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

Abstract

The invention relates to a fan (1) for a fuel cell assembly (205) for a vehicle (200a), in particular a utility vehicle (200b). In order to recirculate a gas mixture (40) used to operate the fuel cell assembly (205), the fan (1) has a drive motor (7, 8, 9) with a motor shaft (7) which defines an axis (A), a rotor (9) coupled to the motor shaft (7), and a stator (8) situated radially outside the rotor (9); the fan (1) has a fan impeller (5) coupled to the motor shaft (7), the fan impeller (5) being designed to convey the gas mixture (40) during a rotation of the motor shaft (7); the fan (1) comprises an axial bearing (19) with an axial bearing support (19a) fixed to the housing, a second axial bearing support (19c) fixed to the housing, and an axial bearing rotor (19b), which is connected to the motor shaft (7) for conjoint rotation therewith, for supporting the motor shaft (7); the fan (1) comprises a housing (2) with an inlet-side housing part (2a), an outlet-side volute component (43b), and a bearing support component (2b); the volute component (43b) is provided between the inlet-side housing part (2a) and the bearing support component (2b) in the direction of the axis (A); the axial bearing support (19a) is held on the volute component (43b); and the second axial bearing support (19c) is held on the bearing support component (2b).

Description

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

[0002] The disclosure relates to a blower for a fuel cell arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle. The disclosure also relates to a fuel cell arrangement 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 arrangement.

[0003] Such blowers for fuel cell arrays are known from the prior art. A fuel cell array of this type comprises a fuel cell system with galvanic cells that can be used to convert chemical energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy is generated from a so-called fuel cell reaction, a chemical reaction between a supplied fuel, for example hydrogen, and an oxidant, usually oxygen. To increase energy production, several cells or fuel cells can be combined to form a fuel cell stack. In addition to the fuel cell stack, the fuel cell array typically includes other components, such as a compressor for supplying the fuel cell stack with the oxidant, for example air, on the cathode side.

[0004] For fuel cell systems, particularly for mobile applications with different operating points, such as vehicles, especially commercial vehicles, it is useful to incorporate recirculation of a gas mixture containing the fuel in the anode path. The aim is to return fuel not consumed through chemical reactions, especially electrolysis, to the system, to remove harmful gases, such as nitrogen (also known as "purging"), and / or to allow purging of the fuel cell stack to prevent and / or remove liquid and / or water accumulation.

[0005] Recirculation can be implemented passively and / or actively. Active recirculation means that a blower is used to circulate the fuel or gas mixture within the anode path according to the operating points and other requirements.

[0006] The design of a recirculation blower, i.e., a blower for recirculation in the anode path, is challenging because hydrogen, nitrogen, and moisture are problematic features of the gas mixture, requiring special measures regarding tightness, robustness, and service life. Known recirculation blowers therefore exhibit some characteristics of compressors, particularly Roots compressors, scroll compressors, claw compressors, and / or turbomachinery.

[0007] DE 10 2017 207 532 A1 discloses an electric media slitting machine for a compressor and / or a turbine, in particular for an exhaust gas turbocharger of an internal combustion engine, with a shaft rotatably mounted in a housing, on which a rotor is arranged non-rotatably, with a housing-fixed stator having at least one multi-phase drive winding for generating a drive magnetic field and several radially inwardly projecting stator teeth, and with a stator-fixed device for flow optimization for a medium flowing through the media slitting machine, wherein the device has a cover cap that at least covers the rotor upstream, wherein an inner sleeve adjoins the cover cap, which completely surrounds the rotor circumferentially and at least partially axially, and wherein the device has an outer sleeve arranged coaxially to the inner sleeve.so that the only flow path for the medium between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve is formed solely through the stator of the media-splitting machine.

[0008] The German [document], which was not yet published on the filing date of the present disclosure,

[0009] Patent application 102023210206.4 describes a blower for a

[0010] Fuel cell arrangement for recirculating a gas mixture used for the operation of the fuel cell arrangement with a drive motor which has a rotor coupled to a motor shaft and a stator arranged radially outside the rotor.

[0011] The blower assembly should be designed to minimize tolerances between the motor shaft bearings. However, existing technology includes solutions where, particularly in recirculation blowers with a media-gap motor, the tolerance chain extends across two or three components. This results in one or two interfaces between components, leading to coaxiality deviations or concentricity tolerances between the bearings. This can significantly reduce bearing lifespan, especially at high speeds. Furthermore, each mechanical interface adds to the assembly effort. Therefore, the bearing arrangement is a crucial aspect of ensuring the blower's functionality and robust operation.The arrangement of the bearings also particularly affects the aspect of assembly, in order to enable proper operation with the correct bearing clearance, especially for sensitive bearing technologies that may be necessary for high-speed applications.

[0012] Against the background of this prior art, one object of the present disclosure is to provide a blower for a fuel cell arrangement of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, which is suitable for enriching the prior art and improving at least the aforementioned aspects of the prior art. In particular, it is the object of the disclosure to provide an improved blower with assembly and operating characteristics that are advantageous with respect to an axial bearing.

[0013] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims contain further developments of the disclosure.

[0014] The problem is then solved according to one aspect of the disclosure 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 comprises a drive motor with a motor shaft defining an axis, a rotor coupled to the motor shaft and a stator arranged radially outside the rotor; the blower comprises a blower impeller coupled to the motor shaft, wherein the blower impeller is configured to convey the gas mixture when the motor shaft rotates; the blower comprises a thrust bearing with a housing-fixed thrust bearing carrier, a housing-fixed second thrust bearing carrier and a thrust bearing rotor non-rotatably connected to the motor shaft for supporting the motor shaft; the blower comprises a housing with an inlet-side housing part, an outlet-side volute part and a bearing support part;the volute component is arranged in the direction of the axis between the inlet-side housing part and the bearing support component; the axial bearing support is held on the volute component; and the second axial bearing support is held on the bearing support component.

[0015] It was discovered that the volute component can be designed and arranged in such a way that it can be used to support the thrust bearing carrier. In other words, the idea of ​​the disclosure is that the volute component with a thrust bearing interface, or the thrust bearing carrier, can be arranged between the bearing carrier component and the intake-side housing part. During assembly, it is thus possible to hold the volute component with the thrust bearing carrier to the intake-side housing part, to insert the motor shaft with the attached thrust bearing rotor into the intake-side housing part and through the volute component, and to align the thrust bearing rotor relative to the thrust bearing carrier. This allows the bearing clearance of the thrust bearing and the position of the thrust bearing components to be correctly adjusted.

[0016] The disclosure thus enables the described arrangement of the axial bearing components to allow the axial position of the motor shaft with the attached axial bearing rotor to be adjusted relative to the axial bearing carrier, and allows for the metrological measurement of any tolerances with respect to the housing. The arrangement also facilitates comparatively simple assembly, as the alignment of the axial bearing components is simplified during installation. This also allows for a better positioning of the axial bearing components, which can improve the bearing's operating characteristics, particularly with regard to smooth running and / or reduced wear.

[0017] 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. It can also contain other components, particularly those resulting from the reaction of hydrogen in the anode region of the fuel cell assembly. The gas mixture can contain water, which is also a byproduct of the hydrogen reaction. The gas mixture can be passed through the anode region of the fuel cell assembly.

[0018] The blower can be operated by the drive motor, which can be 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 blower, in particular the gas mixture used in the fuel cell arrangement, can be conveyed through an annular channel.

[0019] The blower impeller, coupled to the motor shaft, is designed to convey the gas mixture as it rotates. The blower impeller may have an arrangement of blades distributed around its circumference. Rotation of the blower impeller conveys the gas mixture, acting as a pump. The rotation of the blower impeller allows it to convey the gas mixture radially.

[0020] Optionally, the blower impeller has an upstream side exposed to the gas mixture and a backside located opposite the upstream side with respect to the axis of the upstream side; and the axial bearing is located on the backside of the blower impeller with respect to the axis. It was found that arranging the axial bearing on the backside of the blower impeller is advantageous for mounting it close to the impeller without significantly affecting the gas mixture flow path. Furthermore, this arrangement allows the axial bearing to have a comparatively large surface area perpendicular to the axis, which can result in advantageous bearing characteristics.

[0021] Optionally, the housing has a jacket section that extends at least partially radially outside the inlet-side housing section; and the bearing support component is configured to engage the jacket section radially outside the jacket section in the direction of the axis. This engagement of the jacket section by the bearing support component enables a seal and allows the bearing support component to be aligned relative to the jacket section. In particular, by fully engaging the jacket section, the bearing support component can be aligned perpendicular to the axis, thus allowing the bearing support component, and consequently the second axial bearing support, to be precisely and accurately aligned.

[0022] Optionally, the bearing support component has a recess on one side of its casing; the volute component has an outlet; and the outlet is guided through the recess. This allows the volute formed by the volute component to be directed outwards between the bearing support and the housing, thus exiting the blower. Furthermore, by directing the outlet from the recess to a seal directly around the outlet or volute exit, a seal can be avoided.

[0023] Optionally, the housing features a sleeve section with a radial bearing, arranged at least partially radially outside the inlet-side housing part; and the volute component has a circumferentially arranged centering section for centering the volute component relative to the sleeve section. It was recognized that the volute component is crucial for the alignment of the thrust bearing, and the sleeve section is crucial for the arrangement of the radial bearing. By mounting the thrust bearing carrier to the volute component and the centering section of the sleeve section, reliable radial alignment of the motor shaft can be achieved, with only one mechanical interface between the radial bearing and the thrust bearing.

[0024] Optionally, the centering section is arranged radially between a centering surface of the shell part and a shell side of the bearing support component. This allows for a compact design. Furthermore, it enables the bearing support component to be radially aligned relative to the shell part, as the bearing support component can encompass the centering section and / or the entire volute component.

[0025] Optionally, the blower has at least one sealing element; and this at least one sealing element is arranged between the bearing support component and the volute component and / or the at least one sealing element is arranged between the volute component and a shell part of the housing. It was recognized that mechanical interfaces requiring sealing may exist between the bearing support component and the volute component and between the volute component and the shell part. Sealing by means of the sealing element(s) can prevent the escape of the gas mixture and / or unwanted moisture transport from the gas mixture.

[0026] Optionally, the thrust bearing carrier, the volute component, the inlet-side housing part, and a housing shell section are designed for pre-assembly into a single unit. In other words, this allows the thrust bearing carrier and the volute component to be pre-fixed so that the volute component and thrust bearing carrier can be aligned with the shell section. During assembly, the motor shaft can then be inserted and the associated thrust bearing rotor aligned. The bearing carrier section can then be mounted. Alternatively, a sub-assembly consisting of the volute component with a thrust bearing holder and the thrust bearing components can be pre-assembled. However, in this case, the thrust bearing rotor may be held in a floating position, meaning that any constraint forces during the joining process with the motor shaft are transferred to the thrust bearing. Furthermore, it is only possible to verify the correct thrust bearing clearance by visual inspection.

[0027] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a fuel cell arrangement 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. The blower can be connected via appropriate piping within the fuel cell arrangement to one or more fuel cell modules or fuel cell stacks such that the blower can guide the gas mixture through the anode region of the fuel cell arrangement. The blower can furthermore be connected to a fuel source or fuel storage system 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 piping system within the fuel cell assembly. The blower can be designed to recirculate hydrogen-containing gas within the fuel cell assembly. In particular, the recirculation of the hydrogen-containing gas can be configured for the anode side of the fuel cell assembly. The blower can be controlled as needed via a control unit, which can take into account the operating state of the fuel cell assembly. The fuel cell assembly can also include several blowers of the type described above, which are integrated into the fuel cell assembly via corresponding piping systems.

[0029] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, is provided comprising a fuel cell arrangement as described above. Optionally, the blower and / or the fuel cell arrangement 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 electric vehicle, where the electrical power is generated by the fuel cell assembly and can optionally be supplied to a buffer battery or traction battery. Alternatively, the fuel cell assembly with the blower can be used in a stationary application. The blower can also 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 and its technical effects will become apparent 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 shows a section of an exploded view of a blower;

[0034] Fig. 3 shows a section of a blower according to one aspect of the disclosure;

[0035] Fig. 4 shows a section of a detail of a blower according to one aspect of the disclosure; and

[0036] Fig. 5 shows a perspective detail of a blower according to one aspect of the revelation.

[0037] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 200a, in particular a commercial vehicle 200b, according to one aspect of the disclosure.

[0038] Vehicle 200a, in particular commercial vehicle 200b, is hereinafter referred to as vehicle 200a, 200b. Vehicle 200a, 200b is, for example, a land vehicle or a watercraft.

[0039] The vehicle 200a, 200b comprises a fuel cell assembly 205, an energy storage device 260, and an electric main drive 250. The fuel cell assembly 205 is configured to supply 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 storing 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 propel the vehicle 200a, 200b.

[0040] 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.

[0041] The blower 1 of the present embodiments is used in a fuel cell arrangement 205 in which hydrogen-containing gas 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. More precisely, the hydrogen-containing gas mixture 40 becomes enriched with nitrogen due to the reaction. The composition of the gas mixture 40 is not directly determined by the recirculation blower as such, but can be adjusted by purging, by releasing nitrogen from the gas mixture 40. The blower 1 is configured to supply the anode 208 with the gas mixture 40 and thus with the fuel.

[0042] Several of the blowers 1 described above can be used in the fuel cell assembly 205. Furthermore, the fuel cell assembly 205 generally includes a control unit (not shown) which, among other things, controls the operation of the blower 1. This includes controlling the speed of the blower 1, which allows the blower output to be adjusted. In addition, the operating state of the fuel cell assembly 205 is taken into account to determine whether or not operation of the blower 1 is necessary. If the blower 1 is not operated, the gas mixture 40 can easily pass through the blower 1 due to its design as a media-gap motor.Due to the structure of the blower 1 described above, and in particular a flow guide device 14 or a guide grid 14, it is conceivable that the separation function for separating water from the gas mixture 40 can be achieved by the flow through the blower 1, since the guide grid 14 can impart a swirl to the gas flow.

[0043] The compressor 210 is configured to supply an airflow to the cathode side of the fuel cell stack 206, i.e., to the cathode 207. For this purpose, the compressor 210 is configured to be powered by 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.

[0044] Blower 1 is further described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. Figure 2 illustrates components of Blower 1 according to the Revelation. Figures 3 to 5 show Blower 1 as described in the Revelation.

[0045] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional exploded view of a blower 1. The blower 1 according to Figure 2 is a blower 1 for a fuel cell arrangement 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. The blower 1 according to Figure 2 is shown here for illustration and to describe components of the blower 1 according to the disclosure.

[0046] The blower 1 is designed to recirculate the gas mixture 40 used for operating the fuel cell arrangement 205. For this purpose, the blower 1 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 motor shaft 7 defines an axis A, which corresponds to the axis of rotation of the motor shaft 7. For illustrative purposes only, the axis A is shown parallel to the motor shaft 7. The blower 2 comprises a multi-part housing 2. The housing 2 includes an inlet-side housing part 2a, a bearing support part 2b designed as a volute component 43b, and a shell part 2c. In the assembled state, the inlet-side housing part 2a and the outlet-side housing part 2b are mounted together, and the inlet-side housing part 2a and the shell part 2c are mounted together.The inlet-side housing part 2a is partially arranged radially inside the jacket part 2c and forms an annular channel 10.

[0047] The stator 8 is rotationally fixed to the outer casing 2c. In the present embodiment, the rotor 9 comprises one or more permanent magnet elements 9a (only schematically indicated in Figure 2). When energy is applied, the stator 8 generates a rotating magnetic field, so that the rotor 9 rotates about the axis A together with the motor shaft 7 when energy is applied to the stator 8.

[0048] The rotor 9 is connected to the rotatable motor shaft 7, allowing the rotor 9 to rotate together with the motor shaft 7. The motor shaft 7 is rotatably supported on both sides by radial bearings 11 and 12. The radial bearings 11 and 12 are designed as foil bearings 11' and 12'. The radial bearings 11 and 12 are arranged at opposite ends (not indicated) of the motor shaft 7.

[0049] The blower 1 is designed to convey the gas mixture 40. For this purpose, the blower 1 has an inlet side 41 in the area of ​​the inlet flange 13 and an outlet side 42 in the area of ​​the outlet-side housing part 2b.

[0050] The casing part 2c forms an outer circumference of a main section of the blower 1 and, in the present embodiment, is essentially cylindrical. In the assembled state, the drive motor 7, 8, 9 is arranged radially inside the casing part 2c, comprising the radially outer stator 8, the radially inner rotor 9, and the motor shaft 7 connected to the rotor 9. The casing part 2c has an inlet flange 13 or an inlet pipe.

[0051] The blower 1 has a blower impeller 5 coupled to the motor shaft 7. The blower impeller 5 is rotationally fixed to the motor shaft 7. Rotation of the motor shaft 7 causes rotation of the blower impeller 5. The blower impeller 5 is located on the motor shaft 7. In the assembled state, one end of the motor shaft 7 extends into the outlet-side housing part 2b, and the other end of the motor shaft 7 extends into the inlet-side housing part 2a.

[0052] The blower impeller 5 has an upstream side 5a, which is exposed to the gas mixture 40, and a back side 5b, which is arranged opposite the upstream side 5a with respect to the axis A. The upstream side 5a points towards the inlet side 41 and the back side 5b points in the opposite direction, i.e., towards the outlet-side housing part 2b.

[0053] The blower impeller 5 is designed to convey the gas mixture 40 from the inlet side 41 to the outlet side 42 when the motor shaft 7 rotates. For this purpose, the blower impeller 5 has blades arranged on the upstream side 5a, which are shaped with a predetermined form to achieve a conveying or pumping function. Radially outside the blower impeller 5 is an annular gap that opens to form a volute 43. The gas mixture can flow radially outwards through the annular gap to the volute 43.

[0054] The blower 1 has an annular channel 10 arranged radially between the rotor 9 and the stator 8. In other words, the annular channel 10 is located on the upstream side 5a of the blower impeller 5. The annular channel 10 is provided radially between the stator 8 and the rotor 9. The blower 1 has sealing elements (not shown) for fluidic sealing of the annular channel 10 against the stator 8. A radial inner wall of the annular channel 10 is formed by an outer circumference of the rotor 9. A radial outer wall of the annular channel 10 is formed by a cylindrical outer wall of the inlet-side housing part 2a, which is arranged radially outside the rotor 9 and radially inside the stator 8. The annular channel 10 thus has a cylindrical inner wall and a cylindrical outer wall. The gas mixture 40 can flow between the cylindrical inner wall and the cylindrical outer wall of the annular channel 10.The casing section 2c has a flow guide 14 in the inlet flange 13. The flow guide 14 is explained below. The flow guide 14 is provided in the form of a guide vane 14 on the right-hand section of the inlet flange 13 in Figure 2, i.e., on the inlet side 41. The flow guide 14, or guide vane 14, has an arrangement of guide vanes (not shown) distributed around the circumference of the flow guide 14. Flow can pass through the guide vane 14 via a passage in the direction of the upstream side 5a of the fan impeller 5. The guide vane 14 is integrated with the elements of the inlet flange 13. In particular, the radial outer wall in the inlet area of ​​the inlet flange 13 has the guide vanes of the guide vane 14. The guide vanes are formed in one piece with a tube of the inlet flange 13.This design enables a simplified manufacturing of the inlet flange 13, since the outer tube can be manufactured with the guide vanes of the guide grid 14.

[0055] The blower 1 comprises a thrust bearing 19 with a housing-mounted thrust bearing carrier 19a, a thrust bearing rotor 19b, and a housing-mounted second thrust bearing carrier 19c as components of the thrust bearing 19, and a thrust bearing holder 19d. The thrust bearing rotor 19b is rotationally fixed to the motor shaft 7. The thrust bearing 19 is designed to axially support the motor shaft 7.

[0056] The blower 1 according to the disclosure as shown in Figures 3 to 5 and described with reference thereto differs from the blower 1 in the arrangement and / or design of the axial bearing 19, the volute component 43b and / or the bearing support component 2b. The corresponding distinguishing features are described with reference to Figures 3 to 5.

[0057] Figure 3 shows a section of a blower 1 according to one aspect of the disclosure. The blower 1 according to Figure 3 is a blower 1 for a fuel cell arrangement 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 3 is described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, describing the differences between the blowers 1 of Figures 2 and 3. The blower 1 comprises a housing 2 with an inlet-side housing part 2a (hidden in Figure 3 for clarity, see Figure 4), an outlet-side volute component 43b, a bearing support component 2b, and a jacket part 2c. The inlet-side housing part 2a, the bearing support part 2b and the volute part 43b are each designed to be mounted on the shell part 2c.In another embodiment (not shown), the inlet-side housing part 2a and the jacket part 2c may have different mechanical interfaces.

[0058] The volute component 43b is positioned along axis A between the inlet-side housing part 2a and the bearing support component 2b. This allows the volute component 43b to be mounted to the casing part 2c for the installation of the blower 1, and subsequently the bearing support component 2b can be mounted to the casing part 2c. The bearing support component 2b can be screwed radially to the outside of the volute component 43b and centered relative to the casing part 2c. Alternatively, the volute component 43b could be clamped between the bearing support component 2b and the casing part 2c.

[0059] The bearing support component 2b is also designed as a cover 6 and can close off the housing 1 with a pre-assembled assembly (see description of Figure 4).

[0060] The blower 1 comprises an axial bearing 19 (hidden in Figure 3, see Figure 4) with a housing-fixed axial bearing support 19a, a housing-fixed second axial bearing support 19c and an axial bearing rotor 19b connected to the motor shaft 7 in a rotationally fixed manner for supporting the motor shaft 7.

[0061] Figure 4 shows a section of a detail of a blower 1 according to an aspect of the revelation. The blower 1 in Figure 4 is the blower 1 according to Figure 3. Figure 3 is described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0062] The axial bearing carrier 19a is held on the volute component 43b. This eliminates the need for an axial bearing holder 19d (see Figure 2). The second axial bearing carrier 19c is held on the bearing support component 2b. In the assembled state, the axial bearing rotor 19b is located between the axial bearing carrier 19a and the second axial bearing carrier 19c, thus axially supporting the motor shaft 7.

[0063] The volute component 43b has a circumferentially arranged centering section 43d for centering the volute component 43b relative to the shell part 2c. The centering section 43d is a radially outer section of the volute component 43b. The centering section 43d is a section of the volute component 43b that axially encompasses the shell part 2c. The centering section 43d is arranged radially between a centering surface 2ca of the shell part 2c and the shell side 2ba. The centering surface 2ca is a surface of the shell part 2c and thus defines a circumference of the shell part 2c. This allows the volute component 43b to be reliably aligned relative to the shell part 2c by bringing the centering section 43d circumferentially into contact with the centering surface 2ca of the shell part 2c. Since the volute component 43b holds the axial bearing support 19a, the axial bearing support 19a can thus be aligned at the same time.

[0064] The bearing support component 2b is designed to radially encompass the outer shell component 2c in the direction of axis A. The bearing support component 2b has a shell side 2ba. The radius of the shell side 2ba is larger than the radius of the shell component 2c. The shell side 2ba is dimensioned along axis A such that it encompasses both the volute component 43b and the shell component 2c.

[0065] The axial bearing 19 is located on the rear side 5b of the blower impeller 5 with respect to axis A. In other words, the volute component 43b with the axial bearing support 19a, the axial bearing rotor 19b, and the bearing support component 2b with the second axial bearing support 19c are located on the rear side 5b of the blower impeller 5, or in an impeller backspace defined by the blower impeller 5. The volute component 43b has a surface (not shown) facing the blower impeller 5, the contour of which corresponds to the contour of the rear side 5b of the blower impeller 5.

[0066] The axial bearing support 19a, the volute component 43b, the inlet-side housing part 2a and the jacket part 2c are designed to be pre-assembled into a module.The blower 1 can be assembled as follows: The inlet-side housing part 2a is inserted into the casing part 2c, the volute component 43b with the axial bearing carrier 19a is positioned on the casing part 2c, the volute component 43b is centered relative to the casing part 2c, thereby also centering the axial bearing carrier 19a, the motor shaft 7 with the attached axial bearing rotor 19b is inserted through the volute component 43b into the inlet-side housing part 2a or into the casing part 2c, the axial bearing rotor 19b or the motor shaft 7 is aligned with the axial bearing carrier 19a to align the axial bearing rotor 19b, the bearing carrier component 2b with the second axial bearing carrier 19c is mounted, thereby centering the bearing carrier component 2b and thus the second axial bearing carrier. 19c.

[0067] The blower 1 has at least one sealing element 20 (shown schematically in Figure 4). This at least one sealing element 20 is arranged between the bearing support component 2b and the volute component 43b (see sealing elements 20 indicated by boxes). The sealing element 20 can be coaxial. A corresponding arrangement of the sealing element 20 can improve the utilization of radial installation space for the volute 43. The at least one sealing element 20 is arranged between the volute component 43b and the casing part 2c of the housing 2 (see sealing element 20 indicated by a circle).

[0068] With appropriate dimensioning of the flow guide device 14, it can be achieved that liquid components from the gas mixture 40 can be separated onto the outer wall of the annular channel 10. The liquid components can be separated via a water separation channel 16 provided only on the inlet-side housing part 2a.

[0069] Figure 5 shows a perspective detail of a blower 1 according to an aspect of the Revelation. The blower 1 in Figure 5 is the same as the blower 1 shown in Figures 3 and 4. Figure 5 is described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0070] The outer surface 2ba of the bearing support component 2b has a recess 2bb. The volute component 43b has an outlet 43c through which the gas mixture 40 can exit the blower 1. The outlet 43c is guided through the recess 2bb.

[0071] Reference mark (part of the description)

[0072] 1 blower

[0073] 2 cases

[0074] 2a Inlet-side housing part

[0075] 2b Bearing support component

[0076] 2ba Coat side

[0077] 2bb Exclusion

[0078] 2c Sheath part

[0079] 2ca centering surface

[0080] 5 Blower impeller

[0081] 5a Inflow side

[0082] 5b reverse

[0083] 6 lids

[0084] 7 Motor shaft

[0085] 8 Stator

[0086] 9 Rotor

[0087] 9a Permanent magnet element

[0088] 10 Ring channel

[0089] 11 radial bearings

[0090] 1 T foil storage

[0091] 12 radial bearings

[0092] 12' foil storage

[0093] 13 Entry flange

[0094] 14 Flow guidance device, guide grid

[0095] 16 Water separator channel

[0096] 19 axial bearings

[0097] 19a Axial bearing support

[0098] 19b Axial bearing rotor

[0099] 19c second axial bearing support

[0100] 19d Axial bearing holder

[0101] 20 sealing elements

[0102] 40 Gas mixture 1 Inlet side 2 Outlet side 3 Volute

[0103] 43b Volute component

[0104] 43c outlet

[0105] 43d Centering section

[0106] 46 Fuel

[0107] 47 anode-side exhaust air

[0108] 48 Liquid

[0109] 65 electrical energy

[0110] 200a vehicle

[0111] 200b commercial vehicle

[0112] 204 Fuel cell system

[0113] 205 Fuel cell arrangement

[0114] 206 fuel cell stacks

[0115] 207 Cathode

[0116] 208 Anode

[0117] 240 supply air

[0118] 245 Exhaust air

[0119] 250 main drive

[0120] 260 Energy storage device

[0121] Axis

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 the operation of the fuel cell arrangement (205) comprises a drive motor (7, 8, 9) with a motor shaft (7) defining an axis (A), a rotor (9) coupled to the motor shaft (7) and a stator (8) arranged radially outside the rotor (9); - the blower (1) has a blower impeller (5) coupled to the motor shaft (7), wherein the blower impeller (5) is designed to convey the gas mixture (40) when the motor shaft (7) rotates; - the blower (1) comprises an axial bearing (19) with a housing-fixed axial bearing support (19a), a housing-fixed second axial bearing support (19c) and an axial bearing rotor (19b) connected to the motor shaft (7) in a rotationally fixed manner for supporting the motor shaft (7); - the blower (1) comprises a housing (2) with an inlet-side housing part (2a), an outlet-side volute component (43b) and a bearing support component (2b); - the volute component (43b) is arranged in the direction of the axis (A) between the inlet-side housing part (2a) and the bearing support component (2b); - the axial bearing support (19a) is held on the volute component (43b); and - the second axial bearing support (19c) is held on the bearing support component (2b).

2. Blower (1) according to claim 1, wherein - the blower impeller (5) has an upstream side (5a) accessible to the gas mixture (40) and a back side (5b) arranged opposite the upstream side (5a) with respect to the axis (A); and - the axial bearing (19) is arranged with respect to the axis (A) on the rear side (5b) of the blower impeller (5).

3. Blower (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein - the housing (2) has a jacket part (2c) arranged at least partially radially outside the inlet-side housing part (2a); and - the bearing support component (2b) is designed to radially encompass the shell part (2c) outside the shell part (2c) in the direction of the axis (A).

4. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the bearing support component (2b) has a shell side (2ba) with a recess (2bb); - the volute component (43b) has an outlet (43c); and - the outlet (43c) is led through the recess (2bb).

5. Blower (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein - the housing (2) has a shell part (2c) arranged at least partially radially outside the inlet-side housing part (2a) with a radial bearing (12); and - the volute component (43b) has a circumferentially arranged centering section (43d) for centering the volute component (43b) relative to the shell part (2c).

6. Blower (1) according to claim 5, wherein the centering section (43d) is arranged in a radial direction between a centering surface (2ca) of the shell part (2c) and a shell side (2ba) of the bearing support component (2b).

7. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the blower (1) has at least one sealing element (20); and - that at least one sealing element (20) is arranged between the bearing support component (2b) and the volute component (43b) and / or that at least one sealing element (20) is arranged between the volute component (43b) and a shell part (2c) of the housing (2).

8. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the axial bearing support (19a), the volute component (43b), the inlet-side housing part (2a) and a jacket part (2c) of the housing (2) are arranged to be pre-assembled into an assembly.

9. Fuel cell arrangement (205) for a vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b), comprising a fuel cell stack (206) that 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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