Proton exchange membrane fuel cell
By employing a serpentine flow channel and clamping mechanism in the fuel cell, the problem of weak drainage capacity in traditional fuel cells has been solved, achieving higher mass transfer capacity and performance improvement.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423241621.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-27
AI Technical Summary
The parallel flow channels of traditional fuel cells result in weak drainage capacity, which hinders further improvement of fuel cell performance.
The system employs a serpentine flow channel structure and a clamping mechanism. The serpentine flow channel improves the uniformity of fuel distribution and reduces pressure loss, while the clamping mechanism uses springs to pull the clamping blocks to tightly fix the components.
It improves the mass transfer capacity and performance of fuel cells, enhances drainage capacity, and reduces pressure loss.
Smart Images
Figure CN223977904U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of batteries, and more particularly to proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Background Technology
[0002] Fuel cells rely on electrochemical reactions to directly convert the chemical energy stored in fuel gas into electrical energy. Fuel cell power generation is characterized by rapid start-up at room temperature, high energy conversion efficiency, green and pollution-free exhaust gases, and safety, making it widely applicable in stationary and mobile power plants. However, if the fuel cell exhaust gases and generated water are not promptly removed from the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), mass transfer polarization will occur, hindering further performance improvements.
[0003] When using fuel cells, there is a problem that traditional fuel cells have parallel flow channels. The pressure loss of parallel flow channels is less than that of serpentine flow channels, and the small pressure drop ratio between the inlet and outlet leads to weak drainage capacity. In view of this, a proton exchange membrane fuel cell is provided. Utility Model Content
[0004] The main purpose of this invention is to provide a proton exchange membrane fuel cell to solve the problem mentioned in related technologies that, when using fuel cells, the flow channel of traditional fuel cells is a parallel flow channel, the pressure loss of the parallel flow channel is less than that of the serpentine flow channel, and the small inlet and outlet pressure drop ratio leads to weak drainage capacity.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the present invention, a proton exchange membrane fuel cell is provided, comprising an anode plate, characterized in that a plurality of flow channels are formed on the upper surface of the anode plate, the flow channels having a serpentine structure, a flow distribution area is provided in the middle of the flow channels, each flow channel having the same length, a membrane electrode structure is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the anode plate, a cathode plate is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the membrane electrode structure, and a clamping mechanism is further included, the clamping mechanism being centrally symmetrically fixedly installed at both ends of the membrane electrode structure, and clamping blocks being symmetrically slidably installed at both ends of the clamping mechanism, the clamping blocks clamping and fixing the fuel cell.
[0006] Furthermore, the membrane electrode structure includes a proton exchange membrane, catalyst layers on both the upper and lower sides of the proton exchange membrane, and a gas diffusion layer symmetrically fixed on one side of the catalyst layer.
[0007] Furthermore, a fuel inlet is provided at one end of the flow channel, and a fuel outlet is provided at the other end of the flow channel, with the distribution zone located between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet.
[0008] Furthermore, the clamping mechanism includes a connecting block, which is fixedly installed at the oblique angle of the membrane electrode structure. The connecting block has symmetrical expansion grooves on its side wall, and the clamping block is slidably installed in the expansion grooves.
[0009] Furthermore, one side of the clamping block has an arc-shaped structure, and the radius of the arc-shaped sidewall of the clamping block is the same as the radius of the rounded corner of the edge of the membrane electrode structure. The arc-shaped sidewall of the clamping block is in close contact with the sidewalls of the anode plate and the cathode plate.
[0010] Furthermore, a spring is fixedly installed at one end of the clamping block, the other end of the spring is fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the telescopic groove, and a limit plate is fixedly installed at the other end of the clamping block.
[0011] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:
[0012] 1. This proton exchange membrane fuel cell is provided with several flow channels. Flow channels are provided on the surfaces of both the anode plate and the cathode plate. The flow channels have a serpentine structure and each flow channel has the same length. This flow channel arrangement improves the uniformity of fuel distribution, reduces pressure loss, and improves mass transfer capacity. A fuel inlet is opened at one end of the flow channel and a fuel outlet is opened at the other end of the flow channel. A flow distribution zone is set in the middle of the flow channel. The flow channels improve the mass transfer capacity inside the fuel cell.
[0013] 2. The proton exchange membrane fuel cell is equipped with a clamping mechanism, which is symmetrically and fixedly installed at the rounded corners of the side wall of the membrane electrode structure. The clamping mechanism includes a connecting block, with clamping blocks symmetrically and slidably installed at both ends of the connecting block. A spring is fixedly installed at one end of the clamping block, and the other end of the spring is fixedly installed in the telescopic groove. The entire battery is also stacked by components. The spring pulls the clamping blocks at both ends to clamp and fix the components, so that the components fit tightly together and increase the performance of the fuel cell. Attached image description:
[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell structure in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the anode plate structure in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the clamping mechanism in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping block structure in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] Illustration:
[0019] 1. Anode plate; 11. Cathode plate; 12. Flow channel; 121. Fuel inlet; 122. Fuel outlet; 123. Distribution zone;
[0020] 2. Membrane electrode structure; 21. Gas diffusion layer; 22. Catalytic layer; 23. Proton exchange membrane;
[0021] 3. Clamping mechanism; 31. Connecting block; 32. Clamping block; 311. Telescopic groove; 321. Spring; 322. Limiting plate. Detailed Implementation
[0022] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by this utility model in order to achieve the intended utility model purpose, the following detailed description of the specific implementation methods, structure, features and effects of this utility model is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.
[0023] Please see Figures 1-4 As shown, the purpose of this embodiment is to provide a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, including an anode plate 1. The upper surface of the anode plate 1 has a plurality of flow channels 12, which are serpentine structures with a rotating flow channel 12. A flow distribution area 123 is provided in the middle of the flow channel 12. Each flow channel 12 has the same length. A membrane electrode structure 2 is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the anode plate 1. A cathode plate 11 is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the membrane electrode structure 2. The embodiment also includes a clamping mechanism 3, which is centrally symmetrically fixedly installed at both ends of the membrane electrode structure 2. Clamping blocks 32 are symmetrically slidably installed at both ends of the clamping mechanism 3. The clamping blocks 32 clamp and fix the fuel cell. The lower surface of the cathode plate 11 has the same flow channels 12 as the upper surface of the anode plate 1. The anode plate 1 is the site where hydrogen fuel is oxidized, and the cathode plate 11 is the site where the oxidant is reduced. Both electrodes contain a gas diffusion layer 21 to accelerate the electrochemical reaction of the electrodes. The proton exchange membrane 23, as a medium for transferring H+, only allows H+ to pass through, while the electrons lost by H2 pass through the wire.
[0024] The membrane electrode structure 2 includes a proton exchange membrane 23. A catalytic layer 22 is symmetrically fixed on both the upper and lower sides of the proton exchange membrane 23. A gas diffusion layer 21 is symmetrically fixed on one side of the catalytic layer 22. The catalytic layer 22 accelerates the rate of the electrochemical reaction of the electrode.
[0025] A fuel inlet 121 is provided at one end of the flow channel 12, and a fuel outlet 122 is provided at the other end of the flow channel 12. The distribution zone 123 is located between the fuel inlet 121 and the fuel outlet 122. Fuel enters the flow channel 12 from the fuel inlet 121, and the tail gas and water generated by the electrochemical reaction in the flow channel 12 are discharged from the fuel outlet 122.
[0026] The clamping mechanism 3 includes a connecting block 31, which is fixedly installed at the oblique angle of the membrane electrode structure 2. The connecting block 31 has symmetrical expansion grooves 311 on its side wall. The clamping block 32 is slidably installed in the expansion groove 311. The clamping block 32 clamps and fixes the fuel cell. The entire battery is stacked by components. The clamping block 32 makes the components in close contact, increasing the reaction speed.
[0027] One side of the clamping block 32 has an arc-shaped structure. The radius of the arc-shaped sidewall of the clamping block 32 is the same as the radius of the rounded corner of the edge of the membrane electrode structure 2. The arc-shaped sidewall of the clamping block 32 is in close contact with the sidewalls of the anode plate 1 and the cathode plate 11. The arc-shaped sidewall of the clamping block 32 limits the components of the fuel cell.
[0028] A spring 321 is fixedly installed at one end of the clamping block 32, and the other end of the spring 321 is fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the telescopic groove 311. A limit plate 322 is fixedly installed at the other end of the clamping block 32. The spring 321 pulls the clamping block 32, and the clamping block 32 clamps the fuel cell through the limit plate 322 on the upper surface.
[0029] In practical use, when a fuel cell is required, the flow channel 12 has a serpentine structure with each flow channel 12 having the same length. A distribution area 123 is provided in the middle of the flow channel 12. This arrangement improves the uniformity of fuel distribution, reduces pressure loss, and improves mass transfer capacity. The clamping mechanism 3 uses a spring 321 to pull the clamping block 32 to clamp and fix the fuel cell from top to bottom. The arc-shaped inner wall of the clamping block 32 limits the movement of the fuel cell components.
[0030] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model in any way. Although the present utility model has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present utility model. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present utility model without departing from the scope of the present utility model shall still fall within the scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A proton exchange membrane fuel cell comprising an anode plate (1), characterised in that, The anode plate (1) upper surface is provided with a plurality of flow channels (12), the flow channel (12) is a rotary serpentine structure, the flow channel (12) middle part is provided with a flow distribution area (123), the length of each flow channel (12) is same, the anode plate (1) lower surface is fixedly installed with a membrane electrode structure (2), the membrane electrode structure (2) lower surface is fixedly installed with a cathode plate (11), further comprising: The clamping mechanism (3) is fixedly installed at the center of the membrane electrode structure (2) two end edges, the clamping mechanism (3) two ends are symmetrically slidably installed with a clamping block (32), the clamping block (32) clamps and fixes the fuel cell.
2. The proton exchange membrane fuel cell of claim 1, wherein, The membrane electrode structure (2) comprises a proton exchange membrane (23), the proton exchange membrane (23) upper and lower sides are symmetrically fixedly installed with a catalytic layer (22), the catalytic layer (22) one side is symmetrically fixedly installed with a gas diffusion layer (21).
3. The proton exchange membrane fuel cell of claim 1, wherein, The flow channel (12) one end is provided with a fuel inlet (121), the flow channel (12) other end is provided with a fuel outlet (122), the flow distribution area (123) is located between the fuel inlet (121) and the fuel outlet (122).
4. The proton exchange membrane fuel cell of claim 1, wherein, The clamping mechanism (3) comprises a connecting block (31), the connecting block (31) is fixedly installed at the inclined angle of the membrane electrode structure (2), the connecting block (31) side wall is symmetrically provided with an expansion slot (311) on the upper and lower sides, the clamping block (32) is slidably installed in the expansion slot (311).
5. The proton exchange membrane fuel cell of claim 1, wherein, The clamping block (32) one side is an arc structure, the clamping block (32) arc side wall radius is same with the membrane electrode structure (2) edge fillet radius, the clamping block (32) arc side wall is closely combined with the anode plate (1) and the cathode plate (11) side wall.
6. The proton exchange membrane fuel cell of claim 1, wherein, The clamping block (32) one end is fixedly installed with a spring (321), the spring (321) other end is fixedly installed on the expansion slot (311) bottom surface, the clamping block (32) other end is fixedly installed with a limiting plate (322).