Patent ID: 7785743
Filing Date: 2010-08-31
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method for humidifying the membrane of a fuel cell, comprising the steps of: receiving exhaust from said fuel cell into a first chamber, wherein said exhaust contains water, and wherein said first chamber is formed by an inner shell having a plurality of pores; condensing the water from said exhaust using said first chamber; receiving intake gas for said fuel cell into a second chamber, wherein said second chamber is formed by an outer shell; separating the condensed water from said exhaust by rotating the inner shell to move the condensed water to said second chamber via said plurality of pores; releasing said exhaust from said first chamber, wherein there is a direct flow of the exhaust into said first chamber, through said first chamber, and out of said first chamber; humidifying the intake gas using the separated water; and releasing the humidified intake gas to the fuel cell, wherein there is a direct flow of the intake gas into said second chamber, through said second chamber, and out of said second chamber; wherein said inner shell is contained within said outer shell; wherein said inner shell is mesh-like having a plurality of pores allowing the condensed water to pass from said first chamber to said second chamber; wherein the inner shell and the outer shell each having two ends, said inner shell and said outer shell sharing an upper cap and a lower cap, and there is a dynamic seal structure on the two ends of the inner shell and the outer shell; wherein the dynamic seal structure is formed in part by the upper cap and the lower cap; wherein there is a circular groove located on each of the upper cap and the lower cap; wherein there is a circular seal in each of the grooves; and wherein the inner shell is inserted in the two grooves such that the ends of the inner shell can rotate in the grooves.