Fuel cell system

Abstract

In a fuel cell system comprising various components including piping, it is desirable to further promote miniaturization and reduction of the number of components. This fuel cell system is provided with a fuel cell stack and a flow path for supplying a gas containing oxygen to the fuel cell stack, the flow path having: a first member having a first lead-out part for the gas; and a second member that is located downstream of the first member and has an introduction part that is integrated with the first introduction part without passing through a pipe. The fuel cell system is further provided with a flow dividing path for dividing the gas from the flow path, the first member is further provided with a second lead-out part for the gas, and the flow dividing path is provided with a third member having an introduction part integrated with the second lead-out part without passing through a pipe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a fuel cell system. Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, there is disclosed a fuel cell system configured such that an end plate at one end of a fuel cell stack is integrated with a battery stack housing, and an end plate at the other end of the fuel cell stack is separately formed from the battery stack housing and fixed to the battery stack housing, and auxiliary equipment is installed on the end plate at the other end.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-4352

[0004] According to the above Document 1, one of the end plates provided at both ends of the fuel cell stack in the cell stacking direction is integrated with the battery stack housing, achieving a reduction in the number of components and miniaturization. However, in a fuel cell system composed of various components including piping, further promotion of miniaturization and reduction in the number of components are desired. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This specification discloses a fuel cell system. The above fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a flow path for supplying a gas containing oxygen to the above fuel cell stack. Moreover, the above flow path has: a first component having a first outlet portion of the above gas; and a second component located downstream of the above first component and having an inlet portion integrated with the above first outlet portion without passing through piping.

[0006] According to the above structure, in the above flow path for supplying the above gas to the above fuel cell stack, the above first outlet portion of the above first component and the above inlet portion of the above second component located downstream thereof are integrated without passing through piping. Therefore, in the fuel cell system, further miniaturization and reduction in the number of components are achieved. In addition, by such integration, the replacement operation of the components in the above flow path is facilitated. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Figure 1 It is a diagram simply showing a part of the fuel cell system according to the first embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 It is a diagram simply showing a part of the fuel cell system according to the second embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3 It is a diagram simply showing a part of the fuel cell system according to the third embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4 It is a diagram simply showing a part of the fuel cell system according to the fourth embodiment.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a diagram simply showing a part of a conventional fuel cell system.

[0012] Description of Reference Numerals

[0013] 10…Fuel cell system; 12…Fuel cell stack; 12a…Inlet part on the stack side; 14…First flow path; 16…Intercooler; 16a…First outlet part; 16b…Second outlet part; 18…Inlet valve; 18a…First inlet part; 18b…Third outlet part; 20…Diversion path; 22…Diversion valve; 22a…Second inlet part; 24…Outlet valve; 26…Housing; 30…Heat insulating material. Detailed Description of the Embodiment

[0014] With reference to the accompanying drawings, this embodiment will be described. Each of the accompanying drawings is merely an illustration, and this embodiment is not limited to the content shown in the drawings. In addition, since each of the accompanying drawings is an illustration, the shapes shown are not accurate and a part is omitted.

[0015] Figure 1 A part of the fuel cell system 10 according to the first embodiment included in this embodiment is simply shown. In addition, Figure 5 A part of a conventional fuel cell system 100 is simply shown. For the fuel cell system 100, the same reference numerals are given to the structures common to the fuel cell system 10, and the common description is appropriately omitted. The fuel cell system 10 includes a fuel cell stack 12 and a first flow path 14 that is a flow path for supplying a gas containing oxygen to the fuel cell stack 12. A flow path for supplying hydrogen is of course also connected to the fuel cell stack 12 that generates electricity by reacting hydrogen and oxygen, but the illustration of the hydrogen supply system to the fuel cell stack 12 is omitted. The fuel cell system 10 is installed not only in a transport mechanism such as an automobile but also in a factory, a home, etc.

[0016] The first flow path 14 includes an intercooler 16 and an inlet valve 18 located downstream of the intercooler 16. The intercooler 16 is an example of the "first component", and the inlet valve 18 is an example of the "second component". The inlet valve 18, the diversion valve 22 described later, and the outlet valve 24 are each an example of an electrically driven valve. The electrically driven valves are each controlled for opening and closing and the opening and closing amount by a controller (not shown) and can adjust the flow rate of the gas passing through.

[0017] An air compressor (not shown) is provided at a position upstream of the intercooler 16 in the first flow path 14. The compressed gas from the air compressor is supplied to the intercooler 16. The intercooler 16 cools the supplied gas and supplies it downstream. The intercooler 16 cools the gas with, for example, cooling water. However, the cooling method of the intercooler 16 is not particularly limited. The intercooler 16 has a first outlet portion 16a for supplying the gas downstream. In addition, the inlet valve 18 has an introduction portion 18a for receiving the supply of the gas from the intercooler 16. The introduction portion 18a of the inlet valve 18 is also referred to as the first introduction portion 18a.

[0018] The inlet valve 18 has an outlet portion 18b for supplying the gas downstream. The outlet portion 18b of the inlet valve 18 is also referred to as the third outlet portion 18b. According to Figure 1 As can be seen, the third outlet portion 18b is connected to the fuel cell stack 12 via the pipe 1b. The arrows in each pipe indicate the direction of gas flow. The fuel cell stack 12 has an introduction portion 12a for receiving the supply of the gas from the inlet valve 18. The introduction portion 12a is also referred to as the stack-side introduction portion 12a. The gas supplied from the intercooler 16 to the inlet valve 18 is supplied to the fuel cell stack 12 through the pipe 1b.

[0019] According to Figure 1 As can be seen, the intercooler 16 has a second outlet portion 16b for supplying the gas downstream. In the intercooler 16, the first outlet portion 16a is located downstream of the second outlet portion 16b. A shunt path 20 for diverting the gas from the first flow path 14 is connected to the second outlet portion 16b. According to Figure 1 As can be seen, the shunt path 20 includes a pipe 1c and a shunt valve 22. The shunt valve 22 is an example of the "third component". The shunt valve 22 has an introduction portion 22a for receiving the supply of the gas from the intercooler 16. The introduction portion 22a of the shunt valve 22 is also referred to as the second introduction portion 22a. According to Figure 1 As can be seen, the second introduction portion 22a is connected to the second outlet portion 16b of the intercooler 16 via the pipe 1c.

[0020] The fuel cell stack 12 is connected to the pipe 1d at a position different from the stack-side introduction portion 12a. The pipe 1d connects the fuel cell stack 12 to the outlet valve 24. Through the pipe 1d, the gas containing hydrogen is discharged from the fuel cell stack 12 to the outlet valve 24. A confluence pipe 11e is connected to the discharge side of the shunt valve 22 and the discharge side of the outlet valve 24. At least a part of the confluence pipe 11e can be understood as a part of the shunt path 20.

[0021] The gas discharged from the intercooler 16 through the flow control valve 22 is mixed with the hydrogen-containing gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 12 through the outlet valve 24 in the confluence pipe 11e. Then, the gas mixed in the confluence pipe 11e is discharged to the outside. Therefore, the flow control valve 22 has the function of adjusting the flow rate of the gas supplied from the intercooler 16 to the fuel cell stack 12, and diluting the hydrogen-containing gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 12 and discharging it to the outside.

[0022] According to Figure 5 In the conventional structure shown, the first outlet portion 16a of the intercooler 160 is connected to the first inlet portion 18a of the inlet valve 18 located downstream of the intercooler 160 via a pipe 1a. In addition, the pipe 1a branches in the middle, and the front end of the branch is connected to the second inlet portion 22a of the flow control valve 22.

[0023] In contrast, in the first embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, there is no pipe 1a, and the first outlet portion 16a of the intercooler 16 is integrated with the first inlet portion 18a of the inlet valve 18. That is, the first outlet portion 16a and the first inlet portion 18a are directly connected without passing through a pipe. In addition, with the abolition of the pipe 1a, in the first embodiment, the intercooler 16 has a second outlet portion 16b and is connected to the second inlet portion 22a of the flow control valve 22 through a pipe 1c shorter than the pipe 1a.

[0024] Figure 2 A part of the fuel cell system 10 according to the second embodiment included in the present embodiment is simply shown. For the second embodiment and the third and fourth embodiments described later, the description common to the first embodiment is omitted. As Figure 2 shown, in the second embodiment, the second outlet portion 16b of the intercooler 16 is integrated with the second inlet portion 22a of the flow control valve 22 without passing through a pipe 1c. That is, in the second embodiment, in addition to the virtual integration of the intercooler 16 and the inlet valve 18 as in the first embodiment, the flow control valve 22 is substantially integrated with the intercooler 16 at a specified position.

[0025] Figure 3 A part of the fuel cell system 10 according to the third embodiment included in the present embodiment is simply shown. In Figure 3 it is Figure 1 compared with 2 the shapes of the intercooler 16, the inlet valve 18, etc. are simplified. In addition, in Figure 3 the descriptions of the outlet valve 24, the pipe 1d, the confluence pipe 11e, etc. are omitted. According to the third embodiment, as Figure 3As shown, the third outlet portion 18b of the inlet valve 18 is integrated with the stack-side inlet portion 12a of the fuel cell stack 12 without passing through the pipe 1b. That is, in the third embodiment, the intercooler 16 and the inlet valve 18 are connected to the fuel cell stack 12 in series without passing through the pipe in sequence.

[0026] In Figure 3 , a part of the inlet valve 18 enters into the fuel cell stack 12, but the specific form of integrating the third outlet portion 18b of the inlet valve 18 with the stack-side inlet portion 12a of the fuel cell stack 12 is arbitrary. In addition, the fuel cell stack 12 generally has a cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of cells, and a stack housing that houses the cell stack and the like. Therefore, in Figure 3 's example, it can also be understood that the third outlet portion 18b is directly connected to the stack-side inlet portion 12a formed on the stack housing. On the other hand, in Figure 1 , Figure 2 's example, it can also be understood that the pipe 1b is connected to the stack-side inlet portion 12a formed on the stack housing.

[0027] According to Figure 3 it can be seen that the intercooler 16 and the inlet valve 18 have a common housing 26. That is, the intercooler 16 and the inlet valve 18 are accommodated in the space inside the housing 26 in a connected state. The fuel cell stack 12 side portion of the housing 26 that houses the intercooler 16 and the inlet valve 18 becomes flange-shaped, and this flange-shaped portion is fastened to the stack housing of the fuel cell stack 12 by screws 28. In addition, as described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, a pipe 1c or a diverter valve 22 is connected to the intercooler 16 at a position upstream of the inlet valve 18. Therefore, as Figure 3 shown, the housing 26 is shaped to be able to accommodate at least a part of the pipe 1c or the diverter valve 22 connected to the intercooler 16.

[0028] Figure 4 Briefly shows a part of the fuel cell system 10 according to the fourth embodiment included in the present embodiment. For Figure 4 , only the points different from Figure 3 will be described. The housing 26 can also be fixed to the fuel cell stack 12 via a heat insulating material 30. According to Figure 4 it can be seen that a heat insulating material 30 is sandwiched between the flange-shaped portion of the housing 26 and the surface of the fuel cell stack 12. In Figure 3 , Figure 4 , their cross-sectional shapes show the housing 26 and the heat insulating material 30.

[0029] Thus, as examples of the first component, the second component, and the third component, the intercooler 16, the inlet valve 18, and the diverter valve 22 have been described respectively. However, the first component, the second component, and the third component are not limited to these. The drive components and auxiliaries required in the flow path 14 for supplying the oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell stack 12 can correspond to the first component, the second component, and the third component respectively.

[0030] Thus, according to the present embodiment, the fuel cell system 10 includes a fuel cell stack 12 and a first flow path 14 for supplying the oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell stack 12. The first flow path 14 has: a first component having a first gas outlet portion 16a; and a second component located downstream of the first component and having a first inlet portion 18a integrated with the first outlet portion 16a without passing through a pipe.

[0031] According to the above structure, compared with the conventional fuel cell system 100, the pipe 1a is reduced, thereby achieving miniaturization of the fuel cell system 10 and reduction in the number of components. In addition, through such integration, the replacement operation of the components in the first flow path 14 is facilitated compared with the prior art.

[0032] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the fuel cell system 10 further includes a diversion path 20 for diverting the gas from the first flow path 14. It may be configured that: the first component further has a second gas outlet portion 16b, and the diversion path 20 includes a third component having a second inlet portion 22a integrated with the second outlet portion 16b without passing through a pipe.

[0033] According to the above structure, the pipe 1c is reduced in the diversion path 20 with respect to the first flow path 14, thereby further promoting miniaturization of the fuel cell system 10 and reduction in the number of components.

[0034] In addition, according to the present embodiment, it may be configured that: the first component is an intercooler 16 for cooling the gas supplied from upstream of the first component, and the second component and the third component are electrically driven valves respectively. Moreover, in the intercooler 16, the first outlet portion 16a may be located downstream of the second outlet portion 16b.

[0035] According to the above structure, by locating the first outlet portion 16a downstream of the second outlet portion 16b in the intercooler 16, the gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 12 via the second component can be sufficiently cooled by the intercooler 16 and then supplied from the first outlet portion 16a.

[0036] In addition, according to the present embodiment, it may be configured that: the second component further has a third gas outlet portion 18b, and the fuel cell stack 12 has a stack-side inlet portion 12a integrated with the third outlet portion 18b of the second component without passing through a pipe.

[0037] According to the above structure, the piping 1b between the second component and the fuel cell stack 12 is reduced, thereby further promoting the miniaturization of the fuel cell system 10 and the reduction in the number of components.

[0038] In addition, according to the present embodiment, it may be configured such that the first component and the second component have a common housing 26. Moreover, the housing 26 may also be fixed to the fuel cell stack 12 via a heat insulating material 30.

[0039] According to the above structure, the first component and the second component are accommodated in the housing 26 to form a single unit, whereby the installation and replacement of these components with respect to the fuel cell stack 12 become easy. In addition, by interposing the heat insulating material 30 between the housing 26 and the fuel cell stack 12, heat conduction from the intercooler 16 to the fuel cell stack 12 through the housing 26 can be suppressed.

[0040] As described above, specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail, but these are merely examples and do not limit the claims. The technology described in the claims includes technologies obtained by various modifications and changes to the above-described specific examples. In addition, the technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations recited in the claims at the time of application. In addition, the technology illustrated in this specification or the drawings achieves multiple objects at the same time, and achieving one of the objects itself has technical usefulness.

Claims

1. A fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell stack; and a flow path for supplying a gas containing oxygen to the fuel cell stack, the flow path having: a first component having a first outlet portion of the gas; and a second component located downstream of the first component and having an inlet portion integrated with the first outlet portion without passing through a pipe.

2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein it further includes a diversion path for diverting the gas from the flow path, the first component further having a second outlet portion of the gas, the diversion path including a third component having an inlet portion integrated with the second outlet portion without passing through a pipe.

3. The fuel cell system according to claim 2, wherein the first component is an intercooler for cooling the gas supplied from upstream of the first component, the second component and the third component are each an electrically driven valve, in the intercooler, the first outlet portion is located downstream of the second outlet portion.

4. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the second component further has an outlet portion of the gas, the fuel cell stack having an inlet portion integrated with the outlet portion of the second component without passing through a pipe.

5. The fuel cell system according to claim 4, wherein the first component and the second component have a common housing, the housing being fixed to the fuel cell stack via a heat insulating material.

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