Bleed valve for fuel cell system
By designing the lower core flow passage of the fuel cell system vent valve as a staged through-hole, the problem of flow obstruction was solved, resulting in higher yield and lower manufacturing cost.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520142484.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-21
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-01-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing fuel cell systems have a problem with the flow capacity of the vent valve being obstructed, resulting in low processing yield and high cost.
A relief valve was designed by setting the flow passage in the lower core as a staged through-hole, with the inlet and outlet sections forming an angle, to ensure that the free end of the elastic element does not interfere with the flow passage and that the outlet is not blocked by the positioning element, thereby optimizing the flow capacity and the yield of finished products.
This effectively reduces flow obstruction, improves the flow capacity and yield of the relief valve, and lowers manufacturing costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN223578901U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to the field of fuel cell systems, and in particular to a drain valve for a fuel cell system. BACKGROUND
[0002] Fuel cell systems that generate electricity using electrochemical reactions of fuel gas and oxidant gas are increasingly used to provide electric power. In particular, their use in the field of electric vehicles is receiving increasing attention. In a fuel cell system, a drain valve ("Drain / Purge valve" or "DP valve") is used to control the discharge of fluid from the fuel cell system. For example, the drain valve can be connected to a drain port of a water separator to control the discharge of accumulated water from the water separator. As another example, the drain valve can be connected to a gas pipe of a recirculation loop to control the discharge of recirculation fluid from the recirculation loop.
[0003] The drain valve is typically an electrically operated valve that includes a valve core composed mainly of a valve core tube and a valve core assembly disposed within the valve core tube, a support fixture for supporting the valve core, and an electrical device mounted to the valve core and configured to actuate the valve core. The valve core assembly includes an upper core body, a lower core body, and a resilient member (e.g., a coil spring) disposed centrally between and spacing apart the two core bodies. When the valve core actuator acts to move the upper core body in the valve core assembly along a central longitudinal axis, the resilient member inevitably shifts slightly from its freely disposed state with respect to the central longitudinal axis. In the design of the existing lower core body, the arrangement of the axial flow-through holes causes the shifted resilient member to potentially block the flow through one of the axial flow-through holes, thereby affecting the (instantaneous) flow-through capability of the drain valve.
[0004] Furthermore, the axial positioning of the valve core assembly within the valve core tube is typically achieved by means of a positioning member (e.g., a nut) that abuts along the central longitudinal axis. The positioning member that is mounted below (i.e., on the outflow side of) the lower core body can partially obstruct the outflow opening of the axial flow-through hole of the lower core body due to the size of the central through-hole thereof, thereby affecting the flow-through condition thereof. This also negatively affects the flow-through capability of the drain valve.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need in the industry for an improved drain valve that reduces or eliminates the occurrence of flow obstruction to the lower core body to ensure the flow-through capability of the drain valve is in an ideal state, while also facilitating the production yield of the drain valve. SUMMARY
[0006] To address at least one of the problems described above, the present application provides a drain valve for a fuel cell system.
[0007] The bleed valve includes a valve core defining a through-flow direction and a central longitudinal axis and comprising a valve core tube body defining a valve cavity of the valve core and a valve core assembly disposed within the valve cavity. The valve core assembly comprises an upper core body provided with a receiving recess recessed along the central longitudinal axis, a lower core body defining an inflow face and an outflow face and provided with a through-flow hole extending through the lower core body from the inflow face to the outflow face, and a resilient member disposed centrally between the upper core body and the lower core body relative to the lower core body and separating the two along the direction of the central longitudinal axis, wherein one end of the resilient member is disposed in the receiving recess and the other end of the resilient member is in abutment with the inflow face. The through-flow hole is a plurality of through-holes uniformly distributed around the central longitudinal axis, each of the plurality of through-holes comprising an inflow section defining an inflow port on the inflow face, the inflow port being configured to be outside the offset range of the other end of the resilient member, and an outflow section in fluid communication with the inflow section and defining an outflow port on the outflow face, and the outflow port being configured to be in a position not blocked by a positioning member disposed below the valve core assembly.
[0008] With the bleed valve for a fuel cell system of the present application, the problem of blockage caused by mutual interference between the through-flow hole and the resilient member and the positioning member can be reduced or even eliminated, so as to ensure that the through-flow capacity of the bleed valve is in an ideal state, and meanwhile, the processing yield of the bleed valve is more favorable to be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout, and the drawings constitute a part of this specification. It is to be understood that the sizes of the components, the proportional relationships between the components, and the number of components in the drawings are not to be construed as limiting the present application. In the drawings:
[0010] Figure 1 is a constituent diagram showing a bleed valve for a fuel cell system of the prior art.
[0011] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a sectional view of a valve core used in the bleed valve shown in
[0012] Figure 3 and Figure 4 are respectively a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view of a lower core body used in the valve core shown in Figure 2
[0013] Figure 5 is a sectional view of one embodiment of a valve core used in a bleed valve for a fuel cell system according to the present application.
[0014] Figure 6 and Figure 7 are respectively a top plan view and a bottom plan view of a lower core body used in the spool shown in Figure 5
[0015] Figure 8 and Figure 9 are respectively alternative embodiments of the spool shown in Figure 5
[0016] Figure 10 is another alternative embodiment of the spool shown in Figure 5
[0017] Figure 11 is a bottom plan view of a lower core body used in the spool shown in Figure 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Several embodiments of a relief valve for a fuel cell system of the present application are described in detail below in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that for the sake of brevity, only the portions of the relief valve that are needed to understand the design improvements of the present application are described in detail, and that portions of the relief valve not needed for an understanding of the present application are not described in detail.
[0019] As mentioned above, referring to Figure 1 , the relief valve 8000 for a fuel cell system mainly comprises a spool 80, a support fixture 81 for supporting the spool, and an electric device 82 mounted to the spool and configured to actuate the spool. The electric device 82 can be, for example, an electromagnetic coil.
[0020] Referring to Figure 2 , the spool 80 of the relief valve 8000 defines a central longitudinal axis L-L and comprises a spool body 800 that defines a valve cavity 800S inside thereof. The spool 80 further comprises a spool assembly disposed within the valve cavity 800S. The spool assembly comprises an upper core body 801, a lower core body 802, and a resilient member 803 disposed centrally therebetween. The upper core body 801 is provided with a receiving recess 801R disposed substantially centrally with respect to the upper core body 801 and extending along the central longitudinal axis L-L for receiving one end of the resilient member 803, in the orientation shown in Figure 2 , i.e. in the direction facing the lower core body 802.
[0021] The lower core body 802 is substantially cylindrical in shape, defining an inlet flow face 802I and an outlet flow face 802E (indicated respectively in Figure 3 and Figure 4 The lower core 802 is provided with a plurality of through-flow holes 802H extending along a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis L-L. As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 As can be seen in
[0022] As shown in Figure 2 the free end of the elastic member 803 (opposite to the receiving end received in the receiving recess 801R of the upper core 801) abuts against the inflow face 802I of the lower core 802. Specifically, the free end of the elastic member 803 abuts against an action region on the inflow face 802I of the lower core 802 surrounded and defined by the inflow ports 802HA of the plurality of through-flow holes 802H. The size of the action region generally depends on the hole diameter of the central through-hole 804H of the positioning member (e.g. a nut) 804 used to abut against the outflow face 802E of the lower core 802 so as to provide positioning for the lower core 802, and the hole diameter of the through-flow holes 802H.
[0023] As mentioned above, when the valve core 80 is actuated, the abutting position of the free end of the elastic member 803 abutting against the lower core 802 will change due to the relative movement between the upper core 801 and the lower core 802. If the action region is too small, the free end of the elastic member 803 can interfere with one of the through-flow holes 802H (e.g. the free end is trapped in the through-flow hole) during the actuation of the valve core 80, thereby affecting the flow condition of the through-flow hole, and further affecting the flow capacity of the valve core 80 and even the entire relief valve. If the action region is too large, the outflow ports 802HB of the through-flow holes 802H along a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis L-L can be partially blocked by the positioning member 804, which also affects the flow condition of the through-flow holes 802H and the flow capacity of the valve core 80.
[0024] Therefore, higher requirements are imposed on the machining and positioning of the through-flow holes 802H in the lower core 802. In addition, the small size of the relief valve and even the lower core (the diameter is generally only 10-20 mm) leads to a low machining yield, greatly increasing the manufacturing cost of the valve core assembly.
[0025] To solve the above problems, without affecting the flow capacity of the valve core, further improve the yield of the machining assembly, further reduce the manufacturing cost of the valve core assembly, and thus ensure that the flow capacity of the relief valve is in an ideal state, the inventors of the present application have conceived to improve the arrangement of the through-flow holes of the lower core.
[0026] Figure 5A cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a spool used in a relief valve for a fuel cell system according to the present application is shown. The spool 1 differs from the prior art spool 80 only in the lower spool body 11, and more specifically, in the specific arrangement of the through-flow holes 11H provided in the lower spool body 11.
[0027] Unlike Figure 2 the through-flow holes 802H shown in FIG. 8, which are straight through holes extending in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis L-L, Figure 5 Each of the through-flow holes 11H shown in FIG. 11 is in the form of a stepped through hole. Taking one of the through-flow holes 11H as an example, it includes an inlet flow section 11H1 and an outlet flow section 11H2 in fluid communication with each other. The hole diameter of the inlet flow section 11H1 and the hole diameter of the outlet flow section 11H2 can be the same as the hole diameter of the through-flow hole 802H, so that they have the same through-flow capacity. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, Figure 5 the through-flow axis of the inlet flow section 11H1, which represents the direction of extension of the inlet flow section 11H1, and which is represented by the axis X-X in FIG. 11, Figure 5 forms an angle a with the central longitudinal axis L-L. This angle a can be between 10° and 20°, and is preferably 18°, taking into account various factors such as the optimal weight of the lower spool body 11, the through-flow resistance, the ease of machining, etc. However, the present application does not limit the axial length of the inlet flow section and the outlet flow section of the through-flow hole along the central longitudinal axis L-L. Those skilled in the art can select them as needed (e.g., selection of parameters).
[0028] It should be noted that the through-flow axis of each of the inlet flow sections 11H1 preferably constitutes a generatrix of a right circular cone having the central longitudinal axis L-L as the axis of the cone. The geometric center of the inlet flow port 11HA (indicated by the dot in Figure 6 ) of the inlet flow section 11H1 of each of the through-flow holes 11H on the inlet flow face 11I is on a circle having a point on the central longitudinal axis L-L as the center of the circle. This circle is hereinafter referred to as the "inlet side circle".
[0029] As shown in FIGS. Figure 3 and Figure 6 It is clear that the radius of the inlet side circle of the through-flow hole 11H is significantly larger than the radius of the inlet side circle of the through-flow hole 802H. In other words, the inlet flow port 11HA of the through-flow hole 11H is disposed farther from the central longitudinal axis L-L than the inlet flow port 802HA of the through-flow hole 802H, thereby providing a larger acting area for the free end of the elastic member 803, and thereby preventing the free end of the elastic member 803 from interfering with the through-flow hole 11H during actuation of the spool 11, thereby causing a flow blocking problem.
[0030] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. Figure 5As shown, due to the inclined arrangement of the inlet section 11H1, the aperture (visual size) of the inlet 11HA is significantly larger than the aperture (size obtained perpendicular to the flow axis XX) of the inlet section 11H1. This is beneficial for receiving fluid from the upper core, thereby contributing to the flow capacity of the lower core 11.
[0031] Each of the flow passages 11H has an outlet section 11H2 extending along a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis LL. Similarly, the outlet 11HB of the flow passage 11H (marked in...) Figure 7 The geometric center of each of the three flows lies on a circle centered at a point on the longitudinal axis LL. This circle is referred to as the "outflow side circle" in the following text.
[0032] like Figure 4 and Figure 7 As shown, it is clear that the radius of the outflow side circle of the flow passage 11H is significantly smaller than that of the outflow side circle of the flow passage 802H. In other words, the outlet 11HB of the flow passage 11H is positioned closer to the central longitudinal axis LL than the outlet 802HB of the flow passage 802H. In fact, the projections of these outlets 11HB along the central longitudinal axis LL are all within the range of the projection of the central through hole 804H of the positioning member 804 along the central longitudinal axis LL, thereby further ensuring that each outlet 11HB is in fluid communication with the central through hole 804H of the positioning member 804, and is not (partially or completely) blocked by the positioning member 804, thus preventing flow obstruction.
[0033] Therefore, the vent valve for fuel cell systems according to this application perfectly resolves the contradiction between the size of the working area of the free end of the elastic element and the potential flow obstruction caused by the positioning element, achieving a win-win situation.
[0034] Figure 8 It shows Figure 5 Alternative embodiments of the valve core shown. Figure 8 The valve core shown is Figure 5 The main difference between the valve cores shown lies in the arrangement of the flow holes in the lower core. Figure 8 In the lower core 12 shown, the flow holes 12H are also in the form of staged through holes, including an inlet section 12H1 and an outlet section 12H2 that are fluidly connected to each other. The outlet section 12H2 can be combined with the previously mentioned... Figure 5 The outflow section 11H2 is the same as described above, so it will not be repeated here.
[0035] exist Figure 8In the illustrated embodiment, each inlet section 12H1 includes a first inlet section 12H11 and a second inlet section 12H12 in fluid communication with each other. The first inlet section 12H11 extends from the inlet 12HA of the flow passage 12H along a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis LL toward the outlet surface 12E and is in fluid communication with the inlet of the second inlet section 12H2. The second inlet section 12H12 extends from the outlet of the first inlet section 12H11 along the flow direction (indicated by the flow axis XX) toward the central longitudinal axis LL and is in fluid communication with the outlet section 12H2. The flow direction (flow axis XX) of the second inlet section 12H12 forms an angle α with the central longitudinal axis LL. The specific details of the angle α are as described above.
[0036] Figure 9 It shows Figure 8 An alternative embodiment of the shown example differs only in that the flow direction of the second inlet section 12H12 is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis LL.
[0037] Figure 10 It shows Figure 5 Another alternative embodiment of the illustrated example is a preferred embodiment of the valve core of the vent valve for a fuel cell system according to this application. Figure 10 In the embodiment shown, Figure 10 The valve core shown is Figure 5 The only difference between the valve cores shown is the arrangement of the outflow section of the flow passage in the lower core.
[0038] exist Figure 10 In the middle, the multiple flow holes 13H of the lower core 13 each include an inlet section 13H1 and an outlet section that are interconnected. Figure 5 The outflow sections 11H2 of each of the flow passages shown are different relative to the case where they are set independently of each other. Figure 10 In the valve core shown, the outflow sections of each flow passage 13H in the valve core are converged into a common outflow section 13H2, whose flow area is much larger than that of each inflow section 13H1. Considering the size of the central through-hole 804H of the positioning element 804, the flow area of the common outflow section 13H2 can be as large as possible, but smaller than the size of the central through-hole 804H (i.e., not obstructed by the positioning element 804). In other words, the outflow port 13HB of the common outflow section 13H2 on the outflow surface 13E (see...) Figure 11 The projection along the central longitudinal axis LL should be completely within the range of the projection of the central through-hole 804H along the central longitudinal axis LL. Preferably, the common outlet 13HB is configured to be concentric with the central through-hole 804H. Alternatively, the geometric center of the common outlet 13HB is located on the central longitudinal axis LL.
[0039] use Figure 10 The valve core shown can ensure the flow capacity of the relief valve while greatly reducing the weight of the lower core. Those skilled in the art can select the size of the common outlet section (e.g., the axial length along the central longitudinal axis LL and the size of the flow area) based on the specific dimensions of the lower core, thus giving designers a great deal of design flexibility.
[0040] Although several embodiments of this application have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope defined by the appended claims. The above embodiments are provided merely as examples to illustrate the technical solutions of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Features or elements described in one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment unless they contradict existing features or elements in another embodiment. Furthermore, the specific wording of features and the possible use of reference numerals in the appended claims are not intended to limit the scope of protection claimed.
Claims
1. A vent valve for a fuel cell system, characterized in that, The relief valve includes a valve core (1), which defines the flow direction and a central longitudinal axis and includes: Valve core tube body (800) that defines the valve cavity (800S) of the valve core; A valve core assembly disposed within the valve cavity, the valve core assembly comprising: The upper core (801) is provided with a receiving recess (801R) that is recessed along the central longitudinal axis; The lower core (11, 12, 13) defines an inlet surface and an outlet surface, and is provided with flow holes (11H, 12H, 13H) extending from the inlet surface through the lower core to the outlet surface; and An elastic element (803) is centrally disposed between the upper core and the lower core relative to the lower core, and separates the two along the direction of the central longitudinal axis, wherein one end of the elastic element is disposed in the receiving recess, and the other end of the elastic element abuts against the inlet surface; The flow holes are a plurality of through holes evenly distributed around the central longitudinal axis, and each of the plurality of through holes includes: Inflow sections (11H1, 12H1, 13H1), said inflow sections defining inflow ports on said inflow surface, said inflow ports being configured outside an offset range at said other end of said elastic member; and The outflow section (11H2, 12H2, 13H2) is in fluid communication with the inflow section and defines an outlet on the outflow surface, and the outlet is configured to be in a position not obstructed by a positioning element (804) located below the valve core assembly.
2. The relief valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The geometric center of the inlet of each of the inlet sections lies on a circle centered at a point located on the longitudinal axis of the center.
3. The relief valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The geometric center of the outlet of each of the outflow sections lies on a circle centered at a point located on the longitudinal axis of the center.
4. The relief valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, The positioning element is provided with a central through hole (804H), and the projection of each outlet along the central longitudinal axis is located within the range of the projection of the central through hole along the central longitudinal axis.
5. The relief valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The outflow sections of each of the plurality of through holes together constitute a common outflow section (13H2), and the common outflow section forms a common outflow port (13HB) on the outflow surface (13E).
6. The relief valve according to claim 5, characterized in that, The positioning element is provided with a central through hole, and the projection of the common outlet along the central longitudinal axis is located within the range of the projection of the central through hole along the central longitudinal axis.
7. The relief valve according to claim 6, characterized in that, The common outlet is configured to be concentric with the central through-hole; or The geometric center of the common outlet is located on the longitudinal axis of the center.
8. The relief valve according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The inlet section of each of the plurality of through holes extends from the corresponding inlet along the flow direction toward the central longitudinal axis.
9. The relief valve according to claim 8, characterized in that, The inlet section of each of the plurality of through holes is set at the same angle relative to the central longitudinal axis; or The flow axis of the inlet section of each of the plurality of through holes is configured to form the generatrix of a right circular cone with the central longitudinal axis as its axis.
10. The relief valve according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The inlet section (12H1) of each of the plurality of through holes includes: The first inlet section (12H11) extends from the corresponding inlet along the flow direction toward the outlet surface; and The second inlet section (12H12) is in fluid communication with the first inlet section and the corresponding outlet section (12H2), and the second inlet section extends toward the central longitudinal axis along the flow direction.
11. The relief valve according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second inflow section extends perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis.