Fuel cell

Abstract

A fuel cell according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a stack portion that produces electricity by receiving air and hydrogen; a compressed air supply portion disposed on the side of the stack portion and supplying air to the stack portion; an air compression portion disposed on the side of the stack portion and supplying compressed air to the compressed air supply portion; and a humidification portion disposed on the side of the stack portion and improving the humidity of the air supplied to the stack portion.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cell, and more specifically, to a fuel cell with a modified layout. Background Technology

[0002] A fuel cell may include a stack, a compressed air supply unit, an air compressor, and a humidifier. As the compressed air supply unit, air compressor, and humidifier are positioned at the bottom of the stack, the height of the fuel cell increases, making it difficult to place the fuel cell in small spaces. Furthermore, the increased height of the fuel cell leads to a problem where the center of gravity in the vehicle rises. Therefore, there is an increasing need to modify the fuel cell layout.

[0003] The background technology of the present invention is disclosed in Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2377053 (Registered on March 16, 2022; Title of Invention: Fuel Cell Hydrogen Supply System). The problem to be solved

[0004] The objective of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell with reduced height.

[0005] Furthermore, the objective of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell capable of lowering the center of gravity of a vehicle.

[0006] However, the problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and may be expanded in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. means of solving the problem

[0007] A fuel cell according to the present invention comprises: a stack portion that produces electricity by receiving air and hydrogen; a compressed air supply portion disposed on the side of the stack portion and supplying air to the stack portion; an air compression portion disposed on the side of the stack portion and supplying compressed air to the compressed air supply portion; and a humidification portion disposed on the side of the stack portion and improving the humidity of the air supplied to the stack portion.

[0008] The above compressed air supply unit may be positioned between the stack unit and the air compression unit.

[0009] The above compressed air supply unit can control the flow rate of air supplied to the stack unit.

[0010] The above humidification unit can improve the humidity of the air supplied to the above air compression unit.

[0011] It may include a humidification tube connecting the above humidification unit and the above air compression unit.

[0012] It may include a discharge valve for discharging condensate inside the above humidification tube. Effects of the invention

[0013] Through the fuel cell according to the present invention, the height of the space where the fuel cell is placed can be lowered.

[0014] In addition, through the fuel cell according to the present invention, the center of gravity of the vehicle in which the fuel cell is installed can be lowered. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0016] Hereinafter, a fuel cell according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In this process, the thickness of lines or the size of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined considering their functions in the present invention, and these may vary depending on the intention or convention of the user or operator. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be based on the content throughout this specification.

[0017] Furthermore, in this specification, when a part is described as being "connected (or joined)" to another part, this includes not only cases where they are "directly connected (or joined)" but also cases where they are "indirectly connected (or joined)" with other members interposed between them. In this specification, when a part is described as "including (or having) a certain component," this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may additionally "include (or have)" other components.

[0018] Furthermore, throughout this specification, the same reference numerals may refer to the same components. Even if the same or similar reference numerals are not mentioned or described in a specific drawing, they may be described based on other drawings. Additionally, even if a part is not indicated by a reference numeral in a specific drawing, that part may be described based on other drawings. Furthermore, the number, shape, size, and relative differences in size of the detailed components included in the drawings of this application are set for ease of understanding and do not limit the embodiments, and may be implemented in various forms.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] The fuel cell (1) may include a stack section (10), a compressed air supply section (20), an air compression section (30), a humidification section (40), a humidification pipe (50), and a discharge valve (60). The fuel cell (1) may be used in a vehicle. The fuel cell (1) is not limited to use in a vehicle and may be used in other devices requiring power. According to one embodiment, the fuel cell (1) may be used in various devices such as power plants, trams, freight cars, and trains.

[0022] The stack section (10) can produce electrical energy through a chemical reaction of fuel (e.g., hydrogen) and can perform the function of a generator. The stack section (10) can produce electricity through a redox reaction between fuel and an oxidant (e.g., air). Multiple fuel cell cells can be connected in series or parallel and stacked in the stack section (10).

[0023] The stack portion (10) may include a membrane electrode assembly (not shown) in which catalytic electrode layers in which electrochemical reactions occur are attached to both sides of an electrolyte membrane through which hydrogen ions are ionized, a gas diffusion layer (not shown) that evenly distributes the reacting gas and transmits the generated electrical energy, a gasket and fastening mechanism (not shown) for maintaining airtightness of the reacting gas and cooling water, and a separator plate (not shown) for moving the reacting gas and cooling water.

[0024] The catalyst layer may be made of platinum. Multiple membrane electrode assemblies may be provided and arranged spaced apart from each other along the stacking direction of the stack of the stack portion (10).

[0025] Fuel (hydrogen) and oxidant (oxygen from air) from the fuel cell of the stack section (10) can be supplied to the anode and cathode of the membrane electrode assembly, respectively, through the flow path of the separator. According to one embodiment, hydrogen can be supplied to the anode and air can be supplied to the cathode.

[0026] Hydrogen supplied to the anode can be decomposed into hydrogen ions and electrons by a catalyst in the electrode layer formed on both sides of the electrolyte membrane, and hydrogen ions can be selectively transferred to the cathode by passing through the electrolyte membrane, which is a cation exchange membrane, and electrons can be transferred to the cathode through a conductive gas diffusion layer and a separator.

[0027] At the cathode, hydrogen ions supplied through the electrolyte membrane and electrons transferred through the separator can react with oxygen in the air supplied to the cathode by the air supply device to produce water. This reaction causes a flow of electrons through the external wire, and this flow of electrons can generate an electric current.

[0028] The compressed air supply unit (20) can provide air supplied to the cathode of the stack unit (10). The compressed air supply unit (20) can regulate the flow rate of air supplied to the cathode of the stack unit (10). The compressed air supply unit (20) can regulate the flow rate of air according to the amount of power produced by the stack unit (10). If the amount of power produced by the stack unit (10) increases, the compressed air supply unit (20) can increase the flow rate of air, and if the amount of power produced by the stack unit (10) decreases, the compressed air supply unit (20) can decrease the flow rate of air.

[0029] The compressed air supply unit (20) may include a blower and a bpcu (blower power control unit). The bpcu may be provided as an inverter. The bpcu can control the rotational speed of the blower. Accordingly, the flow rate provided from the compressed air supply unit (20) to the stack unit (10) can be controlled. The blower can move the air compressed in the air compression unit (30) and provide it to the stack unit (10).

[0030] Accordingly, the compressed air supply unit (20) can control the flow rate of air delivered to the stack unit (10).

[0031] According to one embodiment, when power is produced at a value greater than that set in the stack section (10), the compressed air supply section (20) can supply a large flow rate of air to the stack section (10). When power is produced at a value less than that set in the stack section (10), the compressed air supply section (20) can supply a small flow rate of air to the stack section (10).

[0032] The compressed air supply unit (20) may be positioned on the side of the stack unit (10). According to one embodiment, the compressed air supply unit (20) may be positioned on the side of the stack unit (10) so as to be connected to the stack unit (10). As the compressed air supply unit (20) is positioned on the side of the stack unit (10), the height of the fuel cell (1) may be reduced. According to one embodiment, the height of the fuel cell (1) may be approximately 600 mm or less. As the compressed air supply unit (20) is positioned on the side of the stack unit (10), the height of the fuel cell (1) may be reduced, and accordingly, the fuel cell (1) may be installed in a limited space.

[0033] The compressed air supply unit (20) can receive compressed air from the air compression unit (30).

[0034] The air compression unit (30) can draw in and compress external air. The compressed air can be supplied to the compressed air supply unit (20). The air compression unit (30) may include a filter that filters external air. The filter can filter out foreign substances contained in the external air. The external air filtered by the filter can be compressed in the air compression unit (30). The air compression unit (30) may include an impeller. As the impeller rotates, the air can be compressed. The air compression unit (30) can compress air, and the compressed high-pressure air can be supplied to the stack unit (10).

[0035] The air compression unit (30) may be positioned on the side of the stack unit (10). According to one embodiment, the air compression unit (30) may be positioned on the side of the compressed air supply unit (20) which is positioned on the side of the stack unit (10). The compressed air supply unit (20) may be positioned between the stack unit (10) and the air compression unit (30). Accordingly, the height of the fuel cell (1) may be maintained at approximately 600 mm or less. As the air compression unit (30) is positioned on the side of the stack unit (10), the height of the fuel cell (1) may be lowered, and accordingly, the fuel cell (1) may be installed in a limited space.

[0036] The humidification unit (40) can control the humidity of the air supplied to the stack unit (10). According to one embodiment, the humidification unit (40) can increase or decrease the humidity of the air supplied to the stack unit (10).

[0037] Air whose humidity is controlled by the humidification unit (40) can travel through the humidification tube (50). The humidification tube (50) can be connected to the stack unit (10), the compressed air supply unit (20), and / or the air compression unit (30).

[0038] The humidification tube (50) can be connected to the stack section (10) to supply air with controlled humidity to the stack section (10). Alternatively, the humidification tube (50) can be connected to the compressed air supply section (20) to control the humidity of the air supplied to the stack section (10). Alternatively, the humidification tube (50) can be connected to the air compression section (30) to control the humidity of the compressed air.

[0039] The humidification unit (40) may be positioned on the side of the air compression unit (30). According to one embodiment, the humidification unit (40) may be positioned on the side of the compressed air supply unit (20) which is positioned on the side of the stack unit (10). Accordingly, the height of the fuel cell (1) may be maintained at approximately 600 mm or less. As the humidification unit (40) is positioned on the side of the stack unit (10), the height of the fuel cell (1) may be lowered, and accordingly, the fuel cell (1) may be installed in a limited space.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, when viewed from one direction, the air compression unit (30) can be arranged to overlap with the compressed air supply unit (20) and the humidification unit (40). By being arranged in this way, the volume of the fuel cell (1) can be minimized.

[0041] As the height of the fuel cell (1) is reduced and the volume is minimized, the fuel cell (1) can be installed even if the size of the space where the fuel cell (1) is installed is limited. For example, as the compressed air supply unit (20), the air compression unit (30), and the humidification unit (40) are installed on the side of the stack unit (10), the fuel cell (1) can be installed in a space with a height of approximately 600 mm.

[0042] A discharge valve (60) may be placed in the humidification tube (50). The discharge valve (60) may be opened or closed to discharge condensate placed inside the humidification tube (50) to the outside of the humidification tube (50).

[0043] Condensed water placed inside the humidification tube (50) can obstruct the movement of air with humidity controlled from the humidification unit (40), so it needs to be discharged inside the humidification tube (50).

[0044] The discharge valve (60) can smoothly move the air with controlled humidity in the humidification section (40) by discharging the condensate accumulated inside the humidification tube (50).

[0045] In this way, as the compressed air supply unit (20), the air compression unit (30), and the humidification unit (40) are arranged on the side of the stack unit (10), the height of the fuel cell (1) can be reduced. The height of the fuel cell (1) can be maintained at approximately 600 mm or less. Accordingly, the fuel cell (1) can be installed even under conditions where space is limited.

[0046] Furthermore, as the height of the fuel cell (1) is kept low, the center of gravity of the device on which the fuel cell (1) is installed can be lowered. Accordingly, the stability of the device on which the fuel cell (1) is installed can be improved.

[0048] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible therefrom. Furthermore, the present invention may be used in other fields. Accordingly, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the claims below. Explanation of the symbols

[0049] 1: Fuel cell 10: Stack section 20: Compressed air supply unit 30: Air compression unit 40: Humidifying part 50: Humidifying tube 60: Discharge valve

Claims

Claim 1 A fuel cell comprising: a stack section that produces electricity by receiving air and hydrogen; a compressed air supply section disposed on the side of the stack section and supplying air to the stack section; an air compression section disposed on the side of the stack section and supplying compressed air to the compressed air supply section; and a humidification section disposed on the side of the stack section and improving the humidity of the air supplied to the stack section; wherein the compressed air supply section is disposed between the stack section and the air compression section, the compressed air supply section regulates the flow rate of air supplied to the stack section, includes a humidification pipe connecting the humidification section and the air compression section, and includes a discharge valve for discharging condensate inside the humidification pipe. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 In claim 1, the humidification unit is a fuel cell that improves the humidity of the air supplied to the air compression unit. Claim 5 delete Claim 6 delete

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