Heat exchanger for fuel cell

Abstract

A heat exchanger for cooling a fuel cell is provided with multiple fins, multiple tubes which are laminated and separated from each other by the fin, and at least two tanks which are communicated with the tubes at longitudinal-direction ends of the tubes. Cooling water is circulated to flow through the tubes, the tanks and the fuel cell. The tanks and the tubes are made of resin, while the fins are made of metal. Thus, cooling water which carries electricity can be electrically insulated from the externals by the tanks and the tubes, while the cooling capacity of the heat exchanger can be satisfactorily maintained.

1 . A heat exchanger for cooling a fuel cell, the heat exchanger comprising: 
 a plurality of fins;    a plurality of tubes, in which refrigerant flows, the tubes being arranged in parallel with each other and separated from each other by the fin; and    at least two tanks, each of which is communicated with the tubes at tube ends of a longitudinal direction of the tubes, wherein:    the tanks and the tubes are made of resin; and    the fins are made of metal.    
   
   
       2 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the tube has a flat cross section which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tube; and    the tube includes end portions of a longitudinal direction of the flat cross section and plane portions which are perpendicular to a lateral direction of the flat cross section, the end portion having a larger thickness than that of the plane portion.    
   
   
       3 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 2 , wherein 
 the tube has at least one partition member disposed therein and connected with the plane portions of the tube.    
   
   
       4 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the fin is joined to the tube by one of bonding and welding.    
   
   
       5 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the tubes and the tanks are made of polyphenylene sulfide.    
   
   
       6 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the fins are made of aluminum.    
   
   
       7 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the refrigerant is cooling water composed of ethylene glycol and water.    
   
   
       8 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 2 , wherein 
 the thickness of the end portion is larger than an approximate double of the thickness of the plane portion.