IP Library Patent Application 17288454
Patent Application
App. No. 17/288,454

HUMIDIFIER AND MOTOR VEHICLE

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
17/288,454
Abstract

A humidifier for a fuel cell device has a plurality of flow field frames, between each of which there is arranged a humidifier membrane. A plurality of cooling flow field frames formed identical to the flow field frames, between each of which there is arranged a separating plate, form an integrated intercooler. A motor vehicle having a humidifier with integrated intercooler is also provided.

Claims (14)

1 . A humidifier for a fuel cell device, comprising:

a plurality of humidifying flow field frames, between each of which there is arranged a humidifier membrane; and

a plurality of cooling flow field frames formed identically to the humidifying flow field frames, between each of which there is arranged a separating plate, wherein the cooling flow field frames form an integrated intercooler.

2 . The humidifier according to claim 1 , wherein the humidifying flow field frames are arranged in a first stack, the cooling flow field frames are arranged in a second stack, and a coupling plate is provided between the first stack and the second stack.

3 . The humidifier according to claim 2 , wherein the coupling plate free of flow fields and has a cross section identical to that of the humidifying flow field frames, wherein the coupling plate comprises a continuous dry air line coupling the humidifying flow field frames to the cooling flow field frames.

4 . The humidifier according to claim 3 , wherein the coupling plate comprises a side coolant port having a coolant line in order to take coolant to the cooling flow field frames.

5 . The humidifier according to claim 2 , wherein the coupling plate comprises a side air exit for the emergence of moist air after passing through an air line from the humidifying flow field frames.

6 . The humidifier according to claim 1 , wherein a seal is arranged on either side of each humidifier membrane, and identically formed seals are arranged on either side of each separating plate.

7 . The humidifier according to claim 1 , wherein the separating plate is formed of a metal or a metal alloy.

8 . The humidifier according to claim 1 , wherein surface enlarging elements are arranged between the separating plates in the cooling flow field frames for an improved heat transfer, being selected from a group comprising baffle plates and porous fleece.

9 . The humidifier according to claim 1 , wherein shaped or porous flow fields are provided in the humidifying flow field frames and the cooling flow field frames for a flow field duct.

10 . A motor vehicle having a fuel cell device comprising a humidifier that comprises:

a plurality of humidifying flow field frames, between each of which there is arranged a humidifier membrane; and

a plurality of cooling flow field frames formed identically to the humidifying flow field frames, between each of which there is arranged a separating plate, wherein the cooling flow field frames form an integrated intercooler.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 7, 2022
From: VOLKSWAGEN AG
To: AUDI AG
Reel/Frame 059336/0674 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 20, 2022
From: LUCAS, CHRISTIAN
To: VOLKSWAGEN AG
Reel/Frame 058714/0641 →