A blind end plate, fuel cell, and vehicle

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of fuel cell, in particular to a blind end plate, a fuel cell and a vehicle, the blind end plate comprises a body, a flow channel part and a tail hydrogen inlet port are arranged on one side surface of the body, tail hydrogen outlet ports and tail hydrogen water outlet ports are further arranged on the body; the tail hydrogen inlet port, the tail hydrogen outlet port and the tail hydrogen water outlet port are communicated with the flow channel part respectively; the tail hydrogen inlet port is a through hole or a blind hole, the tail hydrogen outlet port and the tail hydrogen water outlet port are both through holes; the height of the horizontal plane where the tail hydrogen outlet port is located is higher than that of the tail hydrogen water outlet port; through the blind end plate, the heat of the tail hydrogen is used to heat the end of the fuel cell stack, the temperature difference between the single cell at the end of the fuel cell stack and the single cell at the middle position is reduced, so that the performance is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, specifically to a blind end plate, a fuel cell, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] A proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack consists of multiple individual cells. Each PEMFC individual cell comprises a proton exchange membrane, anode and cathode catalyst layers, a diffusion layer, bipolar plates, and cooling channels. The fuel cell stack is composed of these stacked cells. Fuel enters each cell through the fuel inlet distribution chamber, flows through the cell's internal channels, and participates in the reaction. Excess gas flows out of the fuel cell stack through the fuel outlet collection chamber. During testing and operation, a monitoring module continuously monitors the voltage and consistency of each individual cell to assess its operational status. In actual operation, low voltage is frequently observed in the first or last cell. One major contributing factor is uneven fuel distribution due to structural design. Another major factor is the high heat transfer coefficient at the beginning and end of the fuel cell stack, compared to a lower coefficient in the middle. This results in a temperature distribution pattern where the cells at the beginning and end are cooler than those in the middle, thus affecting the performance of the first and last cells. Studies have shown that this temperature difference can reach as high as 6 to 8°C, which can significantly reduce the performance of individual cells at the beginning and end of the fuel cell stack, thus lowering the overall performance of the fuel cell stack.

[0003] Based on the above-mentioned situation of low voltage in the first and last cells caused by temperature difference, most fuel cell stack manufacturers currently only consider the low voltage in the first and last cells to be caused by the internal flow channel structure, without considering the low temperature of the first and last cells. This leads to the phenomenon of low voltage in the first and last cells in many fuel cell stacks under actual operating conditions, which will inevitably affect the overall performance of the fuel cell stack and its service life.

[0004] Some fuel cell stack manufacturers use auxiliary heating devices such as power temperature converters (PTCs) at the beginning and end of the stack to maintain the temperature of individual cells. However, this measure increases the additional power consumption of the fuel cell stack and reduces its net output power. Furthermore, this heating method requires a precise temperature control system to keep the temperature at the beginning and end of the stack consistent with the overall temperature of the fuel cell stack, which inevitably increases the complexity and cost of the entire system.

[0005] Another fuel cell stack manufacturer (Toyota) has improved the structure of the front endplate, utilizing the waste heat of the exhaust air to heat the front end. This structure does not require additional auxiliary heating and achieves good results. However, this structure only heats the front endplate and has no effect on the temperature of the rear end. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a blind end plate, a fuel cell, and a vehicle that do not require additional energy to heat the end of a fuel cell.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the first technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0008] A blind end plate includes a body, on one side of which a flow channel and a tail hydrogen inlet are provided, and the body also has a tail hydrogen outlet and a tail hydrogen water outlet.

[0009] The tail hydrogen inlet, tail hydrogen outlet, and tail hydrogen water outlet are all connected to the flow channel.

[0010] The tail hydrogen inlet is a through hole or a blind hole, and the tail hydrogen outlet and the tail hydrogen water outlet are both through holes.

[0011] The horizontal plane at the tail hydrogen outlet is higher than that at the tail hydrogen water outlet.

[0012] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the second technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0013] A fuel cell includes a stack, the stack including a terminal plate, a rear end plate, and a plurality of the aforementioned blind end plates;

[0014] The blind end plate is sandwiched between the end plate and the rear end plate, and the side of the blind end plate having the flow channel portion faces the end plate.

[0015] The last section plate is provided with a hydrogen outlet, which is a through hole, and the hydrogen outlet corresponds to the tail hydrogen inlet of the blind end plate.

[0016] If there are multiple blind end plates, the tail hydrogen inlet of the blind end plate closest to the rear end plate is a blind hole, and the tail hydrogen inlets of the other blind end plates are through holes; if there is only one blind end plate, the tail hydrogen inlet of that blind end plate is a blind hole.

[0017] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the third technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0018] A vehicle comprising the aforementioned fuel cell.

[0019] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By using the heat from the tail hydrogen to heat the end of the fuel cell stack through the blind end plate, the temperature difference between the single cell at the end of the fuel cell stack and the single cell at the middle position is reduced, thereby eliminating the low performance caused by low temperature and improving the overall performance of the fuel cell stack; In addition, this structure can realize gas-liquid separation of tail hydrogen through the flow channel design of the blind end plate, replacing the gas-liquid separator in the fuel cell stack system. This not only reduces costs, but also makes the entire fuel cell stack system structure more compact; The processing technology of the blind end plate is simple and consistent with that of the middle normal plate, and the assembly process is also consistent with that of other plates in the fuel cell stack. Moreover, because the thickness of the plate is very small, it hardly increases the volume of the fuel cell stack. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a front view of a blind end plate according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 An exploded view of a fuel cell according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a rear view of the first section plate of a fuel cell according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a front view of a normal plate of a fuel cell according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a front view of the end plate of a fuel cell according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the air and coolant flow path of a fuel cell according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a hydrogen flow path in a fuel cell according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To explain in detail the technical content, objectives, and effects of the present invention, the following description is provided in conjunction with the embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0028] Please refer to Figures 1 to 7 A blind end plate includes a body, on one side of which a flow channel and a tail hydrogen inlet are provided, and the body also has a tail hydrogen outlet and a tail hydrogen water outlet.

[0029] The tail hydrogen inlet, tail hydrogen outlet, and tail hydrogen water outlet are all connected to the flow channel.

[0030] The tail hydrogen inlet is a through hole or a blind hole, and the tail hydrogen outlet and the tail hydrogen water outlet are both through holes.

[0031] The horizontal plane at the tail hydrogen outlet is higher than that at the tail hydrogen water outlet.

[0032] As described above, the tail hydrogen inlet allows the reacted mixed gas to enter the flow channel. Through contact with the mixed gas in the flow channel, the heat carried out by the reacted mixed gas is absorbed to heat the end plate, thus utilizing the residual heat of the tail hydrogen to reduce or avoid low single-cell temperature at the end. At the same time, the tail hydrogen outlet is located at a higher level than the tail hydrogen water outlet. Due to the exothermic condensation of the mixed gas, some of the condensate is discharged from the tail hydrogen water outlet under the action of gravity, while the remaining mixed gas is discharged from the tail hydrogen outlet. This allows for gas-liquid separation of the tail hydrogen. The separated hydrogen flows out of the fuel cell stack through the tail hydrogen outlet on the upper side of the blind end plate, while the separated liquid water flows out of the fuel cell stack through the tail hydrogen water outlet on the lower side of the blind end plate, thus realizing the function of a gas-liquid separator in the fuel cell stack system.

[0033] Furthermore, the flow channel section includes multiple distribution areas and multiple flow channel areas;

[0034] The distribution area and the flow channel area are arranged alternately.

[0035] Furthermore, the flow channel section includes three distribution areas and two flow channel areas, which are arranged alternately.

[0036] Furthermore, the distribution area consists of multiple columnar bodies arranged in multiple rows and columns on the main body.

[0037] As can be seen from the above description, the distribution zone allows the mixed gas to flow through different channels, resulting in more uniform heating.

[0038] Furthermore, the flow channel region includes multiple parallel flow channels.

[0039] A fuel cell includes a stack, the stack including a terminal plate, a rear end plate, and a plurality of the aforementioned blind end plates;

[0040] The blind end plate is sandwiched between the end plate and the rear end plate, and the side of the blind end plate having the flow channel portion faces the end plate.

[0041] The last section plate has a hydrogen outlet, which is a through hole, and the hydrogen outlet corresponds to the tail hydrogen inlet of the blind end plate.

[0042] If there are multiple blind end plates, the tail hydrogen inlet of the blind end plate closest to the rear end plate is a blind hole, and the tail hydrogen inlets of the other blind end plates are through holes; if there is only one blind end plate, the tail hydrogen inlet of that blind end plate is a blind hole.

[0043] As described above, by adding one or more blind-end plates, the heat from the tail hydrogen is used to heat the end of the fuel cell stack, reducing the temperature difference between the single cell at the end of the fuel cell stack and the single cell in the middle position. This eliminates the low performance caused by low temperature and improves the overall performance of the fuel cell stack. In addition, this structure, through the flow channel design of the blind-end plate, can realize gas-liquid separation of tail hydrogen, replacing the gas-liquid separator in the fuel cell stack system. This not only reduces costs but also makes the entire fuel cell stack system structure more compact. The processing technology of the blind-end plate is simple, consistent with that of the middle normal plate, and the assembly process is also consistent with that of other plates in the fuel cell stack. Moreover, because the thickness of the plate is very small, it hardly increases the volume of the fuel cell stack.

[0044] Furthermore, the battery stack also includes an intermediate battery stack, which comprises multiple normal plates;

[0045] The normal plate includes a hydrogen inlet, a hydrogen outlet, an air inlet, an air outlet, a coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet. All of the hydrogen inlet, hydrogen outlet, air inlet, air outlet, coolant inlet, and coolant outlet of the normal plate are through holes.

[0046] The end plate is also provided with a hydrogen inlet, an air inlet, an air outlet, a coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet. The hydrogen inlet, air inlet, air outlet, coolant inlet, and coolant outlet of the end plate are all blind holes.

[0047] The normal plate and the end plate are assembled correspondingly at each opening.

[0048] As can be seen from the above description, the various openings of the normal plate are through holes, which can be connected to form cooling channels, hydrogen channels, and air channels; the last plate has through holes except for the hydrogen outlet, while the other openings are blind holes, which can block the flow of gas. This ensures that the inlet and outlet of the cooling cycle, the inlet and outlet of the air, and the hydrogen inlet are all on one end of the fuel cell stack, while the hydrogen outlet is located on the other end, which facilitates management.

[0049] Furthermore, the battery stack also includes a front end plate and a first section plate, wherein the front end plate, the first section plate, the intermediate battery stack, the last section plate, the blind end plate, and the rear end plate are sequentially assembled and fixed.

[0050] The front end plate is provided with a hydrogen inlet, an air inlet, an air outlet, a coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet.

[0051] The first section plate is provided with a hydrogen inlet, an air inlet, an air outlet, a coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet. All of the hydrogen inlet, air inlet, air outlet, coolant inlet, and coolant outlet of the first section plate are through holes.

[0052] As can be seen from the above description, the front end board, first section board, middle battery stack, last section board, blind end board, and rear end board are sequentially combined and fixed, and the corresponding ports of each board are set accordingly, so that they can be connected to form a channel.

[0053] Furthermore, the rear end plate is provided with a tail hydrogen outlet and a tail hydrogen water outlet. The tail hydrogen outlet is connected to the tail hydrogen outlet of the blind end plate, and the tail hydrogen water outlet is connected to the tail hydrogen water outlet.

[0054] A vehicle comprising the aforementioned fuel cell.

[0055] Example 1

[0056] Reference Figure 1 A blind end plate includes a body, on one side of which a flow channel and a tail hydrogen inlet are provided, and the body also has a tail hydrogen outlet and a tail hydrogen water outlet.

[0057] The tail hydrogen inlet, tail hydrogen outlet, and tail hydrogen water outlet are all connected to the flow channel.

[0058] The tail hydrogen inlet is a through hole or a blind hole, and the tail hydrogen outlet and the tail hydrogen water outlet are both through holes.

[0059] The horizontal plane at the tail hydrogen outlet is higher than that at the tail hydrogen water outlet.

[0060] The flow channel section includes three distribution zones (corresponding to) Figure 1 Distribution area 1, distribution area 2, distribution area 3) and two flow channel areas (corresponding to Figure 1 The flow channel area 1 and flow channel area 2), the three distribution areas and the two flow channel areas are arranged alternately.

[0061] The distribution area consists of multiple columnar bodies arranged in multiple rows and columns on the main body.

[0062] The flow channel region includes multiple parallel flow channels.

[0063] Example 2

[0064] Reference Figures 2-7 A fuel cell includes a stack, the stack including a terminal plate, a rear end plate and a blind end plate as described in Embodiment 1;

[0065] The blind end plate is sandwiched between the end plate and the rear end plate, and the side of the blind end plate having the flow channel portion faces the end plate.

[0066] The last section plate is provided with a hydrogen outlet, which is a through hole, and the hydrogen outlet corresponds to the tail hydrogen inlet of the blind end plate.

[0067] The tail hydrogen inlet of the blind end plate is a blind hole.

[0068] The fuel cell stack also includes an intermediate battery stack, which comprises multiple normal plates;

[0069] The normal plate includes a hydrogen inlet, a hydrogen outlet, an air inlet, an air outlet, a coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet. All of the hydrogen inlet, hydrogen outlet, air inlet, air outlet, coolant inlet, and coolant outlet of the normal plate are through holes.

[0070] The end plate is also provided with a hydrogen inlet, an air inlet, an air outlet, a coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet. The hydrogen inlet, air inlet, air outlet, coolant inlet, and coolant outlet of the end plate are all blind holes.

[0071] The normal plate and the end plate are assembled correspondingly at each opening.

[0072] The battery stack also includes a front end plate and a first section plate, and the front end plate, the first section plate, the intermediate battery stack, the last section plate, the blind end plate, and the rear end plate are sequentially assembled and fixed.

[0073] The front end plate is provided with a hydrogen inlet, an air inlet, an air outlet, a coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet.

[0074] The first section plate is provided with a hydrogen inlet, an air inlet, an air outlet, a coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet. All of the hydrogen inlet, air inlet, air outlet, coolant inlet, and coolant outlet of the first section plate are through holes.

[0075] The rear end plate is provided with a tail hydrogen outlet and a tail hydrogen water outlet. The tail hydrogen outlet is connected to the tail hydrogen outlet of the blind end plate, and the tail hydrogen water outlet is connected to the tail hydrogen water outlet.

[0076] The air and coolant flow in a "U" shape, while the hydrogen flow in a "Z" shape, is described in reference to... Figure 6 and Figure 7 .

[0077] Example 3

[0078] A fuel cell, which is the same as in Embodiment 2 and will not be repeated here, wherein the blind end plate is multiple pieces, the tail hydrogen inlet of the blind end plate closest to the rear end plate is a blind hole, and the tail hydrogen inlet of the other blind end plates is a through hole.

[0079] Example 4

[0080] A vehicle comprising the fuel cell described in either Embodiment 2 or Embodiment 3.

[0081] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent modifications made based on the content of the present invention specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A blind end plate, characterized in that, The device includes a main body, on one side of which a flow channel and a tail hydrogen inlet are provided. The main body also has a tail hydrogen outlet and a tail hydrogen water outlet. The tail hydrogen inlet, tail hydrogen outlet, and tail hydrogen water outlet are all connected to the flow channel. The tail hydrogen inlet is a through hole or a blind hole, and the tail hydrogen outlet and the tail hydrogen water outlet are both through holes. The horizontal plane at the tail hydrogen outlet is higher than that at the tail hydrogen water outlet.

2. The blind end plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow channel section includes multiple distribution areas and multiple flow channel areas; The distribution area and the flow channel area are arranged alternately.

3. The blind end plate according to claim 2, characterized in that, The flow channel section includes three distribution areas and two flow channel areas, which are arranged alternately.

4. The blind end plate according to claim 2, characterized in that, The distribution area consists of multiple columnar bodies arranged in multiple rows and columns on the main body.

5. The blind end plate according to claim 2, characterized in that, The flow channel region includes multiple parallel flow channels.

6. A fuel cell, characterized in that, The fuel cell stack includes a terminal plate, a rear end plate, and a number of blind end plates as described in any one of claims 1-5. The blind end plate is sandwiched between the end plate and the rear end plate, and the side of the blind end plate having the flow channel portion faces the end plate. The last section plate has a hydrogen outlet, which is a through hole, and the hydrogen outlet corresponds to the tail hydrogen inlet of the blind end plate. If there are multiple blind end plates, the tail hydrogen inlet of the blind end plate closest to the rear end plate is a blind hole, and the tail hydrogen inlets of the other blind end plates are through holes; if there is only one blind end plate, the tail hydrogen inlet of that blind end plate is a blind hole.

7. The fuel cell according to claim 6, characterized in that, The fuel cell stack also includes an intermediate battery stack, which comprises multiple normal plates; The normal plate includes a hydrogen inlet, a hydrogen outlet, an air inlet, an air outlet, a coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet. All of the hydrogen inlet, hydrogen outlet, air inlet, air outlet, coolant inlet, and coolant outlet of the normal plate are through holes. The end plate is also provided with a hydrogen inlet, an air inlet, an air outlet, a coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet. The hydrogen inlet, air inlet, air outlet, coolant inlet, and coolant outlet of the end plate are all blind holes. The normal plate and the end plate are assembled correspondingly at each opening.

8. The fuel cell according to claim 7, characterized in that, The battery stack also includes a front end plate and a first section plate, and the front end plate, the first section plate, the intermediate battery stack, the last section plate, the blind end plate, and the rear end plate are sequentially assembled and fixed. The front end plate is provided with a hydrogen inlet, an air inlet, an air outlet, a coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet. The first section plate is provided with a hydrogen inlet, an air inlet, an air outlet, a coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet. All of the hydrogen inlet, air inlet, air outlet, coolant inlet, and coolant outlet of the first section plate are through holes.

9. The fuel cell according to claim 8, characterized in that, The rear end plate is provided with a tail hydrogen outlet and a tail hydrogen water outlet. The tail hydrogen outlet is connected to the tail hydrogen outlet of the blind end plate, and the tail hydrogen water outlet is connected to the tail hydrogen water outlet.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the fuel cell described in any one of claims 6-9.

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