A temperature measurement structure for an air-cooled fuel cell

Abstract

This utility model discloses a temperature measurement structure for an air-cooled fuel cell, relating to the field of fuel cell technology. It includes a core and end plates symmetrically installed at the top and bottom of the core. A temperature sensor is installed on one side of the core, and a cooling fan is installed on the other side. A shroud is also installed on the outside of the cooling fan. The temperature sensor is located at the air inlet surface of the core, and the cooling fan is located at the air outlet surface. This design detachably fixes the temperature sensor at the air inlet surface of the core, facilitating constant temperature control of the air inlet surface, thereby reducing alternating stress caused by temperature changes and improving the mechanical lifespan of the fuel cell. Compared to the traditional method of embedding the sensor at the cooling fan location, this design eliminates the need to remove the shroud or cooling fan, making operation convenient, time-saving, and labor-saving.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fuel cells, and in particular to a temperature measurement structure for an air-cooled fuel cell. Background Technology

[0002] Fuel cells use hydrogen as an energy source to generate electricity, and the reaction product is water. They have high energy conversion efficiency and are an environmentally friendly and efficient new energy source. Although the energy conversion efficiency of fuel cells is higher than that of internal combustion engines, they still generate a considerable amount of waste heat. There are two ways to discharge waste heat: water or antifreeze cooling and air cooling. When air cooling is used, the internal and external structures of fuel cells are relatively simple because there is no need for a coolant circulation system and an external radiator. Therefore, they are very suitable for low-power applications.

[0003] To control the operating temperature of air-cooled fuel cells, temperature sensors are typically embedded in the core outlet surface. A typical control algorithm is as follows: when operating at full power under rated conditions, the core outlet surface temperature is controlled at 60 degrees Celsius; while under no-load conditions, the core outlet surface temperature is controlled at 40 degrees Celsius; from no-load to rated, the target temperature of the core outlet surface is determined by approximately linear interpolation.

[0004] However, under rated operating conditions, the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet surfaces of the fuel cell is approximately 10 degrees Celsius; while under no-load conditions, the temperatures of the inlet and outlet surfaces are roughly the same. Therefore, the temperature of the inlet surface fluctuates between approximately 40 and 50 degrees Celsius, while the temperature of the outlet surface fluctuates between approximately 40 and 60 degrees Celsius. Such a large fluctuation range leads to greater alternating thermal expansion and contraction stress, thereby shortening the mechanical life of the fuel cell.

[0005] Secondly, in order to ensure that the heat dissipation airflow of the air-cooled fuel cell is evenly distributed, its heat dissipation structure usually adopts the method of pulling the air, that is, setting the shroud / heat dissipation fan after the air outlet surface of the core, and embedding the temperature sensor head in the air outlet surface of the core. When replacing / maintaining, the shroud / heat dissipation fan needs to be disassembled, which is not convenient, time-consuming and labor-intensive.

[0006] Therefore, this utility model provides a temperature measurement structure for an air-cooled fuel cell. Utility Model Content

[0007] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a temperature measurement structure for an air-cooled fuel cell, solving the problems mentioned in the background section.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model is implemented through the following technical solution: a temperature measurement structure for an air-cooled fuel cell, including a core and end plates symmetrically installed at the top and bottom of the core, a temperature sensor is installed on one side of the core, a cooling fan is installed on the other side of the core, and a shroud is installed on the outside of the cooling fan.

[0009] The temperature sensor is located at the air inlet side of the reactor core, and the cooling fan is located at the air outlet side of the reactor core.

[0010] As a further technical solution of this utility model, the temperature probe of the temperature sensor is embedded in the core and fixed by thermally conductive adhesive, and the embedding distance of the temperature probe is 3-5mm.

[0011] As a further technical solution of this utility model, an outer frame is also installed at the four outer corners of the core, and the cooling fan is fixed to the outer frame through a fan cover.

[0012] As a further technical solution of this utility model, the two end plates are located at the upper and lower ends of the outer frame for pressing and protecting the reactor core.

[0013] This invention provides a temperature measurement structure for an air-cooled fuel cell, which has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0014] This design presents a temperature measurement structure for an air-cooled fuel cell. The temperature sensor is detachably fixed to the air inlet surface of the fuel cell core, which facilitates constant temperature control of the air inlet surface. This reduces alternating stress caused by temperature changes and improves the mechanical life of the fuel cell. Compared with the traditional method of embedding the sensor at the cooling fan, this design eliminates the need to remove the shroud or cooling fan, making it convenient, time-saving, and labor-saving. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the temperature measurement structure for an air-cooled fuel cell.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a temperature measurement structure for an air-cooled fuel cell.

[0017] In the diagram: 1. Reactor core; 2. End plate; 3. Fan shroud; 4. Cooling fan; 5. Temperature sensor; Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0019] Please see Figure 1-2 This utility model provides a temperature measurement structure technical solution for an air-cooled fuel cell: a temperature measurement structure for an air-cooled fuel cell includes a core 1 and end plates 2 symmetrically installed at the top and bottom of the core 1. The two end plates 2 are located at the upper and lower ends of the outer frame to press and protect the core 1. A temperature sensor 5 is installed on one side of the core 1, and a cooling fan 4 is installed on the other side of the core 1. A shroud 3 is also installed on the outside of the cooling fan 4. The temperature sensor 5 is located at the air inlet surface of the core 1, and the cooling fan 4 is located at the air outlet surface of the core 1. An outer frame is also installed at the four corners of the core 1. The cooling fan 4 is fixed to the outer frame through the shroud 3. The cooling fan 4 works to extract the hot air around the core 1, thereby facilitating the formation of gas flow at the core 1. This allows the airflow to enter from the air inlet surface of the core 1 and exit from the air outlet surface. The cooling fan 4 can better realize the airflow and improve the heat dissipation effect.

[0020] The temperature probe of temperature sensor 5 is embedded in the core 1 (i.e., at the intersection of the extended line of the cooling fan 4 axis and the air inlet surface of core 1) and fixed with thermally conductive adhesive. The embedding distance of the temperature probe is 3-5mm, which facilitates the disassembly and replacement of temperature sensor 5. Secondly, fixing temperature sensor 5 in the middle of the air inlet surface of core 1 facilitates constant temperature control of the air inlet surface of core 1, thereby reducing the alternating stress caused by temperature changes and improving the mechanical life of fuel cell. For example, under typical conditions, when the air inlet surface of core 1 is constant-temperature controlled at 50 degrees Celsius, the temperature of the air outlet surface of core 1 under no-load / light-load conditions is basically the same as that of the air inlet surface, which is also about 50 degrees Celsius. The temperature difference at full power under rated operating conditions is about 10 degrees Celsius, thus reaching about 60 degrees Celsius. Its alternating stress due to thermal expansion and contraction is obviously smaller. Compared with the traditional design, the temperature sensor in this design is easier to install, disassemble, and replace, and there is no need to remove other structures.

[0021] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of this utility model. Structures, devices, and operating methods not specifically described or explained in this utility model are implemented according to conventional methods in the art, unless otherwise specified or limited.

Claims

1. A temperature measurement structure for an air-cooled fuel cell, comprising a core (1) and end plates (2) symmetrically mounted at the top and bottom of the core (1), characterized in that, A temperature sensor (5) is installed on one side of the core (1), and a cooling fan (4) is installed on the other side of the core (1), and a fan cover (3) is installed on the outside of the cooling fan (4). The temperature sensor (5) is located at the air inlet of the reactor core (1), and the cooling fan (4) is located at the air outlet of the reactor core (1).

2. The temperature measuring structure of an air-cooled fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein The temperature probe of the temperature sensor (5) is embedded in the core (1) and fixed with thermally conductive adhesive. The embedding distance of the temperature probe is 3-5 mm.

3. The temperature measuring structure of an air-cooled fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein The core (1) is also equipped with an outer frame at its four outer corners, and the cooling fan (4) is fixed to the outer frame by a fan cover (3).

4. The temperature measuring structure of an air-cooled fuel cell according to claim 3, wherein The two end plates (2) are located at the upper and lower ends of the outer frame to compress and protect the core (1).

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