GB2548381A - A louvre blade assembly - Google Patents
A louvre blade assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2548381A GB2548381A GB1604481.0A GB201604481A GB2548381A GB 2548381 A GB2548381 A GB 2548381A GB 201604481 A GB201604481 A GB 201604481A GB 2548381 A GB2548381 A GB 2548381A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- louvre blade
- sealing
- sealing element
- louvre
- blade assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
- H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04223—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
- H01M8/04231—Purging of the reactants
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K11/00—Arrangement in connection with cooling of propulsion units
- B60K11/08—Air inlets for cooling; Shutters or blinds therefor
- B60K11/085—Air inlets for cooling; Shutters or blinds therefor with adjustable shutters or blinds
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
- F16K1/00—Lift valves or globe valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces
- F16K1/16—Lift valves or globe valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces with pivoted closure-members
- F16K1/165—Lift valves or globe valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces with pivoted closure-members with a plurality of closure members
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
- H01M8/04201—Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
- H01M8/04746—Pressure; Flow
- H01M8/04753—Pressure; Flow of fuel cell reactants
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
- H01M8/2484—Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by external manifolds
- H01M8/2485—Arrangements for sealing external manifolds; Arrangements for mounting external manifolds around a stack
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/08—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates
- F24F13/10—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates movable, e.g. dampers
- F24F13/14—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates movable, e.g. dampers built up of tilting members, e.g. louvre
- F24F13/1406—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates movable, e.g. dampers built up of tilting members, e.g. louvre characterised by sealing means
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/08—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates
- F24F13/10—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates movable, e.g. dampers
- F24F13/14—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates movable, e.g. dampers built up of tilting members, e.g. louvre
- F24F13/15—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates movable, e.g. dampers built up of tilting members, e.g. louvre with parallel simultaneously tiltable lamellae
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
- H01M8/04014—Heat exchange using gaseous fluids; Heat exchange by combustion of reactants
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/80—Technologies aiming to reduce greenhouse gasses emissions common to all road transportation technologies
- Y02T10/88—Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses
Abstract
A louvre blade assembly comprises a louvre blade 302 and a sealing element 304 extending along a leading face of the louvre blade, wherein the sealing element is positioned to engage with and seal against a sealing-surface 330 when the louvre blade assembly is closed. The sealing element 304 comprises a flexible open or hollow profile that is flattenable when sealing against the sealing-surface 330. A louvre assembly comprising one of more of these louvre blade assemblies is also claimed. Preferably, the louvre assembly comprises a plurality of parallel blade assemblies with a common opening and closing mechanism (104, 105; Figs 1a, 1b), and the louvre assembly may be located in a fluid flow path of a fuel cell stack. This arrangement is particularly useful for purging reactants from the fuel cell to effect conditioning of the fuel cell stack, by stack pulsing or fan pulsing.
Description
A Louvre Blade Assembly
The present disclosure relates to louvre blade assemblies, and in particular to louvre blade assemblies having sealing elements.
Conventional electrochemical fuel cells convert fuel and oxidant into electrical energy and a reaction product. A common type of electrochemical fuel cell comprises a membrane electrode assembly (MBA), which includes a polymeric ion (proton) transfer membrane between an anode flow path or gas diffusion structure and a cathode flow path or gas diffusion structure. The fuel, such as hydrogen, and the oxidant, such as oxygen from air, are passed over respective sides of the MEA to generate electrical energy and water as the reaction product. A stack may be formed comprising a number of such fuel cells arranged with separate anode and cathode fluid flow paths. Such a stack is typically in the form of a block comprising numerous individual fuel cell plates held together by end plates at either end of the stack. It is important that the polymeric ion transfer membrane remains hydrated for efficient operation. It is also important that the temperature of the stack is controlled. Thus, coolant may be supplied to the stack for cooling and/or hydration. It may be necessary at particular times or periodically to purge the flow paths or gas diffusion structures of the fuel cell of coolant, contaminants, or reaction by-products using a purge gas. The purge gas, which may comprise the fuel (hydrogen for example), may be flowed through the anode flow path to purge the fuel cell.
In air cooled fuel cell systems, one technique for conditioning fuel cell stacks comprises 'stack pulsing' or 'fan pulsing', in which air flow to the cathodes of the fuel cell stack is periodically shut off or significantly restricted to starve the cathode of oxygen and the stack is discharged at high current through load resistors, such that energy dissipation occurs during this period of air flow restriction.
Air cooled fuel cell stacks can be very sensitive to cathode air flow. A small amount of air movement through a cathode air flow path can still be enough for the stack to produce significant power. The more unwanted air there is, the harder it is to fan pulse. Therefore achieving highly restricted air flow during a fan pulse can be desirable. A fan pulse can fail, for example, when stack louvres configured to block air flow do not operate correctly or fully, or when ram air is forced through the fuel cell at a higher than expected rate (for example past louvres), which may arise from movement of the fuel cell in a vehicle.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a louvre blade assembly having a louvre blade and a sealing element extending along a leading face of the louvre blade, wherein the sealing element is positioned to engage with and seal against a sealing-surface when the louvre blade assembly is closed, wherein the sealing element comprises a flexible open profile that is flattenable when sealing against the sealing-surface.
Such a sealing element can be used to seal louvre blades that have high manufacturing tolerances, without requiring an excessively high compressive force.
The sealing element may comprise a curved open profile, wherein the curve extends away from the plane of the louvre blade.
The sealing element may have a width, which can increase when the sealing element is flattened.
The sealing element may have; an unbiased state, in which the sealing element extends away from the plane of the louvre blade such that the sealing element has a first thickness; and a sealing state, in which sealing element is engaged with the sealing-surface, such that the sealing element has a second thickness. The first thickness may be thicker than the second thickness.
The sealing element may comprise a longitudinally extending free edge that is configured to move in the plane of the louvre blade when the sealing element is flattened.
The sealing element may have a U-shaped profile.
The sealing element may comprise a back-surface that is spaced apart from the louvre blade when the sealing element is in an unbiased state. The back-surface may be configured to be moved towards the louvre blade as the sealing element is flattened.
The sealing element may include one or more of: a body portion for attaching to the louvre blade; a first-sealing-portion that extends from the plane of the louvre blade to an engagement region of the sealing element; and a second-sealing-portion that extends from engagement region of the sealing element towards the plane of the louvre blade.
The sealing element may define an open region between, and underneath, the first-sealing-portion and the second-sealing-portion when the sealing element is unbiased. The first-sealing-portion and / or the second-sealing-portion may be configured to move into the open region when a force is applied to the engagement region.
The first-sealing-portion and the second-sealing-portion may define the flexible open profile.
The louvre blade assembly may further comprise a closed-portion that joins a remote end of the second-sealing-portion to a junction between the first-sealing-portion and the body portion. The sealing element may have a D-shaped profile.
The sealing element may comprise a wiper-sealing-element that extends along a lateral edge of the louvre blade, positioned to engage with and seal against a louvre-housing.
The sealing element may be attached to the louvre blade by a snap-fit attachment mechanism.
The sealing element may include a body portion. The body portion may comprise one or more push fit rivets for engaging with holes in the louvre blade.
The sealing component may comprise an elastomeric material.
The louvre blade assembly may comprise a unitary component. The sealing element may comprise an over-moulding on the louvre blade.
There may be provided a louvre assembly comprising one or more of any louvre blade assembly disclosed herein.
There may be provided a fuel cell stack system comprising; a fluid flow path; and a louvre assembly comprising one or more of any louvre blade assembly disclosed herein. The louvre blade assembly may be located in the fluid flow path, and may be configured to control a flow rate of fluid in the fluid flow path.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1a shows a front view of a louvre assembly;
Figure 1 b shows a back view of the same louvre assembly;
Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a louvre blade assembly that can be used in the louvre assembly of figures 1a and 1b;
Figure 3 shows a cross-section of part of a louvre assembly that includes the louvre blade assemblies of figure 2;
Figure 4a shows a rear view of a louvre assembly that includes a plurality of the louvre blade assemblies shown in figures 2 and 3 mounted within a frame; and
Figure 4b shows a close up view of one end of two of the louvre blade assemblies shown in figure 4a.
One or more examples disclosed herein relate to a louvre blade assembly, which can be used in a fuel cell system to control airflow. The louvre blade assembly can have a sealing element that can accommodate large manufacturing tolerances in components of an associated louvre assembly (including the louvre blades themselves) without requiring large compression forces to achieve an adequate seal. Such high manufacturing tolerances may particularly occur for plastic louvre assemblies.
Figure la shows a front view of a louvre assembly that can be placed in the cathode / air flow path of a fuel cell stack system. Figure 1b shows a back view of the same louvre assembly. In figure la the louvres are open to allow air to flow through the cathode side of the fuel cell stack. In figure 1b the louvres are closed to prevent or reduce air flow through the cathode side of the fuel cell stack. In this way, the louvre shutters can be used to defend the fuel cell stack from unwanted airflow during fan-pulsing, as discussed above.
The louvres are mounted in a frame 101 such that when they are closed, as shown in figure 1 b, they form a seal with each other and the frame 101. As discussed above, sealing inadequacies in the louvre assembly can lead to an inability to fan pulse
In this example, a single driving louvre blade 102 is driven by a motor 104. The other louvres are connected to the driving louvre blade 102 by a linkage 105 such that their motion follows that of the driving louvre blade 102. It will be appreciated that in other examples the louvre blades can be driven in different ways.
Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a louvre blade assembly 200 that can be used in the louvre blade assembly of figures la and 1b. The louvre blade assembly 200 has a louvre blade 202 and a sealing element / gasket 204. The sealing element 204 is attachable to the louvre blade 202 such that it extends along a leading edge / face of the louvre blade 202. As will be discussed with reference to figure 3 below, the backside of the louvre blade 202 as it is shown in figure 2 is the leading face because this is the face that will move towards an adjacent louvre blade when the louvre blade 202 is closed. In this way, the sealing element 204 is positioned to engage with and seal against a sealing-surface (for example an adjacent louvre blade or the housing) when the louvre blade assembly 200 is closed.
The sealing element 204 includes a body portion 206 for attaching to the louvre blade 202. In this example the body portion 206 defines a plane that is parallel to the plane of the louvre blade 202. A plurality of push fit rivets 208 extend from the body portion 206 of the sealing element 204, and are used to attach the sealing element 204 to the louvre blade 202. The louvre blade 202 has a corresponding plurality of holes 210 that receive the push fit rivets 208. In other examples, different snap-fit attachment mechanisms can be used
The sealing element 204 also includes a sealing portion 212 that has a flexible open profile, which is flattenable when sealing against the sealing-surface. In this example the sealing portion is curved and has a U-shaped (open) profile, when considered in lateral cross-section. The open end of the U-shaped profile faces towards the louvre blade 202, and the closed end of the U-shaped profile faces away from the louvre blade 202. Therefore, the closed end of the U-shaped profile faces towards the sealing-surface (not shown in this figure). In this way, a curve of the sealing portion 212 extends away from the plane of the louvre blade 202. The closed end of the U-shaped profile defines an engagement region for contacting the sealing-surface when the louvre blade assembly 200 is closed. As a force is applied to the engagement region by being pressed against the sealing-surface, and the sealing portion 212 is compressed, the sealing portion 212 flattens out such that its width is increased and its height is decreased.
The sealing element 204 can be made from a resilient material, for example an elastomer such as silicone, possibly low friction silicone, so that it returns to its original state when the force is removed from the engagement region. The sealing element 204 can be injection moulded, or can be over-moulded with the louvre blade 202 such that the louvre blade assembly 200 is a unitary / single component. Using an elastomeric sealing element can be advantageous in some examples because it can reduce the likelihood of contaminating the fuel cell stack when compared with compressive felt seals, for example. Felt seals may also not be able to take up the large clearances that may exist for plastic louvre assemblies with large manufacturing tolerances.
Advantageously, the sealing element 204 of figure 2 can be used to seal louvre blades 202 that have high manufacturing tolerances, without requiring an excessively high compressive force. That is, the sealing element 204 can decrease the compressive force required for a given distance of travel. This can be particularly advantageous for plastic louvre blades 202, which may have higher manufacturing tolerances than metal louvre blades. This reduction in compressive force can be particularly evident when the sealing element 204 is compared with compressive gaskets / seals. This can be because the compressive gaskets / seals can require a large compressive force to take up the clearance in the assembly. Furthermore, the length of the seal, when considered over a plurality of louvre blade assemblies, can be relatively long. For such a long seal, which could be required for 16 louvre blades, the necessary compressive force fora compressive seal can be prohibitively large.
In some applications, a plastic louvre blade assembly can be considered better than a metal assembly because it can be lighter weight and less expensive. A yet further advantage of the sealing element 204 of figure 2 is that it does not require an adhesive to fix it to the louvre blade 202. Use of an adhesive can be considered unacceptable in terms of durability in some applications.
Figure 2 also shows a first-lateral-sealing-element 213a and a second-lateral-sealing-element 213b, which will be discussed in detail below with reference to figures 4a and 4b. The lateral-sealing-elements 213a, 213b extend away from the longitudinal extremities of the body portion 206 of the sealing element 204, at positions that are beyond the U-shaped sealing portion 212. The lateral-sealing-elements 213a, 213b are not directly connected to the U-shaped sealing portion 212 such that the portions / elements can move independently of each other. That is, the lateral-sealing-elements 213a, 213b do not restrict the U-shaped sealing portion 212 from flattening out, as discussed above. Similarly, the lateral-sealing-elements 213a, 213b are freely movable, independently of the U-shaped sealing portion 212.
Figure 3 shows a cross-section of part of a louvre assembly that includes the louvre blade assemblies of figure 2. Features of figures 3 that are also shown in figure 2 are given corresponding numbers in the 300 series. A first-lateral-sealing-element 313a is shown behind the U-shaped sealing portion 312. As discussed above with reference to figure 2, since the first-lateral-sealing-element 313a is not directly connected to the U-shaped sealing portion 312, the first-lateral-sealing-element 313a does not obstruct the U-shaped sealing portion 312 when it is flattened out.
In figure 3 the sealing elements 304 are shown attached to the louvre blades 302. More particularly, the push fit rivets 308 of the sealing element 304 are shown engaged with the holes 310 of the louvre blades 302.
The louvre blade assemblies 300 are connected to the frame (not shown) such that they can rotate about pivot points 314 in order to be opened and closed. A direction of rotation that closes the louvre blade assemblies 300 is shown as an arrow with reference 322. The louvre blade assemblies 300 are shown in figure 3 in a position at which an engagement region 328 of the sealing portion 312 of the sealing element 304 is just contacting a sealing-surface 330 of an adjacent louvre blade 302. From this position, as the louvre blade assemblies 300 continue to close, the engagement region 328 of the sealing element 304 applies a force to the sealing-surface 330 of the adjacent louvre blade 302 (as shown by an arrow with reference 324). This force causes the sealing portion 312 to flatten out as discussed below.
The sealing-surface 330 is adjacent to the pivot point 314 of the adjacent louvre blade 302.
In this example, the sealing portion 312 has a free end 320 (the end of the U-shape that is not directly connected to the body portion 306 of the sealing element 304), which defines a longitudinally extending free edge. The free end 320 can move in the plane of the louvre blade 302 when the sealing portion 312 is flattened out. In this way, the width of the sealing portion 312 increases when the sealing portion 312 is flattened, and its height decreases. Using a sealing portion 312 that can be widened in this way can contribute to a lower compression force being required to achieve an acceptable seal. Such a seal can be considered as a sliding seal.
The U-shaped sealing portion 312 has a first-sealing-portion 316 that extends from the body portion 306 to the engagement region 328. In this way, the first-sealing-porlion 316 extends away from the plane of the louvre blade 302 to the engagement region 328. The sealing portion 312 also has a second-sealing-portion 318 that extends from the engagement region 328 back towards the plane of the louvre blade 302. In this way, the U-shape defines an open profile that has an open region between, and underneath, the first-sealing-portion 316 and the second-sealing-portion 318. When the sealing portion 312 is unbiased, the open region can be considered as a cavity into which the first-sealing-portion 316 and / or the second-sealing-portion 318 can be moved as a force is applied to the engagement region 328. Since the sealing region 312 is resilient, when the force is removed the sealing portion 312 returns to its unbiased state.
In this example the second-sealing-portion 318 terminates at the free-end 320 of the sealing portion 312. In the embodiment of figure 3, the free end 320 is substantially aligned with the plane of the leading face of the louvre blade 302, although it will be appreciated that in other embodiments this need not necessarily be the case. When the free-end 320 moves outwards due to the force applied to the engagement region 328, the angle between the first-sealing-portion 316 and the second-sealing-portion 318 reduces. That is, when the sealing region 304 is in an unbiased state, a first angle is defined between the first-sealing-portion 316 and the second-sealing-portion 318. When a force is applied to the engagement region 328, a second angle is defined between the first-sealing-portion 316 and the second-sealing-portion 318, such that the first angle is greater than the second angle.
In this example, the sealing element 312 comprises a back-surface 315 that is spaced apart from the louvre blade 302 when the sealing element 312 is in an unbiased state, and is configured to be moved towards the louvre blade 302 as the sealing element is flattened, due to the application of a force to the engagement region 328.
It will be appreciated from the above description that the sealing element 304 can be said to have an unbiased state, in which at least a part of the sealing element 304 extends away from the plane of the louvre blade 302, such that the sealing element 304 has a first (unbiased) thickness. The sealing element 304 can also be said to have a sealing state, in which it is engaged with a sealing-surface (for example on an adjacent louvre blade assembly), such that it has a second (sealing) thickness, wherein the first thickness is thicker than the second thickness.
Aiso shown in figure 3 is a linkage 305 that connects the louvre blade assemblies 300 together such that they move together as a driving louvre blade is rotated, as discussed above with reference to figure 1.
In other examples, the sealing portion can be D-shaped instead of the U-shaped example shown in figure 3. in such an example, the sealing portion 312 also includes a closed-portion (not shown) that joins the free end 320 of the second-sealing portion 318 to a junction between the first-sealing-portion 316 and the body portion 306. A cavity can be bounded by the first-sealing-portion 316, the second-sealing-portion 318 and the closed-portion, such that a flexible open profile is provided. Again, the flexible open profile is flattenable when the sealing element 312 seals against the sealing-surface 330 in that its thickness can be reduced when a compression force is applied.
Figure 4a shows a rear view of a louvre assembly that includes a plurality of the louvre blade assemblies 400 of figures 2 and 3 mounted within a frame 401. The push fit rivets 408 of the sealing elements are shown on the front-side of the louvre blades 402. Figure 4a shows the first-lateral-sealing-element 413a and the second-lateral-sealing-element 413b at opposite longitudinal ends of the louvre blade assembly 400.
Figure 4b shows a close up view of one end of two of the louvre blade assemblies shown in figure 4a, and shows two first-lateral-sealing-elements 413a. The lateral-sealing-elements may also be referred to as wiper-sealing-elements. The lateral-sealing-elements 413a extend along a lateral edge of the louvre blade 402, and are positioned to form a (wiper) seal against the frame / louvre-housing 401 over at least a portion of the rotating travel of the louvre blade assembly 400. In this way, the first-lateral-sealing-elements 413a seal the edges of the louvre blades 402. The first-lateral-sealing-elements 413a can be especially useful in restricting ram air through the louvre assembly. A louvre assembly that includes one or more of the louvre blade assemblies disclosed herein can be used in a fuel cell stack system. The fuel cell stack system can also include a fluid flow path. The louvre blade assembly can be located in the fluid flow path, such as a cathode airflow path, and is configured to control a flow rate of fluid in the fluid flow path. The louvre blade assembly may be positioned upstream or downstream of a fuel cell stack in the fluid flow path.
The fuel cell stack may be an air-cooled fuel cell stack, which has a cooling flow path that is distinct from an anode flow path and a cathode flow path.
Claims (22)
1. A louvre blade assembly having a louvre blade and a sealing element extending along a leading face of the louvre blade, wherein the sealing element is positioned to engage with and seal against a sealing-surface when the louvre blade assembly is closed, wherein the sealing element comprises a flexible open profile that is flattenable when sealing against the sealing-surface.
2. The louvre blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the sealing element comprises a curved open profile, wherein the curve extends away from the plane of the louvre blade.
3. The louvre blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the sealing element has a width, which is configured to increase when the sealing element is flattened.
4. The louvre blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the sealing element has: an unbiased state, in which the sealing element extends away from the plane of the louvre blade such that the sealing element has a first thickness; and a sealing state, in which sealing element is engaged with the sealing-surface, such that the sealing element has a second thickness, wherein the first thickness is thicker than the second thickness.
5. The louvre blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the sealing element comprises a longitudinally extending free edge that is configured to move in the plane of the louvre blade when the sealing element is flattened.
6. The louvre blade assembly of claim 5, wherein the sealing element has a U-shaped profile.
7. The louvre blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the sealing element comprises a back-surface that is spaced apart from the louvre blade when the sealing element is in an unbiased state, and is configured to be moved towards the louvre blade as the sealing element is flattened.
8. The louvre blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the sealing element includes: a body portion for attaching to the louvre blade; a first-sealing-portion that extends from the plane of the louvre blade to an engagement region of the sealing element; and a second-sealing-portion that extends from engagement region of the sealing element towards the plane of the louvre blade.
9. The louvre blade assembly of claim 8, wherein the sealing element defines an open region between, and underneath, the first-sealing-portion and the second-sealing-portion when the sealing element is unbiased, and wherein the first-sealing-portion and / or the second-sealing-portion are configured to move into the open region when a force is applied to the engagement region.
10. The louvre blade assembly of claim 8, wherein the first-sealing-portion and the second-sealing-portion define the flexible open profile.
11. The louvre blade assembly of claim 9, further comprising a closed-portion that joins a remote end of the second-sealing-portion to a junction between the first-sealing-portion and the body portion.
12. The louvre blade assembly of claim 11, wherein the sealing element has a D-shaped profile.
13. The louvre blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the sealing element comprises a wiper-sealing-element that extends along a lateral edge of the louvre blade, positioned to engage with and seal against a louvre-housing.
14. The louvre blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the sealing element is attached to the louvre blade by a snap-fit attachment mechanism.
15. The louvre blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the sealing element includes a body portion, and wherein the body portion comprises one or more push fit rivets for engaging with holes in the louvre blade.
16. The louvre blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the sealing component comprises an elastomeric material.
17. The louvre blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the louvre blade assembly comprises a unitary component.
18. The louvre blade assembly of claim 17, wherein the sealing element comprises an over-moulding on the louvre blade.
19. A louvre assembly comprising one or more of the louvre blade assemblies of claim 1.
20. A fuel cell stack system comprising: a fluid flow path; and a louvre assembly comprising one or more of the louvre blade assemblies of claim 1, wherein the louvre blade assembly is located in the fluid flow path, and is configured to control a flow rate of fluid in the fluid flow path.
21. A louvre blade assembly substantially as described herein, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
22. A louvre assembly substantially as described herein, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1604481.0A GB2548381A (en) | 2016-03-16 | 2016-03-16 | A louvre blade assembly |
| PCT/GB2017/050708 WO2017158354A1 (en) | 2016-03-16 | 2017-03-15 | A louvre blade assembly with sealing element |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1604481.0A GB2548381A (en) | 2016-03-16 | 2016-03-16 | A louvre blade assembly |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201604481D0 GB201604481D0 (en) | 2016-04-27 |
| GB2548381A true GB2548381A (en) | 2017-09-20 |
Family
ID=55952408
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1604481.0A Withdrawn GB2548381A (en) | 2016-03-16 | 2016-03-16 | A louvre blade assembly |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2548381A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2017158354A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109109654A (en) * | 2018-08-27 | 2019-01-01 | 蔚来汽车有限公司 | Air-inlet grille component and vehicle configured with the air-inlet grille component |
| WO2022248840A1 (en) * | 2021-05-27 | 2022-12-01 | Intelligent Energy Limited | Dynamic airflow control in a fuel cell system |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111086564B (en) * | 2020-01-08 | 2021-05-04 | 上海龙创汽车设计股份有限公司 | Connecting structure of wind scooper and anti-collision beam |
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| EP0598942A1 (en) * | 1992-11-26 | 1994-06-01 | Valeo Klimasysteme GmbH | Air damper for heating and/or air conditioning, particularly for a motor vehicle |
| DE29511492U1 (en) * | 1995-07-15 | 1996-11-14 | Illbruck Gmbh | Ventilation flap |
| DE102011120542A1 (en) * | 2011-12-08 | 2013-06-13 | Daimler Ag | Fuel cell system for providing driving power to vehicle, has flap designed such that flap is opened automatically against weight force and/or spring force switched by air supply device of fuel cell |
| GB2503240A (en) * | 2012-06-20 | 2013-12-25 | Intelligent Energy Ltd | Cooling system for fuel cells |
| GB2533269A (en) * | 2014-12-03 | 2016-06-22 | Intelligent Energy Ltd | Exhaust assembly |
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| US3783768A (en) * | 1971-10-14 | 1974-01-08 | Imp Damper Co Inc | Damper assembly |
| CA979713A (en) * | 1973-07-31 | 1975-12-16 | George I. Cowl | Damper construction |
| US4256143A (en) * | 1978-11-22 | 1981-03-17 | Actionair Equipment Limited | Shut-off damper |
| DE9405211U1 (en) * | 1994-03-28 | 1995-07-27 | Betonbau Gmbh | Installation element for an opening in the outer wall of a building |
| DE10047138B4 (en) * | 2000-09-22 | 2014-07-10 | General Motors Llc ( N. D. Ges. D. Staates Delaware ) | Cooling fan system for a vehicle with fuel cell drive and a method for operating a fuel cell system |
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2016
- 2016-03-16 GB GB1604481.0A patent/GB2548381A/en not_active Withdrawn
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- 2017-03-15 WO PCT/GB2017/050708 patent/WO2017158354A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0598942A1 (en) * | 1992-11-26 | 1994-06-01 | Valeo Klimasysteme GmbH | Air damper for heating and/or air conditioning, particularly for a motor vehicle |
| DE29511492U1 (en) * | 1995-07-15 | 1996-11-14 | Illbruck Gmbh | Ventilation flap |
| DE102011120542A1 (en) * | 2011-12-08 | 2013-06-13 | Daimler Ag | Fuel cell system for providing driving power to vehicle, has flap designed such that flap is opened automatically against weight force and/or spring force switched by air supply device of fuel cell |
| GB2503240A (en) * | 2012-06-20 | 2013-12-25 | Intelligent Energy Ltd | Cooling system for fuel cells |
| GB2533269A (en) * | 2014-12-03 | 2016-06-22 | Intelligent Energy Ltd | Exhaust assembly |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109109654A (en) * | 2018-08-27 | 2019-01-01 | 蔚来汽车有限公司 | Air-inlet grille component and vehicle configured with the air-inlet grille component |
| CN109109654B (en) * | 2018-08-27 | 2022-02-08 | 蔚来(安徽)控股有限公司 | Air inlet grille component and vehicle equipped with same |
| WO2022248840A1 (en) * | 2021-05-27 | 2022-12-01 | Intelligent Energy Limited | Dynamic airflow control in a fuel cell system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2017158354A1 (en) | 2017-09-21 |
| GB201604481D0 (en) | 2016-04-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |