Fuel Cell Water Controller with Floating Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water controller systems for direct methanol fuel cells face issues with efficient reuse of unreacted methanol solution and carbon dioxide discharge, especially when the system is inclined or shaken, requiring additional units and high pump pressure, and struggle to maintain uniform water and methanol levels.

Innovation Solution

A water controller system with a seal-type case and a hollow-structure floating member that includes a gas exhaust port, a gas/solution inlet port, and an outlet port, connected by flexible pipes, allowing carbon dioxide discharge and methanol solution circulation, with a balance weight and semipermeable membranes to maintain operation and concentration even when inclined.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional water controller system is used, then carbon dioxide discharge and methanol solution circulation are achieved, but the system requires additional units and high pump pressure when inclined, and cannot maintain uniform water and methanol levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation stability when inclinedVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floating member automatically adjusts its position based on water level changes, enabling self-regulation of methanol solution circulation without requiring external control mechanisms or additional units. The system uses the buoyancy force and gravity to automatically maintain proper liquid levels and flow directions even when inclined

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The floating member acts as a counterweight mechanism that balances the system against gravitational effects during inclination. By positioning the floating member at different heights based on water level, it compensates for the effects of inclination and maintains stable operation without requiring additional support units

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Reliability

If additional units and high pump pressure are used, then carbon dioxide discharge and methanol solution circulation are maintained when inclined, but the system complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation stability when inclinedVSAvoidpump pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical pump pressure system with a buoyancy-based automatic circulation system. The floating member uses buoyant force to drive methanol solution circulation and water level regulation, eliminating the need for high pump pressure and reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable operation during inclination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system operates when inclined, then adaptability is improved, but maintaining uniform water and methanol levels becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation under inclinationVSAvoidwater and methanol levels

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The floating member dynamically adjusts its vertical position in response to changes in water level caused by inclination. As the water level rises or falls, the floating member moves accordingly, automatically regulating the methanol solution circulation and maintaining uniform liquid levels regardless of the system's inclination angle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables effective reuse of unreacted methanol solution, maintains uniform water and methanol levels, and operates normally even when the system is inclined, reducing the need for additional units and pump pressure.

Implementation Method 1

a hollow-structure floating member having a methanol solution (methanol and water) partially contained therein, which floats in the seal-type case

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

a flexible inlet pipe, which extends from the inlet port, and a flexible outlet pipe, which extends from the outlet port, are connected to the lower end of the floating member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7767326B2Water controller system having stable structure for direct methanol fuel cell

Publication Date: 2010.08.03 LG CHEM LTD

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a water controller system constructed such that water generated from a cathode of a direct methanol fuel cell system and carbon dioxide and an unreacted methanol solution generated from an anode of the direct methanol fuel cell system are introduced into the water controller system, the carbon dioxide is discharged out of the water controller system, and the methanol solution is circulated to the corresponding electrode so as to reuse the methanol solution. The water controller system includes a specific-structure floating member having a gas exhaust port, a gas/solution inlet port, and an outlet port. The water controller system further includes a flexible inlet pipe, a flexible outlet pipe, and a flexible exhaust pipe, which are connected to the floating member. The water controller system for fuel cells has the effects of reusing an unreacted methanol solution discharged from the fuel cell, being normally operated even when the water controller system is inclined, and uniformly maintaining the amount of water and methanol in the water controller system.