A fuel cell membrane electrode air tightness testing device

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing technology, specifically a fuel cell membrane electrode airtightness testing device, comprising: a gas storage tank, a clamp assembly, and a test gas path; the clamp assembly includes an upper clamp and a lower clamp; the upper clamp and the lower clamp form a receiving cavity; the receiving cavity is used to accommodate the membrane electrode; the solenoid valves (1-1), (1-2), (4-1), (4-2), (2-3), and (3-3) form the upper test gas path; the solenoid valves (2-1), (2-2), (3-1), (3-2), (1-3), and (1-3) form the lower test gas path; the gas storage tank is connected to the first end of the upper test circuit and the lower test gas path, and the second end of the upper test circuit and the lower test gas path is connected to a fifth solenoid valve assembly and a flow valve, which adds a bypass gas path to avoid the problem that leaked gas will affect the measurement data and cause unstable testing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing technology, specifically relating to a fuel cell membrane electrode airtightness testing device. Background Technology

[0002] The membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a key component of a fuel cell stack, supplies hydrogen to the anode and oxygen to the cathode via bipolar plates during operation, resulting in an electrochemical reaction under the action of the proton exchange membrane. If the MEA's encapsulation fails or breaks, causing leakage between the anode and cathode, the hydrogen at the anode will mix with the oxygen at the cathode. This can lead to insufficient stack power in mild cases and even stack burnout in severe cases. Therefore, during the manufacturing process of the MEA, each MEA must undergo airtightness testing. Accurate airtightness testing of the MEA is typically achieved using gas chromatography or helium mass spectrometry, but these methods are costly and not conducive to mass production.

[0003] The commonly used single-valve control method for the test medium (air) is difficult to achieve absolute sealing because the solenoid valve operates under gas pressure. Leaking gas will affect the measurement data, and the effect value is unstable and difficult to eliminate through compensation.

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a detection device employing a precision flow valve, thus resolving the issue of unstable testing. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the technical problems of unstable gas tightness testing and gas leakage in existing fuel cell membrane electrode assembly (MEA) technologies, this invention provides a fuel cell MEA gas tightness testing device that offers stable and accurate testing while resolving the gas leakage issue.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this utility model is as follows: On one hand, this utility model provides a fuel cell membrane electrode airtightness testing device, including: a gas storage tank, a clamp assembly, and a test gas path; the clamp assembly includes an upper clamp and a lower clamp; the upper clamp and the lower clamp form a receiving cavity; the receiving cavity is used to accommodate the membrane electrode; the test gas path includes a first solenoid valve, a second solenoid valve, a third solenoid valve, and a fourth solenoid valve; the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve are connected to the upper clamp, and the third solenoid valve and the fourth solenoid valve are connected to the lower clamp; the first solenoid valve and the fourth solenoid valve form an upper test gas path; the second solenoid valve and the third solenoid valve form a lower test gas path; the gas storage tank is connected to the beginning of the upper test circuit and the lower test gas path, and a fifth solenoid valve and a flow valve are connected to the end of the upper test circuit and the lower test gas path.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment, the flow valve provided by this utility model is a precision flow valve.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the upper clamp and the lower clamp provided by this utility model are respectively provided with an upper sealing ring and a lower sealing ring, which make the accommodating cavity airtight and insulated from the atmosphere.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, a gas pressure gauge is provided on the pipeline connecting the gas storage tank and the test gas path provided by this utility model.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the positioning provided by this utility model is on the lower clamp, and the upper clamp is closed with the lower clamp by the action of a cylinder force.

[0011] On the other hand, this utility model provides a fuel cell membrane electrode airtightness testing device, including: a gas storage tank, a clamp assembly, and a test gas path; the clamp assembly includes an upper clamp and a lower clamp; the upper clamp and the lower clamp form a receiving cavity; the receiving cavity is used to accommodate the membrane electrode; the test gas path includes a first solenoid valve assembly, a second solenoid valve assembly, a third solenoid valve assembly, and a fourth solenoid valve assembly; the first solenoid valve assembly includes solenoid valve 1-1, solenoid valve 1-2, and bypass solenoid valve 1-3; the second solenoid valve assembly includes solenoid valve 2-1, solenoid valve 2-2, and bypass solenoid valve 2-3; the third solenoid valve assembly includes solenoid valve 3-1, solenoid valve 3-2, and bypass solenoid valve 3-3; the fourth solenoid valve assembly includes solenoid valve 4-1, solenoid valve 2-2, and bypass solenoid valve 2-3; Solenoid valve 4-2 and bypass solenoid valve 4-3; solenoid valves 1-1, 1-2, 2-1, and 2-2 are connected to the upper clamp, and solenoid valves 3-1, 3-2, 4-1, and 4-2 are connected to the lower clamp; solenoid valves 1-1, 1-2, 4-1, 4-2, 2-3, and 3-3 form the upper test gas path; solenoid valves 2-1, 2-2, 3-1, 3-2, 1-3, and 1-3 form the lower test gas path; the gas storage tank is connected to the beginning of the upper test circuit and the lower test gas path, and the end of the upper test circuit and the lower test gas path is connected to a fifth solenoid valve assembly and a flow valve.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a bypass solenoid valve 1-3 on the bypass between solenoid valve 1-1 and solenoid valve 1-2; a bypass solenoid valve 2-3 on the bypass between solenoid valve 2-1 and solenoid valve 2-2; a bypass solenoid valve 3-3 on the bypass between solenoid valve 3-1 and solenoid valve 3-2; and a bypass solenoid valve 4-3 on the bypass between solenoid valve (4-1) and solenoid valve 4-2.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the positioning provided by this utility model is on the lower clamp, and the upper clamp is closed with the lower clamp by the action of a cylinder force.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the upper clamp and the lower clamp provided by this utility model are respectively provided with an upper sealing ring and a lower sealing ring, which make the accommodating cavity airtight and insulated from the atmosphere.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, a gas pressure gauge is installed on the pipe connecting the gas storage tank and the test gas circuit provided by this utility model. Compared with the prior art, this utility model provides the following beneficial effects: (1) This utility model provides a method for testing the airtightness of the anode and cathode surfaces of a membrane electrode by controlling the first, second, third, and fourth solenoid valve assemblies. For example, when measuring the upper value, even if there is a slight gas leak in solenoid valves 2-1 and 3-1, this gas will be preferentially discharged into the atmosphere through the open bypass solenoid valve. Since solenoid valves 2-2 and 3-2 are in the closed state, there will be no interfering airflow passing through the precision flow valve, which can ensure the stability and accuracy of the measured value.

[0016] (2) The present invention provides a bypass solenoid valve, which can avoid the technical problem that the gas leakage of the solenoid valve will increase when the sealing ring is worn or there are foreign objects. The gas leakage of the solenoid valve will affect the flow valve and directly affect the measurement accuracy. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 A fuel cell membrane electrode air tightness testing device (without bypass) provided in Embodiment 1 of this utility model. Figure 2 A fuel cell membrane electrode airtightness testing device (with bypass) provided for Embodiment 2 of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solution of this utility model will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are not all embodiments of this utility model. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0019] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement and numerical expressions of the components and steps described in these embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model.

[0020] The following description of exemplary embodiments is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the present invention or its application or use in any way. Techniques, methods, and apparatus known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail herein, but where applicable, such techniques, methods, and apparatus should be considered part of this specification.

[0021] Example 1 See Figure 1 This utility model provides a fuel cell membrane electrode airtightness testing device, comprising: a gas storage tank, a clamp assembly, and a test gas path; the clamp assembly includes an upper clamp and a lower clamp; the upper clamp and the lower clamp form a receiving cavity; the receiving cavity is used to accommodate the membrane electrode; the test gas path includes a first solenoid valve 1, a second solenoid valve 2, a third solenoid valve 3, and a fourth solenoid valve 4; the first solenoid valve 1 and the second solenoid valve 2 are connected to the upper clamp, and the third solenoid valve 3 and the fourth solenoid valve 4 are connected to the lower clamp; the first solenoid valve 1 and the fourth solenoid valve 4 form an upper test gas path; the second solenoid valve 2 and the third solenoid valve 3 form a lower test gas path; the gas storage tank is connected to the beginning of the upper test circuit and the lower test gas path, and a fifth solenoid valve and a flow valve are connected to the end of the upper test circuit and the lower test gas path.

[0022] As a preferred embodiment, the flow valve provided by this utility model is a precision flow valve.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the upper clamp and the lower clamp provided by this utility model are respectively provided with an upper sealing ring and a lower sealing ring, which make the accommodating cavity airtight and insulated from the atmosphere.

[0024] As a preferred embodiment, a gas pressure gauge is installed on the pipeline connecting the gas storage tank and the test gas path provided by this utility model.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the positioning provided by this utility model is on the lower clamp, and the upper clamp is closed with the lower clamp by the action of a cylinder force.

[0026] Example 2 This utility model provides a fuel cell membrane electrode gas tightness testing device, comprising: a gas storage tank, a clamp assembly, and a test gas path; the clamp assembly includes an upper clamp and a lower clamp; the upper clamp and the lower clamp form a receiving cavity; the receiving cavity is used to accommodate the membrane electrode; the test gas path includes a first solenoid valve assembly, a second solenoid valve assembly, a third solenoid valve assembly, and a fourth solenoid valve assembly; the first solenoid valve assembly includes solenoid valve 1-1, solenoid valve 1-2, and bypass solenoid valve 1-3; the second solenoid valve assembly includes solenoid valve 2-1, solenoid valve 2-2, and bypass solenoid valve 2-3; the third solenoid valve assembly includes solenoid valve 3-1, solenoid valve 3-2, and bypass solenoid valve 3-3; the fourth solenoid valve assembly includes solenoid valve 4-1, solenoid valve 4-2, and bypass solenoid valve 3-3; -2. Bypass solenoid valve 4-3; Solenoid valves 1-1, 1-2, 2-1, and 2-2 are connected to the upper clamp, and solenoid valves 3-1, 3-2, 4-1, and 4-2 are connected to the lower clamp; Solenoid valves 1-1, 1-2, 4-1, 4-2, 2-3, and 3-3 form the upper test gas path; Solenoid valves 2-1, 2-2, 3-1, 3-2, 1-3, and 1-3 form the lower test gas path; The gas storage tank is connected to the beginning of the upper test circuit and the lower test gas path, and the fifth solenoid valve assembly and flow valve are connected to the end of the upper test circuit and the lower test gas path.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a bypass solenoid valve 1-3 on the bypass between solenoid valve 1-1 and solenoid valve 1-2; a bypass solenoid valve 2-3 on the bypass between solenoid valve 2-1 and solenoid valve 2-2; a bypass solenoid valve 3-3 on the bypass between solenoid valve 3-1 and solenoid valve 3-2; and a bypass solenoid valve 4-3 on the bypass between solenoid valve (4-1) and solenoid valve 4-2.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the positioning provided by this utility model is on the lower clamp, and the upper clamp is closed with the lower clamp by the action of a cylinder force.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the upper clamp and the lower clamp provided by this utility model are respectively provided with an upper sealing ring and a lower sealing ring, which make the accommodating cavity airtight and insulated from the atmosphere.

[0030] The testing steps of the testing device in Embodiment 2 above are as follows: Test steps (1) Under the closed-loop control of the gas pressure gauge and the inlet valve, the pressure of the test medium in the gas storage tank is stabilized to meet the test pressure requirements.

[0031] (2) Position the membrane electrode on the lower clamp. Under the action of the cylinder force, the upper clamp closes with the lower clamp. Under the action of the upper and lower sealing rings, the test chamber is airtightly insulated from the atmosphere.

[0032] (3) Solenoid valves 1-1, 1-2, 4-1, 4-2, 2-3, and 3-3 are opened, while solenoid valves 3-1, 3-2, 2-1, 2-2, 1-3, and 4-3 are closed, forming an upper test gas path from top to bottom for the membrane electrode. In this test step, since bypass solenoid valves 2-3 and 3-3 are open, even if there is a slight leak in solenoid valves 2-1 and 3-1 which are closed, the gas will flow out from solenoid valves 2-3 and 3-3 and will not enter solenoid valves 2-2 and 3-2 to generate interfering airflow and thus affect the flow valve value.

[0033] (4) After the solenoid valve 5 is opened, it closes after a delay of 2-3 seconds to zero the precision flow meter.

[0034] (5) After the precision flow meter is zeroed, the current gas flow rate is tested. When the test value is close to the steady state, the value is read as the upper measurement value. When the measured value is less than the airtightness requirement threshold, it is judged as airtight. When the measured value is greater than the airtightness requirement threshold, it is judged as airtight.

[0035] (6) After reading the data, solenoid valves 1-1, 1-2, 4-1, 4-2, 2-3, and 3-3 are closed, while solenoid valves 3-1, 3-2, 2-1, 2-2, 1-3, and 4-3 are fully opened, and the membrane electrode forms a lower test gas path from bottom to top.

[0036] (7) After the solenoid valve 5 is opened, it closes after a delay of 2-3 seconds to zero the precision flow meter.

[0037] (8) After the precision flow meter is zeroed, the current gas flow rate is tested. When the test value is close to the steady state, the value is read as the next measurement value.

[0038] (9) The cylinder pulls the upper clamp, the upper and lower clamps separate, the membrane electrode is taken out, and the test is completed.

[0039] MSA analysis revealed that after switching to a bypass design, the test tolerance ratio decreased from 27.86% to 16.34%. Table 1 shows the test data for the five solenoid valve assemblies before the bypass was added.

[0040] Table 2 shows the test data after adding bypass to the five solenoid valve assemblies.

[0041] In summary, this device features well-selected components, clear connection methods, and a simple overall structure. It ensures the timeliness and accuracy of measurement and data transmission, while also possessing good feasibility and application value. It can provide a stable and reliable technical solution for cable measurement work in related fields.

[0042] The above specific embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to examples, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solution of this utility model without departing from the scope of the technical solution of this utility model, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A fuel cell membrane electrode airtightness testing device, characterized in that, include: The system includes a gas storage tank, a fixture assembly, and a test gas path. The fixture assembly comprises an upper fixture and a lower fixture. The upper and lower fixtures form a receiving cavity, which is used to accommodate a membrane electrode. The test gas path includes a first solenoid valve, a second solenoid valve, a third solenoid valve, and a fourth solenoid valve. The first and second solenoid valves are connected to the upper fixture, and the third and fourth solenoid valves are connected to the lower fixture. The first and fourth solenoid valves form an upper test gas path, and the second and third solenoid valves form a lower test gas path. The gas storage tank is connected to the beginning of the upper test circuit and the lower test gas path, and a fifth solenoid valve and a flow valve are connected to the end of the upper test circuit and the lower test gas path.

2. The fuel cell membrane electrode airtightness testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow valve is a precision flow valve.

3. The fuel cell membrane electrode airtightness testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper clamp and the lower clamp are respectively provided with an upper sealing ring and a lower sealing ring, which make the accommodating cavity airtight and insulated from the atmosphere.

4. The fuel cell membrane electrode airtightness testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A gas pressure gauge is installed on the pipeline connecting the gas storage tank and the test gas line.

5. The fuel cell membrane electrode airtightness testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper clamp is positioned on the lower clamp, and the upper clamp is closed with the lower clamp by the action of a cylinder force.

6. A fuel cell membrane electrode airtightness testing device, characterized in that, include: A gas storage tank, a clamp assembly, and a test gas path; the clamp assembly includes an upper clamp and a lower clamp; the upper clamp and the lower clamp form a receiving cavity; the receiving cavity is used to accommodate a membrane electrode; the test gas path includes a first solenoid valve assembly, a second solenoid valve assembly, a third solenoid valve assembly, and a fourth solenoid valve assembly; the first solenoid valve assembly includes a solenoid valve (1-1), a solenoid valve (1-2), and a bypass solenoid valve (1-3); the second solenoid valve assembly includes a solenoid valve (2-1), a solenoid valve (2-2), and a bypass solenoid valve (2-3); the third solenoid valve assembly includes a solenoid valve (3-1), a solenoid valve (3-2), and a bypass solenoid valve (3-3); the fourth solenoid valve assembly includes a solenoid valve (4-1), a solenoid valve (4-2), and a bypass solenoid valve (4-3); the solenoid valve (1-1)... Solenoid valves (1-2), (2-1), and (2-2) are connected to the upper clamp, and solenoid valves (3-1), (3-2), (4-1), and (4-2) are connected to the lower clamp; solenoid valves (1-1), (1-2), (4-1), (4-2), (2-3), and (3-3) form the upper test gas path; solenoid valves (2-1), (2-2), (3-1), (3-2), (1-3), and (1-3) form the lower test gas path; the gas storage tank is connected to the beginning of the upper test circuit and the lower test gas path, and the fifth solenoid valve assembly and flow valve are connected to the end of the upper test circuit and the lower test gas path.

7. The fuel cell membrane electrode airtightness testing device according to claim 5, characterized in that, A bypass solenoid valve (1-3) is provided on the bypass between solenoid valve (1-1) and solenoid valve (1-2); a bypass solenoid valve (2-3) is provided on the bypass between solenoid valve (2-1) and solenoid valve (2-2); a bypass solenoid valve (3-3) is provided on the bypass between solenoid valve (3-1) and solenoid valve (3-2); a bypass solenoid valve (4-3) is provided on the bypass between solenoid valve (4-1) and solenoid valve (4-2).

8. The fuel cell membrane electrode airtightness testing device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The upper clamp is positioned on the lower clamp, and the upper clamp is closed with the lower clamp by the action of a cylinder force.

9. The fuel cell membrane electrode airtightness testing device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The upper clamp and the lower clamp are respectively provided with an upper sealing ring and a lower sealing ring, which make the accommodating cavity airtight and insulated from the atmosphere.

10. The fuel cell membrane electrode airtightness testing device according to claim 5, characterized in that, A gas pressure gauge is installed on the pipeline connecting the gas storage tank and the test gas line.

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