Device for fastening gas-outlet and water-outlet valves

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) having a functional component (11) and having a connecting adapter (12) for connecting the functional component (11) to an electrochemical energy converter, wherein the connecting adapter (12) has an inner ring (14), which bears against the functional component, and an outer ring (15), which is arranged concentrically in relation to the inner ring (14), wherein the functional component (11) has an outer lateral surface (16), wherein the outer ring has an inner lateral surface (17), wherein the inner lateral surface (17) is arranged at a distance from the outer lateral surface (16), thereby forming an interspace (18), wherein, in order to create the clamping connection between the functional component (11) and the outer ring (15), the inner ring (14) is clamped into the interspace (18).

Description

[0001] R. 405189

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Description

[0004] title

[0005] Fastenings for gas and water drain valves

[0006] The invention relates to a device with a functional component and with a connecting adapter for connecting the functional component to an electrochemical energy converter with the features of independent claim 1, and to a system comprising the device and an electrochemical energy converter with the features of independent claim 9.

[0007] To connect functional components, such as valves, to an electrochemical energy converter, the functional components are equipped with a flange or similar design. The valves are attached to the respective electrochemical energy converter using the flange and screws to ensure a secure connection and proper function of the component.

[0008] The choice of functional component, and consequently its size and shape, is determined by the available installation space at the respective connection point on the electrochemical energy converter and the requirements profile for the functional component. This limits the flexibility in selecting the functional component and increases costs. Furthermore, handling and assembly are difficult due to the connection points and flange size.

[0009] The invention relates to a device with the features of independent claim 1 and to a system with the features of independent claim 9. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details related to R. 405189 apply.

[0010] - 2 - the device described according to the invention, of course also in connection with the system according to the invention and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, mutual reference is always made or can be made.

[0011] A first aspect of the invention is a device comprising a functional component and a connecting adapter for linking the functional component to an electrochemical energy converter, wherein the connecting adapter has an inner ring adjacent to the functional component and an outer ring arranged concentrically to the inner ring. The functional component has an outer surface and the outer ring has an inner surface, the inner surface being spaced apart from the outer surface, forming a gap. The inner ring is clamped into this gap to create the clamping connection between the functional component and the outer ring.

[0012] The gap between the outer surface of the functional component and the inner surface of the outer ring has a circumferential profile, allowing for particularly easy and position-independent clamping of the inner ring into the gap. The clamping connection is especially easy to create when the functional component is cylindrical.

[0013] The connection adapter is particularly versatile. The connection to the electrochemical energy converter is achieved solely via the outer ring. Since the clamping connection is created by inserting the inner ring into the space between the two rings, the functional components to be connected to the outer ring of the connection adapter can have different outer diameters. When selecting functional components, it is no longer necessary to ensure they have a specific size for connection to an electrochemical energy converter, as the inner ring and its size can be selected based on the functional component. The inner ring is therefore selectable and interchangeable depending on the outer diameter of the functional component. This increases flexibility in component selection. At the same time, costs can be reduced, as the connection points to the R. 405189 are no longer dependent on specific dimensions.

[0014] - 3 -

[0015] Functional components must be provided. Since cylindrical or essentially cylindrical functional components can now be used, handling and assembly are simplified.

[0016] Within the scope of the invention, it can be advantageous that an inner ring outer surface of the inner ring and an inner surface of the outer ring are conically conical and overlapping.

[0017] For this purpose, both the inner surface of the outer ring and the inner ring's surface have a conical shape, meaning that their diameters change uniformly over a certain height. To allow for a conical transition, the inner surface of the outer ring and the inner ring's surface must have the same taper; their diameter changes must therefore follow the same pattern.

[0018] This conical interlocking design creates a simple and secure clamping connection. Due to the conicity, the inner ring is more easily clamped into the gap, and the clamping connection cannot self-release. For a secure clamping connection, only the generation of the required clamping force is necessary. This can be achieved, depending on the outer diameter of the functional component, with an overlap of the inner ring and outer ring of at least 25%, preferably at least 30%, and more preferably at least 50%.

[0019] Within the scope of the invention, it is conceivable that the inner ring of the connecting adapter is a flux disc, wherein the flux disc has a flexible area for clamping into the gap.

[0020] This is particularly advantageous when a magnetic flux is transmitted. The flux disc can have tabs for positioning in the outer ring. These tabs ensure the separation of the flux disc's mounting from the magnetic circuit, such as that generated in the functional component. This ensures that a tightening force does not impede the magnetic circuit of the functional component. R. 405189

[0021] - 4 -

[0022] Within the scope of the invention, it may be provided that the outer ring has at least one fastening element, wherein the at least one fastening element is designed for connecting the connecting adapter to the electrochemical energy converter.

[0023] The at least one fastening element is designed to connect the device to the mounting points provided on the electrochemical energy converter. This simplifies the assembly of the device and, above all, the functional components on the electrochemical energy converter.

[0024] It is also conceivable that the fastening element is a clip element or a thread and / or an opening.

[0025] This simplifies the assembly and handling of the device. The clip element allows for easy clipping onto corresponding counterparts on the electrochemical energy converter. A clip connection can be quickly established and released. The opening could be a through-hole with or without a thread, allowing for screwing in or receiving a bolt for connection to the electrochemical energy converter.

[0026] It is also conceivable that the inner ring is slotted, wherein the inner ring slot corresponds to less than 25%, preferably less than 15%, further preferably less than 10%, of the mean circumference of the inner ring.

[0027] This means that the inner ring has a circumference of at least 270°, preferably at least 306°, and more preferably at least 324°. It is also possible for the inner ring to have a circumference of 359°. This condition refers to the inner ring before it is pressed in.

[0028] A slotted inner ring increases flexibility in generating the clamping force by pressing the inner ring into the gap. The diameter of the slotted inner ring can be easily adjusted. R. 405189

[0029] - 5 - adjust the outer diameter of the functional component to generate the clamping force.

[0030] Furthermore, a slotted inner ring allows for the integration of a functional component that has electrical interfaces, particularly sensor interfaces, in the connection area. This enables the use of more compact functional components, or functional components with various applications, or with a larger number of sensors or similar components.

[0031] Within the scope of the invention, it is optionally possible for the outer ring to be slotted, wherein the outer ring slot corresponds to less than 25%, preferably less than 15%, further preferably less than 10%, of a mean circumference of the outer ring.

[0032] This means that the outer ring has a circumference of at least 270°, preferably at least 306°, and more preferably at least 324°. It is also possible for the outer ring to have a circumference of 359°.

[0033] A slotted outer ring enables a type of bridge design, allowing connections to be made even in areas with electrical interfaces. This makes it possible to create connections in confined spaces and increases the design flexibility of the electrochemical energy converter.

[0034] Furthermore, it may be provided within the scope of the invention that the functional component is a valve, in particular a magnetic valve.

[0035] For valves, it is particularly advantageous to connect them using a connecting adapter. Flanges are no longer required for valves, allowing the use of more cost-effective valves and reducing the manufacturing costs of the valve bodies.

[0036] A second aspect is a system according to the invention comprising an electrochemical energy converter and a device as described above, R. 405189

[0037] - 6 - wherein the device is attached to the electrochemical energy converter by means of its connecting adapter.

[0038] This provides a particularly simple and secure connection of the device to the electrochemical energy converter. This enables the connection of a wide variety of functional components to the connection points provided on the electrochemical energy converter, as the direct connection is made via the outer ring of the connection adapter.

[0039] With regard to the system, it is conceivable that the electrochemical energy converter is a fuel cell or an electrolyzer.

[0040] The device can, for example, be connected to a water separator or a water separation container of the fuel cell or electrolyzer. The device's connection adapter provides a safe and simple way to mount a functional component to the fuel cell or electrolyzer.

[0041] The advantages that have been described in detail with regard to the device with a functional component and with a connecting adapter for connecting the functional component to an electrochemical energy converter according to the first aspect of the invention also apply to the system according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0042] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which several embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. The invention is illustrated in the following figures:

[0043] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a device in sectional view; R. 405189

[0044] - 7 -

[0045] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a connecting adapter of the device;

[0046] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a system.

[0047] Figure 1 shows the device 10 with a functional component 11 and a connecting adapter 12 for connecting the functional component 11 to an electrochemical energy converter 13. The functional component 11 is a magnetic valve 27. The connecting adapter 12 has an inner ring 14 adjacent to the functional component and an outer ring 15 arranged concentrically to the inner ring 14. The functional component 11 has an outer surface 16, and the outer ring 15 has an inner surface 17. The inner surface 17 is spaced apart from the outer surface 16, forming a gap 18, and the inner ring 14 is clamped in this gap 18 to create the clamping connection between the functional component 11 and the outer ring 15.

[0048] To create the clamping connection, the inner ring outer surface 19 of the inner ring 14 and the inner surface 17 of the outer ring 15 are conically conical and overlapping.

[0049] The outer ring 15 has at least one fastening element 22. The fastening element 22 is designed for connecting the connecting adapter 12 to the electrochemical energy converter 13. In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the fastening element 22 is an opening without threads. However, a clip element or a thread would also be conceivable here.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 3, the inner ring 14 is slotted, with the inner ring slot 23 corresponding to less than 15% of the mean circumference 24 of the inner ring 14. The outer ring 15 is also slotted in Fig. 3. The outer ring slot 25 corresponds to less than 15% of the mean circumference 26 of the outer ring 15.

[0051] A special form of a connecting adapter 12 is shown in Fig. 2. The inner ring 14 of the connecting adapter 12 is a flux disc 20, R. 405189

[0052] - 8 - wherein the flux disc 20 has a flexible area 21 for clamping into the space 18. For positioning the flux disc 20 in the outer ring, the flux disc 20 has tabs 32 which are inserted into corresponding recesses in the outer ring.

[0053] In Fig. 3, the system 28 comprises an electrochemical energy converter 13 and a device 10, as shown in Fig. 1, wherein the device 10, i.e. the functional component 11, is attached to the electrochemical energy converter 13 by means of the connecting adapter 12 with a screw 31.

[0054] The electrochemical energy converter 13 can be a fuel cell 29 or an electrolyzer 30.

Claims

R. 405189 - 9 - Claims 1. Device (10) with a functional component (11) and with a Connection adapter (12) for connecting the functional component (11) to an electrochemical energy converter (13), wherein the connection adapter (12) has an inner ring (14) adjacent to the functional component and an outer ring (15) arranged concentrically to the inner ring (14), and wherein the functional component (11) has an outer shell surface (16), wherein the outer ring has an inner shell surface (17), wherein the inner shell surface (17) is arranged spaced apart from the outer shell surface (16) to form an intermediate space (18), and wherein the inner ring (14) is clamped into the intermediate space (18) to create the clamping connection between the functional component (11) and the outer ring (15).

2. Device (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that an inner ring outer surface (19) of the inner ring (14) and an inner surface (17) of the outer ring (15) are conically conical and converging.

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner ring (14) of the connecting adapter (12) is a flux disc (20), wherein the flux disc (20) has a flexible area (21) for clamping into the space (18).

4. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer ring (15) has at least one fastening element (22), wherein the fastening element (22) is for connecting the R. 405189 - 10 - The connection adapter (12) is designed to connect to the electrochemical energy converter (13).

5. Device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the fastening element (22) is a clip element or a thread and / or an opening.

6. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner ring (14) is slotted, wherein the inner ring slot (23) corresponds to less than 25%, preferably less than 15%, further preferably less than 10%, of a mean circumference (24) of the inner ring (14).

7. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer ring (15) is slotted, wherein the outer ring slot (25) corresponds to less than 25%, preferably less than 15%, further preferably less than 10%, of a mean circumference (26) of the outer ring (15).

8. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional component (11) is a valve (27), in particular a magnetic valve (27).

9. System (28) comprising an electrochemical energy converter (13) and a device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (10) is attached to the electrochemical energy converter (13) by means of the connecting adapter (12). R. 405189 - 11 - 10. System (28) according to claim 9, characterized in that the electrochemical energy converter (13) is a fuel cell (29) or an electrolyzer (30).

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