Pressurized conduit for fuel cell

Abstract

A conduit for a fuel cell includes a conduit body defining an aperture configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough. The catheter body includes a flexible network configured to provide adjustable flexibility to the catheter body. Further, a surface coating is disposed on an outer surface of the catheter body. In addition, the surface coating provides one or more of flame retardancy and structural integrity to the catheter body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to pressurized conduits for fuel cells. Background Art

[0002] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the background of the present disclosure. To the extent described in this section, the work of the presently named inventors, and aspects of the description that may not qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither explicitly nor implicitly admitted as prior art with respect to the present disclosure.

[0003] Fuel cells are a clean energy source. When using pure hydrogen as fuel, the only byproducts are heat and water, making fuel cells a sustainable energy source.

[0004] While fuel cells offer a clean energy source, their interiors contain high hydrogen concentrations, are saturated with water, and experience high humidity. Therefore, components within the fuel cell must be able to withstand these harsh environmental conditions. For example, fuel cells typically include multiple conduits that transport fluids between the anode and cathode components. These conduits are typically formed from plastic through injection molding or blow molding and must be highly flame-retardant. While flame-retardant fuel cell conduits are possible, the materials and processes used to create them often result in a loss of flexibility. Therefore, it is desirable to create conduits that are both sufficiently flexible and flame-retardant. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one configuration, a conduit for a fuel cell includes a conduit body defining an aperture configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough. The conduit body includes a flexible network configured to provide adjustable flexibility to the conduit body. Furthermore, the pressurized conduit includes a surface coating disposed on an outer surface of the conduit body. Furthermore, the surface coating provides one or more of flame retardancy or structural integrity to the conduit body.

[0006] The conduit may also include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the conduit body may be composed of one or more of a polyamide, a polyphthalamide, a polybutylene terephthalate, a polyketone, a polyetheretherketone, a polyetherketoneketone, a polyimide, a polyamideimide, or a poly(ether-ester) elastomer. In addition, the conduit body may be reinforced using one or more of glass fiber, carbon fiber, or graphene. In addition, the flexible network may be composed of a stackable fabric. In addition, the flexible network may include an adhesive containing soft segments and hard segments. In addition, the conduit body and the surface coating may be made using spraying, curing, or molding. In addition, the surface coating may be a continuous coating on the outer surface of the conduit body. In addition, when exposed to hydrogen (H2), the conduit body may plasticize or harden. In addition, the surface coating may be composed of a cross-linked polymer. In addition, a fuel cell may include the pressurized conduit. In addition, a vehicle may include the fuel cell.

[0007] In another configuration, a fuel cell system includes an anode, a cathode, an anode conduit configured to provide fluid transfer to the anode, and a cathode conduit configured to provide fluid transfer to the cathode. Furthermore, one of the anode conduit or the cathode conduit is a flexible conduit comprising a conduit body comprised of a flexible network and configured to provide adjustable flexibility to the conduit body. Furthermore, the flexible conduit includes a surface coating disposed on an outer surface of the conduit body, the surface coating being comprised of a cross-linked polymer or a flame-retardant material.

[0008] The fuel cell system may also include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the cross-linked polymer may include epoxy, acrylic, and polyurethane. Additionally, the flame retardant material may include aryl phosphate, aluminum phosphate, aluminum zinc phosphate, nitrogen phosphorus derivatives, aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, or graphene oxide. Additionally, the surface coating may be a continuous coating on the outer surface of the conduit body. Additionally, the conduit body may plasticize or harden when exposed to hydrogen (H2). Additionally, a vehicle may include the fuel cell.

[0009] In another configuration, a conduit for a fuel cell includes a conduit body defining an aperture configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough. Furthermore, the conduit body includes a flexible network comprised of one or more of a polymeric material or an inorganic material. The pressurized conduit also includes a surface coating disposed on an outer surface of the conduit body. Furthermore, the surface coating is comprised of one or more of an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, a polyurethane, an aryl phosphate, an aluminum phosphate, an aluminum zinc phosphate, a nitrogen-phosphorus derivative, an aluminum oxide, a zinc oxide, an iron oxide, or a graphene oxide, and is configured to provide the conduit body with increased structural properties or enhanced flame retardant properties.

[0010] The conduit may also be incorporated into a fuel cell. Furthermore, the fuel cell may be incorporated into a vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a vehicle including a fuel cell;

[0013] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a conduit of a fuel cell according to the present disclosure; and

[0014] Figure 3 is an end view of a conduit of a fuel cell according to the present disclosure.

[0015] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that the example configurations can be implemented in many different forms, and that the specific details and exemplary configurations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0017] The terms used herein are merely for the purpose of describing specific exemplary configurations and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles "a", "an" and "the" may also be intended to include the plural form, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprise", "include", "contain" and "have" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes and operations described herein should not be interpreted as necessarily requiring them to be performed in the particular order discussed or shown, unless specifically identified as an order of execution. Additional or alternative steps may be adopted.

[0018] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to," "attached to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or there may be intervening elements or layers. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," "directly attached to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0019] The terms first, second, third, etc. can be used here to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts. These elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish various elements, components, regions, layers or parts. Terms such as "first", "second" and other numerical terms do not imply order or sequence unless the context clearly indicates. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer or part discussed below can be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer or part, without departing from the teaching of the example configuration.

[0020] In this application, including the definitions below, the term module may be replaced by the term circuit. The term "module" may refer to or include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a portion thereof; a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital discrete circuit; a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital integrated circuit; a combinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array (FPGA); a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code; a memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by the processor; other suitable hardware components that provide the functionality described; or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system on a chip.

[0021] The term code used above may include software, firmware, and / or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, and / or objects. The term shared processor includes a single processor that executes some or all code from multiple modules. The term group processor includes a processor that executes some or all code from one or more modules in combination with additional processors. The term shared memory includes a single memory that stores some or all code from multiple modules. The term group memory includes memory that stores some or all code from one or more modules in combination with additional memory. The term memory may be a subset of the term computer-readable medium. The term computer-readable medium does not include transient electrical signals and electromagnetic signals that propagate through the medium and, therefore, may be considered tangible, non-transitory memory. Non-limiting examples of non-transitory memory include tangible computer-readable media, including non-volatile memory, magnetic memory, and optical memory.

[0022] The apparatus and methods described herein may be implemented in part or in whole by one or more computer programs executed by one or more processors. The computer programs include processor-executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium. The computer programs may also include and / or rely on stored data.

[0023] A software application (i.e., a software resource) may refer to computer software that enables a computing device to perform tasks. In some examples, a software application may be referred to as an "application," "app," or "program." Example applications include, but are not limited to, system diagnostic applications, system management applications, system maintenance applications, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, messaging applications, media streaming applications, social networking applications, and gaming applications.

[0024] Non-transitory memory can be a physical device used to temporarily or permanently store programs (e.g., sequences of instructions) or data (e.g., program state information) for use by a computing device. Non-transitory memory can be volatile and / or non-volatile addressable semiconductor memory. Examples of non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, flash memory and read-only memory (ROM) / programmable read-only memory (PROM) / erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) / electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) (e.g., commonly used for firmware, such as bootloaders). Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), phase change memory (PCM), and disk or tape.

[0025] These computer programs (also referred to as programs, software, software applications, or code) include machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be implemented in high-level procedural and / or object-oriented programming languages and / or assembly / machine languages. As used herein, the terms "machine-readable medium" and "computer-readable medium" refer to any computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable medium, apparatus, and / or device (e.g., a disk, optical disk, memory, programmable logic device (PLD)) for providing machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, including machine-readable media that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor.

[0026] Various implementations of the systems and techniques described herein can be implemented in digital electronic and / or optical circuitry, integrated circuits, specially designed ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various implementations can include implementation in one or more computer programs executable and / or interpretable on a programmable system comprising at least one programmable processor, which can be special purpose or general purpose, at least one input device, and at least one output device, coupled to receive data and instructions from a storage system and to send data and instructions to the storage system.

[0027] The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable processors, also known as data processing hardware, which execute one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. These processes and logic flows can also be performed by dedicated logic circuits, such as FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays) or ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits). For example, processors suitable for executing computer programs include general-purpose and special-purpose microprocessors, as well as any one or more processors of any type of digital computer. Typically, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory, or both. The basic elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more storage devices for storing instructions and data. Typically, a computer will also include or be operably connected to one or more mass storage devices for storing data, such as magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks, to receive data from or transfer data to the mass storage devices, or both. However, a computer need not have such devices. Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media, and storage devices, including, for example, semiconductor memory devices such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0028] To provide for interaction with a user, one or more aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented on a computer having a display device for displaying information to the user, such as a CRT (cathode ray tube), an LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, or a touch screen, and optionally a keyboard and pointing device, such as a mouse or trackball, through which the user can provide input to the computer. Other types of devices may also be used to provide for interaction with the user; for example, feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user may be received in any form, including sound, voice, or tactile input. In addition, the computer may interact with the user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device used by the user; for example, by sending a web page to a web browser on a user's client device in response to a request received from the web browser.

[0029] refer to Figure 1-3 , discloses a fuel cell 12. The fuel cell 12 is configured to use an electric current to decompose water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. In addition, as Figure 1As shown, the fuel cell 12 can be incorporated into a device that requires energy, such as an appliance or a vehicle 10. When the fuel cell 12 is incorporated into the vehicle 10, the vehicle 10 can be an electric vehicle 10 (EV) and can include autonomous or semi-autonomous capabilities. Alternatively, the vehicle 10 can be a hybrid vehicle 10 that combines EV and internal combustion engine (ICE) components and capabilities. The vehicle 10 also includes a fuel cell 12 configured to provide electricity to the vehicle 10. More specifically, the vehicle 10 including the fuel cell 12 is powered by compressed hydrogen gas that is fed into an onboard fuel cell 12 stack that does not burn the gas, but instead converts the chemical energy of the fuel into electrical energy, thereby powering an electric motor to drive the vehicle 10.

[0030] Typically, the fuel cell 12 includes a cathode portion disposed at one end and an anode portion disposed at an end opposite the cathode portion. The cathode portion includes a negatively charged electrode through which electrons enter the fuel cell 12. In addition, the anode portion includes a positively charged electrode through which protons enter the fuel cell 12 and electrons leave the fuel cell 12. In addition, the anode portion includes an electrode through which current flows from an external circuit. In order to provide fluids such as water, fuel, etc. to the cathode portion and the anode portion, the fuel cell also includes a plurality of conduits 20 through which the fluids can be supplied. More specifically, one or more conduits 20 can supply fluid to the anode portion (referred to as the anode conduit 20), and one or more conduits 20 can supply fluid to the cathode portion (referred to as the cathode conduit 20). In addition, the conduit 20 can be integrated with the subsystem, can be independent, or can be a HENN Connector of the fuel cell 12. TM Regardless of where the conduit 20 is located, the conduit 20 must be able to withstand the environmental conditions within the fuel cell (i.e., high hydrogen (H2) concentration, saturated water, and high temperature / humidity). In addition, the conduit 20 must have a high level of flame retardancy to prevent the spread of fire while maintaining the flexibility required to provide fluid to the desired location.

[0031] To achieve the desired level of flame retardancy while maintaining flexibility, the catheter 20 includes a catheter body 22 comprising a flexible network 30 and a surface coating 36 disposed on an outer surface 26 of the catheter body 22. More specifically, the catheter body 22 defines an aperture 24 configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough. Furthermore, the catheter body 22 can be constructed from one or more of a plastic, a composite plastic, or a metallic plastic. For example, the plastic can include a block copolymer, such as a polyamide, a polyphthalamide, a polybutylene terephthalate, a polyketone, a polyetheretherketone, a polyetherketoneketone, a polyimide, a polyamideimide, or a poly(ether-ester) elastomer.

[0032] Furthermore, the catheter body 22 may be reinforced. For example, if the catheter body 22 is made of plastic or composite plastic, the catheter body 22 may be reinforced using one or more of glass fiber, carbon fiber, or graphene. Furthermore, if the catheter body 22 is made of metal plastic, the catheter body 22 may be reinforced using one or more of metal powder reinforcements or metal stent reinforcements.

[0033] In addition, the conduit 20 is configured to be pressurized using H2 (e.g., for the anode conduit 20) or one or more of H2 and / or water (e.g., for the cathode conduit 20). The material of the conduit body 22 can be H2 permeable so that when H2 or water flows through the holes 24 and contacts the conduit body 22, the polymer chains of the material of the conduit body 22 can be broken into smaller polymer chain parts, resulting in plasticization or hardening. This hardening provides the required rigidity of the conduit body 22 within the fuel cell while allowing the conduit body 22 to have additional flexibility during the assembly and packaging of the fuel cell. In addition, this process helps prevent degradation of structural integrity because the process continues throughout use, thereby providing consistent structural integrity to the conduit body 22.

[0034] Furthermore, the flexible network 30 can be used to adjust the H2 permeability of the catheter body 22. Thus, the flexible network 30 is configured to provide adjustable flexibility to the catheter body 22. More specifically, the flexible network 30 is comprised of one or more polymeric or inorganic materials. More specifically, the material can be one or more polyethylene terephthalate fibers or silica fibers. In another example, the flexible network 30 can be comprised of a stackable material, such as a fabric. In yet another example, the flexible network 30 includes an adhesive comprising a soft segment and a hard segment. More specifically, the adhesive can be a polyurethane adhesive comprising a soft amorphous segment comprised of an ether bonded to a hard crystalline segment comprised of an ester. Furthermore, the crystalline segment can have a crystallinity ranging from 10% to 80%. Furthermore, the soft segment is stretchable and can have an elongation at break ranging from 3% to 300%.

[0035] Still refer to Figure 2 and 3 The catheter 20 further includes a surface coating 36 disposed on the outer surface 26 of the catheter body 22, and more specifically, on the flexible network 30. The surface coating 36 is continuous on the outer surface 26 of the catheter body 22. In some examples, the catheter body 22, such as the flexible network 30, can be surface prepared before the surface coating 36 is disposed thereon. For example, the catheter body 22 can undergo a surface roughening process before the surface coating 36 is disposed thereon to facilitate adhesion of the surface coating 36 to the catheter body 22.

[0036] Furthermore, the surface coating 36 can be composed of one or more of a cross-linked polymer or a flame-retardant material. Cross-linked polymers can include epoxy resins, acrylics, and polyurethanes. Furthermore, the flame-retardant material can include aryl phosphates, aluminum phosphates, aluminum zinc phosphates, nitrogen-phosphorus derivatives, aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, or graphene oxide. Thus, the surface coating 36 provides one or more of flame retardancy or additional strength to the catheter body 22, thereby preventing loss of the structural integrity of the catheter body 22. Furthermore, due to the increased heat diffusion through the flexible network 30, the flame retardancy level of the surface coating 36 can be a maximum flame retardancy level, including a self-extinguishing level.

[0037] The catheter body 22 and the surface coating 36 can be manufactured using spraying, curing, molding, or 3D printing. For example, the catheter body 22 including the flexible network 30 can be formed by molding, curing, or 3D printing. The surface coating 36 can then be sprayed or molded onto the outer surface 26. Furthermore, the process for manufacturing the catheter body 22 and the surface coating 36 is scalable and continuous.

[0038] Other coatings or layers may be included on the catheter body 22 such that the surface coating 36 in the catheter body 22 may be a secondary or tertiary layer to optimize the flame retardant properties and flexibility of the package.

[0039] The catheter 20 described herein includes a flexible network 30 that, when placed near H2, provides increased strength to the catheter body 22 because the flexible network 30 is configured to be H2-permeable. More specifically, the flexible network 30 offers excellent formability, with H2 permeability adjustable to maintain a balance between flexibility and rigidity. Furthermore, the flexible network 30 provides high thermal diffusivity, which, together with the surface coating 36, provides enhanced flame retardancy. Furthermore, the catheter 20 exhibits increased modulus and material strength after H2 exposure. For example, tensile modulus can increase by at least 10%, while elongation remains unchanged. Furthermore, the formability and flexibility of the catheter 20 with the surface coating 36 can be measured by using deflection to connect the catheter 20 to a conduit 20 or to connect the catheter 20 to a hose. More specifically, in longitudinal or axial alignment, the deflection range from the center of the catheter 20 can be approximately less than 5 mm.

[0040] A number of embodiments have been described. However, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

[0041] The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration even if not specifically shown or described. This can also be varied in a variety of ways. Such variations should not be considered a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A conduit for a fuel cell, the conduit comprising: a catheter body defining an aperture configured to permit fluid flow therethrough, the catheter body comprising a flexible network configured to provide adjustable flexibility to the catheter body; as well as A surface coating is disposed on an outer surface of the catheter body, the surface coating providing one or more of flame retardancy and structural integrity to the catheter body.

2. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein The catheter body is comprised of one or more of polyamide, polyphthalamide, polybutylene terephthalate, polyketone, polyetheretherketone, polyetherketoneketone, polyimide, polyamideimide, or poly(ether-ester) elastomer.

3. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein The catheter body is reinforced using one or more of glass fiber, carbon fiber, or graphene.

4. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein The flexible network is composed of fabric.

5. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein The flexible network includes a binder containing soft segments and hard segments. The catheter according to claim 1 , wherein: The catheter body and surface coating are manufactured using spraying, curing, molding or three-dimensional printing.

7. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein The catheter body plasticizes or hardens when exposed to hydrogen (H2).

8. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein The surface coating is composed of a cross-linked polymer.

9. A fuel cell comprising the conduit according to claim 1.

10. A vehicle comprising the fuel cell according to claim 10.

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