Electrochemical energy conversion system and motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrochemical energy conversion system (10) comprising at least one cell (20) having a frame device (30), a gas diffusion device (40), a membrane device (50), and a porous transport layer (60), wherein the gas diffusion device (40), the membrane device (50) and the porous transport layer (60) are stacked one on top of the other, wherein the frame device (30) at least partially surrounds the gas diffusion device (40), the membrane device (50) and the porous transport layer (60), wherein the frame device (30) comprises an inwardly projecting terrace-like projection (32). The porous transport layer (60) comprises a sealing device (62) for fluid-tight sealing with respect to the terrace-like projection (32).

Description

[0001] R. 414899

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Description

[0004] title

[0005] Electrochemical and

[0006] The present invention relates to an electrochemical energy conversion system, in particular an electrolyzer and / or a fuel cell system, especially preferably for a motor vehicle. The present invention further relates to a motor vehicle with an electrochemical energy conversion system.

[0007] State of the art

[0008] Known electrochemical energy conversion systems typically comprise a large number of cells. These cells are usually constructed in layers consisting of bipolar plates, fluid transport layers, and a membrane. The functional elements of the cells in the electrochemical energy conversion system are generally arranged in frame devices and pressed together as a stack. For the proper operation of the electrochemical energy conversion system, the cell layers are at least partially and / or precisely sealed against each other. In the prior art, a sealing film, such as a so-called "window foil," is typically inserted between two layers for this purpose. This "window foil" is a frame-like, very thin film with a cutout in the center for the circumferential sealing of the electrochemical energy conversion system.A disadvantage of known separate sealing devices is that they are usually so thin and / or structurally unstable that handling, arrangement, and assembly of the sealing device are very difficult, and ensuring the correct position of the sealing device is almost impossible to verify. R. 414899.

[0009] - 2 - known thin sealing films, such as a “window foil”, quickly wrinkle, shift unintentionally and / or tear too easily.

[0010] Disclosure of the invention

[0011] The invention claims an electrochemical energy conversion system with the features of independent claim 1. Furthermore, the invention discloses a motor vehicle with an electrochemical energy conversion system with the features of independent claim 10. Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features described in connection with the electrochemical energy conversion system according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the motor vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosure regarding the individual aspects of the invention always refers, or can refer, to each other.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, the invention discloses an electrochemical energy conversion system. The electrochemical energy conversion system comprises at least one cell with a frame, a gas diffusion device, a membrane device, and a porous transport layer, wherein the gas diffusion device, the membrane device, and the porous transport layer are stacked relative to one another, the frame at least partially enclosing the gas diffusion device, the membrane device, and the porous transport layer, and the frame having an inwardly projecting terrace projection. The electrochemical energy conversion system according to the invention is particularly advantageous because the porous transport layer includes a sealing device for a fluid-tight seal against the terrace projection.

[0013] Preferably, the membrane device is arranged between the gas diffusion device and the porous transport layer. Preferably, the membrane device comprises at least one catalyst layer, in particular R. 414899

[0014] - 3 - the membrane device has a catalyst layer on both sides. Preferably, the electrochemical energy conversion system further comprises at least one bipolar plate per cell. Preferably, the frame device is arranged between two bipolar plates.

[0015] Within the scope of the invention, the frame device is preferably understood as a structural element of the at least one cell. The frame device is preferably designed as a circumferential frame. The frame device preferably has a recess in the center for at least partially accommodating the gas diffusion device, the membrane device, and the porous transport layer. The frame device preferably has a flat extent and / or a main plane of extent. The design of the frame device is preferably such that its extent in two spatial axes is significantly greater than in the third spatial axis. To illustrate, the frame device is significantly longer and wider than it is high. The inwardly projecting terrace of the frame device is preferably understood to mean that the frame device has an offset in its extent.To describe it clearly, the frame device preferably has an inwardly projecting, terrace-like projection in cross-section relative to the rest of the frame. Within the scope of the invention, the inward extension of the terrace projection is to be understood in relation to the extension of the frame device and its recess. In cross-section, the terrace projection preferably has a lateral extension of between 30 and 60% of the total lateral extension of the frame device.

[0016] Preferably, the porous transport layer is designed by the sealing device to provide a fluid-tight seal against the terrace projection. The sealing device is preferably pressed against the terrace projection by the stack compression during assembly of the electrochemical energy conversion system, thus sealing the porous transport layer against the terrace projection. Optionally, the edge of the membrane device is arranged at least partially between the sealing device and the terrace seal to provide a seal and positional security for the R. 414899.

[0017] - 4 -

[0018] To enable a membrane device between the sealing device and the terrace projection.

[0019] During assembly, the cell is preferably pressed in the stacking direction of the sealing device and the terrace projection, in particular orthogonally to the contact plane between the sealing device and the terrace projection.

[0020] The sealing device according to the invention is particularly advantageous because it is preferably designed as a component of the porous transport layer, especially as described in the following section. The sealing device can be understood, for illustrative purposes and by way of example, as a non-porous section of the otherwise porous transport layer.

[0021] An electrochemical energy conversion system designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the sealing device according to the invention enables a particularly simple and advantageous seal between the porous transport layer and the terrace projection, thus facilitating advantageous operation of the electrochemical energy conversion system. In particular, the sealing device according to the invention enables an advantageous and / or exclusive fluid flow from the porous transport layer to the gas diffusion device and / or vice versa through the membrane device.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in an electrochemical energy conversion system, the sealing device can be designed to be integrally bonded, integrally formed, and / or monolithically integrated with the porous transport layer. Integrating the sealing device integrally, integrally, and / or monolithically with the porous transport layer is particularly advantageous because it significantly simplifies the arrangement, positioning, and / or assembly of the sealing device. Furthermore, such a design reduces the risk of damage to the sealing device, as it is no longer handled separately from the porous transport layer. The sealing device is preferably manufactured in a single production step with the porous transport layer, for example, additively manufactured, or subsequently attached to the porous transport layer, for example, by welding. R. 414899

[0023] - 5 -

[0024] An electrochemical energy conversion system designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the design of the sealing device makes it particularly easy to seal the porous transport layer against the terrace projection, thus enabling advantageous operation of the electrochemical energy conversion system.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in an electrochemical energy conversion system, the sealing device may have an inwardly projecting extension relative to the terrace projection. The sealing device seals the porous transport layer against and at least partially along the terrace projection. As described above, the membrane device is preferably arranged at least partially between the sealing device and the terrace projection. Preferably, the sealing device has an inward projection beyond the terrace projection to facilitate advantageous fluid flow in the electrochemical energy conversion system. The projection of the sealing device advantageously enables at least partial sealing above the edge region of the gas diffusion device.The cross-sectional overhang preferably corresponds to less than 10%, particularly less than 5% or less than 2%, of the extent of the sealing device. An electrochemical energy conversion system designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the design of the sealing device makes it especially easy to achieve a favorable seal between the porous transport layer and the terrace projection, thus enabling advantageous operation of the electrochemical energy conversion system.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an electrochemical energy conversion system may be provided with a frame assembly that has a common receiving volume for at least partially receiving the gas diffusion device, the membrane device, and the porous transport layer, in particular wherein the frame assembly has an L-shaped cross-section due to the inwardly projecting terrace projection. The frame assembly preferably has the common receiving volume R. 414899

[0027] - 6 - within the frame device. To illustrate and exemplify this, the frame is designed with an upper receiving volume within the frame device and on the terrace projection for receiving the porous transport layer and preferably also the membrane device. Furthermore, the frame preferably designs a lower receiving volume within the terrace projection for receiving the gas diffusion device. The upper receiving volume and the lower receiving volume are preferably designed and understood as a single receiving volume. The frame device is thus preferably designed with an L-shaped cross-section due to the inwardly projecting terrace projection, wherein the porous transport layer and preferably also the membrane device are arranged on the lower leg of the L, and the gas diffusion device is arranged next to the lower leg of the L.The frame device is preferably designed in cross-section such that two opposite sides of the frame device are mirror-symmetrical or substantially mirror-symmetrical. The phrase "or substantially X" is to be understood within the scope of the invention as a possible, minor deviation, for example due to manufacturing tolerances, material and / or process properties, without altering the underlying, intended function of the feature. An electrochemical energy conversion system designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the design of the frame device facilitates a particularly simple and effective seal of the porous transport layer against the terrace projection, thus enabling advantageous operation of the electrochemical energy conversion system.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an electrochemical energy conversion system may include a counter-sealing device in the terrace projection for a fluid-tight seal against the sealing device of the porous transport layer. The counter-sealing device of the terrace projection is preferably understood as a counter-device to the sealing device for a fluid-tight seal of the porous transport layer against the terrace projection. The counter-sealing device is preferably configured on and / or in the terrace projection. Preferably, the counter-sealing device is arranged at least partially recessed in the terrace projection. The counter-sealing device is R. 414899

[0029] - 7 - preferably understood as an advantageous structural layer of the terrace projection for improved compression and / or sealing of the electrochemical energy conversion system, in particular the porous transport layer against the terrace projection. The counter-sealing device preferably contacts the sealing device directly at least section by section and / or indirectly at least section by section via the membrane device arranged between them. The counter-sealing device preferably facilitates the assembly and / or securing of the membrane device, the sealing device, and / or the porous transport layer. An electrochemical energy conversion system designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the design of the counter-sealing device makes it particularly easy to achieve an advantageous seal between the porous transport layer and the terrace projection, thus enabling advantageous operation of the electrochemical energy conversion system.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an electrochemical energy conversion system may be configured such that the porous transport layer, and in particular the membrane device, are arranged at least partially on the terrace projection and / or that the gas diffusion device is arranged adjacent to the terrace projection. To illustrate, the porous transport layer with the sealing device lies at least partially on the projection-like section of the frame that forms the terrace projection. During assembly, the cell is preferably compressed in the stacking direction, i.e., preferably orthogonally to the contact plane between the sealing device and the terrace projection. An electrochemical energy conversion system configured in this way enables an advantageous fluid-tight seal against the terrace projection by the sealing device.Preferably, the gas diffusion device is arranged next to the terrace projection and / or within the recess of the frame device at the level of the terrace projection. An electrochemical energy conversion system designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the arrangement, in relation to the terrace projection, facilitates a particularly simple and effective seal between the porous transport layer and the terrace projection (R. 414899).

[0031] - 8 - enables, so that advantageous operation of the electrochemical energy conversion system is made possible.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an electrochemical energy conversion system may be provided with a sealing device that is configured circumferentially, as a sealing strip and / or as a sealing frame on the porous transport layer. The porous transport layer is preferably inserted into the frame device and / or pressed into place during the assembly of the electrochemical energy conversion system. A circumferential sealing device enables advantageous sealing of the porous transport layer against the terrace projection. The membrane device is preferably arranged in a central operating area of ​​the electrochemical energy conversion system, which can be advantageously sealed by the circumferential sealing device configured as a sealing strip and / or as a sealing frame.This design of the sealing device is preferably understood as an arrangement of the sealing device in an edge region of the porous transport layer and / or along the terrace projection. An electrochemical energy conversion system designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the design of the sealing device enables a particularly simple and effective sealing of the porous transport layer against the terrace projection, thus facilitating advantageous operation of the electrochemical energy conversion system.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an electrochemical energy conversion system may be provided in which the porous transport layer is manufactured layer by layer using additive manufacturing and / or the sealing device is manufactured as a fluid-tight layer of the porous transport layer. The porous transport layer is preferably multilayered, in particular three-layered. The porous transport layer is, for example, composed of two porous mesh layers or sponge-like network layers and a sintered metal layer to enable advantageous fluid flow in the electrochemical energy conversion system, in particular in the porous transport layer. Preferably, the porous transport layer and / or the sealing device are manufactured using additive manufacturing, in particular in a single manufacturing process and / or manufacturing step. R. 414899

[0034] - 9 - The joint manufacture and / or design of the porous transport layer and the sealing device enables advantageous handling of the sealing device, as it no longer needs to be inserted and positioned separately in the electrochemical energy conversion system. An electrochemical energy conversion system designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the design of the porous transport layer and / or the sealing device makes it particularly easy to achieve an advantageous seal between the porous transport layer and the terrace projection, thus enabling advantageous operation of the electrochemical energy conversion system.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an electrochemical energy conversion system may be provided in which the sealing device is at least partially made of titanium, in particular sintered titanium. Making at least part of the sealing device and / or the porous transport layer of titanium, in particular sintered titanium, represents an advantageous embodiment of the electrochemical energy conversion system. For example, the sealing device and a previously described layer of the porous transport layer are preferably made of titanium, in particular sintered titanium.At least a partial design of the sealing device and / or the porous transport layer made of titanium, in particular sintered titanium, advantageously enables efficient operation of the electrochemical energy conversion system, a particularly lightweight design and / or a low installation space requirement for the sealing device and / or the porous transport layer.

[0036] According to a second aspect of the invention, the invention discloses a motor vehicle with an electrochemical energy conversion system according to the first aspect. The described motor vehicle offers all the advantages already described for the electrochemical energy conversion system according to the first aspect of the invention. Within the motor vehicle, the electrochemical energy conversion system is preferably described as R. 414899.

[0037] - 10 -

[0038] Fuel cell system, especially designed for powering motor vehicles.

[0039] An electrochemical energy conversion system according to the invention and a motor vehicle are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The drawings schematically show:

[0040] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an electrochemical energy conversion system.

[0041] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of another electrochemical energy conversion system, and

[0042] Figure 3 shows a side view of a motor vehicle with an electrochemical energy conversion system.

[0043] Elements with the same function and mode of operation are each provided with the same reference numerals in Figs. 1 to 3.

[0044] Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an electrochemical energy conversion system 10. The electrochemical energy conversion system 10 comprises a plurality of cells 20, of which only one is shown. Each cell 20 has a frame 30, a gas diffusion device 40, a membrane device 50, and a porous transport layer 60. The gas diffusion device 40, the membrane device 50, and the porous transport layer 60 are stacked relative to one another. The frame 30 encloses the gas diffusion device 40, the membrane device 50, and the porous transport layer 60. The frame 30 has an inwardly projecting terrace 32. The porous transport layer 60 includes a sealing device 62 for a fluid-tight seal against the terrace projection 32. The sealing device 62 is integrally and monolithically bonded to the porous transport layer 60.

[0045] The sealing device 62 has an inwardly projecting extension in relation to the terrace projection 32. The frame device 30 has an R. 414899

[0046] - 11 - common receiving volume 36 for receiving the gas diffusion device 40, the membrane device 50 and the porous transport layer 60. The frame device 30 has an L-shaped cross-section due to the inwardly projecting terrace projection 32. The porous transport layer 60 and the membrane device 50 are arranged section by section on the terrace projection 32 and the gas diffusion device 40 is arranged next to the terrace projection 32.

[0047] Figure 2 schematically shows another electrochemical energy conversion system 10 in a perspective view. The electrochemical energy conversion system 10 comprises a cell 20. The cell 20 has a frame 30, a gas diffusion device 40, a membrane device 50, and a porous transport layer 60. The gas diffusion device 40, the membrane device 50, and the porous transport layer 60 are stacked relative to each other. The frame 30 encloses the gas diffusion device 40, the membrane device 50, and the porous transport layer 60. The frame 30 has an inwardly projecting terrace 32. The porous transport layer 60 comprises a sealing device 62 for a fluid-tight seal against the terrace projection 32. The terrace projection 32 comprises a counter-sealing device 34 for a fluid-tight seal against the sealing device 62 of the porous transport layer 60.The sealing device 62 is designed as a circumferential sealing frame on the porous transport layer 60. The porous transport layer 60 is manufactured layer by layer, together with the sealing device 62, using additive manufacturing. The sealing device 62 is made of sintered titanium.

[0048] Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of a motor vehicle 100 with an electrochemical energy conversion system 10.

Claims

R. 414899 - 12 - Claims 1. Electrochemical energy conversion system (10), comprising at least one cell (20) with a frame device (30), a gas diffusion device (40), a membrane device (50) and a porous transport layer (60), wherein the gas diffusion device (40), the membrane device (50) and the porous transport layer (60) are arranged stacked relative to each other, wherein the frame device (30) at least partially encloses the gas diffusion device (40), the membrane device (50) and the porous transport layer (60), wherein the frame device (30) has an inwardly projecting terrace projection (32), characterized in that the porous transport layer (60) comprises a sealing device (62) for a fluid-tight seal against the terrace projection (32).

2. Electrochemical energy conversion system (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing device (62) is formed in a material-bonded, one-piece and / or monolithic manner with the porous transport layer (60).

3. Electrochemical energy conversion system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing device (62) has an inwardly projecting extension in relation to the terrace projection (32).

4. Electrochemical energy conversion system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame device (30) has a common receiving volume (36) for receiving at least the partial components. R. 414899 - 13 - gas diffusion device (40), membrane device (50) and porous transport layer (60), in particular wherein the frame device (30) has an L-shaped cross-section by means of the inwardly projecting terrace projection (32).

5. Electrochemical energy conversion system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the terrace projection (32) comprises a counter-sealing device (34) for fluid-tight sealing against the sealing device (62) of the porous transport layer (60).

6. Electrochemical energy conversion system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the porous transport layer (60) and in particular the membrane device (50) are arranged at least sectionally on the terrace projection (32) and / or that the gas diffusion device (40) is arranged next to the terrace projection (32).

7. Electrochemical energy conversion system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing device (62) is designed circumferentially as a sealing strip and / or as a sealing frame on the porous transport layer (60).

8. Electrochemical energy conversion system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the porous transport layer (60) is produced layer by layer by means of additive manufacturing and / or the sealing device (62) is produced as a fluid-tight layer of the porous transport layer (60). R. 414899 - 14 - 9. Electrochemical energy conversion system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing device (62) is at least partially made of titanium, in particular of sintered titanium.

10. Motor vehicle (100) with an electrochemical Energy conversion system (10) according to any of the preceding claims.

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