Heat exchange system

Abstract

A heat exchange system includes a fuel cell that receives a specified gas and generates electric power, a heat exchange device that exchanges heat with a heat exchange medium, a heat exchange medium passage, and a gas detector. The heat exchange medium passage allows the heat exchange medium to circulate between the heat exchange device and the fuel cell such that the heat exchange medium can exchange heat with the heat exchange device and the fuel cell. The gas detector is disposed at at least one of the heat exchange device and the heat exchange medium passage to detect the specified gas that leaks into the heat exchange medium.

1 - 13 . (Cancelled)  
   
   
       14 . A heat exchange system, comprising: 
 an exothermic body capable of generating heat, said exothermic body being supplied with a heat exchange medium for heat exchange therewith:    a gas absorbing device comprising a gas absorbing alloy that is able to absorb or release a specified gas;    a heat exchange device configured and positioned to perform heat exchange with the heat exchange medium;    a heat exchange medium passage that circulates the heat exchange medium among the heat exchange device, the exothermic body, and the gas absorbing device such that the heat exchange medium can exchange heat with the heat exchange device, the exothermic body and the gas absorbing device; and    a gas detector configured and positioned at at least one of the heat exchange device and the heat exchange medium passage at a location to detect the specified gas that leaks into the heat exchange medium.    
   
   
       15 . A heat exchange system according to  claim 14 , wherein the gas detector is located at a portion of the heat exchange device or the heat exchange medium passage, which portion is higher in position than the other portions thereof.  
   
   
       16 . A heat exchange system according to  claim 14 , wherein the gas detector is located at a portion of the heat exchange device or the heat exchange medium passage, which portion has a larger volume than the other portions thereof.  
   
   
       17 . A heat exchange system according to  claim 14 , further comprising a warning generator that generates a warning when the gas detector detects leakage of the specified gas into the heat exchange medium.  
   
   
       18 . A heat exchange system according to  claim 14 , wherein the specified gas comprises hydrogen, and wherein the gas detector comprises a hydrogen detector.  
   
   
       19 . A heat exchange system according to  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the heat exchange device comprises a radiator with a radiator cap located at the top thereof; and    the gas detector is attached to the radiator cap.    
   
   
       20 . A heat exchange system according to  claim 14 , wherein the exothermic body comprises a fuel cell that receives the specified gas and generates electric power.  
   
   
       21 . A heat exchange system, comprising: 
 an exothermic body capable of generating heat, said exothermic body being supplied with a heat exchange medium for heat exchange therewith;    a gas absorbing device comprising a gas absorbing alloy that is able to absorb or release a specified gas;    a heat exchange device configured and positioned to perform heat exchange with the heat exchange medium;    a heat exchange medium passage that circulates the heat exchange medium among the heat exchange device, the exothermic body, and the gas absorbing device such that the heat exchange medium can exchange heat with the heat exchange device, the exothermic body and the gas absorbing device;    a heat exchange medium storage device configured and positioned to store at least an excess of the heat exchange medium when the amount of the heat exchange medium that circulates through the heat exchange system becomes excessive; and    a gas detector configured and positioned at at least one of the heat exchange device, the heat exchange medium passage and the heat exchange medium storage device at a location to detect the specified gas that leaks into the heat exchange medium.    
   
   
       22 . A heat exchange system according to  claim 21 , wherein: 
 the heat exchange medium storage device comprises a reserve tank; and    the gas detector is attached to an upper portion of the reserve tank.    
   
   
       23 . A heat exchange system according to  claim 21 , wherein the gas detector is located at a portion of the heat exchange device or the heat exchange medium passage or the heat exchange medium storage device, which portion is higher in position than the other portions.  
   
   
       24 . A heat exchange system according to  claim 21 , wherein the gas detector is located at a portion of the heat exchange device or the heat exchange medium passage or the heat exchange medium storage device, which portion has a larger volume than the other portions thereof.  
   
   
       25 . A heat exchange system according to  claim 21 , further comprising a warning generator that generates a warning when the gas detector detects leakage of the specified gas into the heat exchange medium.  
   
   
       26 . A heat exchange system according to  claim 21 , wherein the specified gas comprises hydrogen, and wherein the gas detector comprises a hydrogen detector.  
   
   
       27 . A heat exchange system according to  claim 21 , wherein: 
 the heat exchange device comprises a radiator with a radiator cap located at the top thereof; and    the gas detector is attached to the radiator cap.    
   
   
       28 . A heat exchange system according to  claim 21 , wherein the exothermic body comprises a fuel cell that receives the specified gas and generates electric power.  
   
   
       29  (Cancelled)