Fuel cell system and fuel cell vehicle using the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12355116-B2
Application number	US-202418669003-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 20, 2024
Priority date	May 31, 2021
Publication date	Jul 8, 2025
Grant date	Jul 8, 2025

Abstract

An embodiment fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack configured to generate electrical energy from electrochemical reactions and a fuel cell enclosure surrounding the fuel cell stack. A high-voltage box is disposed on the fuel cell enclosure and is configured to provide the fuel cell enclosure with a ventilation path for cooling the fuel cell stack.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fuel cell system comprising:
a fuel cell stack configured to generate electrical energy from electrochemical reactions;
a fuel cell enclosure having an accommodation space configured to accommodate the fuel cell stack therein;
a high-voltage box disposed on the fuel cell enclosure and configured to provide the fuel cell enclosure with a ventilation path for cooling the fuel cell stack, wherein the high-voltage box includes an air inlet port at one side thereof configured to introduce external cold air from outside; and
a terminal block assembly disposed inside the high-voltage box and connected to an upper end portion of the fuel cell enclosure, wherein the terminal block assembly comprises a vent port configured to deliver the external cold air introduced through the air inlet port to the accommodation space of the fuel cell enclosure.

2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1 , further comprising a stack bus bar configured to transfer high current from the fuel cell stack to the high-voltage box.

3. The fuel cell system according to claim 2 , wherein the stack bus bar is formed of an electrically conductive material.

4. The fuel cell system according to claim 2 , wherein the stack bus bar is located in the ventilation path.

5. The fuel cell system according to claim 4 , wherein the fuel cell enclosure comprises an air outlet port at one side thereof, and wherein the external cold air from outside sequentially is able to pass through the air inlet port, the stack bus bar, a gap between the fuel cell stack and the fuel cell enclosure, and the air outlet port.

6. The fuel cell system according to claim 5 , wherein the air outlet port is disposed closer to a ground than the air inlet port.

7. The fuel cell system according to claim 2 , further comprising a vent filter disposed between the vent port and the stack bus bar.

8. The fuel cell system according to claim 7 , further comprising a vent hose connecting the air inlet port to the vent port, the vent hose being configured to deliver the external cold air to the vent port.

9. The fuel cell system according to claim 8 , wherein the vent hose comprises a first connection portion connected to the vent port and a second connection portion connected to the air inlet port.

10. The fuel cell system according to claim 1 , wherein the terminal block assembly comprises:
a terminal block body coupled to the fuel cell enclosure; and
a terminal block cover disposed on the terminal block body.

11. The fuel cell system according to claim 10 , wherein the terminal block cover is coupled to the terminal block body with a bolt connection.

12. The fuel cell system according to claim 10 , wherein the vent port is disposed at a center of the terminal block cover.

13. The fuel cell system according to claim 10 , wherein the vent port comprises a plurality of vent ports, which are disposed at both sides of an upper portion of the terminal block cover.

14. The fuel cell system according to claim 10 , wherein the terminal block cover has a through-hole formed in a central portion thereof, the through-hole being configured to allow the terminal block body to be inserted thereinto.

15. The fuel cell system according to claim 10 , further comprising a sealing member disposed on an upper end of the terminal block cover, the sealing member being configured to secure waterproofness and dust proofing between the terminal block cover and the high-voltage box.

16. A vehicle comprising:
the fuel cell system according to claim 1 .

17. A fuel cell system comprising:
a fuel cell stack configured to generate electrical energy from electrochemical reactions;
a fuel cell enclosure surrounding the fuel cell stack;
a high-voltage box disposed on the fuel cell enclosure and configured to provide the fuel cell enclosure with a ventilation path for cooling the fuel cell stack; and
a stack bus bar configured to transfer high current from the fuel cell stack to the high-voltage box, wherein the stack bus bar is located in the ventilation path, wherein the high-voltage box comprises an air inlet port at one side thereof, wherein the fuel cell enclosure comprises an air outlet port at one side thereof, and wherein cold air from outside is able to sequentially pass through the air inlet port, the stack bus bar, a gap between the fuel cell stack and the fuel cell enclosure, and the air outlet port.

18. A fuel cell system comprising:
a fuel cell stack configured to generate electrical energy from electrochemical reactions;
a fuel cell enclosure surrounding the fuel cell stack;
a high-voltage box disposed on the fuel cell enclosure and configured to provide the fuel cell enclosure with a ventilation path for cooling the fuel cell stack; and
a stack bus bar configured to transfer high current from the fuel cell stack to the high-voltage box, wherein the stack bus bar is located in the ventilation path, and wherein the high-voltage box comprises an air inlet port at one side thereof, the air inlet port being configured to introduce cold air from outside to the stack bus bar.

19. The fuel cell system according to claim 18 , wherein the fuel cell enclosure comprises an air outlet port at one side thereof.

20. The fuel cell system according to claim 18 , further comprising a terminal block assembly comprising a vent port connected to the fuel cell enclosure, the vent port being configured to deliver the cold air introduced through the air inlet port to the stack bus bar.

Assignees

• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd
• Kia Corp

Inventors

• Ohm Ki Wook

Classifications

• H01M8/2465 Primary

  Details of groupings of fuel cells · CPC title

• H01M2250/20

  Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane · CPC title

• H01M8/04067

  Heat exchange or temperature measuring elements, thermal insulation, e.g. heat pipes, heat pumps, fins · CPC title

• H01M8/0662

  Treatment of gaseous reactants or gaseous residues, e.g. cleaning · CPC title

• H01M8/2484

  characterised by external manifolds · CPC title