Water transfer compound

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016079615-A1
Application number	US-201414392093-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 4, 2014
Priority date	Apr 9, 2013
Publication date	Mar 17, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

The application relates to a water transfer compound, preferably for use for the humidification of process gases for fuel cells, comprising:—a water-permeable and essentially gas-impermeable water transfer layer as well as—at least one thermoplastic protection layer which is water- and gas-permeable at least in sections, where—the water transfer layer and the thermoplastic protection layer overlap each other at least in sections and comprise a first and a second overlapping area, where—the water transfer layer in the first overlapping area is accessible for humid gases through the thermoplastic protection layer and the water transfer compound is thermocompressed in the second overlapping area so that the water transfer layer in the second overlapping area is not accessible for humid gases through the compressed thermoplastic protection layer.

First claim

1 - 50 . (canceled)

51 . A water transfer compound for use for the humidification of process gases for fuel cells, comprising:
a water-permeable and essentially gas-impermeable water transfer layer as well as at least one thermoplastic protection layer which is water- and gas-permeable at least in sections, where the water transfer layer and the thermoplastic protection layer overlap each other at least in sections and comprise a first and a second overlapping area, where the water transfer layer in the first overlapping area is accessible for humid gases through the thermoplastic protection layer and the water transfer compound is thermocompressed in the second overlapping area so that the water transfer layer in the second overlapping area is not accessible for humid gases through the compressed thermoplastic protection layer.

52 . The compound according to claim 51 , wherein the thermoplastic protection layer is arranged on both sides of the water transfer layer, respectively.

53 . The compound according to claim 51 , wherein the second overlapping area compared to the first overlapping area shows a reduced thickness.

54 . The compound according to claim 51 , wherein the second overlapping area delimits the first overlapping area at least at two longitudinal edges of the first overlapping area.

55 . The compound according to claim 51 , wherein the second overlapping area surrounds the first overlapping area circumferentially.

56 . The compound according to claim 51 , wherein a thickness in the first overlapping area ranges between 35 and 600 μm.

57 . The compound according to claim 56 , wherein a thickness in the second overlapping area corresponds to between 10 and 75% of the thickness of the first overlapping area.

58 . The compound according to claim 51 , wherein the thermoplastic protection layer in the first overlapping area is porous and has a porosity of approximately 50 to 95%.

59 . The compound according to claim 51 , wherein the thermoplastic protection layer in the second overlapping area is non-porous.

60 . The compound according to claim 51 , wherein the second overlapping area comprises openings selected from the group consisting of cut-out openings, punched-out openings and openings removed by a laser.

61 . The compound according to claim 51 , wherein an outer contour of the compound at least in sections in or at the second overlapping area is selected from the group consisting of a cut-out outer contour, a punched-out outer contour and a laser reshaped outer contour.

62 . The compound according to claim 51 , wherein the thermoplastic protection layer comprises polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluorethylene, polyphtalamide, polyethylene terephthalate and/or polybutylene terephthalate.

63 . The compound according to claim 51 , wherein the water transfer layer is a non-reinforced membrane.

64 . The compound according to claim 63 , wherein the non-reinforced membrane rests on a support medium selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic fiber paper, fiber roving, fleece, and fiber weave made from polymeric fibers.

65 . The compound according to claim 51 , wherein the water transfer layer is a reinforced membrane.

66 . The compound according to claim 65 , wherein the water transfer membrane is selected from the group consisting of a coated weave, an impregnated weave, a membrane laminate, a membrane impregnated with ions, an ionomeric membrane, a hydrophilic membrane and a diaphragm.

67 . The compound according to claim 51 , further comprising a humidifier module for the humidification of process gases of fuel cells, comprising:
at least a first as well as a second flow plate, where the first and second flow plate each comprise channel structures for the guidance of gases.

68 . The compound according to claim 67 , wherein the second overlapping area is adhesively connected with the first and/or the second flow plate at least in sections.

69 . The compound according to claim 68 , wherein the adhesive connection is located in an outer edge area and/or of the first and/or second flow plate.

70 . The compound according to claim 69 , wherein the connection is glued, melted, or welded.

71 . The compound according to claim 67 , wherein the first and/or the second flow plate comprises a sealing area, which surrounds the channel structures, with the water transfer compound being connected in a non-positive manner with the first and/or second flow plate by being placed onto the sealing area.

72 . The compound according to claim 67 , wherein the first and second flow plate each comprise a sealing area surrounding the channel structures, with the first and second flow plate comprising structures complimentary to each other at least in sections in the sealing area and with the water transfer compound being clamped between these complimentary structures and compressed in a positive and non-positive manner.

73 . The compound according to claim 67 , wherein the first and/or the second flow plate comprise openings for guiding media in the stack direction, which openings overlap at least partially with the openings in the second overlapping area of the water transfer compound.

74 . The compound according to claim 67 , wherein the first and/or second flow plate comprises openings for guiding media in the stack direction, with all openings for guiding media being arranged outside of the area of the respective flow plate which is covered by the water transfer compound.

75 . The compound according to claim 67 , wherein the flow plates at least in sections are produced from thermoplastic, elastomeric or thermoset plastics and/or at least in sections consist of corrosion-stable, metallic materials.

76 . The compound according to claim 67 , wherein the first overlapping area of the water transfer compound at least in sections overlaps with the channel structures of the first and second flow plate.

77 . The compound according to claim 67 , wherein the first and the second flow plate are different from each other with respect to at least one of choice of material, form of channel(s), direction of channel(s) and sealing contour.

78 . The compound according to claim 67 , wherein the first or the second flow plate with geometry A and the first or the second flow plate with geometry B are provided and that the layering sequence of these flow plates is A-B-A-B.

79 . The compound according to claim 78 , wherein the flow plates each show channel structures on both of their surfaces and that a water transfer compound is arranged between the surfaces comprising channel structures, respectively.

80 . The compound according to claim 67 , further comprising:
a first inlet for feeding dry gases as well as a first outlet for releasing humidified gases, and a second inlet for feeding humid gases as well as a second outlet for releasing dehumidified gases, at least one humidifier module, where the channel structures of the humidifier module are connected to at least one of the above-mentioned in- or outlets, respectively.

Assignees

• Reinz Dichtungs Gmbh

Inventors

• Scherer Joachim
• Glueck Rainer
• Stoehr Thomas
• Buntz Werner
• Bruehl Manfred

Classifications

• H01M8/04149 Primary

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

• Y02E60/50

  Fuel cells · CPC title

• H01M8/04141

  by water containing exhaust gases · CPC title

• Y10T156/1062

  Prior to assembly · CPC title

• Y02P70/50

  Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product · CPC title