A stacked interconnect structure and a fuel cell

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of fuel cell technology, providing a stacked connector structure and a fuel cell. The connector includes a multi-layered plate structure consisting of an anode-side contact plate, an anode-side guide plate, a separator plate, a cathode-side guide plate, and a cathode-side contact plate stacked sequentially. The anode-side contact plate, anode-side guide plate, cathode-side contact plate, and cathode-side guide plate are all porous, flat plate structures. The separator plate is a non-porous, flat plate structure that isolates externally introduced anode and cathode gases. Circular holes are provided at the four corners of the multi-layered plate structure, and the stacked multi-layered plate structure forms a cylindrical structure with these circular holes. Rectangular grooves are provided between the circular holes on both sides of the multi-layered plate structure, and the stacked multi-layered plate structure forms a rectangular prism structure with these rectangular grooves. This invention solves the problems of existing SOFC stack connectors, such as difficulty in ensuring deformation and flatness during processing, small contact area between protruding parts of the stamped structure and other structures in repeating units, and high contact resistance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to a stacked connector structure and a fuel cell. Background Technology

[0002] Connectors are structures used to connect adjacent individual cells in a fuel cell stack. Their main functions are to conduct current, distribute air and fuel gas, and maintain the structural integrity and thermal stability of the stack. Existing connectors are generally single- or double-layer plates, with air channels (grooves or protrusions) typically formed using a stamping process. Pressure is applied to the metal sheet using a stamping die, causing the sheet to deform into the desired shape. However, with the increasing demands for structural strength, precision, and electrical performance in industrial products, traditional stamping processes have gradually revealed the following technical bottlenecks in connector manufacturing:

[0003] (1) Existing connecting body structures cannot guarantee the amount of deformation through stamping process. The load-bearing capacity of the connecting body structure plates is limited. If the stamping pressure is large or the pressure is uneven, the flatness of the plates will be insufficient after stamping.

[0004] (2) When the connecting bodies are leveled so that they can be connected to form repeating units, it will affect the grooves or protrusions formed by stamping, such as damaging the stamped protrusions.

[0005] (3) The contact area between the protrusions formed by the stamping process and other structures of the repeating unit is small, and the contact resistance is relatively large. Utility Model Content

[0006] According to the first aspect of this utility model, in view of the shortcomings of the prior art, this utility model provides a stacked connector structure, which is formed by stacking and combining four flat plate-shaped structures with holes and one flat plate-shaped structure without gaps. This solves the problems in the existing SOFC stack connector structure where it is difficult to guarantee the amount of deformation and the flatness after processing, the small contact area between the protrusions formed by stamping and other structures of the repeating unit, and the relatively large contact resistance.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following solution:

[0008] A stacked connector structure includes a connector, the connector comprising a multi-layered plate structure consisting of an anode-side contact plate, an anode-side guide plate, a partition plate, a cathode-side guide plate, and a cathode-side contact plate stacked sequentially.

[0009] The anode-side contact plate, anode-side guide plate, cathode-side contact plate, and cathode-side guide plate are all porous flat plate structures; the partition plate is a non-porous flat plate structure that isolates the anode gas and cathode gas introduced from the outside.

[0010] The multi-layered plate structure has circular holes at all four corners. The multi-layered plate structure is stacked in sequence so that the circular holes are stacked to form a cylindrical structure. There are rectangular grooves between the circular holes on both sides of the multi-layered plate structure. The multi-layered plate structure is stacked in sequence so that the rectangular grooves are stacked to form a rectangular prism structure.

[0011] Furthermore, the circular holes on both sides of the anode-side guide plate are internally connected through holes and are connected to the holes of the anode-side contact plate.

[0012] Furthermore, the rectangular grooves on both sides of the cathode-side guide plate extend inward to the other two sides, connecting with the holes of the cathode-side contact plate, forming a large planar funnel-shaped inlet on both sides of the cathode-side guide plate.

[0013] Furthermore, the pores on the anode-side contact plate and the cathode-side contact plate are arranged in a rectangular array; the pores on the anode-side guide plate and the cathode-side guide plate are arranged in a vertical grid pattern.

[0014] Furthermore, the stacked connector structure also includes a support and a battery cell; the connector, support, and battery cell are stacked sequentially to form a repeating unit; the support is located between the anode-side contact plate of the connector and the anode side of the battery cell; the cathode-side contact plate of the connector contacts the cathode side of the battery cell of the next repeating unit.

[0015] Furthermore, the support body has pores in the middle area and circular holes at the four corners, similar to those in the multi-layer plate structure.

[0016] Furthermore, the repeating unit also includes a sealing gasket, which is located on both sides of the battery cell, and each side has a circular hole at both ends that is the same as the multilayer plate structure; the sealing gasket and the battery cell are placed on the same side of the support.

[0017] Furthermore, the sealing gasket forms an anode gas path with the anode-side guide plate and anode-side contact plate of this repeating unit; the sealing gasket forms a cathode gas path with the cathode-side guide plate and cathode-side contact plate of the next repeating unit.

[0018] Furthermore, the sealing gasket connects the anode gas path of this repeating unit to the anode gas path of the next repeating unit, and separates the anode gas path from the cathode gas path.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a fuel cell comprising a stack of several repeating units, wherein the repeating units are stacked by a stacked interconnect structure provided in the first aspect.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0021] (1) This utility model consists of four flat plate structures with pores plus one flat plate structure without pores, which are stacked and combined by laser welding or bonding to form a connecting structure. Compared with the traditional stamping process, the processing is simpler, the flatness after processing is higher, and the structural load-bearing capacity is higher. The two-layer plate structure on the anode side and the cathode side respectively makes the gas distribution more uniform and mixed.

[0022] (2) The multi-layer stacked structure of this utility model forms air or other grooves by cutting. Compared with the protruding gas flow channel formed by the stamping process, when the connecting body is leveled to form repeating units, it is easier to level and will not affect the gas flow channel.

[0023] (3) The fuel cell of this utility model is formed by the above connectors and sealing gaskets to form a stack repeating unit and stack structure. The overall structure is simple, which can effectively reduce processing costs and improve processing accuracy.

[0024] Advantages of the present invention in additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, are used to provide a further understanding of this utility model. The illustrative embodiments of this utility model and their descriptions are used to explain this utility model and do not constitute an improper limitation of this utility model.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the stack repeating unit structure in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the repeating unit structure of the fuel cell stack in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting body structure in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the connector structure in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0030] Among them, 1-connector, 2-sealing gasket, 3-support body, 4-battery cell, 5-anode side contact plate, 6-anode side guide plate, 7-separator plate, 8-cathode side guide plate, 9-cathode side contact plate. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0032] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present invention. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0033] Explanation of relevant terms:

[0034] SOFC: Short for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, a device that converts the chemical energy of fuel into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction.

[0035] Cell stack: A structure composed of multiple individual cells stacked together, it is the core component of SOFC power generation system.

[0036] Repeating cells: The repeating cells within a fuel cell stack are usually referred to as individual cells. These individual cells are the basic building blocks of the entire fuel cell stack.

[0037] Connector: A structure used to connect adjacent individual cells in the fuel cell stack. Its main functions are to conduct current, distribute air and fuel gas, and maintain the structural integrity and thermal stability of the fuel cell stack.

[0038] Example 1

[0039] A stacked connector structure, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, it includes a connector 1, a support 3, and a battery cell 4; the connector 1, the support 3, and the battery cell 4 are stacked sequentially to form a repeating unit.

[0040] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the connector 1 includes a multi-layered plate structure consisting of an anode-side contact plate 5, an anode-side guide plate 6, a partition plate 7, a cathode-side guide plate 8, and a cathode-side contact plate 9 stacked sequentially.

[0041] The support 3 is located between the anode side contact plate 5 of the connector 1 and the anode side of the battery cell 4; the cathode side contact plate 9 of the connector 1 contacts the cathode side of the battery cell 4 of the next repeating unit.

[0042] Understandably, the stacking order of two repeating units is as follows:

[0043] From top to bottom, the order is: "...5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 4 / 3 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 4 / 3 / ..." or

[0044] “……3 / 4 / 9 / 8 / 7 / 6 / 5 / 3 / 4 / 9 / 8 / 7 / 6 / 5……”.

[0045] In this embodiment, each connector structure has five layers, with two layers of anode-side and cathode-side plates responsible for ensuring uniform gas distribution. It is understood that in other embodiments, the number of anode-side guide plates and cathode-side guide plates can be two or more. Compared to gas channels formed by protrusions through stamping or other methods, the multi-layered stacked plate structure has a stronger overall load-bearing capacity, is easier to level after processing, has lower processing difficulty and cost, and a simpler structure.

[0046] The anode-side contact plate 5, the anode-side guide plate 6, the cathode-side contact plate 9, and the cathode-side guide plate 8 are all porous flat plate structures; the partition plate 7 is a non-porous flat plate structure used to isolate the anode gas and cathode gas introduced from the outside.

[0047] In this embodiment, the externally introduced anode gas is fuel gas, and the cathode gas is air. A nickel mesh for current collection is provided on the anode-side contact plate, and a nickel mesh for current collection on the cathode side is on the solar cell to collect electrons generated by the anode and cathode reactions.

[0048] The repeating unit also includes a sealing gasket 2, which is located on both sides of the battery cell 4. Each side has a circular hole at both ends, and the sealing gasket 2 and the battery cell 4 are placed on the same side of the support body 3. The support body 3 has a gap in the middle area and circular holes at the four corners.

[0049] In this embodiment, the sealing gasket 2 is made of vermiculite.

[0050] Specifically, the sealing gasket 2 forms an anode gas path with the anode-side guide plate 6 and the anode-side contact plate 5 of the repeating unit; the sealing gasket 2 forms a cathode gas path with the cathode-side guide plate 8 and the cathode-side contact plate 9 of the next repeating unit.

[0051] It should be noted that the sealing gasket 2 connects the anode gas path of this repeating unit to the anode gas path of the next repeating unit, and separates the anode gas path from the cathode gas path.

[0052] The following section will first describe the gas path system for the anode gas in detail:

[0053] Anode gas flow channel: Circular holes are provided at the four corners of the multi-layer plate structure. The circular holes on both sides of the sealing gasket 2 and the support 3 are the same as the circular holes of the multi-layer plate structure. The multi-layer plate structure is stacked in sequence so that the circular holes are stacked to form a cylindrical structure, and anode gas is introduced into the cylindrical structure.

[0054] The circular holes on both sides of the anode-side guide plate 6 are internally connected through holes and communicate with the openings in the anode-side contact plate 5. This design allows gas to pass unimpeded through the anode-side guide plate 6 and flow into the anode side interior. Specifically,

[0055] Anode gas path: such as Figure 3 As shown by arrow A, the anode gas enters through a circular hole on one side (it can be understood that the circular hole on the same side below can also allow the anode gas to enter). The anode gas flows through the cylindrical structure, and after passing through the anode-side contact plate 5, as... Figure 4 As shown, a portion of the anode gas (arrow A2) flows into the through hole of the anode-side guide plate 6, and then into the pores of the anode-side guide plate 6. Due to the obstruction of the partition plate 7, this portion of the anode gas flows evenly between the anode-side contact plate 5 and the anode-side guide plate 6 in the repeating unit. After passing through the pores of the support body stacked with the anode-side contact plate 5, it enters the anode side of the battery cell 4, and finally flows out after passing through the cylindrical structure on the other side. Another portion of the anode gas (arrow A1) continues to flow downward along the cylindrical structure until it flows into the anode-side guide plate 6 of the next repeating unit or continues to flow downward along the cylindrical structure, and so on.

[0056] If the stacking order from top to bottom is “……5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 4 / 3 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 4 / 3 / ……”, it should be noted that only the anode gas in the section marked A2 can enter the interior of the anode side through the anode-side guide plate 6. The circular holes on the same side of the partition plate 7 of this repeating unit to the anode-side contact plate 5 of the next repeating unit are not internally connected through holes, so the anode gas will not enter the cathode side.

[0057] The following section will elaborate on the cathode gas path system:

[0058] Cathode gas flow channel: A rectangular groove is provided between the circular holes on both sides of the multi-layer plate structure. The multi-layer plate structure is stacked in sequence so that the rectangular grooves are stacked to form a rectangular prism structure, and cathode gas is introduced into the rectangular prism structure.

[0059] The rectangular grooves on both sides of the cathode-side guide plate 8 extend inward to the other two sides, connecting with the openings of the cathode-side contact plate 9, forming large, planar funnel-shaped inlets on both sides. The maximum width of the inlets is almost equal to the effective area width of the battery. This design allows gas to flow unimpeded through the cathode-side guide plate 8 into the cathode-side interior. Specifically,

[0060] Cathode gas path: such as Figure 3 As indicated by arrow B, the cathode gas is introduced through a rectangular prism structure on one side, as shown in the image. Figure 4 As shown, a portion of the cathode gas (arrow B2) flows into the large inlet of the cathode-side guide plate 8, and then into the pores of the cathode-side guide plate 8. Due to the obstruction of the partition plate 7 and the sealing gasket 2, the cathode gas flows evenly between the cathode-side contact plate 9 and the cathode-side guide plate 8 in this repeating unit, enters the cathode side of the battery cell 4, and finally flows out after passing through the rectangular prism structure on the other side; as shown Figure 3 As shown, another portion of the cathode gas (arrow B1) continues to flow downwards along the rectangular prism structure until it flows into the cathode-side guide plate 8 of the next repeating unit or continues to flow downwards along the rectangular prism structure, and so on.

[0061] If the stacking order from top to bottom is “…5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 4 / 3 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 4 / 3 / …”, it should be noted that the large, planar funnel-shaped inlets formed on both sides of the cathode-side guide plate 8 will not connect with the circular holes, and therefore will not connect with the cylindrical structure. Only the portion of cathode gas indicated by arrow B2 can enter the cathode-side interior through the cathode-side guide plate 8. There are no large, planar funnel-shaped inlets between the cathode-side contact plate 9 of this repeating unit and the circular holes on the same side of the partition plate 7 of the next repeating unit; therefore, cathode gas will not enter the anode side.

[0062] like Figure 4 As shown, the holes on the anode-side contact plate 5 and the cathode-side contact plate 9 are arranged in a rectangular array; the holes on the anode-side guide plate 6 and the cathode-side guide plate 8 are arranged in a vertical grid pattern.

[0063] It is understood that in other embodiments, including but not limited to... Figure 4 The aperture shape and plate shape outline of the anode-side contact plate 5, anode-side guide plate 6, cathode-side guide plate 8, and cathode-side contact plate 9 are described. The five layers of plates are connected into a single integrated body through methods including but not limited to welding and bonding.

[0064] The plate in this embodiment is simple to process, easy to level after processing, has good structural load-bearing capacity, and plays the role of simultaneously and evenly distributing the gas on the cathode side and the anode side. In addition, the partition plate can isolate the gas on the cathode side and the anode side from each other.

[0065] Example 2

[0066] A fuel cell includes a stack of repeating units stacked together, wherein the repeating units are stacked together by the stacked interconnect structure of Embodiment 1.

[0067] In this embodiment, the specific manufacturing process of the SOFC stack includes:

[0068] S1: Cutting of internal plates in the connector;

[0069] S2: Plate leveling;

[0070] S3: Connector multi-layer plate stacking;

[0071] S4: Leveling of the connector;

[0072] S5: The anode side contact plate of the connector is connected to the support body, and the cathode side contact plate of the other connector is in contact with the cathode side of the battery cell.

[0073] S6: Place the sealing gasket to form a repeating unit;

[0074] S7: Repeated units are stacked to form an electric stack.

[0075] Multi-layer stacked structures, which form air or other grooves through cutting, are easier to flatten when connecting the connecting bodies to form repeating units than the protruding gas channels formed by stamping processes. This is because flattening is easier and does not affect the gas channels.

[0076] Although the specific embodiments of the present utility model have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, this is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications or variations that can be made by those skilled in the art without creative effort based on the technical solution of the present utility model are still within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A stacked connector structure, characterized by, The connector includes a multi-layered plate structure consisting of an anode-side contact plate, an anode-side guide plate, a partition plate, a cathode-side guide plate, and a cathode-side contact plate stacked sequentially. The anode-side contact plate, anode-side guide plate, cathode-side contact plate, and cathode-side guide plate are all porous flat plate structures; the partition plate is a non-porous flat plate structure that isolates the anode gas and cathode gas introduced from the outside. The multi-layered plate structure has circular holes at all four corners. The multi-layered plate structure is stacked in sequence so that the circular holes are stacked to form a cylindrical structure. There are rectangular grooves between the circular holes on both sides of the multi-layered plate structure. The multi-layered plate structure is stacked in sequence so that the rectangular grooves are stacked to form a rectangular prism structure.

2. A stacked connector structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The circular holes on both sides of the anode-side guide plate are internally connected through holes and are connected to the holes of the anode-side contact plate.

3. A stacked connector structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The rectangular grooves on both sides of the cathode-side guide plate extend inward to the other two sides, connecting with the holes of the cathode-side contact plate, forming a large planar funnel-shaped inlet on both sides of the cathode-side guide plate.

4. A stacked connector structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The pores on the anode-side contact plate and the cathode-side contact plate are arranged in a rectangular array; the pores on the anode-side guide plate and the cathode-side guide plate are arranged in a vertical grid pattern.

5. The stacked connector structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The stacked connector structure also includes a support and a battery cell; the connector, support, and battery cell are stacked sequentially to form a repeating unit; the support is located between the anode-side contact plate of the connector and the anode side of the battery cell; the cathode-side contact plate of the connector contacts the cathode side of the battery cell of the next repeating unit.

6. The stacked connector structure as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The support body has a hole in the middle area and circular holes at the four corners, similar to those in the multi-layer plate structure.

7. The stacked connector structure as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The repeating unit also includes a sealing gasket, which is located on both sides of the battery cell, with circular holes at both ends of each side that are the same as those in the multi-layer plate structure; the sealing gasket and the battery cell are placed on the same side of the support.

8. A stacked connector structure as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The sealing gasket, together with the anode-side guide plate and anode-side contact plate of this repeating unit, forms an anode gas path; the sealing gasket, together with the cathode-side guide plate and cathode-side contact plate of the next repeating unit, forms a cathode gas path.

9. A stacked connector structure as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The sealing gasket connects the anode gas path of this repeating unit to the anode gas path of the next repeating unit, and separates the anode gas path from the cathode gas path.

10. A fuel cell, characterized in that, It includes an electric stack composed of a plurality of repeating units stacked together, wherein the repeating units are stacked together by a stacked interconnect structure as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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