Method and apparatus for manufacturing single cell elements of single cell for electrochemical energy converters

Abstract

The proposed invention relates to a method (100) for manufacturing a single-cell element (200) of a single cell (303) of an electrochemical energy converter (300), wherein the method (100) includes: providing (101) a channel element (201); providing (103) a support element (203); connecting (105) the support element (203) to the channel element (201) by means of a laser; and forming (107) a ventilation opening (205) in the channel element (201) by means of a laser to manufacture the single-cell element (200).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a single-cell element of a single cell for an electrochemical energy converter, a single-cell element, an electrochemical energy converter, and a welding apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Especially in electrolysis systems, single cells with single-cell elements are used, which are provided with ventilation openings to discharge excess gas generated during electrolysis.

[0003] The ventilation openings are typically made by stamping, drilling, or similar methods in a separate process step independent of the components connecting the individual pool elements. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Within the scope of the proposed invention, a method for manufacturing a single-cell element of a single cell for an electrochemical energy converter, a single-cell element, an electrochemical energy converter, and a welding apparatus are proposed.

[0005] Other features and details of the invention are derived from the description and drawings. Herein, features and details relating to the method or welding apparatus according to the invention also apply to the single-cell element or electrochemical energy converter according to the invention, and vice versa; therefore, the disclosures regarding various aspects of the invention can always be referred to cross-referenced.

[0006] The proposed invention is particularly relevant to the possibility of providing a cost-effective electrochemical energy converter.

[0007] Therefore, according to the first aspect of the proposed invention, a method for manufacturing a single-cell element of a single cell for an electrochemical energy converter is proposed.

[0008] The proposed method (100) includes: providing a channel element; providing a support element; connecting the support element to the channel element by means of a laser; and forming ventilation openings in the channel element by means of a laser to manufacture a single-cell element.

[0009] The proposed invention is based on two structures: a support element and a channel element.

[0010] Supporting elements can be, for example, flat, especially bend-resistant metal parts.

[0011] Channel elements can be, for example, profiled, especially pressed metal parts, particularly those with poor bending resistance.

[0012] Channel elements are used to guide the operating fluid through a single cell of an electrochemical energy converter. For this purpose, channel elements form multiple channels.

[0013] According to the present invention, the support element and the channel element are connected to each other by means of laser or by laser welding process.

[0014] According to the proposed method, the ventilation opening is specifically formed in a channel element, which can be, for example, the flow field of a bipolar plate, to ensure that excess gas can be effectively discharged during the energy conversion process (especially the electrolysis process) without interfering with the energy conversion process.

[0015] The channel element specifically provides a region in which gas and electrolyte flow through the single cell. By arranging ventilation openings in the channel element, it is ensured that gas can be discharged directly from the single cell element or the corresponding single cell without obstructing the flow of electrolyte. This maximizes the efficiency of the electrochemical energy converter and minimizes the risk of failure or damage at the single cell.

[0016] The proposed method can be implemented using only a welding device, thus eliminating the need for devices used only for manufacturing or forming ventilation openings.

[0017] Furthermore, the proposed method avoids mechanical action on the channel element, thus ensuring that the channel element maintains its shape stability and can be manufactured to be particularly flexible, as deformation, burrs, and disruptive contours caused by, for example, stamping of the channel system are avoided.

[0018] Furthermore, the proposed method is very fast and scalable to implement, and enables the creation of ventilation openings that can be freely positioned.

[0019] Furthermore, the proposed method avoids the use of mechanical tools, and therefore does not generate mechanical wear.

[0020] Furthermore, the proposed method allows for adjustment of the size of the ventilation opening within the corresponding method for manufacturing the respective single-cell element without adjusting the tools.

[0021] Furthermore, the proposed method is capable of forming ventilation openings on preformed sheets or contours (e.g., channel sidewalls).

[0022] It can be configured that the formation of the ventilation opening is carried out by transferring the material of the channel element from the opening area of ​​the corresponding ventilation opening toward the edge of the opening area using a laser.

[0023] To transfer material, the effect of the liquid melt moving due to surface tension in the channel element can be utilized. Accordingly, the molten material can be transferred along a predetermined trajectory and accumulate at a predetermined point or area to form a material deposit, thereby creating a ventilation opening.

[0024] Furthermore, when connecting the support element and the channel element, the laser acts on the channel element and the support element on the side of the channel element opposite to the support element.

[0025] By applying a laser from one side of the channel element (opposite to the support element), a connection area can be constructed on the channel element (in which the channel element is welded or connected to the support element) and a ventilation opening can be formed without having to re-open the channel element.

[0026] Furthermore, it can be configured to use sheet metal as a support element, especially titanium plates or porous materials.

[0027] Using a support element made of sheet metal, the support element and the channel element can be welded together to form a bipolar plate or a monopolar plate.

[0028] By using a support element made of porous material (e.g., a porous transport layer constituting a single cell), the support element can be welded into a single cell element, which can then be combined with a bipolar plate or a monopolar plate to form a single cell element, such as a semi-single cell.

[0029] Furthermore, the support element and the channel element can be clamped in the clamping device before the support element and the channel element are connected; and the single pool element composed of the support element and the channel element is released from the clamping device only after the support element and the channel element are connected and the ventilation opening is formed in the channel element.

[0030] By performing the proposed method in only one expansion, the time required to manufacture the proposed single-cell element is minimized.

[0031] Furthermore, since the positions of the channel elements (e.g., for welding robots) are known very precisely based on the previous connection process, the corresponding ventilation openings can be formed with exceptional precision. In other words, manufacturing deviations caused by repositioning individual pool elements are avoided.

[0032] Furthermore, the connection between the support element and the channel element can be achieved by welding at the bottom of the corresponding channel, while the forming of the corresponding ventilation opening is carried out at the top and / or sidewall of the corresponding channel.

[0033] Ventilation openings at the top and / or sidewalls of the channel have proven particularly effective for exhausting gas from a single pool.

[0034] According to the second aspect, the proposed invention relates to a single-cell element manufactured by a feasible configuration of the proposed method.

[0035] Due to the proposed method, the proposed single-cell element is particularly cost-effective and especially efficient in venting gas from a single cell of an electrochemical energy converter.

[0036] It can be configured that the proposed single-cell element includes support elements and / or channel elements made of titanium or stainless steel.

[0037] Titanium is an exceptionally strong material, especially heat-resistant, so the corresponding single-cell components are also exceptionally strong, especially heat-resistant.

[0038] According to the third aspect, the proposed invention relates to an electrochemical energy converter, wherein the electrochemical energy converter comprises a plurality of the proposed single-cell elements.

[0039] Due to the proposed single-cell element, the proposed electrochemical energy converter is particularly energy efficient and cost-effective.

[0040] The proposed electrochemical energy converter can be, for example, an electrolysis system or a fuel cell system.

[0041] According to the fourth aspect, the proposed invention relates to a welding apparatus for manufacturing single-cell elements of an electrochemical energy converter.

[0042] The proposed welding apparatus includes a laser welding robot and a computing unit configured to perform the proposed method using the laser welding robot in a feasible configuration.

[0043] In the context of the proposed invention, the computing unit should be understood as a computer, processor, control device, or any other programmable circuit.

[0044] The advantages of the detailed description of the method for manufacturing a single-cell element of an electrochemical energy converter according to the first aspect of the present invention also apply to the single-cell element according to the second aspect of the present invention, the electrochemical energy converter according to the third aspect of the present invention, or the welding apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, and vice versa. Attached Figure Description

[0045] Other advantages, features, and details of the proposed invention will become apparent from the following description, in which embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, the features mentioned in the specification may constitute the essence of the invention individually or in any combination.

[0046] They are illustrated separately: Figure 1 A feasible configuration of the proposed method. Figure 2 A feasible configuration of the proposed single-cell element. Figure 3 A feasible configuration of the proposed electrochemical energy converter, and Figure 4 A feasible configuration of the proposed welding device. Detailed Implementation

[0047] exist Figure 1 The image shows a method for manufacturing, for example... Figure 2 The method 100 of the single-cell element 200 shown is used for, for example... Figure 3 The single cell of the electrochemical energy converter 300 shown.

[0048] The method 100 includes: a first providing step 101, in which a channel element 201 is provided; a second providing step 103, in which a support element 203 is provided; a connecting step 105, in which the support element 203 and the channel element 201 are connected by means of a laser; and a forming step 107, in which a ventilation opening 205 is formed in the channel element 201 by means of a laser.

[0049] exist Figure 2 The image shows a single-cell element 200. The single-cell element 200 includes a channel element 201 and a support element 203.

[0050] Ventilation openings 205 are constructed in the channel element 201.

[0051] At the connection area 207, the channel element 201 and the support element 203 are welded together.

[0052] Currently, the support element 203 is, for example, a bipolar or monopolar plate. Alternatively, the support element 203 can be a porous transport layer made of, for example, metal foam.

[0053] exist Figure 3 An electrochemical energy converter 300 is shown. The electrochemical energy converter 300 includes a single-cell stack 301 in which a plurality of single cells 303 are arranged, each of which comprises, for example, according to... Figure 2 200 single-cell element.

[0054] exist Figure 4 The diagram shows a welding apparatus 400 for manufacturing, for example, according to... Figure 2 A single-cell element 200, the single-cell element 200 being used, for example, according to Figure 3 300 electrochemical energy converter.

[0055] The welding apparatus 400 includes a laser welding robot 401 and a computing unit 403, the computing unit being configured to perform, for example, according to the laser welding robot 401. Figure 1 Method 100.

Claims

1. A method (100) for manufacturing a single-cell element (200) of a single cell (303) for an electrochemical energy converter (300), wherein, The method (100) includes the following steps: - Provides (101) channel element (201). - Provide (103) support element (203). - The support element (203) is connected to the channel element (201) by means of a laser (105), and - Ventilation openings (205) are formed (107) in the channel element (201) by means of the laser for manufacturing the single-cell element (200).

2. The method (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The forming (107) of the ventilation opening (205) is carried out by means of the laser to transfer the material of the channel element (201) from the opening area of ​​the corresponding ventilation opening (205) toward the edge of the opening area.

3. The method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, When the support element (203) is connected to the channel element (201) (105), the laser acts on the channel element (201) and the support element (203) on the side of the channel element (201) opposite to the support element (203).

4. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Use sheet metal as a support element (203), especially titanium plate or porous material as a support element.

5. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Before the support element (203) is connected to the channel element (201), the support element (203) and the channel element (201) are clamped in the clamping device; the single pool element (200) composed of the support element (203) and the channel element (201) is released from the clamping device only after the support element (203) and the channel element (201) are connected (105) and the ventilation opening (205) is formed (107) in the channel element (201).

6. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The connection (105) between the support element (203) and the channel element (201) is achieved by welding at the bottom of the respective channel, and the forming (107) of the respective ventilation opening (205) is carried out at the top and / or sidewall of the respective channel.

7. A single-cell element (200) for a single cell (303) of an electrochemical energy converter (300), wherein, The single-cell element (200) is manufactured by the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The single-cell element (200) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The unit element (200) includes a support element (203) and / or a channel element (201) made of titanium or stainless steel.

9. An electrochemical energy converter (300), wherein, The electrochemical energy converter (300) includes a plurality of single-cell elements (200) as described in claim 7 or 8.

10. A welding apparatus (400) for manufacturing single-cell elements of an electrochemical energy converter (300), wherein, The welding apparatus (400) includes: - Laser welding robot (401), and - A computing unit (403) configured to perform the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 by means of the laser welding robot (401).

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