Connecting structure for connecting a fluid circuit section to a chamber, and fuel cell comprising same.
The present invention relates to connecting structures between a fluid circuit section and a chamber delimited on at least one side by a thin metal sheet provided with at least one orifice for access to the chamber.
The connection of a tube to a thin metal sheet presents many difficulties, both in the mechanical strength and the seal, in particular with metal sheets that are difficult to weld such as alloyed steels. The difficulties are even greater when the chamber has a greatly reduced effective internal volume. The problems are further increased according to the fluids concerned, aggressive or oxidizing, as is the case in particular in fuel cells.
The object of the present invention is to propose a simple, compact and reliable connecting structure, including with very thin metal sheets, less than 0.4 mm, and with greatly reduced chamber volumes.
To do this, according to the invention, the connecting structure comprises a tubular metal element having a first end set into the orifice of the metal sheet and a second end that can be connected to the circuit section typically via a connecting member, advantageously made of plastic, comprising a duct receiving at least the second end of the tubular element and secured in sealed manner to the latter.
According to the more particular features of the invention:
The present invention also relates to a fuel cell in which the metal sheet forms, by stamping, a series of parallel ducts and is coupled in sealed manner to a proton-exchange membrane.
Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description of embodiments, given for illustrative purposes but in no way limiting, made in relation to the appended drawings, in which:
To make compact structures, such as that shown in
In the embodiment shown in
The connecting structure also comprises a connecting member 12, advantageously made of molded polymer, of a generally elongated configuration, defining an inner tubular chamber 13 having a main direction culminating at one end in an enlarged diameter connection orifice 14 and, at the other end, in a duct 15 extending orthogonally to the chamber. The internal diameter of the duct 15 is slightly greater than the external diameter of the tubular element 9 and the latter is force-fitted into the duct 15 with the application of ultrasounds which cause a total or partial fusion of the edges of the duct while thus fixedly attaching in sealed manner the tubular element 9 to the connecting member 12 whose outer face, in which the duct 15 culminates, comes to bear on the outer face of the metal sheet 4. In assembled configuration, the chamber 13 extends parallel to the metal sheet 4, beyond the latter, thus making it easy to connect the connecting orifice to the fluid section 8.
In the embodiment shown, the connecting member 12 also comprises a pin 16 parallel to the duct 15 which is positioned in a hole 17 formed in the flat peripheral zone of the metal sheet 4, the pin being deformed when hot or by heading to consolidate the positioning and retention of the member 12 relative to the metal sheet 4.
The connecting orifice 14 may be of a shape and dimension suitable for allowing any type of sealed connection, advantageously removable, at a tube end such as the circuit section 8.
Although the invention has been described in relation to embodiments, it is not limited thereby, but is susceptible to modifications and variants which will be evident to those skilled in the art in the context of the claims hereinafter.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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02/13527 | Oct 2002 | FR | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/FR03/50086 | 10/13/2003 | WO | 4/22/2005 |