Description:Complete Specification

The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
Field of the invention
[0001] This invention relates to a water filter, and more specifically to a housing of the water filter that is mounted within a water separator of a fuel cell stack.

Background of the invention
[0002] IN Patent Application Number 202341074107 describes a water separator 100 for a fuel cell stack. The water separator 100 comprises a first water flow passageway 110 that is adapted to receive water from a fuel cell stack. A second water flow passageway 120 is in flow communication with the first water flow passageway 110 via an opening 130 defined between the first water flow passageway 110 and the second water flow passageway 120. A water filter 140 is positioned in the second water flow passageway 120, the water filter 140 adapted to receive water containing particulate matter that is received from the first water flow passageway 110. The water filter 140 is adapted to filter water containing particulate matter that is received in the water filter 140 and allow substantially pure water to flow through an outlet 150 of the second water flow passageway 120 of the water separator 100.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings
[0003] Figure 1 illustrates a housing of a water filter that is positioned within a water separator of a fuel cell stack in one embodiment of the invention.
[0004] Figure 2 illustrates the housing of the water filter that is positioned within the water separator of the fuel cell stack in another embodiment of the invention.
[0005] Figure 3 illustrates the housing of the water filter that is positioned within the water separator of the fuel cell stack in another embodiment of the invention.
[0006] Figure 4 illustrates the housing of the water filter that is positioned within the water separator of the fuel cell stack in another embodiment of the invention.
[0007] Figure 5 illustrates a water filter with valve body assembly in one embodiment of the invention.
[0008] Figure 6 illustrates a cover and carrier with a water filter integrated therein.

Detailed description of the embodiments
[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, a water filter with valve body assembly comprises an assembly of a cap filter with valve body. The cap filter with valve body is assembled to the water separator from the bottom portion of the water separator with help of 2 screws such that it can be de-assembled separately whenever needed. This embodiment is depicted in the Figure 5. After assembly of the cap filter with the carrier, the cover to carrier interface is assembled with help of screws such that it can be de-assembled whenever needed.

[0010] As depicted in Figure 6, the cap filter consists of cylindrical, conical, or any other shaped support strucutre made of plastic or metal material which is straight or pleated. The filter mesh is made up of metal, plastic (PP, PEEK, PA) or paper. In the exemplary embodiment, the cap filter is brought in the type of assembly from the bottom of the water separator or from the top of the water separator.

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a water separator for a fuel cell stack that comprises a water filter 100 positioned therein. The water separator comprises the water filter 100 positioned within the water separator and adapted to filter the dirt particles from condensate water insider the water separator upstream of valves. The water filter 100 comprises a filter cover 110 that is positioned on a substrate 120 to secure the filter cover 110 to the substrate 120.

[0012] Figure 1 illustrates a water separator 100 as the entire system for a fuel cell stack. The water separator comprises a water filter 100 that is positioned within the water separator. More specifically, the water separator is adapted to filter the dirt particles from condensate water inside the water separator upstream of valves. The water filter 100 that is positioned within the water separator is adapted to filter water from hydrogen gas that is channeled to the water filter 100. The water filter 100 comprises a filter cover 110, wherein the filter cover 110 comprises a U-shaped portion, a cage filter, or conical filter. The filter cover 110 is positioned on a substrate 120 and fastened thereto to secure the filter cover 110 to the substrate 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the filter cover 110 comprises a plurality of screw threads 130 that are defined on an inner circumference of the filter cover 110 and extends through the body of the filter cover 110. More specifically, the plurality of screw threads 130 that are defined on the inner circumference of the filter cover 110 begins from an outer surface 140 of the filter cover 110 and extends partially through a body of the filter cover 110.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate 120 comprises a plurality of screw threads 150 that are defined on an outer circumference of the substrate 120. The screw threads 150 that are defined on the outer circumference of the substrate 120 extends partially from a top portion 111 of the substrate 120 partially along a length of the substrate 120. More specifically, the plurality of screw threads 130 that are defined on the inner circumference of the filter cover 110 and extends through the body of the filter cover 110 meshes with the plurality of screw threads 150 that are defined on the outer circumference of the substrate 120 and extends partially along the length of the substrate 120 to secure the filter cover 110 to the substrate 120.

[0014] In an alternate exemplary embodiment, the filter cover 110 comprises a plurality of screw threads 135 that are defined on an outer circumference of the filter cover 110. More specifically, the plurality of screw threads 135 that are defined on the outer circumference of the filter cover 110 extends from the outer surface 140 of the filter cover 110 partially through the filter cover 110. In addition, the substrate 120 comprises a plurality of screw threads 155 that are defined on an inner circumference of the substrate 120. The plurality of screw threads 135 that are defined on the outer circumference of the filter cover 110 meshes with the plurality of screw threads 155 that are defined on the inner circumference of the substrate 120 to secure the filter cover 110 to the substrate 120.

[0015] In a further alternate exemplary embodiment, the filter cover 110 comprises a straight face 137 that is defined on an inner circumference of the filter cover 110. More specifically, the straight face 137 that is defined on the inner circumference of the filter cover 110 extends from an outer surface 140 of the filter cover 110 partially through the filter cover 110. In addition, the substrate 120 comprises a straight face 151 that is defined on an outer circumference of the substrate 120. The straight face 137 that is defined on the inner circumference of the filter cover 110 forms a press fit with the straight face 151 that is defined on the outer circumference of the substrate 120 to secure the filter cover 110 to the substrate 120.

[0016] In yet another alternate exemplary embodiment, the filter cover 110 comprises a notch shaped projection 159 that is defined on an outer circumference of the filter cover 110. More specifically, the notch shaped portion 159 that is defined on the outer circumference of the filter cover 110 extends radially from an outer circumference of the filter cover 110 outwardly from the filter cover 110. In addition, the substrate 120 comprises a groove 153 that is defined in the substrate 120. The notch shaped projection 159 that is defined on the outer circumference of the filter cover 110 is secured within the groove 153 that is defined in the substrate 120 to secure the filter cover 110 to the substrate 120.

[0017] It must be understood that the embodiments explained above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. Many modifications in the embodiments with regard to dimensions of various components are envisaged and form a part of this invention. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.
, Claims:We Claim

1. A water separator for a fuel cell stack, said water separator comprising:
a water filter (100) positioned within said water separator and adapted to filter the dirt particles from condensate water inside said water separator upstream of valves and adapted to filter water from hydrogen gas that is channeled to said water filter (100), said water filter (100) comprising a filter cover (110) that is positioned on a substrate (120) to secure said filter cover (110) to said substrate (120).

2. The water separator for the fuel cell stack in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said filter cover (110) comprises a plurality of screw threads (130) that are defined on an inner circumference of said filter cover (110) and extends from an outer surface (140) of said filter cover (110) partially through said filter cover (110)

3. The water separator for the fuel cell stack in accordance with Claim 2, wherein said substrate (120) comprises a plurality of screw threads (150) that are defined on an outer circumference of said substrate (120), wherein the plurality of screw threads (130) that are defined on the inner circumference of said filter cover (110) meshes with the plurality of screw threads (150) that are defined on the outer circumference of said substrate (120) to secure said filter cover (110) to said substrate (120).

4. The water separator for the fuel cell stack in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said filter cover (110) comprises a plurality of screw threads (135) that are defined on an outer circumference of said filter cover (110) and extends from an outer surface of said filter cover (110) partially through said filter cover (110).

5. The water separator for the fuel cell stack in accordance with Claim 4, wherein said substrate (120) comprises a plurality of screw threads (155) that are defined on an inner circumference of said substrate (120), wherein the plurality of screw threads (135) that are defined on the outer circumference of said filter cover (110) meshes with the plurality of screw threads (155) that are defined on the inner circumference of said substrate (120) to secure said filter cover (110) to said substrate (120).

6. The water separator for the fuel cell stack in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said filter cover (110) comprises a flat shaped portion (137) that is defined on an inner circumference of said filter cover (110) and extends from an outer surface (140) of said filter cover (110) partially through said filter cover (110).

7. The water separator for the fuel cell stack in accordance with Claim 6, wherein said substrate (120) comprises a flat shaped portion (151) that is defined on an outer circumference of said substrate (120), wherein the flat shaped portion (137) that is defined on the inner circumference of said filter cover (110) forms a press fit with the flat shaped portion (151) that is defined on the outer circumference of said substrate (120) to secure said filter cover (110) to said substrate (120).

8. The water separator for the fuel cell stack in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said filter cover (110) comprises a notch shaped projection (159) that is defined on an outer circumference of said filter cover (110) and extends radially from an outer circumference of said filter cover (110) outwardly from said filter cover (110).
9. The water separator for the fuel cell stack in accordance with Claim 8, wherein said substrate (120) comprises a groove (153) that is defined in said substrate (120), wherein said notch shaped projection (159) that is defined on the outer circumference of said filter cover (110) is secured within the groove (153) that is defined in said substrate (120) to secure said filter cover (110) to said substrate (120).