AIR SUPPLY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FUEL CELL

• US 20150188161A1
• Filed: 12/11/2014
• Published: 07/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Kwon, Hyuck Roul, Lee, Chang Ha, Ha, Kyoung Ku
• Granted Patent: US 10,230,116 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04111 using a compressor turbine assembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

An air supply apparatus and method for a fuel cell, which supplies high-pressure air while avoiding a surge phenomenon of a turbo type compressor in a fuel cell system to which the turbo type compressor is applied is provided. In particular, a portion of air from an outlet of a compressor to an inlet of the compressor is recirculated to the supply of air supplied from the compressor to a stack. This recirculated air and external air introduced from the outside are mixed and supplied to the inlet of the compressor at a sufficiently high air pressure, allowing the compressor to avoid a surge region and enabling the supply of air with a high pressure and a low flow rate.

Claims

1. An air supply apparatus for a fuel cell comprising:

a compressor configured to supply air to a stack of a fuel cell;

a bypass line connected between an outlet and an inlet of the compressor;

a bypass valve disposed within the bypass line; and

an ejector that mixes bypass air and external air to increase a pressure of air within the stack and then supplies mixed air to the inlet of the compressor,

wherein the ejector suctions atmospheric air to supply air increased in pressure to the inlet of the compressor while recirculating a portion of air from the outlet of the compressor back to the inlet of the compressor.

2. The air supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ejector includes:

a bypass air inflow aperture that receives the bypass air;

a chamber inlet that receives the external air;

a suction chamber in which the bypass air and the external air are mixed; and

a throat increasing in diameter.

3. The air supply apparatus of claim 1, comprising a sensor disposed on one side of an inlet of the ejector to measure a flow rate of air introduced from the outside and filter out foreign substances.

4. The air supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bypass valve disposed within the bypass line is controlled by a controller configured to control whether or not to recirculate compressed air and an air flow rate.

5. The air supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compressor comprises a turbo type compressor.

6. An air supply method for a fuel cell, comprising:

recirculating a portion of air from an outlet of a compressor back to an inlet of the compressor to be supplied by the compressor to a fuel cell stack,

wherein the recirculated air and external air introduced from the outside are mixed and supplied to the inlet of the compressor at a sufficient air pressure to allow the compressor to avoid a surge region and provide the fuel cell stack with a supply of air at a high pressure and a low flow rate.

7. The air supply method of claim 6, wherein air supplied to the inlet of the compressor is increased in pressure inside an ejector using a Venturi effect, and then is supplied to the inlet of the compressor.