Method for starting a hydrogen engine and a method for stopping a hydrogen engine

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S1 SWitch ON Engine Key

S2 ROtate - Starter

Past

YES

S4 Ignite Plug

Sel

Engine NNO

ROtated p

S6 (Another Step)

Open SolenoidrS7 Control Val Ve END

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Fe: Quantity of flow of the generated hydrogen,

METHOD FOR STARTING A HYDROGEN Q: Quantity of flow of the heat lost at the surface of ENGINE AND A METHOD FOR STOPPING A the tank,

HYDROGEN ENGINE Cn: Heat capacity of the alloy.

5 If the MH tank 65 is heat-insulated, the Qnt can be

This is a division of application Ser. No. 07/384,302, low. Accordingly, when the MH alloy comes to a heat filed July 24, 1989, still pending. equilibrium, a relationship Qwn=Qin can be attained according to the (2) equation, and hydrogen is gener

FIELD OF THE INVENTION ated in the amount corresponding to the quantity of The present invention is related to a hydrogen engine O heat transferred from the heat intermedium. system, a method for starting a hydrogen engine, a In such a system as described above, on purpose of method for stopping a hydrogen engine, a metal hy having the pressure of hydrogen at the predetermined dride container, a method for controlling heat of a metal level, an inflow quantity of the exhaust gas into an ex hydride container, a method for cooling a metal hydride haust heat exchanger 67 and its inflow heat quantity are container. 15 controlled by an exhaust adjusting valve 68 which is actuated by the signals from a pressure controller 70.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART The temperature of the heat intermedium at the en In FIG. 14 is shown a hydrogen engine system utiliz trance side of the MH tank 65 will change in accor ing metal hydride which is, for example, described in dance with the changes of the inflow heat quantity into "A trial manufacture of an engine system utilizing metal the exhaust heat exchanger 67.

hydride' at page 247 of a collection 851 of "Automo For instance, if the pressure of hydrogen comes down tive Technique Academic Seminors' published by Soci below the predetermined level, the pressure controller ety of Automotive Engineers, Inc. in May of 1985. 70 will operate the exhaust adjusting valve 68 to send As shown in FIG. 14, an engine 61 is actuated with 25 the exhaust gas to the heat exchanger 67. As a result, the hydrogen generated in a metal hydride container 65 temperature of the circulating heat intermedium goes (which will be called a MH tank hereinafter), and in an up gradually and heats the alloy in the MH tank 65. In this way, the amount of generated hydrogen increases, exhaust heat exchanger 67 the heat of its exhaust gas is, and the pressure of hydrogen can be restored. via a heat intermedium pipe 72, transferred to heat inter On the contrary, if the pressure goes up above the medium circulating in the MH tank 65 at a constant 30 predetermined level, it will do reverse. quantity of flow. In the system as described above, however, the time The heat intermedium is heat-exchanged with metal constant of the process in terms of the pressure control hydride at the MH tank 65, and the MH tank 65 which ler 70 is large because of the heat capacity of the heat has received heat releases hydrogen in accordance with intermedium circulating system including the exhaust the equilibrium conditions of the metal hydride deter 35 heat exchanger 67, and the unstable changes of hydro mined by temperatures and pressures. gen pressures unavoidably cone about based upon such The heat exchanges at the MH tank are performed as a time delay. Especially, when an engine load is sud described below. denly changed, the pressure of hydrogen is also largely Firstly, the heat flow Qin can be attained as below: changed, and it can be a factor to impede a stable opera tion.

Qwn = (Tw- Tm)/Rwn (1) FIG. 15 shows the results of the operating simulations. = 20Twin - Tw)ywCFw (kcal/h), of the system shown in FIG. 14.

The axis of abscissas shows time (second), and the on conditions of axis of ordinates shows temperature (C.) and ten times 45 multiplied pressure of hydrogen (kg/cm2G). Engine

Tw=(Twin--Tou)/2, loads are shown in the same figure, and full loads and T: Average temperature of the heat intermedium in idlings were repeated a few times. Just after starting the the tank,

Tin: Temperature of the heat intermedium at an operation,idling hydrogen is generated excessively even at because hydrogen is occluded at its full amount at entrance of the tank,

Tour: Temperature of the heat intermedium at an exit 50 theWhen start of the operation.

the MH engine 61 comes to its full load, the of the tank, hydrogen pressure is controlled around 8 kg/cm of a Tn: Average temperature of the metal hydride in the predetermined level. At 1,200 seconds, however, the tank, hydrogen pressure exceeds the predetermined level in R: Heat resistance between the heat intermedium 55 large amount according to a rapid decrease of the en and the alloy, gine load.

y: Specific weight of the heat intermedium, After that, during a long idling, the hydrogen pres C: Specific heat of the heat intermedium, sure is lowered because a little lack of heat quantity of F: Quantity of flow of the heat intermedium circu the exhaust gas prevents the intermedium temperature lating in the tank. from going up. About 6 minutes after a second full load The alloy temperature Tm can be attained as below; at 3,500 seconds, the hydrogen pressure manages to Tins (Qwm-Qnt-Qm)/Cmdt (2), come to the predetermined level, but unstable changes of the hydrogen pressure can not stop.

On= a-Fe (3), In general, a driving mechanism of a hydrogen en 65 gine, for example, that of a hydrogen engine with carbu on conditions of retors, has a pipe connecting a MH tank with the en a: Quantity of heat of hydrogen dissociation gine, and after hydrogen gas is pressure-adjusted by a kcal/NIn regulator provided at the pipe, the gas goes from the

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carburetor through an intake manifold to the inside of a Moreover, there is another problem that the substan combustion chamber where the gas is ignited by sparks tial capacity for containing the metal hydride M has to of a spark plug. Thus, the hydrogen gas is exploded to be smaller to the extent of the space required for the start the engine. shelf 85 in the tank body 82. An igniter has to be turned off to cease sparking the By the way, as another MH tank adopted in a hydro spark plug so that the engine stop. At almost the same gen engine for a vehicle, the one which is shown in time, the metal hydride stops being heated and the sup FIG. 18 has been also known. The MH tank 91 has a ply of hydrogen gas to the engine is cut off. substantially cylindrical tank body 92, in the inside of However, the hydrogen gas in the pipe on its way to which the metal hydride M is previously contained. the engine is not burned and does not exhaust out of the 10 The generated hydrogen gas, as fuel, is provided into engine just when the engine stops. Accordingly, there the hydrogen engine via a hydrogen gas pipe 93. remains hydrogen gas in the regulator, the carburetor, In this case, the heat intermedium for heating the and the intake manifold of the engine. When the engine metal hydride M is the cooling water which has been restarts, the explosion outside the combustion chamber heated by cooling the hydrogen engine, and is the ex occurs, which is usually called a backfire, because the 15 haust gas of high temperature exhausting from the hy residual hydrogen gas makes hydrogen density higher drogen engine. The heat intermedium circulates in the at the start of sparking. Ways to develop the art to spiral pipes 94 provided in the tank body 92. The heat . prevent the backfire at the start of the engine have been exchanging efficiency can be improved because of this considered because the continuous backfires make the spiral shape of the pipes 94. - engine stop. 20 In the aforementioned MH tank 91, however, there is As one of metal hydride tanks (MH tanks), the one a problem of unstable movement of the metal hydride which is shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 is well known (Japa M having the form of fine grain because only the pipes nese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 62-491.00). 93 and 94 are provided in the tank body 92. In other The MH tank 81 comprises a tank body 82 of cylin words, when the tank body 92 is loaded on a vehicle drical shape in which metal hydride M of fine grain is 25 which has to move hard during its operation, there is a previously provided. The metal hydride M occludes probability that the metal hydride M moves around and and releases hydrogen gas in response to the heat ex is arranged unevenly in the tank body 92 because of the changing reaction. A hydrogen gas introducing en vibration. In this case, the heat exchanging effectiveness trance 82a is provided at a bottom of the tank body 82, of the metal hydride M has to be lower. A large prob and a hydrogen gas discharging exit 82b is provided at 30 lem of uneven arrangement of the metal hydride M can a top of the tank body 82. In the tank body 82 are pro be expected, especially, with a forklift which moves vided a shelf 85 having a cylindrical frame 83 and plural hard crosswise as well as back and forth. hydrogen filters 84 which form stories in the shelf 85, by SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION which the inside of the tank body 82 is divided into many chambers. 35 It is an object of the present invention to provide a In the tank body 82 is provided a pipe 86 having heat hydrogen engine system and a method for controlling intermedium circulating therein which goes through heat of a metal hydride container which make the sup the inside of the tank body 82 in order to exchange heat ply of hydrogen to the engine stable and enable the with the metal hydride M. . smooth operation of the whole system. In order that the metal hydride M which has previ Another object of the present invention is to provide ously occluded hydrogen gas might release the hydro a method for starting a hydrogen engine which enables gen gas, heat intermedium such as hot water is sent into the smooth start of the engine by avoiding a backfire. the pipe 86, and the heat of the intermedium as reaction Further object of the present invention is to provide heat brings about heat exchanging reaction, therefore, a method for stopping a hydrogen engine which ensures the metal hydride M releases the hydrogen gas. The 45 the fine start of the engine by avoiding a backfire at the generated hydrogen gas, then, goes out of the tank body restarting of the engine.

82 through the hydrogen gas discharging exit 82b. Another object of the present invention is to provide On the other hand, in order to have the metal hydride a metal hydride container and a method for cooling the M, which has already released the hydrogen gas, oc container which can avoid the expansion stress on metal clude the hydrogen gas again, heat intermedium such as 50 hydride at the time of occluding hydrogen gas, which cold temperature water circulates in the pipe 86 while prevents higher manufacturing cost, and which will not the hydrogen gas keeps coming in from the hydrogen cause the substantial decrease of the capacity for having gas introducing entrance 82a. Accordingly, the metal the metal hydride.

hydride Moccludes the hydrogen gas, and the reaction Further object of the present invention is to provide heat generated then at the metal hydride M is released 55 a metal hydride container which can prevent the un out of the tank body 82 via the heat intermedium. even arrangement of metal hydride and can more effec The metal hydride M then has cubical expansion at tively prevent the lowering of the heat exchanging the same time of releasing the reaction heat, but its efficiency of the metal hydride.

expansion stress is divided by the hierarchical shelf 85, To achieve the above objects, a hydrogen engine so that the concentration of stress upon the tank body 82 60 system of the present invention comprises an engine, a and the like is prevented. metal hydride container which is connected with the In the aforementioned MH tank 81, however, the engine and provides the engine with hydrogen, heat hierarchical shelf 85 constituted of the frame 83 and the intermedium providing means which is connected with hydrogen filters 84 is provided in the tank body 82, and the metal hydride container and provides the metal to install the shelf 85 is a complicated procedure consid 65 hydride container with the heat intermedium, first con ering the interference with the pipe 86. Consequently, trolling means which is connected with the heat inter there is a problem of higher cost because several manu medium providing means and controls the heat interme facturing steps are required to install the shelf 85. dium providing means so as to keep the temperature of

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the heat intermedium which is delivered into the metal of the present embodiment is maintained, for example, hydride container at a constant value, and second con at 80 C. by means of the temperature switch 4. trolling means which is connected with the heat inter A heat exchanger 7 is connected with the engine 1 via medium providing means between the first controlling an exhaust pipe 13 and an exhaust adjusting valve 8. A means and the metal hydride container and controls the metal hydride container (which is referred to as a MH supply amount of the heat intermedium from the heat tank hereinafter) 5 which has metal hydride therein is intermedium providing means to the metal hydride thermally connected with the heat exchanger 7 via heat container. intermedium which circulates in a heat intermedium Other objectives of the present invention will become pipe 12 by means of a circular pump 6. A temperature apparent with an understanding of the embodiments 10 switch 17 as a heat controlling device is connected with discussed later, and the appended claims. Further, many the heat intermedium pipe 12 at a heat intermedium advantages not mentioned in this specification will be entrance side of the MH tank 5. The temperature switch come obvious to one skilled in the art upon application 17 controls the exhaust adjusting valve 8 to adjust the of the present invention. inflow amount of exhaust gas from the engine 1 to the BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 15 heat exchanger 7, so that the temperature of the heat FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a hydrogen intermedium in the heat intermedium pipe 12 can be maintained substantially at the maximum level at the engine system of the first embodiment of the present heat intermedium entrance side of the MH tank 5. The invention,

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a modified 20 above temperature of the heat intermedium is kept at embodiment of the first embodiment, 85' C, in the present embodiment, but it goes without FIG. 3 is a graph showing the results of the operating saying that this temperature value can change corre simulations of the system shown in FIG. 1, sponding to heat intermedium. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an engine At the heat intermedium entrance side of the MH starter of the second embodiment, 25 tank 5, an adjusting valve 15 is provided at the heat FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method for starting intermedium pipe 12 and adjusts the inflow amount, into an engine by means of the starter of FIG. 4, the MH tank 5, of the heat intermedium heated at the FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an engine heat exchanger 7. At the heat intermedium pipe 12 stopping device of the third embodiment, between the upstream side of the adjusting valve 15 and FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a method for stopping 30 a heat intermedium exit side of the MH tank 5, is pro an engine by means of the device of FIG. 6, vided a valve 16 which bypasses the heat intermedium FIG. 8 is a partially broken side view showing a metal in the heat intermedium pipe 12 in accordance with the hydride container of the fourth embodiment, inflow amount of the heat intermedium through the FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX of adjusting valve 15 into the MH tank 5 so as to prevent FIG. 8, 35 the circulation of the heat intermedium from stopping. FIG. 10 is a partially broken plan view showing a With the MH tank 5 is connected a hydrogen pipe 14 group of pipes arranged at the top story, to provide the engine 1 with the hydrogen which the FIG. 11 is a partially broken perspective view show metal hydride in the MH tank 5 has generated. At the ing a hydrogen occluding alloy container of the fifth hydrogen pipe 14 is provided a pressure reducing valve embodiment,

FIG. 12 is a partially broken plane view showing fins 9plied 40 which maintains the pressure of the hydrogen sup and a cooling water pipe, from the MH tank 5 to the engine 1 below a con stant level.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing a metal hydride con amount of the The adjusting valve 15 controls the inflow heat intermedium into the MH tank 5 tainer loaded on a forklift,

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a hydrogen 45 corresponding to the pressure of the supplied hydrogen in the hydrogen pipe 14.

engine system of a related art, A method for controlling heat of the above hydrogen FIG. 15 is a graph showing the results of the operat ing simulations of the system shown in FIG. 14, engine system is now described hereinafter; FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing a metal hydride Exhaust gas from the engine 1 goes through the heat

exchanger 7 and heats the heat intermedium in the pipe

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line XVII 12 up to the maximum temperature while being con --XVII of FIG. 16, trolled by the exhaust adjusting valve 8 in its inflow FIG. 18 is a partially broken side view showing a amount. The heated heat intermedium goes through the metal hydride container of a related art. MH tank 5 and heats the metal hydride in the MH tank 5 in accordance with its inflow amount which is ad

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED justed by the adjusting valve 15. Accordingly, the metal EMBODEMENTS hydride generates hydrogen in the amount correspond The First Embodiment ing to the degree of the received heat, and the generated A hydrogen engine system of the first embodiment of hydrogen pipe 14 is supplied to the engine 1 via the hydrogen while being adjusted, in its pressure, by the the present invention is now described hereinafter refer pressure reducing

valve 9.

ring to FIG. 1; In the above hydrogen engine system, temperature of A radiator 3 is connected with a hydrogen engine 1 via a cooling water pipe 11 which is used for carrying the circulating heat intermedium is always maintained water to cool the engine 1. A temperature switch 4 and at a maximum value if the capacity of heat source, the a cooling water pump 2 are connected between the 65 amount of exhaust gas in the present embodiment, is radiator 3 and the engine 1, and the cooling water sufficient. Accordingly, the quantity of heat into the cooled at the radiator 3 is supplied to the engine 1 by MH tank 5 is adjusted by changing the inflow amount of means of the pump 2. The temperature of cooling water the heat intermedium into the MH tank 5.

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In a method for controlling heat of a hydrogen engine runs at low speed and tends to have its engine over system of a related art as shown in FIG. 14, the quantity heated, such as a forklift because the cooling of the of heat into a MH tank is adjusted by heightening and engine 1 is sufficiently performed by both the radiator 3 lowering the temperature T of warm water according and the MH tank 5.

to the equation (1). On the other hand, in the method for In the aforementioned modified embodiment, the controlling heat in the present embodiment, the quan heat intermedium delivered from the engine 1 by the tity of heat into the MH tank 5 is controlled by chang circulator pump 6 can be supplied directly to the MH ing the inflow amount F of warm water. tank 5 without passing through the heat exchanger 7, so Consequently, the unstable changes of hydrogen that the heat exchanger 7 can be left out. Consequently, pressure can be lessened because the inflow amount of 10 the size of the hydrogen engine system can be smaller. the heat intermedium into the MH tank 5 can be in The Second Embodiment stantly increased and decreased by opening and closing the adjusting valve 15 which has a quick response to the The hydrogen engine system of the second embodi drastic changes on the amount of the hydrogen being ment of the present invention is described hereinafter in used. At a sudden drop of the load of the engine 1 dur 15 details referring to FIGS. 4 and 5; ing idoling or the like, the abnormal increase of hydro As shown in FIG. 4, metal hydride is contained in a gen pressure can be minimized when the inflow of the MH tank 21, and generates hydrogen gas while being heat intermedium into the MH tank 5 is stopped because heated by exhaust gas, cooling water of high tempera the sensible heat of the heat intermedium in the MH ture which has been heated by cooling an engine and so tank 5 is low. 20 on. A filter 22 communicating with the MH tank 21 As described above, the method of the present em removes foreign materials such as fine alloy powders bodiment for controlling heat can lower the unstable mixed in the hydrogen gas. The purified hydrogen gas is changes of hydrogen pressure, which often occur in the delivered to a pressure reducing valve 24 via a nonre related art due to the sudden change of the load. turn valve 23 arranged at a lower stage. The nonreturn FIG.3 shows the results of the operating simulations 25 valve 23, when backfire occurs, prevents the flame from with the method of the present embodiment for control entering the MH tank 21. The pressure reducing valve ling heat by using the same facility under the same 24 delivers the hydrogen gas to an electromagnetic operating conditions as those of the operating simula control valve 25 after reducing the pressure of the hy tions of the hydrogen engine system as shown in FIG. drogen gas to the level which is predetermined based on 15. 30 the safety of a pipe and so on. As shown in FIG. 3, the pressure exceeds the prede The electromagnetic control valve 25 can be changed termined level just after starting the operation because over between two positions, a position a and a position of the reasons as explained above. The hydrogen pres b. At the position b shown in FIG. 4, the hydrogen gas sure after a full load operation is, however, shown to be delivered from the pressure reducing valve 24 is pre extremely stable. 35 vented from flowing downstream. When the electro The gradual decrease of the heat intermedium tem magnetic control valve 25 is changed over to the posi perature during a long idoling is due to the lack of the tion a, the hydrogen gas is pressure-adjusted approxi quantity of heat supplied from the engine 1. But if the mately to the atmospheric pressure at a regulator 26 quantity of heat is sufficient, the temperature of the heat arranged at a lower stage, and then is delivered to a intermedium is maintained exactly at 85 C. carburetor 27 at a lower stage. In the carburetor 27, the In the modified embodiment of the first embodiment hydrogen gas is mixed with the air coming through an as shown in FIG. 2, a heat intermedium pipe 20 at the air cleaner 28. The hydrogen gas, then, goes through an heat intermedium exit side of the MH tank 5 is con intake manifold 30, and is compressed into a combustion nected with the cooling water pump 2 for delivering chamber (not shown). In the combustion chamber, the cooling water to the engine 1 instead of being con 45 hydrogen gas is burned at the sparking of a spark plug nected with the circulator pump 6 which has the heat 31.

internedium circulate. On the other hand, the circula An electric formation for actuating the electromag tor pump 6 is connected with the cooling water pipe 11 netic control valve 25 is now described; and delivers the hot cooling water as the heat interme A controller 33 actuates and stops a starter 34 of an dium, which has been heated while cooling the engine, 50 engine 29 based on the on and off operations of an en into the MH tank 5 by way of the heat exchanger 7 and gine key switch 32, and further ignites and stopsigniting the adjusting valve 15. The rest of the structure is the the spark plug 31 by means of an ignitor 35 while count same as that of the first embodiment. ing time by means of a built-in timer therein according In the modified embodiment, the cooling water as the to a prestored program. The controller 33 outputs sig heat intermedium which passes through the MH tank 5 55 nals to the electromagnetic control valve 25 to magne is cooled down due to the endothermic effect, when tize and demagnetize the valve 25, and changes over the hydrogen being generated, of the metal hydride in the valve 25 to either the position a or the position b, so that MH tank 5. The heat intermedium is, then, supplied to the MH tank 21 and the engine 29 communicate with the engine 1 via the cooling water pump 2, and cools the each other or are cut off from each other. The control engine 1 with the cooling water from the radiator 3. ler 33 is also connected with an engine rotation sensor Namely, the MH tank 5 as a heat sink assists the cooling 36 which detects the rotation of the engine 29, and effect of the radiator 3 on the engine 1. Accordingly, monitors the rotation of the engine 29 according to the capacity and the size of the radiator 3 can be small, signals from the rotation sensor 36. so that the hydrogen engine system and consequently A method for controlling the start of the engine 29 as the whole vehicle which loads the hydrogen engine 65 composed and formulated above is now described refer system can be manufactured in small size. Moreover, ring to FIG. 5;

the hydrogen engine system of the present modified Now, the engine 29 is being stopped, the electromag embodiment is suitable for the vehicle, which usually netic control valve 25 is kept at the position b, and the

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MH tank 21 and the engine 29 are being cut off from valve 25, however, can open either at sparking or just each other. Then, when the key switch 32 is turned on before sparking as far as there is timing, at the start of to start the engine 29, the controller 33 confirms it at the engine 29, to make it sure to have the first explosion step S1 (Steps are referred to as Shereinafter.), and after the hydrogen gas which has remained in the intake rotates the starter 34 to rotate the engine 29 idle at S2. manifold 30 and in the engine 29 or so since the last stop The residual hydrogen gas, which has remained in the of the engine 29 exhausts out of the engine 29. regulator 26, the carburetor 27, and the intake manifold Moreover, in the present embodiment, the judgment 30 since the last stop of the engine 29, therefore exhausts whether the residual hydrogen gas is still there or not is out of the engine 29. The controller 33 counts the time made based on time, but by means of detecting the of the idle rotation of the engine 29, and waits for a 10 number of rotations of the engine 29 rotated by the certain amount of time (It is 1.5 seconds in the present starter 34, the judgement on the presence of the residual embodiment) till the hydrogen gas which has remained hydrogen gas can be made based on the number of the since the last stop of the engine is completely exhausted. rotation.

After this amount of time has passed, the controller 33 The Third Embodiment sparks the spark plug 31 via the ignitor 35 at the next S4. 15

Moreover, after the predetermined time (0.5 seconds) The third embodiment of the present invention is has passed at S5, namely, at the time when the spark now described hereinafter referring to FIGS. 6 and 7; plug 31 is completely ready for being sparked, at S6 the The present embodiment shows a method for stop controller 33 checks, by means of signals from the en ping the same hydrogen engine system as that of the gine rotation sensor 36, whether the engine 29 is surely 20 second embodiment.

rotating or not. This is for avoiding such situation as the As shown in FIG. 6, the electromagnetic control hydrogen gas is supplied to the engine 29 while the valve 25 is kept at the position a, and the engine 29 runs engine 29 is not rotating because the starter 34 does not with the hydrogen gas supplied from the MH tank 21. rotate due to the death of the battery and so on. When When the key switch 32 is turned off to stop the engine it is judged that the engine 29 is rotating, the controller 25 29, the controller 33 confirms it at the step S1 (Step will 33 sends signals to the electromagnetic control valve 25 be referred to as Shereinafter.), and changes the posi at S7, and magnetizes the electromagnetic control valve tions of the electromagnetic control valve 25 from the 25 to change the positions from the position b to the position a to the position b to cut off the MH tank and position a. Then, the MH tank 21 and the engine 29 the engine 29 from each other at S3 while driving the come to communicate with each other, and the hydro 30 ignitor gen gas is delivered for the engine 29. Consequently, sparking35condition to keep the spark plug 31 of the engine 29 in after the hydrogen gas is mixed with the air in the car gas no longer remainsatinS2.theAccordingly, regulator 26, the hydrogen the carburetor buretor 27, the first explosion is performed in the com 27, the intake manifold 30 and so on because bustion chamber of the engine 29, and the engine 29 hydrogen gas remaining at the downstream sideallof the the starts running. By the way, when it is sensed that the 35 electromagnetic control valve 25 is compressed into the engine 29 is not rotating at S6, the starter 34 and so on combustion chamber (not shown) with sucking actions are considered to be out of order, and the controller 33 of a piston (not shown) moving in the engine 29 and is takes different actions which are not described in the burned therein to exhaust into the atmosphere. present embodiment.

The engine 29 can stop as the key switch 32 is turned 40 hausts outtheofaforementioned

After the engine 29, residual hydrogen gas ex if the controller 33 judges, off to stop sparking the spark plug 31 and to change the according to the signals from the engine rotation sensor positions of the electromagnetic control valve 25 from 36, that the engine 29 stops rotating the position a to the position b via the controller 33, and 33 stops sparking the spark plug 31atvia S4, the controller as the metal hydride in the MH tank 21 stops being and completes the stopping operation of the ignitor 35 the engine 29.

heated in an appropriate way. 45

In the method for stopping the engine 29 as described

As described above, the backfire is certainly pre above, all the hydrogen gas remaining in a route from vented in the aforementioned embodiment because the the electromagnetic hydrogen gas remaining between the electromagnetic chamber of the engine control valve 25 to the combustion control valve 25 and the combustion chamber of the 29 is compressed into the com engine 29 completely exhausts out of the engine 29 by 50 bustion chamber and is exploded to exhaust after the rotating the engine 29 idle prior to the real start of the hydrogen gas stops being supplied from the MHtank 21 to the engine 29 by means of a changing operation of the engine 29.

Though the present embodiment is composed in such electromagnetic control valve 25. Consequently, no a way that the electromagnetic control valve 25 is circuit at the stop of theinengine hydrogen gas remains the engine 29 and its driving 29, so that the backfire changed over between the positions a and b by the 55 controller 33 either to have the MH tank 21 and the due to the residual hydrogen gas can be avoided when engine 29 communicate with each other or to have them the engine 29 starts again.

cut off from each other, it is also possible to have such In the present embodiment, the sparking operation is a formulation instead that the controller 33 has duty finished after the engine 29 stops, but it can be modified, control on the electromagnetic control valve 25 at the for(1)example, as described below. The sparking number, after the electromagnetic start of the engine 29 to gradually increase the amount of the hydrogen gas flowing into the combustion cham control valve 25 closes, of each cylinder of the engine ber and to have the first explosion smoothly. 29 is determined previously, and the sparking operation In the present embodiment, in order to supply the does not continue after sparking is performed in the hydrogen gas under the condition where the hydrogen 65 predetermined number.

gas is able to be ignited, the electromagnetic control (2) Once the engine 29 rotates in the predetermined valve 25 waits for 0.5 seconds after the sparking of the number after the electromagnetic control valve 25 spark plug 31 to open. The electromagnetic control closes, the sparking operation no longer continues.

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The Fourth Embodiment introducing entrance 45. At this time, the metal hydride M, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, is agglomerated and is in

A metal hydride tank (a MH tank) of the fourth em a state of agglomerate layer leaving a little space at the bodiment of the present invention is now described in top portion of the inside of the tank body 42 because of details hereinafter referring to FIGS. 8-10; having released the hydrogen gas. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a MH tank 41 has a The low temperature water led through the low tem cylindrical tank body 42 containing the metal hydride perature water introducing entrance 45 is firstly led to M of fine grain which releases and/or occludes hydro one end of the group of pipes 44A at the top story and gen gas in reversible reactions accompanied with heat goes to the group of pipes 44B at the next lower story exchanges. In the tank body 42 are provided pipes 43 O after running zigzag along the pipes 43 of the group of which act as cooling intermedium circulating routes pipes 44A at the top story. The low temperature water going through the inside of the tank body 42 and com also runs zigzag along the pipe 43 of the group of pipes ing back to the hydrogen engine (not shown) in order to 44B and goes to the group of pipes 44C at the next heat or cool the metal hydride M. The pipe 43 contrib lower story. The low temperature water successively ute to the heat exchanging reaction by having low tem 5 goes from the group of pipes 44C to the group of pipes perature water as cooling intermedium circulate therein 44G at the bottom story and then is lead out of the tank when the metal hydride M occludes the hydrogen gas. body 42 via the connecting pipe 46 and the low temper When the metal hydride M releases the hydrogen gas, ature water discharging exit 47. Accordingly, the low the pipes 43 also contribute to the heat exchanging temperature water gradually moves from the upper reaction by having high temperature water (for exam 20 portion to the lower portion of the tank body 42 while ple, the cooling water which has become of high tem moving in the longitudinal direction of the tank body 42 perature after cooling the hydrogen engine) as heating via the groups of pipes 44A-44G as shown as arrows in intermedium circulate therein. The released hydrogen FIG. 9.

gas is supplied to the hydrogen engine via a hydrogen gas pipe (not shown). 25 A reaction equation on the hydrogen gas (H2) occlu In the present embodiment, the pipes 43 are provided sion of the metal hydride M can be shown as follows: in the tank 42 in plural lines in parallel to extend in the longitudinal direction thereof and in plural stories verti cally.

Namely, as shown in FIG. 9, groups of pipes 30 InAccordingly, the above equation, Q means reaction heat.

one of the important things on the hy 44A-44G made of plural lines of the pipes 43 are pro drogen gas occlusion is to release the reaction heat Q vided in the tank body 42 from the top portion to the out of the tank body 42 effectively, and removing the Iower portion thereof in many stories. As shown in reaction heat Q from the tank body 42 outstandingly FIG. 10, in each of the groups of pipes 44A-44G, the promotes the hydrogen gas occlusion of the metal hy pipes 43 are connected with each other in zigzag shape 35 dride M. Another important thing is the relaxation of in its plan view. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 8, one end the expansion stress on the agglomerate metal hydride of each group of pipes 44A-44G in each story is succesM, which has not been reacted, at the hydrogen gas sively connected with the other end of each group occluding reaction.

44A-44G in such a way as the group of pipes 44A is connected, with the group of pipes 44B which is ar. 40 In the present embodiment, the hydrogen gas occlu sion by the metal hydride M, namely, the heat exchang ranged just below the group of pipes 44A, the group of ing reaction begins around the group of pipes 44A at the pipes 44B is connected with the group of pipes 44C, and top story which the low temperature water firstly the other groups such as the group of pipes 44D, the comes through and which the reaction heat is firstly group of pipes 44E, the group of pipes 44F, and the absorbed group of pipes 44G at the bottom story are successively 45 by, and gradually proceeds downward to an connected with each other in a same manner in order to area around the group of pipes 44G at the bottom story. The cubical expansion of the metal hydride M accom have the low temperature water go from one group to . panied another. with the hydrogen gas occlusion successively As shown in FIG. 8, a low temperature water intro proceeds from the upper portion to the lower portion of ducing entrance 45 is provided at one end of the group 50 the nonreacted agglomerate layer of the metal hydride of pipes 44A at the top story, and a low temperature M which is agglomerated in the tank body 42. In other water discharging exit 47 is provided at one end of the words, the cubical expansion of the metal hydride M group of pipes 44G at the bottom story via a connecting begins at the upper portion of the tank body 42 where pipe 46 extending upward. there is sufficient room for the expansion, and gradually A number offins 48 of the disc shape are provided at 55 comes down to the lower portion. both sides of each pipe 43 in the longitudinal direction As a result, the hydrogen gas occlusion by the metal thereof along the length of the pipes 43. The fins 48 are hydride M can be performed with the room where the arranged having a predetermined interval between one nonreacted agglomerate metal hydride M escapes. In another, and the metal hydride M can be filled in the ; other words, the hydrogen gas can be occluded while intervals. The fins 48, therefore, do not have any sub avoiding the generation of residual stress in the agglom stantial influence on the capacity for containing the erate layer of the nonreacted metal hydride M. The metal hydride M. . expansion stress on the nonreacted metal hydride M In case that the metal hydride M which has already agglomerated at the lower portion of the tank body 42 released the hydrogen gas occludes the hydrogen gas is relaxed and, therefore, the stress concentration on the again, the hydrogen gas is led into the tank body 42 65 tank body 42 and the pipes 43 can be relaxed. through the hydrogen gas introducing entrance (not Moreover, in the present embodiment, the plural fins shown), and the low temperature water is also led into 48 are provided at the pipes 43, so that the metal hy the tank body 42 through the low temperature water dride M is cooled effectively because of those fins 48

Page 20

and that the efficiency of the heat exchange on the applied for all the apertures and devices, other than the metal hydride M is improved. hydrogen engine system, which need the supply of Furthermore, the movement of the metal hydride M hydrogen gas.

can be restricted though the tank body 42 vibrates in the The Fifth Embodiment longitudinal direction thereof, namely, in the direction along which the pipe 43 extends. In other words, the The fifth embodiment of the present invention em movement of the metal hydride M in the longitudinal bodied in a MH tank of a hydrogen engine for a forklift direction of the tank body 42 is restricted and the metal is now described in details hereinafter referring to hydride M can be prevented from being arranged un FIGS. 11 to 13;

evenly in the tank body 42. 10 As shown in FIG. 13, a MH tank 51 of the present In the present embodiment as described above, the embodiment is provided at a rear portion of a forklift 52. expansion stress on the metal hydride M can be relaxed As shown in FIG. 11, the MH tank 51 has a cylindri only with the structure of the pipes 43 which directly cal tank body 53 previously containing the metal hy contribute to the heat exchanging reactions of the metal dride M of fine grain which releases the hydrogen gas hydride M. Some other members for relaxing the expan 15 based on the heat exchanging reaction. A cooling water sion stress, therefore, do not have to be provided in the pipe 54, which goes through the tank body 53 and tank body 42, unlike the alloy tank 81 of the related art which comes back to a hydrogen engine (not shown), as as shown in FIG. 16 of which the tank body 82 has the a heating intermedium circulating route is provided to hierarchical shelf composed of the frame 83 and the heat the metal hydride M in the tank body 53. The hydrogen filters 84. 20 cooling water pipe 54 is for having cooling water as Consequently, the manufacturing steps of the MH heating intermedium circulate therein. The cooling tank 41 can be simplified, and the abatement of the water of high temperature which is discharged from the space of the tank body 42 for containing the metal hy hydrogen engine after cooling the hydrogen engine is dride M can be prevented. delivered to the tank body 53 and is used for the heat Comparing the MH tank 81 of the related art with the 25 exchanging reaction of the metal hydride M in the tank MH tank 41 of the present embodiment, the manufac body 53.

turing cost for the present embodiment is half as much In the present embodiment, the cooling water pipe 54 as that of the related art. As for the containing capacity is provided extending along the length of the tank body of the metal hydride M, the capacity of the metal hy 53. As shown in FIG. 12, a number of fins 55 of disc dride M of the present embodiment is 1.6 times larger 30 shape are provided at both sides, in the longitudinal than that of the related art. The MH tank 41 of the direction, of the cooling water pipe 54 along the length present embodiment shows remarkable speriority over of the cooling water pipe 54 as well as the fourth em the related art in terms of the manufacturing cost and bodiment. Each fin 55 is arranged having a predeter the substantial capacity. mined interval between one and another, and the metal On the other hand, in order to release the hydrogen 35 hydride M is filled in the intervals. gas out of the metal hydride M after the aforementioned In the present embodiment, the tank body 53 is hydrogen gas occlusion is completed, the high tempera loaded in parallel with the crossing direction of the ture water goes through the pipes 43 and the heat of the forklift 52 which moves hard in the crossing direction, high temperature water is given to the metal hydride M therefore each fin 55 is arranged crossing the crossing as reaction heat. In this case, the released hydrogen gas 40 direction of the forklift 52. is led out of the tank body 42 through a hydrogen gas Moreover, the hydrogen gas which is released as a discharging exit (not shown). In the present embodi result of the heat exchanging reaction of the metal hy ment, a number offins 48 are provided at the pipes 43, dride M is supplied to the hydrogen engine via a hydro so that the heat exchange with the metal hydride M can gen gas pipe 56 led from the tank body 53. be done efficiently, and that the hydrogen gas can be 45 Accordingly, when the cooling water of high tem released effectively. perature discharged from the hydrogen engine goes The present embodiment can be modified as follows; through the cooling water pipe 54, the metal hydride M (1) Though the group of pipes 44A-44G at each story in the tank body 53 is heated, and the hydrogen gas is is provided zigzag in a plan view in the present embodi released due to the heat exchanging reaction. At this ment, they can also be provided in a latticed shape in a SO time, each fin 55 functions to heat the metal hydride M plan view. effectively, the efficiency of heat exchange on the metal (2) Though the pipes 43 at each story is provided as hydride M is improved.

the group of pipes 44A-44G running zigzag, they can Moreover, if the tank body 53 vibrates with its hard also be a single pipe. movement in the longitudinal direction thereof, namely, (3) Though the present embodiment is so composed 55 in the crossing direction of the forklift 52 during the that the group of pipes 44A-44G at each story is con operation of the forklift 52, the movement of the metal nected with each other at their one ends to have the low hydride M is restricted because of each fin 55. In other temperature water run from the group of pipes 44A at words, the movement of the metal hydride M is re the top story to the group of pipes 44G at the bottom stricted in the longitudinal direction of the tank body story successively, it can be composed in such a way 60 53, and the metal hydride M can be prevented from that the group of pipes 44A-44G at each story is pro being arranged unevenly in the tank body 53. vided independently and the circulation of the low The results of comparing the MH tank 91 of the re temperature water is shifted successively, so that the lated art shown in FIG. 17 with the MH tank 51 of the low temperature water runs through the group of pipes present embodiment are now referred to; The compari 44A at first and runs through the group of pipes 44G at son is made in terms of the uneven arrangement of the last. metal hydride M, namely, the differences of the layer (4) Though the MH tank 41 is used for a hydrogen levels of the metal hydride M between the right end and engine system in the present embodiment, it can be the left end of each MH tank 91, 51, which is examined

Page 21

after both the MH tanks 91 and 51 are loaded on the 1. A method for starting a hydrogen engine compris forklifts 52 and have been used there for three months. ing:

The difference of the layer ievels of the related art is a first step wherein while a communicating route 20%. On the other hand, that of the present embodi between a metal hydride container and an engine is ment is t0%. There is no uneven arrangement of the cut off so as to stop supply of hydrogen gas from metal hydride M in the present embodiment. Conse said metal hydride container to said engine, said quently, the MH tank 51 of the present embodiment has engine rotates idle so as to exhaust residual hydro outstanding superiority over the MH tank 91 of the gen gas remaining in a route between the cutoff related art in terms of the uneven arrangement of the portion of the communicating route and said en metal hydride M. O gine,

Moreover, the results of comparing the MH tank 91 a second step wherein after the exhaustion of said of the related art with the MH tank 51 of the present residual hydrogen gas is completed, the cutoff of embodiment under the same conditions as above in said communicating route is canceled so as to pro terms of the heat transfer efficiency of the metal hydride vide said engine with the hydrogen gas, and said M is now described; The heat transfer efficiency of the 5 engine starts running. related art is lowered by 35%. On the other hand, that 2. A method for starting a hydrogen engine accord ing to claim 1, wherein after said engine rotates idle for of the present embodiment does not change. Namely, a predetermined amount of time at said first step, said. the lowering of the heat transfer efficiency, in other engine is ignited at said second step, and said metal words, that of the heat exchange efficiency on the metal 20 hydride container and said engine communicate with hydride M can be prevented because the uneven ar rangement of the metal hydride M can be prevented in each other only when said engine is rotating after prede the MH tank 51 of the present embodiment. In addition, hydrogentime termined gas has passed after said ignition so that the be supplied to said engine, the efficient heating via the fins 55 can also prevent the 3. A method for stopping a hydrogen engine compris lowering of the heat exchange efficiency more effec 25 1ng:

tively. a first step wherein while an engine is kept being The present embodiment can be modified as follows; ignited, a communicating route between a metal (1) Though the fins 55 are provided at the cooling hydride container and said engine is cut off, and water pipe 54 which extends along the length of the residual hydrogen gas in a route from said cutoff tank body 53 in the present embodiment, fins can also be 30 portion of the communicating route to said engine provided at a cooling water pipe which extends cross is burned in said engine and exhausts out of said ing the length of a tank body. engine, (2) Though the fins 55 of disc shape are provided in a second step wherein said engine stops. the present embodiment, fins of square shape, triangle 4. A method for stopping a hydrogen engine accord shape, sector shape and so on can also be provided. 35 ing to claim 3, wherein the ignition of said engine is (3) Though the cooling water of the hydrogen engine completed after said engine stops rotation at said second is used as heating intermediate in the present embodi step.

ment, the exhaust gas of the hydrogen engine can be 5. A method for operating a hydrogen engine in used as heat intermedium. which a source of hydrogen gas is connected through a (4) Though the MH tank 51 is used for the hydrogen valve to said engine and said engine is supplied with engine of a forklift, the MH tank 51 can also be applied sparks for igniting hydrogen, said method comprising in for the hydrogen engine of others and for all the appara combination the steps of ensuring that upon start up, tuses and devices which need the supply of the hydro rotation of the engine and opening of said valve occur in gen gas. that order to ensure the absence of hydrogen in the As many apparently widely different embodiments of 45 engine upon commencement of spark supply, and ensur this invention may be made without departing from the ing that during stopping, closing of said valve occurs spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that the before stopping supply of sparks to ensure the absence invention is not limited to the specific embodiments of hydrogen in the engine upon cessation of spark Sup thereof except as defined in the appended claims. ply.

What is claimed is: 50

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UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION

PATENT NO. : 5,088,452 Page l of 2

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected as shown below:

"below. " should read -- below; -- ; line 38, "below: " should

Col. 5, line 40, "plane" should read --plan--.

Col. 7, line l6, "idoling" should read --idling-- line 37, "idoling" should read --idling--.

Col. 8, line 32, "a" (second occurrence) should be underlined to read -- a--; line 33, "b" (first and second occurrences) should be underlined to read -- b-; line 37, "a" should be underlined to read - -a, --, line 57 "a" and "b," should be underlined to read --a-- and "b, "; line 68, "b" should be underlined to read --b--.

Col. 9, lines 28 and 29, "b" and "a" should be underlined to read -b-- and -a. --; line 43, "a" and "b" should be underlined to read -- a-- and -b--; line 55, "a" and "b" should be underlined to read --a-- and -b--.

Page 23

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION

PATENT NO. : 5,088,452 Page 2 of 2

NVENTOR (S) : TAKASH WAKI et al.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 10, line l3, "rotation. " should read --rotations. -- line 22, "a" should be underlined to read -- a-- line 28, "a" and "b" should be underlined to read --a-- and -b--; line 60, "below. " should read -- below. --.

Col. 12, line l6, "lead" should read --led-- line 27,

Col. la , line l, "apertures" should read -- apparatuses--. Col. l5, line 37, "intermediate" should read -- intermedium--. Col. 16, lines l and 2, "comprising: " should read comprising: -; lines 24 and 25, "comprising: " should read -- comprising; --.

Signed and Sealed this

Twenty-fourth Day of August, 1993

BRUCELEHMAN

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks