Patent ID: 7455721
Filing Date: 2008-11-25
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for humidifying a gas stream, comprising: a humidifier device including at least one membrane permeable to water vapor, wherein the gas stream and a humid gas stream flow through a humidifier device, the gas stream and the humid gas stream being separated from one another by the at least one membrane; and at least one bypass line configured to route at least part of one of the gas stream and the humid gas stream so that it does not come into contact with the membrane; a device for varying a volumetric flow through the at least one bypass line integrated in the humidifier device; wherein the gas stream is an inlet gas stream for a fuel cell system and the humid gas stream includes an exhaust gas stream from the fuel cell system; wherein the at least one bypass line is integrated in the humidifier device; wherein the device for varying the volumetric flow includes a valve plunger disposed at one of an inlet and an outlet opening of the bypass line, the valve plunger configured to vary a cross section of the bypass line depending on a distance to the inlet or outlet opening.