Humidifier, fuel cell device with humidifier and motor vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022278342-A1
Application number	US-202017631681-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 28, 2020
Priority date	Aug 1, 2019
Publication date	Sep 1, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A humidifier for a fuel cell device is provided which includes a water vapor permeable membrane and at least one flow field arranged on one side of the membrane, in which flow channels are separated by flow field webs. The flow field webs are designed as hollow webs for integration into a coolant circuit. A fuel cell device with a humidifier as well as to a motor vehicle with such a fuel cell device are also provided.

First claim

1 . A humidifier for a fuel cell device, the humidifier comprising:
a water vapor permeable membrane; and at least one flow field arranged on one side of the membrane; wherein the flow field includes flow channels separated by flow field webs; wherein the flow field webs are hollow and configured for integration into a coolant circuit; wherein the flow field webs have respective cross-sectional shapes comprising polygons; wherein the flow field webs have respective water reservoirs on respective external sides of the flow field webs; and wherein the water reservoirs are formed of a hydroscopic material.

2 . (canceled)

3 . The humidifier according to claim 1 , wherein the flow field webs are formed of a heat-conducting material.

4 - 5 . (canceled)

6 . The humidifier according to claim 1 , wherein the flow field webs have respective porous structures.

7 . The humidifier according to claim 1 , wherein the flow field is arranged in a heat insulating frame.

8 . The humidifier according to claim 1 , wherein on the side of the membrane opposite the flow field, there is a second, similarly formed flow field for the passage of a gas to be humidified.

9 . A fuel cell device, comprising:
a fuel cell stack including a cooling circuit; and a humidifier including:
a water vapor permeable membrane; and
at least one flow field arranged on one side of the membrane;
wherein the flow field includes flow channels separated by flow field webs;
wherein the flow field webs are hollow;
wherein the flow field webs have respective cross-sectional shapes comprising polygons;
wherein the flow field webs have respective water reservoirs on respective external sides of the flow field webs; and
wherein the water reservoirs are formed of a hydroscopic material;
wherein the cooling circuit is routed through the flow field webs of the humidifier; and wherein the flow channels are flow-connected with a separator of the fuel cell stack.

10 . A motor vehicle, comprising:
a fuel cell device including:
a fuel cell stack including a cooling circuit; and
a humidifier including:
a water vapor permeable membrane; and
at least one flow field arranged on one side of the membrane;
wherein the flow field includes flow channels separated by flow field webs;
wherein the flow field webs are hollow;
wherein the flow field webs have respective cross-sectional shapes comprising polygons;
wherein the flow field webs have respective water reservoirs on respective external sides of the flow field webs; and
wherein the water reservoirs are formed of a hydroscopic material;

wherein the cooling circuit is routed through the flow field webs of the humidifier; and
wherein the flow channels are flow-connected with a separator of the fuel cell stack.

Assignees

• Audi Ag
• Volkswagen Ag

Inventors

• Staeck Rune
• Westphal Tore

Classifications

• H01M8/04029

  Heat exchange using liquids · CPC title

• H01M8/04149 Primary

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

• H01M8/1007

  with both reactants being gaseous or vaporised (H01M8/12 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01M2250/20

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

• H01M8/04164

  by condensers, gas-liquid separators or filters · CPC title