Flow distribution plate and battery system

Abstract

The application discloses a flow distribution plate and a battery system, wherein the flow distribution plate comprises a plurality of fluid channels, at least one fluid channel comprising a first inlet channel, a second inlet channel and a flow guide plate. The first inlet channel extends along a first preset direction, and the first inlet channel is provided with an inlet for guiding fluid medium; the second inlet channel extends along a second preset direction, one end of the second inlet channel is connected with the first inlet channel, and the other end of the second inlet channel is used for being connected with a stack chamber; the second flow guide section of the flow guide plate is located in the second inlet channel, and the second flow guide section extends along the extension direction of the second inlet channel; the first flow guide section of the flow guide plate is located in the corresponding channel section, the first flow guide section extends along the first preset direction, the first flow guide section is connected with the second flow guide section, and the first flow guide section is located between the second flow guide section and the inlet in the first preset direction. The flow distribution plate can reduce the turbulence degree and the cyclone degree of the fluid medium in the flow distribution plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to battery technology, and more specifically to a flow distribution board and a battery system. Background Technology

[0002] As a stationary fuel cell stack for power generation, it typically requires high power output. The "one plate, multiple chambers, multiple sections" structure stack can achieve high power generation of a single stack and control of a single stack and single module, thereby enhancing the stability and consistency of stack performance output.

[0003] However, the flow rate in the channels of the "one plate, multiple chambers, multiple sections" structure fuel cell stack is relatively large. When the flow rate of fluid media such as air and hydrogen entering the fuel cell stack chamber is too large, the flow state of the fluid media is highly turbulent, and the fluid media will generate swirling flow in the channels. Both turbulent and swirling fluid media will affect the output stability of the fuel cell stack. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention is based on the inventor's discoveries and understanding of the following facts and problems:

[0005] When the fluid medium changes direction in the flow channel, it cannot develop fully in a shorter flow channel. After turning, it will form a swirling flow.

[0006] This invention aims to at least partially solve one of the technical problems in related art. To this end, embodiments of the invention propose a flow distribution plate capable of reducing the turbulence and swirling of the fluid medium within it.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a flow distribution plate includes multiple fluid channels. The multiple fluid channels introduce various fluid media into fuel cell stack chambers. Each fluid channel is used to introduce the same fluid media into the multiple fuel cell stack chambers. At least one fluid channel includes: a first inlet channel, a second inlet channel, and a guide plate. The first inlet channel extends along a first preset direction and is provided with an inlet for introducing the fluid media. The second inlet channel extends along a second preset direction, with one end connected to the first inlet channel and the other end connected to the fuel cell stack chamber. The guide plate includes a first guide section and a second guide section. The second guide section is located within the second inlet channel and extends along the extension direction of the second inlet channel. The first guide section is located within a corresponding channel section and extends along the first preset direction. The first guide section is connected to the second guide section and is located between the second guide section and the inlet in the first preset direction.

[0008] The flow distribution plate of this invention guides the fluid medium through a first guide section extending along a first preset direction and a second guide section extending along a second preset direction, guiding the fluid medium to fully develop within the first and second inlet channels and reducing the degree of swirling within them. By dividing the first and second inlet channels into multiple small flow domains through the first and second guide sections, the Reynolds number and turbulence level can be reduced.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of second inlet channels are provided, and the plurality of second inlet channels are spaced apart along the first preset direction. A plurality of guide plates are provided, and the plurality of guide plates are corresponding one-to-one with the plurality of second inlet channels. The second guide section of each guide plate is located in the corresponding second inlet channel, and the first guide section of each guide plate is located between the second guide section of the guide plate and the inlet in the first preset direction.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, multiple first inlet channels, multiple second inlet channels and multiple guide plates are provided, and each pair of the multiple first inlet channels, multiple second inlet channels and multiple guide plates is provided in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the fluid channel further includes a spiral guide, the spiral guide being disposed in the second inlet channel, the spiral guide including an outlet portion for guiding the fluid medium to flow outward in the inward and outward directions of the cross-section of the second inlet channel and an inlet portion for guiding the fluid medium to flow to the outlet portion, the outlet portion and the inlet portion being connected.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, each second inlet channel includes a main body section and a connecting section, one end of the main body section is connected to the corresponding first inlet channel, the other end of the main body section is connected to one end of the connecting section, the other end of the connecting section is used to connect to the fuel cell stack chamber, the connecting section is perpendicular to the main body section, the spiral guide is located inside the connecting section, and the two ends of the outlet section along its length direction are located on both sides of the inlet section in the extension direction of the second section.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first guide section and the second guide section are connected by an arc-shaped first arc portion.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the second inlet channel is connected to the first inlet channel by an arc-shaped second arc portion.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the flow distribution device further includes an outlet and an outlet channel. The outlet is disposed on the main body and is used to discharge the fluid medium; each of the fuel cell stack chambers is connected to the outlet channel to discharge the fluid medium.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the outflow channel includes a main outflow channel and a plurality of branch outflow channels. The main outflow channel is connected to the outlet, and the plurality of branch outflow channels are configured in a one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of second inflow channels. One end of each branch outflow channel is connected to the corresponding fuel cell stack chamber, and the other end of each branch outflow channel is connected to the main outflow channel.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a battery system includes a battery stack and a plurality of flow distribution plates as described in the above embodiment. The battery stack includes a plurality of battery stack segments, and each battery stack segment includes a plurality of battery stack chambers. The plurality of flow distribution plates are correspondingly matched with the plurality of battery stack segments, wherein each of the plurality of fluid channels is connected to the plurality of battery stack chambers to introduce a plurality of fluid media into the plurality of battery stack chambers, and each second inlet channel of each fluid channel is connected to at least one of the battery stack chambers.

[0018] The battery system of this invention includes the flow distribution plate as described in the above embodiment. By reducing the turbulence and swirl of the fluid medium in the fluid channel, the output stability of the fuel cell stack is improved, thereby improving the output stability of the battery system of this invention. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the flow distribution board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the flow distribution board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a flow distribution board according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a flow distribution board according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a flow distribution board according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of a flow distribution board according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 8This is a schematic diagram of the spiral drainage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the spiral drainage device according to another perspective of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 10 It is a streamline diagram of the fluid medium in related technologies.

[0029] Figure 11 This is a streamline diagram of the fluid medium in the fluid distribution plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure label:

[0031] 100. Battery system; 110. Flow distribution plate; 120. Fuel cell stack section; 121. Fuel cell stack chamber;

[0032] 1211. Hydrogen inlet; 1212. Coolant inlet; 1213. Air inlet;

[0033] 1. Main body; 2. Fluid channel;

[0034] 21. Inlet; 22. First inlet channel; 23. Second inlet channel; 24. Guide plate; 25. Spiral guide; 26. Outlet; 27. Outlet channel;

[0035] 221. The second arc portion;

[0036] 231. Main body section; 232. Connecting section;

[0037] 241. First guide section; 242. Second guide section; 243. First arc section;

[0038] 251. Inlet section; 252. Outlet section;

[0039] 271. Main outflow channel; 272. Tributary outflow channel. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0041] The flow distribution board 110 and battery system 100 of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] like Figures 2 to 7As shown, the flow distribution plate 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of fluid channels 2. The plurality of fluid channels 2 introduce various fluid media into the fuel cell stack chamber 121. Each flow channel 2 is used to introduce the same fluid media into the plurality of fuel cell stack chambers 121. At least one fluid channel 2 includes: a first inlet channel 22, a second inlet channel 23 and a guide plate 24. The first inlet channel 22 extends along a first preset direction and is provided with an inlet 21 for introducing fluid medium; the second inlet channel 23 extends along a second preset direction, one end of the second inlet channel 23 is connected to the first inlet channel 22, and the other end of the second inlet channel 23 is used to connect to the fuel cell stack chamber 121; the guide plate 24 includes a first guide section 241 and a second guide section 242, the second guide section 242 is located in the second inlet channel 23 and extends along the extension direction of the second inlet channel 23, the first guide section 241 is located in the corresponding channel section, the first guide section 241 extends along the first preset direction, the first guide section 241 is connected to the second guide section 242, and the first guide section 241 is located between the second guide section 242 and the inlet 21 in the first preset direction.

[0043] It should be noted that, Figures 2 to 7 Only one fluid channel 2 is illustrated as an example; other fluid channels 2 are shown in... Figures 2 to 7 Not shown in the image.

[0044] The fluid medium is guided by the first guide section 241 extending along the first preset direction and the second guide section 242 extending along the second preset direction, so as to guide the fluid medium to develop fully in the first inlet channel 22 and the second inlet channel 23, avoid the fluid medium flow being too chaotic and random, and thus reduce the degree of swirling of the fluid medium in the first inlet channel 22 and the second inlet channel 23.

[0045] The first inlet channel 22 and the second inlet channel 23 are divided into multiple small watersheds by the first guide section 241 and the second guide section 242, which can reduce the Reynolds number and reduce the degree of turbulence.

[0046] like Figure 10 As shown, the fluid medium in the related technology exhibits obvious swirling flow at point A, and the streamlines at point B are spiral-shaped. In other words, there is relatively severe swirling flow at both points A and B in the related technology.

[0047] like Figure 11 As described above, the fluid medium in the flow distribution plate 110 of this embodiment has relatively gentle streamlines at points C and D, and the degree of swirling of the fluid medium is significantly reduced.

[0048] like Figures 2 to 7 As shown, optionally, multiple fluid channels 2 are provided in the main body 1.

[0049] like Figure 1As shown, the battery system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery stack and a plurality of flow distribution plates 110 as described above. The battery stack includes a plurality of battery stack segments 120, each battery stack segment 120 including a plurality of battery stack chambers 121. The plurality of flow distribution plates 110 are correspondingly matched with the plurality of battery stack segments 120, wherein each of the plurality of fluid channels 2 is connected to the plurality of battery stack chambers 121 to introduce a plurality of fluid media into the plurality of battery stack chambers 121, and each second inlet channel 23 of each fluid channel 2 is connected to at least one battery stack chamber 121.

[0050] The battery system 100 of this embodiment includes the flow distribution plate 110 as described in the above embodiment, which improves the output stability of the fuel cell stack by reducing the turbulence and swirl of the fluid medium in the fluid channel 2.

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, optionally, each fuel cell stack chamber 121 is provided with a hydrogen inlet 1211, a coolant inlet 1212, and an air inlet 1213. Multiple fluid channels 2 are respectively connected to the hydrogen inlet 1211, coolant inlet 1212, and air inlet 1213 in the multiple fuel cell stack chambers 121 to introduce hydrogen, coolant, and air into each fuel cell stack chamber 121.

[0052] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of second inlet channels 23 are provided, and the plurality of second inlet channels 23 are spaced apart along a first preset direction. A plurality of guide plates 24 are provided, and the plurality of guide plates 24 are corresponding one-to-one with the plurality of second inlet channels 23. The second guide section 242 of each guide plate 24 is located in the corresponding second inlet channel 23, and the first guide section 241 of each guide plate 24 is located in the first preset direction between the second guide section 242 of the guide plate 24 and the inlet 21.

[0053] By setting multiple second inlet channels 23 to distribute the fluid medium in the first inlet channel 22 to multiple fuel cell stack chambers 121, the turbulence and swirl of the fluid medium in the first inlet channel 22 and the second inlet channel 23 are further reduced by the guide plates 24 that are arranged one-to-one with the multiple second inlet channels 23.

[0054] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, multiple first inlet channels 22, multiple second inlet channels 23, and multiple guide plates 24 are provided, and each pair of the multiple first inlet channels 22, multiple second inlet channels 23, and multiple guide plates 24 is provided in a one-to-one correspondence. That is, the number of multiple first inlet channels 22, multiple second inlet channels 23, and multiple guide plates 24 are all equal, the multiple first inlet channels 22 and the multiple second inlet channels 23 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence, the multiple second inlet channels 23 and the multiple guide plates 24 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence, and the multiple guide plates 24 and the multiple first inlet channels 22 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0055] By setting multiple first inlet channels 22 and multiple second inlet channels 23 to deliver fluid medium to multiple stack chambers 121, and by using multiple guide plates 24 to further reduce the turbulence and swirl of the fluid medium in each first inlet channel 22 and each second inlet channel 23 to improve the output stability of the stack, thereby improving the output stability of the battery system 100 of the present invention.

[0056] The gaseous fluid medium will generate liquid water in the fluid channel 2. A large amount of liquid water directly entering the fuel cell stack chamber 121 will cause the fuel cell stack chamber 121 to become blocked.

[0057] Therefore, such as Figure 6 , Figure 7 Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the fluid channel 2 further includes a spiral guide 25, which is disposed in the second inlet channel 23. The spiral guide 25 includes an outlet portion 252 for guiding the fluid medium to flow outward in the inward and outward directions of the cross-section of the second inlet channel 23 and an inlet portion 251 for guiding the fluid medium to flow to the outlet portion 252. The outlet portion 252 and the inlet portion 251 are connected.

[0058] Under the action of the outlet 252, liquid water flows outward in the inward and outward directions of the cross-section of the second inlet channel 23 and falls onto the inner wall of the second inlet channel 23, so that the liquid water flows indirectly into the fuel cell chamber 121 from the inner wall of the second inlet channel 23, thereby avoiding a large amount of liquid water from flowing directly into the fuel cell chamber 121 and thus avoiding blockage of the fuel cell chamber 121.

[0059] like Figure 6 , Figure 7 Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, each second inlet channel 23 includes a main body section 231 and a connecting section 232. One end of the main body section 231 is connected to the corresponding first inlet channel 22, and the other end of the main body section 231 is connected to one end of the connecting section 232. The other end of the connecting section 232 is used to connect to the fuel cell stack chamber 121. The connecting section 232 is perpendicular to the main body section 231. The spiral guide 25 is located inside the connecting section 232. The two ends of the outlet section 252 along its length direction are located on both sides of the inlet section 251 in the extension direction of the second section, so as to further allow liquid water to flow outward in the inward and outward directions of the cross-section of the second inlet channel 23.

[0060] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the first guide section 241 and the second guide section 242 are connected by an arc-shaped first arc portion 243.

[0061] The first arc portion 243 facilitates the transition of the fluid medium, preventing abrupt changes in the direction of movement of some fluid medium from affecting the flow direction of the fluid medium in the first inlet channel 22, and further reducing the degree of swirling of the fluid medium.

[0062] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the second inlet channel 23 and the first inlet channel 22 are connected by an arc-shaped second arc portion 221.

[0063] The second arc section 231 further transitions the fluid medium, further preventing the sudden change in the direction of movement of some fluid medium from affecting the flow direction of the fluid medium in the first inlet channel 22, and further reducing the degree of swirling of the fluid medium.

[0064] like Figures 2 to 7 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the flow distribution device 2 further includes an outlet 26 and an outlet channel 27. The outlet 26 is disposed in the main body and is used to discharge the fluid medium; each fuel cell stack chamber 121 is connected to the outlet channel 27 to discharge the fluid medium. Each fuel cell stack chamber 121 discharges the fluid medium through the outlet channel 27 and the outlet 26.

[0065] like Figures 2 to 7As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the outflow channel 27 includes a main outflow channel 271 and a plurality of branch outflow channels 272. The main outflow channel 271 is connected to the outlet 26, and the plurality of branch outflow channels 272 are correspondingly arranged with a plurality of second inflow channels 23, that is, the plurality of branch outflow channels 28 are correspondingly connected with a plurality of fuel cell stack chambers 121, and each branch outflow channel 28 is correspondingly connected with one or more fuel cell stack chambers 121. One end of each branch outflow channel 272 is connected to the corresponding fuel cell stack chamber 121, and the other end of each branch outflow channel 272 is connected to the main outflow channel 271, so as to receive the fluid medium discharged from the fuel cell stack chambers 121 and introduce the fluid medium into the main outflow channel 271.

[0066] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0067] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0068] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0069] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0070] In this invention, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0071] Although the above embodiments have been shown and described, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Any changes, modifications, substitutions and variations made to the above embodiments by those skilled in the art are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flow distribution board, characterized in that, include: Multiple fluid channels, wherein the multiple fluid channels introduce multiple fluid media into the fuel cell stack chambers, each of the fluid channels is used to introduce the same fluid media into the multiple fuel cell stack chambers, and at least one of the fluid channels includes: The first inlet channel extends along a first preset direction and is provided with an inlet for introducing the fluid medium. The second inlet channel extends along a second preset direction. One end of the second inlet channel is connected to the first inlet channel, and the other end of the second inlet channel is used to connect to the fuel cell chamber. A flow guide plate, comprising a first flow guide section and a second flow guide section, wherein the second flow guide section is located within the second inlet channel and extends along the second preset direction; the first flow guide section is located within the corresponding first inlet channel and extends along the first preset direction; the first flow guide section is connected to the second flow guide section; and the first flow guide section is located between the second flow guide section and the inlet in the first preset direction. The fluid channel further includes a spiral guide, which is disposed in the second inlet channel. The spiral guide includes an outlet section for guiding the fluid medium to flow outward in the inward and outward directions of the cross-section of the second inlet channel and an inlet section for guiding the fluid medium to flow towards the outlet section. The outlet section and the inlet section are connected.

2. The flow distribution board according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple second inlet channels are provided, and the multiple second inlet channels are spaced apart along the first preset direction. Multiple guide plates are provided, and the multiple guide plates are arranged one-to-one with the multiple second inlet channels. The second guide section of each guide plate is located in the corresponding second inlet channel, and the first guide section of each guide plate is located between the second guide section of the guide plate and the inlet in the first preset direction.

3. The flow distribution board according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple first inlet channels, multiple second inlet channels, and multiple guide plates are provided, and each pair of the multiple first inlet channels, multiple second inlet channels, and multiple guide plates is provided in a one-to-one correspondence.

4. The flow distribution board according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each second inlet channel includes a main body section and a connecting section. One end of the main body section is connected to the corresponding first inlet channel, and the other end of the main body section is connected to one end of the connecting section. The other end of the connecting section is used to connect to the fuel cell stack chamber. The connecting section is perpendicular to the main body section. The spiral guide is located inside the connecting section. The two ends of the outlet section along its length are located on both sides of the inlet section in the extension direction of the second guide section.

5. The flow distribution board according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first guide section and the second guide section are connected by a first arc-shaped portion.

6. The flow distribution board according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second inlet channel is connected to the first inlet channel by a second arc-shaped portion.

7. The flow distribution board according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow distribution device further includes: An outlet is provided on the main body and is used to discharge the fluid medium; Each of the fuel cell stack chambers is connected to the outlet via the outlet to discharge the fluid medium.

8. The flow distribution board according to claim 7, characterized in that, The outlet channel includes: A main outflow channel, which is connected to the outlet; Multiple outflow branches are provided, and each of the multiple outflow branches is configured in a one-to-one correspondence with a multiple of the second inflow channels. One end of each outflow branch is connected to the corresponding fuel cell stack chamber, and the other end of each outflow branch is connected to the main outflow channel.

9. A battery system, characterized in that, include: A fuel cell stack, the fuel cell stack comprising multiple fuel cell stack segments, each fuel cell stack segment comprising multiple fuel cell stack chambers; Multiple flow distribution plates as described in any one of claims 1-8, each of the multiple flow distribution plates corresponding to a multiple of the fuel cell stack segments, wherein each of the multiple fluid channels is connected to a multiple of the fuel cell stack chambers to introduce multiple fluid media into the multiple of the fuel cell stack chambers, and each second inlet of each of the fluid channels is connected to at least one of the fuel cell stack chambers.

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