Humidifier and motor vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021384532-A1
Application number	US-201917288454-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 24, 2019
Priority date	Oct 26, 2018
Publication date	Dec 9, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A humidifier for a fuel cell device has a plurality of flow field frames, between each of which there is arranged a humidifier membrane. A plurality of cooling flow field frames formed identical to the flow field frames, between each of which there is arranged a separating plate, form an integrated intercooler. A motor vehicle having a humidifier with integrated intercooler is also provided.

First claim

1 . A humidifier for a fuel cell device, comprising:
a plurality of humidifying flow field frames, between each of which there is arranged a humidifier membrane; and a plurality of cooling flow field frames formed identically to the humidifying flow field frames, between each of which there is arranged a separating plate, wherein the cooling flow field frames form an integrated intercooler.

2 . The humidifier according to claim 1 , wherein the humidifying flow field frames are arranged in a first stack, the cooling flow field frames are arranged in a second stack, and a coupling plate is provided between the first stack and the second stack.

3 . The humidifier according to claim 2 , wherein the coupling plate free of flow fields and has a cross section identical to that of the humidifying flow field frames, wherein the coupling plate comprises a continuous dry air line coupling the humidifying flow field frames to the cooling flow field frames.

4 . The humidifier according to claim 3 , wherein the coupling plate comprises a side coolant port having a coolant line in order to take coolant to the cooling flow field frames.

5 . The humidifier according to claim 2 , wherein the coupling plate comprises a side air exit for the emergence of moist air after passing through an air line from the humidifying flow field frames.

6 . The humidifier according to claim 1 , wherein a seal is arranged on either side of each humidifier membrane, and identically formed seals are arranged on either side of each separating plate.

7 . The humidifier according to claim 1 , wherein the separating plate is formed of a metal or a metal alloy.

8 . The humidifier according to claim 1 , wherein surface enlarging elements are arranged between the separating plates in the cooling flow field frames for an improved heat transfer, being selected from a group comprising baffle plates and porous fleece.

9 . The humidifier according to claim 1 , wherein shaped or porous flow fields are provided in the humidifying flow field frames and the cooling flow field frames for a flow field duct.

10 . A motor vehicle having a fuel cell device comprising a humidifier that comprises:
a plurality of humidifying flow field frames, between each of which there is arranged a humidifier membrane; and a plurality of cooling flow field frames formed identically to the humidifying flow field frames, between each of which there is arranged a separating plate, wherein the cooling flow field frames form an integrated intercooler.

Assignees

• Audi Ag
• Volkswagen Ag

Inventors

• Lucas Christian

Classifications

• Y02E60/50

  Fuel cells · CPC title

• B60L58/33

  by cooling · CPC title

• H01M8/04029

  Heat exchange using liquids · CPC title

• F28D21/0015

  Heat and mass exchangers, e.g. with permeable walls · CPC title

• F28D9/005

  the plates having openings therein for both heat-exchange media · CPC title