IP Library Granted Patent US 12,680,651
Granted Patent B2
US 12,680,651 · App. 19/171,712 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Hydrogen supply system

Inventors: Naoki Tomi (Kawasaki, JP); Yoshikatsu Fujimura (Toyota, JP); Tetsuya Tonosako (Fuji, JP)
Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
F17C5/007F17C2205/0323F17C2205/037F17C2221/012F17C2250/03F17C2265/066F17C2270/0168F17C2270/0184F23K5/007H01M8/04201
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,680,651
App. No.
19/171,712
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A hydrogen supply system includes a detachable hydrogen tank, a hydrogen consumption apparatus that consumes hydrogen in the hydrogen tank, and a control device. The hydrogen consumption apparatus includes a detachment and attachment mechanism that detaches the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen consumption apparatus and attaches the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen consumption apparatus. The detachment and attachment mechanism includes a motor that controls detachment and attachment of the hydrogen tank from and to the hydrogen consumption apparatus. When a torque value of the motor exceeds a threshold during the control of the detachment and attachment of the hydrogen tank from and to the hydrogen consumption apparatus, the control device returns the hydrogen tank to a position where a moving process in which the threshold being exceeded is detected is started.

Claims (25)

1 . A hydrogen supply system comprising:

a detachable hydrogen tank;

a hydrogen consumption apparatus that consumes hydrogen in the hydrogen tank; and

a control device, wherein:

the hydrogen consumption apparatus includes a detachment and attachment mechanism that detaches the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen consumption apparatus and attaches the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen consumption apparatus;

the detachment and attachment mechanism includes a motor that controls detachment and attachment of the hydrogen tank from and to the hydrogen consumption apparatus; and

when a torque value of the motor exceeds a threshold during the control of the detachment and attachment of the hydrogen tank from and to the hydrogen consumption apparatus, the control device returns the hydrogen tank to a position where a moving process in which the threshold being exceeded is detected is started.

2 . The hydrogen supply system according to claim 1 , wherein:

the control of the detachment and attachment of the hydrogen tank from and to the hydrogen consumption apparatus includes:

a detachment control of the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen consumption apparatus, the detachment control further includes moving the hydrogen tank from a hydrogen supply start position to a hydrogen supply standby position to allow detachment of the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen consumption apparatus, and moving the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen supply standby position to a hydrogen supply stop position to allow removal of the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen consumption apparatus; and

an attachment control of the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen consumption apparatus, the attachment control further includes moving the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen supply stop position to the hydrogen supply standby position to allow attachment of the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen consumption apparatus, and moving the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen supply standby position to the hydrogen supply start position to allow the supply of hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption apparatus from the hydrogen tank;

wherein, in the detachment control, the control device returns the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen supply standby position if the torque value of the motor exceeds the threshold while moving the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen supply standby position to a hydrogen supply stop position, and

wherein, in the attachment control, the control device returns the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen supply stop position if the torque value of the motor exceeds the threshold while moving the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen supply stop position to the hydrogen supply standby position.

3 . The hydrogen supply system according to claim 1 , wherein:

the detachment and attachment mechanism includes a detachment and attachment device to which the hydrogen tank is detachably attached; and

the detachment and attachment device includes

a movable portion that moves the hydrogen tank through control of the motor, and

a fitting portion to be fitted with the hydrogen tank.

4 . The hydrogen supply system according to claim 3 , wherein:

the hydrogen tank has a first connection portion;

the fitting portion has a second connection portion; and

the first connection portion of the hydrogen tank and the second connection portion of the fitting portion are connected to each other when the hydrogen tank is fitted to the fitting portion.

5 . The hydrogen supply system according to claim 4 , wherein:

the first connection portion is an on-off valve; and

the second connection portion is a push rod.