Hydrogen circulating pump for fuel cell

Abstract

The utility model discloses a hydrogen circulating pump for a fuel cell, which comprises a pump head, a motor and a motor controller, the pump head is a hose pump and mainly comprises a pump shell, an extrusion wheel frame, an extrusion wheel, an extrusion hose, a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a pump cover; the extrusion wheel carrier, the extrusion wheel and the extrusion hose are installed in the pump cavity, the extrusion wheel is installed on the extrusion wheel carrier, and the two ends of the extrusion hose are communicated with the air inlet and the air outlet respectively; the motor is connected with the pump head; the shaft extension end of the motor extends into the pump cavity and is connected with the extrusion wheel frame; the motor controller controls the motor to work; a hydrogen concentration sensor is installed on the pump head, and the hydrogen concentration sensor detects the concentration of hydrogen in the pump cavity and judges whether hydrogen leaks or not. No leakage, no corrosion, no hydrogen embrittlement and no icing of the circulating pump can be realized; and by adopting the separated pump head design, the rapid design and replacement of the hydrogen circulating pump with different requirements can be realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a hydrogen circulation pump for a fuel cell. Background Art

[0002] A fuel cell is an energy conversion device that generates electricity through the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. It boasts high energy conversion efficiency, simple structure, low noise, and zero pollution, making it an ideal energy utilization method. In applications, fuel cells must maintain a high hydrogen concentration and discharge the mixed gas streams (liquid water, nitrogen, and a small amount of hydrogen) generated by the stack reaction. The hydrogen and oxygen supply must exceed the amount consumed by the electrochemical reaction. To increase hydrogen utilization, the primary method currently employed is to recycle the hydrogen by installing a hydrogen circulation pump within the hydrogen circuit.

[0003] Currently used hydrogen circulation pumps primarily include Roots, vortex, and diaphragm pumps. These pump heads, when exposed to hydrogen or water, can cause hydrogen leakage, hydrogen embrittlement of sensitive metal materials, and ice formation at low temperatures, potentially leading to malfunction of the battery system. Hydrogen leaks are difficult to detect, posing a significant safety risk to the system. Therefore, addressing hydrogen sealing, water vapor corrosion, and water resistance in hydrogen circulation pumps is crucial. For example, the closest prior art solution is patent publication number CN111089051A, which discloses a hydrogen circulation pump for fuel cells. The pump's booster section utilizes an integrated housing structure, a Roots rotor, and a stainless steel shaft, along with ceramic or stainless steel bearings to minimize gas leakage and improve safety. However, existing issues or defects remain: The housing, rotor, and bearings of the prior art pump are still in direct contact with hydrogen and water vapor, making hydrogen embrittlement and corrosion difficult to prevent, ensuring complete sealing, and preventing hydrogen leaks from the circulation pump. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a hydrogen circulation pump for fuel cells, which solves the technical problem that the hydrogen circulation pumps for fuel cells in the prior art mainly include structures such as Roots pumps, vortex pumps and diaphragm pumps, and the pump heads may cause hydrogen leakage in hydrogen-related or water-related environments, and sensitive metal materials may suffer from "hydrogen embrittlement" and ice formation under low temperature conditions, thereby causing the battery system to fail to work normally.

[0005] The technical solution of the present utility model is achieved as follows:

[0006] A hydrogen circulation pump for a fuel cell, comprising a pump head, a motor and a motor controller, wherein:

[0007] The pump head is a hose pump, which mainly includes a pump housing, an extrusion wheel frame, an extrusion wheel, an extrusion hose, an air inlet, an air outlet and a pump cover; the pump housing and the pump cover are installed together to form a pump chamber in the middle, the extrusion wheel frame, the extrusion wheel and the extrusion hose are installed in the pump chamber, the extrusion wheel is installed on the extrusion wheel frame, the air inlet and the air outlet are installed on the pump housing and located outside the pump chamber, and the two ends of the extrusion hose are connected to the air inlet and the air outlet respectively;

[0008] The motor is installed and connected to the pump head, and the shaft extension end of the motor extends into the pump cavity and is connected to the extrusion wheel frame; the motor controller controls the operation of the motor;

[0009] The invention is characterized in that a hydrogen concentration sensor is installed on the pump head, and the hydrogen concentration sensor detects the hydrogen concentration in the pump cavity to determine whether there is hydrogen leakage.

[0010] Preferably, the pump head, the motor and the motor controller are installed from top to bottom, and the pump housing and the motor housing of the motor are installed by bolt connection.

[0011] Preferably, the motor and the motor controller are integrated into one; a circular hole is provided at the bottom of the pump housing, the shaft extension end of the motor extends into the pump cavity, and the extrusion wheel frame is connected to the shaft extension end by a fastening nut.

[0012] Preferably, a first sealing ring groove is provided at the bottom of the pump casing and the periphery of the circular hole, the pump casing sealing ring is placed in the first sealing ring groove, and the pump casing bottom and the motor casing squeeze the pump casing sealing ring to form a seal.

[0013] Preferably, the extrusion hose is a hollow annular hose, which is arranged along the circumference of the pump housing and is U-shaped; the gap between the extrusion wheel and the inner wall of the pump housing is less than 2 times the wall thickness of the extrusion hose.

[0014] Preferably, the air inlet and the air outlet both use double-ended joints, one end of the double-ended joint is connected to the extrusion hose inside the pump cavity, and the double-ended joint is made of plastic material.

[0015] Preferably, a mounting hole for a hydrogen concentration sensor is provided on the pump cover.

[0016] Preferably, a second sealing ring groove is provided on the top of the pump housing, the pump cover sealing ring is placed in the second sealing ring groove, and the pump housing and the pump cover squeeze the pump cover sealing ring to form a seal.

[0017] Preferably, the pump housing is connected to the motor housing of the motor by 4 bolts, and the pump head model can be quickly replaced.

[0018] Preferably, a mounting post is provided on the pump cover next to the mounting hole, the hydrogen concentration sensor is fixed on the mounting post, and the detection part of the hydrogen concentration sensor enters the pump cavity through the mounting hole.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the utility model has the following advantages:

[0020] 1. The pump head is a hose pump. Using a hose pump as the hydrogen circulation pump of the fuel cell can achieve zero leakage, zero corrosion, zero hydrogen embrittlement, and zero icing of the circulation pump;

[0021] 2. The separate pump head design enables rapid design and replacement of hydrogen circulation pumps with different requirements;

[0022] 3. A hydrogen leakage sensor is installed on the pump head, which can realize real-time detection of the life of the circulation pump and real-time monitoring of the life of the hose and replacement reminder. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a hydrogen circulation pump according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the pump head and the motor of a hydrogen circulation pump according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the appearance of a hydrogen circulation pump head according to the first embodiment of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the back sealing structure of a hydrogen circulation pump head in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a front view of a pump head of a hydrogen circulation pump according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 AA cross-sectional view;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a hydrogen circulation pump head of the utility model;

[0030] Figure 8 This is a schematic structural diagram of a hydrogen circulation pump with added hydrogen leakage detection according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 9 This is a schematic structural diagram of a pump cover of a hydrogen circulation pump with added hydrogen leakage detection according to the first embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] Example 1:

[0034] like Figures 1 to 9 As shown, this embodiment provides a hydrogen circulation pump for a fuel cell, comprising a pump head 1, a motor 2 and a motor controller 3, wherein:

[0035] The pump head 1 is a hose pump, which mainly includes a pump housing 1-f, an extrusion wheel frame 1-b, an extrusion wheel 1-a, an extrusion hose 1-c, an air inlet 1-g, an air outlet 1-h and a pump cover 1-j; the pump housing 1-f and the pump cover 1-j are installed together to form a pump chamber 10 in the middle, the extrusion wheel frame 1-b, the extrusion wheel 1-a and the extrusion hose 1-c are installed in the pump chamber 10, the extrusion wheel 1-a is installed on the extrusion wheel frame 1-b, the air inlet 1-g and the air outlet 1-h are installed on the pump housing 1-f and are located outside the pump chamber 10, and the two ends of the extrusion hose 1-c are respectively connected to the air inlet 1-g and the air outlet 1-h;

[0036] The motor 2 is installed and connected to the pump head 1, and the shaft extension end of the motor 2 extends into the pump chamber 10 and is connected to the extrusion wheel frame 1-b;

[0037] The motor controller 3 controls the operation of the motor 2;

[0038] The feature is that a hydrogen concentration sensor 1 - k is installed on the pump head 1 , and the hydrogen concentration sensor 1 - k detects the hydrogen concentration in the pump cavity 10 to determine whether there is hydrogen leakage.

[0039] The pump head of the utility model is a hose pump. Using the hose pump as the hydrogen circulation pump of the fuel cell can achieve leakage-free, corrosion-free, hydrogen-free and ice-free circulation pump; the separate pump head design can realize rapid design and replacement of hydrogen circulation pumps with different needs; a hydrogen leakage sensor is arranged on the pump head, which can realize real-time detection of the life of the circulation pump and real-time monitoring of the life of the hose and replacement reminder.

[0040] Preferably, the pump head 1, the motor 2 and the motor controller 3 are installed from top to bottom, and the pump housing 1-f and the motor housing of the motor 2 are connected and installed by bolts 4, which has a simple structure and is easy to assemble and disassemble.

[0041] Preferably, the motor 2 and the motor controller 3 are integrated into one; a circular hole 11 is provided at the bottom of the pump casing 1-f, the axial extension end of the motor 2 extends into the pump cavity 10, and the extrusion wheel frame 1-b is connected to the axial extension end using a fastening nut 1-d, and the structure is simple and reasonable.

[0042] Preferably, a first sealing ring groove 12 is provided at the bottom of the pump casing 1-f and the periphery of the circular hole 11, and the pump casing sealing ring 1-i is placed in the first sealing ring groove 12. The bottom of the pump casing 1-f and the motor casing squeeze the pump casing sealing ring 1-i to form a seal, thereby increasing the sealing performance.

[0043] Preferably, the extrusion hose 1-c is a hollow annular hose, which is arranged circumferentially along the pump casing 1-f in a U-shape; the gap between the extrusion wheel 1-a and the inner wall surface of the pump casing 1-f is less than 2 times the wall thickness of the extrusion hose 1-c, ensuring the effect of extrusion to form a vacuum.

[0044] Preferably, the air inlet 1-g and the air outlet 1-h both use double-headed joints, one end of which is connected to the extrusion hose 1-c inside the pump chamber 10. The double-headed joint is made of plastic material and is easy to manufacture and use.

[0045] Preferably, the pump cover 1 - j is provided with a mounting hole 13 for the hydrogen concentration sensor 1 - k, which is simple and convenient to install.

[0046] Preferably, a second sealing ring groove 14 is provided on the top of the pump casing 1-f, and the pump cover sealing ring 1-e is placed in the second sealing ring groove 14. The pump casing 1-f and the pump cover 1-j squeeze the pump cover sealing ring 1-e to form a seal, thereby increasing the sealing performance.

[0047] Preferably, the pump housing 1-f is connected to the motor housing of the motor 2 by four bolts 4, and the pump head 1 model can be quickly replaced. The structure is simple and easy to assemble and disassemble.

[0048] Preferably, a mounting column 15 is provided on the pump cover 1-j, next to the mounting hole 13, and the hydrogen concentration sensor 1-k is fixed on the mounting column 15. The detection part of the hydrogen concentration sensor 1-k enters the pump cavity 10 through the mounting hole 13, and the installation is firm, reliable, and easy to install.

[0049] The pump head is a hose pump (peristaltic pump), and its working principle is to pump fluid by alternately squeezing and releasing the pump's elastic delivery hose. The motor drives the extrusion wheel frame 1-b and the extrusion wheel 1-a to rotate: while the extrusion wheel 1-a revolves around the motor shaft, it also rotates while squeezing the pump tube to reduce the friction between the surface of the extrusion wheel 1-a and the surface of the pump tube. The gap between the extrusion wheel 1-a and the pump casing is less than 2 times the wall thickness of the pump tube, thereby squeezing the pump tube and squeezing the air or liquid in the tube toward the extrusion wheel 1-a; the extrusion wheel 1-a continues to roll forward: because the pump tube is elastic, the area of ​​the pump tube that is no longer squeezed by the extrusion wheel 1-a will resume deformation; as the pump tube returns to the shape of a circular tube, negative pressure is formed near this area, sucking in the upstream liquid or gas. When the next extrusion wheel 1-a arrives, it sucks the fluid into this area and squeezes it backward again. This cycle achieves continuous fluid delivery.

[0050] The above embodiments are preferred implementation methods of the present invention, but the implementation methods of the present invention are not limited thereto. Any other changes, modifications, substitutions, combinations, and simplifications that do not deviate from the spirit and principles of the present invention are equivalent replacement methods and are included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hydrogen circulation pump for a fuel cell, comprising a pump head (1), a motor (2) and a motor controller (3), wherein: The pump head (1) is a hose pump, mainly comprising a pump housing (1-f), an extrusion wheel frame (1-b), an extrusion wheel (1-a), an extrusion hose (1-c), an air inlet (1-g), an air outlet (1-h) and a pump cover (1-j); the pump housing (1-f) and the pump cover (1-j) are mounted together to form a pump chamber (10); the extrusion wheel frame (1-b), the extrusion wheel (1-a) and the extrusion hose (1-c) are mounted inside the pump chamber (10); the extrusion wheel (1-a) is mounted on the extrusion wheel frame (1-b); the air inlet (1-g) and the air outlet (1-h) are mounted on the pump housing (1-f) and located outside the pump chamber (10); and the two ends of the extrusion hose (1-c) are respectively connected to the air inlet (1-g) and the air outlet (1-h); The motor (2) is connected to the pump head (1), and the shaft extension end of the motor (2) extends into the pump chamber (10) and is connected to the extrusion wheel frame (1-b); The motor controller (3) controls the operation of the motor (2); The invention is characterized in that a hydrogen concentration sensor (1-k) is installed on the pump head (1), and the hydrogen concentration sensor (1-k) detects the hydrogen concentration in the pump cavity (10) to determine whether there is hydrogen leakage.

2. A hydrogen circulation pump for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pump head (1), the motor (2) and the motor controller (3) are installed from top to bottom, and the pump housing (1-f) and the motor housing of the motor (2) are connected and installed through bolts (4).

3. A hydrogen circulation pump for a fuel cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: The motor (2) and the motor controller (3) are integrated into one body; a circular hole (11) is provided at the bottom of the pump housing (1-f); the shaft extension end of the motor (2) extends into the pump cavity (10); and the extrusion wheel frame (1-b) is connected to the shaft extension end using a fastening nut (1-d).

4. A hydrogen circulation pump for a fuel cell according to claim 3, characterized in that: A first sealing ring groove (12) is provided at the bottom of the pump housing (1-f) and the periphery of the circular hole (11); the pump housing sealing ring (1-i) is placed in the first sealing ring groove (12); and the bottom of the pump housing (1-f) and the motor housing squeeze the pump housing sealing ring (1-i) to form a seal.

5. A hydrogen circulation pump for a fuel cell according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that: The extrusion hose (1-c) is a hollow annular hose, and is arranged along the circumference of the pump housing (1-f) in a U-shape; the gap between the extrusion wheel (1-a) and the inner wall surface of the pump housing (1-f) is less than twice the wall thickness of the extrusion hose (1-c).

6. A hydrogen circulation pump for a fuel cell according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that: The air inlet (1-g) and the air outlet (1-h) both use double-ended joints, one end of which is connected to the extrusion hose (1-c) inside the pump chamber (10), and the double-ended joint is made of plastic material.

7. A hydrogen circulation pump for a fuel cell according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that: The pump cover (1-j) is provided with a mounting hole (13) for a hydrogen concentration sensor (1-k).

8. A hydrogen circulation pump for a fuel cell according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that: A second sealing ring groove (14) is provided on the top of the pump housing (1-f), and the pump cover sealing ring (1-e) is placed in the second sealing ring groove (14). The pump housing (1-f) and the pump cover (1-j) squeeze the pump cover sealing ring (1-e) to form a seal.

9. A hydrogen circulation pump for a fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The pump housing (1-f) and the motor housing of the motor (2) are connected and installed through four bolts (4), and the model of the pump head (1) can be quickly replaced.

10. A hydrogen circulation pump for a fuel cell according to claim 7, characterized in that: A mounting post (15) is provided on the pump cover (1-j) next to the mounting hole (13); the hydrogen concentration sensor (1-k) is fixed on the mounting post (15); and a detection portion of the hydrogen concentration sensor (1-k) enters the pump cavity (10) through the mounting hole (13).

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