A modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, specifically to a modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell, comprising at least two fuel cell modules. Each module includes a stack, a lower end plate, and an upper end plate. The stack has a fluid input channel and a fluid output channel. The lower end plate has a first fluid cavity communicating with the fluid input channel and a lower connecting groove on its periphery, into which a lower connecting strip for connecting adjacent lower end plates is embedded. The lower connecting strip has a lower fluid communication port communicating with adjacent first fluid cavities. The upper end plate has a second fluid cavity communicating with the fluid output channel and an upper connecting groove on its periphery, into which an upper connecting strip for connecting adjacent upper end plates is embedded. The upper connecting strip has an upper fluid communication port communicating with adjacent second fluid cavities. Hydrogen and oxygen flow sequentially through the first fluid cavity, the fluid input channel, the stack reaction chamber, the second fluid cavity, and the fluid output channel. The upper and lower connecting strips achieve a stable connection between modules and continuity of the working fluid path, avoiding additional complex piping arrangements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and more specifically to a modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell. Background Technology

[0002] A proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is a highly efficient, low-temperature operating, clean, and environmentally friendly electrochemical energy conversion device. Its working principle is based on the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen: on the anode side, hydrogen decomposes into protons and electrons under the action of a catalyst. Protons migrate through the proton exchange membrane to the cathode, while electrons form an electric current through an external circuit. On the cathode side, electrons, protons, and oxygen combine with a catalyst to generate water, thus realizing the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy.

[0003] Currently, traditional proton exchange membrane fuel cells typically employ an integrated structural design, where the fuel cell stack and casing are integrated into one unit, with the stack fixedly installed inside the casing. While this structure demonstrated good stability in early applications, several problems have emerged during practical use:

[0004] Insufficient structural flexibility: The shape and size of the battery in the monolithic structure are fixed, making it difficult to flexibly adjust or modularly combine according to the needs of different application scenarios, which limits its adaptability in diverse scenarios (such as mobile devices, distributed energy systems, etc.).

[0005] High assembly and maintenance costs: The integrated structure requires high assembly technology. The integration of the fuel cell stack and the casing requires precision machining and strict alignment, which increases production costs. At the same time, once a failure occurs, the entire battery system needs to be disassembled for repair or replacement of the fuel cell stack, which increases the difficulty and cost of maintenance.

[0006] Therefore, a novel fuel cell structure design is urgently needed to solve the above problems and improve the applicability, maintainability, and safety of proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

[0007] Patent publication number CN113130961B discloses a modular fuel cell, which includes multiple battery module components. The multiple battery module components are combined with each other to form a fuel cell. Each battery module component includes a cubic shell, multiple membrane electrode units and multiple bipolar plate units. The shell has openings at the top and bottom. The membrane electrode units and bipolar plate units are stacked in the shell at intervals.

[0008] This fuel cell is formed by combining multiple battery module components. However, the gas and liquid channels of different battery modules need to be connected through external pipelines, resulting in a large number of pipelines and a complicated layout. This not only increases assembly time and cost but also makes it easy for incorrect connections to affect the performance of the fuel cell. At the same time, the external pipelines need to be arranged outside the module, occupying a lot of space, which is not conducive to the compact design of the fuel cell and limits its application in space-constrained scenarios (such as vehicle-mounted and portable devices). Summary of the Invention

[0009] To address the problems existing in the prior art, a modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell is provided. It consists of at least two combinable fuel cell units. Each fuel cell unit has an upper connecting strip on the side of its lower end plate and a lower connecting strip on its upper end plate, which achieves a stable connection between the fuel cell units. The first fluid cavity of the lower end plate and the second fluid cavity of the upper end plate of each fuel cell unit can be interconnected when the units are assembled. The working fluid can flow sequentially through the first fluid cavity, the fluid input channel, the fuel cell stack reaction chamber, the fluid output channel, and the second fluid cavity, which solves the problem that existing modular batteries still require additional complex piping.

[0010] To address the problems of existing technologies, this invention provides a modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell, comprising at least two interconnected fuel cell modules. Each fuel cell module includes a stack and lower and upper end plates disposed at both ends of the stack. The stack has a fluid input channel and a fluid output channel. The lower end plate has a first fluid cavity communicating with the fluid input channel, and the upper end plate has a second fluid cavity communicating with the fluid output channel. The lower end plate has a lower connecting groove on its periphery, in which a lower connecting strip for connecting the lower end plates of adjacent fuel cell modules is embedded. The upper end plate has an upper connecting groove on its periphery, in which an upper connecting strip for connecting the upper end plates of adjacent fuel cell modules is embedded. The lower connecting strip has a lower fluid communication port communicating with the first fluid cavity of the adjacent fuel cell module, and the upper connecting strip has an upper fluid communication port communicating with the second fluid cavity of the adjacent fuel cell module. Hydrogen and oxygen flow sequentially through the first fluid cavity, the fluid input channel, the stack reaction chamber, the second fluid cavity, and the fluid output channel.

[0011] Preferably, the first fluid cavity includes a hydrogen input cavity and an oxygen input cavity, the second fluid cavity includes a residual hydrogen output cavity and a residual oxygen output cavity, the lower fluid communication port has a hydrogen communication port communicating with the hydrogen input cavity and an oxygen communication port communicating with the oxygen input cavity, and the upper fluid communication port has a residual hydrogen communication port communicating with the residual hydrogen output cavity and a residual oxygen communication port communicating with the residual oxygen output cavity.

[0012] Preferably, the hydrogen input chamber and the oxygen input chamber are disposed in the lower end plate along the thickness direction of the lower end plate, and the residual hydrogen output chamber and the residual oxygen output chamber are disposed in the upper end plate along the thickness direction of the upper end plate.

[0013] Preferably, the cross-sections of the lower connecting groove and the upper connecting groove are trapezoidal, and the width of the lower connecting groove and the upper connecting groove gradually decreases from the bottom of the groove to the opening.

[0014] Preferably, the bottom of the lower connecting tank is provided with hydrogen and oxygen inlets arranged along its length direction, the hydrogen inlets being connected to the hydrogen connection port and the oxygen inlets being connected to the oxygen connection port; the bottom of the upper connecting tank is provided with residual hydrogen and residual oxygen inlets arranged along its length direction, the residual hydrogen inlets being connected to the residual hydrogen connection port and the residual oxygen inlets being connected to the residual oxygen connection port.

[0015] Preferably, a sealing strip is provided on the side of the upper and lower end plates that are not connected together.

[0016] Preferably, the system further includes a fluid inlet pipe and a fluid outlet pipe, wherein the fuel cell modules are assembled longitudinally; the two ends of the fluid inlet pipe pass through the lower end plate of the upper fuel cell module and the upper end plate of the lower fuel cell module, respectively, and are connected to the fluid inlet channel; the two ends of the fluid outlet pipe pass through the lower end plate of the upper fuel cell module and the upper end plate of the lower fuel cell module, respectively, and are connected to the fluid outlet channel.

[0017] Preferably, the battery stack is further provided with a refrigerant input channel and a refrigerant output channel. The lower end plate is also provided with a refrigerant input cavity communicating with the refrigerant input channel, and the upper end plate is also provided with a refrigerant output cavity communicating with the refrigerant output channel. The lower connecting strip is provided with a lower refrigerant connection port communicating with the refrigerant input cavity, and the upper connecting strip is provided with an upper refrigerant connection port communicating with the refrigerant output cavity.

[0018] Preferably, the fuel cell module further includes a refrigerant inlet pipe and a refrigerant outlet pipe, wherein the fuel cell modules are assembled longitudinally; the two ends of the refrigerant inlet pipe pass through the lower end plate of the upper fuel cell module and the upper end plate of the lower fuel cell module respectively and are connected to the refrigerant inlet channel; the two ends of the refrigerant outlet pipe pass through the lower end plate of the upper fuel cell module and the upper end plate of the lower fuel cell module respectively and are connected to the refrigerant outlet channel.

[0019] Preferably, the lower end plate is provided with a hydrogen input connector communicating with the hydrogen input chamber and an oxygen input connector communicating with the oxygen input chamber, and the upper end plate is provided with a residual hydrogen output connector communicating with the residual hydrogen output chamber and a residual oxygen output connector communicating with the residual oxygen output chamber.

[0020] The advantages of this application compared to the prior art are:

[0021] This application achieves direct connection between the first and second fluid chambers of each fuel cell module through embedded lower and upper connecting strips, enabling the working fluid to have a unified inlet and outlet channel without the need for complex external piping. This integrated structural design completely eliminates the limitation of traditional multi-module systems requiring external piping connections, greatly simplifying the system's piping configuration, reducing connection points and potential leakage sources, and improving the overall integration and compactness. The fluid first enters the first fluid chamber of the first fuel cell module and then sequentially connects to the first fluid chambers of all fuel cell modules via the lower connecting strip, achieving synchronous supply of reactant gases such as hydrogen and oxygen among multiple fuel cell modules. This series gas supply structure effectively ensures that each fuel cell stack's reaction chamber receives an equal amount of reactant gas, avoiding the uneven fluid distribution problems that may exist in traditional distributed gas supply systems, ensuring that the electrochemical reaction proceeds evenly in each fuel cell module, thereby improving the overall system's energy conversion efficiency and operational stability. After the electrochemical reaction is completed, the remaining gas and generated water are collected in the second fluid chambers of each fuel cell module and connected uniformly via the upper connecting strip, ultimately being discharged centrally from the second fluid chamber of one of the fuel cell modules. This unified recycling path not only avoids the problems of excessively long product emission paths and uneven pressure in traditional solutions, but also improves the overall sealing and discharge efficiency of the system by reducing the number of connecting parts, thereby reducing the risk of liquid water blockage or abnormal pressure during the operation of fuel cell modules. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell after horizontal assembly according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional sectional view of the fluid input channel when a modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell is horizontally assembled according to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional sectional view of the fluid output channel when a modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell is horizontally assembled according to the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell before horizontal assembly according to the present invention.

[0026] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of a modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 6 This is an exploded perspective view of the upper end plate in a modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 7This is an exploded perspective view of the lower end plate in a modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the bipolar plates and proton exchange membrane in a modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell stack according to the present invention.

[0030] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of a modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell after longitudinal assembly according to the present invention.

[0031] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of a modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell before longitudinal assembly according to the present invention.

[0032] The diagram is labeled as follows: 1. Battery stack; 111. Hydrogen input channel; 112. Oxygen input channel; 121. Residual hydrogen output channel; 122. Residual oxygen output channel; 151. Refrigerant input channel; 161. Refrigerant output channel; 2. Lower end plate; 211. Hydrogen input chamber; 212. Oxygen input chamber; 22. Lower connecting groove; 221. Hydrogen inlet; 222. Oxygen inlet; 23. Lower connecting strip; 231. Hydrogen connection port; 232. Oxygen connection port; 233. Lower refrigerant connection port; 24. Refrigerant input chamber; 25. 1. Hydrogen inlet connector; 26. Oxygen inlet connector; 3. Upper end plate; 311. Residual hydrogen outlet chamber; 312. Residual oxygen outlet chamber; 32. Upper connecting groove; 321. Residual hydrogen conduit; 322. Residual oxygen conduit; 33. Upper connecting strip; 331. Residual hydrogen connection port; 332. Residual oxygen connection port; 333. Upper refrigerant connection port; 34. Refrigerant outlet chamber; 35. Residual hydrogen outlet connector; 36. Residual oxygen outlet connector; 4. Sealing strip; 5. Fluid inlet pipe; 6. Fluid outlet pipe; 7. Refrigerant inlet pipe; 8. Refrigerant outlet pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To further understand the features, technical means, and specific objectives and functions achieved by the present invention, the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0034] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 8As shown, a modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell includes at least two interconnected fuel cell modules. Each fuel cell module includes a stack 1 and a lower end plate 2 and an upper end plate 3 disposed at both ends of the stack 1. The stack 1 has a fluid input channel and a fluid output channel. The lower end plate 2 has a first fluid cavity communicating with the fluid input channel, and the upper end plate 3 has a second fluid cavity communicating with the fluid output channel. The lower end plate 2 has a lower connecting groove 22 on its periphery, in which a lower connecting strip 23 for connecting the lower end plate 2 of an adjacent fuel cell module is embedded. The upper end plate 3 has an upper connecting groove 32 on its periphery, in which an upper connecting strip 33 for connecting the upper end plate 3 of an adjacent fuel cell module is embedded. The lower connecting strip 23 has a lower fluid communication port communicating with the first fluid cavity of the adjacent fuel cell module, and the upper connecting strip 33 has an upper fluid communication port communicating with the second fluid cavity of the adjacent fuel cell module. Hydrogen and oxygen flow sequentially through the first fluid cavity, the fluid input channel, the reaction chamber of the stack 1, the second fluid cavity, and the fluid output channel.

[0035] The fluid input channels include a hydrogen input channel 111 and an oxygen input channel 112; the fluid output channels include a residual hydrogen output channel 121 and a residual oxygen output channel 122.

[0036] Multiple fuel cell modules are precisely connected via embedded connecting components located on the lower end plate 2 and the upper end plate 3. The first fluid chamber of each fuel cell module is connected to the first fluid chamber of the adjacent fuel cell module via a lower connecting strip 23, forming a unified and continuous fluid inlet channel. The working fluid (such as hydrogen and oxygen) is simultaneously distributed into all fuel cell modules via the first fluid chamber and the lower connecting strip 23, realizing synchronous fluid supply among multiple fuel cell modules and significantly improving the uniformity of system distribution and reaction efficiency.

[0037] Within each fuel cell module, gas enters the reaction chamber of the fuel cell stack 1 through hydrogen input channel 111 and oxygen input channel 112, where an electrochemical reaction takes place. The water, residual hydrogen, and oxygen produced after the reaction are collected in the second fluid chamber of their respective fuel cell modules. All second fluid chambers are then connected via upper connecting strip 33, allowing the products to be smoothly collected and ultimately discharged from the system through the second fluid chamber of a specific module. This fluid management scheme eliminates the need for traditional, cumbersome external piping, and even with multiple modules combined, no additional fluid distribution loop is required, achieving a high degree of standardization and integration in the modular fuel cell structure.

[0038] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the first fluid cavity includes a hydrogen input cavity 211 and an oxygen input cavity 212, the second fluid cavity includes a residual hydrogen output cavity 311 and a residual oxygen output cavity 312, the lower fluid communication port has a hydrogen communication port 231 communicating with the hydrogen input cavity 211 and an oxygen communication port 232 communicating with the oxygen input cavity 212, and the upper fluid communication port has a residual hydrogen communication port 331 communicating with the residual hydrogen output cavity 311 and a residual oxygen communication port 332 communicating with the residual oxygen output cavity 312.

[0039] The first fluid chamber is further subdivided into a hydrogen input chamber 211 and an oxygen input chamber 212, which are used to guide the reaction gases such as hydrogen and oxygen into the reaction area of ​​the battery stack 1, respectively. The second fluid chamber is further subdivided into a residual hydrogen output chamber 311 and a residual oxygen output chamber 312, which are used to collect the remaining hydrogen and oxygen that are not fully utilized during the reaction process and to discharge them in a centralized manner, so as to ensure the integrity of the gas circulation of the system and the smooth flow of reaction products.

[0040] To achieve fluid channel connectivity between multiple fuel cell modules, a lower fluid communication port is provided in the lower connecting strip 23 of the lower end plate 2. This lower fluid communication port includes two independent sub-channels: one is a hydrogen communication port 231, which is directly connected to the hydrogen input chamber 211 for supplying fuel hydrogen; the other is an oxygen communication port 232, which is connected to the oxygen input chamber 212 for supplying oxidant oxygen. This structure ensures a unified input of hydrogen and oxygen at the module level for all fuel cell modules, effectively achieving synchronous gas supply between multiple modules.

[0041] Similarly, the upper connecting strip 33 of the upper end plate 3 is provided with an upper fluid communication port, which also includes two independent gas outlet channels, namely the residual hydrogen communication port 331 and the residual oxygen communication port 332. The residual hydrogen communication port 331 is connected to the residual hydrogen output chamber 311, and the residual oxygen communication port 332 is connected to the residual oxygen output chamber 312, which are used to collect the residual gases produced by each fuel cell module after the reaction is completed.

[0042] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the hydrogen input chamber 211 and the oxygen input chamber 212 are arranged in the lower end plate 2 along the thickness direction of the lower end plate 2, and the residual hydrogen output chamber 311 and the residual oxygen output chamber 312 are arranged in the upper end plate 3 along the thickness direction of the upper end plate 3.

[0043] Hydrogen input chamber 211 and oxygen input chamber 212 are disposed along the thickness direction of lower end plate 2, ensuring that the two gases can be uniformly input into the reaction chamber of fuel cell stack 1 through independent channels. Specifically, hydrogen input chamber 211 and oxygen input chamber 212 are designed to be located at specific positions on lower end plate 2. This rational spatial layout allows for more precise gas distribution in each unit and reduces the risk of gas mixing or cross-contamination, ensuring the efficient conduction of the electrochemical reaction.

[0044] Similarly, the residual hydrogen output chamber 311 and the residual oxygen output chamber 312 are arranged in the upper end plate 3 along the thickness direction of the upper end plate 3. This arrangement allows unreacted hydrogen and oxygen to be collected separately through independent flow channels and discharged through specific channels after the battery cell has finished working, thereby avoiding mutual interference between gases and improving the overall gas management efficiency of the fuel cell system.

[0045] like Figure 6 As shown, the structural design of the lower end plate 2 further optimizes the layout of the gas input channels. The lower end plate 2 includes a lower substrate and lower partition plates evenly spaced along the longitudinal direction within the lower substrate. These lower partition plates rationally divide the internal space of the lower end plate 2 into multiple independent cavities, wherein the hydrogen input cavity 211 and the oxygen input cavity 212 are separated by adjacent partition plates to ensure that the distribution of hydrogen and oxygen does not interfere with each other. Through this precise layout, hydrogen and oxygen can be accurately introduced into each fuel cell unit, thereby optimizing reaction efficiency and gas utilization.

[0046] like Figure 7 As shown, the upper end plate 3 adopts a similar structural layout to the lower end plate 2. The upper end plate 3 includes an upper substrate, and upper partition plates are evenly spaced along the longitudinal direction in the upper substrate. These partition plates divide the space of the upper end plate 3 into multiple independent cavities, which respectively constitute the residual hydrogen output cavity 311 and the residual oxygen output cavity 312. This structural design allows the residual hydrogen and oxygen discharged from each fuel cell unit to be quickly collected and uniformly discharged, avoiding the retention or mixing of gases during the emission process and ensuring smooth gas flow.

[0047] like Figure 4 As shown, the cross-sections of the lower connecting groove 22 and the upper connecting groove 32 are trapezoidal, and the width of the lower connecting groove 22 and the upper connecting groove 32 gradually decreases from the bottom of the groove to the opening.

[0048] The lower connecting groove 22 and the upper connecting groove 32 have trapezoidal cross-sections, meaning their width gradually decreases from the bottom to the opening, forming a geometry that is wider at the bottom and narrower at the opening. This structure is placed on the contact surface between the connecting units, enhancing the overall assembly stability.

[0049] Through its trapezoidal convergent structural features, the lower connecting groove 22 and the upper connecting groove 32 can form a tighter fit during the assembly of the fuel cell assembly via the upper connecting strip 33 and the lower connecting strip 23. When the upper end plate 3 and the lower end plate 2 are connected to the adjacent fuel cell module via the upper connecting strip 33 and the lower connecting strip 23, the gradually narrowing grooves provide a wedge-like locking effect, making the connection less prone to displacement or loosening when subjected to internal gas pressure or external mechanical stress, thereby significantly improving assembly reliability and module stability.

[0050] like Figure 4 As shown, the bottom of the lower connecting groove 22 is provided with hydrogen inlet 221 and oxygen inlet 222 arranged along its length direction. The hydrogen inlet 221 is connected to the hydrogen connection port 231, and the oxygen inlet 222 is connected to the oxygen connection port 232. The bottom of the upper connecting groove 32 is provided with residual hydrogen inlet 321 and residual oxygen inlet 322 arranged along its length direction. The residual hydrogen inlet 321 is connected to the residual hydrogen connection port 331, and the residual oxygen inlet 322 is connected to the residual oxygen connection port 332.

[0051] Both the lower connecting groove 22 and the upper connecting groove 32 have trapezoidal cross-sections, with the groove width gradually narrowing from the bottom to the opening, forming a structure that is wider at the bottom and narrower at the opening. This trapezoidal design is mainly used to precisely fit with the corresponding upper connecting strip 33 and lower connecting strip 23, thereby forming a reliable mechanical locking structure after the fuel cell modules are connected, preventing the fuel cell modules from loosening or shifting due to external disturbances or vibrations.

[0052] To achieve efficient gas transfer, the bottom of the lower connecting groove 22 is provided with multiple hydrogen inlets 221 and oxygen inlets 222 along its length. The hydrogen inlets 221 are connected to the hydrogen connection port 231 located inside the module, and the oxygen inlets 222 are connected to the oxygen connection port 232. These inlets facilitate the smooth input of hydrogen and oxygen between modules through the internal space of the connecting groove.

[0053] Correspondingly, the bottom of the upper connecting groove 32 is provided with residual hydrogen outlets 321 and residual oxygen outlets 322 distributed along its length, which are connected to residual hydrogen outlets 331 and 332 respectively, for discharging residual gases that did not participate in the reaction. Through the above-mentioned conductive structure design, the reasonable flow of reaction gases inside the module can be ensured, while simplifying the gas transmission path between modules.

[0054] like Figure 4 As shown, a sealing strip 4 is provided on the side where the upper end plate 3 and the lower end plate 2 are not connected together.

[0055] To prevent gas leakage from the hydrogen inlet 221, oxygen inlet 222, residual hydrogen inlet 321, and residual oxygen inlet 322 that have been opened but not yet connected to other fuel cell modules, sealing strips 4 are provided on the non-connection sides of the upper end plate 3 and the lower end plate 2. These sealing strips 4 are designed to seal the gas passages, ensuring that after the fuel cell modules are assembled and connected, gas will not leak from the hydrogen inlet 221, oxygen inlet 222, residual hydrogen inlet 321, and residual oxygen inlet 322 into the external environment, thereby avoiding gas waste and potential safety risks.

[0056] The sealing strip 4 is usually made of a material with good elasticity and sealing properties, such as rubber or synthetic material, which can tightly cover the openings of hydrogen inlet 221, oxygen inlet 222, residual hydrogen inlet 321 and residual oxygen inlet 322.

[0057] like Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, it also includes a fluid input connector 5 and a fluid output connector 6, and the fuel cell modules are assembled longitudinally; the two ends of the fluid input connector 5 pass through the lower end plate 2 of the upper fuel cell module and the upper end plate 3 of the lower fuel cell module respectively and are connected to the fluid input channel; the two ends of the fluid output connector 6 pass through the lower end plate 2 of the upper fuel cell module and the upper end plate 3 of the lower fuel cell module respectively and are connected to the fluid output channel.

[0058] To enable fluid flow between fuel cell modules in a modular fuel cell system, a fluid inlet pipe 5 and a fluid outlet pipe 6 are also included to ensure continuous flow of the working medium when multiple fuel cell modules are connected in the longitudinal direction.

[0059] The two ends of the fluid input pipe 5 pass through the lower end plate 2 of the upper fuel cell module and the upper end plate 3 of the lower fuel cell module, respectively, and are connected to the fluid input channel inside each fuel cell module, thereby realizing the vertical flow of input fluid between multiple modules.

[0060] Similarly, the two ends of the fluid output pipe 6 also pass through the lower end plate 2 of the upper fuel cell module and the upper end plate 3 of the lower fuel cell module, respectively, and are connected to the fluid output channels of each fuel cell module to guide the used fluid to be discharged smoothly along the set path.

[0061] This structural design allows for uninterrupted series connection of fluid input and output channels when multiple fuel cell modules are stacked vertically, through connecting pipes, thereby simplifying the overall pipeline layout and improving system integration.

[0062] like Figure 5 and Figure 4As shown, the battery stack 1 is also provided with a refrigerant input channel 151 and a refrigerant output channel 161. The lower end plate 2 is also provided with a refrigerant input cavity 24 communicating with the refrigerant input channel 151. The upper end plate 3 is also provided with a refrigerant output cavity 34 communicating with the refrigerant output channel 161. The lower connecting strip 23 is provided with a lower refrigerant connection port 233 communicating with the refrigerant input cavity 24. The upper connecting strip 33 is provided with an upper refrigerant connection port 333 communicating with the refrigerant output cavity 34.

[0063] To achieve efficient thermal management of the fuel cell module during operation, the fuel cell stack 1 is provided with a refrigerant input channel 151 and a refrigerant output channel 161 to guide the refrigerant to flow and circulate between the modules of the fuel cell stack 1.

[0064] The lower end plate 2 is provided with a refrigerant input cavity 24 that communicates with the refrigerant input channel 151, for receiving and distributing refrigerant from the cooling system; the upper end plate 3 is provided with a refrigerant output cavity 34 that communicates with the refrigerant output channel 161, for collecting and discharging the refrigerant that has absorbed heat inside the module.

[0065] In addition, a lower refrigerant inlet 233 is provided in the lower connecting strip 23 to communicate with the refrigerant inlet chamber 24, for guiding the refrigerant from the refrigerant inlet chamber 24 to the cooling structure inside the fuel cell module below; an upper refrigerant inlet 333 is provided in the upper connecting strip 33 to communicate with the refrigerant outlet chamber 34, for leading out the refrigerant inside the module and delivering it to the refrigerant outlet chamber 34.

[0066] The above structural design ensures an efficient and continuous flow path for the refrigerant among multiple fuel cell modules. The refrigerant inlet 24, lower refrigerant connection port 233, internal module cooling path, upper refrigerant connection port 333, and refrigerant outlet 34 sequentially form a complete cooling circuit, guaranteeing that each module can obtain a stable and uniform cooling effect, thereby effectively controlling the temperature rise of the fuel cell stack 1 and improving the thermal stability and safety of the overall system.

[0067] like Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, it also includes a refrigerant input pipe 7 and a refrigerant output pipe 8, and the fuel cell modules are assembled longitudinally; the two ends of the refrigerant input pipe 7 pass through the lower end plate 2 of the upper fuel cell module and the upper end plate 3 of the lower fuel cell module respectively and are connected to the refrigerant input channel 151; the two ends of the refrigerant output pipe 8 pass through the lower end plate 2 of the upper fuel cell module and the upper end plate 3 of the lower fuel cell module respectively and are connected to the refrigerant output channel 161.

[0068] When multiple fuel cell modules are combined in the longitudinal direction, in order to achieve the continuous flow of refrigerant between the modules, a refrigerant input pipe 7 and a refrigerant output pipe 8 are further provided.

[0069] The two ends of the refrigerant input pipe 7 pass through the lower end plate 2 of the upper fuel cell module and the upper end plate 3 of the lower fuel cell module, respectively, and are connected to the refrigerant input channel 151, so that the refrigerant can be smoothly introduced from the upper module to the lower module, forming a continuous refrigerant input path.

[0070] Similarly, the two ends of the refrigerant output pipe 8 pass through the lower end plate 2 of the upper fuel cell module and the upper end plate 3 of the lower fuel cell module, respectively, and are connected to the refrigerant output channel 161, so as to guide the refrigerant from the lower module to the refrigerant output path of the upper module, thereby realizing the effective collection and discharge of refrigerant.

[0071] By setting up the aforementioned refrigerant inlet pipe 7 and refrigerant outlet pipe 8, a seamless series connection of the refrigerant path can be achieved when multiple fuel cell modules are longitudinally combined, ensuring the integrity and smooth flow of the cooling system. Simultaneously, a sealing structure is typically installed at the connection points where the pipes pass through the end plates to prevent refrigerant leakage during flow, further enhancing the system's reliability and thermal management performance.

[0072] like Figure 9 As shown, the lower end plate 2 is provided with a hydrogen input connector 25 that communicates with the hydrogen input chamber 211 and an oxygen input connector 26 that communicates with the oxygen input chamber 212. The upper end plate 3 is provided with a residual hydrogen output connector 35 that communicates with the residual hydrogen output chamber 311 and a residual oxygen output connector 36 that communicates with the residual oxygen output chamber 312.

[0073] In the structure of this fuel cell stack 1, the lower end plate 2 is provided with multiple interface components to ensure smooth and stable gas flow. Specifically, the lower end plate 2 is provided with a hydrogen input connector 25 that communicates with the hydrogen input chamber 211 for delivering external hydrogen to the fuel cell module; at the same time, the lower end plate 2 is also provided with an oxygen input connector 26 that communicates with the oxygen input chamber 212 for delivering oxygen to the inside of the fuel cell for reaction.

[0074] On the upper end plate 3, there is a residual hydrogen output connector 35 that communicates with the residual hydrogen output chamber 311, which is used to discharge unreacted residual hydrogen from the inside of the fuel cell and prevent hydrogen accumulation in the system; in addition, the upper end plate 3 is also provided with a residual oxygen output connector 36 that communicates with the residual oxygen output chamber 312, which is used to discharge residual oxygen.

[0075] The above embodiments only illustrate one or more implementations of the present invention, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell, comprising at least two fuel cell modules combined with each other, each fuel cell module comprising a stack and lower and upper end plates disposed at both ends of the stack, the stack having a fluid inlet channel and a fluid outlet channel, characterized in that, The lower end plate is provided with a first fluid cavity communicating with the fluid input channel, and the upper end plate is provided with a second fluid cavity communicating with the fluid output channel; The lower end plate has a lower connecting groove on its periphery, in which a lower connecting strip for connecting the lower end plate of an adjacent fuel cell module is embedded; the upper end plate has an upper connecting groove on its periphery, in which an upper connecting strip for connecting the upper end plate of an adjacent fuel cell module is embedded. The lower connecting strip is provided with a lower fluid communication port that connects to the first fluid cavity of the adjacent fuel cell module, and the upper connecting strip is provided with an upper fluid communication port that connects to the second fluid cavity of the adjacent fuel cell module. Hydrogen and oxygen flow sequentially through the first fluid cavity, the fluid input channel, the battery stack reaction cavity, the second fluid cavity, and the fluid output channel; The lower connecting groove and the upper connecting groove have trapezoidal cross-sections, and the width of the lower connecting groove and the upper connecting groove gradually decreases from the bottom of the groove to the opening of the groove; the first fluid cavity includes a hydrogen input cavity and an oxygen input cavity; The second fluid cavity includes a residual hydrogen output cavity and a residual oxygen output cavity; The lower fluid communication port has a hydrogen communication port that communicates with the hydrogen input chamber and an oxygen communication port that communicates with the oxygen input chamber. The upper fluid communication port has a residual hydrogen communication port that communicates with the residual hydrogen output cavity and a residual oxygen communication port that communicates with the residual oxygen output cavity. The bottom of the lower connecting groove is provided with hydrogen inlets and oxygen inlets arranged along its length direction. The hydrogen inlets are connected to the hydrogen connection port, and the oxygen inlets are connected to the oxygen connection port. The bottom of the upper connecting groove is provided with a residual hydrogen conduction port and a residual oxygen conduction port arranged along its length direction. The residual hydrogen conduction port is connected to the residual hydrogen connection port, and the residual oxygen conduction port is connected to the residual oxygen connection port. The battery stack is also equipped with a refrigerant input channel and a refrigerant output channel; The lower end plate is also provided with a refrigerant input cavity that communicates with the refrigerant input channel; The upper end plate is also provided with a refrigerant output cavity that communicates with the refrigerant output channel; The lower connecting strip is provided with a lower refrigerant connection port that communicates with the refrigerant input cavity; The upper connecting strip is provided with an upper refrigerant connection port that communicates with the refrigerant output cavity.

2. A modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen input chamber and oxygen input chamber are arranged in the lower end plate along the thickness direction of the lower end plate, and the residual hydrogen output chamber and residual oxygen output chamber are arranged in the upper end plate along the thickness direction of the upper end plate.

3. A modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, A sealing strip is provided on the side where the upper and lower end plates are not connected together.

4. A modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a fluid inlet pipe and a fluid outlet pipe, the fuel cell modules being assembled longitudinally; The two ends of the fluid input connector pass through the lower end plate of the upper fuel cell module and the upper end plate of the lower fuel cell module, respectively, and are connected to the fluid input channel. The two ends of the fluid output connector pass through the lower end plate of the upper fuel cell module and the upper end plate of the lower fuel cell module, respectively, and are connected to the fluid output channel.

5. A modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a refrigerant inlet pipe and a refrigerant outlet pipe, wherein the fuel cell modules are assembled longitudinally; The two ends of the refrigerant input pipe pass through the lower end plate of the upper fuel cell module and the upper end plate of the lower fuel cell module, respectively, and are connected to the refrigerant input channel. The two ends of the refrigerant output pipe pass through the lower end plate of the upper fuel cell module and the upper end plate of the lower fuel cell module, respectively, and are connected to the refrigerant output channel.

6. A modular assembled hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower end plate is equipped with a hydrogen input connector that communicates with the hydrogen input chamber and an oxygen input connector that communicates with the oxygen input chamber. The upper plate is equipped with a residual hydrogen output connector that communicates with the residual hydrogen output chamber and a residual oxygen output connector that communicates with the residual oxygen output chamber.

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