Fuel Cell Gas Liquid Separator Direct Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fuel cell systems have a large number of component parts due to the coupling of inlet pipes and gas liquid separators via circulation pipes, resulting in a large size disadvantage.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system design where the gas liquid separator is directly coupled to the lower portion of the inlet pipe, eliminating the need for a circulation channel and reducing the number of components, with a connection channel formed between the gas liquid separator and the inlet pipe to facilitate fuel exhaust gas discharge and separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inlet pipe and gas liquid separator are coupled via a circulation pipe, then the system can perform gas liquid separation, but the number of component parts increases and the system size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The gas liquid separator is directly coupled to the lower portion of the inlet pipe, merging two previously separate components (inlet pipe and gas liquid separator) into an integrated assembly. This eliminates the circulation pipe connection and reduces the total number of component parts while maintaining the gas liquid separation function.
2Reliability
If the inlet pipe and gas liquid separator are coupled via a circulation pipe, then the system can perform gas liquid separation, but the system size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
By directly coupling the gas liquid separator to the inlet pipe, the patent eliminates the need for a separate circulation pipe, thereby reducing the overall volume and size of the system while preserving the essential gas liquid separation functionality.
3Device complexity
If the gas liquid separator is directly coupled to the inlet pipe, then the number of component parts is reduced, but the connection structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connection channel is formed within the coupling structure itself, nesting the connection function inside the coupling mechanism. This allows the gas liquid separator to be directly coupled to the inlet pipe through an integrated connection structure that reduces component count while managing manufacturing complexity.
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 design reduces the number of components and achieves size reduction by eliminating the need for a circulation pipe, while ensuring efficient gas liquid separation and fuel exhaust gas management, thereby simplifying the system structure and preventing water entry into the fuel cell stack.
Implementation Method 1
a gas liquid separator configured to perform gas liquid separation in a fuel exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system includes an inlet pipe configured to guide a fuel gas injected from an injector to a fuel cell stack, and a gas liquid separator configured to perform gas liquid separation of a fuel exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack. The gas liquid separator is directly coupled to a lower portion of the inlet pipe. A connection channel configured to connect the inside of the gas liquid separator and a channel in the inlet pipe together is formed in a part coupling the gas liquid separator and the inlet pipe together.