Lifting lug assembly for bipolar plate, bipolar plate and electrolytic bath

Abstract

According to the lifting lug assembly, the lifting lug assemblies are installed on the two sides of the bipolar plate, when the bipolar plate is installed, the lifting lug assemblies on the two sides can be placed on a supporting beam, inserts in the lifting lug assemblies make contact with the supporting beam, and due to the fact that the contact faces, making contact with the supporting beam, of the inserts are matched with the top face of the supporting beam in shape and size, the lifting lug assemblies can be installed on the supporting beam. And the bipolar plate can be clamped on the supporting beam through the insert when being mounted, so that the bipolar plate is not easy to shake and the dislocation risk is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment, and in particular to a lug assembly for a bipolar plate, a bipolar plate, and an electrolytic cell. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen is considered the most ideal clean energy source in the 21st century. Its development is inseparable from hydrogen production equipment such as electrolyzers. The most commonly used electrolyzers on the market are circular and square electrolyzers. As a structural form of square electrolyzers, bipolar electrolyzers are mainly composed of components such as hydraulic cylinders, fixed end plates, movable end plates, bipolar plates, diaphragms, electrodes, flow channels, and sealing gaskets.

[0003] Currently, the development of square alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzers in China is in its early stages. These mainly employ square-structured fuel cells, using hydraulic cylinders for clamping and sealing. However, existing square electrolyzers are prone to misalignment if the bipolar plates shake during installation and use. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a lug assembly for a bipolar plate, a bipolar plate, and an electrolytic cell to solve the technical problem in the prior art that the risk of misalignment will occur if the bipolar plate shakes during installation and use.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a lifting lug assembly for a bipolar plate, the bipolar plate being applied to an electrolytic cell, the electrolytic cell including an electrode stack comprising multiple bipolar plates and a support beam for supporting the electrode stack; the lifting lug assembly includes a lifting lug body and an insert:

[0006] The lug body includes a side connecting surface connected to the side of the bipolar plate and a bottom connecting surface connected to the insert.

[0007] The insert includes a top connecting surface that connects to the lug body and a contact surface that contacts the top surface of the support beam; the contact surface matches the top surface of the support beam in shape and size.

[0008] Optionally, the support beam includes a first support beam and a second support beam disposed opposite to each other, the top surface of the first support beam having a trapezoidal convex edge shape, and the top surface of the second support beam having a planar shape; the insert includes a first insert that contacts the first support beam and a second insert that contacts the second support beam; the first contact surface of the first insert that contacts the first support beam has a trapezoidal groove shape; the second contact surface of the second insert that contacts the second support beam has a planar shape.

[0009] Optionally, the top connecting surface is planar.

[0010] Optionally, at least one countersunk hole is provided on the side connecting surface, the countersunk hole being used to place a screw to connect the lug body to the side of the bipolar plate.

[0011] Optionally, at least one threaded hole is provided on the bottom connecting surface for placing a screw to connect the lug body to the insert.

[0012] Optionally, the lug assembly further includes a filler located on the lug body;

[0013] The filler is located on the lug body and is used to fill the gap between any two adjacent lug assemblies after the bipolar plates are assembled into the fuel cell stack.

[0014] Optionally, the material of the lug body is nylon and glass fiber.

[0015] Optionally, the insert is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, and the contact surface is made of stainless steel.

[0016] Secondly, this application provides a bipolar plate applied to an electrolytic cell, the electrolytic cell including a stack of multiple bipolar plates and a support beam for supporting the stack; the bipolar plate includes a lug assembly as described above.

[0017] Thirdly, this application provides an electrolytic cell, which includes an electrode stack comprising a plurality of bipolar plates and a support beam for supporting the electrode stack; the support beam includes a first support beam and a second support beam disposed opposite to each other, the top surface of the first support beam having a trapezoidal convex edge shape, and the top surface of the second support beam having a planar shape; the electrolytic cell includes a lifting lug assembly as described above, or a bipolar plate as described above.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, this application provides a lifting lug assembly, which is installed on both sides of the bipolar plate. When installing the bipolar plate, it can be placed on the support beam through the lifting lug assembly on both sides. The insert in the lifting lug assembly contacts the support beam. Since the contact surface between the insert and the support beam matches the top surface of the support beam in shape and size, the bipolar plate can be secured to the support beam by the insert during installation, which is not easy to shake and avoids the risk of misalignment. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrolytic cell provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a bipolar plate assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the lifting lug assembly provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first lifting lug assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the first lifting lug body (or the second lifting lug body) provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first insert provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first support beam provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second insert provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 9 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a second support beam is provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a filler provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 11 This is a partial enlarged view of the fuel cell stack provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] The reference numerals in the attached figures are explained as follows:

[0031] 10-Electrolytic cell; 11-Electrode stack; 111-First end bipolar plate; 112-Second end bipolar plate; 113-Bipolar plate assembly; 1131-Bipolar plate; 1132-Electrode; 1133-Seal; 114-Diaphragm; 12-Support beam; 121-First support beam; 122-Second support beam; 20-Lifting lug assembly; 21-First lifting lug assembly; 22-Second lifting lug assembly; 30-Lifting lug body; 31-First lifting lug body; 311- First side connecting surface; 3111(3211)-countersunk hole; 312-first bottom connecting surface; 3121(3221)-threaded hole; 32-second lifting lug body; 321-second side connecting surface; 322-second bottom connecting surface; 40-insert; 41-first insert; 411-first top connecting surface; 412-first contact surface; 42-second insert; 421-second top connecting surface; 422-second contact surface; 51(52)-filler. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the purpose, advantages and features of this application clearer, the following description is provided in conjunction with the appendix. Figures 1-6The electrolytic cell proposed in this application will be described in further detail. It should be noted that the accompanying drawings are all in a very simplified form and use non-precise proportions, and are only used to facilitate and clarify the illustration of the embodiments of this application.

[0033] To facilitate understanding of this application, a more detailed description is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that when an element is described as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. When an element is described as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," and similar expressions used in this specification are for illustrative purposes only. In the description of this utility model, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating relative importance or implying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, unless otherwise stated, features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature; "multiple" means two or more. The term "comprising" and any variations thereof mean non-exclusive inclusion, where one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, units, components, and / or combinations thereof may be present or added.

[0034] Furthermore, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection via an intermediate medium, or a connection within two components. All technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The term "and / or" as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0035] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of this application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0036] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 ,in Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrolytic cell provided in an embodiment of this application. The electrolytic cell 10 includes an electrode stack 11 and a support beam 12.

[0037] The fuel cell stack 11 includes a first-end bipolar plate 111, a second-end bipolar plate 112, and a bipolar plate assembly 113. The first-end bipolar plate 111 and the second-end bipolar plate 112 are located at opposite ends of the fuel cell stack 11, and the bipolar plate assembly 113 may be located between the first-end bipolar plate 111 and the second-end bipolar plate 112. The bipolar plate assembly 113 may include multiple bipolar plates 1131.

[0038] like Figure 2 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of a bipolar plate assembly provided in an embodiment of this application. The bipolar plate assembly 113 includes a bipolar plate 1131, an electrode 1132, and a sealing member 1133 connected in sequence; wherein a diaphragm 114 is disposed between every two bipolar plate assemblies 113.

[0039] The support beam 12 can be used to support the fuel cell stack 11, and may specifically include a first support beam 121 and a second support beam 122.

[0040] based on Figure 1 and Figure 2 The structure of the electrolytic cell and bipolar plate assembly shown in this application embodiment provides a lifting lug assembly 20, which can be applied to the electrolytic cell 10, specifically, to the bipolar plate 1131 in the bipolar plate assembly 113.

[0041] like Figure 3 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the lug assembly provided in this application embodiment. The lug assembly 20 can be disposed on both sides of the bipolar plate 1131.

[0042] The lug assembly 20 may include a lug body 30 and an insert 40.

[0043] Considering that the support beam 12 includes a first support beam 121 and a second support beam 122, for the purpose of distinction, the lug assembly that contacts the first support beam 121 will be referred to as the first lug assembly 21, and the lug assembly that contacts the second support beam 122 will be referred to as the second lug assembly 22.

[0044] In other words, such as Figure 4 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the first lifting lug assembly provided in an embodiment of this application. The first lifting lug assembly 21 may include a first lifting lug body 31 and a first insert 41, and the first insert 41 may contact the first support beam 121.

[0045] like Figure 5 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the first lug body (or the second lug body) provided in the embodiment of this application. The first lug body 31 may include a first side connecting surface 311 and a first bottom connecting surface 312. The first side connecting surface 311 may be connected to the side of the bipolar plate 1131, and the first bottom connecting surface 312 may be connected to the first insert 41.

[0046] Furthermore, at least one countersunk hole can be provided on the side connecting surface. For example, four countersunk holes 3111 can be provided on the first side connecting surface 311. The countersunk holes 3111 can be used to place screws so that the first lifting lug body 31 can be connected to the side of the bipolar plate 1131.

[0047] At least one threaded hole may be provided on the bottom connecting surface. For example, three threaded holes 3121 may be provided on the first bottom connecting surface 312. The threaded holes are used to place screws so that the first lifting lug body 31 is connected to the first insert 41.

[0048] like Figure 6 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of a first insert according to an embodiment of this application. The first insert 41 may include a first top connecting surface 411 and a first contact surface 412. The first top connecting surface 411 can be connected to the first lifting lug body 31, and the first contact surface 412 can contact the top surface of the first support beam 121. Furthermore, the first contact surface 412 matches the top surface of the first support beam 121 in shape and size.

[0049] Furthermore, the top surface of the first support beam 121 can be of various shapes. In one example, to prevent the bipolar plate from wobbling after installation, such as... Figure 7 The image shown is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a first support beam provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 7 yes Figure 3 The enlarged view at position A shows that the top surface of the first support beam 121 is designed as a trapezoidal convex edge. Correspondingly, the first insert 41 in the first lug body 21, which contacts the first support beam 121, has a first contact surface 412 that can be a trapezoidal groove shape (see reference for details). Figure 6 This allows it to match the top surface of the first support beam 121, which has a trapezoidal flange shape.

[0050] In other examples, the top surface of the first support beam 121 can also be set into other non-planar shapes, such as semi-circular or semi-elliptical shapes, which can also make it less prone to shaking after installation and play a positioning role.

[0051] The second lug assembly 22 may include a second lug body 32 and a second insert 42, the second insert 42 being in contact with the second support beam 122.

[0052] The second lug body 32 may include a second side connecting surface 321 and a second bottom connecting surface 322, wherein the second side connecting surface 321 may be connected to the side of the bipolar plate 1131, and the second bottom connecting surface 322 may be connected to the second insert 42.

[0053] Furthermore, at least one countersunk hole may be provided on the second side connecting surface 321, for example... Figure 3 The second side connecting surface 321 shown in the figure is provided with three countersunk holes 3211, which can be used to place screws so that the second lifting lug body 32 can be connected to the side of the bipolar plate 1131.

[0054] At least one threaded hole may be provided on the second bottom connecting surface 322, for example Figure 3 The second bottom connecting surface 322 shown in the figure has three threaded holes 3221, which are used to place screws to connect the second lug body 32 to the second insert 42.

[0055] like Figure 8 The diagram shows a structural schematic of a second insert according to an embodiment of this application. The second insert 42 may include a second top connecting surface 421 and a second contact surface 422. The second top connecting surface 421 can be connected to the second lifting lug body 32, and the second contact surface 422 can contact the top surface of the second support beam 122. Furthermore, the second contact surface 422 matches the top surface of the second support beam 122 in shape and size.

[0056] Furthermore, the top surface of the second support beam 122 can be configured to have the same shape as the top surface of the first support beam 121, but in order to simplify the manufacturing process and save manufacturing costs, such as Figure 9 The image shown is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a second support beam provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 9 yes Figure 3 The enlarged view at position B shows that the top surface of the second support beam 122 can be set as a planar shape. Correspondingly, the second contact surface 422 of the second insert 42 that contacts the second support beam 122 can also be set as a planar shape. It should be noted that the first side connecting surface 311 and the second side connecting surface 321 can be collectively referred to as side connecting surfaces, the first bottom connecting surface 312 and the second bottom connecting surface 322 can be collectively referred to as bottom connecting surfaces, the first top connecting surface 411 and the second top connecting surface 421 can be collectively referred to as top connecting surfaces, and the first contact surface 412 and the second contact surface 422 can be collectively referred to as contact surfaces.

[0057] In this embodiment, the first lug assembly 21 and the second lug assembly 22 have different structures, specifically the first insert 41 and the second insert 42 have different structures. When installing the bipolar plate, the cathode surface and anode surface of the bipolar plate can be distinguished by the different structures of the lug assemblies on both sides, thus avoiding reverse installation.

[0058] In this embodiment of the application, the lifting lug assembly 20 (such as the first lifting lug assembly 21 and the second lifting lug assembly 22) also includes a filler material located on the lifting lug body 20, such as... Figure 10The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a filler provided in an embodiment of this application. For example, the first filler 51 is included in the first lifting lug assembly 21, and the first filler 51 is located on the first lifting lug body 31; the second filler 52 is included in the second lifting lug assembly 22, and the second filler 52 is located on the second lifting lug body 32. Figure 11 The image shown is a partial enlarged view of the fuel cell stack provided in an embodiment of this application. The filler (such as the first filler 51 and the second filler 52) can be used to fill the gap between any two adjacent lifting lug assemblies 20 after the bipolar plates 1131 are assembled into the fuel cell stack 11. Thus, adding filler can reduce the gap between the lifting lug assemblies during the clamping process, thereby improving the stability of the electrolytic cell during installation and the overall aesthetic performance.

[0059] In this embodiment, the lifting lug body (such as the first lifting lug body 31 and the second lifting lug body 32) is made of nylon and glass fiber. These materials have high hardness, are lightweight, and can withstand high temperatures and pressures. This reduces the weight of the lifting lug assembly, facilitates the installation and removal of bipolar plates in the electrolytic cell, and prevents the high temperatures generated during the operation of the electrolytic cell from being conducted to the support beam through the bipolar plates, thus helping to extend the overall service life of the electrolytic cell.

[0060] The inserts (such as the first insert 41 and the second insert 42) can be made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), while the contact surfaces (such as the first contact surface 412 and the second contact surface 422) are made of stainless steel. Furthermore, the top surfaces of the support beams (such as the first support beam 121 and the second support beam 122) are also made of stainless steel. The use of PTFE for the inserts provides good wear resistance, while the use of stainless steel for the contact surfaces and the top surfaces of the support beams reduces the coefficient of friction, thus decreasing the clamping pressure of the hydraulic cylinder and mitigating the safety risks caused by excessive pipeline pressure.

[0061] This application embodiment also provides a bipolar plate, which is applied to an electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell includes an electrode stack containing multiple bipolar plates and a support beam for supporting the electrode stack. The bipolar plate includes the lifting lug assembly as described above.

[0062] This application embodiment also provides an electrolytic cell, the electrolytic cell including an electrode stack containing multiple bipolar plates and a support beam for supporting the electrode stack; the support beam includes a first support beam and a second support beam disposed opposite to each other, the top surface of the first support beam having a trapezoidal convex edge shape, and the top surface of the second support beam having a planar shape; the electrolytic cell includes a lifting lug assembly as described above, or a bipolar plate as described above.

[0063] The above description is merely a description of preferred embodiments of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of this application in any way. Any changes or modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the above disclosure shall fall within the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A lifting lug assembly for a bipolar plate, the bipolar plate being applied to an electrolytic cell, the electrolytic cell comprising an electrode stack containing a plurality of bipolar plates and a support beam for supporting the electrode stack; characterized in that, The lug assembly includes a lug body and an insert: The lug body includes a side connecting surface connected to the side of the bipolar plate and a bottom connecting surface connected to the insert; The insert includes a top connecting surface that connects to the lug body and a contact surface that contacts the top surface of the support beam; the contact surface matches the top surface of the support beam in shape and size.

2. The lifting lug assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support beam includes a first support beam and a second support beam disposed opposite to each other. The top surface of the first support beam is in the shape of a trapezoidal convex edge, and the top surface of the second support beam is in the shape of a plane. The insert includes a first insert that contacts the first support beam and a second insert that contacts the second support beam. The first contact surface of the first insert that contacts the first support beam is in the shape of a trapezoidal groove. The second contact surface of the second insert that contacts the second support beam is in the shape of a plane.

3. The lifting lug assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top connecting surface is planar.

4. The lifting lug assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one countersunk hole is provided on the side connecting surface, and the countersunk hole is used to place screws to connect the lug body to the side of the bipolar plate.

5. The lifting lug assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one threaded hole is provided on the bottom connecting surface, and the threaded hole is used to place a screw to connect the lug body to the insert.

6. The lifting lug assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lug assembly also includes a filler located on the lug body; The filler is located on the lug body and is used to fill the gap between any two adjacent lug assemblies after the bipolar plates are assembled into the fuel cell stack.

7. The lifting lug assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material of the lug body is nylon and glass fiber.

8. The lifting lug assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insert is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, and the contact surface is made of stainless steel.

9. A bipolar plate, said bipolar plate being applied to an electrolytic cell, said electrolytic cell comprising an electrode stack including a plurality of bipolar plates and a support beam for supporting said electrode stack; characterized in that, The bipolar plate includes the lug assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. An electrolytic cell, the electrolytic cell comprising a fuel cell stack including a plurality of bipolar plates and a support beam for supporting the fuel cell stack; characterized in that, The support beam includes a first support beam and a second support beam arranged opposite to each other, the top surface of the first support beam having a trapezoidal convex edge shape, and the top surface of the second support beam having a planar shape; the electrolytic cell includes a lug assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or a bipolar plate as described in claim 9.

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