Air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of hydrogen fuel cells, in particular to an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with an intelligent airflow management function. Comprising a shell and a cell stack and further comprises an air inlet fan, an inlet frame is arranged on the shell, a main air inlet channel and an air outlet fan are formed between the air inlet fan and the cell stack, an outlet frame is arranged on the shell, and a main air outlet channel and a bypass passage are formed between the air outlet fan and the cell stack. The shell side wall area is formed between the inlet frame and the outlet frame, and the air opening adjusting assembly comprises two rotating plates, an adjusting driver and a temperature sensor. The drainage plate and the rotating plate are matched to form an adjustable bypass loop, the temperature sensor feeds back and controls the push plate to drive the rotating plate to be opened and closed, the main channel is fully opened at the high temperature to strengthen heat dissipation, the bypass channel is opened at the low temperature to cool, the minimum gap of the main channel is reserved, continuous ventilation of the cathode is ensured, and heat dissipation efficiency and membrane hydration stability are both considered.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hydrogen fuel cells, and more specifically to an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function. Background Technology

[0002] In existing air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stacks, a fixed air duct combined with a single inlet or outlet fan is typically used for heat dissipation. The airflow path and flow rate cannot be dynamically adjusted according to the stack's real-time operating conditions. On the one hand, under high load and high temperature conditions, insufficient airflow makes effective heat dissipation difficult, easily leading to localized overheating. On the other hand, during low load or start-up phases, excessive dry, cold air continuously blowing through the cathode channel accelerates the evaporation of moisture from the proton exchange membrane, causing membrane dehydration, increased internal resistance, and even performance degradation.

[0003] A currently published Chinese patent authorization announcement number CN114400350B discloses an air-cooling device for a fuel cell stack, comprising a stack body disposed between a first support plate and a second support plate, the first support plate and the second support plate being fixedly connected by multiple fasteners. The stack body includes a bipolar plate with an open cathode flow channel, a stack shell, one end of the stack shell being fixed to the outer peripheral side of the first support plate, and the other end being fixed to the outer peripheral side of the second support plate. Multiple air inlets and multiple air outlets are provided on the side of the stack shell, with the air inlets and outlets opposite each other on the two sides of the stack shell, and the number of air inlets exceeding the number of air outlets. An intake fan is disposed outside the air inlets; the intake fan is a blowing fan. An exhaust fan is disposed outside the air outlets; the exhaust fan is a suction fan.

[0004] According to the aforementioned patent, although the patent improves the cathode flow channel pressure and heat dissipation capacity through the cooperation of inlet and outlet fans, the fan speed adjustment can only change the airflow volume and cannot dynamically switch the airflow path. Under low load or dry environmental conditions, a continuous high-flow-rate airflow will still excessively sweep the membrane electrode, causing the proton exchange membrane to dehydrate and affecting its conductivity.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management to ensure efficient heat dissipation while reducing direct airflow during low-load periods to maintain membrane hydration. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the problems existing in the prior art, a wind-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function is provided. An adjustable bypass circuit is formed by the cooperation of the guide plate and the rotating plate. The opening and closing of the rotating plate is controlled by the feedback of the temperature sensor. At high temperature, the main channel is fully opened to enhance heat dissipation. At low temperature, the bypass channel is opened for cooling while maintaining the minimum gap of the main channel to ensure continuous ventilation of the cathode, thus balancing heat dissipation efficiency and membrane hydration stability.

[0007] To address the problems of existing technologies, this invention provides an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management, comprising a housing and a fuel cell stack disposed within the housing. The fuel cell stack has multiple cathode cavities distributed along its stacking direction. Each cathode cavity has an inlet side for cooling air to flow in and an outlet side for cooling air to flow out. An air intake fan is also included, disposed on the inlet side, for blowing cooling air into the fuel cell stack. An inlet frame is provided on the housing for mounting the air intake fan. The air intake fan and the fuel cell stack form a main air intake channel. An exhaust fan is disposed on the outlet side for drawing in and discharging cooling air flowing through the fuel cell stack. The exhaust gas has an outlet frame on its outer casing for mounting an exhaust fan, which forms a main exhaust channel with the battery stack. A bypass passage is formed in the side wall area of ​​the outer casing between the inlet frame and the outlet frame to guide cooling air to flow around the outer periphery of the battery stack. An air outlet adjustment assembly is respectively set in the main inlet channel and the main outlet channel, including two rotating plates symmetrically arranged in the corresponding frames and an adjustment driver. When both rotating plates are fully open, the bypass passage is in a closed state, and when it is inwardly swinging, the bypass passage is in an open state. Each cathode cavity is equipped with at least one temperature sensor.

[0008] Preferably, two side plates are symmetrically arranged around the periphery of the outer shell, and each side plate and the outer shell form a bypass passage. Each bypass passage has an external air intake passage communicating with the main air intake passage and an internal air intake passage communicating with the main air outlet passage.

[0009] Preferably, two diversion plates are fixedly provided on the inner side of the inlet frame and the outlet frame for each bypass passage, and the two diversion plates enclose each other to form the external air diversion channel or the internal air diversion channel.

[0010] Preferably, the two corresponding diversion plates are arranged parallel to each other and tilted towards the wind, and each diversion plate has an end face that can make close contact with the corresponding rotating plate.

[0011] Preferably, the adjusting actuator includes a push plate that is slidably disposed on the corresponding frame along the inclined direction of the deflector plate. The end of the push plate near the rotating plate abuts against its outer surface. When the push plate gradually pushes the rotating plate inward, the push plate and the deflector plate together form an airflow guiding surface.

[0012] Preferably, the push plate has a rubber block at one end near the rotating plate that abuts against the outer surface of the rotating plate.

[0013] Preferably, the rotating plate has a rotating shaft that is connected to the corresponding frame shaft at one end near the battery stack. The inlet frame and outlet frame are provided with limiting steps at the shaft connection positions of each rotating plate to limit the rotation range of the rotating plate.

[0014] Preferably, the limiting step has an outer limiting surface and an inner limiting surface. When the rotating plate is in contact with the outer limiting surface, the rotating plate is located at the outer swing limit position. When the rotating plate is in contact with the inner limiting surface, the rotating plate is located at the inner swing limit position.

[0015] Preferably, the inlet frame and the outlet frame are provided with elastic connectors and elastic buffers on the outer surface of each rotating plate. When the rotating plate swings out to its limit position, the elastic connectors are in a stretched state and the elastic buffers are in a compressed state.

[0016] Preferably, there are multiple intake fans and exhaust fans, and a gap is maintained between every two corresponding rotating plates when they are inwardly swung to their limit positions.

[0017] The advantages of this application compared to the prior art are:

[0018] 1. This invention constructs an external cooling circuit consisting of an external air intake channel, a bypass channel, and an internal air intake channel by arranging paired inclined guide plates inside the inlet and outlet frames and cooperating with a swingable rotating plate. A temperature sensor configured in each cathode cavity monitors the operating temperature in real time and feeds the signal back to the control system.

[0019] When the battery stack is at a high temperature, the control system drives the rotating plate to swing out to the fully open position, so that its end face is in close contact with the guide plate, blocking the bypass passage and forcing all the cooling air to flow through the cathode cavity to enhance heat dissipation.

[0020] When the temperature stabilizes or is under low load, the rotating plate swings inward and separates from the end face of the guide plate to form an opening. Part of the airflow is diverted into the bypass passage, flows along the outer periphery of the shell, and then merges into the main exhaust channel. This achieves uniform cooling of the shell and reduces direct purging of the membrane electrode, effectively maintaining the hydration state of the proton exchange membrane and improving the intelligence of thermal management.

[0021] 2. This invention achieves stable and precise adjustment of the air vent opening by having a pusher plate slide along a groove and a rubber block flexibly push the rotating plate to rotate. The pusher plate and the guide plate together form a continuous airflow guide surface, guiding the cooling air smoothly into the bypass passage. Furthermore, the swing stroke of the rotating plate is rigidly limited by the outer and inner limiting surfaces on the limiting steps, corresponding to the stable stop points of full opening and minimum opening, respectively.

[0022] Meanwhile, the elastic connector remains in a stretched state to provide a restoring force when the rotating plate swings out to its limit, while the elastic buffer absorbs the impact in a compressed state, ensuring smooth operation and reliable positioning, thereby achieving a stable switching of airflow distribution between the main channel and the bypass channel.

[0023] 3. The present invention provides a pair of rotating plates in the main air inlet channel and the main air outlet channel. When the plates are driven to swing inward synchronously to the limit position defined by the limiting step, a fixed gap is still maintained between the two rotating plates.

[0024] This gap constitutes the minimum flow cross-section of the main channel, ensuring that even when the bypass passage is fully open and the main channel is narrowed to its maximum extent, cooling air can still continuously flow through the cathode cavity, maintaining the minimum ventilation required for stack operation. While achieving efficient bypass cooling of the casing, it effectively prevents the membrane electrode from dehydrating or causing local reaction stagnation due to airflow interruption, thus balancing thermal management and electrochemical stability. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function according to the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional exploded view of an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a planar cross-sectional view of an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a planar cross-sectional view of the rotating plate on the inlet side of an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function, as described in this invention, showing the plate at its extreme outward swing position.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a planar cross-sectional view of the rotating plate on the inlet side of an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function, as described in this invention, showing the plate at its inner swing limit position.

[0031] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the rotating plate on the inlet side of an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function, as described in this invention, showing the plate at its extreme outward swing position.

[0032] Figure 8This is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the rotating plate on the inlet side of an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function, as described in this invention, showing the plate at its inner swing limit position.

[0033] Figure 9 This is the invention Figure 5 Enlarged diagram of point A.

[0034] Figure 10 This is the invention Figure 6 Enlarged diagram of point B.

[0035] Figure 11 This is a partial three-dimensional exploded view of the air outlet adjustment component of an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function according to the present invention.

[0036] The diagram is labeled as follows: 1. Outer shell; 11. End plate; 111. Hydrogen inlet; 112. Hydrogen outlet; 12. Side plate; 2. Battery stack; 3. Inlet fan; 31. Inlet frame; 311. Filter screen; 32. Main air inlet channel; 4. Outlet fan; 41. Outlet frame; 42. Main air outlet channel; 5. Bypass channel; 51. Side plate; 511. External air intake channel; 512. Internal air intake channel; 52. Drain plate. 6. Air vent adjustment assembly; 61. Rotating plate; 611. Rotating shaft; 612. Limiting step; 6121. Outer limiting surface; 6122. Inner limiting surface; 613. Elastic connector; 614. Elastic buffer; 62. Adjustment driver; 621. Push plate; 6211. Fixed electromagnet; 6212. Movable electromagnet; 622. Sliding part; 6221. Slide groove; 623. Rubber block; 7. Temperature sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To further understand the features, technical means, and specific objectives and functions achieved by the present invention, the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0038] See Figures 1-4As shown, an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management includes a housing 1 and a fuel cell stack 2 disposed within the housing 1. The fuel cell stack 2 has multiple cathode cavities distributed along its stacking direction, each cathode cavity having an inlet side for cooling air to flow in and an outlet side for cooling air to flow out. The air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack also includes an intake fan 3 and an exhaust fan 4. The intake fan 3 is disposed on the inlet side for blowing cooling air into the fuel cell stack 2. The housing 1 has an inlet frame 31 for mounting the intake fan 3, forming a main intake channel 32 between the intake fan 3 and the fuel cell stack 2. The exhaust fan 4 is disposed on the outlet side for drawing in and discharging exhaust gas flowing through the fuel cell stack 2. The housing 1 has an outlet frame 41 for mounting the exhaust fan 4, forming a main exhaust channel 42 between the exhaust fan 4 and the fuel cell stack 2. A bypass passage 5 is formed in the side wall region of the housing 1 between the inlet frame 31 and the outlet frame 41, for guiding cooling air to flow around the periphery of the fuel cell stack 2. The air outlet adjustment assembly 6 is respectively installed in the main air inlet channel 32 and the main air outlet channel 42, including two rotating plates 61 symmetrically arranged in the corresponding frame and an adjustment driver 62. When the two rotating plates 61 are fully open, the bypass passage 5 is in a closed state. When the air outlet is in the inward swing, the bypass passage 5 is in an open state. Temperature sensor 7 is provided in each cathode cavity.

[0039] The outer casing 1 is formed by two oppositely arranged end plates 11 and two side plates 12 connected to its two sides. The end plates 11 are provided with hydrogen inlet 111 and hydrogen outlet 112, forming a closed anode gas supply circuit for supplying reactive hydrogen and discharging unreacted gas from the anode side. The bypass passage 5 is formed on the side plates 12.

[0040] Both the inlet frame 31 and the outlet frame 41 are equipped with filter screens 311.

[0041] In the air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack described in this invention, the flow path of the cooling gas is finely divided into a main channel and a bypass channel 5, which work together to achieve dynamic thermal management based on real-time temperature feedback.

[0042] In this air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack, dynamic thermal management monitors the temperature in real time through temperature sensors 7 built into each cathode cavity and feeds the data back to the control system.

[0043] To achieve intelligent airflow management, the control system may include a central processing unit, a storage module, and a signal interface circuit. The temperature sensor 7 is electrically connected to the signal interface circuit via a signal line, transmitting real-time temperature data from each cathode cavity to the central processing unit. The central processing unit logically determines the current thermal state based on a preset temperature threshold and outputs control commands to the regulating driver 62.

[0044] In response to the command, the regulating driver 62 drives the rotating plate 61 to rotate in the main air inlet channel 32 and the main air outlet channel 42 to regulate the opening and closing of the main channel and the bypass channel 5, thereby realizing dynamic airflow distribution based on temperature feedback.

[0045] When the temperature of any cathode cavity reaches a preset high temperature threshold (e.g., 65°C), the control system drives the rotating plate 61 in the air outlet adjustment assembly 6 to fully open the main air inlet channel 32 and the main air outlet channel 42, while closing the bypass passage 5, so that all the cooling air flows through the inside of the battery stack, enhancing the heat dissipation of the high temperature area.

[0046] Conversely, when the temperature is low (e.g., below 50°C), the rotating plate 61 swings inward, opening the bypass passage 5 and guiding some of the cooling air around the outer periphery of the battery stack 2, reducing overcooling, thereby achieving intelligent airflow distribution and efficient thermal management based on real-time temperature feedback.

[0047] The entire operation begins with the startup of battery stack 2: an external power source drives the intake fan 3 and exhaust fan 4 to operate, forcing air in from the inlet side and into each cathode cavity via the main intake channel 32 between the intake fan 3 and battery stack 2. Simultaneously, high-purity hydrogen is continuously introduced to the anode side through the hydrogen inlet 111 on the end plate 11. The hydrogen undergoes an oxidation reaction in the anode catalyst layer, releasing electrons and protons. Electrons reach the cathode after performing work through the external circuit, while protons migrate through the proton exchange membrane to the cathode side, where they combine with air and electrons from the cathode cavity to generate water and heat. The exhaust gas from the reaction is discharged from the main exhaust channel 42 by the exhaust fan 4, while the anode reaction gas is discharged through the hydrogen outlet 112.

[0048] During this process, temperature sensors 7 distributed in each cathode cavity monitor the local temperature rise in real time and transmit the data to the control system. When the battery stack 2 is under high load or high temperature conditions, the cathode cavity temperature rises rapidly. The control system determines that enhanced cooling is required and then instructs the regulating driver 62 to swing the rotating plates 61 in the main air inlet channel 32 and the main air outlet channel 42 outward to their extreme positions, i.e., fully open. This completely blocks the bypass passages 5 on both sides of the side plate 12, which are connected by the inlet frame 31 and the outlet frame 41, forcing all cooling air to flow through the inside of the cathode cavity, forming a high-flow-rate direct ventilation channel. This maximizes the removal of reaction heat, effectively prevents local overheating, and ensures the efficient and stable conduct of the electrochemical reaction.

[0049] Conversely, when the fuel cell stack enters low-load, steady-state operation, or when the ambient temperature is low, the heat generation in the cathode cavity decreases. If a large airflow is maintained, the dry air will excessively remove moisture from the membrane, leading to dehydration of the proton exchange membrane, increased internal resistance, and even performance degradation. At this time, the control system commands the actuator 62 to operate, causing the rotating plate 61 to gradually swing inward, while the bypass passage 5 on the side plate 12 is opened. Some of the cooling air no longer directly penetrates the cathode cavity, but is diverted from both sides of the inlet frame 31 and flows through the bypass passage 5, then merges into the main outlet air passage 42 through both sides of the outlet frame 41 for discharge. This surrounding external cooling airflow can evenly remove the heat accumulated on the side plate 12, avoiding local hot spots, while reducing the direct purging intensity on the membrane electrode and maintaining the hydration state of the membrane.

[0050] In addition, the filters 311 installed on the inlet frame 31 and the outlet frame 41 effectively intercept dust and impurities in the air, preventing them from entering the cathode cavity and causing blockage. The hydrogen inlet 111 and hydrogen outlet 112 independently installed on the end plate 11 ensure that the anode gas supply and tail gas emission do not interfere with each other, ensuring the safe and efficient use of hydrogen.

[0051] See Figures 3-10 As shown, two side plates 51 are symmetrically arranged around the outer shell 1. Each side plate 51 and the outer shell 1 form a bypass passage 5. Each bypass passage 5 has an external air intake passage 511 that communicates with the main air intake passage 32 and an internal air intake passage 512 that communicates with the main air outlet passage 42.

[0052] When cooling air is sent into the main air intake channel 32 by the intake fan 3, if the air outlet adjustment component 6 is activated to narrow the passage between the main air intake channel 32 and the cathode cavity, the airflow will be diverted from the main air intake channel 32 and enter the gap between the side plate 51 and the outer casing 1 through the air outlet channel 511 located on the inlet side, i.e., the bypass passage 5.

[0053] Subsequently, the airflow flows axially along the outer periphery of the battery stack 2, cooling the outer surface of the outer casing 1. Finally, the cooled airflow merges into the main exhaust duct 42 through the air inlet channel 512 located on the outlet side, and is discharged by the exhaust fan 4. Thus, the two symmetrically arranged bypass channels 5 are automatically activated when the main air duct narrows, forming two parallel external cooling loops to achieve uniform and efficient heat dissipation of the entire outer casing 1 of the battery stack 2.

[0054] See Figures 3-10 As shown, two diversion plates 52 are fixedly provided on the inner side of the inlet frame 31 and the outlet frame 41 for each bypass passage 5, and the two diversion plates 52 enclose each other to form the external air diversion channel 511 or the internal air diversion channel 512.

[0055] When cooling air flows through the inlet frame 31 region, the gap between the two guide plates 52 forms an external air intake channel 511, guiding part of the airflow from the main air intake channel 32 to the bypass channel 5. Subsequently, the airflow flows along the outer periphery of the battery stack 2 to the outlet frame 41 region, and then through the internal air intake channel 512 formed by another pair of guide plates 52 on the inner side of the outlet frame 41, the airflow is orderly merged into the main air outlet channel 42.

[0056] Throughout the process, the diversion plate 52, with its fixed tilt and precise spacing, ensures that the airflow is smoothly diverted and efficiently converged between the main channel and the bypass channel 5, avoiding eddies or blockages and ensuring the stable operation of the bypass cooling path.

[0057] See Figures 5-10 As shown, the two corresponding diversion plates 52 are arranged parallel to each other and tilted towards the wind, and each diversion plate 52 has an end face that can make close contact with the corresponding rotating plate 61.

[0058] When the rotating plate 61 is in the position of closing the bypass passage 5, its outer surface is in close contact with the mating surface of the end of the diversion plate 52, sealing the gap between the diversion plates 52 and preventing airflow from entering the bypass passage 5.

[0059] When the rotating plate 61 swings inward under the driving action, it gradually separates from the end face of the guide plate 52, forming an opening between the two, so that the cooling air can flow from the main air intake channel 32 into the bypass passage 5 through the space enclosed by the guide plate 52.

[0060] By dynamically fitting and separating the rotating plate 61 and the end face of the guide plate 52, precise opening and closing control of the bypass airflow path is achieved. At the same time, the tilt angle of the guide plate 52 is used to guide the airflow to smoothly change direction, reducing flow loss.

[0061] See Figures 4-10 As shown, the regulating driver 62 includes a push plate 621 that is slidably disposed on the corresponding frame along the inclined direction of the guide plate 52. One end of the push plate 621 near the rotating plate 61 abuts against its outer surface. When the push plate 621 gradually pushes the rotating plate 61 inward, the push plate 621 and the guide plate 52 together form an airflow guiding surface.

[0062] The push plate 621 is provided with a sliding part 622, and a groove 6221 is provided on the corresponding frame for the sliding part 622 to slide therein.

[0063] An electromagnetic structure is provided at the end of the push plate 621 away from the rotating plate 61. The push plate 621 and the electromagnetic structure together constitute an electric push plate assembly.

[0064] The electromagnetic structure includes a fixed electromagnet 6211 and a movable electromagnet 6212. The fixed electromagnet 6211 is fixedly connected to the diversion plate 52, and the movable electromagnet 6212 is fixedly connected to the push plate 621.

[0065] When the push plate 621 slides inward under the driving action, it pushes the rotating plate 61 to rotate. At the same time, the upper surface of the push plate 621 and the inclined guide plate 52 together form a continuous airflow guide surface, guiding the cooling air smoothly into the bypass passage 5.

[0066] During the driving process, the magnetic force generated by the energization of the fixed electromagnet 6211 and the movable electromagnet 6212 drives the push plate 621 to slide precisely along the slide groove 6221, thereby realizing the rapid adjustment of the opening of the rotating plate 61 and completing the dynamic switching of airflow distribution between the main channel and the bypass channel 5.

[0067] It should be noted that the electromagnetic drive method described above, which uses a combination of a fixed electromagnet 6211 and a movable electromagnet 6212, is only one way for the push plate 621 to achieve linear drive, but it is not limited to this method.

[0068] See Figures 5-11 As shown, the push plate 621 has a rubber block 623 that abuts against the outer surface of the rotating plate 61 at one end near the rotating plate 61.

[0069] When the push plate 621 slides inward along the slide groove 6221, the thrust is flexibly transmitted to the rotating plate 61 through the rubber block 623, driving it to rotate. This avoids impact or jamming caused by rigid contact, ensuring that the rotating plate 61 moves smoothly and responds stably during the swing process, thereby achieving precise and gentle adjustment of the air outlet opening.

[0070] See Figures 5-10 As shown, the rotating plate 61 is provided with a rotating shaft 611 connected to the corresponding frame shaft at one end near the battery stack 2. The inlet frame 31 and the outlet frame 41 are provided with a limiting step 612 at the shaft connection position of each rotating plate 61 to limit the rotation range of the rotating plate 61.

[0071] When the rotating plate 61 swings outward to its fully open position, its body stops against the limiting step 612. When it swings inward to its minimum opening position, it also stops against the limiting step 612. By precisely limiting the rotation angle range of the rotating plate 61, reliable operation within the preset stroke is ensured, preventing structural interference caused by excessive opening and avoiding complete severance of the main channel due to excessive closing, thereby ensuring the stability and repeatability of airflow regulation.

[0072] See Figures 5-10As shown, the limiting step 612 has an outer limiting surface 6121 and an inner limiting surface 6122. When the rotating plate 61 is in contact with the outer limiting surface 6121, the rotating plate 61 is located at the outer swing limit position. When the rotating plate 61 is in contact with the inner limiting surface 6122, the rotating plate 61 is located at the inner swing limit position.

[0073] When the rotating plate 61 swings outward to its limit position under the driving action, its body contacts and is blocked by the outer limiting surface 6121, thereby determining the mechanical stop point of the fully open state.

[0074] When the rotating plate 61 swings inward to its limit position, it contacts and is limited by the inner limiting surface 6122, forming a stable stop point with the minimum opening. The swing stroke of the rotating plate 61 is precisely constrained by the two rigid limiting surfaces, ensuring that it reliably reciprocates within the preset angle range, avoiding overtravel or rebound, and providing precise and repeatable mechanical positioning for the opening and closing of the airflow channel.

[0075] See Figures 4-10 As shown, the inlet frame 31 and the outlet frame 41 are provided with elastic connectors 613 and elastic buffers 614 on the outer surface of each rotating plate 61. When the rotating plate 61 swings out to the limit position, the elastic connectors 613 are in a stretched state and the elastic buffers 614 are in a compressed state.

[0076] The tensile force of the elastic connector 613 is greater than the elastic force of the elastic buffer 614.

[0077] When the rotating plate 61 swings outward to its limit position and contacts the outer limiting surface 6121 of the limiting step 612, the elastic connector 613 remains in a stretched state, applying an outward restoring force to the rotating plate 61, while the elastic buffer 614 is in a compressed state due to pressure, absorbing impact energy and providing flexible support.

[0078] When the rotating plate 61 reaches the extreme position of the outward swing, the elastic connector 613 keeps the rotating plate 61 in stable contact with the diversion plate 52, while the elastic buffer 614 reduces the impact and prevents rigid collisions, ensuring smooth operation and reducing noise.

[0079] See Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, both the intake fan 3 and the exhaust fan 4 are provided with multiple fans, and each pair of corresponding rotating plates 61 retains a gap when they are swung inward to their extreme positions.

[0080] When the pair of rotating plates 61 are synchronously swung inward to the limit position defined by the limiting step 612 under the driving action, a fixed gap is still maintained between them. This gap constitutes the minimum flow cross section of the main air inlet channel 32 or the main air outlet channel 42, ensuring that even when the bypass passage 5 is fully open and the main channel is narrowed to the maximum extent, the cooling air can still flow continuously through the cathode cavity, maintaining the minimum ventilation required by the fuel cell stack, and avoiding dehydration of the membrane electrode or local reaction stagnation due to airflow interruption. Thus, while enhancing the cooling of the outer casing 1, the basic operating conditions of the electrochemical reaction are guaranteed.

[0081] This invention constructs an external cooling circuit consisting of an external air intake channel 511, a bypass channel 5, and an internal air intake channel 512 by setting a pair of inclined guide plates 52 inside the inlet frame 31 and the outlet frame 41, and cooperating with a swingable rotating plate 61. The rotating plate 61 is flexibly pushed by the push plate 621 via the rubber block 623, and slides smoothly along the slide groove 6221 to achieve opening adjustment. Together with the guide plates 52, it forms a continuous airflow guide surface, guiding the cooling air to flow smoothly.

[0082] The swing stroke of the rotating plate 61 is rigidly limited by the outer limiting surface 6121 and the inner limiting surface 6122 of the limiting step 612, corresponding to the stable stop points of full opening and minimum opening, respectively. When the rotating plate 61 swings inward to the limit position synchronously, a fixed gap is maintained between the two, forming the minimum flow section of the main channel, ensuring that the cathode cavity always maintains the minimum ventilation volume. Combined with the real-time feedback of the temperature sensors 7 of each cathode cavity, the control system dynamically switches the airflow distribution between the main channel and the bypass channel 5, strengthening direct ventilation cooling at high temperatures and activating bypass cooling of the outer shell 1 at low temperatures or steady state, taking into account efficient heat dissipation, membrane hydration maintenance, and electrochemical reaction stability.

[0083] The above embodiments only illustrate one or more implementations of the present invention, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function, comprising a housing and a battery stack disposed in the housing, wherein the battery stack has a plurality of cathode cavities distributed along its stacking direction, and the cathode cavities have an inlet side for cooling air to flow in and an outlet side for cooling air to flow out; Its features are, Also includes: An air intake fan is installed on the inlet side to blow cooling air into the battery stack. The outer casing is provided with an inlet frame for the air intake fan to be installed, and the air intake fan and the battery stack form a main air intake channel. An exhaust fan is installed on the outlet side to draw in and exhaust the exhaust gas flowing through the battery stack. The outer casing is provided with an outlet frame for the exhaust fan to be installed, and the exhaust fan and the battery stack form a main exhaust channel. A bypass passage, formed in the outer shell sidewall region between the inlet frame and the outlet frame, is used to guide cooling air to flow around the periphery of the battery stack; The air outlet adjustment assembly is respectively set in the main air inlet channel and the main air outlet channel, including two rotating plates symmetrically arranged in the corresponding frame and an adjustment driver. When the two rotating plates are fully open, the bypass passage is closed, and when the air outlet is inward, the bypass passage is open. Temperature sensor, each of the cathode cavities is equipped with at least one of the temperature sensors.

2. The air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer casing is symmetrically provided with two side plates, and each side plate and the outer casing are enclosed to form a bypass passage. Each bypass passage has an external air intake passage connected to the main air intake passage and an internal air intake passage connected to the main air outlet passage.

3. The air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function according to claim 2, characterized in that, Two air intake plates are fixedly installed on the inner side of the inlet frame and outlet frame for each bypass passage, and the two air intake plates enclose each other to form the external air intake channel or the internal air intake channel.

4. The air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function according to claim 3, characterized in that, The two corresponding diversion plates are arranged parallel to each other and tilted towards the wind, and each diversion plate has an end face that can make close contact with the corresponding rotating plate.

5. A wind-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function according to claim 4, characterized in that, The regulating actuator includes a push plate that is slidably mounted on the corresponding frame along the inclined direction of the deflector plate. The end of the push plate near the rotating plate abuts against its outer surface. When the push plate gradually pushes the rotating plate inward, the push plate and the deflector plate together form an airflow guiding surface.

6. A wind-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function according to claim 5, characterized in that, The push plate has a rubber block at one end near the rotating plate that abuts against the outer surface of the rotating plate.

7. A wind-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function according to claim 6, characterized in that, The rotating plate has a rotating shaft that is connected to the corresponding frame shaft at one end near the battery stack. The inlet frame and outlet frame are provided with limiting steps at the shaft connection position of each rotating plate to limit the rotation range of the rotating plate.

8. A wind-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function according to claim 7, characterized in that, The limiting step has an outer limiting surface and an inner limiting surface. When the rotating plate is in contact with the outer limiting surface, the rotating plate is located at the outer swing limit position. When the rotating plate is in contact with the inner limiting surface, the rotating plate is located at the inner swing limit position.

9. A wind-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function according to claim 8, characterized in that, The inlet frame and outlet frame are equipped with elastic connectors and elastic buffers on the outer surface of each rotating plate. When the rotating plate swings out to its limit position, the elastic connectors are in a stretched state and the elastic buffers are in a compressed state.

10. A wind-cooled hydrogen fuel cell stack with intelligent airflow management function according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are multiple intake and exhaust fans, and a gap is maintained between each pair of corresponding rotating plates when they are inwardly swung to their limit positions.

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