A fuel cell stack measurement device based on a multi-functional end assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fuel cell stack measuring device based on a multi - monomer component assembly. The measuring device includes a multi - monomer component assembly and multi - functional end assemblies respectively arranged at both ends of the multi - monomer component assembly. The multi - functional end assemblies are divided into an anode multi - functional end assembly and a cathode multi - functional end assembly according to the electrodes. The multi - functional end assembly includes a multi - functional PCB sensor arranged in sequence from the multi - monomer component assembly towards the end direction, a special current collector for non - flat surface installation of the PCB sensor, and an end plate. The multi - functional PCB sensor integrates an end gas flow channel and an end coolant flow channel. Compared with the prior art, the present invention uses the multi - functional PCB sensor to eliminate the lateral current at the end, and has the advantage of high measurement accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of on-line measurement of fuel cells, and more particularly to a fuel cell stack measurement device based on a multi-functional end assembly. Background Art

[0002] As an energy conversion device, a proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack has the advantages of high power generation efficiency and zero pollution, and has broad application prospects in the new energy field. However, the fuel cell stack faces challenges in terms of inconsistent single-cell performance in commercial applications. The fuel cell stack is composed of multiple single cells connected in series. The single cells at both ends of the fuel cell stack are more likely to have problems such as inconsistent fluid distribution and flooding due to their positions at the ends of the fuel cell stack. Therefore, on-line in-situ detection of information in the end plane of the fuel cell stack is of great significance for maintaining the consistency of the performance between single cells of the fuel cell stack and improving the lifespan of the fuel cell stack.

[0003] Since current not only transfers in the through-plane direction but also has conductivity in the in-plane direction in the structural components of the fuel cell stack, lateral current will be generated. The lateral current will equalize the current density distribution in the plane, thereby affecting the accuracy of plane partition measurement. The thicknesses of the catalyst layer and gas diffusion layer components are in the form of thin sheets, and the path of the main current transfer direction is short, so the corresponding resistance is small, and the influence of the lateral current is not significant. However, the thicknesses of the end plates and cooling plates cannot be ignored, and it is necessary to consider the influence of the lateral current generated by them on the measurement accuracy.

[0004] Good fluid distribution and coolant circulation control in fuel cells are crucial for the high-performance operation of fuel cells. Therefore, the end monopolar flow field plate and the coolant flow field plate are two key components in the fuel cell stack. In order to avoid the influence of the lateral current generated by them and achieve direct measurement of the current distribution on the proton exchange membrane is not an easy task. This poses a daunting challenge to the in-situ on-line detection technology inside fuel cells.

[0005] Since Cleghorn et al. introduced PCB technology into fuel cell measurements in 1998, various types of PCB sensors have emerged for the zonal measurement of in-plane distribution information. These studies have promoted the development of internal detection technologies for fuel cells. Most of the design features adopt a double-sided flat structure, using the PCB buried resistor process to form a compact structure with a relatively thin thickness, facilitating flexible arrangement and compact installation inside the fuel cell. However, the PCB buried resistor process requires a high manufacturing level and production cost, which is not conducive to the commercial application of fuel cells; at the same time, the maintainability of the PCB buried resistor process is relatively poor. If a zonal sampling resistor fails, it cannot be replaced, resulting in the failure of the functions of such PCB sensors; in addition, a large current is generated during the operation of the fuel cell stack, and the zonal signals of such PCB sensors are relatively small, making it difficult to resist the interference of large currents. At the same time, there will be problems with the transmission loss of small signals. Therefore, the double-sided flat structure limits the functional expansion of PCB integrated circuits, which also makes the functions of this type of sensor relatively single, and the application range is greatly limited.

[0006] Existing PCB technology has developed to a very high level, but its application degree in fuel cell stacks is very limited. One important reason is that the thermal conductivity of the PCB epoxy resin substrate is relatively poor and cannot be compared with graphite and metals with good thermal conductivity. In addition, the PCB zonal in-line measurement technology is to detect the performance differences between different regions in the plane. The number of zones is an important factor affecting the measurement resolution. The higher the number of zones, the higher the resolution. A larger number of zones will correspond to more zonal measurement signals, and the synchronous acquisition and measurement of zonal signals bring greater pressure to the wiring harness connection.

[0007] In summary, the traditional fuel cell stack A has the following problems during the measurement operation:

[0008] 1) The performance attenuation of the end single cell is faster than that of the internal multiple single cells;

[0009] 2) Signal interference and heat accumulation caused by the large current of the fuel cell stack;

[0010] 3) Difficulty in measuring the internal information of the fuel cell due to the closed structure of the fuel cell stack;

[0011] 4) The lateral current equalizes the current in the plane, affecting the measurement accuracy. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell stack measurement device based on a multi-functional end assembly that can eliminate the end lateral current, achieve on-line in-situ signal amplification detection, has low transmission loss, strong anti-interference ability, and strong heat dissipation ability, in order to overcome the defects of the above-mentioned existing technologies.

[0013] The object of the present invention can be achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0014] The present invention provides a fuel cell stack measurement device based on a multi - monomer component assembly. The measurement device includes a multi - monomer component assembly and multi - functional end assemblies respectively arranged at both ends of the multi - monomer component assembly. The multi - functional end assemblies are divided into an anode multi - functional end assembly and a cathode multi - functional end assembly according to the electrodes.

[0015] The multi - functional end assembly includes a multi - functional PCB sensor, a dedicated current collector for non - flat surface mounting of the PCB sensor, and an end plate, which are sequentially arranged from the multi - monomer component assembly towards the end direction. The multi - functional PCB sensor integrates an end gas flow channel and an end coolant flow channel.

[0016] Preferably, the multi - functional PCB sensor is a multi - layer rigid laminated structure, including a component patch layer arranged at the bottom layer, a circuit layer and an end coolant flow channel arranged at the middle layer, and a current partition and an end gas flow channel arranged at the top layer.

[0017] Preferably, the end gas flow channel is specifically: a gas flow channel is formed on the top layer of the multi - functional PCB sensor by using PCB manufacturing technology, and current conduction is formed on the ridge of the flow channel; through the end gas flow channel, the top layer of the multi - functional PCB sensor is in direct contact with the gas diffusion layer (GDL) to eliminate the lateral current of the cathode plate.

[0018] Preferably, the end coolant flow channel is arranged between the end gas flow channel and electronic components by using PCB manufacturing technology. By establishing a space isolation area between the membrane electrode heat source and the electronic components, the end coolant temperature cycle control is realized, and the lateral current generated by the coolant flow channel plate is eliminated.

[0019] Preferably, the following are arranged in the current partition:

[0020] A partition signal instant amplification module, which is used to amplify the signal in the plane of the stack end in situ at the partition position and then transmit it;

[0021] A partition signal on - line acquisition module, which is used to on - line in - situ monitor the signal in the plane of the stack end.

[0022] Preferably, the multi - functional PCB sensor compactly integrates the sampling resistor and the amplifier component at the partition position through the component patch layer at the bottom layer.

[0023] Preferably, the multi - functional PCB sensor uses bus transmission technology to realize synchronous acquisition and transmission of the partition - amplified signal.

[0024] Preferably, the anodic multi-functional end assembly and the cathodic multi-functional end assembly have a symmetrical assembly structure in terms of overall function and structure, and the local structure is adjusted accordingly according to the characteristics requirements of the two poles.

[0025] Preferably, the multi-functional PCB sensor uses partial aluminum substrate materials.

[0026] Preferably, the dedicated current collector uses CNC milling technology for structural avoidance to achieve the compact installation of the PCB sensor on the non-flat surface.

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the present invention comprehensively evaluates the related problems existing during the operation of the traditional stack, combines the limitations of the existing internal detection technology of the in-plane PCB sensor in the fuel cell, and specifically gives a specific solution for the on-line in-situ measurement of the in-plane information at the end of the fuel cell, having the following advantages:

[0028] 1) The present invention integrates an end gas flow channel inside the multi-functional PCB sensor to eliminate the lateral current generated by the end single-pole flow channel plate; integrates a coolant flow channel inside the multi-functional PCB sensor to achieve the coolant circulation control at the end and eliminate the lateral current generated by the coolant flow channel plate, and at the same time forms a space isolation area of the coolant flow channel between the membrane electrode and the electronic components.

[0029] 2) The present invention adopts the PCB partition measurement technology to realize the on-line in-situ signal amplification, measurement and transmission of the partition signals on the proton exchange membrane at the end of the fuel cell stack, avoiding transmission loss and resisting large current interference, and avoiding the influence of the lateral current generated by the end single-pole flow channel plate and the coolant flow channel plate.

[0030] 3) The present invention adopts the PCB integrated manufacturing technology to realize the integration of multi-layer rigid laminated structures such as the end gas flow channel, the end coolant flow channel, and the partition signal amplification and acquisition.

[0031] 4) The multi-functional PCB sensor realizes the instant amplification, on-line and in-situ detection of the partition signals in the end plane of the stack, enhances the anti-interference ability of the signals, and can resist small signal transmission loss and large current interference of the stack.

[0032] 5) The top layer of the multi-functional PCB sensor of the present invention integrates partition pads and end gas flow channels, and adopts processes such as PCB technology and spraying to achieve waterproof and anti-oxidation, and maintain good conductive performance of the PAD partition.

[0033] 6) The present invention selects materials such as aluminum substrate / copper substrate with good heat dissipation ability, and adopts the layout method of isolating the heat source and the PCB electronic components by the end coolant flow channel to realize the coolant temperature circulation control at the end of the stack.

[0034] 7) The multi-functional end assembly uses a dedicated current collector, which solves the installation problem of the non-flat surface of the PCB sensor, avoids the buried resistor process of the double-flat surface PCB sensor, and expands the excellent integration performance of the PCB technology.

[0035] 8) The present invention considers the need for a large number of signal synchronous acquisitions brought about by the number of partitions, and uses a bus transmission technology to complete the synchronous acquisition and transmission of the partition amplified signals. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the traditional fuel cell stack and the new fuel cell stack of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the layout of the new fuel cell stack components of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 3 is a front view of the multi-functional PCB sensor of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 4 is a reverse view of the multi-functional PCB sensor of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the dedicated current collector of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the flow channel integration of the multi-functional end assembly of the new fuel cell stack of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the internal design of the multi-functional PCB sensor of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the measurement technology of the multi-functional end assembly of the new fuel cell stack of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0044] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0045] Embodiment

[0046] In view of the problems existing in the commercial application and measurement of existing fuel cell stacks, without changing the structure of the multi - monomer component assembly in the middle of the fuel cell stack, a fuel cell stack measurement device based on a multi - functional end assembly is designed. The fuel cell stack includes a multi - monomer component assembly, and multi - functional end assemblies respectively arranged at both ends of the multi - monomer component assembly. The multi - functional end assemblies are divided into an anode multi - functional end assembly and a cathode multi - functional end assembly according to the electrodes to which they belong.

[0047] The multi - functional end assembly includes a multi - functional PCB sensor, a special current collector for non - flat surface mounting of the PCB sensor, and an end plate, which are sequentially arranged from the multi - monomer component assembly towards the end direction. The multi - functional PCB sensor integrates an end gas flow channel and an end coolant flow channel.

[0048] Next, a detailed introduction to the fuel cell stack designed in this embodiment will be given.

[0049] As Figure 1 shown, the structures of components such as the end monopolar flow channel plates ①⑤, end coolant flow channel plates ②⑥, and current collectors ③⑦ of the traditional stack A have been specially adjusted, and the functions of the end monopolar flow channel plates and end coolant flow channel plates have been integrated into the multi - functional PCB sensor ⑩ inside.

[0050] The cathode - side end assembly of the new stack B of the present invention includes components such as a multi - functional PCB sensor ⑩, a special current collector and an end plate ④; the anode - side end assembly includes a multi - functional PCB sensor a special current collector and an end plate ⑧. That is, on the basis of the structure of the traditional stack A, without changing the structure of the multi - monomer component assembly ⑨ inside the stack, the new stack B with multi - functional end assembly measurement technology is developed. Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the component layout of the new stack is given.

[0051] Specifically, as Figure 6 and 7 shown, the multi - functional PCB sensor is a multi - layer rigid laminated structure, including a component patch layer arranged at the bottom layer, a circuit layer and an end coolant flow channel arranged at the middle layer, and a current partition and an end gas flow channel arranged at the top layer. The gas flow channel is formed on the top layer of the multi - functional PCB sensor by using PCB manufacturing technology, and a current conductor is formed on the ridge of the flow channel as the end gas flow channel to eliminate the lateral current generated by the end monopolar flow channel plate; through the end gas flow channel, the top layer of the multi - functional PCB sensor is in direct contact with the gas diffusion layer GDL.

[0052] The end coolant flow channel is arranged between the end gas flow channel and the electronic components by using PCB manufacturing technology. By establishing a spatial isolation area between the membrane electrode heat source and the electronic components, the lateral current generated by the coolant flow channel plate is eliminated by controlling the coolant circulation at the end.

[0053] Schematic diagrams of the front and back sides of the multifunctional PCB sensor are shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 as shown.

[0054] In this embodiment, materials such as aluminum substrates or copper substrates with good heat dissipation capabilities are used for the multifunctional PCB sensor part.

[0055] The multifunctional PCB sensor is integrated with current partitioning, and in the current partitioning, there are:

[0056] The partition signal in-situ amplification module is used to amplify the signals in the plane of the end of the stack in-situ at the partition position and then transmit them, avoiding signal transmission loss and resisting large current interference;

[0057] The partition signal on-line acquisition module is used to on-line in-situ monitor the signals in the plane of the end of the stack.

[0058] The multifunctional PCB sensor adopts mature PCB chip technology, avoiding the PCB buried resistor process, and realizing the compact integration of the sampling resistor and the amplifier components at the partition position.

[0059] The multifunctional PCB sensor uses bus transmission technology to realize the synchronous acquisition and transmission of the partition amplified signals.

[0060] The anode multifunctional end assembly and the cathode multifunctional end assembly are overall functional and structurally symmetric assembly structures, and the local structures are adjusted accordingly according to the characteristics requirements of the two poles.

[0061] Materials such as aluminum substrates or copper substrates with good heat dissipation capabilities are used for the multifunctional PCB sensor part.

[0062] As Figure 5 shown, the special current collector uses CNC plus milling technology for structural avoidance, which is used to realize the compact installation of the non-flat surface of the PCB sensor to meet the structural space required for the expansion of the amplification function of the PCB sensor.

[0063] Schematic diagram of the new stack multifunctional end assembly measurement technology designed by the present invention is shown in Figure 8 as shown.

[0064] The present invention will contribute to promoting the development of the internal on-line detection technology of fuel cells and the engineering application of intelligent fuel cells.

[0065] The above are only specific embodiments of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention can easily think of various equivalent modifications or substitutions, and these modifications or substitutions should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A fuel cell stack measurement device based on a multi-functional end assembly, characterized in that The measurement device includes a multi - monomer component assembly, and multi - functional end assemblies respectively arranged at both ends of the multi - monomer component assembly. The multi - functional end assemblies are divided into an anode multi - functional end assembly and a cathode multi - functional end assembly according to the electrodes they belong to; The multi - functional end assembly includes a multi - functional PCB sensor, a special current collector for non - flat surface installation of the PCB sensor, and an end plate, which are arranged in sequence from the multi - monomer component assembly towards the end direction; the multi - functional PCB sensor integrates an end gas flow channel and an end coolant flow channel; The multi - functional PCB sensor is a multi - layer rigid laminated structure, including a component patch layer arranged at the bottom layer, a circuit layer and an end coolant flow channel arranged at the middle layer, and a current partition and an end gas flow channel arranged at the top layer; The end coolant flow channel is arranged between the end gas flow channel and electronic components by using PCB manufacturing technology. By establishing a space isolation area between the membrane electrode heat source and electronic components, it realizes the cyclic control of the coolant temperature at the end and eliminates the lateral current generated by the coolant flow channel plate; The multi - functional PCB sensor uses partial aluminum substrate or partial copper substrate materials; The following are arranged in the current partition: A partition signal instant amplification module, which is used to amplify the signal in the end plane of the stack in - situ and on - line at the partition position and then transmit it; A partition signal on - line acquisition module, which is used to on - line and in - situ monitor the signal in the end plane of the stack.

2. The fuel cell stack measuring device based on a multi-functional end assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The end gas flow channel is specifically: a gas flow channel is formed on the top layer of the multi - functional PCB sensor by using PCB manufacturing technology, and current conduction is formed on the ridge of the flow channel; through the end gas flow channel, the top layer of the multi - functional PCB sensor is in direct contact with the gas diffusion layer GDL to eliminate the lateral current of the cathode plate.

3. The fuel cell stack measuring device based on the multi-functional end assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The multi - functional PCB sensor compactly integrates the sampling resistor and the amplifier component at the partition position through the component patch layer at the bottom layer.

4. A fuel cell stack measurement device based on a multi-functional end assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multi - functional PCB sensor uses bus transmission technology to realize the synchronous acquisition and transmission of the partition amplified signal.

5. A fuel cell stack measuring device based on a multi-functional end assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The anode multi - functional end assembly and the cathode multi - functional end assembly are overall functional and structurally symmetric assembly structures, and the local structures are adjusted accordingly according to the characteristics requirements of the two poles.

6. The fuel cell stack measuring device based on a multi-functional end assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The special current collector uses CNC milling technology for structural avoidance to realize the compact installation of the PCB sensor on the non - flat surface.

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