Fuel cell humidification potting adhesive shroud
AssigneeParker-Hannifin Corporation
InventorDavid Duryea
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A separation and/or humidification element that employs fibrous hollow membrane tubes is provided, which may be used for water vapor transfer between different gas streams in a fuel cell application, such as to humidify the reaction gas. At least one and typically two composite end caps encapsulate ends of a bundle of the fibrous hollow membrane tubes. Each composite end cap comprises adhesive (e.g. epoxy) and a preform such as a plastic annular shroud.
Claims21
An element, comprising:
- a bundle of hollow membrane tubes, the hollow membrane tubes having opposite open ends for passage of a fluid stream therethrough;
- first and second end caps proximate opposite open ends, respectively;
- first and second seal surfaces provided by the first and second end caps, respectively, the first and second seal surfaces facing outwardly and freely engageable for facilitating a releasable seal;
- an intermediate region of the bundle of hollow membranes tubes being externally exposed between the first and second end caps;
- each of the first and second end caps at least partially formed with an adhesive, and
- wherein at least one of the first and second end caps is a composite end cap comprising the adhesive in combination with a preform, the adhesive filling interstices between the hollow membrane tubes, the preform at least partially surrounding the bundle of hollow membrane tubes and integrally bonded thereto with the adhesive.
A method for forming an element, comprising:
- collecting a bundle of hollow membrane tubes;
- applying a first composite end cap on a first end of the bundle with a first preform and adhesive;
- curing the adhesive to encapsulate the bundle of hollow membrane tubes in the adhesive of the first composite end cap;
- and
- cutting through the first composite end cap and the first end of the bundle to expose open ends of the hollow membrane tubes at the first end.
A filter element including a ring of collected hollow fibers having a predetermined length, and end cap assemblies provided at each of the fiber ring, each end cap assembly including i) an annular pre-formed peripheral shroud surrounding the ends of the fibers;
- and ii) adhesive within the shroud and encapsulating the ends of the fibers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.