US 12,347,898 B2
Membrane humidifier
Bashkim Berisha, Leonberg (DE); Samuel Kohler, Weil im Schoenbuch (DE); and Michael Walz, Filderstadt (DE)
Assigned to MAHLE International GmbH, Stuttgart (DE)
Filed by MAHLE International GmbH, Stuttgart (DE)
Filed on Jul. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/867,716.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2021 207 425.1 (DE), filed on Jul. 13, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0012761 A1, Jan. 19, 2023
Int. Cl. H01M 8/04119 (2016.01); H01M 8/0273 (2016.01)
CPC H01M 8/04141 (2013.01) [H01M 8/0273 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A membrane humidifier for humidifying a dry cathode supply air in a fuel cell system using a humid cathode exhaust air, the membrane humidifier comprising:
a housing; and
a membrane stack inserted into the housing in the assembly direction,
wherein the membrane stack has two first stack sides through which fluid can flow, two second stack sides through which fluid can flow, and two third airtight stack sides,
wherein the first stack sides are each aligned parallel and opposite one another, the second stack sides are each aligned parallel and opposite one another, the third stack sides are each aligned parallel and opposite one another, and the first stack sides are aligned parallel to the assembly direction,
wherein the membrane humidifier has a sealing device with two first frame-like sealing frames, wherein each first frame-like sealing frame runs around the edges of one of the first stack sides,
wherein each first frame-like sealing frame has an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing surface opposite the inner sealing surface,
wherein the inner sealing surface of each first frame-like sealing frame is in sealing contact with a respective first stack side,
wherein two first housing sealing surfaces are formed on the housing and a respective outer sealing surface of each first frame-like sealing frame is in sealing contact with a respective first housing sealing surfaces of the housing,
wherein a respective outer sealing surface of each first frame-like sealing frame and the respective first housing sealing surfaces of the housing are each aligned at a mounting angle to the respective first stack side and to the mounting direction that is not zero, and
wherein the outer sealing surface of each frame-like sealing frame is aligned at an angle to the respective inner sealing surfaces that is identical to the mounting angle such that a thickness of the respective first sealing frame defined transversely to the mounting direction increases steadily counter to the assembly direction.