Pump device and fuel cell system having a pump device

Abstract

The invention relates to a pump device (1) having a coolant pump (2) for pumping a coolant. Furthermore, the pump device (1) has a particulate filter (3), which is arranged in a pump outlet (7) of the coolant pump (2). Therefore, the number of interfaces is reduced. The invention further relates to a fuel cell system (200) having such a pump device (1) and to a motor vehicle (300) having such a fuel cell system (200).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a pump device for conveying a coolant, in particular a pump device for a fuel cell system. The invention also relates to a fuel cell system having such a pump device and a motor vehicle having such a fuel cell system. Background Art

[0002] When operating a device for driving a motor vehicle, such as a fuel cell device, heat may be generated. In this case, it may be necessary and / or desirable to cool the device. For this purpose, a coolant is usually used, which absorbs heat from the device. To transport the coolant, a coolant pump is usually used.

[0003] DE 10 2009 023 863 A1 discloses a coolant pump which, together with a particle filter, is a component of a pump device. The pump device has a pump housing with an inlet and an outlet for the coolant to enter and for the coolant to exit. The particle filter is arranged in a filter housing which is mounted outside the pump housing so that the coolant can flow between the inlet and the outlet. In this case, the coolant flows through the particle filter transversely to the particle filter. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention is based on the object of providing an improved or at least different embodiment for a pump device of the type mentioned at the outset and for a fuel cell system having such a pump device and for a motor vehicle having such a fuel cell system.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention is based on the following basic concept: a particle filter for filtering particles from a coolant is arranged in the outlet of a coolant pump, from which the coolant is pressure-loaded and flows out during operation. Therefore, on the one hand, a simplified structure of a pump device is achieved, wherein the particle filter is arranged in the outlet, so that particles are filtered from the coolant in an improved manner, and in particular, compared with being arranged in the inlet of the coolant pump, the pressure loss is reduced. That is, in this way, in addition to constructing the pump device in a simplified and more compact manner, the improved quality of the coolant and the increased efficiency of the coolant pump are also achieved. On the other hand, the concept according to the present invention makes it possible to reduce the number of interfaces not only in the pump device, but also in the device for supplying filtered coolant by means of the pump device. As a result, the handling of the assembly in the attached system is significantly simplified, and potential leakage sites are reduced at the same time. That is, in this way, simplified handling and assembly are achieved, wherein, at the same time, the operation of the system is more reliable.

[0007] According to the present invention, the pump device has a coolant pump. The coolant pump has a mechanical device for pumping coolant, which is also referred to as a pump mechanical device hereinafter. That is, during operation, the pump mechanical device pumps the coolant. The coolant pump has a pump inlet upstream of the pump mechanical device and a pump outlet downstream of the pump mechanical device, so that the flow path of the coolant passes through the pump inlet into the coolant pump and passes out of the coolant pump through the pump outlet. In addition, the pump device has a particle filter, which is used to filter particles from the coolant, and the particle filter is arranged in the pump outlet so that the flow path passes through the particle filter.

[0008] As mentioned above, the flow path leads into the coolant pump via the pump inlet and leads out of the coolant pump via the pump outlet. Here, the flow path passes through the pump mechanism.

[0009] Expediently, the entire flow of the coolant or at least one main flow of the coolant flows out of the pump device via the pump outlet and thus flows through the particle filter.

[0010] The pump mechanism may be any type of pump mechanism as long as it delivers and thus pumps the coolant.

[0011] For example, the pump mechanism can have at least one impeller and / or at least one eccentric and / or at least one piston.

[0012] The pump device may be used to supply coolant to any device.

[0013] For example, a fuel cell device, in particular a fuel cell device in a motor vehicle, is supplied with coolant by means of a pump device. In particular, by integrating a particle filter in the pump outlet of the coolant pump, a corresponding arrangement of the particle filter on the fuel cell device is omitted, so that a significant simplification is achieved when assembling a fuel cell system including the fuel cell device and the pump device. As described above, the reduced interfaces thus achieved also lead to a reduction in potential leakage points, so that coolant losses and possible damage caused by undesired contact with the coolant are avoided or at least reduced. Therefore, in this way, not only is assembly simplified, but also service life and operation are improved.

[0014] That is, such a fuel cell system has a pump device and a fuel cell device. The fuel cell device has at least one fuel cell. Advantageously, the fuel cell device has a stack of fuel cells. Advantageously, the fuel cell device is arranged downstream of the particle filter so that the coolant passes to the fuel cell device after flowing through the particle filter arranged in the pump outlet during operation in order to cool the fuel cell device. Therefore, the flow path passes through the fuel cell device downstream of the particle filter. That is, in this way, the pressure-loaded and filtered coolant flows to the fuel cell device.

[0015] Advantageously, the fuel cell device has at least one bipolar plate, preferably a plurality of bipolar plates, which bounds a flow path in the fuel cell device. Suitably, the corresponding fuel cell has at least one bipolar plate and an electrolyte and / or a membrane. Therefore, the bipolar plate can be arranged between adjacent electrolytes and / or membranes. Based on the construction of such bipolar plates and the arrangement of the fuel cell, the channel for the flow path bounded by the bipolar plate is constructed small, and the channel is also referred to as a cooling channel hereinafter. Here, the pump device ensures reliable filtering by means of a particle filter accommodated in the coolant pump, and thus ensures that the blockage of the cooling channel is reliably avoided or at least reduced, so that the service life of the fuel cell device and thus the fuel cell system is increased and the cooling is improved. At the same time, by omitting the corresponding particle filter on the fuel cell device, the fuel cell device itself can be constructed more compactly.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the pump outlet has an outlet connection piece in which the particle filter is arranged. Thus, a simplified design of the coolant pump and a simplified arrangement of the particle filter in the outlet are achieved.

[0017] Advantageously, the outlet connection piece protrudes outward from the coolant pump. As a result, the particle filter requires no or reduced installation space in the coolant pump, so that the coolant pump can be designed more compactly. In addition, the particle filter can be arranged in a simplified manner in the pump outlet in this way, so that the manufacture of the pump device is simplified.

[0018] Advantageously, the coolant pump has a housing which accommodates the pump mechanism and is also referred to below as the pump housing. Advantageously, the pump outlet is at least partially formed on the pump housing.

[0019] Preferably, the outlet connection piece is formed on the pump housing and projects outwardly. This particularly advantageously reduces the volume in the pump housing, which allows for simplified and more efficient pumping of the coolant. This means that in addition to simplified production of the pump device, improved efficiency is achieved in this way. The particle filter can also be arranged particularly easily in the pump outlet in this way, and the pump device can therefore be manufactured particularly easily.

[0020] In principle, the particle filter can be arranged in any desired manner in the pump outlet, as long as the flow path passes through the particle filter.

[0021] Preferably, the particle filter is designed as an insert and is inserted into the pump outlet. This leads to simplified production of the pump device.

[0022] It is conceivable to arrange the particle filter in the pump outlet in a replaceable manner.

[0023] It is conceivable to arrange a particle filter alternatively / additionally in the pump inlet.

[0024] Preferably, the particle filter is arranged in a non-replaceable manner in the pump outlet. That is to say, the particle filter is provided for the entire service life of the pump device. The particle filter is configured accordingly. In addition to the reduced maintenance requirements, this leads to a further reduction in the required interfaces. The latter also leads to a reduction in potential leakage points, which in turn leads to more reliable operation and avoids or at least reduces damage caused by leakage of this type.

[0025] The particle filter can be constructed and / or shaped in any manner, as long as the particle filter filters particles from the coolant and is arranged in the pump outlet. For this purpose, the particle filter expediently has at least one filter medium, which filters particles from the coolant when the coolant flows through the filter medium.

[0026] Preferably, the particle filter, in particular the filter medium, is arranged in the pump outlet in such a way that the particle filter is longitudinally The particle filter is preferably placed in the outlet pipe so that the particle filter is axially penetrated by the coolant with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the outlet pipe. That is to say, the flow path passes through the particle filter in a longitudinal direction. This means in particular that the particle filter is arranged in the pump outlet, in particular in the outlet pipe, so that the coolant flowing through the particle filter has at least substantially the same flow direction along the flow path when it flows out of the particle filter as when it enters the particle filter. As a result, the coolant is not deflected or is deflected as little as possible when flowing through the particle filter. Therefore, the flow path flows in a substantially constant direction relative to both sides of the particle filter, in particular the filter medium. In other words, during operation, the particle filter is penetrated by the coolant in a longitudinal flow manner. Therefore, relative to the lateral flow or transverse flow through the particle filter, the pressure drop in the coolant is reduced and the efficiency is therefore improved.

[0027] The particle filter can be constructed in a basket-like or grid-like manner. That is, advantageously, at least one of the at least one filter medium is constructed in the form of a basket or a grid. In addition to allowing a simplified insertion into the pump inlet, this also allows the particle filter to be configured as a non-replaceable particle filter.

[0028] Advantageously, the pump device has a particle filter in the pump inlet, which particle filter is also referred to below as an additional particle filter.

[0029] Theoretically, it is also conceivable to provide a pump device without a particle filter, but with an additional particle filter, ie with a particle filter in the pump inlet.

[0030] The coolant may be any desired type of coolant as long as it leads to cooling of the device to which it is supplied by means of the pump device, ie in particular cooling of the fuel cell device.

[0031] Advantageously, the coolant is a liquid, for example a water-glycol mixture.

[0032] In an advantageous embodiment, the fuel cell system has a circuit through which a coolant circulates during operation, wherein the pump device and the fuel cell device are contained in the circuit.

[0033] In this circuit, the fuel cell system advantageously has at least one heat exchanger, which is used to cool the coolant. That is, during operation, heat is absorbed from the coolant by means of the heat exchanger, so that the fuel cell device is cooled by the coolant.

[0034] The pump device can be used in particular in a motor vehicle.

[0035] For example, the pump device can be used as a component of a fuel cell system in a motor vehicle.

[0036] In motor vehicles, fuel cell systems are used, in particular, for propulsion.

[0037] It is understood that, in addition to the pump device, such a fuel cell system and such a motor vehicle each also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0038] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0039] It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively stated combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0040] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or components having the same function. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The accompanying drawings schematically show:

[0042] Figure 1 shows a greatly simplified schematic diagram of a fuel cell system in a motor vehicle having a pump device and a fuel cell device,

[0043] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view showing a pump device,

[0044] Figure 3 A simplified cross-sectional view of a fuel cell device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] exist Figure 1 and 2 The pump device 1 shown by way of example is used to supply Figure 1 and 3 The device 100 shown by way of example in FIG. 1 is supplied with a coolant, for example a water-glycol mixture. The device 100 is cooled by means of the coolant. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the device 100 is a fuel cell device 101. The fuel cell device 101 has at least one fuel cell 102. Figure 1 and 3 As shown, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the fuel cell system 101 has a plurality of fuel cells 102 which are stacked on top of one another.

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, the pump device 1 and the fuel cell device 101 can be components of the fuel cell system 200. Figure 1 As shown, the fuel cell system 200 can have a circuit 201 through which a coolant circulates during operation. That is, the flow path P of the coolant passes through the circuit and here through the pump device 1 and the fuel cell device 101. In this case, in the embodiment shown, the fuel cell device 101 is arranged downstream of the pump device 1 and therefore on the pressure side of the pump device 1. Figure 1 As shown, at least one heat exchanger 202 may be arranged in the loop 201 for cooling the coolant. That is, the heat exchanger 202 is a coolant cooler 203. Figure 1 In FIG. 2 , purely by way of example, the heat exchanger 202 is arranged downstream of the fuel cell device 101 and upstream of the pump device 1 .

[0047] like Figure 1As shown, the pump device 1 or the fuel cell system 200 can be used in a motor vehicle 300. In the motor vehicle 300, the device 100 (in the embodiment shown, the fuel cell device 101) can be used for driving. For this purpose, as shown in the figure, the fuel cell device 101 can drive at least one wheel 202 of the motor vehicle 300 by means of an electric motor 301.

[0048] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the pump device 1 has a coolant pump 2 and a particle filter 3, the coolant pump is used to convey the coolant, that is, to pump the coolant, and the particle filter is used to filter particles from the coolant. The particle filter 3 can be configured, for example, in a basket or grid shape. The coolant pump 2 has only Figure 1 4, which pumps the coolant during operation. For example, the pump mechanism 4 may have an impeller 5 or may be an impeller 5. The coolant pump 2 has an inlet 6 upstream of the pump mechanism 4 for the coolant to enter the coolant pump 2, and an outlet 7 downstream of the pump mechanism 4 for the coolant to be discharged from the coolant pump 2. The inlet 6 is also referred to as the pump inlet 6 below, and the outlet 7 is also referred to as the pump outlet 7. That is, the flow path P passes through the pump inlet 6 into the coolant pump 2, and passes out of the coolant pump 2 through the pump outlet 7. Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the particle filter 3 is arranged in the pump outlet 7 so that the flow path P passes through the particle filter 3. As a result, the number of interfaces (not shown) required on the device 100 (i.e., on the fuel cell device 101 in the shown embodiment) for connecting to the pump device 1 is reduced. As a result, the assembly of the fuel cell system 2 is significantly simplified and potential leakage sites are reduced.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the particle filter 3 is arranged in a non-replaceable manner in the pump outlet 7 . The particle filter 3 is therefore provided and correspondingly designed for the entire service life of the pump device 1 .

[0050] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the coolant pump 2 has a housing 8 in which the pump mechanism 4 is arranged. The housing 4 is also referred to below as the pump housing 8. In the embodiment shown, the pump outlet 7 is at least partially formed on the pump housing 8 and has a pipe 9 protruding outward from the pump housing 8, which is also referred to below as the outlet pipe 9. In the embodiment shown, the particle filter 3 is arranged in the outlet pipe 9. In this case, in the embodiment shown, the particle filter 3 is designed as an insert 10 inserted in the outlet pipe 9.

[0051] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the particle filter 3 is arranged in the pump outlet 7 such that the flow path P passes through the particle filter 3 longitudinally, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 and 2 That is, during operation, the coolant flows through the particle filter 3 in the axial direction, wherein “axial” refers to a longitudinal center axis (not shown) of the pump outlet 7 , in particular of the outlet connector 9 .

[0052] like Figure 2 As shown, the pump inlet 6 can also have a connection piece 11 which projects outwards and is also referred to below as the inlet connection piece 11. In other words, during operation, the coolant flows through the inlet connection piece 11 to the pump mechanism 4 and flows out of the coolant pump 2 via the outlet connection piece 9, wherein the coolant is simultaneously filtered by means of the particle filter 3 inserted in the outlet connection piece 9.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown, the fuel cell device 101 can have a bipolar plate 103, through which a flow path P passes, and thus cools the fuel cell device 101. That is, the bipolar plate 103 forms a channel 104 for the flow of a coolant in the fuel cell device 101, and thus delimits the flow path P in the fuel cell device 101. The particle filter 3 arranged upstream of the bipolar plate 103 ensures that clogging of the channel 104, which is delimited by the bipolar plate 103 and through which the flow path P passes, is avoided or at least reduced.

Claims

1. A pump device (1), in particular a pump device for a fuel cell device (101), The pump device comprises a coolant pump (2) which comprises a pump mechanism (4), wherein: The pump mechanism (4) pumps the coolant during operation. The coolant pump (2) has a pump inlet (6) upstream of the pump mechanism (4) and a pump outlet (7) downstream of the pump mechanism (4), so that the flow path (P) of the coolant leads into the coolant pump (2) through the pump inlet (6) and out of the coolant pump (2) through the pump outlet (7), The pump device has a particle filter (3) for filtering particles from the coolant. Therein, the particle filter (3) is arranged in the pump outlet (7) so that the flow path (P) passes through the particle filter (3).

2. The pump device according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The pump outlet (7) has an outlet connection piece (9) in which the particle filter (3) is arranged.

3. The pump device according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The coolant pump (2) has a pump housing (8) which accommodates the pump mechanism (4). The pump outlet (7) is at least partially formed on the pump housing (8).

4. Pump device according to claims 2 and 3, It is characterized in that The outlet pipe (9) protrudes outward from the pump housing (8).

5. The pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, It is characterized in that The particle filter (3) is designed as an insert (10) which is inserted into the pump outlet (7).

6. The pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, It is characterized in that The particle filter (3) is arranged in the pump outlet (7) in a non-exchangeable manner.

7. A pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, It is characterized in that The particle filter (3) is arranged in the pump outlet (7) in such a way that the flow path (P) passes longitudinally through the particle filter (3).

8. A fuel cell system (200), The fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell arrangement (101) comprising at least one fuel cell (102), advantageously a stack of fuel cells (102). The fuel cell system comprises a pump device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in, The fuel cell device (101) is arranged downstream of the particle filter (3), so that the flow path (P) passes through the fuel cell device (101) downstream of the particle filter (3).

9. The fuel cell system according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The fuel cell device (101) has at least one bipolar plate (103) which delimits the flow path (P) in the fuel cell device (101).

10. The fuel cell system according to claim 8 or 9, It is characterized in that The fuel cell system (200) has a circuit (201) through which the coolant circulates during operation, wherein the pump device (1) and the fuel cell device (101) are contained in the circuit.

11. A motor vehicle (300) having a fuel cell system (200) according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

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