JP2010117923A - Flow regulation device and flow regulation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the entire size of a device by regulating the flow rate of fluid without using a mechanical means. <P>SOLUTION: A through-hole 2a for passing the fluid therethrough is provided at the center of a dielectric layer 2. Electrode layers 3a and 3b are formed respectively on both sides of the dielectric layer 2 in an annular shape around the through-hole 2a. The dielectric layer 2 is deformed by applying voltage to the electrode layers 3a and 3b, whereby the opening diameter of the through-hole 2a is changed. According to this, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the through-hole 2a can be regulated, and the flow regulation can be thus performed without using mechanical means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a flow rate adjustment device and a flow rate adjustment system for adjusting the flow rate of a fluid such as gas or liquid.

  Conventionally, various devices for adjusting the flow rate of fluid using mechanical means have been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1, a valve that controls the flow rate of fuel gas in a fuel cell system is configured by a mechanical mechanism including a step motor, and the valve body is operated by the step motor in a direction that increases or decreases the cross-sectional area of the flow path. To adjust the flow rate of the fluid. Further, in Patent Document 2, in an amplification nozzle that pressurizes a mixed fluid of two kinds of fluids in a fuel cell system, the flow area of the fluid is increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing the opening area of one of the fluid ejection ports by a sleeve slide. Is adjusted.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2008-243782 (see, for example, FIG. 2) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2007-211641 (see, for example, FIG. 5)

  However, as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, in the configuration in which the flow rate of the fluid is adjusted by mechanical means, a large space for arranging such mechanical means must be secured, and the apparatus is large. Problem arises.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and its object is to adjust the flow rate of the fluid by a method other than mechanical means, thereby reducing the size of the apparatus. It is to provide a regulating device and a fluid regulating system.

  The flow rate adjusting device of the present invention is a flow rate adjusting device for adjusting the flow rate of the fluid flowing inside the flow path pipe, and is formed on each of the dielectric layer having a through-hole through which the fluid passes and on the front and back of the dielectric layer. And a voltage applying means for deforming the dielectric layer by applying a voltage to each of the electrode layers. Hereinafter, the flow control device having the above-described configuration is also referred to as a first flow control device.

  The flow rate adjusting device of the present invention is a flow rate adjusting device that adjusts the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the flow path pipe, and includes a dielectric layer having a first through-hole through which the fluid passes, and the front and back sides of the dielectric layer. Each of the electrode layers, a voltage applying means for applying a voltage to each of the electrode layers to deform the dielectric layer, and an orifice plate having a second through hole through which a fluid passes, The body layer has a thickness that closes the second through-hole when no voltage is applied, and changes the thickness of the dielectric layer when the voltage is applied. A gap is formed between the first through hole and the second through hole, and a gap is formed between the plate and the plate. Hereinafter, the flow control device having the above-described configuration is also referred to as a second flow control device.

  In the flow control device of the present invention, the outer edge of the dielectric layer may be in contact with the inner surface of the flow channel tube.

  The flow control device of the present invention further includes a support member that supports the dielectric layer in the flow path pipe, and the support member has a contact portion that contacts an inner surface forming a through hole of the dielectric layer. It may be a configuration.

  In the flow control device of the present invention, the dielectric layer is preferably an electroactive polymer that is deformed by application of a voltage.

  In the flow control device of the present invention, each of the electrode layers is preferably formed in a ring shape around the through hole of the dielectric layer.

  In the flow control device of the present invention, it is desirable that each of the electrode layers has elasticity.

  In the flow control device of the present invention, each of the electrode layers may be coated with an elastic material.

  The flow control system of the present invention is based on at least one of the above-described flow control devices of the present invention, detection means for detecting the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the flow path pipe, and the flow rate detected by the detection means. And a control means for controlling the flow rate adjusting device.

  The flow control system of the present invention may be configured to include a first flow control device and a second flow control device.

  According to the present invention, when the voltage applying unit applies a voltage to the electrode layers on the front and back sides of the dielectric layer, the dielectric layer is deformed and the opening diameter of the through hole of the dielectric layer is changed. Thereby, it becomes possible to adjust the flow volume of the fluid (for example, gas and liquid) which passes a through-hole.

  Further, according to the present invention, when no voltage is applied, the dielectric layer has such a thickness that one electrode layer closes the second through hole of the orifice plate, and when a voltage is applied, the thickness of the dielectric layer Due to the change, a gap is formed between one electrode layer and the orifice plate, and a fluid flow path is formed from the first through hole of the dielectric layer to the second through hole of the orifice plate via the gap. Therefore, finally, the flow rate of the fluid (for example, gas or liquid) that passes through the second through hole can be adjusted.

  In any case, the flow rate of the fluid can be adjusted without using mechanical means as in the prior art by utilizing the deformation of the dielectric layer by applying a voltage to each electrode layer. Since it is not necessary to secure a space for arranging mechanical means, the apparatus can be miniaturized.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show schematic configurations of the flow control device 1 of this embodiment, respectively. FIG. 1 shows a plan view and a cross-sectional view when the outer edge is not regulated, and FIG. 2 shows the outer edge. FIG. 2 shows a plan view and a cross-sectional view in a case where is regulated. The flow rate adjusting device 1 is for adjusting the flow rate of a fluid (gas or liquid) flowing inside the flow channel tube 10 (see FIG. 5). 4 (see FIG. 3).

  The dielectric layer 2 is an electroactive polymer (dielectric elastomer, polymer actuator, EPAM (electroactive polymer artificial muscle)) that is deformed by voltage application, and is made of a flexible dielectric material such as silicon rubber. The dielectric layer 2 has a through hole 2a through which a fluid passes in the center. The thickness of the dielectric layer 2 may be appropriately set in consideration of the constituent material of the dielectric layer 2, the kind of fluid to be flowed, and the like.

  The electrode layers 3a and 3b are elastic conductive electrodes formed by adding a conductive material such as carbon black to silicon rubber, and are formed on the front and back surfaces of the dielectric layer 2, respectively. In particular, the electrode layers 3a and 3b are each formed in a ring shape (annular shape) around the through hole 2a of the dielectric layer 2. As shown in FIG. 3, a voltage is applied to the electrode layers 3 a and 3 b by the voltage application unit 4.

  The voltage application unit 4 is a voltage application unit that applies a voltage to the electrode layers 3 a and 3 b to deform the dielectric layer 2. When the voltage application unit 4 applies a voltage to the electrode layers 3a and 3b, the dielectric layer 2 is compressed by the attractive force between the electrode layers 3a and 3b, and is deformed in a direction to reduce the opening diameter of the through hole 2a.

  Here, when the outer edge of the dielectric layer 2 is not regulated, the outer edge of the dielectric layer 2 is expanded and the inner diameter (opening diameter of the through hole 2a) is narrowed by voltage application as shown in FIG. As a result, the thickness becomes substantially uniform and thin. On the other hand, when the outer edge of the dielectric layer 2 is regulated, as shown in FIG. 2, the dielectric layer 2 is deformed so that the inner diameter is narrowed by voltage application, but from the through hole 2a side toward the outer edge side. Since it cannot be deformed in the direction, the outer edge side is thicker than the inner diameter side, and the periphery of the through hole 2a is thinner than the outer edge side.

  Next, details of displacement of the dielectric layer 2 due to voltage application to the electrode layers 3a and 3b will be described. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the dielectric layer 2 and the electrode layers 3a and 3b at the moment when a voltage is applied to the electrode layers 3a and 3b, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the layer 2 and the electrode layers 3a and 3b, and FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the dielectric layer 2 and the electrode layers 3a and 3b when voltage application is stopped.

As shown in FIG. 4A, by applying a voltage to the electrode layers 3a and 3b, a positive potential is generated in the electrode to which a positive voltage is applied (for example, the electrode 3a), and a negative voltage is applied. A negative potential is generated at the electrode (for example, the electrode 3b) on the other side. An attractive force P is generated between the positive and negative potentials. The attractive force P (N / m ² ) per unit area is expressed by the following equation, where ε _{0 is} the dielectric constant of vacuum, ε is the relative dielectric constant, V is the applied voltage, and t is the distance between the electrode layers 3a and 3b. Is done. Due to the attractive force P, the dielectric layer 2 starts to be displaced in the direction in which the distance between the electrode layers 3a and 3b is reduced.
P = (ε ₀ εV ² ) / t ²

  Since the dielectric layer 2 itself has a constant volume, when the dielectric layer 2 shrinks in the thickness direction, the dielectric layer 2 expands in a direction parallel to the electrode layers 3a and 3b as shown in FIG. In addition, as the distance between the electrode layers 3a and 3b approaches, the generated attractive force P further increases, and a force is generated in the direction in which the thickness of the dielectric layer 2 is reduced.

  When the voltage application to the electrode layers 3a and 3b is stopped, the external force acting on the dielectric layer 2 (attractive force P between the electrode layers 3a and 3b) disappears. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Due to its own elastic force Q, the dielectric layer 2 returns to its original shape.

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which the above-described flow rate adjusting device 1 is arranged inside the cylindrical flow channel tube 10. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the flow rate adjusting device 1 when a voltage is applied (ON) and when the voltage application is stopped (OFF). By applying a voltage to the electrode layers 3a and 3b, the opening diameter of the through-hole 2a of the dielectric layer 2 is reduced, so that the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the conduit 10 can be reduced. On the other hand, by stopping the voltage application to the electrode layers 3a and 3b, the opening diameter of the through hole 2a of the dielectric layer 2 returns to the original size, and the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the flow channel tube 10 is increased. Can do. At this time, if the voltage applied to the electrode layers 3a and 3b is adjusted, the flow diameter can be arbitrarily adjusted by arbitrarily adjusting the opening diameter of the through hole 2a. That is, the flow rate can be adjusted steplessly.

  As described above, the flow rate adjusting device 1 of the present embodiment is configured to include the dielectric layer 2 having the through holes 2a, the electrode layers 3a and 3b, and the voltage application unit 4, and thus the electrode layer By applying a voltage to 3a and 3b, the dielectric layer 2 can be deformed to change the opening diameter of the through hole 2a. Thereby, the flow rate of the fluid (for example, gas or liquid) passing through the through hole 2a can be adjusted, and the conventional mechanical means need not be used for the flow rate adjustment. Therefore, the apparatus can be reduced in size because it is not necessary to secure a space for arranging such mechanical means. In particular, it is easy to reduce the size of the apparatus in the flow path length direction by shortening the fluid flow path length direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, if the outer edge of the dielectric layer 2 is in contact with the inner surface of the flow channel tube 10, the deformation of the outer edge of the dielectric layer 2 is caused when the voltage is applied to the electrode layers 3a and 3b. Since it is regulated by the tube 10, the opening diameter of the through hole 2 a of the dielectric layer 2 is reliably reduced. Therefore, by controlling the voltage application to the electrode layers 3a and 3b, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the through-hole 2a can be reliably adjusted.

  In addition, since the dielectric layer 2 is an electroactive polymer, the dielectric layer 2 can be reliably deformed by applying a voltage, whereby the opening diameter of the through hole 2a can be reliably changed.

  Further, since the electrode layers 3a and 3b are formed in a ring shape around the through hole 2a of the dielectric layer 2, by applying a voltage to the electrode layers 3a and 3b, the through holes 2a of the dielectric layer 2 are almost formed. It can be changed in a similar shape (for example, concentrically), and the flow rate can be adjusted stably.

  Further, since the electrode layers 3a and 3b have elasticity, the electrode layers 3a and 3b can follow the deformation of the dielectric layer 2 due to voltage application to the electrode layers 3a and 3b. Therefore, the electrode layers 3a and 3b do not hinder the deformation of the dielectric layer 2.

  The electrode layers 3a and 3b can be made of a non-deformable material (for example, aluminum foil) that does not have elasticity. In this case, conductive grease may be interposed between the dielectric layer 2 and the electrode layers 3a and 3b, and the dielectric layer 2 may be slid and deformed with respect to the electrode layers 3a and 3b.

  Incidentally, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another configuration of the flow control device 1. As shown in the figure, the flow control device 1 may have a configuration in which a plurality of through holes 2a (four in FIG. 7) are provided in the dielectric layer 2. In this case, the electrode layers 3a and 3b are formed in a ring shape around each through hole 2a. Even with the flow control device 1 having such a configuration, the above-described effects of the present invention can be obtained.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing still another configuration of the flow control device 1. As shown in the figure, the flow control device 1 may have a configuration in which the electrode layers 3a and 3b are covered with elastic materials 5a and 5b. The elastic materials 5 a and 5 b are made of rubber, for example, and are formed on the dielectric layer 2. As described above, the electrode layers 3a and 3b are coated and protected with the elastic materials 5a and 5b, so that the electrode layers 3a and 3b can be resistant to fluid, and the electrode layers 3a and 3b can be corroded. No worries.

Next, an application example of the flow control device 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the flow rate adjustment system. This flow control system includes a flow control device 1, a flow sensor 21, a flow control unit 22, a fuel supply device 23, an air supply device 24, and a fuel cell 25.

  The flow rate sensor 21 is a detection means for detecting the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the flow path pipe 10, and is composed of flow rate sensors 21a and 21b including pressure sensors, for example. The flow rate sensor 21 a detects the flow rate of the fluid before the flow rate adjustment by the flow rate adjustment device 1, and the flow rate sensor 21 b detects the flow rate of the fluid after the flow rate adjustment by the flow rate adjustment device 1.

  The flow control unit 22 is a control unit that controls the flow control device 1 based on the flow detected by the flow sensor 21. For example, if the flow rate before the flow rate adjustment detected by the flow rate sensor 21a is not a predetermined flow rate, the flow rate control unit 22 controls the voltage application unit 4 of the flow rate adjustment device 1 until the predetermined flow rate is obtained. The opening diameter of the through hole 2a of the layer 2 is reduced. Whether or not the predetermined flow rate has been reached can be determined based on flow rate detection by the flow rate sensor 21b. With such a flow rate control unit 22, the flow rate can be adjusted automatically.

  The fuel supply device 23 supplies hydrogen serving as fuel to the fuel cell 25 via the flow path pipe 10 (10a). The air supply device 24 supplies air containing oxygen to the fuel cell 25 through the flow path pipe 10 (10b). Here, the flow control device 1 is provided only in the flow channel tube 10a, but may be configured only in the flow channel tube 10b or may be configured in both the flow channel tubes 10a and 10b. Also good. The fuel cell 25 generates power by a reaction between hydrogen supplied from the fuel supply device 23 and air supplied from the air supply device 24.

  According to the flow control device 1 of the present embodiment, the flow control can be performed with a small configuration. Therefore, by configuring the above-described flow control system using such a flow control device 1, freedom of system design is achieved. The degree can be increased.

  By the way, the flow control system may include a plurality of flow control devices 1. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the flow rate adjustment system. This flow control system has two flow control devices 30a (first flow control devices) and flow control devices 30b (second flow control devices) arranged in series with respect to the flow path.

  The flow rate adjusting device 30a is arranged so that the outer edge of the dielectric layer 2 is in contact with the inner surface of the flow channel tube 10, and corresponds to, for example, the flow rate adjusting device 1 of FIG. Yes. On the other hand, the flow rate adjusting device 30b is disposed so that the outer edge of the dielectric layer 2 is not in contact with the inner surface of the flow channel tube 10 and is opposed to the flow channel 10 via a gap. And constitutes an on-off valve. Hereinafter, the details of the flow control device 30b will be described.

  The flow control device 30b further includes a support member 31 and an orifice plate 32 in addition to the dielectric layer 2, the electrode layers 3a and 3b, and the voltage application unit 4 described above. The support member 31 supports the dielectric layer 2 in the flow channel tube 10, and has a contact portion 31 a that contacts the inner surface forming the through hole 2 a (first through hole) of the dielectric layer 2. is doing. Since the contact portion 31a regulates deformation of the inner surface of the dielectric layer 2 when a voltage is applied to the electrode layers 3a and 3b, the outer edge of the dielectric layer 2 spreads outward and the thickness is uniformly thin. It becomes possible to deform | transform so that it may become.

  The orifice plate 32 is a disk-shaped plate having a plurality of through holes 32 a (second through holes) through which fluid passes outside the center, and is disposed in the flow channel tube 10. The orifice plate 32 is disposed at a position where the electrode layer 3b closes the through hole 32a when no voltage is applied.

  In the above configuration, when no voltage is applied, the opening diameter of the through hole 2a of the flow path adjustment device 30a is the maximum diameter, but the dielectric layer 2 of the flow path adjustment device 30b has the electrode layer 3b closing the through hole 32a. Therefore, the fluid in the flow path pipe 10 does not flow downstream via the through hole 32a (corresponding to the closed state of the on-off valve).

  On the other hand, when a voltage is applied to the electrode layers 3a and 3b of the flow path adjusting devices 30a and 30b, the flow path adjusting device 30a has the minimum diameter of the through hole 2a and the flow rate is reduced. In the path adjusting device 30b, the thickness of the dielectric layer 2 is reduced, and a gap is formed between the electrode layer 3b and the orifice plate 32. Thereby, a flow path from the through hole 2a of the flow path adjustment device 30b to the through hole 32a of the orifice plate 32 is formed through this gap, and the through hole 2a of the flow path adjustment device 30a and the flow path adjustment device 30b The fluid that has passed through the through holes 2a in sequence can flow downstream through the through holes 32a (corresponding to the open state of the on-off valve).

  As described above, according to the configuration of the flow path control device 30b, the deformation of the dielectric layer 2 due to voltage application (particularly, the change in thickness) eventually causes the fluid that passes through the through hole 32a of the orifice plate 32 to flow. The flow rate can be adjusted. Therefore, the flow rate of the fluid can be adjusted without using conventional mechanical means, and the flow rate can be adjusted with a small configuration. Further, in the configuration of the flow path adjustment device 30b, the dielectric layer 2 changes with a uniform thickness, so that the flow path adjustment device 30b functions as an on-off valve that adjusts the flow rate adjustment of the fluid with binary values of ON / OFF. Can do.

  Further, by configuring the flow rate adjusting system to include two flow rate adjusting devices 30a and 30b, one (flow rate adjusting device 30a) is used as a throttle for flow rate adjustment, and the other (flow rate adjusting device 30b) is used as an on-off valve. The functions can be assigned to the respective flow control devices 30a and 30b. Thereby, flow volume adjustment can be performed reliably.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing still another configuration example of the flow rate adjustment system. As shown in the figure, the flow rate adjusting device 30b does not have the support member 31 including the contact part 31a, and the outer edge of the dielectric layer 2 contacts the inner surface of the flow channel tube 10, whereby the dielectric layer 2 May be supported. In this case, the manner of deformation of the dielectric layer 2 is the same as that of the flow rate adjusting device 30a, but the thickness of the dielectric layer 2 is changed by applying a voltage, whereby the gap between the electrode layer 3b and the orifice plate 32 is changed. A gap is formed, and a flow path is still formed between the through hole 2a and the through hole 32a via the gap. Therefore, even if it is the structure of such a flow control apparatus 30b, this can be used as an on-off valve. Further, in this configuration, since the opening diameter of the through hole 2a of the flow rate adjusting device 30b also changes, the flow rate adjusting device 30b can also have a function of a throttle.

  It should be noted that the flow rate adjusting devices 30a and 30b may be arranged according to the purpose of use, and it is of course possible to arrange the flow rate adjusting system by arranging only one (for example, only the flow rate adjusting device 30b).

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for, for example, a flow rate adjusting device and a flow rate adjusting system for adjusting a flow rate of a fluid such as gas or liquid, as well as a fuel supply amount adjustment valve and a flow path opening / closing valve of a fuel cell.

FIG. 2 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a flow rate adjusting device according to the present invention when an outer edge is not regulated. FIG. 2 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the flow rate adjusting device when an outer edge is regulated. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state by which the voltage application part was connected to each electrode layer of the said flow control apparatus. (A) is sectional drawing of the dielectric material layer and each electrode layer of the said flow control apparatus at the moment of applying a voltage, (b) is sectional drawing of the dielectric material layer and each electrode layer at the time of a deformation | transformation by voltage application. (C) is a sectional view of the dielectric layer and each electrode layer when voltage application is stopped. It is a perspective view which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the said flow control apparatus in a pipe line. It is a top view of the above-mentioned flow control device at the time of voltage application and voltage application stop. It is a perspective view which shows the other structure of the said flow control apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows the further another structure of the said flow control apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of 1 structure of the flow volume adjustment system of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the other structural example of the said flow control system. It is sectional drawing which shows the further another structural example of the said flow control system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flow control apparatus 2 Dielectric layer 2a Through-hole (1st through-hole)
3a Electrode layer 3b Electrode layer 4 Voltage application part (voltage application means)
5a Elastic material 5b Elastic material 10 Channel tube 10a Channel tube 10b Channel tube 21 Flow rate sensor (detection means)
21a Flow sensor (detection means)
21b Flow rate sensor (detection means)
22 Flow control unit (control means)
30a Flow control device 30b Flow control device 31 Support member 31a Abutting portion 32 Orifice plate 32a Through hole (second through hole)

Claims (10)

A flow rate adjusting device for adjusting a flow rate of a fluid flowing in a flow path pipe,
A dielectric layer having a through-hole through which fluid passes;
Electrode layers respectively formed on the front and back of the dielectric layer;
A flow rate adjusting device comprising: voltage applying means for changing an opening diameter of a through hole of the dielectric layer by applying a voltage to each of the electrode layers to deform the dielectric layer. A flow rate adjusting device for adjusting a flow rate of a fluid flowing in a flow path pipe,
A dielectric layer having a first through-hole through which fluid passes;
Electrode layers respectively formed on the front and back of the dielectric layer;
Voltage applying means for applying a voltage to each of the electrode layers to deform the dielectric layer;
An orifice plate having a second through-hole through which fluid passes,
When no voltage is applied, the dielectric layer has such a thickness that one electrode layer closes the second through hole. When a voltage is applied, the dielectric layer changes in thickness with the one electrode layer. A flow rate adjusting device characterized in that a gap is formed between the orifice plate and a fluid flow path from the first through hole to the second through hole through the gap.   The flow rate adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein an outer edge of the dielectric layer is in contact with an inner surface of the flow channel tube. A support member for supporting the dielectric layer in the flow channel tube;
The flow rate adjusting device according to claim 2, wherein the support member has an abutting portion that abuts against an inner surface forming a through hole of the dielectric layer.   The flow rate adjusting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dielectric layer is an electroactive polymer that is deformed by application of a voltage.   6. The flow rate adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein each of the electrode layers is formed in a ring shape around a through hole of the dielectric layer.   The flow rate adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein each of the electrode layers has elasticity.   The flow rate adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein each of the electrode layers is coated with an elastic material. At least one flow rate control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Detection means for detecting the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the flow path pipe;
And a control means for controlling the flow rate control device based on the flow rate detected by the detection means.   The flow control system according to claim 9, comprising the flow control device according to claim 1 and the flow control device according to claim 2.

Images