Fuel Cell Heat Exchanger With Integrated Water Channel Wetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cell systems face challenges in effectively guiding and utilizing water produced during the cold combustion process, which limits the efficiency of heat transfer in heat exchangers used in these systems.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design that integrates a water channel within the tube body, allowing water to flow externally and be distributed efficiently, eliminating the need for separate water pipes and enhancing compactness, thereby improving mounting efficiency and reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate water pipes are used to guide water in the heat exchanger, then water guidance is achieved, but mounting effort and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the water channel directly into the tube body structure, merging two previously separate components (water piping system and heat exchanger tubes) into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate water pipes and reduces mounting effort while maintaining the heat exchange function.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate water pipes are used to guide water in the heat exchanger, then water guidance is achieved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the water channel into the tube body reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This simplification of the component count directly reduces production costs while the integrated design maintains effective water guidance functionality.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact heat exchanger design is implemented, then space usage is optimized, but water channel integration becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the water channel and tube body into a single integrated component, the design achieves compact dimensions without requiring additional space for separate piping. The integration is facilitated by forming the water channel as an integral part of the tube body, which simplifies the manufacturing process despite the compact geometry.
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
The integrated water channel design enhances heat transfer efficiency, reduces production costs, and optimizes space usage in fuel cell assemblies, particularly in the motor vehicle industry, by allowing for efficient water distribution and utilization.
Implementation Method 1
A water channel, through which water can flow—fluidically separated from the fluid—is arranged in or on at least one tube body
Implementation Method 2
The at least one opening is arranged in the tube body so that at least one of the tube bodies can be wetted with water, which is guided through the water channel and which escapes from the water channel through the opening
Implementation Method 3
at least one of the tube bodies can be sprinkled with water, which is guided through the water channel and which escapes from the water channel through the opening
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger for a fuel cell is disclosed. The heat exchanger includes at least two tube bodies that are arranged at a distance from one another and are in each case structured so that a fluid can flow through internally and so that air can flow around externally. A water channel, through which water can flow fluidically separated from the fluid, is arranged in or on at least one tube body. At least one opening, via which the water channel communicates fluidically with an external environment of the at least one tube body, is provided on the at least one tube body. The at least one opening is arranged in the at least one tube body so that at least one of the tube bodies can be wetter with water, which is guided through the water channel and escapes the water channel through the at least one opening.