JP4575107B2 - Pressure vessel - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pressure vessel, and more particularly to a pressure vessel in which an assembly having a heat exchange function is accommodated.

  Hydrogen energy is attracting attention as clean energy along with solar thermal energy. As a method of storing and transporting hydrogen, a hydrogen storage alloy that stores hydrogen under certain temperature and pressure conditions to form a hydride, and releases hydrogen when necessary under different temperature and pressure conditions. (Hereinafter, it may be referred to as MH.) “Use of metal” is attracting attention. Research has been conducted on hydrogen engines and fuel cell electric vehicles that use MH to supply hydrogen, or heat pumps that use heat generation and heat absorption when MH absorbs and releases hydrogen.

  In the pressure vessel (tank) filled with MH, a heat exchanger is built in the tank in order to smoothly absorb and release hydrogen by MH. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a pressure vessel in which a heat exchanger is surrounded by a heat-insulating case together with a hydrogen storage alloy, and the heat-insulating case is supported by a support member that contacts the inner surface of the pressure vessel in a dotted or linear manner. ing.

  Patent Document 1 also discloses a pressure vessel 51 configured as shown in FIG. That is, a storage case 52 having a large number of small holes 52a is housed inside a stainless steel pressure vessel 51, and a heat exchanger 53 is stored in the storage case 52 together with MH powder. Between the inner surface of the pressure vessel 51 and the outer surface of the storage case 52, a heat insulating material 54 having air permeability such as glass wool is filled. The heat exchanger 53 has a structure in which a plurality of fins 56 are provided in a heat medium pipe 55 through which a heat medium (heat medium) flows. Then, the storage medium 52 and the MH are supported by the pressure container 51 via the heat medium pipe 55 by the heat medium pipe 55 being supported by the pressure container 51 while penetrating both ends of the storage case 52 and the pressure container 51. ing.

Further, as a hydrogen storage container using a hydrogen storage alloy, a hydrogen storage alloy ingot, a container for storing the ingot, and a hydrogen storage container made of an elastic body interposed between the ingot and the inner wall of the container have been proposed. (See Patent Document 2). In this hydrogen storage container, the elastic body contracts or expands when the ingot expands or contracts due to hydrogenation (hydrogen storage) or dehydrogenation (hydrogen release) under the usage setting conditions of the hydrogen storage container. By supporting the ingot, the shape of the ingot is maintained to prevent the ingot from collapsing. And the elastic body which provided four coil springs on each one side of the six steel sheets of the shape corresponding to 6 sides of a rectangular parallelepiped (length 0.86cm, width 1.75cm, height 4.0cm) ingot The structure which has arrange | positioned the said elastic body between the circumference | surroundings of an ingot and a container inner wall is disclosed.
JP 2000-249425 A (paragraphs [0012], [0016], FIGS. 1 and 3 of the specification) JP 2004-11851 A (paragraphs [0035] and [0036] in FIG. 2, FIG. 2)

  When a hydrogen storage tank is mounted on a vehicle as a fuel supply source for a hydrogen engine or a fuel cell electric vehicle, it is important to reduce the weight of the hydrogen storage tank. When MH is filled in the pressure vessel, the amount of hydrogen stored at the same pressure and the same volume can be increased. However, since MH expands at the time of storing hydrogen, when the entire pressure vessel is filled with MH, the pressure of MH expansion is directly applied to the pressure vessel. Therefore, it is necessary to make the pressure vessel have a strength opposite to both the internal pressure and the expansion force of MH. The pressure vessel is affected not only by the weight increase of MH but also by the weight increase to increase the strength of the pressure vessel. There is a problem that the weight of the entire container becomes too heavy.

  In order to solve the above problem, a hydrogen storage unit filled with a hydrogen storage alloy in a pressure vessel and having a heat exchange function is provided with a space between the inner surface of the pressure vessel and the outer surface of the hydrogen storage unit. It can be considered to be housed in a state. In this configuration, by adjusting the internal pressure of the pressure vessel, the amount of hydrogen stored between the pressure vessel and the hydrogen storage unit is adjusted, and the amount of hydrogen stored per weight of the entire pressure vessel can be increased. .

  However, if the hydrogen storage unit is accommodated in a state where a space is provided between the inner surface of the pressure vessel and the outer surface of the hydrogen storage unit, the hydrogen storage unit cantilevered or as shown in FIG. The unit is supported at both ends. In the configuration in which the hydrogen storage unit is supported in a cantilevered state, a large force is applied to the support portion. Therefore, it is necessary to make the support portion sturdy and it is difficult to reduce the weight of the hydrogen storage tank. Moreover, when using a hydrogen storage tank as a hydrogen source of a motor vehicle, it is necessary to consider the influence of vibration, and it is necessary to manufacture the support portion more firmly, so that it is more difficult to reduce the weight.

  When it supports by the support part which contacts in dot shape or linear form as described in patent document 1, there exists a possibility that stress concentration may arise in a pressure vessel at the time of expansion | swelling of MH. Further, in the configuration shown in FIG. 7, in the configuration in which the heat insulating material 54 is filled between the inner surface of the pressure vessel 51 and the outer surface of the storage case 52, the heat insulating material 54 is only for the purpose of heat insulation, and the support of the storage case 52 is considered. It has not been. When the amount of glass wool is increased in order to provide a support function, the amount of hydrogen filled in the space decreases, and it is difficult to achieve both weight reduction and securing of hydrogen storage amount.

  Moreover, in patent document 2, the hydrogen storage alloy ingot accommodated in a hydrogen storage container is not equipped with a heat exchanger, and its size is as small as 4.0 cm at the longest part. Therefore, there is no problem even if cooling or heating at the time of occlusion or release of hydrogen is not considered, and the number of coil springs supporting the hydrogen occlusion alloy ingot may be small. However, in the case of hydrogen storage tanks that store hydrogen as fuel for hydrogen automobiles, it is necessary to incorporate a heat exchanger in the hydrogen storage tank in order to efficiently perform cooling and heating when storing or releasing hydrogen. It becomes. In addition, since the hydrogen storage tank is as long as several hundred mm and has a diameter of about 200 mm, a large number of coil springs are required to support it with a coil spring, and it takes time to assemble.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and the object thereof is to reduce the weight and secure the amount of stored gas in a pressure vessel in which an assembly having a heat exchange function is accommodated. An object of the present invention is to provide a pressure vessel that can be made compatible and can be easily manufactured as compared with the case where an assembly is supported by a coil spring.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, an assembly having a heat exchange function and having a cylindrical outer shape is supported at least at one end in a cylindrical container body. A plurality of elastically deformable pipes directly or indirectly pressed between adjacent pipes between the inner peripheral surface of the container body and the outer peripheral surface of the assembly. The pipes are accommodated in a state of being fitted and restricted in movement, and the plurality of pipes cooperate to hold the assembly.
In particular, in the first aspect of the present invention, the diameter of the pipe is larger than the distance between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface.
In particular, in the invention described in claim 2, between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface, there is at least one spring element that contacts the pipe and presses and urges the pipe in the circumferential direction of the container body. One is housed.

  Here, “the outer shape is cylindrical” does not mean that the outer shape is constituted only by a cylindrical member (for example, a cylindrical member having a circular cross section or a square cylindrical member). The outer shape may be a cylindrical shape in the raised state. For example, an outer shape (cylindrical shape) formed by arranging disks of the same size at intervals, or an outer shape formed by arranging square plates of the same size at intervals (square cylindrical shapes) This includes the case where there is no cylindrical member. In addition, the “indirectly pressing state” means that they are pressed against each other via, for example, a rigid rod-like body or a spring disposed between adjacent pipes.

In these inventions, the assembly is held by a plurality of accommodated pipes between the inner peripheral surface of the container main body and the outer peripheral surface of the assembly, and even if radial vibration is applied to the pressure vessel, the assembly It is avoided that a large bending stress acts on the support portion that supports the end portion, and durability is improved. Further, the deformation of expansion / contraction of the assembly can be absorbed by the elastic deformation of the pipe.

In the invention of claim 1, since the pipe is disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the container body and the outer peripheral surface of the assembly in an elastically deformed state, the number of pipes used can be reduced and the necessary elasticity It is easy to cope with obtaining the force by adjusting the thickness of the wall of the pipe at the time of manufacture.

In the invention of claim 2, each pipe is disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the container body and the outer peripheral surface of the assembly in a state in which movement in the lateral direction is restricted and elastically deformed. This is easier than when only pipes are accommodated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the pipes are accommodated in a state where all the pipes are in contact with at least one pipe. In this invention, compared with the structure which arrange | positions the member which presses a pipe apart and arrange | positions the pipe between them, assembly | attachment (manufacture) becomes easy.
The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the assembly is a hydrogen storage unit filled with a hydrogen storage material. In the present invention, the pressure vessel can be suitably used as a hydrogen storage tank.

  According to the present invention, in a pressure vessel in which an assembly having a heat exchanging function is accommodated, both weight reduction and securing of the amount of stored gas can be achieved, and the assembly is supported by a coil spring. It can be easily manufactured in comparison.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a hydrogen storage tank (hereinafter simply referred to as a hydrogen tank) as a pressure vessel will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hydrogen tank, FIG. 1B is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the hydrogen tank taken along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, and FIG. 2A is an axial view of the hydrogen tank. A schematic cross-sectional view in a state cut by a vertical plane, FIG. 2B is a partial schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the operation. In addition to the present embodiment, in the schematic cross-sectional view of the state in which the hydrogen tank is cut along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, the configuration of the hydrogen storage unit is omitted, and the diameter of the pipe is set to be the same as that of the hydrogen tank. It is greatly exaggerated compared to the diameter.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the hydrogen tank 11 has a hydrogen storage unit 13 as an assembly housed in a cylindrical (cylindrical in this embodiment) container body 12.
The container body 12 includes an elongated hollow liner 14 and a fiber reinforced resin layer 15 that covers substantially the entire outer surface of the liner 14. The liner 14 is made of an aluminum alloy, for example, and ensures the airtightness of the hydrogen tank 11. The liner 14 includes a cylindrical body portion 14a and dome portions 14b formed at both ends thereof. Both ends of the liner 14 are divided, and a lid portion 17a that covers the opening portion 16a on one end side (the left end side in FIG. 1A) of the body portion 14a and a lid portion that covers the opening portion 16b on the other end side. 17b, and the lid portions 17a and 17b constitute the dome portion 14b. The hydrogen storage unit 13 is assembled to the lid portion 17a.

  In this embodiment, the fiber reinforced resin layer 15 is made of CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced resin) using carbon fibers as reinforced fibers, and ensures the pressure resistance (mechanical strength) of the hydrogen tank 11. The fiber reinforced resin layer 15 is obtained by winding a carbon fiber bundle impregnated with a resin (for example, unsaturated polyester resin, epoxy resin, etc.) around the liner 14 so as to have a helical winding layer and a hoop winding layer, and thermosetting the resin. Is formed by.

  The hydrogen storage unit 13 includes a heat exchanger 18. The heat exchanger 18 extends in the longitudinal direction of the hydrogen tank 11 (the left-right direction in FIG. 1A) and from a pipe bent into a substantially U shape. The heat medium pipe | tube 19 through which a heat medium distribute | circulates, and the substantially disc shaped header part 20 used as the attaching part to the cover part 17a are provided. In this embodiment, a plurality of heat medium pipes 19 are provided, and the opening end is fixed to the header part 20 by brazing, welding or the like. In the header portion 20, a flow path (not shown) for communicating the upstream end portion of each heat medium pipe 19, the passage 21 a formed in the lid portion 17 a, and the downstream end portion of each heat medium pipe 19 A flow path (not shown) that communicates with the passage 21b formed in the lid portion 17a is formed.

  A plurality of substantially disk-shaped fins 22 are fixed to the heat medium pipe 19 at equal intervals along the axial direction of the liner 14. Between the fins 22, powdery MH (not shown) as a hydrogen storage material is accommodated in contact with the fins 22. A cylindrical filter 23 that prevents passage of MH and allows hydrogen to pass therethrough is provided at the radial end of the fin 22 so as to cover all the fins 22. In this embodiment, the filter 23 is formed of a metal cylinder having a large number of holes (not shown). The outer diameter of the hydrogen storage unit 13 is set so that a gap Δ exists between the outer peripheral surface (that is, the outer peripheral surface of the filter 23) and the inner peripheral surface of the liner 14. When the diameter of the container body 12 is about 200 mm, the size of the gap Δ, that is, the interval S between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface is on the order of several mm to several tens mm. In this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the filter 23 becomes the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen storage unit 13 as an assembly having the heat exchanger 18.

  The lid portion 17a includes a concave portion 24 into which the header portion 20 is fitted and fixed, and an opening portion 16a, that is, a fitting portion 25 to be fitted into the end portion of the trunk portion 14a. The fitting part 25 has a step part 25a, and the step part 25a is fitted to the end part of the body part 14a, and the end surface of the body part 14a comes into contact with the end surface of the step part 25a. The lid portion 17a is positioned with respect to the direction. The recess 24 is formed in a columnar shape, and a seal ring (not shown) is interposed between the peripheral surface thereof and the peripheral surface of the header portion 20. Further, a seal ring (not shown) is provided between the peripheral surface of the fitting portion 25 and the inner surface of the opening portion 16a to ensure the sealability (airtightness) of the divided portion of the liner 14. . Passages 21a and 21b are formed in the lid portion 17a, pipes communicating with a heat medium supply unit (not shown) are connected to the passages 21a and 21b, and water (as a heat medium from the heat medium supply unit ( Cold water or heated water) can be supplied through the passages 21a and 21b. In this embodiment, the passage 21a is on the upstream side and the passage 21b is on the downstream side.

  The hydrogen storage unit 13 is assembled to the lid portion 17 a with the header portion 20 (base end) fitted in the recess 24. Then, when heated water is supplied from the passage 21a to the heat medium pipe 19, the MH constituting the hydrogen storage unit 13 is heated, and when cold water is supplied from the passage 21a to the heat medium pipe 19, the MH is cooled. It has become.

  Similarly to the lid portion 17a, the lid portion 17b includes a fitting portion 25 fitted into the opening portion 16b, and the fitting portion 25 is fitted into the opening portion 16b. The lid portion 17 b is provided with a gas passage opening 26 for introducing and discharging hydrogen, and a valve 27 is screwed into the gas passage opening 26. The valve 27 has a built-in regulator, and the use state of the hydrogen tank 11 can be switched between a hydrogen release state and a hydrogen filling state. The hydrogen release state means a state in which hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 11 can be discharged to the outside through the valve 27 and hydrogen cannot be supplied into the hydrogen tank 11 from the outside. Further, the hydrogen filling state means a state in which hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 11 cannot be discharged to the outside through the valve 27 and hydrogen can be supplied into the hydrogen tank 11 from the outside. A seal ring (not shown) is interposed between the valve 27 and the end surface of the lid portion 17b.

  A plurality of elastically deformable pipes 30 and 31 are accommodated between the inner peripheral surface of the container body 12 (in this embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 14a) and the outer peripheral surface of the filter 23, that is, in the gap Δ. Yes. The pipes 30 and 31 are formed to have a length slightly shorter than the distance between the end surfaces of the lid portions 17 a and 17 b and are accommodated so as to extend along the axial direction of the hydrogen tank 11. As shown in FIG. 2A, the plurality of pipes 30 and 31 are accommodated in a state where the adjacent pipes 30 or the pipe 30 and the pipe 31 are directly pressed against each other and the movement is restricted. The plurality of pipes 30 and 31 cooperate to hold the hydrogen storage unit 13 as an assembly.

  The pipes 30 and 31 are formed with a diameter larger than the interval S between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface, and are accommodated in the gap Δ in an elastically deformed state. The pipes 30 are all formed in the same size. The outer diameter of the pipe 31 is different from that of the pipe 30. In the embodiment, the outer diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the pipe 30. The pipe 31 also serves as a spring element that abuts on the pipes 30 on both sides and presses and urges the pipe 30 in the circumferential direction of the container body 12. The pipes 30 and 31 are made of, for example, aluminum (aluminum alloy) A-6061.

The deformation state when the pipes 30 and 31 are accommodated is obtained by a test or calculation according to the use conditions of the hydrogen tank 11, and is accommodated in an elastically deformed state so as to satisfy the value.
Next, a method for manufacturing the hydrogen tank 11 configured as described above will be described. When the hydrogen tank 11 is manufactured, the hydrogen storage unit 13 has a heat medium pipe 19 around which a plurality of fins 22 are fixed, is surrounded by a filter 23 covering the outer periphery thereof, and contains MH inside. Prepare (manufacture). Next, a sealing material is interposed between the inner surface of the lid portion 17 a and the header portion 20, and the hydrogen storage unit 13 is assembled to the lid portion 17 a in a state where the header portion 20 is fitted in the recess 24. Next, the hydrogen storage unit 13 is inserted into the body portion 14 a and the lid portion 17 a is fixed to one end of the body portion 14 a at the fitting portion 25. In this state, the hydrogen storage unit 13 has one end (the lid) of the liner 14 with a gap Δ between the peripheral surface of the filter 23 and the inner peripheral surface of the container body 12 (that is, the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 14a). Part 17a) is supported in a cantilevered state. Moreover, the cover part 17b is not yet fixed to the trunk | drum 14a.

  Next, the pipe 30 is inserted into the gap Δ from the side opposite to the lid portion 17a. At this time, after one end of the pipe 30 is elastically deformed and inserted into the gap Δ, the other end of the pipe 30 is struck or pressed to be pushed into the gap Δ. The pipes 30 may be pushed one by one or a plurality of pipes 30 may be pushed together. After all the pipes 30 have been pushed in, the pipes 31 are pushed in finally. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), each pipe 30 and pipe 31 are directly pressed against an adjacent pipe in an elastically deformed state and are accommodated in the gap Δ in a state where movement is restricted. In this state, the plurality of pipes 30 and 31 cooperate to hold the hydrogen storage unit 13.

  Next, the lid portion 17b is fixed to the body portion 14a so as to cover the opening portion 16b, and the split liner 14 is integrated. Next, the integrated liner 14 is set in a filament winding apparatus (not shown), and filament winding is performed. A helically wound layer and a hoop wound layer are formed on the outer surface of the liner 14 with a resin-impregnated fiber bundle. Wrap until The hoop winding layer is mainly formed on the body portion 14 a of the liner 14. Next, the liner 14 around which the resin-impregnated fiber bundle is wound is removed from the filament winding apparatus and placed in a heating furnace to heat and cure the resin, thereby forming the fiber reinforced resin layer 15. Next, after removing burrs or the like, the valve 27 is screwed into the female threaded portion of the gas passage opening 26 of the lid portion 17b, and the manufacture of the hydrogen tank 11 is completed.

Next, the case where the operation of the hydrogen tank 11 configured as described above is used in an electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell will be described as an example.
In the hydrogen tank 11, a pipe (not shown) through which water (cold water or heated water) as a heat medium supplied from the heat medium supply section flows is connected to the passages 21a and 21b, and a pipe (see FIG. (Not shown) is used in a connected state. The container body 12 is filled with hydrogen at a high pressure.

  When hydrogen gas is used at the fuel electrode while the valve 27 is held in the hydrogen releasing state, the hydrogen gas is released from the hydrogen tank 11 via the valve 27 and supplied to the fuel electrode. When hydrogen gas is released from the hydrogen tank 11, the hydrogen storage / release reaction of MH moves to the release side, and hydrogen gas is released from MH.

  When the hydrogen tank 11 from which hydrogen has been released is filled again with hydrogen gas, that is, when MH is occluded with hydrogen, the valve 27 is switched to a hydrogen-filled state and the hydrogen gas is supplied from the valve 27 to the hydrogen tank 11. The hydrogen gas supplied into the hydrogen tank 11 reacts with MH to become a hydride and is stored in MH.

  The hydrogen storage unit 13 is supported by the liner 14 in a cantilever state with the opening side end of the heat medium pipe 19 fixed to the header part 20, and the outer peripheral surface of the filter 23 has a large number of pipes 30 and 1. The container body 12 is held in contact with the book pipe 31. Therefore, even when vibration is applied to the hydrogen tank 11, the hydrogen storage unit 13 is in a state of vibrating with the hydrogen tank 11, and unlike the configuration in which the pipes 30 and 31 are not present, only the proximal end of the heat transfer pipe 19 is localized. In particular, a state in which bending stress is applied can be avoided, and durability is improved.

  Even if the inside of the hydrogen tank 11 becomes a high pressure (several tens of MPa), the pipes 30 and 31 are not deformed by the pressure. However, it elastically deforms in response to the expansion or contraction of the hydrogen storage unit 13. Therefore, unlike the case where the hydrogen storage unit 13 is held on the inner surface of the container body 12 with a rigid body interposed in the gap Δ, the expansion force of the hydrogen storage unit 13 is absorbed by the pipes 30 and 31, and the container body 12 It is possible to prevent an excessive force from acting on.

This embodiment has the following effects.
(1) The hydrogen tank 11 is accommodated in a cylindrical container body 12 with a heat exchange function and an externally cylindrical assembly (hydrogen storage unit 13) supported at one end. . A plurality of elastically deformable pipes 30 and 31 move between the inner peripheral surface of the container main body 12 and the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen storage unit 13 in a state of pressing directly against the adjacent pipes 30 and 31. Are accommodated in a regulated state, and a plurality of pipes 30 and 31 cooperate to hold the hydrogen storage unit 13. Therefore, even if radial vibration is applied to the hydrogen tank 11, the end of the heat medium pipe 19 that supports the hydrogen storage unit 13 in a cantilever state, that is, the end of the support that supports the hydrogen storage unit 13 is supported. A large bending stress is prevented from acting on the film, and the durability is improved. Further, the elastic deformation of the pipes 30 and 31 can absorb the expansion / contraction deformation of the hydrogen storage unit 13, and the strength of the container body 12 can be reduced to reduce the weight. As a result, it can be suitably used as a fuel tank that is mounted and used in a fuel cell vehicle or a hydrogen engine vehicle. Further, since the pipes 30 and 31 are accommodated in the gap Δ in a state of being compressed and deformed, even when the container main body 12 is expanded, the holding force by the pipes 30 and 31 is ensured. In addition, the volume occupied by the pipes 30 and 31 is small as compared with the case of holding the solid body, and the space that can be used for hydrogen filling in the container body 12 can be increased.

  (2) The pipes 30 and 31 are accommodated in the gap Δ in a state where all the pipes 30 and 31 are in contact with at least one pipe 30 and 31. Therefore, the assembly (manufacture) is simplified as compared with a configuration in which the pipes 30 and 31 are arranged apart from each other and a member for pressing the pipes 30 and 31 is disposed therebetween. Moreover, since the number of the pipes 30 can be increased and the load received from the hydrogen storage unit 13 is more dispersed and applied to the individual pipes 30 and 31, the strength of the pipes 30 and 31 can be reduced.

  (3) The pipes 30 and 31 are formed so that the diameter thereof is larger than the interval S between the inner peripheral surface of the container main body 12 and the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen storage unit 13, and the inner periphery of the container main body 12 in an elastically deformed state. It arrange | positions between the surface and the outer peripheral surface of the unit 13 for hydrogen storage. Therefore, compared with the case where pipes having a diameter smaller than the interval S are accommodated in a state where they are in contact with each other in the gap Δ, the number of pipes used can be reduced and the necessary strength and elasticity can be obtained at the time of manufacture. It becomes easy to respond by adjusting the thickness of the wall.

  (4) Between the inner peripheral surface of the container body 12 and the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen storage unit 13, not only the pipe 30 having the same size but also one pipe 31 having a different size is stored. The pipe 31 has a function as a spring element that abuts the pipe 30 and presses and urges the pipe 30 in the circumferential direction of the container body 12. Each pipe 30 also functions as a spring. Therefore, each pipe 30 is disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the container body 12 and the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen storage unit 13 in a state in which movement in the lateral direction is restricted and elastically deformed. This is simpler than the case where only the pipe 30 is accommodated.

  (5) The pipes 30 and 31 are arranged so as to extend over almost the entire length of the hydrogen storage unit 13. Therefore, compared with the case where short pipes are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the hydrogen storage unit 13, the area of contact between the inner peripheral surface of the container body 12 and the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen storage unit 13 is increased. Since the load received from the hydrogen storage unit 13 is more dispersed and applied to the individual pipes 30 and 31, the strength of each of the pipes 30 and 31 can be reduced. In addition, the number of pipes 30 and 31 accommodated in the gap Δ can be reduced to half or less compared to the case where short pipes are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the hydrogen storage unit 13. It will be easy.

(6) The assembly is a hydrogen storage unit 13 filled with a hydrogen storage material (MH). Therefore, the pressure vessel can be suitably used as a hydrogen storage tank.
(7) The liner 14 constituting the container body 12 is configured in a split manner, the body portion 14a is provided with an opening 16a into which the hydrogen storage unit 13 can be inserted, and the lid portion 17a covering the opening 16a is used for hydrogen storage. The unit 13 is assembled integrally. Therefore, after fixing the hydrogen storage unit 13 to the lid portion 17a, the lid portion 17a constituting the dome portion 14b is assembled to the body portion 14a of the liner 14 so that the hydrogen storage unit 13 is accommodated in the liner 14. Since it can assemble | attach, an assembly | attachment becomes easy compared with the structure which the trunk | drum 14a and the dome part 14b cannot be divided | segmented.

(8) Since the container main body 12 has a double structure of the liner 14 and the fiber reinforced resin layer 15, the weight can be reduced as compared with a case where the whole is made of metal.
(9) Introduction and discharge of the heat medium to and from the heat medium pipe 19 of the heat exchanger 18 are performed from one end side of the container body 12. Accordingly, the structure for holding the hydrogen storage unit 13 is simplified as compared with the configuration in which the supply and discharge of the heat medium are performed on different end portions of the container body 12.

The embodiment is not limited to the above, and may be configured as follows, for example.
The pipes 30 and 31 do not need to be arranged so as to extend over almost the entire length of the hydrogen storage unit 13. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of short pipes 30, which are less than ½ the length of the pipes 30, 31 of the above-described embodiment, are provided at a plurality of locations (two locations in FIG. 3) in the longitudinal direction of the hydrogen storage unit 13. 31 may be arranged. The arrangement location is not limited to the vicinity of both ends of the hydrogen storage unit 13, but may be an end portion and an intermediate portion, three or more locations, or one location. In this case, the force required to push the pipes 30 and 31 to a predetermined position may be smaller than that in the above embodiment.

  The pipe 31 is not limited to a pipe having an outer diameter larger than that of the pipe 30. The size of the space for accommodating the pipe 31 when the pipe 30 is accommodated due to the size of the interval S, the circumferential length of the gap Δ, the outer diameter of the pipe 30, the deformation state when the pipe 30 is accommodated, etc. Is different. Therefore, depending on the size of the space, the pipe 31 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the pipe 30 is used. The pipe 31 only needs to play a role of storing the pipe 30 in a state where the circumferential pressing force of the container main body 12 is applied, and needs to contact the inner peripheral surface of the container main body 12 and the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen storage unit 13. Is not necessarily. Therefore, the outer diameter of the pipe 31 may be smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe 30. Also in this case, even if radial vibration is applied to the hydrogen tank 11, the hydrogen tank 11 is maintained well.

  O The number of pipes 31 is not limited to one, and may be a plurality. In this case, as compared with the case where the pipes 30 are arranged so that they are pressed against each other by a single pipe 31, the degree of freedom in assembling is increased.

  (Circle) the pipe 30 is not restricted to the structure arrange | positioned in the state which each pipe 30 contacted mutually. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the pipes 30 are arranged at intervals, and abut against the pipes 30 between the pipes 30 to press the pipes 30 in the circumferential direction of the container body 12. A spring element 32 may be arranged. An example of the spring element 32 is a coil spring. In this configuration, the outer diameter of the pipe 30 is equal to or less than the value of the interval S in the free state, and is elastically deformed by being pressed by the spring element 32 in the state of being accommodated in the gap Δ, so It is good also as a structure press-contacted to the outer peripheral surface of the unit 13 for occlusion. The pipe 30 and the spring element 32 may be configured independently of each other, the structure in which the spring element 32 is fixed to one side of each pipe 30, or the structure in which all the pipes 30 and the spring elements 32 are connected to each other. .

  In the configuration in which the plurality of pipes 30 are accommodated in the gap Δ while being in contact with each other, the spring elements 32 may be disposed instead of the pipes 31. Between the inner peripheral surface of the container main body 12 and the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen storage unit 13, at least one spring element 32 that contacts the pipe and presses and urges the pipe in the circumferential direction of the container main body 12 is accommodated. Just do it.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, a plurality of pipes 30 may be connected by a rigid element 33. In this configuration, the outer diameter of the pipe 30 is formed larger than the interval S in the state before being accommodated in the gap Δ, and the pressure is applied to the rigid element 33 by being accommodated in the gap Δ in an elastically deformed state. Acts, and the reaction force causes the pipes 30 to indirectly press each other via the rigid element 33.

  In the case of the configuration in which the rigid element 33 is disposed between the pipes 30 as shown in FIG. 4B, the outer diameter of the pipes 30 may be equal to or less than the interval S before being accommodated in the gap Δ. For example, in a state where the pipe 30 is accommodated in the gap Δ, the pipe 30 is pressed in the circumferential direction of the container main body 12 so that the pipe 30 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the container main body 12 and the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen storage unit 13. In this state, the rigid element 33 is disposed between the pipes 30.

  In the configuration in which the pipes 30 are arranged at intervals, the intervals between the pipes 30 may not be constant. For example, when the hydrogen tank 11 is used in a horizontally placed state, an extra load is applied to the positions on the upper side and the lower side in the used state, so that the interval between the arranged pipes 30 is set on the side surface side. The pipes 30 may be densely arranged at positions that are smaller than the interval of the above, that is, on the upper side and the lower side.

  The configuration in which the hydrogen storage unit 13 is held only by the pipe is a configuration in which the pipe is in pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface of the container body 12 and the outer peripheral surface of the hydrogen storage unit 13 in a state where the pipe is accommodated in the gap Δ. Not limited to. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, a pipe 34 having an outer diameter smaller than the interval S may be used as the pipe, and the pipes 34 may be accommodated in the gap Δ while being in contact with each other. The outer diameters of the pipes 34 need not be the same or substantially the same, and pipes 34 having different outer diameters may be mixed.

  ○ In a free state, the pipe is not limited to a circular cross section, and may be elliptical. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the short axis may be constituted by a pipe 35 shorter than the interval S in the state accommodated in the gap Δ. Alternatively, the pipe 35 having an elliptical cross section in which the major axis is longer than the interval S before being accommodated in the gap Δ may be used. Further, the cross section of the pipe may have a circular shape when accommodated in the gap Δ.

  The shapes of the container body 12 and the hydrogen storage unit 13 are not limited to a substantially cylindrical shape, and may be, for example, an elliptical cross section or a polygonal cross section. For example, if the shape of the fin 22 fixed to the heat transfer medium pipe 19 from the interval S is a square shape, the filter 23 is a rectangular tube shape, and the shape of the container body 12 is a shape corresponding thereto, FIG. As shown in the figure, the hydrogen tank 11 has a square cylindrical shape.

  The pipe 30 is not limited to the configuration arranged to extend along the axial direction of the hydrogen tank 11, but as shown in FIG. 6B, the pipe 30 is inclined with respect to the axial direction, that is, a filter. You may arrange | position so that it may become a diagonal state with respect to the axial direction of 23. FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the filter 23 and the pipe 30.

  The pipes 30, 31, 34, and 35 are not limited to aluminum alloys, and for example, metals such as stainless steel (SUS-316L), resins, or fiber reinforced resins may be used. Further, the pipes 30, 31, 34, 35 may be net-like.

  (Circle) the liner 14 is good also as a structure which has the cover part 17a only in the side by which the unit 13 for hydrogen storage is fixed. For example, on the side opposite to the side where the lid portion 17a is provided, the dome portion 14b may be configured by drawing the liner 14 after the arrangement of the pipe 30 and the like is completed.

  The liner 14 may not be provided with a lid and may be formed by drawing both sides. For example, after assembling the hydrogen storage unit 13 with one side of the liner being drawn, the pipe 30 and the like are inserted, and then the other side of the liner is drawn. Thereafter, the fiber reinforced resin layer 15 is formed by filament winding and heat curing.

  The heat exchanger 18 is not limited to the configuration supported by the liner 14 in a cantilever state via the heat medium pipe 19, and the heat medium pipe penetrates the container body 12 as in the prior art, and both ends of the heat medium pipe The structure supported by the container body 12 may be used.

  ○ The hydrogen storage unit 13 does not include the fins 22 in the heat medium pipe 19 and simply allows the heat medium to flow. The housing space surrounded by the filter 23 is filled with MH powder, or a hydrogen storage alloy molded body. It is good also as a structure which accommodates.

  The hydrogen storage unit 13 may be configured to fill the accommodation space surrounded by the filter 23 with MH powder after the fiber reinforced resin layer 15 is formed by filament winding and heat curing and before the valve 27 is attached. .

  The hydrogen tank 11 is not limited to the one used as a hydrogen source of an electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell, and may be applied to a hydrogen source of a hydrogen engine, a heat pump, or the like, for example. Moreover, you may use as a hydrogen source of the fuel cell of a household power supply.

O It may apply not only to the hydrogen tank which stores hydrogen as a pressure vessel but to a pressure vessel which stores other gas, such as nitrogen and compressed natural gas, for example.
The reinforcing fiber of the fiber reinforced resin is not limited to the carbon fiber, and other fibers generally called high elasticity and high strength such as glass fiber, silicon carbide ceramic fiber, and aramid fiber may be used as the reinforcing fiber.

  The material of the liner 14 is not limited to an aluminum alloy, but may be a metal having a specific gravity similar to that of aluminum that can ensure airtightness, or a synthetic resin such as polyamide or high-density polyethylene.

The container body 12 is not limited to the multilayer structure of the liner 14 and the fiber reinforced resin layer 15, and may be entirely made of metal.
The following technical idea (invention) can be understood from the embodiment.

(1) pre-Symbol pipe is arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction substantially the entire length of the assembly.
(2) pre-Symbol pressure vessel is used as a fuel tank of an automobile using hydrogen as fuel.

(3) the container main body before Symbol pressure vessel, a hollow liner and a fiber reinforced resin layer which covers the outer surface of the liner, the liner at least one side is divided into the opening and the lid.

(4) introduction of heating medium to the heat medium pipe before Symbol heat exchanger, the discharge is carried out from one end of the container body.

(A) is a schematic cross section of the hydrogen tank of one Embodiment, (b) is a partial schematic cross section of the state which cut | disconnected the hydrogen tank in the plane perpendicular | vertical to an axial direction. (A) is a schematic cross section in the state which cut | disconnected the hydrogen tank in the plane perpendicular | vertical to an axial direction, (b) is a partial schematic cross section explaining an effect | action. The schematic cross section of the hydrogen tank in another embodiment. (A), (b) is a schematic cross section of the hydrogen tank in another embodiment. (A), (b) is a schematic cross section of the hydrogen tank in another embodiment. (A) is a schematic cross section of the hydrogen tank in another embodiment, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows arrangement | positioning of the pipe in another embodiment. The schematic cross section of the conventional pressure vessel.

Explanation of symbols

  S ... interval, 11 ... hydrogen tank as pressure vessel, 12 ... container body, 13 ... hydrogen storage unit as assembly, 30, 31, 34, 35 ... pipe, 32 ... spring element.

Claims (4)

A pressure vessel having a heat exchange function in a cylindrical container main body and accommodated in a state where an outer cylindrical assembly is supported at least at one end, the inner peripheral surface of the container main body and the Between the outer peripheral surface of the assembly, a plurality of elastically deformable pipes are accommodated in a state of pressing directly or indirectly with adjacent pipes and in a state where movement is restricted, and the plurality of pipes Are working together to hold the assembly ,
The pipe is a pressure vessel having a diameter larger than a distance between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface . A pressure vessel having a heat exchange function in a cylindrical container main body and accommodated in a state where an outer cylindrical assembly is supported at least at one end, the inner peripheral surface of the container main body and the Between the outer peripheral surface of the assembly, a plurality of elastically deformable pipes are accommodated in a state of pressing directly or indirectly with adjacent pipes and in a state where movement is restricted, and the plurality of pipes Are working together to hold the assembly ,
A pressure vessel in which at least one spring element that contacts the pipe and presses and urges the pipe in the circumferential direction of the container body is accommodated between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface . The pressure vessel according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the pipes are accommodated in a state where all the pipes are in contact with at least one pipe. The pressure vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the assembly is a hydrogen storage unit filled with a hydrogen storage material.

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