IP Library Granted Patent US 7,838,160
Granted Patent B2
US 7,838,160 · App. 11/285,421 · Granted Nov 23, 2010

Humidifier for fuel cell system

Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,838,160
App. No.
11/285,421
Granted
Nov 23, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A humidifier of the present invention includes a humidifier main body for humidifying a second fluid, using a humidified first fluid discharged from a fuel cell; a head portion of which one end is connected to an end of the humidifier main body and the other end is connected to the fuel cell or a supply passage extending from the fuel cell, and which supplies the second fluid after humidification to the fuel cell; and a chamber for communicating a bottom portion of a humidified gas flow passage formed within the head portion.

Claims (9)

1. A humidifier comprising:

a humidifier main body for humidifying a second fluid, using a humidified first fluid discharged from a fuel cell, the main body comprising a hollow fiber module having an outlet portion of the second fluid; and

a head portion of which one end is connected to an end of said humidifier main body and the other end is connected to said fuel cell or a supply passage provided at said fuel cell, and which supplies said second fluid after humidification to said fuel cell,

wherein within said head portion a meandering passage formed by partition plates extending in a direction of the outlet portion of said second fluid in the hollow fiber module is provided at a position facing said hollow fiber module, and

wherein a gap of a predetermined size is formed between edges of the partition plates facing the humidifier main body and the outlet portion of the second fluid of the humidifier main body.

2. The humidifier according to claim 1 wherein said partition plates are tilted downward toward the outlet portion of said second fluid.

3. The humidifier according to claim 1 wherein at least a part of said partition plates includes a punching metal or a metal mesh configured to allow said second fluid to flow through any of said partition plates and not to allow accompanied water to flow through any of said partition plates.

4. The humidifier according to claim 1 wherein at least one of an inner face of said head portion or surfaces of said partition plates is treated with a water repellent treatment.

5. The humidifier according to claim 1 mounted in a vehicle.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 24, 2006
From: SUZUKI, MOTOHIRO; KATAGIRI, TOSHIKATSU; KUSANO, YOSHIO; NAGUMO, KENJI
To: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 017287/0442 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2004-339354 · Nov 24, 2004 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20060147774A1 · Jul 6, 2006