Water rejection device for the rotor sealing system of the hydrogen circulation pump of the fuel cell

Abstract

The present invention discloses a water-removing device for a fuel cell hydrogen circulation pump rotor sealing system, characterized in that it includes a housing and a main shaft, a driven shaft, a first water-removing impeller, a second water-removing impeller, and a straight impeller disposed within the housing. The housing includes a connected improved pump cover and an improved pump body. The main shaft and the driven shaft are rotatably disposed within the housing. The main shaft and the driven shaft are both sleeved with the first water-removing impeller and the second water-removing impeller. An extension section is provided at one end of the main shaft facing away from the improved pump cover. The extension section sleeves the straight impeller. The improved pump cover is provided with a through hole, through which the first water-removing impeller and the second water-removing impeller pass and are connected to a gear. The water-removing device for the fuel cell hydrogen circulation pump rotor sealing system can greatly reduce the infiltration of liquid in the pump chamber into the interior of the motor and the interior of the gear, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of the hydrogen circulation pump.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fuel cells, and in particular to a water-removing device for a rotor sealing system of a hydrogen circulation pump of a fuel cell. Background Art

[0002] Currently, fuel cells still have shortcomings in water management in practical applications, particularly in the hydrogen circulation pump within the anode loop. When water vapor and liquid water in the anode loop, driven by hydrogen, enter the hydrogen circulation pump, a poor seal between the rotating shaft and the sealing ring in the pump chamber allows the mixture to leak into the motor and gears, exposing them to humid environments for extended periods, significantly increasing the risk of corrosion and damage. This not only affects the overall efficiency of the hydrogen circulation pump but also significantly reduces its service life.

[0003] The prior art includes a technology titled "A Sealing Structure for a Fuel Cell Hydrogen Circulation Pump" and published as CN116221169A. This structure features a rotating ring mounted to a sleeve via an interference fit, with the end face of the rotating ring in contact with the sleeve. The sleeve is also mounted to the motor rotor shaft via an interference fit. Multiple recessed rotating grooves and sealing surfaces are provided on either the rotating ring or the stationary ring, with each rotating groove located between two adjacent sealing surfaces. This structure seals leaks through both contact and non-contact methods, improving the performance and service life of the circulation pump. However, this structure utilizes a contact mechanical seal, which can wear during use, shortening the device's lifespan. Furthermore, wear material can enter the air chamber and enter the reactor along with the hydrogen, causing serious consequences. To address this issue, related products on the market use water-resistant ceramic bearings to prevent rust or utilize disc-type motors with excellent sealing properties. However, these solutions are costly and hinder the widespread application of hydrogen circulation pumps.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to improve the internal structure of the hydrogen circulation pump and invent a device to confine the liquid in the rotor cavity to prevent the liquid from penetrating into the interior of the motor and the gear, so that the mentioned parts maintain a dry working environment and achieve efficient and long-lasting operation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This patent addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies and proposes a water-removal device for the rotor sealing system of a fuel cell hydrogen circulation pump. This device assembles a water-removal impeller with a hydrophobic coating on the main and driven shafts of the hydrogen circulation pump. A motor drives the water-removal impeller to rotate, generating centrifugal force that drives water off the blades through holes in the surrounding wall into the hydrogen circulation pump cavity. This significantly reduces the risk of liquid in the pump cavity seeping into the motor and gears, improving the reliability and efficiency of the hydrogen circulation pump.

[0006] The water removal structure designed by the present invention is as follows:

[0007] A water-removing device for a hydrogen circulation pump rotor sealing system of a fuel cell comprises an improved pump body, an improved pump cover, a main shaft, a driven shaft, a straight impeller, a first water-removing impeller, a second water-removing impeller, a gear, a gear cover, a sealing ring, a drainage hole, and an impeller groove.

[0008] The external structure of the hydrogen circulation pump of the present invention is composed of the improved pump body, the improved pump cover, and the gear cover, and the internal structure of the hydrogen circulation pump is composed of the main shaft, the driven shaft, the straight impeller, the gear, the first dewatering impeller, the second dewatering impeller and the sealing ring.

[0009] Furthermore, the improved pump body is connected and fixed to the improved pump cover and the gear cover by screws to form the outer shell of the entire hydrogen circulation pump. The improved pump body is adapted to the second water-removing impeller, and a groove design is performed at a position concentric with the main shaft and the driven shaft to form an impeller groove. The diameter of the impeller groove is slightly larger than the outer ring diameter of the second water-removing impeller to avoid friction between the blades of the second water-removing impeller and the wall of the impeller groove. The depth of the impeller groove is slightly larger than the height of the second water-removing impeller to avoid friction between the second water-removing impeller and the straight impeller. In addition, in order to create a special environment of pressure difference between the inside and outside of the impeller groove and further improve the water removal effect, the present invention performs a hole design on the inner wall of the impeller groove to form a second drain hole.

[0010] Furthermore, the improved pump cover is located between the gear cover and the improved pump body, and is connected and fixed by screws and positioning pins. The improved pump cover is adapted to the first water-removing impeller, and is slotted at a position concentric with the main shaft and the driven shaft to form an impeller groove. The diameter of the impeller groove is slightly larger than the diameter of the outer ring of the first water-removing impeller to avoid friction between the blades of the first water-removing impeller and the wall of the impeller groove. The depth of the impeller groove is slightly larger than the height of the first water-removing impeller to avoid friction between the first water-removing impeller and the straight impeller. In addition, in order to create a special environment of pressure difference between the inside and outside of the impeller groove and further improve the water removal effect, the present invention is designed to open a hole on the inner wall of the impeller groove to form a first drainage hole.

[0011] Furthermore, the drainage holes are located on the walls surrounding the inner periphery of the impeller groove of the improved pump body and the improved pump cover, wherein the diameter D1 of the hole on the inner periphery of the impeller groove and the diameter D2 of the hole in contact with the inner wall of the pump chamber are in a relationship of D2-D1≥1mm.

[0012] Furthermore, the first and second water-removing impellers are connected to the main shaft and the driven shaft via a key, thereby being driven to rotate by the main shaft and the driven shaft. The inner diameters of the first and second water-removing impellers are approximately equal to the diameters of the respective matching main shaft and the driven shaft to meet loading conditions. In addition, the blades of the first and second water-removing impellers are coated with a hydrophobic material, which makes it easier for water droplets on the impellers to be thrown out of the impeller grooves and into the pump chamber, ultimately achieving a water removal effect.

[0013] Furthermore, the blades of the first dewatering impeller and the second dewatering impeller can be designed as straight blades or twisted blades. The number of blades and the twist angle of the twisted blades of the first dewatering impeller and the second dewatering impeller are different at different powers.

[0014] Furthermore, the sealing ring is assembled between the improved pump cover or the improved pump body, and is embedded on the main shaft and the driven shaft, so as to further block part of the accumulated water in the impeller groove.

[0015] By means of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0016] 1. In the present application, the driving force of the first water removal impeller and the second water removal impeller comes from the main shaft and the driven shaft, so the present invention does not require additional power;

[0017] 2. In order to equip the hydrogen circulation pump with a water removal impeller, the present invention has improved the design of the pump cover and pump body of the hydrogen circulation pump. Under the condition of adding a new mechanical structure, the volume of the hydrogen circulation pump is not increased, and the overall performance is improved.

[0018] 3. In order to prevent moisture from entering the gear part and the motor part, this application adds a water removal impeller on the premise that the hydrogen circulation pump itself has a sealing ring, thereby further achieving the effect of isolating moisture and ensuring long-term, efficient and reliable operation of the gear part and the motor part.

[0019] In order to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, preferred embodiments are given below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the hydrogen circulation pump of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a three-view drawing of the improved pump body structure of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is an axonometric view of the improved pump body structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a three-view diagram of the improved pump cover structure of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 This is an axonometric view of the improved pump cover structure of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic structural diagram of the first water removal impeller of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic structural diagram of the second water removal impeller of the present invention;

[0028] The figure marks of the above drawings are: 1. gear cover, 2. gear, 3. improved pump cover, 4. sealing ring, 5. first water-removing impeller, 6. main shaft, 7. driven shaft, 8. second water-removing impeller, 9. straight impeller, 10. improved pump body, 11. drain hole, 12. impeller groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] It should be noted that, in the description of the present invention, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used solely for descriptive purposes and to distinguish similar objects. There is no order of precedence between the two, nor should they be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Furthermore, in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

[0031] Example: Combination Figure 1-7 As shown, this embodiment discloses a water-removing device of a fuel cell hydrogen circulation pump rotor sealing system, including: an improved pump body 10, an improved pump cover 3, a main shaft 6, a driven shaft 7, a straight impeller 9, a first water-removing impeller 5, a second water-removing impeller 8, a gear 2, a gear cover 1, a sealing ring 4, a drainage hole 11, and an impeller groove 12.

[0032] The external structure of the hydrogen circulation pump of the present invention is composed of the improved pump body 10, the improved pump cover 3, and the gear cover 1, and the internal structure of the hydrogen circulation pump is composed of the main shaft 6, the driven shaft 7, the two straight impellers 9, the gear 2, the first water removal impeller 5, the second water removal impeller 8 and the sealing ring 4.

[0033] The improved pump body 10 is connected and fixed with the improved pump cover 3 and the gear cover 1 by screws to form the outer shell of the entire hydrogen circulation pump. The improved pump body 10 is adapted to the second dewatering impeller 5, and is grooved at a position concentric with the main shaft 6 and the driven shaft 7 to form an impeller groove 12. The diameter of the impeller groove 12 is slightly larger than the outer ring diameter of the second dewatering impeller 5 to prevent the blades of the second dewatering impeller 5 from rubbing against the wall. The depth of the impeller groove 12 is slightly larger than the height of the second dewatering impeller 5 to prevent the second dewatering impeller 5 from rubbing against the straight impeller 9. In addition, in order to create a special environment of pressure difference between the inside and outside of the impeller groove 12 and further improve the dewatering effect, the present invention is designed to open a hole on the inner wall of the impeller groove, namely the drainage hole 11.

[0034] The improved pump cover 3 is located between the gear cover 1 and the improved pump body 10, and is connected and fixed by screws and positioning pins. The improved pump cover 3 is adapted to the first dewatering impeller 8, and is grooved at a position concentric with the main shaft 6 and the driven shaft 7 to form an impeller groove 12. The diameter of the impeller groove 12 is slightly larger than the outer ring diameter of the first dewatering impeller 8 to avoid friction between the blades of the first dewatering impeller 8 and the wall of the impeller groove 12. The depth of the impeller groove 12 is slightly larger than the height of the first dewatering impeller 8 to avoid friction between the first dewatering impeller 8 and the straight impeller 9. In addition, in order to create a special environment of pressure difference between the inside and outside of the impeller groove 12 and further improve the dewatering effect, the present invention is designed to open a hole on the inner wall of the impeller groove 12, namely the drainage hole 11.

[0035] The drainage holes 11 are located on the walls surrounding the inner periphery of the impeller groove 12 of the improved pump body 10 and the improved pump cover 3. The diameter D1 of the hole on the inner periphery of the impeller groove 12 and the diameter D2 of the hole in contact with the inner wall of the pump chamber are in a relationship of D2-D1≥1mm.

[0036] The first dewatering impeller 5 and the second dewatering impeller 8 are connected to the main shaft 6 and the driven shaft 7 via a key, thereby being driven to rotate by the main shaft 6 and the driven shaft 7. The inner diameters of the first dewatering impeller 5 and the second dewatering impeller 8 are approximately equal to the diameters of the main shaft 6 and the driven shaft 7, respectively, to meet the loading conditions. In addition, the blades of the first dewatering impeller 5 and the second dewatering impeller 8 are coated with a hydrophobic material, which makes it easier for water droplets on the impeller to be thrown out of the impeller groove 12 and into the pump chamber, ultimately achieving a dewatering effect.

[0037] The blades of the first and second water removal impellers 5 and 8 can be designed as straight blades or twisted blades. The number of blades and the twist angle of the twisted blades of the first and second water removal impellers 5 and 8 can be adjusted based on the specific requirements of the hydrogen circulation pump to achieve different water removal effects. The accompanying drawings only illustrate the straight blade case.

[0038] The sealing ring 4 is assembled on the bottom of the impeller groove 12 of the improved pump cover 3 or the improved pump body 10 , and is embedded on the main shaft 6 and the driven shaft 7 to further block part of the accumulated water in the impeller groove 12 .

[0039] The above embodiments are intended only to illustrate the design concepts and features of the present invention. Their purpose is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the contents of the present invention and implement them accordingly. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Therefore, any equivalent changes or modifications made based on the principles and design concepts disclosed in the present invention are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0040] Specific embodiments are used in the present invention to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method of the present invention and its core ideas. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the ideas of the present invention, there may be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scopes. In summary, the contents of this specification should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

Claims

1. A water rejection device for a hydrogen circulation pump rotor sealing system of a fuel cell, characterized in that: The invention comprises a housing and a main shaft (6), a driven shaft (7), a first dewatering impeller (5), a second dewatering impeller (8) and a straight impeller (9) arranged in the housing. The housing comprises a connected improved pump cover (3) and an improved pump body (10). The main shaft (6) and the driven shaft (7) are rotatably arranged in the housing. The main shaft (6) and the driven shaft (7) are both sleeved with the first dewatering impeller (5) and the second dewatering impeller (8). The straight impeller (9) is sleeved on the main shaft (6) and the driven shaft (7) and is located between the first dewatering impeller (5) and the second dewatering impeller (8). The improved pump cover (3) is provided with a through hole. The first water-removing impeller (5) and the second water-removing impeller (8) are connected to the gear (2) through the through hole. The improved pump cover (3) is provided with an impeller groove (12) on the side facing the improved pump body (10). The impeller groove (12) is designed for assembling the first water-removing impeller (5). The depth and diameter of the impeller groove (12) are greater than the height and outer ring diameter of the first water-removing impeller (5) to avoid friction between the first water-removing impeller (5) and the impeller groove (12) or the straight impeller (9). The impeller groove (12) of the improved pump cover (3) is provided with a drainage hole (11). The drainage hole (11) is connected to the improved pump cover (3). The wall surface of the impeller groove (12) of the good pump cover (3) leads to the side of the improved pump cover (3) in contact with the straight impeller (9), and the aperture changes from large to small. The number of openings around the wall surface of the impeller groove (12) is set according to the estimated water volume inside the hydrogen circulation pump. The improved pump body (10) is provided with an impeller groove (12) on the side in contact with the straight impeller (9). The impeller groove (12) is designed for the assembly of the second dewatering impeller (8). The depth and diameter of the impeller groove (12) are greater than the height and outer diameter of the second dewatering impeller (8) to avoid the second dewatering impeller (8) from contacting the impeller groove (12) or the straight impeller (9). ) the two rub against each other, the annular wall surface of the impeller groove (12) of the improved pump body (10) is provided with a drainage hole (11), the drainage hole (11) leads from the wall surface of the impeller groove (12) of the improved pump body (10) to the side of the improved pump cover (3) in contact with the straight impeller (9), and the aperture changes from large to small, the number of openings around the wall surface of the impeller groove (12) is set according to the estimated water volume inside the hydrogen circulation pump, the blades of the first water removal impeller (5) and the second water removal impeller (8) are coated with hydrophobic material, so that the water droplets on the impeller are more easily thrown out of the impeller groove (12) and enter the pump cavity, and finally achieve the water removal effect.

2. The water rejection device of the fuel cell hydrogen circulation pump rotor sealing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first dewatering impeller (5) and the second dewatering impeller (8) are connected to the main shaft (6) and the driven shaft (7) through a key, so as to rotate with the help of the drive of the main shaft (6) and the driven shaft (7). The inner ring diameters of the first dewatering impeller (5) and the second dewatering impeller (8) are equal to the diameters of the main shaft (6) and the driven shaft (7) respectively matched with them.

3. The water rejection device of the fuel cell hydrogen circulation pump rotor sealing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The blades of the first water removal impeller (5) and the second water removal impeller (8) can be designed as straight blades or twisted blades, and are designed according to the requirements of a specific pump.

4. The water rejection device of the fuel cell hydrogen circulation pump rotor sealing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side of the improved pump cover (3) facing away from the improved pump body (10) is connected to a gear cover (1).

5. The water rejection device of the fuel cell hydrogen circulation pump rotor sealing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sealing ring (4) is provided between the improved pump cover (3) and the improved pump body (10), and the sealing ring (4) is sleeved on the main shaft (6) and the driven shaft (7).

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