Patent · US Expired

Humidifying device for a fuel cell, method for humidifying a fuel cell membrane and fuel cell

US6696186B1 · kind B1 · utility

7Cited by

6References

9Claims

0Family size

Assignees

Mannesmann AG · DE
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

Wolfgang Herdeg · Rutesheim, DE
Holger Klos · Karlsruhe, DE
Martin Sattler · Luckau, DE
Sabine Hess · Hersbruck, DE
Hans-Dieter Wilhelm · Neu-Anspach, DE
Jürgen Habrich · Großkrotzenburg, DE
Karl Eck · Frankfurt, DE
Markus Keutz · Roßdorf, DE
Thomas Zapp · Dortmund, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Nov 27, 2001
Grant date	Feb 24, 2004
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Nov 27, 2021

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY02E60/50
WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The humidifying device for a fuel cell has a membrane, one side of which is exposed to cathode exhaust gas of a fuel cell for extracting water vapor from the exhaust gas. A connecting element connects the other side of the membrane to an anode or cathode gas supply to the fuel cell. In operation, water vapor permeates through the membrane and passes on through the connecting elements to humidify the gas being supplied to the fuel cell. A vacuum pump may additionally be provided to enhance the extraction of water vapor from the exhaust gas. A no metering unit allows accurate metering of the humidity of the cathode or anode gas supply.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.