Air-cooled aluminum metal bipolar plate

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of fuel cells, specifically to an air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate. It includes an aluminum anode plate, an aluminum cathode plate, and multiple adhesive sealing gaskets. The aluminum anode plate has multiple interconnected first grooves, each containing multiple first protrusions. The aluminum cathode plate has multiple interconnected second grooves, each containing multiple second protrusions. The periodic distribution of the first and second protrusions forms a serpentine gas field, which effectively alters the airflow direction, facilitating the flow of reactant gases into the gas diffusion layer and the discharge of generated water. Simultaneously, the cooling medium flows through the cooling medium channel formed by the first and second notches, carrying away heat. This two-plate, three-field air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate structure improves the battery's heat dissipation efficiency, enabling the battery to operate stably and continuously at higher current densities.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cells, and more specifically to an air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate. Background Technology

[0002] Due to the global energy crisis and the increasing pollution caused by traditional energy sources, fuel cells have received widespread attention worldwide as a new type of high-energy-density, high-energy-conversion-rate, and environmentally friendly power source. There are many types of fuel cells. Among them, proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), which use polymer proton exchange membranes as electrolytes, have advantages over other types of fuel cells, such as low operating temperature, fast start-up speed, modular installation, and convenient operation. They are considered the best alternative power source for electric vehicles, submarines, various mobile power sources, power grids, and stationary power sources.

[0003] Currently, proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are mainly divided into two categories: liquid-cooled fuel cells and air-cooled fuel cells. Liquid-cooled fuel cells have higher power densities, but require complex auxiliary systems, such as an air supply subsystem consisting of an air compressor, humidifier, and intercooler; a hydrogen supply subsystem consisting of a hydrogen cylinder, pressure reducing valve, hydrogen proportioning valve, and hydrogen circulation pump or hydrogen ejector; a thermal management subsystem consisting of a cooling water tank, cooling water pump, deionized water filter, and thermostat; and a complex control system. This high system complexity makes cost reduction difficult and significantly complicates system integration. Air-cooled fuel cells, on the other hand, have simpler systems, consisting of a simple air subsystem with a fan and a simplified hydrogen supply subsystem consisting of a hydrogen cylinder, pressure reducing valve, and exhaust solenoid valve. The air supplied in the air subsystem serves as both a reactant gas and a cooling medium, but its limited cooling capacity prevents the fuel cell from operating at high power densities. Therefore, to simplify the system structure while ensuring stable operation of the fuel cell at high power densities, it is necessary to develop an air-cooled bipolar plate with strong cooling capacity. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides an air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate to solve the problem of low cooling efficiency in air-cooled fuel cells.

[0005] The present invention adopts the following technical solution: an air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate, comprising an aluminum anode plate, an aluminum cathode plate and multiple adhesive sealing gaskets.

[0006] An aluminum anode plate is horizontally arranged in the left-right direction. The upper surface of the aluminum anode plate has a first groove arranged in the left-right direction with its opening facing upwards. Multiple first ridges are arranged in the left-right direction within the first groove. These first ridges are spaced apart in the front-back direction, dividing the first groove into multiple interconnected first grooves for air circulation. Multiple first protrusions are spaced apart in the left-right direction within the first grooves. The lower surface of the aluminum anode plate has multiple first notches with their openings facing downwards. These first notches are located below the first protrusions and correspond one-to-one.

[0007] The aluminum anode plate has a first anode inlet and a first cathode outlet on its left side. The first anode inlet is connected to a first trench. The aluminum anode plate also has a first anode outlet and a first cathode inlet on its right side. The first anode outlet is connected to the first trench.

[0008] An aluminum cathode plate is horizontally positioned below an aluminum anode plate along a left-right direction. Its lower surface has a second groove with its opening facing downwards and also along a left-right direction. Multiple second ridges are positioned along a left-right direction within this second groove. These ridges are spaced apart along a front-back direction, dividing the second groove into multiple interconnected second grooves for air circulation. Multiple second protrusions are positioned spaced apart along a left-right direction within each second groove. The lower surface of the aluminum cathode plate has multiple upward-facing second notches. These notches are located below the second protrusions and correspond one-to-one.

[0009] The aluminum cathode plate has a second cathode outlet and a second anode inlet on its left side. The second cathode outlet is connected to the second trench. The aluminum cathode plate also has a second cathode inlet and a second anode outlet on its right side. The second cathode inlet is connected to the second trench, and the first anode inlet and second anode outlet are vertically aligned, as are the first cathode inlet and second cathode outlet, and the first cathode outlet and second cathode outlet.

[0010] Multiple adhesive sealing gaskets are disposed between the aluminum anode plate and the aluminum cathode plate to seal and connect the first anode inlet and the second anode inlet, the first anode outlet and the second anode outlet, the first cathode inlet and the second cathode outlet, and the first cathode outlet and the second cathode outlet. The first and second notches also form a cooling medium channel. The air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate structure composed of the aluminum anode plate and the aluminum cathode plate is configured as a closed cathode inlet and outlet structure.

[0011] Furthermore, the thickness of the aluminum metal anode plate is 0.075~0.2mm.

[0012] Furthermore, the thickness of the aluminum metal cathode plate is 0.075~0.2mm.

[0013] Furthermore, the width of the first groove is 0.4~1.5mm and the depth is 0.4~1.5mm. The width of the first ridge is 0.4~1.5mm.

[0014] Furthermore, the width of the second groove is 0.4~1.5mm and the depth is 0.4~1.5mm. The width of the second ridge is 0.4~1.5mm.

[0015] Furthermore, the distance between two adjacent first protrusions is 5~20mm, the length of the first protrusion in the left-right direction is 2~10mm, and the height of the first protrusion is 0.2~1.0mm.

[0016] Furthermore, the distance between two adjacent second protrusions is 5~20mm, the length of the second protrusion in the left-right direction is 2~10mm, and the height of the second protrusion is 0.2~1.0mm.

[0017] Furthermore, the surface of the aluminum metal anode plate is covered with a highly conductive and corrosion-resistant coating, which is a precious metal coating or a carbon-based coating.

[0018] Furthermore, the surface of the aluminum metal cathode plate is covered with a highly conductive and corrosion-resistant coating, which is a precious metal coating or a carbon-based coating.

[0019] Furthermore, the aluminum metal anode plate and aluminum metal cathode plate can be formed by stamping, roll forming, hydroforming, soft mold forming and etching.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: the periodic distribution of the first and second protrusions forms a serpentine gas field, which can effectively change the airflow direction, facilitating the flow of the reacted gas into the gas diffusion layer and the discharge of generated water. Simultaneously, the cooling medium flows through the cooling medium channel formed by the first and second notches, carrying away heat. The two-plate, three-field air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate structure improves the battery's heat dissipation efficiency, enabling the battery to potentially operate stably and continuously at higher current densities.

[0021] Furthermore, aluminum anode and cathode plates made from aluminum sheets are lighter, making them easier to design and suitable for use in drones. Aluminum also offers better heat dissipation. Using aluminum sheets as the substrate also facilitates low-temperature cold starts for fuel cells. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the aluminum metal anode plate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an aluminum metal cathode plate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] In the diagram: 100, aluminum anode plate; 110, first ridge; 120, first groove; 130, first protrusion; 141, first anode inlet; 142, first anode outlet; 151, first cathode inlet; 152, first cathode outlet; 200, aluminum cathode plate; 210, second ridge; 220, second groove; 230, second protrusion; 241, second anode inlet; 242, second anode outlet; 251, second cathode inlet; 252, second cathode outlet; 260, second notch; 300, adhesive sealing gasket. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] An embodiment of the air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate of the present invention, such as... Figures 1 to 4 As shown: An air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate includes an aluminum anode plate 100, an aluminum cathode plate 200, and a plurality of adhesive sealing gaskets 300.

[0030] An aluminum anode plate 100 is horizontally arranged in the left-right direction. A first groove with its opening facing upwards and arranged in the left-right direction is provided on the upper surface of the aluminum anode plate 100. Multiple first ridges 110 arranged in the left-right direction are provided within the first groove. The multiple first ridges 110 are spaced apart in the front-back direction, dividing the first groove into multiple interconnected first grooves 120 to allow air circulation. Multiple first protrusions 130 arranged at intervals in the left-right direction are provided within the first grooves 120. Multiple first notches with downward openings are provided on the lower surface of the aluminum anode plate 100. The first notches are located below the first protrusions 130 and correspond one-to-one. The first ridges 110, first grooves 120, and first protrusions 130 constitute the anode flow field.

[0031] The aluminum anode plate 100 has a first anode inlet 141 and a first cathode outlet 152 on its left side. The first anode inlet 141 is connected to the first trench 120. The aluminum anode plate 100 has a first anode outlet 142 and a first cathode inlet 151 on its right side. The first anode outlet 142 is connected to the first trench 120.

[0032] An aluminum cathode plate 200 is horizontally positioned below an aluminum anode plate 100 along a left-right direction. Its lower end face has a second groove with its opening facing downwards and aligned along a left-right direction. Multiple second ridges 210 are arranged along a left-right direction within the second groove. These ridges are spaced apart along a front-back direction, dividing the second groove into multiple interconnected second grooves 220 for air circulation. Multiple second protrusions 230 are spaced apart along a left-right direction within the second grooves 220. The lower end face of the aluminum cathode plate 200 has multiple upward-facing second notches 260. These notches 260 are located below the second protrusions 230 and correspond one-to-one. The second ridges 210, second grooves 220, and second protrusions 230 constitute the cathode flow field.

[0033] The aluminum cathode plate 200 has a second cathode outlet 252 and a second anode inlet 241 on its left side. The second cathode outlet 252 is connected to the second trench 220. The aluminum cathode plate 200 also has a second cathode inlet 251 and a second anode outlet 242 on its right side. The second cathode inlet 251 is connected to the second trench 220, and the first anode inlet 141 and the second anode inlet 241 are vertically aligned, as are the first anode outlet 142 and the second anode outlet 242, the first cathode inlet 151 and the second cathode inlet 251, and the first cathode outlet 152 and the second cathode outlet 252.

[0034] Multiple adhesive sealing gaskets 300 are disposed between the aluminum anode plate 100 and the aluminum cathode plate 200 to seal and connect the first anode inlet 141 and the second anode inlet 241, the first anode outlet 142 and the second anode outlet 242, the first cathode inlet 151 and the second cathode inlet 251, and the first cathode outlet 152 and the second cathode outlet 252. The first notch and the second notch 260 also form a cooling medium channel. The aluminum anode plate 100 and the aluminum cathode plate 200 constitute a two-plate, three-field air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate structure. The anode flow field is a parallel flow field and a serpentine flow field. The cathode flow field is a parallel flow field and a serpentine flow field. The air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate structure formed by the aluminum anode plate 100 and the aluminum cathode plate 200 is configured as a closed cathode inlet and outlet structure.

[0035] Air enters the first trench 120 through the first anode inlet 141 and the second anode inlet 241. The use of the first protrusion 130 creates a serpentine anode gas field, carrying away heat. Air enters the second trench 220 through the first cathode inlet 151 and the second cathode inlet 251. The use of the second protrusion 230 creates a serpentine cathode gas field, carrying away heat. The serpentine gas field formed by the periodic distribution of the first protrusion 130 and the second protrusion 230 effectively changes the airflow direction, facilitating the flow of reactant gas into the gas diffusion layer and the discharge of generated water. Simultaneously, the cooling medium flows through the cooling medium channel formed by the first and second notches 260, carrying away heat. The two-plate, three-field air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate structure improves the battery's heat dissipation efficiency, enabling the battery to operate stably and continuously at higher current densities.

[0036] In this embodiment, the aluminum metal anode plate 100 has a thickness of 0.1 mm.

[0037] In this embodiment, the aluminum metal cathode plate 200 has a thickness of 0.1 mm.

[0038] In this embodiment, the first groove 120 has a width of 0.7 mm and a depth of 0.5 mm. The first ridge 110 has a ridge width of 0.8 mm.

[0039] In this embodiment, the second groove 220 has a width of 0.8 mm and a depth of 0.5 mm. The second ridge 210 has a ridge width of 0.7 mm.

[0040] In this embodiment, the distance between two adjacent first protrusions 130 is 10mm, the length of the first protrusion 130 in the left-right direction is 5mm, and the height of the first protrusion 130 is 0.2mm.

[0041] In this embodiment, the distance between two adjacent second protrusions 230 is 10mm, the length of the second protrusion 230 in the left-right direction is 5mm, and the height of the second protrusion 230 is 0.2mm.

[0042] In this embodiment, the surface of the aluminum metal anode plate 100 is covered with a highly conductive and corrosion-resistant coating, which is a nano-gold coating.

[0043] In this embodiment, the surface of the aluminum metal cathode plate 200 is covered with a highly conductive and corrosion-resistant coating, which is a carbon film coating.

[0044] In this embodiment, the aluminum metal anode plate 100 and the aluminum metal cathode plate 200 can be formed by stamping, roll forming, hydroforming, soft mold forming and etching.

[0045] Based on the above embodiments, the operating principle and process of this invention are as follows: Air enters the first trench 120 from the first anode inlet 141 and the second anode inlet 241. The use of the first protrusion 130 makes the anode gas field formed by the airflow serpentine, carrying away heat. Air enters the second trench 220 from the first cathode inlet 151 and the second cathode inlet 251. The use of the second protrusion 230 makes the cathode gas field formed by the airflow serpentine, carrying away heat. The periodic distribution of the first protrusion 130 and the second protrusion 230 can effectively change the airflow direction, which is beneficial to the flow of reactant gas into the gas diffusion layer and the discharge of generated water. At the same time, the cooling medium flows through the cooling medium channel formed by the first notch and the second notch 260, carrying away heat. The two-plate, three-field air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate structure improves the battery heat dissipation efficiency, making it possible for the battery to operate stably and continuously at higher current densities.

[0046] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate, characterized in that: Includes an aluminum anode plate, an aluminum cathode plate, and multiple adhesive sealing gaskets; An aluminum anode plate is horizontally arranged in the left-right direction. A first groove with its opening facing upwards and positioned in the left-right direction is provided on the upper surface of the aluminum anode plate. Multiple first ridges with their openings facing upwards are provided within the first groove. These first ridges are spaced apart in the front-back direction, dividing the first groove into multiple interconnected first grooves to allow air circulation. Multiple first protrusions with their openings spaced apart in the left-right direction are provided within the first grooves. Multiple first notches with their openings facing downwards are provided on the lower surface of the aluminum anode plate. These first notches are located below the first protrusions and correspond one-to-one. The aluminum anode plate has a first anode air inlet and a first cathode air outlet on its left side; the first anode air inlet is connected to the first trench; the aluminum anode plate has a first anode air outlet and a first cathode air inlet on its right side; the first anode air outlet is connected to the first trench. An aluminum cathode plate is horizontally positioned below an aluminum anode plate in a left-right direction. A second groove, oriented left-right and opening downwards, is provided on its lower end surface. Multiple second ridges, oriented left-right, are located within the second groove. These ridges are spaced apart in a front-back direction, dividing the second groove into multiple interconnected second grooves for air circulation. Multiple second protrusions, spaced apart left-right, are located within the second grooves. Multiple upward-opening second notches are located on the lower end surface of the aluminum cathode plate. These notches are located below the second protrusions and correspond one-to-one. The aluminum metal cathode plate has a second cathode outlet and a second anode inlet on the left side; the second cathode outlet is connected to the second trench; the aluminum metal cathode plate has a second cathode inlet and a second anode outlet on the right side; the second cathode inlet is connected to the second trench, and the first anode inlet and the second anode outlet are vertically aligned, the first anode outlet and the second anode outlet are vertically aligned, the first cathode inlet and the second cathode outlet are vertically aligned, and the first cathode outlet and the second cathode outlet are vertically aligned. Multiple adhesive sealing gaskets are disposed between the aluminum metal anode plate and the aluminum metal cathode plate to seal and connect the first anode air inlet and the second anode air inlet, the first anode air outlet and the second anode air outlet, the first cathode air inlet and the second cathode air inlet, and the first cathode air outlet and the second cathode air outlet; and to make the first notch and the second notch form a cooling medium channel.

2. The air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the aluminum metal anode plate is 0.075~0.2mm.

3. The air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the aluminum metal cathode plate is 0.075~0.2mm.

4. The air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The width of the first groove is 0.4~1.5mm and the depth is 0.4~1.5mm; the width of the first ridge is 0.4~1.5mm.

5. The air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second groove has a width of 0.4~1.5mm and a depth of 0.4~1.5mm; the second ridge has a width of 0.4~1.5mm.

6. The air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance between two adjacent first protrusions is 5~20mm, the length of the first protrusion in the left-right direction is 2~10mm, and the height of the first protrusion is 0.2~1.0mm.

7. The air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance between two adjacent second protrusions is 5~20mm, the length of the second protrusion in the left-right direction is 2~10mm, and the height of the second protrusion is 0.2~1.0mm.

8. The air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the aluminum metal anode plate is covered with a highly conductive and corrosion-resistant coating, which is a precious metal coating or a carbon-based coating.

9. The air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the aluminum metal cathode plate is covered with a highly conductive and corrosion-resistant coating, which is a precious metal coating or a carbon-based coating.

10. The air-cooled aluminum bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The forming methods for aluminum metal anode plates and aluminum metal cathode plates can be stamping, roll forming, hydroforming, soft mold forming, and etching forming.

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