FUEL CELL VEHICLE AND DETECTION SYSTEM FOR DETECTING HYDROGEN IN A FUEL CELL VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a detection system (10a; 10b; 10c) for detecting hydrogen (11) in a cavity (12) of a fuel cell vehicle (13), comprising a fuel cell system (15) with a fuel cell housing (16) and a purging air line (17) for purging the fuel cell housing (16) and a hydrogen sensor (14) outside the fuel cell housing (16), wherein the purging air line (17) has a purging air outlet (18) for discharging purging air (19) out of the fuel cell housing (16), wherein the purging air outlet (18) is designed for applying the hydrogen sensor (14) with the purging air from the purging air line (17). The invention also relates to a fuel cell vehicle (13) comprising a detection system (10a; 10b; 10c) according to the invention.

Claims

1. A detection system (10a; 10b; 10c) for detecting hydrogen (11) in a cavity (12) of a fuel cell vehicle (13), the detection system comprising a fuel cell system (15) with a fuel cell housing (16) and a purging air line (17) for purging the fuel cell housing (16), and a hydrogen sensor (14) outside the fuel cell housing (16), wherein the purging air line (17) has a purging air outlet (18) for discharging purging air (19) out of the fuel cell housing (16), wherein the purging air outlet (18) is configured for applying the purging air from the purging air line (17) to the hydrogen sensor (14).

2. The detection system (10a) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the purging air outlet (18) is directed toward the hydrogen sensor (14) for direct application of the purging air from the purging air line (17) to the hydrogen sensor (14).

3. The detection system (10a) in accordance with claim 1, wherein a collection means (20) for collecting hydrogen is arranged at the hydrogen sensor (14) for the purpose of conducting the collected hydrogen to the hydrogen sensor (14).

4. The detection system (10a) in accordance with claim 3, wherein the collection means (20) is funnel-shaped.

5. The detection system (10a) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the purging air outlet (18) is arranged at least partially in alignment with the hydrogen sensor (14).

6. The detection system (10b; 10c) in accordance with claim 1, wherein a connection housing (21) is connected to the purging air line (17) and the hydrogen sensor (14) for conducting the purging air (19) to the hydrogen sensor (14).

7. The detection system (10b; 10c) in accordance with claim 6, wherein the connection housing (21) is designed to be at least partially funnel-shaped.

8. The detection system (10b; 10c) in accordance with claim 6, wherein the connection housing (21) has at least one gas inlet opening (22) for admitting hydrogen (11) from the cavity (12) into the connection housing (21).

9. The detection system (10c) in accordance with claim 8, wherein the purging air line (17) has a nozzle (23) and the connection housing (21) comprises an ejector (24) adjacent to the nozzle (23) with a mixing chamber (25) for providing a fluid mixture (27) of the purging air (19) and the hydrogen (11) from the cavity (12), and a diffuser (26), wherein the mixing chamber (25) has the at least one gas inlet opening (22) and the diffuser (26) is connected to the hydrogen sensor (14) for supplying the fluid mixture (27) to the hydrogen sensor (14).

10. A fuel cell vehicle (13) with a cavity (12) and a detection system (10a; 10b; 10c) in accordance with claim 1 for detecting hydrogen (11) in the cavity (12).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The following are shown, in each case schematically:

[0023] FIG. 1 a detection system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention,

[0024] FIG. 2 a detection system in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention,

[0025] FIG. 3 a detection system in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, and

[0026] FIG. 4 a fuel cell vehicle with a detection system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Elements with the same function and mode of operation are each given the same reference signs in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a detection system 10a for detecting hydrogen 11 or a hydrogen content of a cavity fluid in a cavity 12 of a fuel cell vehicle 13 shown in FIG. 4, in accordance with a first embodiment. The detection system 10a has a fuel cell system 15 with a fuel cell housing 16 and a purging air line 17 for purging the fuel cell housing 16. In addition, the detection system 10a has a hydrogen sensor 14 outside the fuel cell housing 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the purging air line 17 has a purging air outlet 18 for discharging purging air 19 out of the fuel cell housing 16. The purging air outlet 18 is designed for applying purging air from the purging air line 17 to the hydrogen sensor 14. More specifically, the purging air outlet 18 is directed toward the hydrogen sensor 14 for directly application of the purging air from the purging air line 17 to the hydrogen sensor 14. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the purging air outlet 18 is arranged at a distance from the collection means 20 and from the hydrogen sensor 14 so that hydrogen 11 from the cavity 12 or hydrogen-containing fluid outside the purging air line 17 can still reach the hydrogen sensor 14 without any problems.

[0029] In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the detection system 10a has a collection means 20 for collecting hydrogen or ambient air from the surroundings of the fuel cell housing 16, which ambient air contains the hydrogen, if any. The collection means 20 is arranged at the hydrogen sensor 14 for the purpose of conducting the collected hydrogen or ambient air to the hydrogen sensor 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the collection means 20 is designed to be funnel-shaped, wherein the funnel shape tapers toward the hydrogen sensor 14. Furthermore, it can be seen from the illustrated embodiment that the purging air outlet 18 is arranged in alignment with the hydrogen sensor 14. An outlet opening (not shown) for discharging or removing hydrogen 11 and/or purging air 19 from the hydrogen sensor 14 is preferably formed on the hydrogen sensor 14 and/or on the collection means 20. This can prevent fluid buildup at the hydrogen sensor 14, which could lead to erroneous hydrogen detection.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a detection system 10b in accordance with a second embodiment. The detection system 10b shown has a connection housing 21 connected to the purging air line 17 and the hydrogen sensor 14 for the purpose of conducting the purging air 19 to the hydrogen sensor 14 and, on the right in FIG. 2, has an outlet opening for discharging the purging air 19 and the hydrogen 11 from the connection housing 21. The connection housing 21 is designed to be funnel-shaped. Furthermore, the connection housing 21 has gas inlet openings 22 for admitting hydrogen 11 or ambient air with the hydrogen contained therein from the cavity 12 into the connection housing 21. The connection housing 21 shown in FIG. 2 can in principle also be regarded as a component of the purging air line 17.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a detection system 10c in accordance with a third embodiment. In the detection system 10c shown, the purging air line 17 has a nozzle 23. The connection housing 21 has an ejector 24 adjacent to the nozzle 23 with a mixing chamber 25 for providing a fluid mixture 27 of the purging air 19 and hydrogen 11 from the cavity 12, and a diffuser 26. Consequently, a gas inlet opening 22 is formed in the mixing chamber 25 and the diffuser 26 is connected to the hydrogen sensor 14 for the purpose of supplying the fluid mixture 27 to the hydrogen sensor 14. The ejector 24 shown in FIG. 3 can in principle also be regarded as a component of the purging air line 17. In addition or alternatively, the nozzle 23 can be considered part of the ejector 24. Like the connection housing 21 shown in FIG. 2, the connection housing 21 shown in FIG. 3 also has an outlet opening for discharging the purging air 19 and hydrogen 11 from the connection housing 21.

[0032] In FIG. 4, a fuel cell vehicle 13 is shown with a cavity 12 in the form of an engine installation space and a detection system 10a for detecting hydrogen 11 in the cavity 12, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0033] In addition to the illustrated embodiments, further design principles of the invention are possible. That is to say, the invention is not to be limited to the exemplary embodiments explained with reference to the figures. Thus, the purging air line 17 need not extend beyond the fuel cell housing 16 but can also be flush with the fuel cell housing 16.