Bipolar plate with wave-shaped runner structure

Abstract

The utility model discloses a bipolar plate with a wave-shaped flow channel structure, relates to the technical field of hydrogen fuel cells, and can solve the problem that local overheating of an electric pile is easily caused due to the fact that flow channel design speed control mainly depends on bending design in the prior art. The bipolar plate with the wave-shaped flow channel structure comprises a plate body, and a plurality of wave-shaped flow channels which are arranged at intervals and are parallel to the length direction of the plate body are arranged in a flow field area of the plate body; the bottoms of the wave-shaped flow channels are arranged in a high-low staggered mode in the length direction of the plate body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of hydrogen fuel cell technology, specifically to a bipolar plate with a wave-shaped flow channel structure. Background Technology

[0002] Bipolar plates are one of the core components of hydrogen fuel cells. Bipolar plates, membrane electrode assemblies, and sealing rings can form a single cell unit of a hydrogen fuel cell system. Therefore, the total power generation efficiency of a hydrogen fuel cell system depends on the power generation efficiency of the single cell unit that makes up the hydrogen fuel cell system.

[0003] Bipolar plates have a significant impact on the power generation efficiency of a single cell. For example, their flow field design, heat dissipation efficiency, strength requirements of the bipolar plates, and the resistance value of the bipolar plates due to material selection all affect the power generation efficiency of a single cell. Currently, in the flow field design of bipolar plates, the flow channel cross-section is generally U-shaped or rectangular, with several flow channels arranged side by side. The main purpose is to reduce airflow speed through bending design. However, after multiple single cell cells are stacked, local overheating problems can easily occur in the bending areas of the flow field, which in turn affects the lifespan of the stack.

[0004] Based on the above background, the inventors designed a bipolar plate with a wave-shaped flow channel structure to solve at least one of the above problems, and thus, this application is filed. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a bipolar plate with a corrugated flow channel structure, which solves the problem that speed control in the flow channel design of the prior art mainly relies on bending design, which can easily lead to local overheating of the fuel cell stack.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following solution:

[0007] This application provides a bipolar plate with a wave-shaped flow channel structure, including a plate body, wherein the flow field region of the plate body is provided with a plurality of wave-shaped flow channels spaced apart and arranged parallel to the length direction of the plate body;

[0008] The bottom of the wavy flow channel is staggered at different heights along the length of the plate.

[0009] Optionally, the flow field area of ​​the plate is provided with a number of flow channel partition strips spaced apart and arranged parallel to the length direction of the plate, and the wavy flow channels are spaced apart by the flow channel partition strips.

[0010] Optionally, the width of the flow channel separator is smaller than the width of the wavy flow channel.

[0011] Optionally, the bottom of the wavy flow channel includes several spaced-apart upper protrusions, and the shape of the upper protrusions is an upward arch.

[0012] Optionally, the bottom of the wavy flow channel also includes several recessed portions that are staggered with the upper convex portions, and the shape of the recessed portions is an inverted arch shape that curves downward.

[0013] Optionally, the flow field area of ​​the plate body is further provided with buffer grooves located on both sides of the wavy flow channel, and both ends of the wavy flow channel are connected to the buffer grooves;

[0014] The hydrogen or oxygen pores on the plate are connected to the corrugated flow channel through a buffer groove.

[0015] Optionally, the depth of the buffer groove is greater than the depth of the wavy flow channel, and the width of the buffer groove is greater than the width of the wavy flow channel.

[0016] Optionally, the bottom depth of the wavy flow channel is at least half the total thickness of the plate.

[0017] Optionally, the bottom of the wavy flow channel is also provided with a flow-blocking rod perpendicular to the plate body, and the flow-blocking rod is located at the lowest position of the bottom of the wavy flow channel.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0019] I. This application, by setting a wavy flow channel, ensures that the gas flow direction is always parallel to the length direction of the plate, thus eliminating the need for repeated bending of the flow channel. This avoids the problem of some areas having fast gas flow rates while others have slow gas flow rates, making the gas concentration change during the entire reaction process no longer exhibit obvious regional characteristics due to the flow channel design. This is beneficial to improving reaction efficiency. At the same time, it also makes the heating area of ​​the entire bipolar plate more uniform, which can effectively solve the problem that the flow channel design in the prior art mainly relies on bending design for speed control, which can easily lead to local overheating of the fuel cell stack. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a top view of the structure of a bipolar plate in the prior art.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of an embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a top view of an embodiment of the present application.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1-plate body, 101-water passage hole, 102-hydrogen hole, 103-oxygen hole, 11-flow channel separator, 12-wavy flow channel, 121-lower recess, 122-upper convex part, 13-buffer groove, 14-flow barrier rod. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0025] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "longitudinal", "lateral", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the utility model product is in use. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0026] In the description of this utility model, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set up," "have," "install," "connect," and "connect" 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 through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0027] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0028] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a double-layer plate with a wave-shaped flow channel 12 structure, including a plate body 1. The flow field area of ​​the plate body 1 is provided with a plurality of wave-shaped flow channels 12 spaced apart and arranged parallel to the length direction of the plate body 1.

[0029] The bottom of the wavy flow channel 12 is staggered along the length of the plate 1.

[0030] Reference Figure 1 As shown in this embodiment, the hydrogen or oxygen port of the existing bipolar plate is usually set diagonally. In the entire flow field design, the flow channel needs to bend at least twice. In order to make the flow channel cover the flow field as much as possible, in many existing designs, a single flow channel needs to bend more times. However, the area of ​​the flow channel bending in the entire flow field will still be relatively concentrated. As a result, when the gas flows in the flow field, its flow velocity is closely related to its location. This makes the reaction rate of each area of ​​the bipolar plate significantly different during the reaction process, and the degree of heating in each area is also uneven.

[0031] Therefore, by setting a wavy flow channel 12, the gas flow direction is always parallel to the length direction of the plate 1, so that the flow channel does not need to be repeatedly bent, avoiding the problem of high gas flow speed in some areas and low gas flow speed in others. This makes the gas concentration change no longer show obvious regional characteristics due to the flow channel design during the entire reaction process, which is conducive to improving reaction efficiency. At the same time, it also makes the heating area of ​​the entire bipolar plate more uniform, which can effectively solve the problem that the flow channel design speed control mainly relies on bending design in the prior art, which is prone to local overheating of the stack.

[0032] Specifically, in this embodiment, the flow field area of ​​the plate 1 is provided with a number of flow channel partition strips 11 spaced apart and arranged parallel to the length direction of the plate 1. The wavy flow channels 12 are spaced apart by the flow channel partition strips 11. The flow channel partition strips 11 can strengthen the structural strength of the plate 1 and at the same time separate each wavy flow channel 12.

[0033] Specifically, in this embodiment, the width of the flow channel separator 11 is smaller than the width of the wavy flow channel 12, so as to maximize the proportion of the wavy flow channel 12 in the flow field region.

[0034] Specifically, in this embodiment, the bottom of the wave-shaped flow channel 12 includes several spaced-apart upper protrusions 122, and the shape of the upper protrusions 122 is an upward arch, which serves to block the flow of gas.

[0035] Specifically, in this embodiment, the bottom of the wave-shaped flow channel 12 also includes several recessed portions 121 that are staggered with the upper protrusions 122, and the shape of the recessed portions 121 is an inverted arch shape that curves downward, which enhances the effect of blocking gas flow, increases the contact surface between the plate 1 and the gas, and improves the reaction efficiency.

[0036] Specifically, in this embodiment, the flow field area of ​​the plate 1 is also provided with buffer grooves 13 located on both sides of the wave-shaped flow channel 12, and both ends of the wave-shaped flow channel 12 are connected to the buffer grooves 13.

[0037] The hydrogen or oxygen pores 102 or oxygen pores 103 on the plate 1 are connected to the corrugated flow channel 12 through the buffer groove 13. By setting the buffer groove 13, the gas can be buffered by the buffer groove 13 before entering the corrugated flow channel 12, thereby improving the uniformity of the gas in each corrugated flow channel 12.

[0038] Specifically, in this embodiment, the depth of the buffer groove 13 is greater than the depth of the wavy flow channel 12, and the width of the buffer groove 13 is greater than the width of the wavy flow channel 12. The buffer groove 13 is provided with a depth and width greater than a single wavy flow channel 12 to avoid insufficient gas entering the buffer groove 13.

[0039] Specifically, in this embodiment, the bottom depth of the wave-shaped flow channel 12 is at least half the total thickness of the plate 1, thereby maximizing the contact area between the entire plate 1 and the gas flow.

[0040] Specifically, in this embodiment, as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the bottom of the wavy flow channel 12 is also provided with a flow-blocking rod 14 perpendicular to the plate 1. The flow-blocking rod 14 is located at the lowest position of the bottom of the wavy flow channel 12. The flow-blocking rod can further reduce the flow velocity of the gas after it reaches the lower area of ​​the bottom of the wavy flow channel 12, thereby improving the gas reaction utilization rate.

[0041] It is understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary implementations used to illustrate the principles of this utility model, and the utility model is not limited thereto. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and essence of this utility model, and these modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A bipolar plate having a wave-shaped flow channel structure, comprising a plate body (1), characterized in that, The flow field area of the plate body (1) is provided with a plurality of wave-shaped flow channels (12) arranged in parallel to the length direction of the plate body (1) at intervals. The bottoms of the wave-shaped flow channels (12) are arranged in staggered high and low along the length direction of the plate body (1). The flow field area of the plate body (1) is provided with a plurality of flow channel separation strips (11) arranged in parallel to the length direction of the plate body (1) at intervals, and the wave-shaped flow channels (12) are arranged at intervals by the flow channel separation strips (11).

2. The bipolar plate having a wave-shaped flow channel structure according to claim 1, wherein The width of the flow channel separation strip (11) is smaller than the width of the wave-shaped flow channel (12).

3. The bipolar plate having a wave-shaped flow channel structure according to claim 1, wherein The bottom of the wave-shaped flow channel (12) comprises a plurality of upper convex portions (122) arranged at intervals, and the shape of the upper convex portion (122) is an upward arching upper arch shape.

4. The bipolar plate having a wave-shaped flow channel structure according to claim 3, wherein The bottom of the wave-shaped flow channel (12) further comprises a plurality of lower concave portions (121) arranged in staggered with the upper convex portions (122), and the shape of the lower concave portion (121) is a downward concave inverted arch shape.

5. The bipolar plate having a wave-shaped flow channel structure according to claim 1, wherein The flow field area of the plate body (1) is further provided with a buffer groove (13) located on both sides of the wave-shaped flow channel (12), and both ends of the wave-shaped flow channel (12) are in communication with the buffer groove (13). The hydrogen holes (102) or oxygen holes (103) on the plate body (1) are in communication with the wave-shaped flow channel (12) through the buffer groove (13).

6. The bipolar plate with wave-shaped flow channel structure according to claim 5, wherein, The depth of the buffer groove (13) is greater than the depth of the wave-shaped flow channel (12), and the width of the buffer groove (13) is greater than the width of the wave-shaped flow channel (12).

7. The bipolar plate having a wave-shaped flow channel structure according to claim 1, wherein The bottom depth of the wave-shaped flow channel (12) is at least half of the total thickness of the plate body (1).

8. The bipolar plate having a wave-shaped flow channel structure according to claim 1, wherein The bottom of the wave-shaped flow channel (12) is further provided with a flow resistance rod (14) arranged perpendicularly to the plate body (1), and the flow resistance rod (14) is arranged at the lowest position of the bottom of the wave-shaped flow channel (12).

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