An integrated flow channel structure for hydrogen fuel cell unmanned aerial vehicles
By optimizing the flow channel structure of the hydrogen fuel cell, uniform distribution and orderly flow of hydrogen fuel and oxygen were achieved, improving reaction efficiency and integration. This solved the problem of unreasonable flow channel structure design in existing hydrogen fuel cells, and enhanced the endurance and safety of drones.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202521773317.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-11-03
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-08-20
AI Technical Summary
The existing hydrogen fuel cell flow channel structure design is unreasonable, resulting in uneven distribution of hydrogen fuel and oxygen, incomplete reaction, reduced energy conversion efficiency, low integration, increased battery system size and weight, limiting the miniaturization and lightweight design of drones, and complex and costly manufacturing process.
An integrated flow channel structure is designed, including a main plate, first and second mounting plates, protrusions, diagonal inlets for hydrogen fuel and oxygen, a multi-layer graphite plate structure, and an intermediate plate. This structure ensures the rational distribution and orderly flow of hydrogen fuel and oxygen, improves reaction efficiency through the vertical flow channels and gas diffusion layer of the graphite plate structure, and reduces structural stress concentration through rounded corner treatment.
It improves the energy conversion efficiency and reaction uniformity of hydrogen fuel cells, reduces the internal space occupied by drones, enhances the overall layout rationality and structural stability, and ensures the long-term stable flight of drones.
Smart Images
Figure CN224934732U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of hydrogen fuel cell technology, and in particular to an integrated flow channel structure for hydrogen fuel cell drones. Background Technology
[0002] With the ever-expanding applications of drones, endurance has become a key factor restricting their development. Traditional lithium batteries have limited energy density, making it difficult to meet the long-duration operation requirements of drones. Hydrogen fuel cells, with their high energy density and environmentally friendly characteristics, offer a new direction for energy innovation in drones. Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity through the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, powering drones. However, the design of the flow channel structure is crucial in the application of hydrogen fuel cells in drones. The flow channel structure is responsible for the proper distribution and flow of hydrogen fuel and oxygen, directly affecting the performance and efficiency of the battery. Currently, existing hydrogen fuel cell flow channel structures have several shortcomings. Some poorly designed flow channel structures result in uneven distribution of hydrogen fuel and oxygen within the flow channel, leading to incomplete reactions and reduced energy conversion efficiency. Furthermore, some flow channel structures have low integration, increasing the size and weight of the battery system, which is detrimental to the miniaturization and lightweight design of drones. In addition, complex flow channel structures can lead to difficult and costly manufacturing processes, limiting the large-scale application of hydrogen fuel cells in drones.
[0003] Therefore, developing an efficient, compact, and easy-to-manufacture integrated flow channel structure has become crucial for the development of hydrogen fuel cell drones. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address some of the problems existing in the prior art, this utility model provides an integrated flow channel structure for hydrogen fuel cell drones. This utility model achieves a reasonable distribution and orderly flow of hydrogen fuel and oxygen in the flow channel by setting a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate with protrusions on both sides of the main body plate, and setting the hydrogen fuel inlet and oxygen inlet diagonally, combined with the design of multi-layer graphite plate structure and intermediate plate, thereby improving the sufficiency of the reaction and enhancing the energy conversion efficiency of the hydrogen fuel cell.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides an integrated flow channel structure for a hydrogen fuel cell drone, comprising an integrated flow channel structure body, the integrated flow channel structure body including a main plate, a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate respectively provided on both sides of the main plate, the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate respectively provided with protrusions, the first mounting plate provided with a hydrogen fuel inlet and an oxygen inlet, the hydrogen fuel inlet and the oxygen inlet being arranged diagonally, and the graphite plate structure being arranged in a multi-layer structure.
[0006] As a further improvement of this utility model, in order to carry out the reaction in an orderly manner in their respective independent areas, improve the selectivity and efficiency of the reaction, facilitate the entry and exit of gas and ensure the timely supply and discharge of gas during the reaction process, the graphite plate structure includes several reaction units. The reaction unit is composed of a three-layer structure, specifically an anode graphite plate, a cathode graphite plate and a membrane electrode plate, wherein the membrane electrode plate is disposed between the anode graphite plate and the cathode graphite plate.
[0007] As a further improvement of this utility model, in order to achieve precise gas docking and transmission, avoid gas leakage and uneven mixing, and improve gas utilization efficiency and battery safety, an intermediate plate is provided between the first mounting plate and the graphite plate structure. The intermediate plate is provided with a first hydrogen fuel docking port and a first oxygen docking port. The first hydrogen fuel docking port is configured to cooperate with the hydrogen fuel inlet, and the first oxygen docking port is configured to cooperate with the oxygen inlet.
[0008] As a further improvement of this utility model, in order to facilitate the smooth flow of gas and enable the gas to be more evenly distributed to various parts of the graphite plate structure, thereby improving the uniformity of the reaction, the graphite plate structure is provided with strip-shaped through holes, and a transverse flow channel structure is provided on the side where the intermediate plate is connected to the graphite plate structure. The first hydrogen fuel interface is located on the right side of the strip-shaped through hole at the top of the graphite plate structure, and the first oxygen interface is located on the left side of the strip-shaped through hole at the bottom of the graphite plate structure.
[0009] As a further improvement of this utility model, in order to increase the contact area between the gas and the electrode and improve the reaction rate and efficiency, the anode graphite plate and the cathode graphite plate have the same structure. Multiple oxygen flow channels and hydrogen fuel flow channels are provided on one side of the anode graphite plate or the cathode graphite plate. The oxygen flow direction of the oxygen flow channel is perpendicular to the hydrogen fuel flow direction of the hydrogen fuel flow channel.
[0010] As a further improvement of this utility model, in order to enable hydrogen and oxygen to come into more full contact with the membrane electrode plate and improve the efficiency and uniformity of the electrochemical reaction, a hydrogen-side gas diffusion layer is provided on the side of the membrane electrode plate near the anode graphite plate, and an oxygen-side gas diffusion layer is provided on the side near the cathode graphite plate.
[0011] As a further improvement of this utility model, in order to reduce stress concentration and lower the risk of the plate breaking when subjected to external force, the edges of the main plate, the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate are all rounded.
[0012] In operation, this integrated flow channel structure is applied to a hydrogen fuel cell drone, with hydrogen fuel and oxygen entering from the hydrogen fuel inlet and oxygen inlet on the first mounting plate, respectively. The diagonal arrangement of the two inlets helps to ensure uniform gas distribution.
[0013] Hydrogen fuel enters through the hydrogen fuel inlet, then passes through the first hydrogen fuel interface on the intermediate plate, and then enters the main body plate through the right side of the strip-shaped through-hole at the top of the graphite plate structure. Oxygen enters through the oxygen inlet, passes through the first oxygen interface on the intermediate plate, and then enters the main body plate through the left side of the strip-shaped through-hole at the bottom of the graphite plate structure.
[0014] In the graphite plate structure, each reaction unit consists of an anode graphite plate, a membrane electrode plate, and a cathode graphite plate. The anode graphite plate and the cathode graphite plate have the same structure, with multiple oxygen flow channels and hydrogen fuel flow channels on one side, and the gas flow directions of the two are perpendicular to each other, which is conducive to complete reaction. The membrane electrode plate is located between the two, with a hydrogen-side gas diffusion layer on the side closer to the anode graphite plate and an oxygen-side gas diffusion layer on the side closer to the cathode graphite plate, ensuring uniform gas diffusion and promoting efficient electrochemical reaction.
[0015] Within the reaction unit, hydrogen gas loses electrons on the anode graphite plate side to become hydrogen ions. These electrons then flow through an external circuit to generate an electric current, powering the drone. The hydrogen ions pass through the membrane electrode plate and combine with oxygen on the cathode graphite plate side in the oxygen-side gas diffusion layer to form water. The hydrogen-side and oxygen-side gas diffusion layers on both sides of the membrane electrode plate promote the uniform diffusion of hydrogen and oxygen on the surface of the membrane electrode plate, ensuring the smooth progress of the reaction.
[0016] The electricity generated by the reaction powers the drone. Meanwhile, the edges of the main body plate, the first mounting plate, and the second mounting plate are rounded to reduce structural stress concentration, improve overall structural stability and safety, and ensure the continuous and stable flight of the hydrogen fuel cell drone.
[0017] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: Structural design optimization enhances integration: The integrated flow channel structure integrates key components such as hydrogen fuel inlet and oxygen inlet into one unit through the combination of the main plate and the first and second mounting plates on both sides. The structure is compact, effectively saving internal space of the UAV, improving the rationality of the overall layout, and enabling the UAV to more efficiently utilize the limited space to carry other equipment, thereby improving its overall performance.
[0018] The rational flow channel layout enhances reaction efficiency: the hydrogen fuel inlet and oxygen inlet are set diagonally, combined with the transverse flow channel structure of the intermediate plate and the design of the oxygen flow channel and hydrogen fuel flow channel on the graphite plate structure being perpendicular, which allows hydrogen fuel and oxygen to be fully mixed and evenly distributed in the flow channel, providing good conditions for the electrochemical reaction on the membrane electrode plate, thereby improving the reaction efficiency and thus improving the output power and energy conversion efficiency of the fuel cell.
[0019] Multi-layer graphite plate structure ensures stable performance: The multi-layered graphite plate structure, especially the combination of anode graphite plates, cathode graphite plates, and membrane electrode plates, as well as the gas diffusion layers on both sides of the membrane electrode plates, provides a stable environment for electrochemical reactions. The close cooperation between each layer ensures smooth gas transmission and continuous reaction, which helps maintain the stable operation of the fuel cell over a long period of time, improving its reliability and durability. Attached Figure Description
[0020] To facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the present invention.
[0021] Figure 2 This is a side view of the present invention.
[0022] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the intermediate plate.
[0023] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the main board.
[0024] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the reaction unit.
[0025] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the flow channel in the reaction unit.
[0026] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the front and back structures of the membrane electrode plate.
[0027] Among them, 1 is the main plate, 2 is the first mounting plate, 3 is the second mounting plate, 4 is the protrusion, 5 is the hydrogen fuel inlet, 6 is the oxygen inlet, 7 is the reaction unit, 8 is the anode graphite plate, 9 is the cathode graphite plate, 10 is the membrane electrode plate, 11 is the intermediate plate, 12 is the first hydrogen fuel interface, 13 is the first oxygen interface, 14 is the strip-shaped through hole, 15 is the transverse flow channel structure, 16 is the oxygen flow channel, 17 is the hydrogen fuel flow channel, 18 is the hydrogen-side gas diffusion layer, and 19 is the oxygen-side gas diffusion layer. Detailed Implementation
[0028] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in this application, the following description is provided in conjunction with the appendix. Figure 1-7 The present invention will be further described below. The following embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention more clearly, and should not be used to limit the protection scope of the present invention.
[0029] like Figure 1-7An integrated flow channel structure for a hydrogen fuel cell drone is shown, comprising an integrated flow channel structure body, the integrated flow channel structure body including a main body plate 1, a first mounting plate 2 and a second mounting plate 3 respectively disposed on both sides of the main body plate 1, a protrusion 4 respectively disposed on the first mounting plate 2 and the second mounting plate 3, a hydrogen fuel inlet 5 and an oxygen inlet 6 disposed on the first mounting plate 2, the hydrogen fuel inlet 5 and the oxygen inlet 6 being arranged diagonally, and the graphite plate structure being arranged in a multi-layer structure.
[0030] The graphite plate structure includes several reaction units 7, each of which consists of a three-layer structure: an anode graphite plate 8, a cathode graphite plate 9, and a membrane electrode plate 10. The membrane electrode plate 10 is disposed between the anode graphite plate 8 and the cathode graphite plate 9.
[0031] An intermediate plate 11 is provided between the first mounting plate 2 and the graphite plate structure. The intermediate plate 11 is provided with a first hydrogen fuel interface 12 and a first oxygen interface 13. The first hydrogen fuel interface 12 is configured to cooperate with the hydrogen fuel inlet 5, and the first oxygen interface 13 is configured to cooperate with the oxygen inlet 6.
[0032] The graphite plate structure is provided with strip-shaped through holes 14. The middle plate 11 is provided with a transverse flow channel structure 15 on the side connected to the graphite plate structure. The first hydrogen fuel interface 12 is located on the right side of the strip-shaped through hole 14 at the top of the graphite plate structure, and the first oxygen interface 13 is located on the left side of the strip-shaped through hole 14 at the bottom of the graphite plate structure.
[0033] The anode graphite plate 8 and the cathode graphite plate 9 have the same structure. A plurality of oxygen flow channels 16 and hydrogen fuel flow channels 17 are provided on one side of the anode graphite plate 8 or the cathode graphite plate 9. The oxygen flow direction of the oxygen flow channel 16 is perpendicular to the hydrogen fuel flow direction of the hydrogen fuel flow channel 17.
[0034] The membrane electrode plate 10 has a hydrogen-side gas diffusion layer 18 on the side near the anode graphite plate 8 and an oxygen-side gas diffusion layer 19 on the side near the cathode graphite plate 9.
[0035] The edges of the main body plate 1, the first mounting plate 2, and the second mounting plate 3 are all rounded.
[0036] In operation, this integrated flow channel structure is applied to a hydrogen fuel cell drone, with hydrogen fuel and oxygen entering from the hydrogen fuel inlet 5 and oxygen inlet 6 on the first mounting plate 2, respectively. The diagonal arrangement of the two inlets helps to ensure uniform gas distribution.
[0037] Hydrogen fuel enters through hydrogen fuel inlet 5, then passes through the first hydrogen fuel interface 12 on the intermediate plate 11, and then enters the anode graphite plate 8 through the right side of the strip-shaped through hole 14 at the top of the graphite plate structure. Oxygen enters the cathode graphite plate 9 through oxygen inlet 6, through the first oxygen interface 13 on the intermediate plate 11, and then enters the cathode graphite plate 9 through the left side of the strip-shaped through hole 14 at the bottom of the graphite plate structure.
[0038] In the graphite plate structure, each reaction unit 7 consists of an anode graphite plate 8, a membrane electrode plate 10, and a cathode graphite plate 9. The anode graphite plate 8 and the cathode graphite plate 9 have the same structure, with multiple oxygen flow channels 16 and hydrogen fuel flow channels 17 on one side, and the gas flow directions of the two are perpendicular to each other, which is conducive to full reaction. The membrane electrode plate 10 is located between the two, with a hydrogen-side gas diffusion layer 18 on the side closer to the anode graphite plate 8 and an oxygen-side gas diffusion layer 19 on the side closer to the cathode graphite plate 9, ensuring uniform gas diffusion and promoting efficient electrochemical reaction.
[0039] Within reaction unit 7, hydrogen gas loses electrons on the anode graphite plate 8 side to become hydrogen ions. These electrons form an electric current through an external circuit, powering the drone. The hydrogen ions pass through the membrane electrode plate 10 and combine with oxygen on the cathode graphite plate 9 side in the oxygen-side gas diffusion layer 19 to form water. The hydrogen-side gas diffusion layer 18 and the oxygen-side gas diffusion layer 19 on both sides of the membrane electrode plate 10 promote the uniform diffusion of hydrogen and oxygen on the surface of the membrane electrode plate, ensuring the smooth progress of the reaction.
[0040] The electricity generated by the reaction powers the drone. Meanwhile, the edges of the main body plate 1, the first mounting plate 2, and the second mounting plate 3 are all rounded to reduce structural stress concentration, improve overall structural stability and safety, and ensure the continuous and stable flight of the hydrogen fuel cell drone.
[0041] This utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. Based on the technical solutions disclosed in this utility model, those skilled in the art can make some substitutions and modifications to some of the technical features without creative labor, and these substitutions and modifications are all within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. An integrated flow channel structure for a hydrogen fuel cell drone, comprising an integrated flow channel structure body, characterized in that, The integrated flow channel structure body includes a main plate (1), and a first mounting plate (2) and a second mounting plate (3) are respectively provided on both sides of the main plate (1). The first mounting plate (2) and the second mounting plate (3) are respectively provided with protrusions (4). The first mounting plate (2) is provided with a hydrogen fuel inlet (5) and an oxygen inlet (6). The hydrogen fuel inlet (5) and the oxygen inlet (6) are arranged diagonally. The graphite plate structure includes several reaction units (7). The reaction unit (7) is composed of a three-layer structure, specifically an anode graphite plate (8), a cathode graphite plate (9) and a membrane electrode plate (10). The membrane electrode plate (10) is arranged between the anode graphite plate (8) and the cathode graphite plate (9). The graphite plate structure is arranged in a multi-layer structure.
2. The integrated flow channel structure for a hydrogen fuel cell drone according to claim 1, characterized in that, An intermediate plate (11) is provided between the first mounting plate (2) and the graphite plate structure. The intermediate plate (11) is provided with a first hydrogen fuel interface (12) and a first oxygen interface (13). The first hydrogen fuel interface (12) is configured to cooperate with the hydrogen fuel inlet (5), and the first oxygen interface (13) is configured to cooperate with the oxygen inlet (6).
3. The integrated flow channel structure for a hydrogen fuel cell drone according to claim 2, characterized in that, The graphite plate structure is provided with a strip-shaped through hole (14), and the middle plate (11) is provided with a transverse flow channel structure (15) on the side connected to the graphite plate structure. The first hydrogen fuel interface (12) is located on the right side of the strip-shaped through hole (14) at the top of the graphite plate structure, and the first oxygen interface (13) is located on the left side of the strip-shaped through hole (14) at the bottom of the graphite plate structure.
4. The integrated flow channel structure for a hydrogen fuel cell drone according to claim 1, characterized in that, The anode graphite plate (8) and the cathode graphite plate (9) have the same structure. A plurality of oxygen flow channels (16) and hydrogen fuel flow channels (17) are provided on one side of the anode graphite plate (8) or the cathode graphite plate (9). The oxygen flow direction of the oxygen flow channel (16) is perpendicular to the hydrogen fuel flow direction of the hydrogen fuel flow channel (17).
5. The integrated flow channel structure for a hydrogen fuel cell drone according to claim 1, characterized in that, The membrane electrode plate (10) has a hydrogen-side gas diffusion layer (18) on the side near the anode graphite plate (8) and an oxygen-side gas diffusion layer (19) on the side near the cathode graphite plate (9).
6. The integrated flow channel structure for a hydrogen fuel cell drone according to claim 1, characterized in that, The edges of the main body plate (1), the first mounting plate (2) and the second mounting plate (3) are all rounded.