Fuel cell membrane humidifier

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12551850-B2
Application number	US-202218262437-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 8, 2022
Priority date	Mar 12, 2021
Publication date	Feb 17, 2026
Grant date	Feb 17, 2026

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fuel cell membrane humidifier, which improves binding force between a potting part and an inner case, and thus can maintain the binding force even if a fuel cell is repeatedly operated and stopped. A fuel cell membrane humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a humidification module for humidifying air, supplied from the outside, with the moisture of exhaust gas discharged from a fuel cell stack; and caps, which are each coupled to the both ends of the humidification module. The humidification module includes at least one cartridge having: an inner case; a plurality of hollow fiber membranes placed inside the inner case; and a potting part which fixes the ends of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes, and which is filled in and coupled to the end part of the inner case.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A fuel cell membrane humidifier comprising:
a humidification module configured to humidify air supplied from an outside of the humidifier with moisture in an off-gas discharged from a fuel cell stack; and caps coupled to both ends of the humidification module, respectively, wherein the humidification module includes at least one cartridge including an inner case, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes disposed inside the inner case, and potting portions configured to fix ends of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes, the potting portions being fitted into and coupled to ends of the inner case, wherein at least one of the potting portions includes: a potting body formed to extend in a longitudinal axis of the inner case; a potting wing formed to extend in a lateral direction from an end of the potting body; and a potting protrusion formed to extend toward one of the ends of the inner case from the potting wing, wherein an end groove formed in a shape corresponding to the potting protrusion is formed at said one end of the inner case, wherein the potting protrusion is fitted into and coupled to the end groove, the potting wing covers said one end of the inner case, and the potting body is formed to come into surface contact with the inner case in the longitudinal axis of the inner case.

2 . The fuel cell membrane humidifier of claim 1 , wherein the humidification module includes
a mid-case having opposite open ends and a step formed on an inner circumferential surface; a fixing layer formed between the mid-case and the cartridge; a bracket supported by the step of the mid-case and coming into contact with the fixing layer; and a packing member having a groove into which the end of the mid-case is fitted, the packing member coming into contact with the bracket.

3 . The fuel cell membrane humidifier of claim 2 , wherein a protrusion member fitted into the fixing layer to suppress vibration generated in the cartridge due to air flowing inside the humidification module is disposed on an inner wall of the packing member.

4 . The fuel cell membrane humidifier of claim 2 , wherein a damping protrusion fitted into the fixing layer to suppress vibration generated in the cartridge due to air flowing inside the humidification module is disposed on an inner wall of the mid-case.

Assignees

• Kolon Inc

Inventors

• Her Jung Kun
• Kim Do Woo
• An Woong Jeon
• Kim Kyoung Ju

Classifications

• B01D2313/04

  Specific sealing means · CPC title

• B01D2313/21

  Specific headers, end caps · CPC title

• B01D2313/20

  Specific housing · CPC title

• H01M8/04149 Primary

  by diffusion, e.g. making use of membranes · CPC title

• Y02E60/50

  Fuel cells · CPC title