Daimler Ag

Patrick Mangold

Gert Hinsenkamp

Norbert Wiesheu

Gerhard Berger

Jens Intorp

Wolfgang Weger

Sven Schnetzler

Jochen Schaefer

Martin Heumos

Thomas Diedrich

The invention relates to a fuel cell stack () of a fuel cell system that is to be hermetically sealed off from the environment after operation is ended so that only a finite amount of air oxygen remains in the fuel cells, thus preventing the fuel cells from excessively aging. According to the invention, locking means () are provided that are disposed on or in an end plate () or distributor plate of the fuel cell stack (). The locking means () are therefore thermally coupled to the end plate () and may freeze up at cold ambient temperatures. In a preferred embodiment, the locking means () comprise an elastomer body () able to cover and uncover a channel () in the plate ().

Fuel cell system

A moisture exchange module includes a bundle of moisture-permeable hollow fiber membranes. It is provided with a feedline for supplying a gas stream that flows through the hollow fiber membranes in an inner flow. According to the present invention, a separating device for separating out liquid particles from the gas flow are provided in the region between the feedline and the bundle of hollow fiber membranes. The separating device may have the form of a groove and are arranged in such a way that the gas flow is guided in such a manner that the centrifugal force assists movement of the liquid particles towards the separating device. The moisture exchange module preferably forms part of a fuel cell system to humidify feed air for the fuel cell system.

Moisture exchange module having bundle of moisture permeable hollow fibre membranes

A moisture exchange module includes a bundle of moisture-permeable hollow fiber membranes through which a first gas stream can flow. The bundle of hollow fiber membranes is arranged in a housing, the housing being provided with line elements for supplying and discharging a second gas stream, which flows around the hollow fiber membranes. Between the bundle of hollow fiber membranes and the housing there is at least one flow space, which extends over at least approximately the entire length of that region of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes through which the first gas stream can flow. The at least one flow space surrounds only a small part of the circumference of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes, so that ultimately a moisture exchange operated in cross-current mode is formed. This can preferably be used for the humidification of feed air for fuel cell systems.

Moisture exchange module having a bundle of moisture-permeable hollow fibre membranes

A moisture exchange module has a bundle of moisture-permeable hollow fiber membranes and at least one line element for supplying a gas stream that flows through the hollow fibers in an inner flow. The at least one line element opens out into an inflow region, which is of at least approximately the same cross section as the bundle of hollow fiber membranes. According to the present invention, the at least one line element opens out into the inflow region at an angle of from 60&#xb0; to 120&#xb0; with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes without the longitudinal axes of the one line element and of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes intersecting one another. An annular diverter means for diverting the gas flow are provided between the cross section of the line elements through which gas can flow and the inflow region. The diverter means are arranged in such a way that an annular gap is formed, which annular gap is connected to the at least one line element and, on its side remote from the bundle of hollow fiber membranes, is connected to the inflow region.

Growing community of inventors

Ulm, Germany

Patrick Mangold