Fan for a fuel cell assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a fan (1) for a fuel cell assembly for recirculating a volumetric flow which arises during operation of the fuel cell assembly, the fan comprising: an annular channel (2) having an outer wall (2a) which extends along a channel axis (A) between an annular-channel inlet (2b) and an annular-channel outlet (2c) of the annular channel; a motor shaft (3) which extends through the annular channel; a flow-guiding device (4) which is arranged adjacent to the annular-channel inlet (2b) and is designed to apply a swirl to the incoming volumetric flow; an insert body (6) for arrangement in the annular-channel outlet (2c), the insert body having a tubular portion (6a) which extends along the channel axis toward the annular-channel inlet (2b) and delimits, together with the outer wall (2a), an annular gap for discharging liquid from the annular channel (2), wherein the insert body (6) has a recess (6b), extending around the tubular portion (6a), for guiding liquid particles from the annular gap (7) to a mouth portion (6c) of the insert body (6) in order to discharge liquid particles from the insert body.

Description

[0001] Hanover, September 18, 2024 IP, Jauch, Wachenhausen / Ek SR 304579-DE-NP EM 304579

[0002] Blower for a fuel cell array

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to a blower for a fuel cell arrangement for recirculating a volume flow generated during the operation of the fuel cell arrangement. In particular, the present invention relates to a blower that enables the separation of water from the volume flow. The invention also relates to a fuel cell arrangement with such a blower.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Fuel cells of various designs are used particularly for mobile applications. These fuel cells can use hydrogen as an energy carrier, and there is a need to pump gaseous media. Specifically, fuel cells with an anode section and a cathode section are known, in which hydrogen is recirculated from the anode section. In the prior art, blowers are used for this purpose, designed to pump the required volume flow. The blower can be a pump driven by an electric motor, which can deliver the volume flow according to the requirements and operating points.

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a blower with which the function of the fuel cell can be improved. This object is achieved by the features of the claims.

[0008] Description of the invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, it relates to a blower for a fuel cell arrangement, wherein the blower is designed to recirculate a volume flow generated during the operation of the fuel cell arrangement. The blower has an annular channel with an outer wall extending along a channel axis between an annular channel inlet and an annular channel outlet. A motor shaft extends through the annular channel. Furthermore, the blower has a flow guide device arranged adjacent to the annular channel inlet, configured to impart a swirl to the incoming volume flow, particularly for separating liquid particles on the outer wall. The blower also has an insert body for placement in the annular channel outlet, comprising a pipe section that can extend along the channel axis towards the annular channel inlet.Together with the outer wall, the pipe section can define an annular gap for draining liquid from the annular channel. The insert body has a recess extending around the pipe section for guiding and, in particular, delaying liquid particles from the annular gap towards an outlet section of the insert body, the outlet section serving to drain liquid particles from the insert body.

[0010] Together, the recess and the outlet section of the insert form a collection channel for liquid particles, the design of which influences the blower's separation efficiency. To prevent hydrogen molecules from escaping the flow into the environment, the collection channel typically leads into a closed collection container. During blower operation, a back pressure can build up in the collection container, which can hinder the separation of liquid particles from the flow. The insert can be manufactured separately, allowing for greater flexibility in the geometries of the channel wall and the insert itself. This enables the collection channel to be designed more effectively to slow down the flow of liquid particles.

[0011] The following is an explanation of further training courses that can be advantageously combined with each other unless otherwise indicated.

[0012] In one embodiment, the outer wall can be manufactured by injection molding, whereby the insert body, formed with a plastic, can be overmolded in the area of ​​the annular channel outlet. This allows for greater freedom in the selection of the geometries of the channel wall and the insert body. In another embodiment, the recess can define a fluid channel that can widen in the flow direction towards the outlet section to slow down the liquid particles, and in particular also to slow down any gaseous component in which the liquid particles can be carried.

[0013] In one embodiment, the insertion body can have a substantially hollow cylindrical base body that can extend along a longitudinal axis, as well as an end face. The pipe section can extend beyond the end face.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the outer wall in the area of ​​the annular channel outlet can have at least one chamfer circumferentially around the channel axis to increase the volume of the recess and to delay the liquid particles, in particular also to delay a gaseous component in which the liquid particles can be carried.

[0015] In one embodiment, the recess can be limited by an end surface which can be inclined relative to the front surface in such a way that the recess can widen in the direction of flow towards the outlet section to delay the liquid particles, in particular also to delay a gaseous component in which the liquid particles can be carried.

[0016] Another embodiment may include a settling volume for delaying liquid particles, which may extend into the base body along the longitudinal axis of the base body in the outlet section. The settling volume may be a cavity in the base body, in particular a substantially cylindrical, cuboid, or polygonal cavity.

[0017] In one embodiment, the diameter of the recess, measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, can be as large as the width of the opening section in the same plane.

[0018] Another embodiment may include a drain channel for removing liquid particles, with a drain channel opening located in the outer wall and adjacent to the annular channel outlet, into which the discharge section can open. This embodiment may include a collection container that can be connected to the drain channel.

[0019] In a second aspect, a fuel cell arrangement can include one of the aforementioned blowers as well as an anode arrangement, wherein the blower can be arranged to return the volume flow generated during operation to the anode arrangement.

[0020] Brief description of the characters

[0021] Figure 1 is a partial view of an embodiment of the blower, the insert body of which is overmolded with the outer wall of the annular channel.

[0022] Figure 2 is a partial view of two further embodiments of the blower, whose outer walls are designed differently.

[0023] Figure 3 is a partial view of another embodiment of the blower.

[0024] Figure 4 is a view of one embodiment of the insertion body.

[0025] Figure 5 is another view of the embodiment of the insert body shown on the left in Figure 3.

[0026] Figure 6 is a partial view of an embodiment of the blower.

[0027] Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a fuel cell arrangement with one embodiment of the blower. Detailed description of embodiments

[0028] Figure 1 is a partial view of an embodiment of the blower 1, whose insert body 6 is overmolded with the outer wall 2a of the annular channel 2. The blower 1 for a fuel cell arrangement is designed to recirculate a volume flow generated during the operation of the fuel cell arrangement. The blower 1 has an annular channel 2 with an outer wall 2a extending along a channel axis A between an annular channel inlet 2b and an annular channel outlet 2c of the annular channel 2. A motor shaft 3 extends through the annular channel 2. Furthermore, the blower 1 has a flow guide device (not shown) arranged adjacent to the annular channel inlet 2b, which is configured to impart a swirl to the incoming volume flow, in particular for separating liquid particles on the outer wall 2a.Furthermore, the blower 1 has an insert body 6 for placement in the annular channel outlet 2c, wherein the insert body 6 has a pipe section 6a that can extend along the channel axis A towards the annular channel inlet (not shown). Together with the outer wall 2a, the pipe section 6a defines an annular gap 7 for draining liquid from the annular channel 2. The insert body 6 has a recess 6b extending around the pipe section 6a for guiding and, in particular, delaying liquid particles from the annular gap 7 towards a discharge section 6c of the insert body 6, the discharge section 6c serving to drain liquid particles from the insert body 6. The insert body 6 is overmolded by the outer wall 2a.

[0029] Figure 2 shows a partial view of two further embodiments of the blower 1, whose outer walls 2a are designed differently. Both embodiments differ from the embodiment shown in Figure 1, in particular in that the respective pipe section 6a extends beyond the end face 6d. In the embodiment shown on the left, the outer wall 2a has a chamfer 2d circumferentially around the channel axis A in the area of ​​the annular channel outlet 2c, to increase the volume of the recess 6b and to slow down the liquid particles. In the embodiment shown on the right, the outer wall 2a has a total of two chamfers 2d circumferentially around the channel axis A in the area of ​​the annular channel outlet 2c, to increase the volume of the recess 6b and to slow down the liquid particles. For further details, please refer to the description of Figure 1.

[0030] Figure 3 is a partial view of another embodiment of the blower 1. The embodiments differ from the embodiment shown in Figure 1, in particular by special designs of the outlet section 6c. In the embodiment shown on the left, the diameter of the recess 6b, measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B, is equal to the width of the outlet section 6c in the same plane. This allows the flow to be slowed down more significantly. Together, the recess 6b and the outlet section 6c, especially their side walls, interrupt the rotation of the liquid-laden volume flow, so that the liquid particles can more easily enter a collection container into which the outlet section 6c can open. In the embodiment shown in the middle, a settling volume 6g for slowing down liquid particles in the outlet section 6c extends along the longitudinal axis B into the base body 6f of the insert body 6.In the embodiment shown on the right, the opening section 6c has a rectangular cross-sectional area. For further details, please refer to the description in Figure 1.

[0031] Figure 4 shows a view of one embodiment of the insertion body 6. Compared to the embodiment shown on the right in Figure 3, the recess 6b is bounded by an end surface 6e, which is inclined relative to the front surface 6d such that the recess widens in the flow direction towards the outlet section 6c to slow down the liquid particles. For further details, please refer to the description in Figure 1.

[0032] Figure 5 shows another view of the embodiment of the insert body 6 shown on the left in Figure 3. Measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B, the diameter of the recess 6b is equal to the width of the outlet section 6c in the same plane, as shown by parallel lines. This allows the flow to be slowed down more significantly.

[0033] Figure 6 is a partial view of an embodiment of the blower 1. The embodiment shown on the left corresponds essentially to the embodiment shown on the left in Figure 2. The pipe section 6a extends beyond the end face 6d. The outer wall 2a has a chamfer 2d circumferentially around the channel axis A in the area of ​​the annular channel outlet 2c, to increase the volume of the recess and to slow down the liquid particles. However, the insert body 6 of this embodiment has a settling volume 6g for slowing down liquid particles, which extends along the longitudinal axis B into the base body 6f in the outlet section 6c.

[0034] Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a fuel cell arrangement with an embodiment of the blower 1. The blower 1 is arranged to return a volume flow occurring during operation to an anode arrangement of the fuel cell arrangement.

[0035] Reference symbol (part of the description)

[0036] 1 blower

[0037] 2 Ring channel

[0038] 2a Outer wall

[0039] 2b Ring channel inlet

[0040] 2c Ring channel outlet

[0041] 2D phase

[0042] 3 Motor shaft

[0043] 4 Flow guide device

[0044] 5 Drainage channel

[0045] 5a Drainage channel opening

[0046] 6 Insert bodies

[0047] 6a Pipe section

[0048] 6b Exclusion

[0049] 6c Mouth section

[0050] 6d Front surface

[0051] 6e End surface

[0052] 6f Basic body

[0053] 6g calming volume

[0054] 7 annular gap

[0055] A canal axis

[0056] B Longitudinal axis of the insertion body

Claims

Patent claims 1. Blower (1) for a fuel cell arrangement for recirculating a volume flow generated during the operation of the fuel cell arrangement, the blower comprising: an annular channel (2) with an outer wall (2a) extending along a channel axis (A) between an annular channel inlet (2b) and an annular channel outlet (2c) of the annular channel (2), a motor shaft (3) extending through the annular channel (2), a flow guide device (4) arranged adjacent to the annular channel inlet (2b) and configured to impart a swirl to the incoming volume flow, an insert body (6) for placement in the annular channel outlet (2), comprising a pipe section (6a) extending along the channel axis (A) towards the annular channel inlet (2b) and together with the outer wall (2a) defining an annular gap (7) for draining liquid from the annular channel (7),wherein the insertion body (6) has a recess (6b) extending around the pipe section (&a) for guiding liquid particles from the annular gap (7) to an outlet section (6c) of the insertion body (6) for discharging liquid particles from the insertion body (6).

2. Blower (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the outer wall (2a) is produced by injection molding, wherein the insert body (6) formed with a plastic is overmolded in the area of ​​the annular channel outlet (2c).

3. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (6b) defines a fluid channel which widens in the direction of flow towards the outlet section (6c) to decelerate the liquid particles.

4. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert body (6) has a substantially hollow cylindrical base body (6f) extending along a longitudinal axis (B), and an end face (6d), wherein the pipe section (6a) extends beyond the end face (6d).

5. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer wall (2a) in the area of ​​the annular channel outlet (2c) has at least one chamfer (2d) circumferential around the channel axis (A) to increase the volume of the recess (6b) and to delay the liquid particles.

6. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (6b) is bounded by an end surface (6e) which is inclined relative to the front surface (6d) such that the recess (6a) widens in the direction of flow towards the outlet section (6b) to decelerate the liquid particles.

7. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a settling volume (6g) for delaying liquid particles, which extends in the outlet section (6c) along the longitudinal axis (B) into the base body (6f).

8. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (B), the diameter of the recess (6b) is as large as the width of the outlet section (6c) in the same plane.

9. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a drain channel (5) for removing liquid particles, with a drain channel opening (5a) arranged in the outer wall (2c) and adjacent to the annular channel outlet (2c), into which the outlet section (6c) opens.

10. Fuel cell arrangement with a blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims and with an anode arrangement, wherein the blower (1) is arranged to return the volume flow accruing during operation to the anode arrangement.

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