Patent ID: 12191539

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, embodiments of a humidifier for fuel cells according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Since a cartridge of a humidifier for fuel cells according to the present disclosure may be included in the humidifier for fuel cells according to the present disclosure, the cartridge of the humidifier for fuel cells according to the present disclosure will be described together when describing the humidifier for fuel cells according to the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.2to4, a humidifier1for fuel cells according to the present disclosure humidifies dry gas supplied from the outside using wet gas discharged from a fuel cell stack (not shown). The dry gas may be fuel gas or air. The humidifier1for fuel cells according to the present disclosure includes a humidifying module2configured to humidify dry gas, a first cap3coupled to one end of the humidifying module2, and a second cap4coupled to the other end of the humidifying module2.

Referring toFIGS.2to4, the humidifying module2humidifies dry gas supplied from the outside using wet gas discharged from the fuel cell stack. The first cap3may be coupled to one end of the humidifying module2. The second cap4may be coupled to the other end of the humidifying module2. The first cap3may transmit dry gas supplied from the outside to the humidifying module2. The second cap4may transmit the dry gas humidified by the humidifying module2to the fuel cell stack. The second cap4may transmit dry gas supplied from the outside to the humidifying module2, and the first cap3may transmit the dry gas humidified by the humidifying module2to the fuel cell stack.

The humidifying module2includes a cartridge21and a mid-case22.

The cartridge21includes a plurality of hollow fiber membranes211. The hollow fiber membranes211may be implemented as the cartridge21so as to be modularized. Consequently, the hollow fiber membranes211may be installed in the mid-case22through a process of coupling the cartridge21to the mid-case22. In the humidifier1for fuel cells according to the present disclosure, therefore, ease in installation, separation, and replacement of the hollow fiber membranes211may be improved. The cartridge21may be implemented as the cartridge of the humidifier for fuel cells according to the present disclosure.

The cartridge21may include an inner case210configured to receive the hollow fiber membranes211. The hollow fiber membranes211may be disposed in the inner case210so as to be modularized. Each of the hollow fiber membranes211may include a polymer membrane made of polysulfone resin, polyethersulfone resin, sulfonated polysulfone resin, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) resin, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) resin, polyimide resin, polyamide imide resin, polyester imide resin, or a mixture of two or more thereof.

The cartridge21may include a first potting portion212. The first potting portion212fixes the hollow fiber membranes211. The first potting portion212may fix one side of each of the hollow fiber membranes211. In this case, the first potting portion212may be formed so as not to block hollow portions of the hollow fiber membranes211. The first potting portion212may be formed by hardening a liquid resin, such as liquid polyurethane resin, using a casting process. The first potting portion212may fix the inner case210and one side of each of the hollow fiber membranes211to each other.

The cartridge21may include a second potting portion213. The second potting portion213fixes the other side of each of the hollow fiber membranes211. In this case, the second potting portion213may be formed so as not to block the hollow portions of the hollow fiber membranes211. Consequently, dry gas may be supplied to the hollow portions of the hollow fiber membranes211, may be humidified, and may be supplied to the fuel cell stack without being disturbed by the second potting portion213and the first potting portion212. The second potting portion213may be formed by hardening a liquid resin, such as liquid polyurethane resin, using a casting process. The second potting portion213may fix the inner case210and the other side of each of the hollow fiber membranes211to each other.

The cartridge21is coupled to the mid-case22. The cartridge21may be disposed in the mid-case22. The mid-case22may include a receiving hole220configured to receive the cartridge21. The receiving hole220may be formed through the mid-case22in a first-axis direction (X-axis direction). The mid-case22may include an inlet221and an outlet222. Wet gas containing moisture may be introduced into the inner case210via the interior of the mid-case22through the inlet221, and may then come into contact with the outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes211. During this process, the moisture contained in the wet gas may be transmitted through the hollow fiber membranes211, whereby the dry gas flowing along the hollow portions of the hollow fiber membranes211may be humidified. The humidified dry gas may be discharged from the hollow fiber membranes211, and may then be supplied to the fuel cell stack. After humidifying the dry gas, the wet gas may be discharged from the inner case210, may flow along the interior of the mid-case22, and may be discharged from the mid-case22through the outlet222. The inlet221may be connected to the fuel cell stack. In this case, the wet gas may be off-gas discharged from the fuel cell stack.

Meanwhile, the inner case210may be provided with an introduction hole210aconfigured to allow the wet gas to be introduced therethrough and a discharge hole210bconfigured to allow the wet gas, after humidifying the dry gas flowing along the hollow portions of the hollow fiber membranes211, to be discharged therethrough. In this case, the wet gas may be introduced between the inner surface of the mid-case22and the outer surface of the cartridge21through the inlet221, may be supplied into the inner case210through the introduction hole210a, may come into contact with the outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes211, may humidify the dry gas flowing along the hollow portions of the hollow fiber membranes211, may be discharged between the inner surface of the mid-case22and the outer surface of the cartridge21through the discharge hole210b, and may be discharged from the mid-case22through the outlet222. A plurality of introduction holes210amay be formed in the inner case210. The introduction holes210amay be disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other in the first-axis direction (X-axis direction). A plurality of discharge holes210bmay be formed in the inner case210. The discharge holes210bmay be disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other in the first-axis direction (X-axis direction).

The humidifying module2may include a packing member23.

The packing member23hermetically seals between the cartridge21and the mid-case22. The packing member23may be airtightly coupled to at least one end of the humidifying module2through mechanical assembly. Consequently, the packing member23allows the first cap to fluidly communicate with only the hollow fiber membranes112. Consequently, the packing member23may prevent direct mixing between dry gas to be supplied to the fuel cell stack and wet gas supplied into the mid-case22. The packing member23may be inserted between the cartridge21and the mid-case22. In this case, the cartridge21may be inserted into a passing hole23aformed in the packing member23. The packing member23may contact each of an inner wall of the mid-case22, an outer wall of the cartridge21, and the first potting portion212. Through such contact, the packing member23may be airtightly coupled to one end of the humidifying module2. In this case, the packing member23may contact each of a portion of the inner wall of the mid-case22, a portion of the outer wall of the cartridge21, and a portion of the first potting portion212.

The humidifier1for fuel cells according to the present disclosure may include a plurality of packing members23. The packing members23and23′ may be airtightly coupled to opposite ends of the humidifying module2, respectively. In this case, the packing members23and23′ may be disposed at opposite sides of the cartridge21. The packing member23′ may contact each of the inner wall of the mid-case22, the outer wall of the cartridge21, and the second potting portion213, whereby the packing member23′ may be airtightly coupled to the other end of the humidifying module2. In this case, the packing member23′ may contact each of a portion of the inner wall of the mid-case22, a portion of the outer wall of the cartridge21, and a portion of the second potting portion213. A passing hole23a′ may be formed in the packing member23′. The packing members and23′ may be implemented so as to have the same structure except that the positions thereof are different from each other.

Although not shown, the humidifier1for fuel cells according to the present disclosure may be implemented such that resin layers are formed at opposite sides of the cartridge21instead of the packing members23and23′. The resin layers may be formed by hardening a liquid polymer, such as liquid polyurethane resin, using a casting method.

Referring toFIGS.2to4, the first cap3is coupled to one end of the humidifying module2. The space between the first cap3and the cartridge21may be isolated from the space between the cartridge21and the mid-case22in a hermetically sealed state by the packing member23or the resin layer.

Referring toFIGS.2to4, the second cap4is coupled to the other end of the humidifying module2. The space between the second cap4and the cartridge21may be isolated from the space between the cartridge21and the mid-case22in a hermetically sealed state by the packing member23′ or the resin layer.

Referring toFIGS.2to8, the humidifier1for fuel cells according to the present disclosure may be implemented as follows in order to reduce the flow rate of wet gas that is bypassed without contact with the outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes211.

The mid-case22may include a blocking member223.

The blocking member223blocks passage of wet gas. The blocking member223may protrude toward the receiving hole220so as to contact the cartridge21disposed in the receiving hole220. The blocking member223may protrude toward the cartridge21between the inlet221and the outlet222so as to contact the cartridge21. In the humidifier1for fuel cells according to the present disclosure, therefore, it is possible to reduce the flow rate of wet gas that is bypassed to the outlet222immediately after being supplied into the mid-case22through the inlet221. The blocking member223may contact the inner case210of the cartridge21. In this case, the blocking member223may contact the inner case210between the introduction hole210aand the discharge hole210bformed in the inner case210. In the humidifier1for fuel cells according to the present disclosure, therefore, it is possible to reduce the flow rate of wet gas that is bypassed through the space between the blocking member223and the inner case210. The blocking member223and the mid-case22may be integrally formed.

Here, the wet gas performs a humidification process while flowing at a considerable pressure. Consequently, the mid-case22and the inner case210may expand outwards depending on the pressure of the wet gas. In this case, since the mid-case22and the inner case210expand at different rates of expansion due to a difference in material therebetween, the blocking member223may be spaced apart from the inner case210, as shown inFIG.6. As a result, the flow rate of the wet gas that is bypassed without contact with the outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes211may be increased.

In order to prevent the blocking member223and the inner case210from being spaced apart from each other, as described above, the cartridge21may include an interlocking member214.

The interlocking member214connects the inner case210to the blocking member223. Due to the interlocking member214, the blocking member223and the inner case210may move in an interlocked state depending on the pressure of the wet gas. For example, as shown inFIG.8, when the mid-case22and the inner case210expand outwards as the pressure of the wet gas is increased, the interlocking member214may connect the mid-case22and the inner case210to each other such that the mid-case22and the inner case210move outwards by the same distance. In this case, when the mid-case22expands more than the inner case210, the inner case210may be pulled by the mid-case22via the interlocking member214, whereby the inner case210may further expand outwards. In the humidifier1for fuel cells according to the present disclosure, therefore, the blocking member223may remain in contact with the inner case210even though the mid-case22and the inner case210expand outwards depending on the pressure of the wet gas. In the humidifier1for fuel cells according to the present disclosure, therefore, it is possible to reduce the flow rate of the wet gas that is bypassed without contact with the outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes211, whereby it is possible to improve the efficiency of the humidification process. Furthermore, in the humidifier1for fuel cells according to the present disclosure, dry gas that is sufficiently humidified may be supplied to the fuel cell stack, whereby it is possible to contribute to improvement in power generation efficiency of a fuel cell.

Referring toFIGS.9to12, the interlocking member214may include a coupling member214aand a catching member214b.

The coupling member214ais coupled to each of the inner case210and the catching member214b. The coupling member214amay protrude from the outer surface of the inner case210. Consequently, the coupling member214aand the blocking member223may be disposed so as to partially or entirely overlap each other. The coupling member214amay be disposed so as to protrude from the outer surface of the inner case210toward the receiving hole220when the cartridge21is inserted into the receiving hole220. The coupling member214aand the inner case210may be integrally formed.

The catching member214bis inserted into a catching groove223a(shown inFIG.9) formed in the blocking member223. When the catching member214bis inserted into the catching groove223a, the interlocking member214and the blocking member223may be interlocked by catching so as to move together. The catching member214bmay protrude from the coupling member214a. The catching member214bmay be disposed so as to be spaced apart from the inner case210. When the catching member214bis inserted into the catching groove223a, therefore, the blocking member223may be inserted between the catching member214band the inner case210. Consequently, the force of connection between the interlocking member214and the blocking member223through catching may be increased. The catching member214band the coupling member214amay be integrally formed.

The catching member214bmay protrude in an insertion direction (ID arrow direction). The insertion direction (ID arrow direction) is a direction in which the cartridge21is moved so as to be inserted into the mid-case22. In this case, the cartridge21may be moved in a separation direction (SD arrow direction) so as to be separated from the mid-case22. When the cartridge21is moved in the insertion direction (ID arrow direction) and is then disposed in the mid-case22, the catching member214bmay be disposed at the side of the blocking member223in the separation direction (SD arrow direction) so as to be inserted into the catching groove223a. In this case, the coupling member214amay also be disposed at the side of the blocking member223in the separation direction (SD arrow direction). In the humidifier1for fuel cells according to the present disclosure, therefore, it is possible to reduce the flow rate of the wet gas that is bypassed without contact with the outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes211using the interlocking member214and the blocking member223and to secure ease in assembly of the cartridge21and the mid-case22due to the interlocking member214and the blocking member223.

As shown inFIG.11, the coupling member214amay be formed in a ring shape extending along the periphery of the inner case210. In this case, the catching member214bmay be formed along the coupling member214ain a ring shape. Consequently, the catching member214band the coupling member214amay be disposed so as to surround the outer surface of the inner case210. In this case, the blocking member223may be formed in a ring shape corresponding to the coupling member214a. The catching groove223amay be formed in a ring shape corresponding to the catching member214b. In an embodiment in which the coupling member214ais formed in a ring shape extending along the periphery of the inner case210, as described above, it is possible to increase the area of contact between the interlocking member214and the blocking member223for catching. In the embodiment in which the coupling member214ais formed in a ring shape extending along the periphery of the inner case210, therefore, it is possible to improve unity in that the inner case210and the mid-case22are moved in an interlocked state.

As shown inFIG.10, the coupling member214amay be partially formed at the periphery of the inner case210. In this case, the catching member214bmay also be partially formed at the periphery of the inner case210. In an embodiment in which coupling member214ais partially formed at the periphery of the inner case210, as described above, it is possible to reduce manufacturing cost and processing cost necessary to implement the inner case210and the mid-case22so as to be moved in an interlocked state.

As shown inFIG.12, the interlocking member214may include a plurality of coupling members214a. The coupling members214amay be disposed along the periphery of the inner case210so as to be spaced apart from each other. The catching member214bmay be coupled to each of the coupling members214a. In an embodiment in which the interlocking member214includes a plurality of coupling members214aand a plurality of catching members214b, as described above, it is possible to improve unity in that the inner case210and the mid-case22are moved in an interlocked state and to reduce manufacturing cost and processing cost necessary to implement the inner case210and the mid-case22so as to be moved in an interlocked state. Meanwhile,FIG.12shows that the interlocking member214includes four coupling members214a,214a1,214a2, and214a3and four catching members214b,214b1,214b2, and214b3. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The interlocking member214may include two, three, or five or more coupling members214aand two, three, or five or more catching members214b. Meanwhile,FIG.12shows that the interlocking member214includes coupling members214aprotruding in different directions. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The interlocking member214may be implemented so as to include coupling members214adisposed so as to be spaced apart from each other while protruding in the same direction.

Referring toFIGS.13and14, the humidifier1for fuel cells according to the present disclosure may be implemented such that a plurality of cartridges21and21′ is coupled to the mid-case22. In this case, the mid-case22may include a plurality of receiving holes220and220′ configured respectively to receive the cartridges21and21′ and a plurality of blocking members223and223′ protruding respectively toward the receiving holes220and220′ so as to contact the cartridges21and21′ in order to block passage of wet gas. The cartridges and21′ may include a plurality of interlocking members214and214′ configured to connect the inner cases210and210′ to the blocking members223and223′ such that the inner cases210and210′ and the blocking members223and223′ are moved in an interlocked state. Each of the interlocking members214and214′ may include the coupling member214a(shown inFIG.9) and the catching member214b(shown inFIG.9). In this case, the catching groove223a(shown inFIG.9) may be formed in each of the blocking members223and223′. Meanwhile, the mid-case22may include a partition member224(shown inFIG.14) disposed between the receiving holes220and220′. The blocking members223and223′ may also be formed at the partition member224.

FIGS.13and14show that two cartridges21and21′ are coupled to the mid-case22. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As shown inFIG.15, the humidifier1for fuel cells according to the present disclosure may be implemented such that three cartridges21,21′, and21″ are coupled to the mid-case22. Although not shown, the humidifier1for fuel cells according to the present disclosure may be implemented such that four or more cartridges21are coupled to the mid-case22. In this case, the number of receiving holes220, blocking members223, partition members224, and interlocking members214may be increased in proportion to the number of cartridges21coupled to the mid-case22.

The present disclosure described above is not limited to the above embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and it will be obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains that various substitutions, modifications, and alterations are possible without departing from the technical idea of the present disclosure.