. A filling hose 22 is connected to this
filling apparatus 21, and a filling nozzle 23 which is capable of
connecting to the receptacle 12 of the gas fuel vehicle 1 is
connected to the end part of this filling hose 22. Further, the gas
station 2 comprises a precooler 24 so that the fuel gas sent out
from the filling apparatus 21 is cooled to about -20.degree. C.
[0030] In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the waterproof cover
13 serves as a cover for covering the joint of the receptacle 12
and the filling nozzle 23. According to the gas filling system 100
with such a configuration, even in rainy weather, the joint of the
receptacle 12 and the filling nozzle 23 is covered with the
waterproof cover 13, so it is possible to avoid water adhering to
the joint of the receptacle 12 and the filling nozzle 23 even in
rainy conditions. Thus, it is possible to avoid the joint of the
receptacle 12 and the filling nozzle 23 freezing at the time of
filling the cooled gas.
First Embodiment
[0031] Next, the first embodiment of the present invention will be
described. In the description below, the components identical or
similar to those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals
and any detailed description thereof may be omitted.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the receptacle 12 provided to the
filling port 11 is arranged in an obliquely upward direction and is
connected to a piping 14 which connects to a high pressure tank
mounted on the gas fuel vehicle 1.
[0033] The receptacle 12 is located in openings 31a, 32a formed in
a body 31 and a wheel house 32 which constitute a vehicle body, and
a space between these openings 31a and 32a of the body 31 and the
wheel house 32 is blocked and sealed by a seal member 33 formed of
rubber or the like.
[0034] The receptacle 12 includes a valve system (not illustrated)
formed therein, and when the filling nozzle 23 is connected to the
head end side of the receptacle 12 and a connection port 24 of the
filling nozzle 23 is coupled thereto, the internal valve system
opens, allowing the filling of a gas from the filling nozzle
23.
[0035] The diameter of the head is designed to be small so that the
receptacle 12 has a stepped part 15 formed in the intermediate
section thereof in the longitudinal direction (axial direction),
and an edge 24a of a connection port 24 of the filling nozzle 23
connected to the receptacle 12 abuts against this stepped part
15.
[0036] The waterproof cover 13 provided in the filling port 11 is
formed into a closed-bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom
plate 42 on the axial one end of a cylindrical part 41, and is
formed of metals, synthetic resins, rubbers and the like. An
insertion hole 43 is formed in the bottom plate 42, and the
receptacle 12 is inserted into this insertion hole 43. The bottom
plate 42 of this waterproof cover 13 is fixed to the wheel house 32
of the gas fuel vehicle 1 and thereby mounted in the filling port
11.
[0037] The cylindrical part 41 of the waterproof cover 13 has an
inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the
head of the filling nozzle 23, thus, the connection of the filling
nozzle 23 to the receptacle 12 allows the receptacle 12 to be
inserted into the waterproof cover 13, and the inner periphery of
the receptacle 12 attaches firmly to the outer periphery of the
filling nozzle 23.
[0038] In this waterproof cover 13, a drain pore 44 is formed,
among the corners where the bottom plate side end of the
cylindrical part 41 and the bottom plate 42 intersect one another,
at the portion which will be located at least downward in the
gravity direction when the filling nozzle 23 is connected to the
receptacle 12, so it is possible to let water flow out through the
drain pore 44 even when water penetrates into the waterproof cover
13.
[0039] In the waterproof cover 13, a hydrogen gas detector sensor
45 is provided, on the inner surface of the cylindrical part 41 on
the side of the bottom plate 42, at the portion which will be
located at least upward in the gravity direction when the filling
nozzle 23 is connected to the receptacle 12.
[0040] An infrared communication device 52 is mounted on the inner
surface of the bottom plate 42 of the waterproof cover 13. This
infrared communication device 52 communicates with an infrared
communication device 53 mounted on the head of the filling nozzle
23 connected to the receptacle 12, and transmits and receives tank
information such as temperature information and pressure
information in the tank.
[0041] The infrared communication device 52 may be mounted on a
flange part 51 formed at the intermediate section of the receptacle
12, but in such a case, the configuration is such that, for
example, a part of the bottom plate 42 is bored so that the
infrared communication device 52 and the infrared communication
device 53 face each other with no obstacles.
[0042] In the gas fuel vehicle 1 and the gas filling system 100
with the above configuration, the filling nozzle 23 is connected to
the receptacle 12 of the filling port 11 when filling a hydrogen
gas, which is a fuel gas, to the gas fuel vehicle 1.
[0043] By doing so, the receptacle 12 is inserted into the
waterproof cover 13, and the inner periphery of the waterproof
cover 13 is attached firmly to the outer periphery of the filling
nozzle 23. As a result, the joint of the receptacle 12 and the
filling nozzle 23 will be covered by the waterproof cover 13.
[0044] With such a state, a fuel gas consisting of a hydrogen gas
is sent out from the filing apparatus 21 of the gas station 2 at
high pressure, cooled to about -20.degree. C. by the precooler 24,
and then filled into the tank of the gas fuel vehicle 1.
[0045] In this case, even if the weather conditions are rainy and
the rainwater enters directly or along the body 31 to the filling
port 11, the joint of the receptacle 12 and the filling nozzle 23
is covered by the waterproof cover 13, and thus, it is possible to
avoid water adhering to the joint of the receptacle 12 and the
nozzle 23 which is below zero degrees due to the filling of a
cooled gas.
[0046] The filling nozzle 23 is formed of materials having
excellent pressure resistance, such as stainless steel, however,
the outer periphery of the filling nozzle 23 will not be cooled to
below zero degrees even if a cooled hydrogen gas is filled, and
thus will not be adhered due to the freezing of the filling nozzle
23 and the waterproof cover 13.
[0047] Thus, even when the joint of the receptacle 12 and the
filling nozzle 23 is below zero degrees due to the filling of a
cooled fuel gas, it is possible to avoid the joint of the
receptacle 12 and the filling nozzle 23 freezing.
[0048] Particularly, the gas station 2 for filling a fuel gas
consisting of a hydrogen gas into the gas fuel vehicle 1 tends to
have a small roof so that the gas station 2 has a building
structure that makes it harder for the hydrogen gas to accumulate
within the gas station 2 even if by any chance the hydrogen gas
leaks out to the atmosphere, therefore, there exists a special
circumstance where, compared to common gas stations, it is easier
for rain to enter into the filling position of the fuel gas for the
gas fuel vehicle
[0049] Under such a special circumstance, according to the present
embodiment, it is possible to avoid the adhesion of the receptacle
12 and the filling nozzle 23 due to freezing during the filling
operations, and to fill a fuel gas into the gas fuel vehicle 1
smoothly. Therefore, even when a self-service gas station 2 becomes
widely available and general users who are not familiar with the
filling operations carry out the filling operations, the filling
operations of the fuel gas into the gas fuel vehicle 1 can still be
easily carried out.
[0050] Since a drain pore 44 is formed at a position below the
waterproof cover 13, water flows out from the drain pore 44 to the
outside even when water penetrates into the waterproof cover 13
before the filling nozzle 23 is connected to the receptacle 12.
Therefore, it is possible to avoid the risk of water accumulating
in the waterproof cover 13, adhering to the joint of the receptacle
12 and the filling nozzle 23, and causing freezing.
[0051] By connecting the receptacle 12 and the filling nozzle 23,
the hydrogen gas detector sensor 45 is covered by the waterproof
cover 13. Thus, a target space for a gas leak testing is narrowed
down and can be airproofed, so even a slight amount of hydrogen gas
leakage can be easily detected, thereby the accuracy of hydrogen
gas leakage detection by the hydrogen gas detector sensor 45 can be
improved.
[0052] Further, by connecting the receptacle 12 and the filling
nozzle 23, the communication parts of the infrared communication
devices 52, 53 which communicate tank information are covered by
the waterproof cover 13, so it is possible to avoid the effect of
disturbances and to perform infrared communications smoothly.
[0053] In addition, by inserting the filling nozzle 23 into the
cylindrical part 41 of the waterproof cover 13 when connecting the
filling nozzle 23 to the receptacle 12, it is possible to easily
align and position the filling nozzle 23 and to carry out the
filling operation of a fuel gas easily and accurately.
[0054] Furthermore, by standardizing the outer diameter of the
filling nozzle 23, it is possible to standardize the waterproof
cover 13 as well to reduce production costs.
Second Embodiment
[0055] Next, the second embodiment will be described. The
components identical to those in the first embodiment are given the
same reference numerals and any description thereof is omitted.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, in the second embodiment, a waterproof
cover 61 which is formed into a cylindrical shape is mounted on the
side of the filling nozzle 23. This waterproof cover 61 is also
formed of metals, synthetic resins, rubbers and the like, and is
mounted so as to extend along from the outer edge of the head of
the filling nozzle 23 forward in an axial direction (outward in an
axial direction).
[0057] In this waterproof cover 61, a drain pore 62 is formed at
the portion which will be located at least inferiorly in the
gravity direction when the filling nozzle 23 is connected to the
receptacle 12, so even when water adheres to the inner periphery of
the waterproof cover 61, the adhered water flows downward and can
be flowed out through the drain pore 62 to the outside.
[0058] In the gas station 2 and the gas filling system 100 with the
above configuration, the filling nozzle 23 is connected to the
receptacle 12 of the filling port 11 when filling a hydrogen gas,
which is a fuel gas, to the gas fuel vehicle 1.
[0059] By doing so, the joint of the receptacle 12 and the filling
nozzle 23 will be covered by the waterproof cover 61 provided in
the filling nozzle 23. With such a state, a fuel gas consisting of
a hydrogen gas is sent out from the filing apparatus 21 of the gas
station 2 at high pressure, cooled to about -20.degree. C. by the
pre-cooler 24, and then filled into the tank of the gas fuel
vehicle
[0060] In this case, even if the weather conditions are rainy and
the rainwater enters directly or along the body 31 to the filling
port 11, the joint of the receptacle 12 and the filling nozzle 23
is covered by the waterproof cover 61, and thus, it is possible to
avoid water adhering to the joint of the receptacle 12 and the
nozzle 23 which is below zero degrees due to the filling of a
cooled gas.
[0061] Thus, even when the joint of the receptacle 12 and the
filling nozzle 23 is below zero degrees due to the filling of a
cooled fuel gas, it is possible to avoid the joint of the
receptacle 12 and the filling nozzle 23 freezing.
[0062] In the gas station 2, because of its structure, which has a
small roof due to the above-described circumstances, even in a
situation where it is easier for rain to enter into the filling
position of the fuel gas for the gas fuel vehicle 1, it is possible
to avoid the adhesion of the receptacle 12 and the filling nozzle
23 due to freezing during the filling operations, and to fill a
fuel gas into the gas fuel vehicle 1 smoothly. Therefore, even
users who are not familiar with the filling operations can still
easily carry out the filling operations of the fuel gas into the
gas fuel vehicle 1.
[0063] Since a drain pore 62 is formed at a position below the
waterproof cover 61, it is possible to flow water out from the
drain pore 62 to the outside even when water penetrates into the
waterproof cover 61. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the risk of
water accumulating in the waterproof cover 61, adhering to the
joint of the receptacle 12 and the filling nozzle 23, and causing
freezing.
[0064] Further, by connecting the receptacle 12 and the filling
nozzle 23, the communication parts of the infrared communication
devices 52, 53 which communicate tank information are covered by
the waterproof cover 61, so it is possible to avoid the effect of
disturbances and to perform infrared communications smoothly.
[0065] Furthermore, it is possible to make the waterproof cover 61
smaller than that of the case where a waterproof cover is provided
on the side of the filling port 11 of the gas fuel vehicle 1,
allowing material costs to be reduced.
Third Embodiment
[0066] Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be
described.
[0067] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the gas fuel vehicle 1, a
sheet-like waterproof cover 72 is adhered to the upper edge of a
filling port lid 71 which is mounted on the filling port 11 so that
the filling port lid 71 is capable of being opened and closed. This
waterproof cover 72 is also adhered to the upper part of the
filling port 11 and to the lateral part of the side facing the
filling port lid 71.
[0068] In this gas fuel vehicle 1, when the filling port lid 71 of
the filling port 11 is opened to connect the filling nozzle 23 to
the receptacle 12 of the filling port 11, the waterproof cover 72
stored in the filling port 11 is pulled out and opened by the
filling port lid 71.
[0069] Therefore, with such a state, when the filling nozzle 23 is
connected to the receptacle 12 of the filling port 11, the joint of
the receptacle 12 and the filling nozzle 23 is covered by the
waterproof cover 72 which was pulled out by the filling port lid
71.
[0070] With such a state, a fuel gas consisting of a hydrogen gas
is sent out from the filing apparatus 21 of the gas station 2 at
high pressure, cooled to about -20.degree. C. by the pre-cooler 24,
and then filled into the tank of the gas fuel vehicle 1.
[0071] In this case, even if the weather conditions are rainy, the
penetration of water into the joint of the receptacle 12 and the
filling nozzle 23 is blocked by the waterproof cover 72, and thus,
it is possible to avoid water adhering to the joint of the
receptacle 12 and the nozzle 23.
[0072] Thus, even when the joint of the receptacle 12 and the
filling nozzle 23 is below zero degrees due to the filling of a
cooled fuel gas, it is possible to avoid the joint of the
receptacle 12 and the filling nozzle 23 freezing.
[0073] In the gas station 2, because of its structure, which has a
small roof due to the above-described circumstances, even in a
situation where it is easier for rain to enter into the filling
position of the fuel gas for the gas fuel vehicle 1, it is possible
to avoid the adhesion of the receptacle 12 and the filling nozzle
23 due to freezing during the filling operations, and to fill a
fuel gas into the gas fuel vehicle 1 smoothly. Therefore, even
users who are not familiar with the filling operations can still
easily carry out the filling operations of the fuel gas into the
gas fuel vehicle 1.
[0074] Note that, in the embodiments above, a fuel cell vehicle
which mounts a fuel cell generating electric power using a fuel gas
consisting of a hydrogen gas was described as an example, however,
the present invention is not limited to fuel cell vehicles as long
as the vehicle is a gas fuel vehicle that runs on gas as a
fuel.
* * * * *