Fuel cell system

Abstract

To solve a problem in which there is a need to further promote miniaturization and reduction in the number of parts in a fuel cell system which consists of various parts including piping.SOLUTION: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a flow path for supplying an oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell stack, the flow path includes a first component having a first outlet for the gas and a second component located downstream of the first component and having an inlet integrated without piping to the first outlet. The fuel cell system further includes a branch flow path for branching the gas from the flow path, the first component further includes a second outlet for the gas, and the branch flow path includes a third component having an inlet integrated into the second outlet without piping.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a fuel cell system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a fuel cell system in which an end plate at one end of a fuel cell stack is integrated with a stack case, an end plate at the other end of the fuel cell stack is formed separately from the stack case and fixed to the stack case, and auxiliary equipment is attached to the end plate at the other end.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the above - mentioned Document 1, one of the end plates provided at both ends of the fuel cell stack in the cell stacking direction is integrated with the stack case, aiming to reduce the number of parts and miniaturize. However, in a fuel cell system composed of various parts including piping, further promotion of miniaturization and reduction of the number of parts is required.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] This specification discloses a fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a flow path for supplying a gas containing oxygen to the fuel cell stack. The flow path has a first component having a first outlet portion of the gas, and a second component located downstream of the first component and having an introduction portion integrated without piping to the first outlet portion.

[0006] According to the above configuration, in the flow path for supplying the gas to the fuel cell stack, the first lead-out portion of the first component and the introduction portion of the second component located downstream thereof are integrated without a pipe therebetween. Therefore, in the fuel cell system, further miniaturization and reduction in the number of components are achieved. Further, by such integration, the replacement work of the components in the flow path is facilitated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] With reference to the drawings, this embodiment will be described. Each drawing is merely an example, and this embodiment is not limited to the illustrated content. Further, since each drawing is an example, the illustrated shape may not be accurate or a part may be omitted.

[0009] FIG. 1 schematically shows a part of a fuel cell system 10 according to a first embodiment included in the present embodiment. Also, FIG. 5 schematically shows a part of a conventional fuel cell system 100. For the fuel cell system 100, the same reference numerals are given to the components common to the fuel cell system 10, and the common explanations are omitted as appropriate. The fuel cell system 10 includes a fuel cell stack 12 and a first flow path 14 as a flow path for supplying a gas containing oxygen to the fuel cell stack 12. Although a flow path for supplying hydrogen is naturally connected to the fuel cell stack 12 that generates power by reacting hydrogen and oxygen, the illustration of the hydrogen supply system for the fuel cell stack 12 is omitted. The fuel cell system 10 is mounted on a transportation means such as an automobile, and is also installed in a factory, a home, or the like.

[0010] The first flow path 14 includes an intercooler 16 and an inlet valve 18 located downstream of the intercooler 16. The intercooler 16 corresponds to an example of a "first component", and the inlet valve 18 corresponds to an example of a "second component". The inlet valve 18, the flow dividing valve 22, and the outlet valve 24 described later each correspond to an example of an electrically driven valve. The electrically driven valves are each controlled in terms of opening / closing and opening / closing amount by a controller (not shown), and the flow rate of the gas to be passed through can be adjusted.

[0011] Upstream of the intercooler 16 in the first flow path 14, an air compressor (not shown) is provided. The gas compressed by the air compressor is supplied to the intercooler 16. The intercooler 16 cools the supplied gas and supplies it downstream. The intercooler 16 cools the gas with, for example, cooling water. However, the cooling method by the intercooler 16 is not particularly limited. The intercooler 16 has a first outlet portion 16a for supplying the gas downstream. Also, the inlet valve 18 has an introduction portion 18a for receiving the supply of the gas from the intercooler 16. The introduction portion 18a of the inlet valve 18 is also referred to as the first introduction portion 18a.

[0012] The inlet valve 18 has a lead-out portion 18b for supplying gas downstream. The lead-out portion 18b of the inlet valve 18 is also referred to as the third lead-out portion 18b. According to FIG. 1, the third lead-out portion 18b is connected to the fuel cell stack 12 via the pipe 1b. The arrows in each pipe indicate the direction of gas flow. The fuel cell stack 12 has an introduction portion 12a for receiving the supply of gas from the inlet valve 18. The introduction portion 12a is also referred to as the stack-side introduction portion 12a. The gas supplied from the intercooler 16 to the inlet valve 18 is supplied to the fuel cell stack 12 through the pipe 1b.

[0013] According to FIG. 1, the intercooler 16 has a second lead-out portion 16b for supplying gas downstream. In the intercooler 16, the first lead-out portion 16a is located downstream of the second lead-out portion 16b. A flow diversion path 20 for diverting gas from the first flow path 14 is connected to the second lead-out portion 16b. According to FIG. 1, the flow diversion path 20 includes a pipe 1c and a flow diversion valve 22. The flow diversion valve 22 corresponds to an example of a "third component". The flow diversion valve 22 has an introduction portion 22a for receiving the supply of gas from the intercooler 16. The introduction portion 22a of the flow diversion valve 22 is also referred to as the second introduction portion 22a. According to FIG. 1, the second introduction portion 22a is connected to the second lead-out portion 16b of the intercooler 16 via the pipe 1c.

[0014] The fuel cell stack 12 is connected to the pipe 1d at a position different from the stack-side introduction portion 12a. The pipe 1d connects the fuel cell stack 12 and the outlet valve 24. A gas containing hydrogen is discharged from the fuel cell stack 12 to the outlet valve 24 through the pipe 1d. A confluence pipe 11e is connected to the discharge side of the flow diversion valve 22 and the discharge side of the outlet valve 24. At least a part of the confluence pipe 11e may be regarded as a part of the flow diversion path 20.

[0015] The gas discharged from the intercooler 16 through the flow control valve 22 and the gas containing hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell stack 12 through the outlet valve 24 are mixed in the merging pipe 11e. Then, the gas mixed in the merging pipe 11e is discharged to the outside. Therefore, the flow control valve 22 has a function of adjusting the flow rate of the gas supplied from the intercooler 16 to the fuel cell stack 12 and diluting the gas containing hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell stack 12 for discharge to the outside.

[0016] According to the conventional configuration as shown in FIG. 5, the first leading portion 16a of the intercooler 160 and the first introducing portion 18a of the inlet valve 18 located downstream of the intercooler 160 were connected via the pipe 1a. Further, the pipe 1a branched in the middle, and the branched end was connected to the second introducing portion 22a of the flow control valve 22.

[0017] On the other hand, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the pipe 1a was eliminated, and the first leading portion 16a of the intercooler 16 and the first introducing portion 18a of the inlet valve 18 were integrated. That is, the first leading portion 16a and the first introducing portion 18a are directly connected without passing through a pipe. Further, with the elimination of the pipe 1a, in the first embodiment, the intercooler 16 has a second leading portion 16b, and the second leading portion 16b and the second introducing portion 22a of the flow control valve 22 are connected by a pipe 1c shorter than the pipe 1a.

[0018] FIG. 2 simply shows a part of the fuel cell system 10 according to the second embodiment included in the present embodiment. Regarding the second embodiment and the third and fourth embodiments described later, descriptions common to the first embodiment are omitted. As shown in FIG. 2, in the second embodiment, the second leading portion 16b of the intercooler 16 and the second introducing portion 22a of the flow control valve 22 are integrated without passing through the pipe 1c. That is, in the second embodiment, in addition to the intercooler 16 and the inlet valve 18 being substantially integrated as in the first embodiment, the flow control valve 22 is also substantially integrated with the intercooler 16 at a predetermined position.

[0019] Figure 3 simply shows a part of the fuel cell system 10 according to the third embodiment included in the present embodiment. In Figure 3, the shapes of the intercooler 16, the inlet valve 18, etc. are simplified compared to Figures 1 and 2. Also, in Figure 3, the description of the outlet valve 24, the pipe 1d, the confluence pipe 11e, etc. is omitted. According to the third embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the third lead-out portion 18b of the inlet valve 18 and the stack-side introduction portion 12a of the fuel cell stack 12 are integrated without passing through the pipe 1b. That is, in the third embodiment, the intercooler 16 and the inlet valve 18 are connected in series to the fuel cell stack 12 in this order without passing through a pipe.

[0020] In Figure 3, a part of the inlet valve 18 has entered the fuel cell stack 12, but the specific form of integrating the third lead-out portion 18b of the inlet valve 18 and the stack-side introduction portion 12a of the fuel cell stack 12 is not limited. Note that the fuel cell stack 12 generally has a cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of cells and a stack case that houses the cell stack and the like. Therefore, in the example of Figure 3, it may be understood that the third lead-out portion 18b is directly connected to the stack-side introduction portion 12a formed in the stack case. On the other hand, in the examples of Figures 1 and 2, it may be understood that the pipe 1b is connected to the stack-side introduction portion 12a formed in the stack case.

[0021] According to Figure 3, the intercooler 16 and the inlet valve 18 have a common casing 26. That is, the intercooler 16 and the inlet valve 18 are housed in the space inside the casing 26 in a connected state. The casing 26 that houses the intercooler 16 and the inlet valve 18 has a flange-like portion on the fuel cell stack 12 side, and this flange-like portion is fastened to the stack case of the fuel cell stack 12 with screws 28. Note that, as described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, a pipe 1c or a flow dividing valve 22 is connected to the intercooler 16 at a position upstream of the inlet valve 18. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3, the casing 26 is shaped so as to be able to house at least a part of the pipe 1c or the flow dividing valve 22 connected to the intercooler 16.

[0022] FIG. 4 schematically shows a part of the fuel cell system 10 according to the fourth embodiment included in the present embodiment. Regarding FIG. 4, only the differences from FIG. 3 will be described. The casing 26 may be fixed to the fuel cell stack 12 via the heat insulating material 30. According to FIG. 4, the heat insulating material 30 is sandwiched between the flange-like portion of the casing 26 and the surface of the fuel cell stack 12. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the casing 26 and the heat insulating material 30 are shown by their cross-sectional shapes.

[0023] So far, the intercooler 16, the inlet valve 18, and the flow dividing valve 22 have been respectively given as examples of the first component, the second component, and the third component, but the first component, the second component, and the third component are not limited to these. Each of the first component, the second component, and the third component may correspond to a driving component or an auxiliary machine necessary in the flow path 14 for supplying a gas containing oxygen to the fuel cell stack 12.

[0024] Thus, according to the present embodiment, the fuel cell system 10 includes a fuel cell stack 12 and a first flow path 14 for supplying a gas containing oxygen to the fuel cell stack 12. The first flow path 14 has a first component having a first gas outlet portion 16a, and a second component located downstream of the first component and having a first inlet portion 18a integrated without piping to the first outlet portion 16a. According to the above configuration, compared with the conventional fuel cell system 100, by reducing the pipe 1a, miniaturization of the fuel cell system 10 and reduction of the number of components are achieved. Further, by such integration, the replacement work of the components in the first flow path 14 is facilitated compared with the prior art.

[0025] Further, according to the present embodiment, the fuel cell system 10 further includes a flow dividing path 20 for dividing the gas from the first flow path 14. The first component may further have a second gas outlet portion 16b, and the flow dividing path 20 may include a third component having a second inlet portion 22a integrated without piping to the second outlet portion 16b. According to the above configuration, by reducing the piping 1c in the branch flow path 20 for the first flow path 14, the miniaturization of the fuel cell system 10 and the reduction of the number of components are further promoted.

[0026] Further, according to the present embodiment, the first component may be an intercooler 16 that cools the gas supplied from upstream of the first component, and each of the second component and the third component may be an electrically driven valve. And in the intercooler 16, the first outlet portion 16a may be located downstream of the second outlet portion 16b. According to the above configuration, by positioning the first outlet portion 16a downstream of the second outlet portion 16b in the intercooler 16, the gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 12 via the second component can be sufficiently cooled by the intercooler 16 and then supplied from the first outlet portion 16a.

[0027] Further, according to the present embodiment, the second component may further have a third outlet portion 18b for the gas, and the fuel cell stack 12 may have a stack-side introduction portion 12a integrated without piping to the third outlet portion 18b of the second component. According to the above configuration, by reducing the piping 1b between the second component and the fuel cell stack 12, the miniaturization of the fuel cell system 10 and the reduction of the number of components are further promoted.

[0028] Further, according to the present embodiment, the first component and the second component may have a common casing 26. And the casing 26 may be fixed to the fuel cell stack 12 via a heat insulating material 30. According to the above configuration, by housing the first component and the second component in the casing 26 to form a single unit, the attachment and replacement of these components to the fuel cell stack 12 become easy. Also, by interposing a heat insulating material 30 between the casing 26 and the fuel cell stack 12, heat conduction from the intercooler 16 to the fuel cell stack 12 through the casing 26 can be suppressed.

[0029] As described above, specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples exemplified above. In addition, the technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Further, the technology exemplified in this specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of purposes simultaneously, and achieving one of these purposes itself has technical utility.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0030] 10: Fuel cell system 12: Fuel cell stack 12a: Stack-side introduction part 14: First flow path 16: Intercooler 16a: First derivation part 16b: Second derivation part 18: Inlet valve 18a: First introduction part 18b: Third derivation part 20: Shunt flow path 22: Shunt valve 22a: Second introduction part 24: Outlet valve 26: Casing 30: Heat insulating material

Claims

1. A fuel cell stack, and a flow path for supplying a gas containing oxygen to the fuel cell stack, wherein the flow path includes a first component having a first outlet portion of the gas, and a second component located downstream of the first component and having an introduction portion integrated without a pipe to the first outlet portion. A fuel cell system.

2. The fuel cell system further includes a shunt path for shunting the gas from the flow path, wherein the first component further has a second outlet portion of the gas, and the shunt path includes a third component having an introduction portion integrated without a pipe to the second outlet portion. The fuel cell system according to Claim 1.

3. The first component is an intercooler for cooling the gas supplied from upstream of the first component, each of the second component and the third component is an electrically driven valve, and in the intercooler, the first outlet portion is located downstream of the second outlet portion. The fuel cell system according to Claim 2.

4. The second component further has an outlet portion of the gas, and the fuel cell stack has an introduction portion integrated without a pipe to the outlet portion of the second component. The fuel cell system according to Claim 1.

5. The first component and the second component have a common casing, and the casing is fixed to the fuel cell stack via a heat insulating material. The fuel cell system according to Claim 4.

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