DE102008029178A1 - Fuel cell system for use as mobile energy generator for driving vehicle, has counter-compensation mechanism supported at auxiliary component and/or fluid line on one side and at base on another side for counter-compensation - Google Patents

Abstract

The system (1) has a main component e.g. fuel cell stack (2), and an auxiliary component e.g. anode module (3), mechanically and/or flow-technically connected along a connecting direction (VR) over a fluid line (7). A length-changeable compensation mechanism (8) compensates lengthening and/or a change of position of the fluid line in a compensation direction (KR). A counter-compensation mechanism (9) is supported at the auxiliary component and/or the fluid line on one side and at a base (5) on another side for counter-compensation of the length-changeable compensation mechanism.

Description

The The invention relates to a fuel cell system with a main and a subassembly which is independent on a base are stored from each other, with at least one fluid line, wherein the Main assembly and the subassembly via the fluid line mechanically and / or fluidically along a connection direction are connected, and with at least one variable length Compensation device, which is used to compensate for a length and / or position change of the fluid line in a compensation direction is trained.

Fuel cell systems are mobile energy generators that allow, from a fuel, usually hydrogen, and an oxidant, usually oxygen or ambient air, self-sufficient to generate energy or by converting chemical energy to convert into electrical energy.

in the Everyday use meet such fuel cell systems on strong different environmental conditions, for example Such fuel cell systems both in summer and in winter be ready for use. The changing environmental conditions lead to different extents or tensions for example on the connection lines of the fuel cell systems. reinforced or added to this effect by the changing operating temperatures the fuel cell system, wherein the process gases from the ambient temperature be heated to typically 80 ° C. Furthermore, can production-related tolerances occur, which coincide with the im Summing up the resulting tolerances.

In this context, the document proposes US 2003/0235741 before, flexible metal bellows in one or more lines, which are designed to guide hot gases in the operation of a fuel cell to integrate. The advantage of these bellows is that they are able to absorb thermal dimensional changes and vibrations and protect the connected assemblies from potentially damaging mechanical stresses.

Of the Invention is based on the object, a fuel cell system to propose with a compensation device, which is resistant against tolerance fluctuations and / or thermal dimensional changes in operation.

These Task is by a fuel cell system with the features of claim 1. Preferred or advantageous embodiments The invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the following description and the accompanying figures.

in the The scope of the invention is a fuel cell system, in particular a mobile fuel cell system, proposed in a preferred Embodiment for installation in a vehicle is designed and / or suitable. In this preferred embodiment the fuel cell system is preferably dimensioned to the Vehicle to supply with drive energy.

The Fuel cell system includes at least one main and one subgroup, which are stored independently on a base. The main assembly or subassembly may be any one Module of the fuel cell system to be formed. In a preferred embodiment of the invention is the main assembly as one or more fuel cell stacks and the subassembly is formed as an anode module, which all or part of the following components comprises: recirculation flow machine, Dehumidifying device for dehumidifying the particular recirculated Anode gases and / or valve device (s). It is also in the frame the invention that the fuel cell stack as a subassembly is interpreted and the anode module or another module as Main module is used.

The Base is designed for example as a frame construction, However, it can also be realized as the vehicle itself. Warehousing the main assembly or the subassembly is preferably via vibration damping elements, such as rubber dampers or similar.

The Fuel cell system comprises at least one fluid line, which designed for the management of gases and / or liquids is, with the main assembly and the subassembly on the Fluid line mechanically and / or flow along a connection direction are connected. The connection direction gives the longitudinal extent of the fluid line in the connection area at. In particular, in the fluid line hot process gases, preferably that supplied to the fuel cell stack or transported off hydrogen gas.

To compensate for changes in length and / or position of the fluid line, the fluid line has at least one length-variable compensating device, which is designed and / or arranged to change its length in a compensation direction. After in the fuel cell system submodules, such as the main and secondary modules are interconnected, it is recommended that the particular rigidly formed fluid conduits decoupling elements in Have form of compensation devices.

Indeed In the invention, the danger was recognized that about this Compensation facilities and at the same time a production-related and / or operational inaccurate arrangement of multiple fluid lines, too at deflections, for example by 90 ° or 180 °, unwanted forces in the submodule itself or in the attachment points of the Submodules are initiated at the base.

According to the invention therefore, proposed a counterbalancing device in the fuel cell system installed, which on the one hand on the sub-assembly and / or supported on the fluid line and on the other hand at the base, and which for counter-compensation of the compensation device, in particular for generating a counterforce to that by the compensation device generated force is formed.

Of the Invention is based in particular on the consideration that by introducing a counter-compensation device an unwanted Twisting or tilting, especially the subassembly prevented or at least can be reduced.

at a preferred embodiment of the invention is the Counter compensation device length-variable trained, in a Gegenkompensationsrichtung, wherein the counter-compensation direction parallel to the compensation direction is aligned and / or a common line with the compensation direction forms. In a parallel, but staggered arrangement, is a clear Countercompensation effect achievable, but it can not be ruled out that by the offset tilting moments arise, which then ignored or otherwise be compensated. For this Reason, it is particularly preferred, the counter-compensation direction and to place the compensation direction on a common line.

In a possible clarification of the invention is required that the counter-compensation device of a change in length the compensation device counteracts. The counterbalancing device induces a counterforce to the change in length the compensation device.

at a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is the counter-compensation device over a sound- and / or vibration decoupling element connected to the base. aim the suspension of the fuel cell system in the vehicle is always that in particular high-frequency vibrations are not in the vehicle will be launched. By using a sound and / or Vibration decoupling element is the additional through the counter-compensation device formed sound bridge effectively isolated.

at a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention are compensation direction and the connection direction (and thus also the Gegenkompensationsrichtung) aligned in parallel and / or lie on a common line. This embodiment is based on the idea that just in the connecting section in the connection direction between the main assembly and the subassembly the biggest length changes occur and thus the greatest voltages are induced.

at a supplement or further embodiment of the invention is provided that the compensation direction and the connection direction are arranged angled to each other. This application area leads to less strong Spannungsinduktionen in the area of the compensation device can but also advantageous by counter-compensation devices be compensated.

In Further development of the invention, it is proposed that the compensation device on both sides, each with one of the counter-compensation devices counter-compensated. In the event that the compensation direction and the connecting direction are arranged angled to one another, Both are counterbalancing devices in the subassembly arranged. In the event that the compensation device and the connecting direction are aligned parallel to each other is it is possible that the one counterbalancing device is arranged in the subassembly and the other counterbalancing device in another sub-assembly is arranged so that between the Secondary subassembly and the other subassembly the main assembly is arranged.

A further development or a further invention relates to a fuel cell system with the features of claim 8, which optionally only refers back to the preamble of claim 1 and also optionally any selection of the features of the dependent claims 2 to 7 or the present description may have. The fuel cell system is characterized in that the fluid line in the connecting direction has two compensation devices, which are arranged at a distance from one another. By distributing at least two compensation devices on a straight piece of the fluid line, the compensation devices can also compensate for higher complex deformations. So it is possible, for example, that this arrangement a Can take S-shape.

Especially In this connection it is preferred that at least one of the Compensation facilities designed as or with a floating bearing is, so that they move freely or almost freely in compensation can. With such an arrangement, it is possible to change the position between main assembly and subassembly with respect to a clearance tolerance in the connection direction and an angular offset in one to the connection direction to balance vertically arranged plane.

at a possible embodiment of the invention is the counterbalancing device as passive and / or elasto-, formed mechanical, pneumatic and / or hydraulic component, For example, spring elements can be used, which form a passive compensation element. The springs of the spring elements can do so both as air springs and as others filled with a corresponding medium hydraulic springs or even simple mechanical springs, such. B. coil springs, flat springs or the like.

at a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention on the other hand, it is provided that at least one of the counter-compensation devices is designed as an active actuator. In particular, the counter-compensation device is as an externally controllable and / or actuatable actuators realized.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is the Counter-compensating device as a bellows, in particular as a metal bellows formed. The bellows has in a possible training as a bellows a plurality of folds which are similar like an accordion - can fold.

Especially Preferably, the bellows with the pressure of the fluid in the fluid line acted upon, so that the system pressure used to control the bellows becomes. In particular, the fluid line and the interior of the Bellows fluidly interconnected, so here automatically a pressure equalization takes place. At this Embodiment become the counter-compensation devices automatically by the pressure or temperature differences entrained in the fluid line so that a controlled, However, control technology simpler system is constructed.

Around the force generated by the compensation means and by the counter-compensation device generated opposing force each other it is particularly preferred if the effective area of compensation device and counter-compensation device to each other tuned or are the same, so force and drag are equal in a balanced pressure. alternative For this, the bellows can also by another Medium controlled. For example, it is possible Bellows on the anode side of the fuel cell system with Control gas from the cathode side and vice versa.

Even though the countermeasures are shown individually were, it is the scope of the invention that measures can also be used in combination. In particular, it is possible that each compensation device counter-compensates by one or even two counter-compensation devices becomes.

Further Features, advantages and effects of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments the invention. Showing:

1 a fuel cell system in a schematic representation as a first embodiment of the invention;

2 the fuel cell system in the 1 with an alternative compensation arrangement as a second embodiment of the invention;

3 the fuel cell system of 1 and 2 with a further compensation arrangement as a third embodiment of the invention;

4 the fuel cell system according to the preceding figures in a further embodiment of the compensation arrangement as a fourth embodiment of the invention;

5 a model 3D representation of a fuel cell system in the region of an anode module with a compensation arrangement as a fifth embodiment of the invention;

6 the detail in the 5 with an alternative embodiment of the compensation arrangement as a sixth embodiment of the invention.

each other appropriate parts or sizes are each with provided corresponding reference numerals.

The 1 shows in a highly schematic block diagram of a fuel cell system 1 as a first embodiment of the invention. That in the 1 shown fuel cell system 1 is designed in particular for mobile use in a vehicle for generating the drive energy and / or suitable.

The fuel cell system 1 includes a fuel cell stack 2 as a main assembly and an anode module 3 and a cathode module 4 as subassemblies. The subassemblies 3 . 4 each include the gas supply means for the anode and cathode sides of the fuel cell stack, respectively 2 , The fuel cell stack has a plurality of fuel cells (not shown).

The three assemblies 2 . 3 and 4 are each independently based on one another 5 stored, which may be formed as a frame structure or the vehicle itself. The assemblies 2 . 3 and 4 are about damping devices 6 , such as rubber bumpers, with the base 5 connected to minimize the carryover of vibrations.

The main assembly 2 and the sub-assembly 3 . 4 are over fluid lines 7 connected to each other, wherein in the schematic representation in each case only one fluid line 7 is shown. However, it can also be several fluid lines 7 , in particular for the forward and return of a fluid on each side of the fuel cell stack 2 for connection to the anode module 3 or cathode module 4 are provided. In the fluid lines 7 The anode gases, hydrogen, or the cathode gases, air or oxidant transported. For every fluid line 7 is a connection direction VR defined, which is aligned in the longitudinal extent of the fluid line between the modules.

After due to manufacturing tolerances, environmental influences or thermal expansions, the three modules 2 . 3 and 4 which via the fluid lines 7 are mechanically coupled, move towards each other, facing each fluid line 7 at least one compensation device 8th on. The compensation device 8th is designed and / or suitable to compensate for a change in length in a compensation direction KR.

However, a compensation leads through the compensation devices 8th to that the subassemblies 3 respectively. 4 could be tilted. To compensate for this tilt again, the fuel cell system 1 one or more counter-compensation device 9 on which in the 1 between the anode module 3 and the base 5 in a Gegenkompensationsrichtung GR at the bottom or lower edge of the anode module 3 are arranged such that the compensation direction KR and the counter-compensation direction GR are arranged parallel to each other. By the counter-compensation device 9 is at the occurrence of a tensile or compressive force by the compensation device 8th formed a counterforce, so that the secondary module or the anode module 3 remains stationary and / or untilted at his / her position or neutral position.

In a further embodiment according to the 2 is the counter-compensation device 9 at the top / top of the anode module 3 arranged. In addition, also has the cathode module 4 a corresponding counter-compensation device 9 on which the cathode module 4 against the base 5 supports and in the same way the cathode module 4 stabilized in its position. In the 2 are the counter-compensation devices 9 at the same height as the compensation devices 8th are arranged, wherein the Gegenkompensationsrichtungen GR and the compensation direction KR form a common line. This training is preferred because no additional tilting moments are initiated by the compensation or counter-compensation due to a height offset. The height of the compensation devices 8th or counter-compensation devices 9 does not necessarily have to be at the top of the assemblies 2 . 3 . 4 be arranged, any position, eg. As the middle, is also conceivable.

The counter-compensation devices 9 can in principle be designed as simple elastic elements, for example spring elements. In the 1 and 2 these are just like the compensation devices 8th designed as bellows, in particular stainless steel and / or bellows, wherein in this particular embodiment, the compensation device 8th with the counter-compensating counter-compensating device 9 via a pressure line 14 fluidically connected. Be with the bellows of the compensation device 8th and the counter-compensation device corresponding thereto 9 used the same effective pressure surfaces, so the force and the opposing force can be optimally matched. By the formation of the counter-compensation devices 9 as bellows it is also ensured that they are sufficiently soundproofed or vibration-damped.

The 3 shows a further embodiment, in contrast to the 2 the counter-compensation device 9 not on the anode module 3 but directly on the fluid line 7 attacks. This embodiment is particularly preferred if, as shown, the fluid line 7 in the area of the anode module 3 has a kink.

The 4 illustrates another embodiment of the invention, in which a compensation device 8th with two counter-compensation devices 9 is counter-compensated, whose compensation direction KR is arranged angled to the connection direction VR. These two counter-compensation devices 9 tense the compensator 8th such that it can deflect only symmetrically and consequently no or only a slight tilting or distortion of the subassembly 3 caused.

The 5 shows a schematic three-dimensional representation of an anode module 3 a fuel cell system 1 as a further embodiment of the invention, wherein the anode module 3 a dehumidifier 10 and a gas flow machine 11 for the circulation of the anode gas. In the foreground are two fluid lines 7 2, wherein the upper fluid line is a supply line of the hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack, not shown 2 and the fluid line below 7 represents the derivative of the hydrogen gas. Each of the fluid lines 7 has two compensation devices 8th on, which are arranged clearly spaced from each other. By the use of two spaced compensation devices 8th It is possible, on the one hand compensate for a change in length in the direction X and on the other hand to achieve an angular offset in the plane YZ by the fluid line 7 together with the two associated compensation devices 8th S-shaped forms. In the further course, the fluid lines buckle 7 just off and lead over other compensation facilities 8th , which are optionally provided. Now to a shift of the anode module 3 in the direction of the compensation direction KR, which in this picture the connection direction VR to the fuel cell stack 2 corresponds to compensate, indicates the anode module 3 the counter-compensation device 9 on. The counterbalancing device 9 is in this example by two bellows 12 realized, which on the one hand to the anode module 3 and on the other hand on a coupling element 13 , which at the not shown base 5 be attached. The coupling element 13 is designed in particular as a vibration and / or sound-damping element. Again, the counter-compensation direction GR is aligned parallel to the compensation direction KR. For active counter-compensation is the counter-compensation device 9 via the pressure line 14 with the fluid line 7 connected, which the compensation device 8th carries, which is to be counter-compensated.

The 6 shows the same anode module 3 like in the 5 in the same three-dimensional representation, but with the counter-compensation devices 9 are formed differently. For each compensating device provided with the compensation direction KR parallel to the connection direction VR 8th is on the same axis a counter-compensation device 9 arranged, which directly on the fluid line 7 attacks and turns against the base 5 supported.

For the compensation devices 8th , which are arranged with their compensation direction KR angled to the connection direction VR, are each two counter-compensation devices 9 provided, the counter-compensation directions GR are also in the axis with the compensation direction KR, but these on both sides of the compensation device 8th are arranged. This structural design ensures that when a pressure or voltage change in the fluid line 7 a symmetrical deformation around the center of the compensation device 8th and no asymmetric tilting is achieved. The application of pressure takes place in the counter-compensation devices 9 in the 6 also through pressure lines 14 which the counter-compensation devices 9 with the fluid lines 7 fluidly connect, which the compensation devices 8th wear, which should be counter-compensated.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2003/0235741 [0004]

Claims (13)

Fuel cell system ( 1 ) with a main and a subassembly ( 2 . 3 ), which are based on 5 ) are mounted independently of each other, with at least one fluid line ( 7 ), the main assembly ( 2 ) and the subassembly ( 3 ) via the fluid line ( 7 ) are mechanically and / or fluidically connected along a connection direction (VR), and with at least one length-variable compensation device ( 8th ), which compensate for a change in length and / or position of the fluid line ( 7 ) is formed in a compensation direction (KR), characterized by a counter-compensation device ( 9 ), which on the one hand at the subassembly ( 3 ) and / or the fluid line ( 7 ) and at the base ( 5 ) and which for counter-compensation of the compensation device ( 8th ) is trained. Fuel cell system ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the counter-compensating device ( 9 ) is variable in length in a counter-compensation direction (GR), the counter-compensation direction (GR) being aligned parallel and / or identically to the compensation direction (KR). Fuel cell system ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the counter-compensating device ( 9 ) a change in length of the compensation device ( 8th ) counteracts. Fuel cell system ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the counter-compensating device ( 9 ) via a sound decoupling element ( 13 ) with the base ( 5 ) connected is. Fuel cell system ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compensation direction (KR) and the connection direction (VR) are aligned parallel and / or form a common straight line. Fuel cell system ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compensation direction (KR) and the connecting direction (VR) are arranged at an angle to each other. Fuel cell system ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compensation device ( 8th ) on both sides, each with one of the counter-compensation devices ( 9 ) is counter-compensated. Fuel cell system ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble of claim 1 optionally in conjunction with any feature of the following claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the fluid line ( 7 ) in the connection direction two compensation devices ( 8th ) having. Fuel cell system ( 1 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that one of the compensation devices ( 8th ) is designed as a floating bearing. Fuel cell system ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one counter-compensating device ( 9 ) is designed as a passive and / or elasto-mechanical component. Fuel cell system ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one counter-compensating device ( 9 ) is designed as an actuator operated with external force. Fuel cell system ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the counter-compensating device ( 9 ) is formed as a bellows, which preferably with the pressure of the fluid in the fluid line ( 7 ) is applied. Fuel cell system ( 1 ) according to claim 12, characterized in that the compensation device ( 8th ) is formed as a bellows, wherein the effective cross section of the bellows of the compensation device ( 8th ) is identical to the effective cross section of the bellows of the counterbalancing device.