Humidifier for a fuel cell

A humidifier for a fuel cell, the humidifier comprising:

• at least one stacked unit comprising several water-permeable membranes that are stacked in a parallel orientation parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other,
• wherein each stacked membrane has four lateral outer edges, the lateral outer edges forming end faces of the membrane;
• wherein between two neighboring membranes a flow space is formed, respectively;
• the at least one stacked unit comprising a sealant disposed at edges of the membranes,
• wherein the sealant seals fluid-tightly the flow spaces, respectively;
• wherein each of said two neighboring water-permeable membranes each include
• a first membrane edge area arranged at and extending along a first membrane outer edge of the four lateral membrane outer edges, the first edge area beginning at a first end face of the first membrane and extending inwardly on the membrane;
• a second membrane edge area arranged at and extending along an opposing second membrane edge of the four lateral membrane outer edges, the second edge area beginning at a second end face of the second membrane and extending inwardly on the membrane;
• wherein the first membrane edge area of the first neighboring membrane faces the first membrane edge area of the second neighboring membrane;
• wherein the second membrane edge area of the first neighboring membrane faces the second membrane edge area of the second neighboring membrane;
• wherein the sealant comprises:
• a first adhesive sealant member arranged at and facing first end faces of the first and second neighboring membranes, the first sealant member having a first side secured onto the first membrane edge area of the first neighboring membrane and having an opposing side of the first sealant member secured onto the first membrane edge area of the second neighboring membrane;
• a second adhesive sealant member spaced laterally apart from the first adhesive sealant member, the second adhesive sealant member arranged at facing second end faces of the first and second neighboring membranes, the second sealant member having a first side secured onto the second membrane edge area of the first neighboring membrane and an opposing side secured onto the second membrane edge area of the second neighboring membrane;
• wherein each adhesive sealant member is secured to, contacts on and sealably closes onto a respective lateral outer edge of the first membrane as well as secured to, contacts on and sealably closes onto a respective lateral outer edge of the second membrane, completely sealing space between the respective lateral outer edges of the first and second membranes;
• wherein the first and second adhesive sealant members each secure onto, cover and sealably close space between respective facing membrane edge areas of the first and second neighboring membranes;
• wherein the first and second adhesive sealant members have inherent stiffness in a mounted state to bear forces and act as support spacers, spacing apart and supporting the first and second membranes in the stacked unit;
• wherein opposing end faces of the two neighboring membranes positioned at a 90° angle relative to the first and second end faces are not closed by sealant;
• wherein the each sealant member has sufficiently high stiffness in the mounted state to also act as adhesive spacers between neighboring membranes, spacing immediately neighboring membranes apart such that only the adhesive spacer members are used to hold membrane spacing.