Abstract:
A small and simple humidifier includes at least one hollow fiber membrane module formed by inserting into a cylindrical housing, both ends of which are opened, a bunch of water-permeable hollow fiber membranes along the axis of the housing, fixing both ends of the bunch at the outer circumference sides onto both ends of the housing at the inner circumference sides using a resin to thereby block the ends of the housing so as to form a plurality of peripheral apertures which are communicated within the housing at several intervals in the circumferential direction. The humidifier also includes a first passage which allows gas for flowing from one end of the peripheral apertures to the other end thereof serving as an inlet and an outlet, and a second passage which allows gas for flowing from one end to the other end of the bunch of the hollow fiber membrane. The first passage and the second passage are sectioned by a plurality of overlapped plates in an indentation state.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-264703 filed on Aug. 31, 2000 in Japan. The contents of the aforementioned application are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a humidifier to isolate moisture in a gas with hollow fiber membranes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As humidifier which exchanges moisture with this species of hollow fiber membrane, this applicant is proposing a humidifier (Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-202977). 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 are indicating this humidifier  50 , a plurality of hollow fiber membrane modules  52  are supported in a pair of head block  51 . Each hollow fiber membrane module  52  is comprised of the structure that the bunch of water permeable hollow fiber membrane  54  (herein after called as hollow fiber membrane) is axially inserted into a cylindrical housing  53  in which the both ends are opened, and both ends of the bunch of hollow fiber membrane  54  are stuck through a resin in the inner face of both ends of a cylindrical housing  53 , and what is more, a plurality of peripheral aperture  55  which becomes inlet and outlet port for gas is peripherally established at interval on the both end of peripheral portion of housing  53  of each hollow membrane module  52 . 
     A pair of head block  51  are supported by inserting said hollow fiber membrane module  52  into between each supporting hole  56  opening in the inner face of head block  51 . Therefore, when a pair of head block  51  is connected together, a plurality of peripheral apertures  55  established in both ends of each peripheral housing  53  are consecutively pierced into the expanded cylindrical first chamber  58  in the center portion of supporting hole  56  of each head block  51 , apertures in both end of each hollow fiber membrane  54  are consecutively pierced into second chamber  59  which is sectioned inside of each head block  51 . 
     Each first chamber  58  and second chamber  59  is consecutively pierced into the first passage  60  and the second passage  61  respectively through the first common passage  62  and the second common passage  63  sectioned in each head block  51  respectively. This causes moisture in humid gas to move to peripheral surface of each hollow membrane  54  due to capillary phenomenon (capillary condensation phenomenon) when high humidity gas is supplied into the second passage  61  while low humidity gas (including a dry gas) is supplied into the first passage  60 , consequently, this moisture humidifies low humid gas circulating through the first passage  60 . 
     In this way, said humidifier  50  sections the first passage  60 , the second passage  61 , the first common passage  62 , the second common passage  63 , the first chamber  58 , the second chamber  59  and a supporting hole  56  in a pair of head block  51 , and then the first passage  60  and the second passage  61  are communicated with the housing  53  of each hollow fiber membrane module  52  and each hollow fiber membrane  54  through the first chamber  58  and the second chamber  59  respectively, however, end mill machining or drill machining is indispensable to form said first passage  60  and the second passage  61 , etc in one head block  51 , what is more, boring machining by boring lathe is indispensable to form the first chamber  58  and the second chamber  59 . Therefore, these cause complication and increasing man-hour, consequently it is not provided inexpensively. 
     Furthermore, said humidifier  50  is adopting the structure to communicate the first passage  60  with housing  53  of hollow fiber membrane module  52  through the first chamber  58  and a plurality of peripheral aperture  55 , but even though a route section is invariable, a pressure loss is occurred in response to the distance from the joint portion of the first passage  60  and the first common passage  62  to each first chamber  58  and the circumferential distance from the first chamber  58  to each peripheral aperture  55 , which causes a flow rate disproportion, consequently, moisture exchanging rate is variable in every each hollow fiber module  52 . 
     For the reason of this, pressure loss must be decreased by enlarging route section of the first passage  60 ,the second passage  61 , the first common passage  62 , the second common passage  63 , the first chamber  58  and the second chamber  59 , but end mill machining or drill machining and boring machining to form holes for an object of rotation can not help for enlarging a diameter of establishing hole, consequently, these can not contribute to downsizing and lightening a head block  51 . 
     What is more, In said humidifier  50 , connecting the second passage  61  to the second common passage  63  communicating with between each second chamber  59  for communication allows the gas for moisture exchanging to circulate in each hollow fiber membrane  54  of each hollow fiber membrane module  52 , however, when assuming a pressure loss at the passage based on the joint point of the second passage  60 , the flow rate of each hollow fiber membrane  54  is different respectively. 
     For the reason of this, a diameter of establishing hole to form the second passage  61 , the second passage  63  and the second chamber  59  can not help for expanding to enlarge the head block  51  to cope with a pressure loss by end mill machining or drill machining and boring machining. 
     Besides, this applicant is proposing another humidifier in (Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-202977). This humidifier is supporting a plurality of hollow fiber membrane modules on a pair of bulkheads positioned at intervals each other to comprise a head block which sections said first passage and the second passage with the bulkhead at the left, right, up and down. However, this is not sufficient to solve said object. 
     The primary object of the present invention is to make simple structure, easy manufacturing and assembling. Furthermore, the second object of the present invention is to practically improve the moisture-exchanging rate of a humidifier. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is proposed to attain the primary object, and is to provide a humidifier comprised of a cylindrical housing in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes inserted therein and a plurality of peripheral apertures disposed thereon are established and both ends of the housing are opened, a first plate having a dent portion on a part of the surface, and a second plate having a dent portion on a part of the surface, in addition, a plurality of plates including said first and second plates being overlapped whereby the dent portion of said first plate forms a first passage and the dent portion of said second plate forms a second passage, and said first passage being connected to said peripheral apertures and said second passage being connected to both ends of said open ends of the housing whereby moisture-exchange between a first fluid passing through said first passage to be introduced into the outside of said hollow fiber membranes and a second fluid passing through said second passage to be introduced into the inside of said hollow fiber membranes. That is to say, when said first passage and second passage are sectioned by denting a contact surface of a plurality of plate polymerized each other, these two passage can be formed under the condition to have made open the first passage and the second passage out. 
     This allows the first passage and the second passage to be formed and assembled easily with machining, casting and press working. Of course forming said first passage and second passage with casting or press working is less expensive. 
     Furthermore, the present invention may provide a humidifier comprised of at least one hollow fiber membrane module formed by inserting into a cylindrical housing, both ends of which are opened, a bunch of water-permeable hollow fiber membrane along the axis of said housing, fixing both ends of said bunch at the outer circumference sides onto both ends of said housing at the inner circumference sides by means of a resin to thereby block the ends of said housing so as to form a plurality of peripheral apertures which are communicated within said housing at several intervals in the circumferential direction, a first passage which allows gas for flowing from one end of said peripheral apertures to the other end thereof serving as an inlet and an outlet, and a second passage which allows gas for flowing from one end to the other of the bunch of said hollow fiber membrane, and what is more, in aforementioned, said first passage and said second passage being sectioned by a plurality of overlapped plates having indentation portions. 
     That is to say, when said first passage and second passage are sectioned by denting a contact surface of a plurality of plate polymerized each other, these two passage can be formed under the condition to have made open the first passage and the second passage out. 
     This allows the first passage and the second passage to be formed and assembled easily with machining, casting and press working. Of course forming said first passage and second passage with casting or press working is less expensive. 
     What is more, the present invention provides a humidifier wherein a lower portion of said first passage for allowing the gas for flowing towards respective peripheral apertures formed on one end of said housing is formed in a chamber state which surrounds the respective peripheral apertures along with the circumferential direction in such a manner that the flowing rate become the same at all cross-sections of said first passage from the upstream to the downstream, and an upper portion of said first passage for allowing the gas for flowing towards respective peripheral apparatuses formed on one end of said housing is formed in a chamber state which surrounds the respective peripheral apertures along with the circumferential direction in such a manner that the flowing rate become the same at all cross-sections of said first passage from the upstream to the downstream. 
     That is to say, in order to discharge a gas penetrating into inside of the housing via each peripheral aperture formed in one end of the housing from each peripheral aperture formed in the other end of the housing, it is assumed that the down stream of the first passage to inflow gas into a plurality of peripheral aperture of one end of housing is concentrically formed for a plurality of peripheral aperture, meanwhile, the up stream of first passage to inflow a gas from a plurality of peripheral aperture of the other side of housing is concentrically formed for peripheral aperture of other portion of this housing. 
     However, since a gas streaming around a plurality of peripheral aperture of one end of housing is sequentially coming into a peripheral aperture of down stream from that of up stream, flow velocity of gas streaming around each peripheral aperture and a pressure distribution around each peripheral aperture of one end of housing is varied, consequently, inlet pressure of peripheral aperture of the down stream is decreased compared with inlet pressure of that of up stream. What is more, since outlet pressure for a plurality of peripheral aperture of other end of housing is also proportional to inlet pressure, inflow of gas in housing is disproportionate. Accordingly, in related structure, inlet and outlet flow rate of gas for the housing is decreased, and moisture exchanging for a plurality of hollow fiber membrane in housing is disproportionate, an improvement in moisture exchanging rate of whole equipment can not be expected. 
     Therefore, the present invention materializes the equalization of inlet pressure for each peripheral aperture of one end of the housing as equalization of flow velocity (inflow velocity) of the down stream of the first passage for a plurality of peripheral apertures of one end of said housing, specifically, as invariable inlet velocity for each peripheral aperture by comprising said downstream so that velocity is uniformed even in every route section from the upstream to the downstream for each peripheral aperture of the downstream portion of this first passage, in the meantime, for each peripheral aperture formed on one edge of said housing, forming the downstream portion of said first passage to inflow gas as chamber shape radially surrounding each peripheral aperture. 
     Furthermore, the outlet pressure of each peripheral aperture of one end of the housing is equalized to allow gas to uniformly stream in the housing by forming the up stream portion of chamber of said first passage to discharge gas for each peripheral apertures of the other end of said housing so that flow velocity is uniformed even in every route section from the up stream to the down stream for each peripheral apertures. 
     This allows moisture to be equally exchanged for a planarity of hollow fiber membrane stored in the housing to improve a moisture-exchanging rate in the whole of equipment. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention and a perspective view to show a humidifier. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention and II—II line cross sectional view of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the embodiment of the present invention and a perspective view to show a humidifier. 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of inside block seen from intermediate block side in humidifier regarding to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention and a necessary part of detailed view to explain gas streaming for the first chamber. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of inside block seen from intermediate block side regarding to the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a front view of outside block seen from intermediate block side in humidifier regarding to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is cross sectional view to indicate conventional humidifier. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates humidifier, (a) is X—X line cross sectional view of FIG.  8  and (b) is Y—Y line cross sectional view of FIG.  8 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Following is an explanation with reference to the appendix view of the embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of humidifier regarding to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is the structure of a humidifier. As indicating in FIG. 1, a humidifier  1  is comprised of a plurality of hollow fiber membrane module  2  and a pair of head block  3  to circulate gas in hollow fiber membrane module  2  in which each head block has different humidity, and said hollow membrane module  2  is comprised of multiple bunches of hollow fiber membrane  4  and a cylindrical housing  5  to fill a bunch of these hollow fiber membrane  4 . A plurality of hollow fiber membrane  4  extends from one side end to the other respectively along an axial direction of housing  5 , both end of peripheral portion is tightly stuck in the inner face of both end of cylindrical housing  5  under the condition of being banded by a potting with resin. A plurality of peripheral aperture  6  to pierce between inside and outside of housing  5  is circumfentially formed at interval on both ends of peripheral housing  5  of each hollow fiber membrane module  2 . 
     A pair of said head block  3  is separated into a plurality of plate respectively to improve the manufacture-ability and the construction. Regarding to the embodiment, a pair of said head block  3  is separated into three plates of inside plate  7 , intermediate plate  8 , and outside plate  9  respectively, and is comprised of sequentially polymerizing these ones. 
     A shaft hole  11 ,  12  to insert and to support the end portion of said hollow fiber membrane module  2  is formed in said inside plate  7  and intermediate plate  8 , a fit shaft portion with facet joint  14  fitting into a fit hole portion with facet joint  13  formed on the head portion in inserting direction of a shaft hole  12  of said intermediate plate  8  is formed in both end of each housing  5 , and a mounting boss  15  for connecting these head block  3  on the upper face of a pair of head block  3  is integrally formed. 
     For the reason of this, collar  16  is allocated in between mounting bosses  15  facing each other, when nut  18  is screwed and clamped in the head of connecting bolt  17  inserted into a mounting boss  15  facing to this collar  16 , integrating each hollow fiber membrane modules  2  without losing for a pair of head block  3  can be practical. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the first passage  19  is sectioned in said head block  3  to circulate gas (low humidity gas) from one side to other so that a plurality of peripheral aperture  6  on one side of housing  5  of a hollow fiber membrane module  2  is inlet or outlet, the other side of a plurality of peripheral aperture  6  is outlet or inlet. FIGS. 3 and 4 indicates the first passage  19  under the condition of expelling intermediate plate  8 . As indicating in FIGS. 2,  3  and  4 , said first passage  19  is formed by denting a connecting face of said inside plate  7 . 
     Said first passage  19  is comprised of the first gas inflow portion  21  to communicate with an inlet and outlet port  20  for gas of outside plate  9 , a plurality of first chamber  22   a ˜ 22   e  to circulate gas into a plurality of peripheral aperture  6  of each housing  5  and the first common passage  23   a ˜ 23   e  to make chamber  22   a ˜ 22   e  communicate with the first gas inflow portion  21 , opening the separating each wall sectioned the first common passage  23   a ˜ 23   e  and each first chamber  22   a ˜ 22   e  allows the both side to communicate with each other, and opening the separating each wall between the first gas inflow portion  21  and the first common passage  23   a,    23   b,    23   c  allows the both side to communicate with each other. Subsequently, the depth of dent of said first gas inflow portion  21 , said first chamber  22   a ˜ 22   e  and said first common passage  23   a ˜ 23   e  is equally established each other, and the wide of passage of the first common passage  23   a ˜ 23   e  is established in response to an unification of inflow to circulate into the first chamber  22   a ˜ 22   e.    
     Said first chamber  22   a ˜ 22   e  is formed so that the flow velocity is uniformed even in every route section from the up stream to the down stream for each peripheral aperture  6  formed in one end of said housing  5  to unify a gas velocity streaming around a plurality of peripheral aperture  6  of one end of said housing  5  to comprise so as to equalize inlet pressure for peripheral aperture  6  of one end of housing  5 . 
     Concretely, attention to the first chamber  22   a  indicated in FIG. 5 as example, the flow passage  22   a   1 ˜ 22   a   3  formed in between the first chamber  22   a  and hollow fiber module  2  is formed so that while making a depth identical, a flow passage  22   a   1  which is the nearest said outlet and inlet portion  20  is the widest, narrows gradually and a flow passage  22  which is the farthest from said outlet and inlet portion is formed to become the narrowest. 
     That is to say, the father one it is, it forms the route section of  22   a   3  smaller from  22   a   1 , the one, which is nearer, said outlet and inlet  20  it is, are bigger. 
     According to this structure, for example, a flow rate flowing from the first common passage  23   a  gradually reduces by being induced into peripheral apertures  6  of hollow fiber membrane module  2 , meanwhile, the velocity become unify without decreasing by a reduction of cross-sectional area corresponding to this decrease, consequently, the proportional pressure to peripheral apertures  6  is uniformed. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of connecting face of outside plate  9  seen from intermediate plate  8  side, FIG. 7 is a front view of a connecting face of outside plate  9  seen from intermediate plate  8  side. As indicating in FIG. 2,  6  and  7 , the second passage  24  is sectioned in said head block  3  to circulate gas (high humidity gas) from one side to other side so that one side aperture of each hollow fiber membrane  4  of hollow membrane module  2  is inlet or outlet, other side aperture is outlet or inlet. 
     This second passage  24  is formed by denting a connecting face of outside plate  9 , and is comprised of the second inflow portion  26  to communicate with outlet and inlet  25  for gas of said outside plate  9 , a plurality of second chamber  27   a ˜ 27   e  to communicate gas with each hollow membrane  4  facing an aperture of each hollow membrane  4 , and the second common passage  28   a ˜ 28   e  to communicate each second chamber  27   a ˜ 27   e  with the second gas inflow portion  26  respectively, and opening sectioning wall sectioned the second common portion  28   a ˜ 28   e  and each second chamber  27   a ˜ 27   e  cause the both to communicate with each other, in the meantime, opening sectioning wall sectioned the second gas inflow portion  26  and the second common portion  28   a,    28   b,    28   c  causes the both to communicate with each other. 
     The route section from the center of said second gas inflow portion  26  to the entrance of each second chamber  37   a ˜ 27   e  makes second gas inflow portion  26  upstream and makes the entrance of each second chamber  27   a ˜ 28   e  downstream, and is established in accidence with each flow rate respectively so as to make the dent depth of said second gas flow portion  26 , said second chamber  27   a ˜ 28   e  and said second common portion  28   a ˜ 28   e  the same, and to circulate to each second chamber  27   a ˜ 27   e  in the passage width of second common portion  28   a ˜ 28   e  to become equal each other. 
     In this case, said each second chamber  27   a ˜ 27  is formed so as that inlet pressure to hollow passage of each hollow fiber membrane  4  is equal each other, and velocity is uniformed even in every passage section from upper to lower, concretely, 
     In this case, concretely, the passage width is formed to become narrow as the distance is for from the center of the second inflow portion  26  so that inlet pressure to hollow passage of each hollow fiber membrane  4  is equal each other and velocity is uniformed even in every route section from the up stream to the down stream in said each second chamber  27   a ˜ 27 . 
     This causes the inlet pressure of gas flowing into each hollow membrane  4  (each hollow passage) to be unified, consequently, flow rate in the inlet is also uniformed. Although a flowed gas is discharged from other side of hollow fiber membrane module  2 , in also outlet side, flow rate can be uniformly gathered by the second passage  24  having same structure as inlet side to discharge from inlet and outlet portion  25 . Since this case of actuation has a structure to make a velocity invariable in spite of the gap between inlet and outlet, gas flows uniformly from a hollow passage of each hollow fiber membrane  4 . 
     In this way, a humidifier  1  regarding to the embodiment, a flow velocity of a gas flowing around a plurality of peripheral aperture  6  of one end of said housing  5  is invariably uniformed, the inlet pressure for peripheral aperture  6  of one end of housing  5  is uniformed. Furthermore, the outlet pressure of gas discharging from housing  5  is nearly uniformed, at the same time, the inflow rate of outlet port is also unified, consequently, this causes a gas to stream uniformly in housing  5 . At the same time, the flow velocity of the inlet of each hollow fiber membrane  4  (each hollow passage), inlet pressure, outlet and outlet flow are uniformed, consequently, moisture exchange rate of each hollow fiber member module  2  is improved, moisture exchange rate of the whole of humidifier  1  is drastically improved. 
     To materialize downsizing and lightening of said humidifier  1 , as indicating in FIGS. 1 and 3, it is efficient to make a hollow fiber membrane module  2  for a pair of head block  3  so as to shorten the range between housing  5  and  5  adjoining as cross-stitch or triangular arrangement, shallow the depth of the first gas inflow portion  21 , the first chamber  22   a ˜ 22   e  and the first common passage portion  23   a ˜ 23   e  in the inside plate  7 , and the second inflow portion  26 , a plurality of second chamber  27   a ˜ 27   e  and the second common passage portion  28   a ˜ 28   e  in outside plate  9  as much as possible, and enlarge the width of the first gas inflow portion  21 , the first chamber  22   a ˜ 22   e , and the first common passage portion  23   a ˜ 23   e  of the inside plate  7 , and the second gas inflow portion  26 , a plurality of second chamber  27   a ˜ 27   e,  and the second common passage portion  28   a ˜ 28   e  of outside plate  9  as much as possible. 
     In this case, outside plate  9 , intermediate plate  8  and inside plate  7  can be comprised of resin due to lightening, furthermore, especially the portion needed for strength, for example, only outside plate  9  can be comprised of metal. 
     Furthermore, to improve a productivity of a pair of said head block  3 , although said first passage  19  and second passage  24  can be formed by notching of NC machine, etc, when each part of said head block  3  is made of metal, forming by casting is desirable, also, when forming out of resin, the injection forming is desirable. 
     Of course, as indicating in FIG. 1, a face of fit for each housing  5  and shaft supporting hole  11 ,  12 , that is to say, it is desirable that O ling  29  is established as sealant bearing in outside surface, a sealant portion  30  such as seam and gasket is established in a connecting face between intermediate plate  8  and inside plate  7  and a connecting face between intermediate plate  8  and outside plate  9  for securing an air tightness of said first passage  19  and second passage  24 . 
     Moreover, in the present embodiment, intermediate plate  8  is installed in between inside plate  7  and outside plate  9  to comprise as if shutting off the first passage  19  from the second passage  24 , however, abolishing intermediate plate  8  can be practical depending upon the allocation of hollow fiber membrane module  2 . 
     What is more, when said humidifier  1  is used as humidifier of fuel cell (not shown) equipped with vehicle, etc, a supply gas passage for supplying a fuel gas to a fuel cell is divided to be connected with the first inflow port  21  of a pair of head block  3  respectively, similarly, exhaust gas passage to discharge exhaust gas from fuel cell is divided to be connected with the second inflow port  26  of a pair of head block  3  respectively. Consequently, moisture of exhaust air withdrew into supplying air causes solid macromolecular distinguished cathode pole with anode pole of fuel cell to be humidified for stably generating electricity by a prescribed chemical reaction. 
     In this way, several kinds of alternation for the present invention is available unless the content is strayed, the present invention is reasonably deserved to this modified invention. 
     As descried in said embodiment, in the present invention described in claim 1, sectioning said first passage and second passage by denting contact surface of a plurality of plates polymerized each other leads easy manufacturing and assembling due to possibility to form the first and second passage with opening outside. 
     What is more, in the present invention described in claim 2, it is possible to equalize an inlet pressure for each peripheral apertures of one end of the housing as equalization of a flow velocity (inflow velocity) of the down stream of the first passage for a plurality of apertures of one end of said housing, specifically, as invariable inlet velocity for each peripheral apertures by comprising said down stream so that velocity Is uniformed even in every flow section from the up stream to the down stream for each peripheral apertures of the down stream portion of this first passage, in the meantime, for each peripheral apertures formed on one end of said housing, forming the down stream portion of said first passage to intake gas as chamber shape radially surrounding along each peripheral apertures. Furthermore, since the up stream portion of chamber-shaped of said first passage to inflow gas for each peripheral aperture in the other end of housing is formed so that a flow velocity is uniformed even in every route section from the up stream to the down stream for each peripheral aperture, this causes the outlet pressure of each peripheral aperture in the other end of housing to equalize, consequently, gas can be stream uniformly in the housing. Accordingly, moisture is uniformly exchanged for a plurality of hollow fiber membrane contained in a housing, moisture exchanging rate of the whole of humidifier is drastically improved.