Device for separating liquids, water separator, fuel cell system, and method for producing device for separating liquids

Abstract

The invention relates to a separation device for liquids. To this end, it is provided that a sensor element for a housing of the device is introduced into an opening of the housing, and then a cover housing of the sensor element is welded to a housing of the separate device. By means of all-around welding, both reliable mechanical fixation and gas-tight attachment can be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for separating liquids, a water separator and a fuel cell system having such a device. The invention also relates to a method for producing a device for separating liquids. Background Art

[0002] Many technical applications require the use of one or more gases. For example, in the operation of a fuel cell, hydrogen and oxygen are supplied to the fuel cell. In the fuel cell, the hydrogen is oxidized using oxygen. Here, the hydrogen and oxygen react to form water (water vapor), wherein electrical energy can be obtained. Here, part of the supplied hydrogen can be directed back from the fuel cell into the hydrogen path. In order to reduce the water content in the gas-water mixture from the fuel cell, a water separator can be provided in the so-called recirculation path.

[0003] For example, publication DE 10 2016 115 012 A1 describes a water separator for a fuel cell system having a reduced space requirement for removing product water.

[0004] In order to monitor the operation of the water separator, one or more sensors may be arranged on the housing of the water separator. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention provides a device for separating liquids, a water separator, a fuel cell system and a method for producing a device for separating liquids. Advantageous embodiments are given below.

[0006] Therefore, a device for separating liquid is provided, which has a separator housing and at least one sensor element. The separator housing comprises an inlet and an outlet. In addition, the separator housing is designed to separate the liquid from the gas flowing into the separator housing from the inlet. In addition, a sensor opening is provided for the at least one sensor element on the separator housing. The at least one sensor element is introduced into the sensor opening respectively. In addition, the at least one sensor element also comprises a covering housing. The covering housing is connected to the separator housing at the corresponding sensor opening and is fully enclosed. welding.

[0007] A water separator having a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a device for separating liquid according to the present invention is also provided. The inlet of the device for separating liquid is connected to the gas inlet, and the outlet is connected to the gas outlet.

[0008] Furthermore, a fuel cell system is provided which has a device for separating a liquid. In this case, the device for separating a liquid is designed to separate water which accumulates during operation of the fuel cell system.

[0009] Finally, a method for producing a device for separating liquids is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a separator housing and introducing a sensor opening into the separator housing. Furthermore, the method comprises the steps of introducing a sensor element into the sensor opening and welding a covering housing of the sensor element to the separator housing.

[0010] Advantages of the present invention:

[0011] In applications using gaseous media, it may be necessary to separate liquids, such as water, from the gaseous medium. For this purpose, a liquid separator may be used. In order to monitor the process flow, one or more sensors may be arranged on or in the liquid separator. These sensors may be mounted, for example, on a previously mounted flange on the housing of the liquid separator, for example, by screwing. If necessary, a sealing material, such as an elastomer, may be provided for sealing.

[0012] Therefore, this conventional method for mounting the sensor on the housing of the liquid separator requires additional components, such as the above-mentioned flange. In addition, the method for sealing the interface between the sensor and the housing of the liquid separator can only ensure limited long-term tightness in the case of gaseous media, such as hydrogen.

[0013] Therefore, the idea of ​​the present invention is to take this problem into consideration and realize a device for separating liquids in which the installation of sensors can be optimized. To this end, it is particularly provided that the sensor is introduced into the housing of the device for separating liquids at an opening, such as a hole, and then the covering housing of the corresponding sensor is welded to the housing or a receiving element installed on the opening all around.

[0014] By means of such welding, a reliable, long-term stable seal can be achieved, so that the loss of gas from the interior of the housing of the device for separating liquids can be avoided or at least significantly reduced.

[0015] In particular, by welding the housing covering the sensor element to the housing of the device for separating a liquid according to the invention, it is possible to dispense with special sealing means, such as elastomers or the like. In addition to possible aging effects of such elastomers and possible increased leakage over time, the further advantage results that the overall weight of the device can also be reduced by dispensing with such sealing means.

[0016] Furthermore, the structural part extending outward from the outer housing wall can be shortened by the introduction of the sensor element and the welding of the outer covering housing of the sensor element. Thus, the overall size of the device for separating liquids can be reduced. In particular, by the direct welding of the covering housing to the housing, less protruding areas are formed, which can be damaged in the event of vibrations due to their longer lever arms.

[0017] According to one embodiment, at least one sensor opening comprises a receiving element. Such a receiving element can be arranged on the outside of the separator housing, in particular between the separator housing and a covering housing of the sensor element. For example, the receiving element can be an annular element which, on the one hand, is fixedly connected to the rest of the separator housing, for example welded, and on the other hand, provides a region for welding the covering housing to the receiving element, which may match the sensor element.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the cover housing and the receiving element are welded at the sensor opening. This can, for example, provide a surface that matches the corresponding cover housing of the sensor element through the receiving element. This can make welding between the cover housing and the receiving element particularly simple and reliable.

[0019] According to one embodiment, at least one sensor element comprises an electrical connector. Such a connector can be designed to electrically couple the sensor element to another component. The connector can be arranged, for example, in a region of the cover housing that points away from the separator housing.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the device for separating liquids comprises at least one additional electrical component. The additional electrical component may be arranged in the interior space of the separator housing. In this case, at least one sensor element may comprise an electrical connector designed to be in electrical contact with the additional electrical component. Therefore, the components in the interior space of the separator housing may be contacted by means of electrical contacts on the sensor element.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the further electrical component comprises a heating element.For example, the heating element can be used to control the temperature of components in the interior or the interior region of the separator housing.

[0022] As long as it makes sense, the above configurations and extensions can be combined with each other at will. Other configurations, extensions and embodiments of the present invention also include combinations of features of the present invention that are not explicitly mentioned above or described below with respect to the embodiments. In particular, those skilled in the art can also add individual aspects as improvements or supplements to the basic forms of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The following describes other features and advantages of the present invention based on the accompanying drawings. It is shown here:

[0024] Figure 1 : A schematic diagram of a device for separating liquids according to one embodiment;

[0025] Figure 2 : A partial schematic diagram of a device for separating a liquid having a sensor element according to one embodiment;

[0026] Figure 3 : A partial schematic diagram of a device for separating a liquid having a sensor element according to another embodiment;

[0027] Figure 4 : Flow chart of a method for manufacturing a device for separating liquids according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a device 1 for separating liquids according to one embodiment is shown. Such a device 1 for separating liquids can be used, for example, in a fuel cell system in order to separate water that accumulates during the operation of the fuel cell system. In addition, any other application for separating liquids, in particular separating liquids from gaseous media, is of course also possible.

[0029] The device 1 for separating liquids comprises a separator housing 10, on which an inlet 11 and an outlet 12 are arranged. Therefore, a medium, such as a gas, can be introduced into the separator housing 10 at the inlet 11. Suitable components, such as a direction sensor 13, etc., can be arranged inside the separator housing 10, which are suitable for separating components contained in the gas, especially liquids, such as water. These liquids can be collected in the lower area of ​​the separator housing 10 and can be discharged through a discharge tap 14 or a similar device if necessary. Then, the remaining gas can flow out of the separator housing at the outlet 12 again.

[0030] Further components may also be arranged in the separator housing 10, such as a heating element 15, a filter element upstream of the discharge tap 14, etc. In addition, sensors or sensor interfaces may be arranged at different positions P1-P4. This allows the operation of the device 1 for separating liquids to be monitored.

[0031] For example, the level of the separated liquid can be monitored by means of a level sensor 16 or a similar device. In addition, any other sensor, for example, for monitoring the temperature, pressure, flow rate, etc. in the separator housing 10, can also be provided.

[0032] In contrast to conventional solutions in which the sensor is optionally screwed to the separator housing 10 and the transition must be sealed by means of additional sealing means, such as an elastomer, the invention provides that the sensor is welded to the separator housing 10 .

[0033] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a cross section of a portion of a separator housing 10 according to one embodiment is shown. Here, an opening 10a can be provided in the separator housing 10 for the sensor 20. The opening 10a can be introduced into the separator housing 10, for example, by means of a hole or the like. The size of the opening 10a, in particular the diameter, can be adjusted according to the size of the sensor 20.

[0034] The sensor 20 has a cover housing 21. The cover housing 21 is located on the outside of the separator housing 10. For fixing and sealing, the cover housing 21 of the sensor 20 is welded to the separator housing 10 all around. Therefore, the weld 23 ensures the mechanical connection between the sensor 20 and the separator housing 10, and at the same time ensures the gas-tight seal between the sensor 20 and the separator housing 10.

[0035] In this case, any suitable welding method can be used to weld the sensor 20 to the separator housing 10. For example, the two elements can be welded to one another by means of a laser welding method.

[0036] The sensor 20 can have one or more electrical contacts 22, in particular in the region of the cover housing 21. In this way, sensor signals can be transmitted from the sensor 20 to external components for further processing.

[0037] Furthermore, the electrical contact 22 may also include further electrical contacts which are led further into the interior of the separator housing 10 in order to supply electrical energy to another electrical component inside the separator housing 10 , such as a heating element 15 or the like.

[0038] Figure 3 A schematic diagram shows a cross section of a portion of a separator housing 10 according to another embodiment. Figure 3 Implementation and combination of Figure 2 In contrast to the described embodiment, in particular an additional receiving element 30 is provided on the separator housing 10. The receiving element 30 can be fixedly connected to the separator housing 10. In particular, the receiving element 30 can also be welded to the separator housing 10 over its entire circumference, for example.

[0039] In this case, the housing cover 21 of the sensor 20 can be welded to the receiving element 30. The receiving element 30 can be adapted in a suitable manner to the geometry of the sensor 20, in particular the housing cover 21, if necessary.

[0040] In addition, it has been combined Figure 1 and Figure 2 All implementations are applicable to Figure 3 Configuration.

[0041] Figure 4 A flow chart of a method for manufacturing a device for separating liquids according to an embodiment is shown. The method comprises a step S1 for providing a separator housing 10. The separator housing 10 may be, for example, a previously combined Figures 1 to 3The separator housing described. In step S2, the sensor opening 10a is introduced into the separator housing 10. This can be achieved, for example, by drilling or other suitable process steps, such as laser cutting. Then, in step S3, the sensor element 20 is introduced into the sensor opening 10a. Subsequently, in step S4, the cover housing 21 of the sensor element 20 is welded to the separator housing 10.

[0042] Alternatively, the receiving element 30 is mounted on the sensor opening 10 a . In this case, the cover housing 21 of the sensor element 20 may be welded to the receiving element 30 .

[0043] In summary, the invention relates to a separation device for liquids. To this end, a sensor element for the housing of the device is introduced into an opening of the housing and then the covering housing of the sensor element is welded to the housing of the separation device. By full-circumference welding, both a reliable mechanical fixation and a gas-tight attachment can be achieved.

Claims

1. A device (1) for separating a liquid, comprising: a separator housing (10); and at least one sensor element (20), in, The separator housing (10) comprises an inlet (11) and an outlet (12), and the separator housing (10) is designed to separate liquid from gas flowing into the separator housing (10) through the inlet (11). A sensor opening (10a) is provided on the separator housing (10) for each of the sensor elements (20). wherein the at least one sensor element (20) is respectively introduced into the sensor opening (10a), and The at least one sensor element (20) comprises a covering shell (21), and the covering shell is welded to the separator shell (10) at the corresponding sensor opening (10a) around its entire periphery.

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein: At least one sensor opening (10a) comprises a receiving element (30) which is arranged on the outer side of the separator housing (10) between the separator housing (10) and a covering housing (21) of the sensor element (20).

3. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein: The cover shell (21) and the receiving element (30) are welded at the sensor opening (10a).

4. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The at least one sensor element (20) comprises an electrical connector (22) designed to electrically couple the sensor element (20) to another component.

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, comprising a further electrical component (15) which is arranged in the interior of the separator housing (10), in, The at least one sensor element (20) comprises an electrical connector (22) which is designed for electrical contact with the further electrical component (15).

6. The device (1) according to claim 5, wherein: The further electrical component (15) comprises a heating element.

7. A water separator comprising: Gas inlet, a gas flow outlet, and The device (1) for separating liquids according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The inlet (11) is connected to the gas inlet, and the outlet (12) is connected to the gas outlet.

8. A fuel cell system comprising a device (1) for separating a liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The device (1) is designed to separate water which accumulates during operation of the fuel cell system.

9. A method for producing a device (1) for separating liquids, comprising the following steps: Providing (S1) a separator housing (10); introducing (S2) a sensor opening (10a) into the separator housing (10); introducing (S3) a sensor element (20) into the sensor opening (10a); and The cover housing (21) of the sensor element (20) is welded to the separator housing (10) (S4).

10. The method according to claim 9, comprising the step of mounting a receiving element (30) on the sensor opening (10a), in, The cover housing (21) of the sensor element (20) is welded to the receiving element (30).

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