Ion exchanger filter device and ion exchanger cylinder

Abstract

An ion exchanger filtration device includes a housing comprising a cover and at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening for a medium, the housing extending in an axial direction; and an ion exchanger cylinder enclosed by the housing and including one or more inlet ports at an upstream end, and a circumferentially extending wall enclosing a container filled with ion exchanger material, the wall including one or more outlet ports at a downstream end opposite the upstream end. A main flow path through the ion exchanger cylinder is provided for the medium between the one or more inlet ports and the one or more outlet ports. The housing also includes a bypass passage between the inlet and outlet openings for allowing the medium to bypass the ion exchanger cylinder. The ion exchanger cylinder also includes a closing element configured to close the bypass passage when the ion exchanger cylinder is installed in the intended installation position of the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments relate to ion exchanger filtration devices, particularly ion exchanger filtration devices for fuel cell systems, and ion exchanger cartridges for ion exchanger filtration devices. Background Technology

[0002] Fuel cells have an electrical efficiency of approximately 50%. The remaining energy is obtained as heat. To maintain the fuel cell's efficiency as high as possible, the heat must be dissipated. For this purpose, a cooling medium flows around the cell. If the cooling medium is conductive, short circuits may occur between cells. Therefore, deionization is required using an ion exchanger. Because the coolant must also meet other properties (such as antifreeze), a mixture is used, such as a 50:50 ratio of deionized water and monoethylene glycol.

[0003] Typically, the ion exchanger canister needs to be sealed against the shell to ensure complete flow of coolant through the canister. Without a seal, a significant bypass will be established, reducing the ion exchanger's performance / separation efficiency. On the other hand, in systems with high flow rates, a bypass may be desirable. In this case, the pressure drop should be reduced while still meeting performance requirements.

[0004] WO 14174982 A1 discloses a cooling device including a resin-water passage having an ion-exchange resin sealed therein, the ion-exchange resin being capable of removing impurity ions from the coolant used to cool a tandem battery. The coolant is allowed to pass through the ion-exchange resin in the resin-water passage. The cooling device includes: a bypass passage branching from the resin-water passage and bypassing the ion-exchange resin; and opening and closing devices for closing the bypass passage according to the conduction state of the coolant.

[0005] JP 2012187439 A2 discloses an inner shell for containing ion exchange resin, which is disposed within a shell constituting an ion exchanger. Ions contained in a coolant are removed by an inlet pipe that allows the coolant to pass from the top of the shell through the outer shell to the interior of the inner shell, and the coolant is discharged from a discharge pipe of the outer shell. Here, an inlet space communicating with the inlet pipe and a discharge space communicating with the discharge pipe are formed between the outer shell and the inner shell. Furthermore, the opening direction of the inlet pipe is formed along the top of the upper base of the inner shell, and a bypass channel is formed connecting the inlet space to the discharge space to bypass the inner shell. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this embodiment is to provide an improved ion exchanger filtration device, particularly an ion exchanger filtration device for a fuel cell system.

[0007] Another object of the embodiments is to provide an ion exchanger cartridge for an improved ion exchanger filtration device.

[0008] According to one aspect of the embodiment, this objective is achieved by an ion exchanger filter device, particularly an ion exchanger filter device for a fuel cell system, the ion exchanger filter device comprising a housing including a cover and at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening for a medium, the housing extending in an axial direction; and an ion exchanger cylinder, which is closed by the housing and includes one or more inlet ports at an upstream end, and a circumferentially extending wall that closes a container filled with ion exchanger material, the wall including one or more outlet ports at a downstream end opposite the upstream end. A main flow path for the medium through the ion exchanger cylinder is provided between the one or more inlet ports and the one or more outlet ports. The housing further includes a bypass passage between the inlet opening and the outlet opening for allowing the medium to bypass the ion exchanger cylinder. The ion exchanger cylinder further includes a closing element configured to close the bypass passage when the ion exchanger cylinder is installed in the intended installation position of the housing.

[0009] According to another aspect of the embodiment, another objective is achieved by an ion exchanger cartridge for an ion exchanger filtration device. A closing element extends from the wall.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims, the specification, and the drawings.

[0011] In the proposed ion exchanger filter device, a bypass is provided in the housing, which can remain open if the system flow rate is high. If the bypass is not desired, it can be closed by a closing element attached to the ion exchanger cartridge. The closing element can be, for example, formed as a pin inserted into the bypass channel, or formed as a smooth surface covering the bypass channel, etc. Therefore, the bypass channel can be closed when the ion exchanger cartridge is installed into the housing of the ion exchanger filter device.

[0012] Advantageously, the same housing can be used for different system requirements with or without bypass.

[0013] If the closing element can be removed (e.g., disassembled), then even the same ion exchanger cartridge can be used for both options.

[0014] Using the same components for different requirements can reduce tooling costs, which is beneficial for producing small quantities of ion exchanger filtration units.

[0015] Alternatively, two assembly positions for the ion exchanger cartridge can be provided. In one position, the bypass passage can be closed when the ion exchanger cartridge is installed, and in the other position, the bypass passage remains open when the ion exchanger cartridge is installed.

[0016] According to embodiments of the ion exchanger filtration device, the cover may include a connecting device attached to the ion exchanger cartridge. Advantageously, the ion exchanger cartridge and the cover are not rigidly connected, but rather loosely connected, such as with a bayonet connector.

[0017] According to embodiments of the ion exchanger filtration device, the connecting device can be a rotatable bayonet connector, and the cover can rotate against the ion exchanger cartridge when it is installed into the housing. In the combination of bypass and rotatable bayonet connector, there are additional advantages, such as easy removal of the ion exchanger cartridge. Furthermore, the absence of component rotation reduces the potential for damage to seals (e.g., O-rings).

[0018] According to embodiments of the ion exchanger filtration apparatus, the cover may include an overlapping region that forms an annular gap between the ion exchanger cylinder and the housing and overlaps with one or more outlet ports in the axial direction. The annular gap may be configured to provide countercurrent flow for the medium exiting the one or more outlet ports. The ion exchanger cylinder, together with the overlapping region, can be easily inserted into and connected to the housing. Due to the overlap, the outlet ports can be located at the downstream end of the cylinder's container, enabling efficient utilization of the ion exchanger material.

[0019] According to embodiments of the ion exchanger filter apparatus, one or more outlet ports can be arranged upstream of at least one outlet opening, relative to the flow direction of the medium leaving the outlet ports. This arrangement of the outlet ports at a high position on the housing of the ion exchanger filter apparatus relative to the direction of gravity ensures that the ion exchanger filter arrangement can be adequately aerated.

[0020] The proposed ion exchanger cartridge is provided with a closing element arranged on the wall of the ion exchanger cartridge. When inserted into the housing of an ion exchanger filter device having a bypass for the medium, and when this bypass is undesirable for certain applications, the bypass can be closed by the closing element.

[0021] The closing element can be formed as a pin inserted into the bypass channel, or it can be a smooth surface covering the bypass channel. Therefore, the bypass channel can be closed when the ion exchanger cartridge is installed into the housing of the ion exchanger filter device.

[0022] Therefore, the same housing of an ion exchanger filter unit can be used for different system requirements with or without a bypass.

[0023] If the closing element (such as the sealing pin) is removed, the same ion exchanger tube can be used for both options.

[0024] Using the same components for different requirements can reduce tooling costs, which is beneficial for producing small quantities of ion exchanger filtration units.

[0025] Alternatively, two assembly positions for the ion exchanger cartridge can be provided. In one position, the bypass passage can be closed when the ion exchanger cartridge is installed, and in the other position, the bypass passage remains open when the ion exchanger cartridge is installed.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the ion exchanger cartridge, the closing element may be a pin extending in the axial direction, which can be inserted into a bypass channel when the ion exchanger cartridge is installed in the intended mounting position of the housing. The pin can advantageously be inserted into the bypass channel, thus closing the bypass channel.

[0027] According to embodiments of the ion exchanger cartridge, a circumferential seal, particularly an O-ring, can be arranged at the pin and configured to seal the bypass passage when the pin is inserted into it. Therefore, a proper seal of the bypass can be achieved when the ion exchanger cartridge is inserted into the housing.

[0028] According to embodiments of the ion exchanger cartridge, the closing element may be a smooth surface covering the bypass channel. Alternatively, the bypass channel may also be closed by a smooth surface and appropriately sealed to prevent the medium from bypassing the ion exchanger cartridge.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the ion exchanger cartridge may further include an inlet chamfer disposed at the upstream end. Therefore, it is suitable to insert the ion exchanger cartridge into the housing while simultaneously inserting the closure element into the bypass channel.

[0030] According to embodiments of the ion exchanger cartridge, the ion exchanger cartridge may further include at least one bayonet element disposed at the downstream end and configured to connect to a connector on the cover, particularly a rotatable bayonet connector. In the combination of bypass and rotatable bayonet connector, there are additional advantages, such as easy removal of the ion exchanger cartridge. Furthermore, no rotation of the element occurs, resulting in a reduction in potential damage to seals (e.g., O-rings). Attached Figure Description

[0031] The embodiments and the above and other objects and advantages are best understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments, but are not limited to these embodiments.

[0032] Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view shows an ion exchanger filtration device according to an embodiment, particularly an ion exchanger filtration device for a fuel cell system.

[0033] Figure 2 It is based on Figure 1An enlarged view of the lower part of the ion exchanger filter device.

[0034] Figure 3 An isometric view shows an ion exchanger cylinder with a cover containing an ion exchanger filter.

[0035] Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view shows an ion exchanger cylinder with a cover containing an ion exchanger filter.

[0036] Figure 5 It is based on Figure 1 A side view of the ion exchanger cylinder of an ion exchanger filtration device.

[0037] Figure 6 This is a top view of the casing of an ion exchanger filter device.

[0038] Figure 7 It is the cross-section of the shell. Detailed Implementation

[0039] In the accompanying drawings, similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. The drawings are merely schematic representations and are not intended to illustrate specific parameters of the embodiments. Furthermore, the drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments and should therefore not be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments.

[0040] Figure 1 An ion exchanger filtration device 100 according to an embodiment, particularly an ion exchanger filtration device 100 for a fuel cell system, is depicted in partial cross-sectional view. Figure 2 The image depicts an enlarged view of the lower part of the ion exchanger filtration device 100.

[0041] The ion exchanger filtration device 100 includes a housing 102 having a cover 112 and at least one inlet opening 104 and at least one outlet opening 106 for a medium. The housing 102 extends in an axial direction 80 and encloses an ion exchanger cylinder 10, which has one or more inlet ports 34 at an upstream end 20 and a circumferentially extending wall 32 that encloses a container 16 filled with ion exchanger material 12. The wall 32 includes one or more outlet ports 18 distributed at a downstream end 21 around or around the circumference of the circumferentially extending wall 32, opposite to the upstream end 20.

[0042] A main flow path 50, depicted by arrows, is provided for the medium through the ion exchanger cylinder 10 between the inlet port 34 and one or more outlet ports 18.

[0043] A bypass channel 116 is provided in the housing 102 between the inlet opening 104 and the outlet opening 106 to allow the medium to bypass the ion exchanger cylinder 10. The bypass channel 116 is arranged near the inlet opening 104 but extends through the entire length of the housing 102 in the axial direction 80.

[0044] The ion exchanger cartridge 10 is configured to provide a closing element 40 for selectively either closing or opening the bypass passage 116 when the ion exchanger cartridge 10 is installed in its intended mounting position within the housing 102. Figure 1 In the position shown, the bypass channel 116 is closed by the closing element 40.

[0045] Figure 1 The closure element 40 of the embodiment shown is formed as a pin 42 extending in the axial direction 80 and inserted into the bypass passage 116 in the intended installation position. A circumferential seal 44 (particularly an O-ring) is arranged at the pin 42 to seal the bypass passage 116 when the pin 42 is inserted into the bypass passage 116.

[0046] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the closing element 40 may also be formed as a smooth surface covering the bypass channel 116, wherein a proper seal of the bypass channel 116 may also be achieved.

[0047] The ion exchanger tube 10 has an inlet chamfer 46 at its upstream end 20 for proper and easy positioning in the housing 102, and particularly for proper positioning of the closing element 40 in the bypass channel 116.

[0048] The ion exchanger cylinder 10 is provided with a circumferential seal 22 (especially an O-ring) for sealing against the inner wall of the housing 102.

[0049] The cover 112 is connected to the ion exchanger cylinder 10 via a connecting device 122, particularly via a bayonet connector. The connecting device 122 may advantageously be a rotatable bayonet connector 124, wherein the cover 112 can rotate against the ion exchanger cylinder 10 when the ion exchanger cylinder 10 is mounted to the housing 102.

[0050] When the bypass channel 116 is combined with the rotatable bayonet connector 124, there are also advantages such as easy removal of the ion exchanger cartridge. Furthermore, rotation of the ion exchanger cartridge 10 does not occur, which reduces the possibility of damage to the seal 22.

[0051] Therefore, a plurality of bayonet elements 48 are arranged at the downstream end 21 for connection to the connecting device 122, particularly to the rotatable bayonet connector 124 of the cover 112.

[0052] The cover 112 includes an overlapping region 24 that forms an annular gap 26 between the ion exchanger cylinder 10 and the housing 102 and overlaps with the outlet port 18 in the axial direction 80. The annular gap 26 provides a deflection portion 52 for the flow path 50 to countercurrent the medium leaving the outlet port 18. The outlet port 18 is arranged upstream of the outlet opening 106 relative to the flow direction of the medium leaving the outlet port 18.

[0053] The overlapping region 24 is implemented as a connecting section 28, which is configured to connect the ion exchanger cylinder 10 to the housing 102 of the ion exchanger filter device 100.

[0054] Advantageously, the connecting section 28 is a threaded section 36, wherein the threaded section 36 includes external threads for mounting to the housing 102 with mating threads 120. A radial seal 118 (e.g., an O-ring) is provided for sealing between the cover 112 and the housing 102.

[0055] exist Figure 1 In the diagram, the direction of gravity 54 is marked because the ion exchanger filter 100 typically operates from this location, where the medium enters the housing 102 at the inlet opening 104 and is then pumped from the upstream end 20 through the ion exchanger cylinder 10 to the downstream end 21, where the medium exits the ion exchanger cylinder 10 through the outlet port 18. The medium then flows around the gap 26 of the cover 112 to the outlet opening 106, thereby exiting the housing 102.

[0056] Alternatively, the ion exchanger filter device 100 can also be operated in another position, such as in a position rotated 90° and extending along a horizontal axis.

[0057] Figure 3 An ion exchanger cylinder 10 with a cover 112 having an ion exchanger filter device 100 is depicted in an isometric view. Figure 4 The ion exchanger cylinder 10 with a cover 112 is depicted in partial cross-sectional view.

[0058] As before Figure 1 and Figure 2 As depicted, the cover 112 is connected to the ion exchanger cylinder 10 via the connecting device 122.

[0059] The ion exchanger cylinder 10 includes a circumferentially extending wall 32 that encloses a container 16 filled with ion exchanger material 12.

[0060] The wall 32 includes a plurality of outflow ports 18 distributed around the circumference of the circumferentially extending wall 32 or around the circumference of the circumferentially extending wall 32.

[0061] An improvement in the manufacturing process of the ion exchanger cylinder 10 can be advantageously achieved through a cylinder housing with an embedded molded screen fabric, wherein the screen fabric covers the inlet port 34 and the outlet port 18 of the ion exchanger cylinder. The advantage of this design is that embedded molding is required only at one part. In this case, the inlet port 34 is ideally vertically oriented, and the outlet port 18 is radially oriented relative to the axial direction 80 of the ion exchanger cylinder 10.

[0062] The closing element 40 is arranged to extend from the wall 32, which is provided with a bypass passage 116 for closing the housing 102 of the ion exchange filter device 100 in the intended installation position. The pin 42 of the closing element 40 is provided with a circumferential seal 44.

[0063] A circumferential seal 22 is provided at the upstream end 20 of the ion exchanger cylinder 10.

[0064] The overlapping area 24 of the cover 112 is provided with an outwardly threaded section 36 and a circumferential seal 118 for connection and sealing with the housing 102 of the ion exchange filter device 100.

[0065] exist Figure 5 The image depicts a side view of the ion exchanger cylinder 10 of the ion exchanger filtration device 100.

[0066] With the cover 112 removed, a plurality of outflow ports 18 distributed around or around the circumference of the circumferentially extending wall 32 are visible.

[0067] At the downstream end 21 of the ion exchanger cylinder 10, a plurality of bayonet elements 48 are arranged in a circle for cooperating with the connecting device 122 of the cover 112.

[0068] Figure 6 A top view of the housing 102 of the ion exchanger filter device 100 is depicted, while... Figure 7 The image depicts a cross-section of the shell 102 at the height of the outflow opening 106.

[0069] exist Figure 6 and Figure 7 The image depicts a housing 102, showing a bypass channel 116 arranged on the outer periphery of the housing 102. The bypass channel 116 has an opening 117 at its lower end near the inflow opening 104, which can be closed by a closing element 40 of the ion exchanger cartridge 10 when it is inserted into the housing 102.

[0070] List of reference numerals 10 Ion exchanger cylinders 12 Ion Exchanger Materials 16 Containers 18 outflow ports 20 Upstream end 21 Downstream end 22 Seals 24 Overlapping areas 26 gaps 28 connecting sections 30 mesh fabric 32 wall 34 Inflow Port 36 Threaded section 40 Closure element 42 sales 44 Seals 46 Chamfer 48. Bayonet components 50 Flow Path 52 Deflection section 54. Direction of Gravity 80 Axial direction 100 Ion Exchanger Filter Unit 102 Casing 104 Inflow Opening 106 Outflow opening 112 Covering 116 Bypass 117 Opening 118 Seals 120 mating thread 122 Connecting Devices 124 bayonet connector 170 Mounting Devices

Claims

1. An ion exchanger filtration device (100), particularly an ion exchanger filtration device (100) for a fuel cell system, said ion exchanger filtration device (100) comprising: The housing (102) includes a cover (112) and at least one inflow opening (104) and at least one outflow opening (106) for the medium, the housing (102) extending in the axial direction (80); and An ion exchanger cylinder (10) is enclosed by the housing (102) and includes one or more inflow ports (34) at an upstream end (20) and a circumferentially extending wall (32) that encloses a container (16) filled with ion exchanger material (12) and includes one or more outflow ports (18) at a downstream end (21) opposite to the upstream end (20). The medium is provided with a main flow path (50) through the ion exchanger cylinder (10) between the one or more inflow ports (34) and the one or more outflow ports (18). The housing (102) further includes a bypass channel (116) between the inflow opening (104) and the at least one outflow opening (106) for allowing the medium to bypass the ion exchanger cylinder (10), and The ion exchanger tube (10) further includes a closing element (40) configured to close the bypass channel (116) when the ion exchanger tube (10) is installed in the intended installation position of the housing (102).

2. The ion exchanger filtration device (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The cover (112) includes a connection device (122) connected to the ion exchanger cylinder (10).

3. The ion exchanger filtration device (100) according to claim 2, wherein, The connecting device (122) is a rotatable bayonet connector (124), and When the ion exchanger cylinder (10) is installed onto the housing (102), the cover (112) can rotate against the ion exchanger cylinder (10).

4. The ion exchanger filtration device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The cover (112) includes an overlapping region (24) that forms an annular gap (26) between the ion exchanger cylinder (10) and the housing (102), and overlaps with one or more outflow ports (18) in the axial direction (80). The annular gap (26) is configured to provide a counterflow to the medium exiting the one or more outflow ports (18).

5. The ion exchanger filtration device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The one or more outflow ports (18) are arranged upstream of the at least one outflow opening (106) relative to the flow direction of the medium exiting the one or more outflow ports (18).

6. An ion exchanger cartridge (10) for use in an ion exchanger filtration device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims. in, The closing element (40) extends from the wall (32).

7. The ion exchanger tube (10) according to claim 6, wherein, The closing element (40) is a pin (42) extending in the axial direction (80) that can be inserted into the bypass channel (116) when the ion exchanger cylinder (10) is installed in the intended installation position of the housing (102).

8. The ion exchanger tube (10) according to claim 7, wherein, A circumferential seal (44), in particular an O-ring, is disposed at the pin (42) and is configured to seal the bypass passage (116) when the pin (42) is inserted into the bypass passage (116).

9. The ion exchanger tube (10) according to claim 6, wherein, The closing element (40) is a smooth surface covering the bypass channel (116).

10. The ion exchanger tube (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, further comprising an inlet chamfer (46) disposed at the upstream end (20).

11. The ion exchanger tube (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 10, further comprising at least one bayonet element (48) arranged at the downstream end (21) and configured to connect to the connecting device (122) of the cover (112), particularly a rotatable bayonet connector (124).

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