초록 ▼

In a fluid leakage detection apparatus, hydrogen is supplied from a hydrogen tank to an FC stack of a fuel cell via first and second pipes. An inlet valve is provided between the hydrogen tank and the first pipe, and an outlet valve is provided between the first pipe and the second pipe. A controlle

In a fluid leakage detection apparatus, hydrogen is supplied from a hydrogen tank to an FC stack of a fuel cell via first and second pipes. An inlet valve is provided between the hydrogen tank and the first pipe, and an outlet valve is provided between the first pipe and the second pipe. A controller serves to control valve opening a valve closing operation of the inlet and outlet valves, respectively. Those valves are closed in a state where the pressure within the hydrogen tank is made lower than the pressure within the first pipe, and the pressure within the second pipe is made lower than the pressure within the first pipe by operating those valves. Thereafter, the increase or decrease in the pressure within the first pipe is detected by a pressure gauge such that the leakage in the inlet valve or the outlet valve is determined. This makes it possible to detect the leakage both in the inlet valve and the outlet valve at the same time.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A fluid leakage detection apparatus comprising:a high-pressure fluid supply source; a fluid passage that passes the fluid from one end that locates at an upstream side close to the fluid supply source to the other end that locates at a downstream side; a first valve and a second valve each provid

1. A fluid leakage detection apparatus comprising:a high-pressure fluid supply source; a fluid passage that passes the fluid from one end that locates at an upstream side close to the fluid supply source to the other end that locates at a downstream side; a first valve and a second valve each provided on an intermediate portion of the fluid passage from the upstream side; a detecting portion that detects a pressure of the fluid within a detection range between the first valve and the second valve; an adjusting portion that adjusts a pressure within the detection range into a predetermined reference pressure, a pressure upstream of the first valve to be higher than the predetermined reference pressure, and a pressure downstream of the second valve to be lower than the predetermined reference pressure, respectively by operating the first valve and the second valve; and a determining portion that determines the leakage of the fluid based on a change in the detected pressure. 2. The fluid leakage detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining portion determines that the first valve has the leakage of the fluid when the detected pressure of the fluid within the detection range becomes higher than the predetermined reference value.3. The fluid leakage detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining portion determines that one of the second valve and the fluid passage within the detection range has the leakage of the fluid when the detected pressure of the fluid within the detection range becomes lower than the predetermined reference pressure.4. The fluid leakage detection apparatus according t claim 1, further comprising:a supply pipe connected to the detection range, and that supplies the fluid thereto; a check valve provided with the supply pipe, and that prevents a reverse flow of the fluid from the detection range to the supply pipe; and a reverse flow prevention portion provided for reducing a pressure of the fluid within the supply pipe prior to determination of the leakage. 5. The fluid leakage detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting portion closes the first valve that has been held in an open state, and upon elapse of a predetermined time period from closing of the first valve, further closes the second valve that has been held in an opened state.6. The fluid leakage detection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the determining portion determines that the first valve has the leakage of the fluid when the pressure within the detection range is higher than a predetermined pressure in a period from a time at which the first valve is closed to a time at which the second valve is closed.7. The fluid leakage detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting portion closes the first valve after closing the second valve, and operates the closed second valve thereafter such that the pressure within the detection range becomes the predetermined reference pressure.8. The fluid leakage detection apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the determining portion determines that one of the second valve and the fluid passage in the detection range has the leakage of the fluid when the detected pressure within the detection range becomes lower than a predetermined pressure in a period from a time at which the second valve is closed to a time at which the second valve is operated.9. The fluid leakage detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fluid utilizing mechanism provided downstream of the second valve so as to be operated with the fluid, andwherein the adjusting portion serves to operate the fluid utilizing mechanism for reducing a pressure downstream of the second valve. 10. The fluid leakage detection apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the fluid utilizing mechanism comprises a fuel cell, and the fluid comprises hydrogen.11. A fluid leakage detection method of detecting a leakage of a fluid in a system including a high-pressure fluid supply source, a fluid passage that passes the fluid from one end that locates at an upstream side close to the fluid supply source to the other end that locates at a downstream side, and a first valve and a second valve each provided on an intermediate portion of the fluid passage from the upstream side, the fluid leakage detection method comprising the steps of:detecting a pressure of the fluid within a detection range between the first valve and the second valve; adjusting a pressure within the detection range into a predetermined reference pressure, a pressure upstream of the first valve to be higher than the predetermined reference pressure, and a pressure downstream of the second valve to be lower than the predetermined reference pressure, respectively by operating the first valve and the second valve, and determining the leakage of the fluid based on a change in the detected pressure. 12. The fluid leakage detection method according to claim 11, wherein it is determined that the first valve has the leakage of the fluid when the detected pressure of the fluid within the detection range becomes higher than the predetermined reference value.13. The fluid leakage detection method according to claim 11, wherein it is determined that one of the second valve and the fluid passage within the detection range has the leakage of the fluid when the detected pressure of the fluid with the detection range becomes lower than the predetermined reference pressure.14. The fluid leakage detection method according to claim 11, wherein a fluid utilizing mechanism provided downstream of the second valve is operated with the fluid for reducing a pressure downstream of the second valve.15. The fluid leakage detection method according to claim 11, wherein a reverse flow of the fluid from the detection range to a supply pipe connected thereto for supplying the fluid is prevented, and a pressure of the fluid within the supply pipe is reduced prior to determination of the leakage.16. The fluid leakage detection method according to claim 11, wherein the first valve that has been held in an opened state is closed, and upon elapse of a predetermined time period from closing of the first valve, the second valve that has been held in an opened state is further closed.17. The fluid leakage detection method according to claim 16, wherein it is determined that the first valve has the leakage of the fluid when the detected pressure within the detection range is higher than a predetermined pressure in a period from a time at which the first valve is closed to a time at which the second valve is closed.18. The fluid leakage detection method according to claim 11, wherein the first valve is closed after closing the second valve, and the closed second valve is operated thereafter such that the pressure within the detection range becomes the predetermined reference pressure after closing of the first valve.19. The fluid leakage detection method according to claim 18, wherein it is determined that one of the second valve and the fluid passage in the detection range has the leakage of the fluid when the detected pressure within the detection range becomes lower than a predetermined pressure in a period from a time at which the second valve is closed to a time at which the second valve is operated.