Modular manifold for fuel cell engine

Abstract

The utility model relates to a modularization manifold for fuel cell engine, include: end plate and install on the first integrated manifold and second integrated manifold of end plate, the first integrated manifold is connected through a plurality of first fixed parts between end plate, the second integrated manifold is connected through a plurality of second fixed parts between end plate, the first integrated manifold will hydrogen outflow channel, water inflow channel, empty inflow channel integrate into a whole, the second integrated manifold will hydrogen inflow channel, water outflow channel, empty outflow channel integrate into a whole, the inlet of hydrogen inflow channel is equipped with the mixed joint for mixing primary flow hydrogen gas and secondary flow hydrogen gas, the mixed joint sets up at the top of second integrated manifold, thereby avoided waterlogging.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fuel cells, and in particular to a modular manifold for a fuel cell engine. Background Technology

[0002] In a fuel cell system, the stack and auxiliary systems need to be connected through six interfaces: air inlet, air outlet, hydrogen inlet, hydrogen outlet, coolant inlet, and coolant outlet. The current conventional solution is to configure a separate connector for each interface, requiring a total of six connectors. This results in a large number of components and a cumbersome installation process.

[0003] Please see Figure 1 The diagram reveals a fuel cell stack structure in the prior art. The diagram shows a narrowing 100' within the hydrogen inlet 10' of the end plate 1'. In the prior art, the mixing connector for mixing primary and secondary hydrogen is typically designed far from the end plate. Water vapor in the secondary hydrogen precipitates into liquid water (also known as temperature drop liquefaction) when it encounters the cooler primary hydrogen. This water vapor precipitation is a process. Because the mixing connector is located far from the end plate, there is still a gap between the primary and secondary hydrogen after mixing within the connector and the point where the mixed hydrogen enters the stack. Therefore, within this gap, water vapor in the secondary hydrogen can fully precipitate into liquid water. When the mixed hydrogen flows through the hydrogen inlet 10' in the end plate, the liquid water easily accumulates at the narrowing 100' of the hydrogen inlet 10', causing flooding. Therefore, we considered designing a modular manifold for fuel cell engines that not only has high integration but also places the mixing connector for primary and secondary hydrogen streams closer to the end plate. This allows water vapor in the secondary hydrogen stream to pass through the narrowing of the hydrogen inlet on the end plate before it has a chance to fully precipitate, thus preventing flooding. Flooding primarily occurs at the narrowing of the hydrogen inlet on the end plate. Once past the narrowing and reaching the core, water accumulation ceases. This is because the core temperature reduces water vapor condensation, and liquid water is carried into the bipolar plate hydrogen path by the gas flow. Therefore, the core design of this invention ensures that after the primary and secondary hydrogen streams are mixed, the water vapor in the secondary hydrogen stream passes smoothly through the narrowing of the hydrogen inlet on the end plate before it has a chance to fully precipitate. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, the purpose of this invention is to provide a modular manifold for a fuel cell engine that is highly integrated and can avoid water flooding.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: a modular manifold for a fuel cell engine, comprising: an end plate and a first integrated manifold and a second integrated manifold mounted on the end plate. The first integrated manifold is connected to the end plate by a plurality of first fasteners, and the second integrated manifold is connected to the end plate by a plurality of second fasteners. The first integrated manifold integrates a hydrogen outlet channel, a water inlet channel, and an air inlet channel into a whole. The second integrated manifold integrates a hydrogen inlet channel, a water outlet channel, and an air outlet channel into a whole. A mixing connector for mixing primary flow hydrogen and secondary flow hydrogen is provided at the inlet of the hydrogen inlet channel. The mixing connector is located at the top of the second integrated manifold.

[0006] Preferably, the modular manifold for a fuel cell engine in this utility model is further configured as follows: the mixing connector has a mixing body, a primary hydrogen inlet pipe and a secondary hydrogen inlet pipe, the mixing body has a mixing chamber, the mixing body has a pressure relief safety valve connected to the mixing chamber, the primary hydrogen inlet pipe has a primary hydrogen inlet channel, the secondary hydrogen inlet pipe has a secondary hydrogen inlet channel, and the primary hydrogen inlet channel, the secondary hydrogen inlet channel and the mixing chamber together form a Y-shaped structure.

[0007] Preferably, the modular manifold for a fuel cell engine in this utility model is further configured such that: the primary flow hydrogen inlet pipe is connected to the mixing body via a thread, and the secondary flow hydrogen inlet pipe is also connected to the mixing body via a thread.

[0008] Preferably, the modular manifold for a fuel cell engine in this invention is further configured such that the pressure relief safety valve is located at the top of the mixing body.

[0009] Preferably, the modular manifold for a fuel cell engine in this utility model is further configured such that temperature and pressure sensors are provided in the hydrogen outlet channel, water inlet channel, air inlet channel, hydrogen outlet channel, water outlet channel, and air outlet channel.

[0010] Preferably, a modular manifold for a fuel cell engine in this invention is further configured such that an air switch valve is provided at the free end of the air inlet channel or the free end of the air outlet channel.

[0011] Preferably, the modular manifold for a fuel cell engine in this invention is further configured such that the mixing joint is made of stainless steel.

[0012] Preferably, the modular manifold for a fuel cell engine in this utility model is further configured such that both the first fixing member and the second fixing member are bolts.

[0013] Preferably, the modular manifold for a fuel cell engine in this invention is further configured such that the first integrated manifold is integrally cast.

[0014] Preferably, the modular manifold for a fuel cell engine in this invention is further configured such that the second integrated manifold is integrally cast.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages: By providing a mixing connector at the inlet of the hydrogen inlet channel for mixing primary and secondary hydrogen (i.e., designing the mixing connector close to the end plate), the primary and secondary hydrogen can quickly pass through the end plate after mixing within the mixing connector. At this time, the water vapor in the secondary hydrogen has not yet had time to completely precipitate and form liquid water before smoothly passing through the narrowing of the hydrogen inlet of the end plate, thus avoiding flooding. Furthermore, by integrating the hydrogen outlet channel, water inlet channel, and air outlet channel into a single unit, this utility model improves the manufacturability and integration level of the product, avoiding the need to install multiple parts independently on the fuel cell stack. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fuel cell stack in the prior art.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the modular manifold used in the fuel cell engine of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first integrated manifold in this utility model.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second integrated manifold in this utility model.

[0020] Figure 1 In the middle: 1', end plate, 10', hydrogen inlet, 100', narrowing point.

[0021] Figures 2 to 4 In the middle: 1. End plate, 2. First integrated manifold, 20. Hydrogen outlet channel, 21. Water inlet channel, 22. Air inlet channel, 3. Second integrated manifold, 30. Hydrogen inlet channel, 31. Water outlet channel, 32. Air outlet channel, 4. First fixing component, 5. Second fixing component, 6. Mixing connector, 60. Mixing body, 600. Mixing chamber, 601. Pressure relief safety valve, 61. Primary flow hydrogen inlet pipe, 610. Primary flow hydrogen inlet channel, 62. Secondary flow hydrogen inlet pipe, 620. Secondary flow hydrogen inlet channel, 7. Air switch valve. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The following detailed description of a modular manifold for a fuel cell engine according to the present invention is provided through specific embodiments.

[0023] Please see Figures 2 to 4 A modular manifold for a fuel cell engine includes: an end plate 1 and a first integrated manifold 2 and a second integrated manifold 3 mounted on the end plate 1. In this embodiment, the first integrated manifold 2 and the second integrated manifold 3 are integrally cast. The first integrated manifold 2 is connected to the end plate 1 by a plurality of first fasteners 4, and the second integrated manifold 3 is connected to the end plate 1 by a plurality of second fasteners 5. In this embodiment, both the first fasteners 4 and the second fasteners 5 are bolts. The first integrated manifold 2 integrates a hydrogen outlet channel 20, a water inlet channel 21, and an air inlet channel 22 into a single unit. The second integrated manifold 3 integrates a hydrogen inlet channel 30, a water outlet channel 31, and an air outlet channel 32 into a single unit. The inlet of the hydrogen inlet channel 30 is provided with a mixing connector 6 for mixing primary and secondary hydrogen. In this embodiment, the mixing connector 6 is made of stainless steel.

[0024] The mixing connector 6 is located at the top of the second integrated manifold 3. The mixing connector 6 comprises a mixing body 60, a primary hydrogen inlet pipe 61, and a secondary hydrogen inlet pipe 62. The primary hydrogen inlet pipe 61 and the mixing body 60 are connected by threads, and the secondary hydrogen inlet pipe 62 and the mixing body 60 are also connected by threads. The mixing body 60 contains a mixing chamber 600, and a pressure relief safety valve 601 connected to the mixing chamber 600 is provided. The pressure relief safety valve 601 prevents excessive hydrogen pressure. In this embodiment, the pressure relief safety valve 601 is located at the top of the mixing body 60. The primary hydrogen inlet pipe 61 contains a primary hydrogen inlet channel 610, and the secondary hydrogen inlet pipe 62 contains a secondary hydrogen inlet channel 620. The primary hydrogen inlet channel 610, the secondary hydrogen inlet channel 620, and the mixing chamber 600 together form a Y-shaped structure. This structural design allows for thorough mixing of the primary and secondary hydrogen streams through convection, while also generating a velocity component to propel the mixed hydrogen downwards. This thorough mixing prevents temperature-related impacts on endplate 1 and the manifold (due to the insulation requirements of the fuel cell stack, both the manifold and endplate 1 are made of plastic, making them highly sensitive to temperature and pressure changes). Temperature and pressure sensors are installed in the hydrogen outlet channel 20, water inlet channel 21, air inlet channel 22, hydrogen inlet channel 30, water outlet channel 31, and air outlet channel 32. These sensors monitor the temperature and pressure within the channels in real time to determine the engine's real-time operating status. An air switch valve 7 is installed at the free end of the air inlet channel 22 or the free end of the air outlet channel 32. The air switch valve 7 blocks the airflow into and out of the reactor core when the engine is shut down, thus sealing the reactor core.

[0025] In summary, this invention provides a mixing connector 6 at the inlet of the hydrogen inlet channel 30 for mixing primary and secondary hydrogen (the mixing connector 6 is positioned close to the end plate 1). This allows the primary and secondary hydrogen to mix quickly within the mixing connector 6 and pass through the end plate 1. At this point, the water vapor in the secondary hydrogen has not yet fully precipitated to form liquid water before it smoothly passes through the narrowing of the hydrogen inlet of the end plate 1, thus preventing flooding. Furthermore, this invention integrates the hydrogen outlet channel 20, water inlet channel 21, and air inlet channel 22 into a single unit, and integrates the hydrogen inlet channel 30, water outlet channel 31, and air outlet channel 32 into a single unit, improving the product's manufacturability and integration level, and avoiding the need to install multiple components independently on the fuel cell stack.

[0026] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of this utility model, as well as some of its applications, and are not intended to limit this utility model. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the inventive concept of this utility model, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A modular manifold for a fuel cell engine, characterized in that: include: The end plate and the first integrated manifold and the second integrated manifold mounted on the end plate are provided. The first integrated manifold is connected to the end plate by a number of first fasteners, and the second integrated manifold is connected to the end plate by a number of second fasteners. The first integrated manifold integrates the hydrogen outlet channel, the water inlet channel, and the air inlet channel into a whole. The second integrated manifold integrates the hydrogen inlet channel, the water outlet channel, and the air outlet channel into a whole. The inlet of the hydrogen inlet channel is provided with a mixing connector for mixing the primary flow hydrogen and the secondary flow hydrogen. The mixing connector is located at the top of the second integrated manifold.

2. A modular manifold for a fuel cell engine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The mixing connector includes a mixing body, a primary hydrogen inlet pipe, and a secondary hydrogen inlet pipe. The mixing body has a mixing chamber and a pressure relief safety valve connected to the mixing chamber. The primary hydrogen inlet pipe has a primary hydrogen inlet channel, and the secondary hydrogen inlet pipe has a secondary hydrogen inlet channel. The primary hydrogen inlet channel, the secondary hydrogen inlet channel, and the mixing chamber together form a Y-shaped structure.

3. A modular manifold for a fuel cell engine as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The primary flow hydrogen inlet pipe is connected to the mixing body via a threaded connection, and the secondary flow hydrogen inlet pipe is also connected to the mixing body via a threaded connection.

4. A modular manifold for a fuel cell engine as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The pressure relief safety valve is located at the top of the mixing body.

5. A modular manifold for a fuel cell engine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Temperature and pressure sensors are installed in the hydrogen outlet channel, water inlet channel, air inlet channel, hydrogen inlet channel, water outlet channel, and air outlet channel.

6. A modular manifold for a fuel cell engine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: An air switch valve is provided at the free end of the air inlet channel or the free end of the air outlet channel.

7. A modular manifold for a fuel cell engine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The hybrid connector is made of stainless steel.

8. A modular manifold for a fuel cell engine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Both the first and second fasteners are bolts.

9. A modular manifold for a fuel cell engine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The first integrated manifold is integrally cast.

10. A modular manifold for a fuel cell engine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The second integrated manifold is integrally cast.

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