Flow channel structure and solid oxide fuel cell

Abstract

The invention discloses a flow channel structure and a solid oxide fuel cell, and relates to the technical field of fuel cells, the flow channel structure comprises a shell assembly and an adjusting assembly, the shell assembly is internally provided with a hollow flow cavity, and the flow cavity can be used for reaction gas (air or fuel gas) to flow; the adjusting assembly comprises a driving part and a spiral part, the spiral part is located in the flowing cavity and enables the flowing cavity to form a spiral flow channel, the reaction gas flows along the spiral flow channel, and the mass transfer efficiency of the reaction gas can be improved. At least one part of the driving part is located in the flowing cavity and connected with the spiral part, and the driving part can drive the spiral part to deform in the screw pitch direction to change the screw pitch when moving relative to the shell assembly, so that the length of the adjusted spiral part is matched with the flow channel length of the solid oxide fuel cell; and the device is compatible with various fuel cells with different runner lengths.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and more specifically to a flow channel structure and a solid oxide fuel cell. Background Technology

[0002] Solid oxide fuel cells are all-solid-state chemical power generation devices that directly and efficiently convert the chemical energy stored in fuel and oxidant into electrical energy at medium and high temperatures. They have advantages such as high power generation efficiency, low emissions, wide adaptability to various fuel gases, and high waste heat utilization value. They are one of the important strategic technologies for providing clean and efficient energy, alleviating the energy and environmental crisis, and achieving sustainable development in my country.

[0003] In existing tubular batteries, the reactant gases flow from one end to the other, diffuse through the concentration gradient across the internal or external electrodes, and reach the vicinity of the internal electrode or electrolyte interface to participate in the electrode reaction. This gas flow is primarily advection-like. To improve the mass transfer efficiency of the reactant gases, a spiral component can be incorporated into the battery flow channel to create a spiral passage. However, existing spiral components are fixed structures with unadjustable pitch, resulting in poor compatibility with fuel cells of different flow channel lengths. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned technical deficiencies and propose a flow channel structure and a solid oxide fuel cell, which solves the technical problem that the spiral component in the internal flow channel of the fuel cell in the prior art is a fixed structure, the pitch of which cannot be adjusted, and it cannot be adapted to fuel cells with different flow channel lengths, resulting in poor compatibility.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: This invention provides a flow channel structure, comprising: The housing assembly has a hollow flow cavity inside; and An adjustment assembly includes a drive member and a helical member, the helical member being located in the flow cavity and forming a helical flow channel in the flow cavity, the drive member connecting the helical member and the housing assembly, and being used to drive the helical member to deform along its pitch direction to change its pitch size.

[0006] In some embodiments, the housing assembly includes a housing and a cover, the housing having a hollow flow cavity, the cover having an airflow hole communicating with the flow cavity, and the cover being connected to one end of the housing and capable of limiting one end of the auger.

[0007] In some embodiments, the drive member rotatably engages with the housing cover, and the drive member passes through the auger and is threadedly connected to the end of the auger away from the housing cover.

[0008] In some embodiments, the cover has a through hole, a bearing is provided in the through hole, and the drive member passes through the bearing and is rotatably engaged with the cover.

[0009] In some embodiments, the drive member slides through the cover and is detachably snapped onto the end of the spiral member away from the cover.

[0010] In some embodiments, the adjusting component further includes a limiting block disposed at the end of the driving member away from the cover. When the driving member slides, it can drive the limiting block to press against the end of the spiral member away from the cover, so as to reduce the pitch of the spiral member and accumulate elastic force.

[0011] In some embodiments, the adjustment assembly further includes a sealing ring arranged along the inner spiral path of the spiral member and elastically abutting against the outer wall of the drive member.

[0012] In some embodiments, the drive member is slidably disposed in the flow cavity, the drive member is located on the side of the spiral member away from the shell cover, and is able to press against the spiral member during sliding.

[0013] Secondly, the present invention also provides a solid oxide fuel cell, including a shell, an electrolyte, and the aforementioned flow channel structure. The shell is disposed around the housing assembly and forms a receiving space between the shell assembly and the housing assembly. The electrolyte is located in the receiving space, and a gas flow channel is formed inside the shell.

[0014] In some embodiments, the gas passage is also provided with the regulating component, and the space of the gas passage can be adjusted by the regulating component.

[0015] Compared with existing technologies, the flow channel structure provided by this invention can be used in solid oxide fuel cells. The flow cavity within the housing assembly can be used to supply the flow of reactant gases (air or fuel gas). The helical component is located in the flow cavity, dividing the flow cavity into helical channels. The reactant gases flow along the helical channels, which can improve the mass transfer efficiency of the reactant gases. For solid oxide fuel cells with different flow channel lengths, the driving component can be moved relative to the housing assembly to drive the helical component to deform along its pitch direction to change its pitch size. This allows the adjusted length of the helical component to adapt to the flow channel length of the solid oxide fuel cell, making it compatible with various fuel cells with different flow channel lengths. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the flow channel structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a spiral component provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the flow channel structure provided in another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the flow channel structure provided in another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a solid oxide fuel cell provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0018] To address the technical problem that the spiral components in the internal flow channels of existing fuel cells are fixed structures with adjustable pitch, making them unsuitable for fuel cells with different flow channel lengths and resulting in poor compatibility, this invention provides a flow channel structure that allows for adjustment of the spiral flow channel length, adapting to various fuel cells with different flow channel lengths and exhibiting strong compatibility.

[0019] It should be noted that the flow channel structure described in this invention is used in, but not limited to, solid oxide fuel cells. For ease of explanation, this invention will only use the application of the flow channel structure in solid oxide fuel cells as an example. The principle of the flow channel structure applied to other types of devices is essentially the same as that applied to solid oxide fuel cells, and will not be described in detail here.

[0020] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the flow channel structure in one embodiment of the present invention. The flow channel structure includes a housing assembly 1 and an adjustment assembly 2. The housing assembly 1 has a hollow flow cavity 11. The adjustment assembly 2 includes a driving member 21 and a spiral member 22. The spiral member 22 is located in the flow cavity 11 and forms a spiral flow channel. At least a portion of the driving member 21 is located in the flow cavity 11 and connected to the spiral member 22. When the driving member 21 moves relative to the housing assembly 1, it can drive the spiral member 22 to deform along its pitch direction to change its pitch. In this embodiment, the flow cavity 11 provided in the housing assembly 1 can be used to supply the flow of reaction gas (air or fuel gas). The spiral member 22 is provided in the flow cavity 11 and can divide the flow cavity 11 into a spiral flow channel. Compared with the traditional straight flow channel, the spiral flow channel has a significantly longer path. The reaction gas flows along the spiral flow channel, which can improve the mass transfer efficiency of the reaction gas, thereby improving the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell. The spiral member 22 can be made of a metal material with good elasticity, so that the spiral member 22 has good elastic deformation capability and is easy to extend and retract. When compatibility with fuel cells of different flow channel lengths is required, the drive component 21 can be used to drive the helical component 22 to deform along its pitch direction, thereby changing its pitch size and adapting the adjusted length of the helical component 22 to the channel length of the fuel cell. The helical component 22 exhibits two elastic deformation modes: stretching (lengthening the pitch) and compression (shortening the pitch). Therefore, the helical component 22 can be stretched or compressed according to the channel length of the fuel cell, making it convenient to use and highly compatible. Furthermore, different pitches of the helical component 22 result in different shapes of the spiral flow channels, leading to different mass transfer efficiencies for the reactant gases flowing along these channels. Therefore, the pitch of the helical component 22 can be customized to meet the required mass transfer efficiency of the reactant gases.

[0021] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 The housing assembly 1 includes a housing 12 and a cover 13. The housing 12 has a hollow flow cavity 11 inside, and the cover 13 has an airflow hole 131 communicating with the flow cavity. The cover 13 is connected to one end of the housing 12 and can limit one end of the spiral member 22. In this embodiment, the housing 12 has a cylindrical structure with a hollow flow cavity 11 inside, and the cover 13 is a circular cover plate with a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the housing 12. It can be connected by an interference fit to ensure good sealing. The connection method between the cover 13 and the housing 12 is not limited. For example, it can be fixed to one end of the housing 12 by a threaded connection to facilitate the installation and removal of the cover 13. The cover 13 has an airflow hole 131, the diameter of which can be set by the user. The airflow hole 131 is used to introduce the reaction gas and guide it into the flow cavity 11. The cover 13 also limits one end of the spiral member 22 to ensure that the spiral member 22 works stably in the flow cavity 11.

[0022] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The driving component 21 rotates and engages with the housing cover 13, and the driving component 21 passes through the spiral component 22 and is threadedly connected to the end of the spiral component 22 away from the housing cover 13. In this embodiment, the driving component 21 is a cylindrical screw, a part of which is located in the flow cavity 11, and the end of the driving component 21 located in the flow cavity 11 has external threads. The spiral component 22 is hollow at the center, and a central hole 21 is formed in the center. The diameter of the central hole 221 is adapted to the outer diameter of the driving component 21 to facilitate the insertion of the driving component 21. The end of the spiral component 22 away from the housing cover 13 has internal threads, while other parts are not threaded. The driving component 21 is threadedly connected to the end of the spiral component 22 away from the housing cover 13 through external threads. The thread parameters of the driving component 21 match the thread parameters of the spiral component 22 to ensure that the two can fit tightly. When the driving component 21 rotates relative to the housing assembly 1, the driving component 21 can drive the spiral component 22 to deform along its pitch direction through the threaded engagement, thereby changing its pitch. Specifically, when the driving member 21 rotates clockwise, it compresses the auger 22 to reduce its pitch; when the driving member 21 rotates counterclockwise, it stretches the auger 22 to increase its pitch. It is important to emphasize that in this embodiment, the driving member 21 does not move laterally relative to the housing 12 during rotation; it only rotates in place relative to the housing 12. This ensures that the driving member 21 can drive the end of the auger 22 away from the cover 13 to move during rotation, thereby causing elastic deformation of the auger 22.

[0023] In one embodiment, the cover 13 has a through hole, through which a bearing is installed. The drive member 21 passes through the bearing and is engaged with the cover 13 by rotation. In this embodiment, the cover 13 has a through hole with a diameter slightly larger than the bearing diameter to allow the bearing to be easily installed. Specifically, the drive member 21 has baffles 211 on both sides of the bearing. These baffles restrict the drive member 21's axial movement, allowing it to stably drive the screw member 22 to elastically deform and adjust its pitch during rotation. The bearing significantly reduces friction between the drive member 21 and the cover 13, improving the drive member 21's motion accuracy and service life. Furthermore, the bearing also limits the drive member 21, restricting it to rotate only relative to the housing 12 and preventing movement along the pitch direction of the screw member 22.

[0024] In one embodiment, the drive member 21 slides through the cover 13 and is detachably snapped onto the end of the screw member 22 away from the cover 13. In this embodiment, the drive member 21 can be the same as in the previous embodiment, with one end connected to the end of the screw member 22 away from the cover 13 by a threaded connection, so as to achieve snapping between the drive member 21 and the screw member 22. Unlike the previous embodiment, in this embodiment, the drive member 21 and the cover 13 are slidably connected, rather than being rotatedly snapped. The drive member 21 slides through the cover 13, so that the drive member 21 can drive the end of the screw member 22 away from the cover 13 to reciprocate by sliding relative to the housing 12, causing the screw member 22 to undergo elastic deformation, thereby adjusting the pitch of the screw member 22. At the same time, the detachable connection method facilitates the replacement and maintenance of the screw member 22.

[0025] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 3 The adjusting component 2 also includes a limiting block 23, which is located at the end of the driving member 21 away from the cover 13. The connection method is not limited, such as welding or threaded connection. When the driving member 21 slides, it can drive the limiting block 23 to press against the end of the spiral member 22 away from the cover 13, thereby reducing the pitch of the spiral member 22 and accumulating elastic force. In this embodiment, the limiting block 23 of the adjusting component 2 is a cylindrical block, located at the end of the driving member 21 away from the cover 13. When the driving member 21 slides, it can drive the limiting block 23 to press against the end of the spiral member 22 away from the cover 13. The main function of the limiting block 23 is to press against the spiral member 22, causing the spiral member 22 to deform to adjust the pitch. In addition, the limiting block 23 can also limit the spiral member 22, ensuring that the spiral member 22 can stably maintain the current pitch after adjustment and preventing it from resetting. The limiting block 23 can be made of hard plastic, which has good wear resistance and impact resistance.

[0026] In one embodiment, the regulating component 2 further includes a sealing ring, which is arranged along the inner spiral path of the spiral member 22 and elastically abuts against the outer wall of the driving member 21. The regulating component 2 also includes a sealing ring, which is an annular elastic body. The sealing ring is arranged along the inner spiral path of the spiral member 22 and elastically abuts against the outer wall of the driving member 21. The function of the sealing ring is to improve the airtightness between the spiral member 22 and the driving member 21, allowing the reactant gas to flow completely along the spiral flow path, thereby improving the mass transfer efficiency of the reactant gas.

[0027] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 4The driving member 21 is slidably disposed in the flow cavity 11. The driving member 21 is located on the side of the spiral member 22 away from the shell cover 13, and can press against the spiral member 22 when sliding. In this embodiment, the driving member 21 is slidably disposed in the flow cavity 11. The driving member 21 is located on the side of the spiral member 22 away from the shell cover 13, and can press against the spiral member 22 when sliding towards the spiral member 22. The main difference between the driving member 21 in this embodiment and the driving member 21 in the above embodiment is that the driving member 21 in this embodiment does not pass through the spiral member 22, but directly presses against the end of the spiral member 22 away from the shell cover 13 to adjust the pitch of the spiral member 22. The operation is simple and the adjustment accuracy is high. The sliding direction of the driving member 21 is parallel to the axis of the spiral member 22, ensuring that the deformation of the spiral member 22 is uniform during the adjustment process. The driving member 21 can obtain power in any way. For example, it can be connected to a cylinder, which drives the driving member 21 to slide back and forth to drive the spiral member 22 to deform or reset.

[0028] Secondly, please refer to Figure 5 The present invention also provides a solid oxide fuel cell, comprising a shell 3, an electrolyte 4, and the aforementioned flow channel structure 100. The shell 3 is disposed around a housing assembly 1 and forms a receiving space between the shell 3 and the housing assembly 1. The electrolyte 4 is located in the receiving space, and a gas flow channel 31 is formed inside the shell 3. The shell 3 is the outer frame of the entire fuel cell, serving to support and protect the internal components. The shell 3 can be made of a material with good high-temperature resistance and mechanical strength, typically a high-temperature alloy or ceramic material. The flow channel structure of the solid oxide fuel cell has a flow chamber 11 for air (oxygen) to flow through, and a gas flow channel 31 inside the shell 3 for gas to flow through, such as hydrogen or methane. Electrical energy can be generated during the chemical reaction of the gas, air, and electrolyte.

[0029] The electrolyte 4, located within the space between the outer shell 3 and the housing 12, is one of the core components of the fuel cell. The role of the electrolyte 4 is to conduct oxygen ions while isolating the reactant gases at the anode and cathode. Electrolyte materials are typically solid oxides, such as doped zirconium oxide (e.g., yttrium-stabilized zirconium oxide, YSZ) or doped lanthanates (e.g., perovskite-structured materials).

[0030] In one embodiment, the gas passage can also be equipped with the aforementioned regulating component. By placing a spiral member in the gas passage 31, the gas passage 31 can be divided into a spiral flow channel. This improves the mass transfer efficiency of the gas as it flows through the spiral flow channel, thereby increasing the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell. Furthermore, the spiral member can be deformed by a driving component to adjust the pitch of the spiral flow channel, thereby regulating the mass transfer efficiency of the gas, or adapting the length of the spiral flow channel to the use of the fuel cell.

[0031] To better understand this invention, the following is combined with... Figures 1 to 5The technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below: The flow channel structure provided by this invention can be used in solid oxide fuel cells. The flow cavity 11 inside the housing assembly 1 can be used to supply the flow of reactant gas (air or fuel gas). The helical member 22 is located in the flow cavity 11, dividing the flow cavity into a helical flow channel 111. The reactant gas flows along the helical flow channel 111, which can improve the mass transfer efficiency of the reactant gas. For solid oxide fuel cells with different flow channel lengths, the driving member 21 can be moved relative to the housing assembly 1 to drive the helical member 22 to deform along its pitch direction to change its pitch size, so that the adjusted length of the helical member 22 is adapted to the flow channel length of the solid oxide fuel cell, making it compatible with the use of fuel cells with various different flow channel lengths.

[0032] The specific embodiments of the present invention described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention. Any other corresponding changes and modifications made in accordance with the technical concept of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flow channel structure, characterized in that, include: The housing assembly has a hollow flow cavity inside; and An adjustment assembly includes a drive member and a helical member, the helical member being located in the flow cavity and forming a helical flow channel in the flow cavity, the drive member connecting the helical member and the housing assembly, and being used to drive the helical member to deform along its pitch direction to change its pitch size.

2. The flow channel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing assembly includes a housing and a cover. The housing has a hollow flow cavity inside, and the cover has an airflow hole communicating with the flow cavity. The cover is connected to one end of the housing and can limit one end of the spiral component.

3. The flow channel structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The drive component rotates and engages with the cover, and the drive component passes through the auger and is threaded to the end of the auger away from the cover.

4. The flow channel structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cover has a through hole, and a bearing is provided in the through hole. The drive component passes through the bearing and is rotated and engaged with the cover.

5. The flow channel structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The drive component slides through the cover and is detachably snapped onto the end of the spiral component away from the cover.

6. The flow channel structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The adjustment component also includes a limiting block, which is located at the end of the driving member away from the cover. When the driving member slides, it can drive the limiting block to press against the end of the spiral member away from the cover, so as to reduce the pitch of the spiral member and accumulate elastic force.

7. The flow channel structure according to any one of claims 3-6, characterized in that, The adjustment assembly also includes a sealing ring, which is arranged along the inner spiral path of the spiral member and elastically abuts against the outer wall of the drive member.

8. The flow channel structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The driving member is slidably disposed in the flow cavity. The driving member is located on the side of the spiral member away from the shell cover and can press against the spiral member when sliding.

9. A solid oxide fuel cell, characterized in that, The device includes a shell, an electrolyte, and a flow channel structure as described in any one of claims 1-8, wherein the shell is disposed around the housing assembly and forms a receiving space between the shell and the housing assembly, the electrolyte is located in the receiving space, and a gas flow channel is formed inside the shell.

10. The solid oxide fuel cell according to claim 9, characterized in that, The gas passage is also equipped with the adjustment component, and the space of the gas passage can be adjusted by the adjustment component.

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