Fuel Cell Humidifier with Temperature-Sensitive Gap Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell humidifiers face challenges in adjusting the humidification amount of cathode gas effectively across varying temperatures, leading to potential flooding or drying of the electrolyte membrane, and require complex bypass systems to achieve this adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A humidifier with moisture-permeable tubular members and a temperature-sensitive member that deforms to adjust the gap between these members in response to temperature changes, influencing the flow rate and moisture transfer between cathode gas and off-gas, thereby adjusting the humidification amount without external bypass paths or valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a bypass path and bypass valve are provided outside the humidifier to adjust humidification amount, then the humidification control is improved, but the system complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the temperature-sensitive member directly within the humidifier body, merging the temperature sensing function with the humidification control mechanism. This eliminates the need for separate bypass paths and valves outside the humidifier, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining adaptability in humidification control across different temperature conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature-sensitive member automatically adjusts the gap between moisture-permeable members in response to temperature changes, enabling self-regulating humidification control without requiring external bypass valves or complex control systems. The system serves itself by using the temperature signal to directly modulate moisture permeability
2Reliability
If the humidification amount is increased when fuel cell temperature is low, then the electrolyte membrane is prevented from drying, but condensed water generation and flooding occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the moisture-permeable members by adjusting the gap between them based on temperature. When temperature is low, the gap is larger allowing more moisture transfer; when temperature is high, the gap is smaller reducing moisture transfer. This dynamic parameter adjustment prevents both membrane drying and condensed water flooding
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature-sensitive member utilizes thermal expansion and contraction to automatically adjust the gap between moisture-permeable members. As temperature changes, the member expands or contracts, thereby modulating the gap size and controlling moisture permeability to match the fuel cell's temperature-dependent humidity requirements
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the humidification amount is decreased when fuel cell temperature is high, then condensed water generation is prevented, but the electrolyte membrane dries out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the gap parameter between moisture-permeable members in response to temperature. At high temperatures, the gap decreases to limit moisture transfer and prevent condensed water, while at low temperatures, the gap increases to enhance moisture transfer and prevent membrane drying
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature-sensitive member responds to thermal conditions by expanding at high temperatures to reduce the gap between permeable members, thereby controlling moisture transfer to prevent both flooding and drying across the temperature range
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for simple and effective adjustment of cathode gas humidification based on fuel cell temperature, preventing flooding or drying, while eliminating the need for external bypass systems, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the fuel cell system.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensitive member attached to at least one of the moisture permeable members, deformable in response to temperature
Implementation Method 2
moisture permeable members each having a tubular shape
Implementation Method 3
the amount of moisture moving from the cathode off-gas to the cathode gas through the moisture permeable member
Data Source
AI summary
A humidifier includes: moisture permeable members each having a tubular shape; a case housing the moisture permeable members; a first flow path portion in which one of cathode gas to be supplied to a fuel cell and cathode off-gas discharged from the fuel cell flows inside the moisture permeable members; a second flow path portion in which the other of the cathode gas and the cathode off-gas flows outside the moisture permeable members within the case; and a temperature sensitive member attached to at least one of the moisture permeable members, deformable in response to temperature, and deforming so as to decrease a gap between the moisture permeable members as the temperature decreases.