Fuel cell stack auxiliary heating device and preparation process thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a fuel cell stack auxiliary heating device and a preparation process thereof, the fuel cell stack auxiliary heating device is configured to connect a fuel cell stack, the fuel cell stack comprises a plurality of adjacent and connected single cells, and the fuel cell stack comprises two connectors, a heating assembly and two insulators, the two connectors are arranged between the two adjacent single batteries at intervals and are respectively connected with the two adjacent single batteries, the heating assembly comprises a heating body, the heating body is arranged between the two connectors and can be electrically connected with an external power supply, and the two insulators are arranged on the two sides of the heating body along the guiding direction of the heating body and are electrically connected with the external power supply. And the two insulators are respectively connected with the heating body and the connecting body. According to the invention, the problem of poor heating effect caused by the fact that the auxiliary heating plate can only be arranged on a pipeline or an end plate outside a galvanic pile and the heating plate is far away from a single battery can be effectively solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and specifically to an auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack and its manufacturing process. Background Technology

[0002] To ensure that fuel cells operate normally under low-temperature conditions, an auxiliary heating device is required to achieve cold start of the fuel cell stack.

[0003] For example, Chinese utility model patent CN214226964U, entitled "An Integrated Fuel Cell Engine System," includes a fuel cell stack assembly, an engine electrical assembly, a hydrogen injection assembly, an air inlet assembly, an air outlet assembly, a manifold assembly, a water pump assembly, an auxiliary heating assembly, and an exhaust assembly. The engine electrical assembly is integrated on the top plate of the fuel cell stack assembly; the hydrogen injection assembly and manifold assembly are located on the near-end plate of the fuel cell stack assembly; the air inlet assembly and air outlet assembly are located on the far-end plate of the fuel cell stack assembly; the water pump assembly, auxiliary heating assembly, and exhaust assembly are located on the bottom plate of the fuel cell stack assembly; and the exhaust assembly is connected to the air outlet assembly. This device integrates the end plates and bottom plate of the fuel cell stack module as a foundation, reducing the maintenance surface of the fuel cell engine, lowering the difficulty of after-sales maintenance, and significantly reducing the number and total length of connecting pipes, as well as the power consumption of the air compressor and water pump.

[0004] External heating can assist in the cold start of fuel cell stacks to some extent, but since auxiliary heating plates can only be placed on pipes or end plates outside the stack, the heating plates are far from the individual cells, resulting in high heating power and poor performance. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned technical deficiencies and propose an auxiliary heating device for fuel cell stacks and its manufacturing process, thereby solving the technical problem in the prior art where the auxiliary heating plate can only be arranged on the pipeline or end plate outside the stack, resulting in the heating plate being far away from the single cell and thus causing poor heating effect.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: In a first aspect, the present invention provides an auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack, configured to be connected to a fuel cell stack, the fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of adjacent and interconnected single cells, including: Two connectors are disposed at a distance between two adjacent single cells and are respectively connected to the two adjacent single cells; A heating assembly includes a heating element disposed between the two connecting bodies and capable of being electrically connected to an external power source; and Two insulators are disposed on both sides of the heating element along the guide of the heating element, and the two insulators are respectively connected to the heating element and the connecting body.

[0007] In some embodiments, the two insulators are interconnected to form a sealed enclosure for the heating element.

[0008] In some embodiments, the two connectors are interconnected to form a sealed enclosure for the heating element and the two insulators.

[0009] In some embodiments, the heating element extends along the length direction of the connector.

[0010] In some embodiments, the heating component further includes two current collectors, which are spaced apart from each other on both sides of the plurality of single batteries and respectively connected to the two single batteries. Each of the two current collectors has a first connection end, and the two ends of the heating element have two second connection ends, which are electrically connected to the two first connection ends respectively.

[0011] In some embodiments, the two first connection terminals protrude from the top plane of the single battery and are disposed at one end of the current collector, the two ends of the insulator protrude from the connector, and the two second connection terminals protrude from the two ends of the insulator and are electrically connected to the two first connection terminals respectively.

[0012] In some embodiments, both the connector and the insulator are compressible structures.

[0013] In some embodiments, the two ends of the connector are respectively provided with a plurality of bubble holes relative to the single battery.

[0014] In some embodiments, the connector is a conductive structure.

[0015] Secondly, the present invention also provides a manufacturing process for an auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack, which utilizes the auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack as described above, and the specific steps are as follows: suppress, The five-layer structure is arranged in the pressing mold according to the stacking order of connector, insulator, heating element, insulator and connector, and then pressed into shape; Opening, According to the location of the water vapor pores on the single cell, water vapor pores are opened on the auxiliary heating device of the fuel cell stack after pressing and molding. Impregnation, The fuel cell stack auxiliary heating device, after being pressed and molded, is placed in a vacuum impregnation equipment and impregnated with adhesive. Cleaning, The auxiliary heating device of the fuel cell stack was cleaned with a cleaning solution after being impregnated. Curing, Auxiliary heating device for fuel cell stacks after baking and cleaning.

[0016] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of the fuel cell stack auxiliary heating device and its manufacturing process provided by this invention include: a five-layer structure consisting of two connectors, a heating element, and two insulators, wherein the two connectors are spaced apart between adjacent single cells and connected to the adjacent single cells respectively; the heating element is disposed between the two connectors and connected to the two connectors respectively through the two insulators; and the heating element can be electrically connected to an external power source for heating. Compared with existing technologies, by setting a five-layer heating structure consisting of two connectors, a heating element, and two insulators between adjacent single cells, the internal structure of the fuel cell stack can be directly heated. Compared with placing the heating device outside the fuel cell stack, the heating effect of this device is significantly improved, making it suitable for cold starts of fuel cell stacks. It can solve the technical problem in existing technologies where the auxiliary heating plate can only be arranged on the pipeline or end plate outside the stack, resulting in the heating plate being far from the single cell and thus causing poor heating effect. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional diagram of an auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional view from another perspective of an auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection of the connector, heating element, electrode tab and insulator provided in the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional diagram of an auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack connected to a fuel cell stack, as provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: Fuel cell stack 100; single cell 110; current collector 120; first connection end 121; end plate 130; connector 200; water vapor vent 210; heating element 300; heating element 310; second connection end 320; insulator 400. Detailed Implementation

[0019] 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.

[0020] To address the technical problem of poor heating effect caused by the auxiliary heating plate being placed on the external pipeline or end plate 130 of the fuel cell stack, which results in the heating plate being far from the single cell 110, this invention provides an auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack 100 and its manufacturing process. This device enables direct heating of the interior of the fuel cell stack 100 by setting a five-layer heating structure consisting of two connectors 200, a heating element 310, and two insulators 400 between two adjacent single cells 110. Compared to placing the heating device on the outside of the fuel cell stack 100, the heating effect of this device is significantly improved, making it suitable for cold start of the fuel cell stack 100.

[0021] Please see Figures 1 to 4 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The auxiliary heating device is configured to connect to the fuel cell stack 100. The fuel cell stack 100 includes a plurality of adjacent and interconnected single cells 110, including: two connectors 200, a heating element 300, and two insulators 400. The two connectors 200 are spaced apart between two adjacent single cells 110 and are respectively connected to the two adjacent single cells 110. The heating element 300 includes a heating body 310, which is disposed between the two connectors 200 and can be electrically connected to an external power source. The two insulators 400 are disposed on both sides of the heating body 310 along the guide of the heating body 310, and the two insulators 400 are respectively connected to the heating body 310 and the connectors 200.

[0022] In this device, compared with the prior art, a five-layer heating structure consisting of two connectors 200, a heating element 310, and two insulators 400 is set between two adjacent single cells 110, which can directly heat the inside of the fuel cell stack 100. Compared with setting the heating device outside the fuel cell stack 100, the heating effect of this device is significantly improved. It is suitable for the cold start of the fuel cell stack 100 and can solve the technical problem in the prior art that the auxiliary heating plate can only be arranged on the pipeline or end plate 130 outside the stack, which makes the heating plate far away from the single cell 110, resulting in poor heating effect.

[0023] Furthermore, the fuel cell stack 100 includes multiple adjacent and interconnected single cells 110, two current collectors 120, and two end plates 130. The two current collectors 120 are respectively disposed on both sides of the multiple single cells 110, and the two end plates 130 are respectively disposed on the outside of the two current collectors 120 and the multiple single cells 110. Typically, the user places the heating device on one end plate 130, and the heat needs to be transferred to the single cell 110 in sequence through the end plate 130 and the current collectors 120. Therefore, its heating effect is poor. The fuel cell stack 100 here is a conventional arrangement known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0024] Furthermore, the insulator 400 is used to form an insulating protection for the heating element 310. Any non-metallic film or sheet material such as polyimide (PI) film, high-temperature resistant polyester (PET) film, or epoxy resin board can be applied to the insulator 400. This is a conventional setting known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0025] In this embodiment, the two insulators 400 are connected to each other and form a sealed enclosure for the heating element 310.

[0026] The two insulators 400 are tightly connected to each other and can form a sealed enclosure for the heating element 310, thereby preventing the heating element 310 from contacting the connector and reducing safety hazards caused by short circuits.

[0027] In this embodiment, the two connectors 200 are connected to each other and form a sealed enclosure for the heating element 310 and the two insulators 400.

[0028] The two connectors 200 are tightly connected to each other and can form a sealed enclosure for the heating element 310 and the two insulators 400, thereby preventing the heating element 310 and connectors 200 from contacting the single battery and reducing safety hazards caused by short circuits.

[0029] In this embodiment, the heating element 310 extends along the length direction of the connector 200.

[0030] To enhance the auxiliary heating effect, the heating element 310 extends along the length of the connector 200, so that the heating plate can heat the connector 200 along its entire length.

[0031] One implementation method is, for example Figure 1 , 4As shown, the shape of the connector 200 is the same as the shape of the single cell in the fuel cell stack. The heating element 310 has multiple straight segments and multiple curved segments. The multiple straight ends are parallel to each other and spaced apart along the length direction of the connector 200. The multiple curved segments are located between two adjacent straight segments and are connected to the two adjacent straight segments respectively, so as to connect the two adjacent straight segments.

[0032] The heating element 310 is arranged along the length of the connector 200, wherein multiple straight segments and multiple curved segments are interconnected and form a serpentine coil distribution structure, which can improve the heating effect.

[0033] In some embodiments, the heating element 310 may also be a mesh structure, which extends and unfolds along the length of the connector 200, thereby improving the uniformity of auxiliary heating and enhancing the heating effect.

[0034] Furthermore, any conductive heating material such as copper sheet / wire, aluminum sheet / wire, iron sheet / wire, etc., can be used in the conductive heating element 310, and the heating element 310 has a gap in the middle. This is a conventional setting known to those skilled in the art, and will not be described in detail here.

[0035] One implementation method is, for example Figure 4 As shown, the heating component 300 also includes two current collectors 120. The two current collectors 120 are spaced apart on both sides of the multiple single batteries and are respectively connected to the two single batteries. The two current collectors 120 each have a first connection end 121. The two ends of the heating element 310 have two second connection ends 320. The two second connection ends 320 are electrically connected to the two first connection ends 121 respectively.

[0036] The two ends of the heating element 310 are electrically connected through the two first connection ends 121 of the two current collectors 120.

[0037] Furthermore, one end of the heating element 310 is electrically connected to the first connection terminal 121 of a current collector 120, and the other end is electrically connected to the first connection terminal 121 of another current collector 120.

[0038] One implementation method is, for example Figure 4 As shown, two first connection ends 121 protrude from the top plane of the single battery and are disposed at one end of the current collector 120. The two ends of the insulator 400 protrude from the connector 200, and the two second connection ends 320 protrude from the two ends of the insulator 400 and are electrically connected to the two first connection ends 121 respectively.

[0039] The two first connection terminals 121 and the two second connection terminals 320 are all protruding from the top plane of the single battery, thereby avoiding safety hazards such as short circuits caused by the connection between the heat source 310 and the single battery.

[0040] Furthermore, the positions of the two first connection ends 121 are matched with the shape of the heating element 310.

[0041] Specifically, in this embodiment, two second connection ends 320 are respectively spaced at both ends of the connector 200 to improve the heating effect, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0042] In this embodiment, both the connector 200 and the insulator 400 are compressible structures.

[0043] The two connectors 200, the heating element 300, and the two insulators 400 are formed into a whole by pressing. Therefore, the connectors 200 and the insulators 400 are compressible structures, which can reduce the volume of the heating device.

[0044] Furthermore, the two insulators 400 are integrated during the pressing process and form a sealed enclosure for the heating element 310. Similarly, the two connectors 200 are integrated during the pressing process and form a sealed enclosure for the heating element 310 and the two insulators 400.

[0045] In this embodiment, the two ends of the connector 200 are respectively provided with a plurality of bubble holes 210 relative to the single battery.

[0046] The connector 200 has multiple bubble holes 210 relative to the single cell for the entry and exit of gas or coolant.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, there are six bubble holes 210, which correspond to hydrogen inlet, hydrogen outlet, air inlet, air outlet, coolant inlet and coolant outlet, respectively. The six bubble holes 210 are connected to the hydrogen inlet, hydrogen outlet, air inlet, air outlet, coolant inlet and coolant outlet, respectively. The hydrogen inlet, hydrogen outlet, air inlet, air outlet, coolant inlet and coolant outlet of a single cell are conventional settings known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0048] In this embodiment, the connector 200 is a conductive structure.

[0049] The connector 200 is conductive and is used to achieve electrical connection between multiple individual cells.

[0050] Furthermore, any conductive material with internally filled gaps, such as expanded graphite plates or metal powder plates, can be used in the connector 200. This is a conventional setting known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0051] This embodiment also provides a manufacturing process for an auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack 100. The specific steps using the aforementioned auxiliary heating device for the fuel cell stack 100 are as follows: Pressing: The five-layer structure is arranged in the pressing mold according to the stacking order of connector 200, insulator 400, heating element 310, insulator 400 and connector 200, and then pressed into shape. Make holes: according to the position of the water vapor hole 210 on the single cell 110, make water vapor hole 210 on the auxiliary heating device of the pressed fuel cell stack 100. Impregnation: The fuel cell stack 100 auxiliary heating device, which has been pressed and shaped, is placed in a vacuum impregnation equipment and impregnated with impregnating adhesive for 60 minutes. Cleaning: Clean the auxiliary heating device of the fuel cell stack 100 after it has been soaked in a cleaning solution. The auxiliary heating device for the fuel cell stack 100 after curing, baking and cleaning.

[0052] In some embodiments, the five-layer structure is first stacked in sequence and arranged inside a pressing mold. It is then pressed into a thin plate using a pressure of 1-20t, and the water and air holes 210 are punched out. Next, the pressed thin plate is placed in an impregnation device for impregnation to fill the gaps between the thin plates and connect the five layers together. Then, the impregnated thin plate is placed in a cleaning device for cleaning to remove residual adhesive from the surface of the auxiliary thin plate and improve the conductivity of the thin plate surface. Finally, the cleaned thin plate is placed in a baking device for high-temperature curing to complete the preparation of the fuel cell auxiliary heating plate.

[0053] Furthermore, the pressing and pore-opening steps can be processed separately, or the air bubbles can be pressed into shape during the pressing process, which will not be elaborated here.

[0054] Furthermore, any non-metallic film or sheet material, such as polyimide (PI) film, high-temperature resistant polyester (PET) film, or epoxy resin board, can be used in Insulator 400.

[0055] Furthermore, any filler resin such as acrylic resin and epoxy resin can be used for impregnation of fuel cell auxiliary heating plates.

[0056] To better understand this invention, the following is combined with... Figures 1 to 4 The technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below: The fuel cell stack 100 comprises a five-layer structure consisting of two connectors 200, a heating element 310, and two insulators 400. The two connectors 200 are spaced apart and connected to adjacent single cells 110. The heating element 310 is positioned between the two connectors 200 and connected to each connector 200 via the two insulators 400. The heating element 310 can be electrically connected to an external power source for heating. Compared to existing technologies, this five-layer heating structure, consisting of two connectors 200, a heating element 310, and two insulators 400, allows for direct heating of the fuel cell stack 100's interior. Compared to placing the heating device externally, this device significantly improves heating efficiency and is suitable for cold starts of the fuel cell stack 100.

[0057] The specific preparation process of this invention is shown in the figure. After the insulator 400 is bonded, two connectors 200 are arranged on both sides of the insulator 400. The connectors 200 are made of expanded graphite plates with a thickness of 3mm, and part of the insulator 400 is exposed on the outside of the connectors 200 to prevent short circuit between the internal heating element 310 and the connectors 200. The five-layer structure is placed in a stamping mold to complete the stamping of the five-layer structure and the cutting of the water vent 210. The water vent 210 is completely consistent with the water vent 210 of the fuel cell. The thickness of the stamped five-layer structure is 2mm. The stamped five-layer structure is placed in a vacuum impregnation equipment, where the impregnation adhesive is acrylic resin, and the impregnation time is 60 minutes. The impregnated five-layer structure is placed in a cleaning equipment, where the cleaning liquid is a surfactant, the temperature is 80℃, and the cleaning time is 5 minutes. The cleaned five-layer structure is placed in a high-temperature oven, where the baking temperature is 120℃ and the baking time is 15 minutes. The baked five-layer structure is the auxiliary heating plate for the fuel cell.

[0058] Furthermore, auxiliary heating plates for the fuel cell are placed at the beginning and end of the stack, while the external structure and appearance of the fuel cell stack remain unchanged. During use, the auxiliary heating plates can be powered by an external power source to generate heat. They can be used independently for auxiliary heating, or combined with self-heating start-up for mixed heating, depending on usage requirements. When not in use, the power supply to the auxiliary heating plates can be cut off.

[0059] This application, through the above-described structure and manufacturing process, can solve the technical problem in the prior art where the auxiliary heating plate can only be arranged on the pipeline or end plate 130 outside the stack, resulting in the heating plate being far away from the single cell 110, thus causing poor heating effect.

[0060] 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. An auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack, configured to connect to a fuel cell stack, the fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of adjacent and interconnected individual cells, characterized in that, include: Two connectors are disposed at a distance between two adjacent single cells and are respectively connected to the two adjacent single cells; A heating element is provided, which is disposed between the two connecting bodies and is electrically connected to an external power source. as well as Two insulators are disposed on both sides of the heating element along the guide of the heating element, and the two insulators are respectively connected to the heating element and the connecting body.

2. The auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two insulators are connected to each other and form a sealed enclosure for the heating element.

3. The auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two connectors are connected to each other and form a sealed enclosure for the heating element and the two insulators.

4. The auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating element extends along the length of the connector.

5. The auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating element further includes two current collectors, which are spaced apart on both sides of the plurality of single batteries and connected to the single batteries respectively. Each of the two current collectors has a first connection end, and the heating element has two second connection ends at both ends, which are electrically connected to the two first connection ends respectively.

6. The auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack according to claim 5, characterized in that, Two first connection ends protrude from the top plane of the single battery and are disposed at one end of the current collector. The two ends of the insulator protrude from the connector and are disposed at both ends of the insulator, and are electrically connected to the two first connection ends respectively.

7. The auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the connector and the insulator are compressible structures.

8. The auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connector has multiple bubble holes at both ends relative to the single battery.

9. The auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connector is a conductive structure.

10. A manufacturing process for an auxiliary heating device for a fuel cell stack, characterized in that, The specific steps of using the fuel cell stack auxiliary heating device as described in any one of claims 1-9 are as follows: suppress, The five-layer structure is arranged in the pressing mold according to the stacking order of connector, insulator, heating element, insulator and connector, and then pressed into shape; Opening, According to the location of the water vapor pores on the single cell, water vapor pores are opened on the auxiliary heating device of the fuel cell stack after pressing and molding. Impregnation, The fuel cell stack auxiliary heating device, after being pressed and molded, is placed in a vacuum impregnation equipment and impregnated with adhesive. Cleaning, The auxiliary heating device of the fuel cell stack was cleaned with a cleaning solution after being impregnated. Curing, Auxiliary heating device for fuel cell stacks after baking and cleaning.

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