A fuel cell dual-stack activation device based on a quick-change device

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of fuel cell production, and discloses a fuel cell dual-stack activation device based on a quick replacement device. It includes a lifting platform vehicle; the lifting platform vehicle includes a scissor mechanism, and an operating platform is provided at the upper end of the scissor mechanism. A lower stack transverse guide rail and a lower stack longitudinal guide rail are arranged on the operating platform. The upper stack transverse guide rail and the upper stack longitudinal guide rail are respectively fixed on the operating platform through support columns. A fixed frame is provided on one side of the operating platform, and a position sensor for detecting the in-place of the upper power stack and the lower power stack is provided on the fixed frame; a hydrogen inlet stack pipeline, an air inlet stack pipeline, a nitrogen purge pipeline, a hydrogen outlet stack pipeline, an air outlet stack pipeline, a deionized water pipeline, and a cooling water pipeline are also provided on the fixed frame of the operating platform; the quick docking and replacement during the fuel cell activation process are realized, and two power stacks can be activated and tested simultaneously with one battery activation test bench.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of fuel cell production, and relates to a fuel cell dual-stack activation device based on a quick-change device. Specifically, it relates to a quick connection structure for gas-liquid pipelines between a fuel cell stack to be tested and an activation test bench, and a device for simultaneous activation of dual stacks during the activation and testing processes on a fuel cell production line. Background Art

[0002] Currently, fuel cells are in a stage of rapid development. Especially, PEMFC type fuel cells have great application prospects and production demands. The production process of fuel cells has activation and testing processes, and it is necessary to connect the fuel cell stack to an activation bench to complete activation and testing. The connection items include gas-liquid pipelines, power input / output cables required for the fuel cell stack, detection and control signal cables and components for the operation of the fuel cell stack, etc. These are determined by the specific fuel cell stack, but there are common requirements.

[0003] Especially for fuel cell stacks entering industrial production, they are optimized according to technical characteristics and requirements such as process principles, functions, and manufacturing. Various interfaces actually designed for the fuel cell stack have been arranged in groups. For example, electrical detection and control connections, power connections, etc. are all completed in the form of grouped connector plugs, and hydrogen, air, and cooling connectors for fluid pipelines are also in a spatially adjacent state.

[0004] In the activation testing and other links of the fuel cell stack, the operation of the fuel cell stack requires the transportation of hydrogen, air, and coolant, and generally uses multiple flexible pipelines. These pipelines are composed of structures with certain pressure and heat preservation and heating control, etc. Industrial technology requires production to be carried out as quickly and at low cost as possible. Therefore, it is imperative to improve the installation and disassembly technology of the fuel cell stack to be tested and the test bench, reduce the installation difficulty and installation time, reduce the occupied space volume of the test, and improve the degree of automation.

[0005] Currently, there has been no structural optimization for the automated installation specifically for the activation testing of fuel cell stacks. The patents with names or technologies slightly similar retrieved are as follows:

[0006] CN100392900C and CN207501966U use a press to press multiple single cells together, but these two technologies are for the quick testing during the single cell lamination assembly stage of the fuel cell stack, not for the testing of the complete fuel cell stack. CN110021772A and CN209860063U are mainly for the automated assembly and overall assembly management of the production line during the assembly stage, and involve the correct airtightness detection of assembly components. None of the above are for the activation or power output performance testing of the fuel cell stack, let alone the quick installation and disassembly of fluid pipelines for the activation testing of the finished fuel cell stack.

[0007] The existing pipelines are scattered, not grouped, and do not have the characteristics of grouped linkage. The relative positions of the stack and the test bench are not directly related to the pipeline length. The pipelines are randomly bent and then connected to the stack. After connection, the pipelines have normal rigidity. The pipelines are not exclusive. During continuous production, the connection of the pipelines does not have position inheritance, and a single device cannot activate multiple stacks simultaneously. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The objective of the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies in the above background technology and provide a fuel cell dual-stack activation device based on a quick-change device, which realizes quick docking and replacement during the fuel cell activation process and can activate two stacks simultaneously with a single battery activation test bench.

[0009] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problems is: a fuel cell dual-stack activation device based on a quick-change device, including a lifting platform vehicle; the lifting platform vehicle includes a scissor mechanism, the scissor mechanism is arranged on the upper end surface of the lifting platform vehicle, an operating platform is provided at the upper end of the scissor mechanism, a lower stack transverse guide rail and a lower stack longitudinal guide rail are arranged on the operating platform, a lower stack fixing plate is arranged on the lower stack transverse guide rail and the lower stack longitudinal guide rail, an upper stack fixing plate is arranged above the lower stack fixing plate, the upper stack fixing plate is arranged on an upper stack transverse guide rail and an upper stack longitudinal guide rail, the upper stack transverse guide rail and the upper stack longitudinal guide rail are respectively fixed on the operating platform through support columns, a fixing frame is arranged on one side of the operating platform, and a position sensor for detecting the arrival of the upper stack and the lower stack is arranged on the fixing frame; a hydrogen inlet pipeline, an air inlet pipeline, a nitrogen purge pipeline, a hydrogen outlet pipeline, an air outlet pipeline, a deionized water pipeline, and a cooling water pipeline are also arranged on the fixing frame of the operating platform; the device also includes an electric control system; the lifting platform vehicle is also equipped with a double oil cylinder for driving the operating platform to move up and down through the scissor mechanism to facilitate docking with the battery activation test bench.

[0010] Two sets of the hydrogen inlet pipeline, the air inlet pipeline, the nitrogen purge pipeline, the hydrogen outlet pipeline, the air outlet pipeline, the deionized water pipeline, and the cooling water pipeline are provided. They are used to connect to two stacks, namely the upper stack and the lower stack, simultaneously, and provide input conditions such as hydrogen, air, nitrogen, deionized water, and cooling water for the upper and lower stacks at the same time.

[0011] Furthermore, universal casters are arranged at the bottom of the lifting platform vehicle, and a pusher is arranged at the side; it can be freely pushed and arranged in the working site.

[0012] The hydrogen inlet pipeline, the air inlet pipeline, the nitrogen purge pipeline, the hydrogen outlet pipeline, the air outlet pipeline, the deionized water pipeline, the cooling water pipeline, and the stack interface adopt the form of a cone hose, which is convenient for disassembly and replacement and can be reused at the same time.

[0013] Temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and flow meters are respectively provided on the hydrogen inlet pipe to the reactor, air inlet pipe to the reactor, nitrogen purge pipe, hydrogen outlet pipe from the reactor, air outlet pipe from the reactor, deionized water pipe, and cooling water pipe.

[0014] Furthermore, the electronic control system is a controller system of NI.

[0015] Furthermore, the electronic control system is respectively connected to the temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and flow meters on each pipeline to achieve control and feedback.

[0016] Furthermore, for the fuel cell stack to be tested in continuous production, the hydrogen inlet pipe to the reactor, air inlet pipe to the reactor, nitrogen purge pipe, hydrogen outlet pipe from the reactor, air outlet pipe from the reactor, deionized water pipe, cooling water pipe, etc. have a certain flexibility. The pipeline adopts an enhanced pressure-resistant and heat-resistant plastic pipe or a metal bellows pipe, which can include a multi-layer structure. Specifically: the innermost is a process fluid pipeline layer with a temperature of 80°C to 120°C, the middle is a heating and temperature control layer, and the outermost is a heat insulation layer; the heating and temperature control layer adopts electric heating temperature control or liquid circulation temperature control; for high-power fuel cell stacks, such as fuel cell stacks above 100 kw, since the present invention greatly shortens the connecting pipeline, preferably only the process fluid pipeline layer and the outermost heat insulation layer are retained, and the middle heating and temperature control layer is cancelled.

[0017] The lower stack horizontal guide rail and the lower stack vertical guide rail enable the lower-layer fuel cell stack fixed on the lower fuel cell stack fixing plate to move back and forth, left and right, for easy loading and unloading, and after being pushed against, it can trigger a position sensor to send a in-place signal to the electronic control system; the upper stack horizontal guide rail and the upper stack vertical guide rail enable the upper-layer fuel cell stack fixed on the upper fuel cell stack fixing plate to move back and forth, left and right, for easy loading and unloading, and after being pushed against, it can trigger a position sensor to send a in-place signal to the electronic control system.

[0018] The equipment uses a lifting platform vehicle controlled by a double oil cylinder as the main body, and the hand-operated pump is used to control the telescopic of the double oil cylinder push rod to adjust the height of the operating platform, so that it can be conveniently docked with the fuel cell stack test bench. On it, there are integrated upper and lower double-layer fuel cell stack fixing plates positioned by guide rails, each having four degrees of freedom in the front, back, left, and right directions. Two fuel cell stacks can be conveniently installed on the fixing plates at the same time. After the fuel cell stack is pushed against, it will trigger a position sensor to send a signal to the electronic control system, so that the water, electricity, and gas are in the in-place state.

[0019] The lifting platform vehicle is provided with double sets of hydrogen, air, nitrogen, and deionized water pipelines for connecting to two fuel cell stacks at the same time. The pipeline and the fuel cell stack interface adopt the form of a pagoda hose, which is convenient for disassembly and replacement and can be reused at the same time. At the same time, the double sets of pipelines are insulated with electric heating tracing tapes and heat insulation materials for the pipe diameters, lengths, elbows, etc., so that the media provided for the two fuel cell stacks are balanced and consistent in terms of gas volume, temperature, pressure, humidity, etc.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the present invention compared with the prior art are as follows:

[0021] A fuel cell dual-stack activation device based on a quick-change device provided by the present invention integrates a lifting platform truck, a quick-change tooling, and an electric control system, realizing quick docking and replacement during the fuel cell activation process. It can activate two stacks simultaneously with one battery activation test bench, which is of great practical significance for working conditions with high requirements for production rhythm such as production lines. It can greatly improve the convenience during operation and at the same time meet the requirements of users for work efficiency. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments:

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell dual-stack activation device based on a quick-change device of the present invention.

[0024] In the figure, 1. Hydrogen inlet stack pipeline, 2. Upper stack, 3. Air inlet stack pipeline, 4. Upper stack horizontal guide rail, 5. Upper stack longitudinal guide rail, 6. Lower stack horizontal guide rail, 7. Lower stack longitudinal guide rail, 8. Support column, 9. Operating table, 10. Pusher, 11. Scissor mechanism, 12. Lifting platform truck, 13. Caster, 14. Position sensor, 15. Lower stack, 16. Nitrogen purge pipeline, 17. Hydrogen outlet stack pipeline, 18. Air outlet stack pipeline, 19. Deionized water pipeline, 20. Electric control system, 21. Cooling water pipeline. Detailed Embodiment

[0025] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the specification drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. The temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and flow meters connected to the N1 controller in the embodiments are not limited to a specific model, and it is only necessary to achieve their functions.

[0026] Embodiment 1

[0027] A fuel cell dual-stack activation device based on a quick-change device, as Figure 1As shown in the figure, it includes a lifting platform truck 12; the lifting platform truck 12 includes a scissor mechanism 11, the scissor mechanism 11 is arranged on the upper end surface of the lifting platform truck 12, an operating platform 9 is provided at the upper end of the scissor mechanism 11, and transverse lower stacking guide rails 6 and longitudinal lower stacking guide rails 7 are arranged on the operating platform 9. A lower fuel cell stack fixing plate is arranged on the transverse lower stacking guide rails 6 and the longitudinal lower stacking guide rails 7. An upper fuel cell stack fixing plate is arranged above the lower fuel cell stack fixing plate, and the upper fuel cell stack fixing plate is arranged on the transverse upper stacking guide rails 4 and the longitudinal upper stacking guide rails 5. The transverse upper stacking guide rails 4 and the longitudinal upper stacking guide rails 5 are respectively fixed on the operating platform 9 through support columns 8. A fixing frame is arranged on one side of the operating platform 9, and a position sensor 14 for detecting the in-place of the upper fuel cell stack and the lower fuel cell stack is arranged on the fixing frame; a hydrogen inlet pipeline 1, an air inlet pipeline 3, a nitrogen purge pipeline 16, a hydrogen outlet pipeline 17, an air outlet pipeline 18, a deionized water pipeline 19, and a cooling water pipeline 21 are also arranged on the fixing frame of the operating platform 9; the equipment also has an electric control system 20; the lifting platform truck 12 is also equipped with double cylinders for driving the operating platform 9 to move up and down through the scissor mechanism 11, so as to facilitate docking with the battery activation test bench.

[0028] There are two sets of the hydrogen inlet pipeline 1, the air inlet pipeline 3, the nitrogen purge pipeline 16, the hydrogen outlet pipeline 17, the air outlet pipeline 18, the deionized water pipeline 19, and the cooling water pipeline 21. They are used to connect with two fuel cell stacks, namely the upper fuel cell stack 2 and the lower fuel cell stack 15 at the same time. And provide input conditions such as hydrogen, air, nitrogen, deionized water, and cooling water for the upper and lower fuel cell stacks simultaneously.

[0029] Furthermore, universal casters 13 are arranged at the bottom of the lifting platform truck 12, and a pusher 10 is arranged on the side; so that it can be freely pushed and arranged in the working site.

[0030] The hydrogen inlet pipeline 1, the air inlet pipeline 3, the nitrogen purge pipeline 16, the hydrogen outlet pipeline 17, the air outlet pipeline 18, the deionized water pipeline 19, and the cooling water pipeline 21 and the fuel cell stack interfaces adopt the form of corrugated hoses, which is convenient for disassembly and replacement and can be reused at the same time.

[0031] Temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and flow meters are respectively arranged on the hydrogen inlet pipeline 1, the air inlet pipeline 3, the nitrogen purge pipeline 16, the hydrogen outlet pipeline 17, the air outlet pipeline 18, the deionized water pipeline 19, and the cooling water pipeline 21.

[0032] Furthermore, the electric control system 20 adopts an NI controller, and signals are collected through the expansion module on the NI controller to achieve control.

[0033] Furthermore, the electric control system 20 is respectively connected to the temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and flow meters on each pipeline to achieve control and feedback.

[0034] Furthermore, for the fuel cell stack to be tested in continuous production, the hydrogen inlet pipeline 1, air inlet pipeline 3, nitrogen purge pipeline 16, hydrogen outlet pipeline 17, air outlet pipeline 18, deionized water pipeline 19, cooling water pipeline 21, etc. for testing have a certain flexibility. The pipelines adopt reinforced pressure-resistant and heat-resistant plastic pipes or metal bellows, and can include a multi-layer structure. Specifically: the innermost layer is a process fluid pipeline layer with a temperature range of 80°C to 120°C, the middle layer is a heating and temperature control layer, and the outermost layer is a heat insulation layer; the heating and temperature control layer adopts electric heating temperature control or liquid circulation temperature control; for high-power fuel cell stacks, such as fuel cell stacks above 100 kW, since the connection pipelines are significantly shortened by the present invention, preferably only the process fluid pipeline layer and the outermost heat insulation layer are retained, and the middle heating and temperature control layer is cancelled.

[0035] The working process of the fuel cell double-stack activation device based on the quick-change device is as follows: The device uses the lifting platform truck 12 controlled by double cylinders as the main body, and controls the telescopic movement of the double-cylinder push rods through a hand-operated pump to adjust the height of the operating platform 9, so that it can be conveniently docked with the fuel cell stack test bench. It integrates upper and lower double-layer fuel cell stack fixing plates with four degrees of freedom in the front, back, left, and right directions positioned by guide rails. Two fuel cell stacks can be conveniently installed on the fixing plates at the same time. After the fuel cell stacks are pushed against, the position sensor 14 will be triggered to send a signal to the electronic control system 20, so that the water, electricity, and gas are in the in-place state.

[0036] Double sets of hydrogen, air, nitrogen, and deionized water pipelines are arranged on the lifting platform truck 12 for connecting to two fuel cell stacks at the same time. The interfaces between the pipelines and the fuel cell stacks adopt the form of a pagoda hose, which is convenient for disassembly and replacement and can be reused at the same time. At the same time, the diameters, lengths, elbows, etc. of the double sets of pipelines are all insulated by wrapping electric heating tapes and heat insulation materials, so that the media provided for the two fuel cell stacks are balanced and consistent in terms of gas volume, temperature, pressure, humidity, etc. Through this device, it is possible to use one battery test platform to simultaneously provide the material input for activating and testing two fuel cell stacks.

[0037] Although the present invention has been described in detail above with general descriptions and specific embodiments, based on the present invention, some modifications or improvements can be made, which are obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, these modifications or improvements made without departing from the spirit of the present invention all fall within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

Claims

1. A fuel cell double-stack activation device based on a quick replacement device, characterized in that, It includes a lifting platform truck (12); the lifting platform truck (12) includes a scissor mechanism (11), the scissor mechanism (11) is arranged on the upper end surface of the lifting platform truck (12), an operating platform (9) is provided at the upper end of the scissor mechanism (11), transverse lower stacking guide rails (6) and longitudinal lower stacking guide rails (7) are arranged on the operating platform (9), a lower stack fixed plate for the fuel cell stack is arranged on the transverse lower stacking guide rails (6) and the longitudinal lower stacking guide rails (7), an upper stack fixed plate for the fuel cell stack is arranged above the lower stack fixed plate for the fuel cell stack, the upper stack fixed plate for the fuel cell stack is arranged on the transverse upper stacking guide rails (4) and the longitudinal upper stacking guide rails (5), the transverse upper stacking guide rails (4) and the longitudinal upper stacking guide rails (5) are respectively fixed on the operating platform (9) through support columns (8), a fixed frame is arranged on one side of the operating platform (9), and a position sensor (14) for detecting the in-place of the upper and lower fuel cell stacks is arranged on the fixed frame; a hydrogen inlet pipeline for the fuel cell stack (1), an air inlet pipeline for the fuel cell stack (3), a nitrogen purging pipeline (16), a hydrogen outlet pipeline for the fuel cell stack (17), an air outlet pipeline for the fuel cell stack (18), a deionized water pipeline (19), and a cooling water pipeline (21) are also arranged on the fixed frame of the operating platform (9); the equipment also has an electric control system (20); the lifting platform truck (12) is also equipped with a double-acting cylinder for driving the operating platform (9) to move up and down through the scissor mechanism (11) so as to facilitate docking with the battery activation test bench; For the fuel cell stacks to be tested in continuous production, the hydrogen inlet pipeline for the fuel cell stack (1), the air inlet pipeline for the fuel cell stack (3), the nitrogen purging pipeline (16), the hydrogen outlet pipeline for the fuel cell stack (17), the air outlet pipeline for the fuel cell stack (18), the deionized water pipeline (19), and the cooling water pipeline (21) have a certain flexibility, and the pipelines adopt reinforced pressure-resistant and heat-resistant plastic pipes or metal bellows, including a multi-layer structure, specifically: the innermost layer is a process fluid pipeline layer at 80°C to 120°C, the middle layer is a heating and temperature control layer, and the outermost layer is a heat preservation layer; the heating and temperature control layer adopts electric heating and temperature control or liquid circulation temperature control; for fuel cell stacks with a power of more than 100 kw, only the process fluid pipeline layer and the outermost heat preservation layer are retained, and the middle heating and temperature control layer is cancelled; Two sets of the hydrogen inlet pipeline for the fuel cell stack (1), the air inlet pipeline for the fuel cell stack (3), the nitrogen purging pipeline (16), the hydrogen outlet pipeline for the fuel cell stack (17), the air outlet pipeline for the fuel cell stack (18), the deionized water pipeline (19), and the cooling water pipeline (21) are provided; they are used to connect with the upper fuel cell stack (2) and the lower fuel cell stack (15) simultaneously; The hydrogen inlet pipeline for the fuel cell stack (1), the air inlet pipeline for the fuel cell stack (3), the nitrogen purging pipeline (16), the hydrogen outlet pipeline for the fuel cell stack (17), the air outlet pipeline for the fuel cell stack (18), the deionized water pipeline (19), the cooling water pipeline (21), and the fuel cell stack interface adopt the form of a flare hose.

2. The fuel cell dual-stack activation device based on a quick replacement device according to claim 1, characterized in that Universal casters (13) are arranged at the bottom of the lifting platform truck (12), and a pusher (10) is arranged on the side.

3. The fuel cell double-stack activation device based on a quick replacement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electric control system (20) adopts an NI controller, and signals are collected through the expansion module on the controller to achieve control.

4. The fuel cell dual-stack activation device based on a quick replacement device according to claim 3, characterized in that, Temperature sensors, pressure sensors and flow meters are respectively arranged on the hydrogen inlet pipe to the reactor (1), the air inlet pipe to the reactor (3), the nitrogen purge pipe (16), the hydrogen outlet pipe from the reactor (17), the air outlet pipe from the reactor (18), the deionized water pipe (19) and the cooling water pipe (21); the electronic control system (20) is respectively connected to the temperature, pressure sensors and flow meters on the pipes to achieve control and feedback.

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