Blower for a fuel cell assembly for a vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle, fuel cell assembly, and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a blower (1) for a fuel cell assembly (205) for a vehicle (200a), in particular a utility vehicle (200b); wherein the blower (1), in order to recirculate a gas mixture (40) used for the operation of the fuel cell assembly (205), has a drive motor (7, 8, 9) with a motor shaft (7), a rotor (9) coupled to the motor shaft (7), and a stator (8) arranged radially outside the rotor (9); the blower (1) has an annular channel (10) for conducting the gas mixture (40), which annular channel is arranged radially between the rotor (9) and the stator (8) and has an inlet side (41) and an outlet side (42); the blower (1) has a blower impeller (5) coupled to the motor shaft (7), the blower impeller (5) being designed to convey the gas mixture (40) from the inlet side (41) to the outlet side (42) during rotation of the motor shaft (7); the blower (1) has a main housing (2) which at least partially forms the annular channel (10), and the blower (1) has a housing cover (6) with a volute (43); and the blower (1) has a functional component (30) which is arranged at least partially within the annular channel (10) and / or at least partially forms the annular channel (10), the functional component (30) being arranged on the main housing (2) and being designed to guide the gas mixture (40) at least partially through the volute (43) during rotation of the blower impeller (5).

Description

[0001] Blower for a fuel cell arrangement for a vehicle, in particular

[0002] commercial vehicle, fuel cell arrangement, vehicle

[0003] The disclosure relates to a blower for a fuel cell assembly for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle. The disclosure equally relates to a fuel cell assembly for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, comprising a fuel cell stack that can be supplied with a gas mixture on the anode side and a blower, and to a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, comprising a fuel cell assembly.

[0004] Such blowers for fuel cell assemblies are known from the prior art. Such a fuel cell assemblies comprise a fuel cell system with galvanic cells that can be used to convert chemical energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy is obtained from a so-called fuel cell reaction, a chemical reaction between a supplied fuel, for example hydrogen, and an oxidizing agent, usually oxygen. To increase energy generation, several cells or fuel cells can be combined to form a fuel cell stack. In addition to the fuel cell stack, the fuel cell assembly typically comprises other components, such as a compressor or compressor for supplying the oxidizing agent, for example air, to the cathode side of the fuel cell stack.

[0005] For fuel cell arrangements, it is particularly useful for mobile applications with different operating points, such as vehicles, especially commercial vehicles, to provide recirculation of a gas mixture containing the fuel in the anode path. The aim is to return unused fuel to the system, remove harmful gases, such as nitrogen (also known as "purging"), and / or allow the fuel cell stack to be purged to prevent and / or remove liquid and / or water accumulation.

[0006] Recirculation can be passive and / or active. Active recirculation means that the fan is designed to convey the fuel or gas mixture within the anode path according to the operating points and other requirements.

[0007] The design of a recirculation blower, i.e., a blower for recirculation in the anode path, is challenging because hydrogen, nitrogen, and moisture are challenging characteristics of the gas mixture, requiring special measures regarding tightness, robustness, and service life. Therefore, known recirculation blowers sometimes exhibit features of compressors, particularly Roots compressors, scroll compressors, claw compressors, and / or turbomachinery.

[0008] WO 2021 / 094491 A1 discloses a media gap motor, in particular for a turbocharger. The proposed media gap motor includes a rotor and a stator, wherein the stator has fins that extend radially toward the rotor with an inner portion in a flow space formed between the stator and the rotor. The fins do not extend to the rotor with their inner portions, so that a gap is formed between an inner end of the fins and the rotor.

[0009] EP 1 995 426 A1 discloses an electric motor for conveying media, comprising a stator, a rotor with a rotor magnet, and a media passage opening between the stator and rotor. The smallest inner diameter of the stator is 1.5 to 8 times the largest outer diameter of the rotor magnet.

[0010] German patent application 102023210206.4, which had not yet been published on the filing date of the present disclosure, describes a blower for a fuel cell assembly for recirculating a gas mixture used to operate the fuel cell assembly, comprising a drive motor having a rotor coupled to a motor shaft and a stator arranged radially outside the rotor. Radially between the rotor and the stator, an annular channel is provided for conveying the gas mixture from an inlet side to an outlet side of the annular channel. A blower impeller coupled to the motor shaft is provided in the region of the outlet side of the annular channel to convey the gas mixture from the inlet side to the outlet side of the annular channel upon rotation. Furthermore, a flow guide device is provided for imparting a swirl in the circumferential direction of the annular channel to the gas mixture entering the annular channel.In the area of ​​the outlet side of the annular channel, a water drainage arrangement can open, which is designed to drain water moving along the wall of the widened portion to a water outlet arrangement. The water drainage arrangement can be provided as an annular gap located in the outlet area of ​​the annular channel. The water moving along the inside of the outer tube can thus enter directly into the water drainage arrangement in the form of the annular gap. The annular gap of the water drainage arrangement is connected to a water outlet arrangement, through which the separated water can be drained accordingly.

[0011] Against the background of this prior art, one object of the present disclosure is to provide a blower for a fuel cell assembly of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, which is suitable for enriching the prior art and improving at least the above-mentioned aspects of the prior art. In particular, the object of the disclosure is to achieve greater functional integration in at least one component of the blower, thus simplifying the manufacture of the blower and opening up a wider range of design options.

[0012] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The subclaims contain further developments of the disclosure.

[0013] According to one aspect of the disclosure, the object is achieved by a blower for a fuel cell arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle; wherein the blower, for recirculating a gas mixture used for operating the fuel cell arrangement, has a drive motor with a motor shaft, a rotor coupled to the motor shaft, and a stator arranged radially outside the rotor; the blower has an annular channel arranged radially between the rotor and the stator and having an inlet side and an outlet side for conveying the gas mixture; the blower has a blower impeller coupled to the motor shaft, wherein the blower impeller is configured to convey the gas mixture from the inlet side to the outlet side upon rotation of the motor shaft; the blower has a main housing at least partially forming the annular channel, the blower has a housing cover with a volute;and the fan has a functional component arranged at least partially within the annular channel and / or at least partially forming the annular channel, wherein the functional component is arranged on the main housing and is designed to guide the gas mixture at least partially through the volute upon rotation of the fan impeller..;

[0014] The functional component enables improved functional diversity and a more targeted design of the blower components. The functional component simultaneously at least partially forms the annular channel and forms an interface to the volute provided in the housing cover. This can significantly simplify the design of the main housing. When the blower impeller rotates, the gas mixture is conveyed through the annular channel and can thus be guided through and / or from the functional component to the volute. For this purpose, the functional component can be arranged at least partially downstream of a cylindrical section of the annular channel and extend radially outward there. The arrangement of the functional component can be such that, for assembly of the blower, the stator can be pushed into the main housing from one side of the volute before the functional component is attached.

[0015] The blower can be used to recirculate a gas mixture associated with an anode region of the fuel cell assembly. The gas mixture can contain hydrogen as fuel. The gas mixture can also contain other components that can result, in particular, from the reaction of the hydrogen in the anode region of the fuel cell assembly. The gas mixture can contain water, which results from the reaction of the hydrogen. The gas mixture can be passed through the anode region of the fuel cell assembly.

[0016] The fan can be operated by the drive motor, which can be configured as an electric motor. The electric motor can be a brushless motor. The drive motor can be a media gap motor. In this case, the medium conveyed by the fan, in particular the gas mixture used in the fuel cell arrangement, can be conveyed through the annular channel.

[0017] The fan impeller coupled to the motor shaft can be arranged on the outlet side of the annular channel such that the gas mixture can be conveyed through the annular channel upon rotation of the fan impeller. The fan impeller can have an arrangement of blades distributed around the circumference of the fan impeller. By rotating the fan impeller, the gas mixture can be conveyed based on a corresponding pumping function. Due to its rotation, the fan impeller can convey the gas mixture in a radial direction relative to the annular channel.

[0018] Optionally, the functional component can be made of plastic. This allows the functional component to be manufactured cost-effectively and / or with a variety of geometries or shapes. Furthermore, the plastic's freedom of form can enable optimizations regarding liquid separation. For example, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) can be used as the plastic to ensure the functional component is resistant to temperatures and / or the chemical components of the gas and liquid mixture.

[0019] Optionally, the functional component is configured to separate a liquid from the gas mixture and / or discharge it from the annular channel upon rotation of the motor shaft. The functional component allows the liquid to be separated and / or discharged. Accordingly, the separation and / or discharge function no longer needs to be integrated into the main housing, for example.

[0020] As a result, the functional component can be designed with regard to the separation and / or discharge of the liquid and a provision for separation and discharge in the main housing is unnecessary.

[0021] Optionally, the functional component has a conical shape, a funnel shape, and / or an upstream taper. In other words, the functional component has a cross-sectional area that decreases from the outlet side to the inlet side. This allows the gas mixture to be effectively guided and / or the liquid to be effectively separated from the gas mixture.

[0022] Optionally, the functional component includes a water separation channel. The water separation channel can be configured to conduct fluid from the annular channel or an interior space of the main housing between the stator and the rotor into an area surrounding the main housing and / or the fan. For this purpose, the water separation channel can be arranged to extend at least partially in a radial direction.

[0023] Optionally, the functional component has a curved and closed surface directed toward the fan impeller. This allows for optimal use of the installation space for the functional component and improves the interaction between the fan impeller and the functional component. The surface forms an interface between the functional component and the fan impeller and can create a flow section through which the gas mixture can flow to the volute. For this purpose, the surface is directed toward the fan impeller and shaped or curved according to a contour and / or curvature of the fan impeller. This allows the annular channel to be integrated into the functional component to a larger extent, which also makes it possible to keep the wall thicknesses of the functional component essentially constant, thus simplifying the production of the functional component.

[0024] The functional component can optionally be constructed in one or two pieces. A one-piece functional component enables simple and cost-effective assembly due to its comparatively high level of functional integration. To simplify the manufacturability of the functional component, it is conceivable to make it two-piece or two-part, thus enabling axial demolding of the channel geometry. The two components of the functional component can then be joined together again, for example, using ultrasonic welding.

[0025] Optionally, the functional component forms an outer wall of the annular channel. This allows for a particularly high degree of functional integration, as the functional component additionally provides separation between the stator and the gas mixture. A tube can thus be dispensed with, since the functional component at least partially forms the annular channel and / or is tubular in sections.

[0026] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a fuel cell assembly for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, is provided, comprising a fuel cell stack that can be supplied with a gas mixture on the anode side and a blower as described above. Optionally, the blower has one or more features described as optional and / or advantageous in order to achieve an associated technical effect.

[0027] The blower can be connected to one or more fuel cell modules or fuel cell stacks via appropriate piping within the fuel cell assembly such that the blower can direct the gas mixture through the anode region of the fuel cell assembly. The blower can also be connected to a fuel source or fuel storage device, via which the fuel content of the recirculated gas mixture can be adjusted.

[0028] The blower can be connected to a fuel cell module via a line arrangement in the fuel cell arrangement. The blower can be provided for recirculating hydrogen-containing gas for the fuel cell arrangement. In particular, the recirculation of the hydrogen-containing gas can be designed for the anode side of the fuel cell arrangement. The blower can be controlled via a control device as needed, whereby an operating state of the fuel cell arrangement can be taken into account. The fuel cell arrangement can also have several blowers of the type described above, which are integrated into the fuel cell arrangement via lines.

[0029] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, is provided, comprising a fuel cell assembly as described above. Optionally, the fan and / or the fuel cell assembly has one or more features described as optional and / or advantageous in order to achieve an associated technical effect.

[0030] The blower and / or the fuel cell assembly can be used in a mobile application. In particular, the blower and / or the fuel cell assembly can be used in an electrically powered vehicle, wherein the electrical power can be generated by the fuel cell assembly and optionally supplied to a buffer battery or traction battery. Alternatively, the fuel cell assembly with the blower can be used in a stationary application. Alternatively, the blower can be used to provide a gas flow in other areas. In particular, the blower can be used to achieve a flow through the cathode side of the fuel cell assembly.

[0031] Further features of the disclosure as well as its technical effects emerge from the figures and the description of the preferred embodiments shown in the figures.

[0032] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, according to one aspect of the disclosure;

[0033] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a blower according to one aspect of the disclosure;

[0034] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a blower according to one aspect of the disclosure;

[0035] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fan according to one aspect of the disclosure; and

[0036] Fig. 5 is a cross-section of a blower according to one aspect of the disclosure.

[0037] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 200a, in particular a commercial vehicle 200b, according to one aspect of the disclosure. The vehicle 200a, in particular a commercial vehicle 200b, is referred to below as vehicle 200a, 200b. The vehicle 200a, 200b is, for example, a land vehicle or a watercraft.

[0038] The vehicle 200a, 200b has a fuel cell assembly 205, an energy storage device 260, and an electric main drive 250. The fuel cell assembly 205 is configured to provide electrical energy 65 to the energy storage device 260. The energy storage device 260 is, for example, a rechargeable energy storage device 260 and serves as a buffer battery for buffering electrical energy 65. The energy storage device 260 is also referred to as a traction battery. The energy storage device 260 is connected to the electric main drive 250 to supply the electric main drive 250 with electrical energy 65 so that the electric main drive 250 can drive the vehicle 200a, 200b.

[0039] The fuel cell assembly 205 comprises a blower 1, a compressor 210, a fuel cell system 204 or a fuel cell stack 206 and optionally an expander 270. The fuel cell stack 206 has a cathode 207 and an anode 208.

[0040] The blower 1 of the present embodiments is used in a fuel cell assembly 205 in which hydrogen-containing gas as a fuel is circulated as a gas mixture 40 and reacts electrochemically to generate electrical energy 65. In particular, the blower 1 described here is used to purge an anode region of the fuel cell stack 206 and / or to ensure a predetermined composition of the gas mixture 40 located in the anode region. The blower 1 is configured to supply the anode 208 with the gas mixture 40 and thus with the fuel.

[0041] Several of the above-described blowers 1 can be used in the fuel cell arrangement 205. Furthermore, the fuel cell arrangement 205 generally has a control device (not shown) which, among other things, controls the operation of the blower 1. This includes controlling a rotational speed of the blower 1, with which the blower power can be adjusted. Furthermore, taking into account the operating state of the fuel cell arrangement 205, it is determined whether operation of the blower 1 is required or not. In the event that the blower 1 is not operated, the structure of the blower 1 as a media gap motor easily allows the gas mixture 40 to pass through the blower 1.Due to the above-described structure of the blower 1 and in particular of the flow guide device 14 or the guide grille 14, the separation function for separating liquid 48, for example water, from the gas mixture 40 can be brought about by the flow through the blower 1 even when the blower 1 is not in operation, since the guide grille 14 imparts a swirl to the gas flow.

[0042] The compressor 210 is configured to supply an air flow to the fuel cell stack 206 on the cathode side, i.e., the cathode 207. For this purpose, the compressor 210 is configured to be supplied with electrical energy 65 in order to draw in air, compress it, and supply it to the fuel cell stack 206 as supply air 240. The expander 270 is configured to be supplied with exhaust air 245 from the fuel cell stack 206 in order to convert energy from the exhaust air 245 into electrical energy 65.

[0043] Each embodiment of the blower 1 is further described with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

[0044] Figure 2 shows a cross-section of a blower 1 according to one aspect of the disclosure. The blower 1 according to Figure 2 is a blower 1 for a fuel cell assembly 205 for a vehicle 200a, in particular a commercial vehicle 200b. Such a blower 1 and vehicle 200a, 200b are each described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 2 is described with reference to Figure 1.

[0045] The blower 1 is configured to recirculate the gas mixture 40 used to operate the fuel cell assembly 205. For this purpose, the blower 1 comprises a drive motor 7, 8, 9 with a motor shaft 7, a rotor 9 coupled to the motor shaft 7, and a stator 8 arranged radially outside the rotor 9.

[0046] The blower 1 has an annular channel 10. The annular channel 10 is designed to conduct the gas mixture 40. For this purpose, the annular channel 10 has an inlet side 41 and an outlet side 42 and is arranged radially between the rotor 9 and the stator 8.

[0047] The fan 1 has a main housing 2 that at least partially forms the annular channel 10. The main housing 2 forms an outer periphery of a main section of the fan 1 and, in the present embodiment, is substantially cylindrical. Arranged radially inside the main housing 2 is the drive motor 7, 8, 9, which has the radially outer stator 8, the radially inner rotor 9, and the motor shaft 7 connected to the rotor 9.

[0048] The stator 8 is connected to the main housing 2 in a rotationally fixed manner. In the present embodiment, the rotor 9 comprises one or more permanent magnet elements 9a (only schematically indicated in Figure 2). When energized, the stator 8 generates a rotating magnetic field, so that the rotor 9 rotates together with the motor shaft 7 when energized.

[0049] The rotor 9 is connected to the rotatable motor shaft 7 so that the rotor 9 can rotate together with the motor shaft 7. The motor shaft 7 is rotatably supported on both sides via bearings 11, 12. For this purpose, the blower 1 has an outlet-side bearing 12 for rotatably supporting the motor shaft 7. The outlet-side bearing 12 is arranged on the outlet side 42 of the annular channel 10. The blower 1 has an inlet-side bearing 11 for rotatably supporting the motor shaft 7. The inlet-side bearing 11 is arranged on the inlet side 41 of the annular channel 10.

[0050] On the left side in Figure 2, the fan 1 has a housing cover 6 attached to the main housing 2. The fan 1 has fastening elements 45 for fastening the housing cover 6 to the main housing 2. The fastening elements 45 are, for example, screws and / or bolts and are designed to fix a mechanical interface between the main housing 2 and the housing cover 6. The housing cover 6 has a passage and / or a recess in the center through which the motor shaft 7 passes.

[0051] The blower 1 has a blower impeller 5 coupled to the motor shaft 7. In the area of ​​the housing cover 6, the blower impeller 5 is connected to the motor shaft 7 in a rotationally fixed manner. Rotation of the motor shaft 7 thus causes rotation of the blower impeller 5. The housing cover 6 has a volute 43 or outlet volute radially outside the blower impeller 5, which has a circumferentially variable diameter and is open towards the blower impeller 5. The volute 43 is designed to be operatively connected to the blower impeller 5 during operation in order to improve the blower performance. A housing flange 6a is attached to the housing cover 6, which has a passage in the center into which the motor shaft 7 projects.

[0052] The fan impeller 5 is configured to convey the gas mixture 40 from the inlet side 41 to the outlet side 42 upon rotation of the motor shaft 7. For this purpose, the fan impeller 5 has blades configured with a predetermined shape to achieve a conveying or pumping function. The inside of the housing cover 6 and the volute 43 are adapted to the contour of the fan impeller 5 in the radial region where the fan impeller 5 is provided. Radially outside the fan impeller 5 is an annular gap that is open to the volute 43.

[0053] The annular channel 10 is provided radially between the stator 8 and the rotor 9. A radial inner wall 17 of the annular channel 10 is formed by an outer circumference of the rotor 9 and by an outer circumference of a flow insert 15. In an alternative embodiment, the radial inner wall 17 is formed by an inner tube surrounding the rotor 9 and by the outer circumference of the flow insert 15. On the side of the guide vane 14 facing away from the rotor 9, the flow insert 15 is provided in the form of an axisymmetric flow body. The flow insert 15 has a dome or spherical shape. The outer diameter of the flow insert 15 is smaller than the diameter of the outer tube of the annular channel 10. The flow insert 15 projects axially upstream from the rotor 9 into an inlet-side region of the main housing 2, in which a constriction is provided. The flow installation 15 has a flow-optimized outer contour with respect to the inflow.The flow installation 15 has an outer circumferential surface which serves as the inner wall 17 of the annular channel 10, at least at the inlet area.

[0054] The annular channel 10 can have a cylindrical inner wall 17 and a cylindrical outer wall 16. Between the cylindrical inner wall 17 and the cylindrical outer wall 16 of the annular channel 10, the gas mixture 40 can flow from the inlet side 41 to the outlet side 42.

[0055] The fan 1 has a functional component 30 arranged at least partially within the annular channel 10 and at least partially forming the annular channel 10. In other words, the functional component 30 forms the cylindrical outer wall 16 and is arranged radially inside the stator 8. The cylindrical inner wall 17 can be formed at least in sections by an outer circumference of the rotor 9. Alternatively, the cylindrical inner wall 17 can be formed at least in sections by an inner tube arranged radially outside the rotor 9 and inside the functional component 30. Alternatively, the functional part 30 can be configured to form the cylindrical outer wall 16 and the cylindrical inner wall 17.

[0056] The functional component 30 thus at least partially forms the radial outer wall 16 and has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the rotor 9. The stator 8 is located radially outside the cylindrical outer wall 16 of the functional component 30. This forms the annular channel 10, through which a fluid or the gas mixture 40 can flow. The annular channel 10 opens on the left side in Figure 2 on the outlet side in the region of the fan impeller 5. The described flow guide device 15 is located on the right side of the annular channel 10. The functional component 30 is arranged on the main housing 2 in such a way and is designed to guide the gas mixture 40 at least partially through the volute 43 when the fan impeller 5 rotates. For this purpose, the functional component 30 has a curved and closed surface 33 directed towards the fan impeller 5.Thus, a flow section (not indicated) is formed between the curved surface 33 and the fan impeller 5, through which the gas mixture 40 is conveyed upon rotation of the fan impeller 5. Due to the curved shape, the gas mixture 40 can be deflected radially outward in the direction of the volutes 43, whereby the functional component 30 at least partially directs the gas mixture 40 to and / or through the volute 43 upon rotation of the fan impeller 5.

[0057] The functional component 30 is designed to separate a liquid 48 from the gas mixture 40 upon rotation of the motor shaft 7. The separation can occur through a swirl acting on the gas mixture 40, resulting in a separation of the liquid 48 and gaseous components of the gas mixture 40. In addition, the functional component 30 is designed to discharge liquid 48 from the annular channel 10. Possible embodiments for this include, for example, the recessing of individual or multiple ribbed, radially extending segments arranged downstream of the stator 8, which open via individual bores or openings into a collecting channel (not shown) between the interface between the functional component 30 and the housing cover 6 and enable the discharge of the liquid 48.

[0058] The functional component 30 is made of plastic. For example, the functional component 30 is made of polyetheretherketone. The functional component 30 is formed in one piece.

[0059] The functional component 30 is attached to the main housing 2 upstream of the fan impeller 5. For example, the functional component 30 can be riveted, glued, and / or screwed to the main housing 2. Seals can be provided at interfaces or fastening points between the functional component 30 and the main housing 2 to improve the tightness against liquid 48. The fan 1 has an inlet flange 13. The inlet flange 13 serves to be connected to a pipe of the fuel cell assembly 205.

[0060] The main housing 2 has a bearing seat 18 receiving the inlet-side bearing 11. The bearing seat 18 is arranged in the region of the flow guide device 14 integrated into the main housing 2. Downstream of an inlet-side tip of the flow guide device 14, which is enclosed by the flow insert 15, the bearing seat 18 is arranged radially inward in the inner wall 17 formed by the flow guide device 14 and radially outside the motor shaft 7. The bearing seat 18 and the flow guide device 14 form a section or an assembly of the fan integrated into the main housing 2. The inlet-side bearing 18 is arranged on the bearing seat 18. The flow insert 15 is arranged on the flow guide device 14.

[0061] The integrated arrangement of the flow guide device 14 and the bearing seat 18 or the inlet-side bearing 11 enables the fan 1 to be configured to insert the stator 8 into the main housing 2 on the outlet side for assembly of the fan 1. The stator 8 can be pushed into the interior space 2a formed by the main housing 2 when the fan 1 is open, i.e., when the housing cover 6 is removed from the main housing 2.

[0062] The housing cover 6 has a second bearing seat 18a that accommodates the outlet-side bearing 12. The second bearing seat 18a is arranged downstream of the first bearing seat 18 and in the axial direction in the region of the housing cover 6. The second bearing seat 18a is arranged radially inside the housing cover 6, or in the through-opening, and radially outside the motor shaft 7. The outlet-side bearing 12 is arranged on the second bearing seat 18a.

[0063] The flow guide device 14 is explained below. As shown in Figure 2, the flow guide device 14 is provided in the form of a guide vane 14 on the right-hand section of the annular channel 10 in Figure 2, i.e., on the inlet side 41. The guide vane 14 has an arrangement of guide vanes (not shown) distributed around a circumference of the flow guide device 14. The guide vanes are provided in particular in the region that forms an inlet region of the annular channel 10. The guide vane 14 can be flowed through via a passage in the direction of the annular channel 10.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the guide vane 14 is formed with the elements of the annular duct 10 as two separate components of the fan 1. The annular duct 10 and the guide vane 14 abut each other in a fluid-tight manner. This allows for greater diversity in the design and construction of the individual components. In another embodiment, the guide vane 14 is integrated with the elements of the annular duct 10 (not shown).

[0065] In particular, the radial outer wall 16 in the inlet region of the annular channel 10 has the guide vanes of the guide vane array 14. The guide vanes are formed integrally with the outer tube of the annular channel 10. This design enables simplified production of the annular channel 10, since the outer tube, together with the guide vanes of the guide vane array 14 and the bearing seat 18, can be manufactured as a single part.

[0066] In the present embodiment, the bearings 11, 12 each comprise a set of rolling bearings, which are inserted into the respective bearing seat 18, 18a with an outer ring and which are mounted on the motor shaft 7 with an inner ring.

[0067] Figure 3 shows a cross-section of a fan 1 according to one aspect of the disclosure. The fan 1 of Figure 3 has features of the fan 1 of Figure 2. Figure 3 is described with reference to Figure 2, describing differences between the embodiments.

[0068] The functional component 30 has a conical shape, a funnel shape, and / or an upstream taper 31. The taper 31, conical shape, funnel shape, or generally a decreasing cross-sectional area of ​​the functional component 30 refers to the upstream direction. The taper 31 can partially and / or completely reduce the cross-section of the annular channel 10 in the upstream direction. Figure 4 shows a cross-section of a fan 1 according to one aspect of the disclosure. The fan 1 according to Figure 4 has features of the fan 1 according to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 4 is described with reference to Figures 2 and 3, wherein differences between the embodiments are described.

[0069] The functional component 30 has a water separation channel 32. The water separation channel 32 is shown only schematically. The water separation channel 32 extends radially outward from the annular channel 10 through the functional component 30. The water separation channel 32 is arranged at least partially upstream of the fan impeller 5.

[0070] Figure 5 shows a cross-section of a fan 1 according to one aspect of the disclosure. The fan 1 according to Figure 5 has features of the fans 1 according to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 5 is described with reference to Figures 2 to 4, describing differences between the embodiments.

[0071] The functional component 30 is formed in two pieces, as schematically indicated by the dot-dashed line illustrating a part of the functional component 30 by way of example, wherein a first part of the functional component 30 forms, for example, the water separation channel 32 and / or the outer wall 16 of the annular channel 10, and a second part of the functional component 30 forms the surface 33. The two parts are integrally connected to one another.

[0072] Reference symbol (part of the description)

[0073] 1 fan

[0074] 2 main housings

[0075] 2a Interior

[0076] 5 Fan impeller

[0077] 6 housing cover

[0078] 6a Housing flange

[0079] 7 Motor shaft

[0080] 8 Stator

[0081] 9 Rotor

[0082] 9a Permanent magnet element

[0083] 10 ring canal

[0084] 11 camps

[0085] 12 camps

[0086] 13 Inlet flange

[0087] 14 Flow guide device, guide vane

[0088] 15 Flow installation

[0089] 16 Exterior wall

[0090] 17 Interior wall

[0091] 18 bearing seat

[0092] 18a second bearing seat

[0093] 30 functional component

[0094] 31 Rejuvenation

[0095] 32 Water separation channel

[0096] 33 Surface

[0097] 40 gas mixture

[0098] 41 Entrance side

[0099] 42 Exit side

[0100] 43 Volute

[0101] 45 fasteners

[0102] 46 Fuel anode side exhaust air

[0103] Liquid electrical energy a vehicle b commercial vehicle

[0104] Fuel cell system

[0105] Fuel cell arrangement

[0106] Fuel cell stack

[0107] cathode

[0108] anode

[0109] Supply air

[0110] exhaust air

[0111] Main drive

[0112] Energy storage device

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Blower (1) for a fuel cell arrangement (205) for a vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b); wherein - the blower (1) for recirculating a gas mixture (40) used for operating the fuel cell arrangement (205) has a drive motor (7, 8, 9) with a motor shaft (7), a rotor (9) coupled to the motor shaft (7) and a stator (8) arranged radially outside the rotor (9); - the fan (1) has an annular channel (10) arranged radially between the rotor (9) and the stator (8) and having an inlet side (41) and an outlet side (42) for conducting the gas mixture (40); - the fan (1) has a fan impeller (5) coupled to the motor shaft (7), wherein the fan impeller (5) is designed to convey the gas mixture (40) from the inlet side (41) to the outlet side (42) upon rotation of the motor shaft (7); - the blower (1) has a main housing (2) which at least partially forms the annular channel (10), - the fan (1) has a housing cover (6) with a volute (43); and - the fan (1) has a functional component (30) which is arranged at least partially within the annular channel (10) and / or at least partially forms the annular channel (10), wherein the functional component (30) is arranged on the main housing (2) and is designed to guide the gas mixture (40) at least partially through the volute (43) upon rotation of the fan impeller (5).

2. Blower (1) according to claim 1, wherein the functional component (30) is made of plastic.

3. Blower (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the functional component (30) is designed to separate a liquid (48) from the gas mixture (40) and / or to discharge it from the annular channel (10) upon rotation of the motor shaft (7).

4. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional component (30) has a conical shape, a funnel shape and / or an upstream taper (31).

5. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional component (30) has a water separation channel (32).

6. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional component (30) has a curved and closed surface (33) directed towards the blower impeller (5).

7. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional component (30) is formed in one piece or in two pieces.

8. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional component (30) forms an outer wall (16) of the annular channel (10).

9. Fuel cell arrangement (205) for a vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b), comprising a fuel cell stack (206) which can be supplied with a gas mixture (40) on the anode side and a blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Vehicle (200a), in particular commercial vehicle (200b), comprising a fuel cell arrangement (205) according to claim 9.

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