JP2001250576A - Manifold system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manifold system capable of preventing a leakage of condensed water at low temperatures. SOLUTION: When a lower state of a stack temperature, e.g. 40 deg.C or less, as in the case of starting a stack or generating lower power or the like, shape memory alloy boards 25a and 25b are extended through a spring for board materials 23a and 23b and adjusted into positions where an opening area of an exit portion 17 is made smaller. In such a case of high stack temperature as, e.g. 60 deg.C or higher, shape memory alloy board 25a and 25b are changed with its shape transformed into pending direction, causing a pulling power against spring through the board material 23a and 23b and are positioned, where the opening area of the exit portion 17 is made larger.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a manifold device capable of preventing dew condensation water from flowing out.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 12, for example, a manifold device mounted on a single fuel cell stack is known.

[0003] The stack shown in FIG.
1, a supply manifold 103 for supplying fuel gas and a discharge manifold 109 for discharging exhaust air are attached above the end face in the stacking direction, and the supply manifold 103 for supplying air below the end face in the stacking direction. Supply manifold 1
05 and an exhaust manifold 10 for exhaust gas exhaust
7 is attached.

In FIG. 12, fuel gas is introduced from a reformer (not shown) or a humidifier (not shown) via a supply manifold 103, and air is supplied from a humidifier (not shown) to a supply manifold 105. And supplied to the stack 101. Then, in the stack 101, the supplied fuel gas reacts with the air to generate electric power. After that, unreacted fuel gas and air are exhausted from the exhaust manifolds 107 and 109.

As described above, in the manifold device attached to the fuel cell stack 101, for example, when a reformed gas is used as the fuel gas, the reformed gas containing steam generated by the reformer is When using hydrogen gas, hydrogen humidified by a humidifier is used as fuel gas.
The air humidified by the humidifier was directly introduced into the stack 101 via the manifolds 103 and 105 as an oxidizing agent.

[0006]

However, in the conventional manifold device, when the temperature of the stack 101 is lower than the supply gas, for example, at the time of starting, the supply gas is contained in the inner surfaces of the manifolds 103 and 105. It is conceivable that the dew condensation phenomenon occurs due to a decrease in the temperature of the steam to be generated, and the dew condensation water that has turned into water drops flows into the stack 101 as it is, blocking the flow path and causing a decrease in cell voltage.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above,
An object of the present invention is to provide a manifold device that can prevent dew condensation water from flowing out at low temperatures.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In order to solve the above problem, a manifold device for allowing a gas containing water vapor to flow from an inlet to an outlet, and comprising a movable plate that changes an opening area of the outlet according to a temperature of the outlet. I do.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the movable plate has a shape memory alloy plate that reproduces a memory shape in accordance with a temperature change, and a shape memory alloy plate having one end joined to the movable plate. The gist of the present invention is that the memory alloy plate is made of a plate member that can be bent according to a change in shape.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above problems, the movable plate is disposed only below the pipe connected from the inlet to the outlet, and when the temperature of the outlet is low, The gist is to form an upward slope with respect to the gas flow direction.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the movable plate has a tip portion made of a mesh member, and even when the outlet portion is completely closed by the movable plate, the gas flowing therethrough is provided. From the mesh member toward the outlet.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a pipe connected from an inlet to an outlet is provided below the pipe.
The gist is to have a discharge pipe that leads the dew condensation water to the outside.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the gist is that the movable plate is made of a bimetal.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heating device for heating the shape memory alloy plate, and a control device for controlling an amount of heating by the heating device.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a driving system for driving the movable plate, and a control unit for controlling a position of the driving unit.

[0016]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the gas containing water vapor flows from the inlet to the outlet, the opening area of the outlet is changed by the movable plate according to the temperature of the outlet. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the dew condensation water from flowing out at a low temperature.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the movable plate comprises a shape memory alloy plate and a plate member.
Since the shape memory alloy plate is adjusted so as to close the vicinity of the outlet, it is possible to prevent dew condensation water from flowing out.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the movable plate is disposed only on the lower side of the pipe connected from the inlet to the outlet. Since an upward slope is formed in the flow direction, it is possible to prevent dew condensation water from flowing out.

Further, according to the present invention, even when the outlet is completely closed by the movable plate, the inflowing gas flows from the mesh member provided at the tip of the movable plate toward the outlet. As a result, it is possible to prevent the dew water from flowing out and to allow the gas to flow out from the outlet.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the discharge pipe for guiding the dew water to the outside is provided below the pipe connected from the inlet to the outlet, the outlet is provided by the movable plate. The condensed water prevented from flowing out from the discharge pipe can be guided to the outside from the discharge pipe.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the movable plate is made of a bimetal, the opening area of the outlet can be changed according to the temperature of the outlet. Outflow can be prevented.

Further, according to the present invention, by controlling the amount of heating of the shape memory alloy plate, the reproduced state of the memory shape of the shape memory alloy plate is controlled. Thus, the opening area of the outlet can be changed.

According to the present invention, by controlling the position of the movable plate, the opening area of the outlet can be changed by the movable plate if necessary.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows that a manifold device 11 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied to a structure connected to a pipe provided at a fuel cell stack inlet. FIG.

First, referring to FIG.
1 will be described. In addition, the manifold device 11
Since it has a vertically symmetrical shape as in the side sectional view shown in FIG. 1, the configuration of the upper portion will be described except for the case particularly required for simplification.

As shown in FIG. 1, the manifold device 11
Is such that a gas such as a fuel gas containing water vapor flows in from the inlet 13, passes through the internal channel 15, and flows out from the outlet 17. A portion 19a is provided, and an outlet connection portion 21a is provided at an end of the outlet portion 17.

The inlet connecting portion 19a is made of a material having low thermal conductivity, and a plate member 23a made of a thin metal plate such as SUS or a resin plate such as Teflon is provided at one end of the inlet connecting portion 19a in the direction of the inlet portion 13. It is connected.

The outlet connection part 21a is made of a material having high thermal conductivity, and the outlet part 17a of the outlet connection part 21a is formed.
A shape memory alloy plate 25a that reproduces a memory shape in accordance with a change in temperature is connected to one end far from the end.

Further, the plate member 23a and the shape memory alloy plate 2
5a are connected at their ends on the outlet 17 side, and constitute a movable plate 27a in the rectangular internal flow path 15.

Since the movable plate 27a transmits heat near the outlet 17 to the shape memory alloy plate 25a via the outlet connection 21a, the shape memory alloy plate 25a has a memory shape in accordance with the temperature state of the outlet 17. Is reproduced to change the shape, and the plate member 23a joined at the end is curved. As a result, the ends of the movable plates 27a and 27b change the opening area of the outlet 17.

The manifold device 11 shown in FIG.
Indicates a state where the vicinity of the outlet 17 is in a low temperature state, and indicates that the opening area of the outlet 17 is reduced. On the other hand, the manifold device 11 shown in FIG. 2 shows a state where the vicinity of the outlet 17 is in a high temperature state, and indicates that the opening area of the outlet 17 is increasing.

FIG. 3 shows the outlet 1 of the manifold device 11.
Upper and lower movable plates 2 that change with respect to the stack temperature near 7
It is the graph which showed an example of the opening area ratio which 7a and 27b make.

The movable plates 27a, 2 of the manifold device 11
7b, when the stack temperature is, for example, 40 ° C. or less,
When the stacking temperature is, for example, 60 ° C. or higher, the opening area ratio of the outlet portion 17 is minimized, and the opening area ratio is set to 100%. Therefore, the elasticity of the plate members 23a and 23b made of a thin metal plate or a resin plate is set. And shape memory alloy plate 2
The material of 5a, 25b is selected.

Next, referring to the graph shown in FIG.
The operation of the manifold device 11 according to the embodiment will be described.

First, in the first embodiment, the manifold device 11 is installed at a connection portion between the stack 101 and the supply manifold 103 for supplying fuel gas as shown in FIG. 12, for example. And

When the stack temperature is low, for example, 40 ° C. or less, such as at the time of starting the stack or at the time of low-output power generation, the gas supply manifold is affected by the ambient temperature and the water vapor contained in the fuel gas becomes Condensation. At this time, since the stack temperature is low, the temperature near the outlet 17 connected to the stack side is also low.

For this reason, the shape memory alloy plates 25a, 25b
Is extended by the elasticity of the plate members 23a and 23b, and FIG.
As shown in (2), the position is adjusted to a position where the opening area of the outlet portion 17 is reduced. As a result, the dew water condensed on the wall surface of the internal flow path 15 is prevented from flowing into the stack as water droplets by the movable plate 27a.

On the other hand, when the stack temperature is in a high temperature state of, for example, 60 ° C. or more, as shown in FIG. 2, the shape memory alloy plates 25a and 25b change their shapes in a bending direction, and the elasticity of the plate members 23a and 23b is increased. A pulling force is generated against the opening, and the opening is adjusted to a position where the opening area of the outlet portion 17 becomes large. As a result, since the opening area becomes large, there is no pressure loss of the supply gas, and the stack temperature is high, so that even if the dew condensation water flows in as water droplets, it evaporates again. A stable power generation is always possible.

As described above, when the stack temperature is low, the condensed water condensed on the wall surface of the manifold device 11 is blocked by the movable plate, and it is difficult for the water to flow into the stack. Can be avoided, and the system voltage can be suddenly dropped and the system can be stopped, thereby contributing to normal startup and maintenance of the operating state.

Since the manifold device 11 operates only with a mechanical structure, it has very high reliability, and its simple structure can contribute to a reduction in production cost.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 shows that a manifold device 31 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied to a structure connected to a pipe provided at a fuel cell stack inlet. FIG. Note that the second embodiment has the same basic configuration as the manifold device 11 corresponding to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. , The description of which will be omitted.

The feature of this embodiment is that, unlike the first embodiment, a movable plate 37 in which a plate member 33 and a shape memory alloy plate 35 are joined is arranged only at the lower part of the apparatus. .

That is, the outlet portion 17 of the outlet connection portion 21b
A shape memory alloy plate 35 that reproduces a memory shape in accordance with a temperature change is connected to one end far from the end. The plate member 3
The distal end of a shape memory alloy plate 35 is joined to a substantially central portion of the lower surface of the lower surface 3 to form a movable plate 37 in the rectangular internal flow path 15.

Since the movable plate 37 transmits heat near the outlet 17 to the shape memory alloy plate 35 via the outlet connecting portion 21a, the shape memory alloy plate 35 has a memory shape corresponding to the temperature state of the outlet 17. Is reproduced to change the shape, and the plate member 33 joined at the end is curved. As a result,
The end of the movable plate 37 changes the opening area of the outlet 17.

Next, referring to the graph shown in FIG.
The operation of the manifold device 31 according to the embodiment will be described.

When the stack temperature is low, for example, 40 ° C. or less, such as when starting the stack or generating low output power, the shape memory alloy plate 35 is stretched by the elasticity of the plate member 33, as shown in FIG. Then, the position is adjusted to a position where the opening area of the outlet 17 is reduced.

As a result, the condensed water condensed on the wall surface of the internal flow path 15 is prevented from flowing into the stack as water droplets by the movable plate 37.

On the other hand, when the stack temperature is a high temperature state of, for example, 60 ° C. or more, as shown in FIG. 5, the shape memory alloy plate 35 changes its shape in a bending direction, and is pulled against the elasticity of the plate member 33. A force is generated and the outlet portion 17 is adjusted to a position where the opening area becomes large.

As a result, since the opening area is large, there is no pressure loss of the supply gas, and the stack temperature is high. Even if the dew condensation water flows in as water droplets, it is re-evaporated. Power generation is always possible without depending on the situation.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 6 shows that a manifold device 41 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is applied to a structure connected to a pipe provided at a fuel cell stack inlet. FIG. The third embodiment has the same basic configuration as the manifold device 31 corresponding to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. , The description of which will be omitted.

The feature of this embodiment is that a movable member 45 is formed by providing a mesh member 47 having a mesh structure at the distal end of a plate member 43 as compared with the second embodiment. That is, the mesh member 47 is configured so that the inflowing fuel gas flows out toward the outlet 17 even when the outlet 17 is fully closed by the movable plate 45.

Next, the operation of the manifold device 41 according to the third embodiment will be described.

When the stack temperature is low, for example, 40 ° C. or less, such as at the time of starting the stack or at the time of low power generation, the shape memory alloy plate 35 is stretched by the elasticity of the plate member 33, as shown in FIG. Then, the outlet 17 is adjusted so as to be in the fully closed state.

As a result, the fuel gas passes through the mesh member 47, and water droplets are trapped by the mesh member 47. Therefore, the condensed water condensed on the wall of the internal flow path 15 is prevented from flowing into the stack as water droplets by the movable plate 45.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 7 shows that a manifold device 51 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied to a structure connected to a pipe provided at a fuel cell stack inlet. FIG. Note that the fourth embodiment has the same basic configuration as the manifold device 11 corresponding to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. , The description of which will be omitted.

The present embodiment is characterized in that, unlike the first embodiment, a discharge pipe 57 for introducing dew condensation water to the outside is provided below the internal flow path 15 connected from the inlet 13 to the outlet 17. Has been established.

Next, the operation of the manifold device 51 according to the fourth embodiment will be described.

As described above, when the stack temperature is low, for example, 40 ° C. or less, such as when starting the stack or generating low power, the gas supply manifold is included in the fuel gas under the influence of the ambient temperature. Condensed water vapor forms on the inner surface. At this time, since the stack temperature is low, the temperature near the outlet 17 connected to the stack side is also low.

For this reason, the shape memory alloy plates 25a, 25b
Is extended by the elasticity of the plate members 23a and 23b, and FIG.
As shown in (2), the position is adjusted to a position where the opening area of the outlet portion 17 is reduced.

As a result, the dew water condensed on the wall surface of the internal flow path 15 flows from the inclined surface of the plate member 23b through the internal flow path 15 to the inlet 13, and from the discharge port 55 provided in the inlet 13. It enters the discharge pipe 57 and is guided to the outside.

Therefore, the movable plate 27b can prevent the dew water from flowing into the stack and discharge the dew water to the outside.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 8 shows that a manifold device 61 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is applied to a structure connected to a pipe provided at a fuel cell stack inlet. FIG. Note that the fifth embodiment has the same basic configuration as the manifold device 11 corresponding to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. , The description of which will be omitted.

The feature of this embodiment is that a plate member composed of bimetal plates 67a and 67b is used as compared with the first embodiment.

The bimetal plate 67b has a structure in which two types of first and second metal plates having different coefficients of thermal expansion are bonded. One end of the first metal plate 63a has the inlet connection portion 1
9a, and is provided on the side of the internal flow path 15;
The metal plate 65a is made of a metal plate having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the first metal plate 63a, and is connected to the outlet connection part 21a and provided on the stack side.

Next, the operation of the manifold device 61 according to the fifth embodiment will be described.

When the stack temperature is low, for example, 40 ° C. or less, such as when starting the stack or generating low output power, the temperature near the outlet 17 connected to the stack side is also low.

For this reason, the bimetal plate 67a composed of the first metal plate 63a and the second metal plate 65a is adjusted to a position where the opening area of the outlet 17 is reduced as shown in FIG. You. As a result, the dew water condensed on the wall surface of the internal flow path 15 is prevented from flowing into the stack as water droplets by the movable plate 27a.

On the other hand, when the stack temperature is in a high temperature state of, for example, 60 ° C. or higher, the first metal plate 63a has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the second metal plate 65a. The shape of the bimetal plate 67a changes in the bending direction, and is adjusted to a position where the opening area of the outlet 17 is increased. As a result, since the opening area becomes large, there is no pressure loss of the supply gas, and the stack temperature is high, so that even if the dew condensation water flows in as water droplets, it evaporates again. A stable power generation is always possible.

As described above, when the stack temperature is low, the condensed water condensed on the wall surface of the manifold device 61 is blocked by the movable plate and hardly flows into the stack. Can be avoided, and the system voltage can be suddenly dropped and the system can be stopped, thereby contributing to normal startup and maintenance of the operating state.

Since the manifold device 11 operates only with a mechanical structure, it has a very high reliability, and its simple structure can contribute to a reduction in production cost.

(Sixth Embodiment) FIG. 10 shows that a manifold device 71 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is applied to a structure connected to a pipe provided at a fuel cell stack inlet. FIG. The sixth embodiment has the same basic configuration as the manifold device 11 corresponding to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

This embodiment is characterized in that, unlike the first embodiment, heaters 73a and 73b for heating shape memory alloy plates 25a and 25b, and heaters 73a and 73b
And a controller 75 for controlling the amount of heating by the control unit.

Next, the operation of the manifold device 71 according to the sixth embodiment will be described.

The amount of heat generated by the heater 73a is controlled in accordance with the electric power supplied from the controller 75,
This calorific value is transmitted to the shape memory alloy plate 25a connected to a part of a.

The shape memory alloy plate 25a reproduces the stored shape in accordance with the amount of heat generated from the heater 73a, changes its shape, and curves the plate member 23a joined at its end. As a result, the movable plates 27a, 27b
Changes the opening area of the outlet 17.

As a result, the opening area of the movable plate 17 changes according to the amount of heat generated by the heater 73a. In addition, by appropriately selecting the characteristics of the shape memory alloy plate, it is possible to accurately control the inflow of dew condensation water only by installing a heater having a small capacity.

(Seventh Embodiment) FIG. 11 shows that a manifold device 81 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention is applied to a structure connected to a pipe provided at a fuel cell stack inlet. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, the manifold device 8
1 includes a movable plate 87 having a rotating shaft 85 in a connection pipe 83.
Is installed, and the metal bellows 8 is installed in the connection pipe 83.
9 is expanded and contracted by the vertical movement of the actuating rod 91, and the opening area of the movable plate 87 changes.

The actuator rod 91 is driven vertically by an actuator 93, and the amount of drive of the actuator 93 is controlled by a controller 95.

Next, the operation of the manifold device 81 according to the seventh embodiment will be described.

Actuator rod 91 connected to actuator 93 is driven up and down in response to a position control command given from controller 95, and metal bellows 89 is expanded and contracted by the vertical movement of actuate rod 91, and metal bellows 89 Is rotated about the rotation shaft 85.

As described above, by mechanically driving the movable plate from the outside via the metal bellows, the movable plate can be controlled with high precision, and the control response can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing that a manifold device 11 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied to a structure connected to a pipe provided at a fuel cell stack inlet.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state where the vicinity of an outlet portion 17 of the manifold device 11 is in a high temperature state.

FIG. 3 shows upper and lower movable plates 27a and 27b that change with respect to a stack temperature near an outlet portion 17 of the manifold device 11.
5 is a graph showing an example of an opening area ratio formed by the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing that a manifold device 31 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied to a structure connected to a pipe provided at a fuel cell stack inlet.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state where the vicinity of an outlet portion 17 of the manifold device 31 is in a high temperature state.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing that a manifold device 41 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is applied to a structure connected to a pipe provided at a stack inlet of a fuel cell.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing that a manifold device 51 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied to a structure connected to a pipe provided at a fuel cell stack inlet.

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view showing that a manifold device 61 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is applied to a structure connected to a pipe provided at a fuel cell stack inlet.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state where the vicinity of an outlet portion 17 of the manifold device 61 is in a high temperature state.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing that a manifold device 71 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is applied to a structure connected to a pipe provided at a fuel cell stack inlet.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing that a manifold device 81 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention is applied to a structure connected to a pipe provided at a stack inlet of a fuel cell.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a conventional manifold device and a stack.

[Explanation of symbols]

11, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81 Manifold device 13 Inlet portion 15 Internal flow path 17 Outlet portion 19a, 19b Inlet connection portion 21a, 21b Outlet connection portion 23a, 23b Plate member 25a, 25b Shape memory alloy plate 27a , 26b, 37, 45 Movable plate 33, 43 Plate member 35 Shape memory alloy plate 47 Mesh member 53 Inlet connection 55 Drain 57 Drain tube 63a, 63b First metal plate 65a, 65b Second metal plate 67a, 67b Bimetal plate 73 Controller 83 Connection piping 85 Rotating shaft 87 Movable plate 89 Metal bellows 91 Actuator rod 93 Actuator 95 Controller

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A manifold device for causing a gas containing water vapor to flow from an inlet to an outlet, comprising a movable plate that changes an opening area of the outlet according to a temperature of the outlet. apparatus. 2. The movable plate, wherein: a shape memory alloy plate for reproducing a memory shape in accordance with a temperature change; a shape memory alloy plate joined to one end thereof; and a plate which can be bent in accordance with a shape change of the shape memory alloy plate. The manifold device according to claim 1, comprising a member. 3. The movable plate is disposed only below the pipe connected from the inlet to the outlet, and when the temperature of the outlet is low, an upward slope is formed in the gas flow direction. The manifold device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The movable plate has a tip portion made of a mesh member. Even when the outlet portion is completely closed by the movable plate, the movable plate is configured to allow the inflowing gas to flow out of the mesh member toward the outlet portion. The manifold device according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The manifold device according to claim 1, further comprising a discharge pipe that guides dew water to the outside below a pipe connected from the inlet to the outlet. 6. The manifold device according to claim 1, wherein the movable plate is made of a bimetal. 7. The manifold device according to claim 2, further comprising heating means for heating the shape memory alloy plate, and control means for controlling a heating amount by the heating means. 8. The manifold device according to claim 1, further comprising: a driving unit for driving the movable plate; and a control unit for controlling a position by the driving unit.