Waterproofing and dustproofing system for air-cooled fuel cell

Abstract

The present invention relates to a waterproofing and dustproofing system for an air-cooled fuel cell and, more specifically, to a waterproofing and dustproofing system for an air-cooled fuel cell, wherein the system prevents moisture and dust from entering a stack while allowing the air-cooled fuel cell to have an open structure, thereby solving the problems of short circuiting due to water infiltration and decreased cooling efficiency due to dust accumulation, and reducing the risk of fire, thus making it possible to freely install the system in various spaces. Details of the project that supported this invention are as follows. [Project Identification No.] 0000224195 [Project No.] JIAT-22-4195 [Department] Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy [Project Management (Specialized) Agency] (Incorporated Foundation) Automotive Fusion Technology Institute [Research Business Name] Development of 30-odd core parts and materials for Jeollabuk-do province [Research Project Title] Development and demonstration of 5 kW hydrogen fuel cell power generation modules for extending operating time and replacing batteries in electric carts [Project Executing Institution] TerraLIX Co., Ltd. [Research Period] May 01, 2022 to February 28, 2024

Description

Waterproofing and dustproofing system for air-cooled fuel cells

[0001] The present invention relates to a waterproofing and dustproofing system for an air-cooled fuel cell, and more particularly, to a waterproofing and dustproofing system for an air-cooled fuel cell that has an open structure of an air-cooled fuel cell and blocks moisture and dust from entering the stack, thereby solving problems such as short-circuiting due to water infiltration and problems of reduced cooling efficiency due to dust accumulation, and reducing the risk of fire, thereby enabling free installation in various spaces.

[0002] A fuel cell system is a type of power generation system that electrochemically converts the chemical energy of fuel directly into electrical energy within a fuel cell stack, without converting it into heat energy.

[0003] The composition of a fuel cell system is largely divided into a fuel cell stack, a peripheral device for stack operation (Balance of Plant, BOP), and a system controller that controls the overall operation of the system. The BOP can be divided into a hydrogen supply device (Fuel Process System, FPS) that supplies hydrogen as fuel to the stack, an air supply device (Air Process System, APS) that supplies oxygen necessary for the reaction, and a thermal management system (TMS) that controls the operating temperature of the fuel cell stack.

[0004] With this configuration, the fuel cell system generates electrical energy by reacting hydrogen and oxygen in the air, and emits heat and water as reaction byproducts. Coolant and air are used as coolants to cool the heat generated during this process. If coolant is used as a coolant, it is classified as a water-cooled fuel cell, and if air is used, it is classified as an air-cooled fuel cell.

[0005] Air-cooled fuel cells use air, which has a lower specific heat capacity than water, so the cooling capacity is inevitably small. However, because the system configuration is simple, the specific power (kW / kg) and power density (kW / h) are high, so it is considered suitable for aircraft such as drones or small mobility.

[0006] Air-cooled fuel cells are configured as an open type, unlike water-cooled fuel cells that are sealed, because they cool the stack with air as described in the patent document below. As a result, water and dust contained in the atmosphere can penetrate the stack. In particular, if water penetrates the stack, problems such as short circuits may occur, and during long-term operation, dust may accumulate between the stacks, which may cause a decrease in cooling efficiency.

[0007] Due to the above-listed characteristics, there are problems that can lead to fire, and air-cooled fuel cells are inherently limited in terms of installation space / method and operation.

[0008] (Patent Document) Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0096307 (Published on July 7, 2022) "Air-cooled fuel cell system"

[0009] The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems.

[0010] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a waterproofing and dustproofing system for an air-cooled fuel cell that has an open structure of an air-cooled fuel cell, while blocking moisture and dust from entering the stack, thereby solving problems such as short circuits due to water infiltration and problems of reduced cooling efficiency due to dust accumulation, and reducing the risk of fire, thereby enabling free installation in various spaces.

[0011] The present invention aims to provide a waterproof and dustproof system for an air-cooled fuel cell that can more effectively block dust and moisture by blocking the inflow of dust and moisture on both the inlet and outlet sides of a supply path in which a stack is installed, and can block the inflow of dust and moisture even when the fuel cell is not in operation.

[0012] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a waterproof and dustproof system for an air-cooled fuel cell that effectively removes moisture by removing moisture contained in the intake air and discharging it to the outside together with the air discharged from the stack.

[0013] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a waterproof and dustproof system for an air-cooled fuel cell that discharges moisture contained in intake air together with exhaust air while preventing moisture contained in intake air from flowing back through an exhaust path, thereby enabling smooth discharge of moisture.

[0014] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention is implemented by an embodiment having the following configuration.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a waterproofing and dustproofing system for a cold-type fuel cell according to the present invention includes: an intake passage formed on a side of a fuel cell stack to form a passage through which outside air is sucked; a supply passage having a stack and a cooling fan formed therein and communicating with the intake passage through which outside air introduced through the intake passage flows into the stack by the cooling fan; and an exhaust passage connected to the supply passage through which air passing through the stack is discharged; wherein the intake passage includes a first waterproofing and dustproof mesh formed at a point connected to the supply passage to block the inflow of moisture and dust, and the exhaust passage includes a second waterproofing and dustproof mesh formed at a point connected to the supply passage to block the inflow of moisture and dust.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the waterproofing and dustproofing system for a cold-type fuel cell according to the present invention, the intake passage includes an air intake port forming a hole through which external air is introduced through one side of the intake passage, and the air intake port is characterized in that it is formed to be inclined from the upper side to the lower side in the direction in which air is introduced.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the waterproofing and dustproofing system for a cold fuel cell according to the present invention, the intake passage is characterized in that air flows from the lower side to the upper side and is formed to communicate with the exhaust passage at the lower end thereof.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the waterproofing and dustproofing system for a cold fuel cell according to the present invention, the intake passage is formed on the bottom side communicating with the exhaust passage and is characterized in that it includes a water intake member that forms a space where moisture in the intake air stays.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the present invention, in a waterproofing and dustproofing system for a cold fuel cell according to the present invention, the discharge path is characterized in that it includes a one-way valve that blocks moisture discharged from the intake path from flowing back toward the supply path.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the waterproofing and dustproofing system for a cold-type fuel cell according to the present invention, the intake passage is formed on both sides of the stack and is connected to the upper end of the supply passage, and allows air to flow from the lower side to the upper side, the supply passage allows external air introduced through the upper end to flow in a downward direction and pass through the stack, and the discharge passage is formed to communicate with the lower end of the supply passage and is also connected to the bottom of the intake passages on both sides, so that air is discharged to the outside together with moisture discharged from the intake passage.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the waterproofing and dustproofing system for a cold-type fuel cell according to the present invention, the intake passage is formed on one side of a fuel cell stack and is connected to an upper end of one side of a supply passage to supply outside air, the supply passage allows outside air introduced through the upper end of one side to flow in the other direction and pass through the stack, and the exhaust passage is characterized in that it is connected to the other end of the supply passage and passes through a lower area of ​​the supply passage to communicate with the bottom side of the intake passage.

[0022] The present invention can obtain the following effects through the combination and use of the configuration described above and the following examples.

[0023] The present invention has the effect of solving problems such as short circuits due to water infiltration and reduced cooling efficiency due to dust deposition by blocking moisture and dust from entering the inside of the stack while having an open structure of an air-cooled fuel cell, and reducing the risk of fire, thereby enabling free installation in various spaces.

[0024] The present invention has the effect of enabling more effective blocking of dust and moisture by blocking the inflow of dust and moisture on both the inlet and outlet sides of the supply path where the stack is installed, and of blocking the inflow of dust and moisture even when the fuel cell is not in operation.

[0025] The present invention has the effect of effectively removing moisture by removing moisture contained in the intake air and discharging it to the outside together with the air discharged from the stack.

[0026] The present invention has the effect of enabling moisture contained in intake air to be discharged together with exhaust air, while preventing moisture contained in intake air from flowing back through an exhaust path, thereby enabling smooth discharge of moisture.

[0027] Figure 1 is a plan view of a waterproofing and dustproofing system for an air-cooled fuel cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Figure 1.

[0029] Figure 3 is a reference diagram showing the operating status of a one-way valve.

[0030] Figure 4 is a plan view of a waterproofing and dustproofing system for an air-cooled fuel cell according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Figure 4.

[0032] * Explanation of symbols used in drawings

[0033] 1: Intake path 11: Air intake

[0034] 12: 1st waterproof and dustproof mesh 13: Water intake member

[0035] 3: Supply Euro 31: Stack

[0036] 32: Cooling fan 5: Exhaust pipe

[0037] 51: Second waterproof and dustproof mesh 52: Air outlet

[0038] 53: One-way valve

[0039] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a waterproofing and dustproofing system for an air-cooled fuel cell according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description of the present invention, if a detailed description of a known function or configuration is determined to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such detailed description will be omitted. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, unless specifically stated otherwise, this does not mean that other components are excluded, but rather that other components may be included.

[0040]

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a waterproofing and dustproofing system for an air-cooled fuel cell according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: an intake passage (1) formed on a side of a fuel cell stack (31) to form a passage through which outside air is sucked; a supply passage (3) having a stack (31) and a cooling fan (32) formed therein, and communicating with the intake passage (1) so that outside air introduced through the intake passage (1) flows into the stack by the cooling fan (32); and an exhaust passage (5) connected to the supply passage (3) so that air passing through the stack is discharged.

[0042] The waterproofing and dustproofing system according to the present invention is applied to an air-cooled fuel cell that cools the fuel cell using outside air, and minimizes dust and moisture contained in the outside air from entering the stack. To this end, the waterproofing and dustproofing system has a unique external air circulation structure, and not only blocks the inflow of dust and moisture through a double waterproofing and dustproofing mesh, but also removes moisture from the intake air and discharges it together with the exhaust air, thereby enabling effective removal and discharge of moisture.

[0043] The above-mentioned intake passage (1) is configured to form a passage through which outside air is sucked, and may preferably be formed on both sides of the supply passage (3) in which the stack (31) is formed. The intake passage (1) may be connected to the supply passage (3) at the upper end of the supply passage (3), and air may flow from the lower side of the intake passage (1) to the upper side according to the operation of the cooling fan (32) in the supply passage (3). In addition, the lower end of the intake passage (1) is connected to the discharge passage (5), so that moisture in the outside air flowing in through the intake passage (1) may be discharged to the discharge passage (5), thereby effectively removing moisture. In addition, the intake passage (1) is configured to block dust and moisture from flowing into the supply passage (3) at the point where it is connected to the supply passage (3). For this purpose, the above-mentioned intake path (1) may include an air intake port (11), a first waterproof and dustproof mesh (12), and a water intake member (13).

[0044] The above air intake port (11) is configured to form a passage through which outside air flows into the intake passage (1), and a plurality of air intake ports may be formed to penetrate the outer surface of the intake passage (1). In particular, the air intake ports (11) are formed to slope downward toward the inside from the outer surface of the intake passage (1), that is, in the direction in which outside air flows in. Through this, the outside air flowing in through the air intake port (11) can be directed downward, and moisture contained in the outside air can be collected in the water intake member (13) and discharged more effectively through the discharge passage (5).

[0045] The first waterproof dustproof mesh (12) is formed at a point connected to the supply passage (3) to prevent dust and moisture from flowing into the supply passage (3), and various filter materials capable of filtering dust and moisture can be applied. The first waterproof dustproof mesh (12) can be formed at the upper end of the intake passage (1) and the supply passage (3) where the intake passage (1) and the supply passage (3) are connected, and by forming the first waterproof dustproof mesh (12) at the upper end of the intake passage (1), not only moisture contained in the outside air but also heavy dust is discharged to the floor while being filtered by the first waterproof dustproof mesh (12), so that more effective dust and moisture blocking can be achieved.

[0046] The above water intake member (13) is formed at the bottom of the intake passage (1) and collects moisture contained in the air flowing in through the air intake port (11) and discharges it to the discharge passage (5) at the bottom. The water intake member (13) is formed of a material having a certain pore size so that water can pass through, and when a certain amount of moisture is collected, it can be discharged downward by its own weight. The water intake member (13) can be formed of a material capable of absorbing water, and through this, water can be collected more effectively, blocked from being supplied to the supply passage (3), and discharged to the discharge passage (5) more effectively.

[0047] The above supply path (3) is configured to have a stack (31) and a cooling fan (32) formed therein, and to receive external air for cooling and power generation of the stack (31) from the intake path (1). The supply path (3) allows air to flow from the upper side where it is connected to the intake path (1) to the lower side where it is connected to the exhaust path (5), and the inflow of dust and moisture contained in the external air is blocked through the first waterproof and dustproof mesh (12), and the second waterproof and dustproof mesh (51) is also formed at the point where it is connected to the exhaust path (5) to block dust and moisture from flowing back or from inflowing when the fuel cell is not in operation.

[0048] The above stack (31) generates electricity by stacking a number of fuel cell cells, and generates electricity using oxygen contained in external air supplied through the intake passage (1), and cooling is performed using external air.

[0049] The above cooling fan (32) is configured to provide power to bring in external air, and generates air flow from the upper side to the lower side of the supply path (3), thereby allowing air to be drawn into the intake path (1) and supplied to the supply path (3), and air passing through the supply path (3) to be discharged to the outside through the exhaust path (5).

[0050] The above-mentioned exhaust passage (5) is configured to form a passage through which air passing through the above-mentioned supply passage (3) is discharged to the outside, and air supplied to the stack (31) and having completed its oxygen supply and cooling functions is discharged to the outside. The above-mentioned exhaust passage (5) blocks the inflow of moisture and dust between the supply passages (3), thereby maintaining the supply passage (3) in a sealed state, and can prevent dust and moisture from penetrating into the supply passage (3) even when the fuel cell is not in operation. The above-mentioned exhaust passage (5) is formed to be connected to the lower end of the supply passage (3), and in particular, can be extended to both ends of the fuel cell to be in communication with the bottoms of the intake passages (1) on both sides. Accordingly, the moisture removed from the intake passage (1) through the water intake member (13) can be discharged to the outside together with the air discharged to the outside, and the moisture contained in this can be prevented from flowing back toward the supply passage (3), thereby enabling effective discharge of the moisture. To this end, the discharge passage (5) can include a second waterproof and dustproof mesh (51), an air discharge port (52), and a one-way valve (53).

[0051] The second waterproof dustproof mesh (51) is formed between the supply channels (3) to prevent dust and moisture from penetrating from the discharge channel (5) to the supply channel (3), and can be formed at the bottom of the supply channel (3) connected to the supply channel (3). Various filter materials that can prevent dust and moisture from penetrating, like the first waterproof dustproof mesh (12), can be applied to the second waterproof dustproof mesh (51).

[0052] The above air discharge port (52) is configured to form a space in which air passing through the supply channel (3) is discharged to the outside, and can be formed at both ends of the discharge channel (5) that is connected to the intake channel (1). Accordingly, moisture passing through the water intake member (13) of the intake channel (1) can be effectively discharged to the outside while minimizing the backflow toward the supply channel (3).

[0053] The above one-way valve (53) is configured to block moisture discharged from the intake passage (1) from flowing back toward the supply passage (3), and may be formed between the lower end of the supply passage (3) and the lower end of the intake passage (1). As illustrated in FIG. 3, the one-way valve (53) may be formed to block flow toward the supply passage (3) and allow only flow toward the air outlet (52), and preferably, a seat-type one-way valve may be applied. Through this, the one-way valve (53) can fundamentally block moisture from flowing back toward the supply passage (3), and allow air discharged from the supply passage (3) to be smoothly discharged through the air outlet (52).

[0054]

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a waterproofing and dustproofing system for an air-cooled fuel cell according to another embodiment of the present invention includes an intake passage (1'), a supply passage (3'), and a discharge passage (5') similar to the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, the supply passage (3') allows air to flow from one side to the other side, and the discharge passage (5') connected to the other side of the supply passage (3') extends to a space in the lower direction of the supply passage (3') and is connected to the lower end of the intake passage (1') on one side, thereby allowing moisture removed from the intake passage (1') to be discharged together. Hereinafter, descriptions of the same contents as the first embodiment will be omitted, and only differences will be described.

[0056] The above-mentioned intake passage (1') includes a configuration of an air intake port (11'), a first waterproof and dustproof mesh (12'), and a water intake member (13') in the same manner as in one embodiment, and external air flows from the bottom to the top, is connected to the supply passage (3') at the top, and the first waterproof and dustproof mesh (12') is formed at the point where it is connected to the supply passage (3'), and the water intake member (13') is formed at the bottom of the intake passage (1') and is connected to the discharge passage (5').

[0057] The above supply path (3') is also formed with a stack (31') and a cooling fan (32') inside, similar to one embodiment, but unlike one embodiment, the stack (31') and the cooling fan (32') are formed in a horizontal direction to allow air to flow from one side to the other side. Accordingly, the supply path (3') is connected to an intake path (1') on one side and to an exhaust path (5') on the other side, and in particular, the intake path (1') is connected through the upper part on one side.

[0058] The above-mentioned discharge path (5') is connected to the other end of the supply path (3') so that the air that has passed through the stack (31') is discharged, and in particular, it extends to the space in the lower direction of the supply path (3') so as to be connected to the lower end of the intake path (1'). Therefore, in the present embodiment as well, moisture discharged from the intake path (1') can be effectively discharged to the outside together with the air. The above-mentioned discharge path (5') may include a second waterproof and dustproof mesh (51') and an air discharge port (52') as in one embodiment, and the air discharge port (52') may be formed to penetrate the outer surface of the lower side of the intake path (1'). However, since the above-mentioned discharge path (5') is formed by extending from the other end of the supply path (3') to one side where the intake path (1') is formed, there is little possibility of moisture, etc. flowing back, and thus the one-way valve (53) may not be formed.

[0059]

[0060] In the above, the applicant has described various embodiments of the present invention, but such embodiments are only examples of implementing the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and any change or modification that implements the technical idea of ​​the present invention should be interpreted as falling within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. It includes an intake passage formed on the side of the fuel cell stack to form a passage through which outside air is sucked in; a supply passage having a stack and a cooling fan formed inside, and connected to the intake passage to allow outside air introduced through the intake passage to flow into the stack by the cooling fan; and an exhaust passage connected to the supply passage to discharge air that has passed through the stack. The above intake passage is formed at a point connected to the above supply passage and includes a first waterproof and dustproof mesh that blocks the inflow of moisture and dust. A waterproofing and dustproofing system for an air-cooled fuel cell, characterized in that the discharge path includes a second waterproof and dustproof mesh formed at a point connected to the supply path to block the inflow of moisture and dust.

2. In the first paragraph, the intake path It includes an air intake port that forms a hole through which outside air is introduced through one side of the intake passage, A waterproofing and dustproofing system for an air-cooled fuel cell, characterized in that the air intake is formed to be inclined from top to bottom in the direction in which air is introduced.

3. In the second paragraph, the intake path A waterproof and dustproof system for an air-cooled fuel cell, characterized in that air flows from the bottom to the top and is formed to communicate with an exhaust path at the bottom.

4. In the third paragraph, the intake path A waterproofing and dustproofing system for an air-cooled fuel cell, characterized in that it includes a water intake member formed on the bottom side communicating with the above exhaust path to form a space where moisture in the intake air remains.

5. In the third paragraph, the discharge path A waterproofing and dustproofing system for an air-cooled fuel cell, characterized in that it includes a one-way valve that blocks moisture discharged from the intake passage from flowing back toward the supply passage.

6. In the first paragraph, the intake path It is formed on both sides of the stack and connected to the top of the supply path, allowing air to flow from the bottom to the top. The above supply path allows external air flowing in through the top to flow downward and pass through the stack. A waterproofing and dustproofing system for an air-cooled fuel cell, characterized in that the above discharge path is formed to be in communication with the lower end of the supply path and is also connected to the bottom of the intake paths on both sides to discharge air to the outside together with moisture discharged from the intake path.

7. In the first paragraph, the intake path It is formed on one side of the fuel cell stack and is connected to the upper part of one side of the supply path to supply external air. The above supply path allows external air flowing in through the upper part on one side to flow in the other direction and pass through the stack. A waterproofing and dustproofing system for an air-cooled fuel cell, characterized in that the above-mentioned exhaust path is connected to the other end of the supply path and passes through the lower area of the supply path to be connected to the bottom side of the intake path.

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