Frame device and electrochemical energy conversion system
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-06
Smart Images
Figure EP2026052073_06082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] R. 416620
[0002] - 1 -
[0003] Description
[0004] title
[0005]
[0006] The present invention relates to a frame device for at least one cell device for an electrochemical energy conversion system. Furthermore, the invention relates to an electrochemical energy conversion system comprising at least one cell device and at least one frame device.
[0007] State of the art
[0008] The production of green hydrogen from electrolysis using renewable energies is gaining importance. In current technology, electrolysis stacks are usually built from a large number of identical cells, which are typically stacked in layers. For example, a PEM system (PEM - Polymer Electrolyte Membrane) comprises a gas diffusion layer and / or a porous transport layer on both the anode and cathode sides, and an ion-conducting membrane with a catalyst coating between the gas diffusion layers.
[0009] The media spaces of the anode and cathode are sealed off from each other and the environment, usually by a cell frame. Common frame designs for cell systems typically include channels for fluid supply and / or discharge in so-called chimneys, which supply all cells of a stack. The fluid communication from the channels to the electrochemically active areas of the cells is achieved, among other things, by means of bipolar plates, which delimit two adjacent cells and enable electrical conductivity from cell to cell. Furthermore, the electrode spaces and the chimneys are usually sealed by the bipolar plate. R. 416620
[0010] - 2 -
[0011] For evaluation and / or cell monitoring, known systems usually have options for tapping the voltage at the bipolar plate.
[0012] Known bipolar plates, or monopole plates also considered within the scope of the invention, typically extend over the entire surface of the stack to enable the aforementioned functions. For example, the described voltage tap for measuring the voltage of a single cell is usually located at the edge of the cell device via a contact point on the bipolar plates. Such a design of the bipolar plates requires a high and costly amount of material, such as titanium. With previously known cell stack designs, it is difficult or impossible to place additional sensors inside the cells and / or the stack and to reliably transmit the signals to the outside.
[0013] Disclosure of the invention
[0014] The invention claims a frame device for at least one cell device for an electrochemical energy conversion system with the features of independent claim 1. Furthermore, the invention discloses 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 frame device according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the electrochemical energy conversion system 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.
[0015] According to a first aspect of the invention, the invention discloses a frame device for at least one cell device for an electrochemical energy conversion system. The frame device has a principal extension plane and a height orthogonal to the principal extension plane. The frame device comprises a first R. 416620
[0016] - 3 -
[0017] The frame assembly comprises a receiving volume within the height of the frame for receiving a first gas diffusion layer of the electrochemical energy conversion system, and a second receiving volume within the height of the frame for receiving a second gas diffusion layer of the electrochemical energy conversion system. The frame assembly is particularly advantageous because it includes at least one fluid channel, wherein the at least one fluid channel opens into the first receiving volume and / or into the second receiving volume and is integrated within the frame assembly.
[0018] Within the scope of the invention, the first and second gas diffusion layers are designed and understood as a transport layer for at least one gaseous fluid and / or as a porous transport layer for a liquid fluid.
[0019] The core of the invention is therefore the integration of at least one fluid channel of the cell device into the frame device. Integration of the at least one fluid channel is preferred within the scope of the invention and can be understood, by way of example, as manufacturing the frame device with the already integrated at least one fluid channel. By way of example, it will be described in a later section of the description that the frame device is preferably manufactured layer by layer, and the at least one fluid channel is integrated into the frame device in the process. The at least one fluid channel opens into the first receiving volume and / or into the second receiving volume. Preferably, the at least one fluid channel opens directly into the first receiving volume and / or into the second receiving volume.An opening of the at least one fluid channel in the first receiving volume and / or in the second receiving volume is preferably to be understood as a, in particular direct, fluid-communicating connection of the at least one fluid channel with the first receiving volume and / or in the second receiving volume.
[0020] According to the invention, the frame device is preferably designed to be conductive, at least in sections, in order to enable, for example, an electrical connection between two cell devices. By way of example, a frame device that is at least partially electrically conductive enables... 416620
[0021] - 4 -
[0022] The frame device provides an electrically conductive connection between two bipolar plates, particularly between adjacent cell devices. To prevent short circuits between the cell devices, the frame device is preferably not inherently electrically conductive according to the invention.
[0023] The frame is preferably designed in a plate-like form and thus has a principal plane of extension. The principal plane of extension is to be understood such that the frame has a significantly greater extent in two spatial axes than in the third spatial axis, here the defined height. The height is defined as the third spatial axis, orthogonal to the principal plane of extension.
[0024] The first and second receiving volumes are to be understood as receiving volumes within the frame structure for receiving the first and second gas diffusion layers. The receiving volumes are preferably completely enclosed by the frame structure in their main plane of extension. Along their height, the receiving volumes are preferably at least partially open to facilitate the advantageous assembly of the gas diffusion layers and the cell structures. Preferably, a membrane structure of the cell structure can be arranged between the first and second gas diffusion layers, i.e., between and / or at least partially within the first and / or second receiving volume.
[0025] The arrangement of the first gas diffusion layer and / or the second gas diffusion layer within the height of the frame assembly is to be understood such that the receiving volumes, and thus the gas diffusion layers, preferably do not project beyond or exceed the height of the frame assembly. The definition of the height of the gas diffusion layers is preferably to be understood in the installed state of the gas diffusion layers and / or the at least one cell assembly. When constructing an electrochemical energy conversion system, it is preferred that the layers are in contact with each other over a surface area and that sealing can occur simultaneously. Since the gas diffusion layers can usually be compressed somewhat, R. 416620
[0026] - 5 -
[0027] They are preferably designed in terms of dimensions, especially height, such that in the compressed state the gas diffusion layers do not protrude beyond the frame device and allow for a flat contact.
[0028] A frame device designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the at least one fluid channel integrated into the frame device makes it particularly advantageous and space-saving to supply and / or discharge fluids to the first receiving volume and / or to the second receiving volume, i.e. to the first gas diffusion layer and / or to the second gas diffusion layer, and in particular facilitates sealing of the cell device.
[0029] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a frame device may be provided with a third receiving volume within the height of the frame device for receiving a bipolar plate of the electrochemical energy conversion system, in particular wherein the second receiving volume is configured between the first receiving volume and the third receiving volume. A particularly advantageous embodiment provides that the bipolar plate of the cell device is also arranged within the height of the frame device in a third receiving volume. In contrast to known systems, the bipolar plate is thus not placed on the frame device and projecting beyond it laterally, nor does it have the same dimensions along the main plane of extension, but rather is arranged within the frame device.Thus, the bipolar plate is preferably enclosed by the frame device, at least partially, in its main plane of extension and / or arranged within the frame device. Preferably, the bipolar plate's extension can be limited to the electrochemically active area of the cell device, thereby advantageously saving material and costs. Preferably, the frame device is designed to be taller than known frame devices to accommodate the bipolar plate. R. 416620.
[0030] - 6 -
[0031] Preferably, at least one fluid channel is additionally connected to the third receiving volume via fluid communication in order to enable fluid distribution across the bipolar plate.
[0032] A particularly advantageous feature is the configuration of the receiving volumes within the frame device adjacent to one another. Preferably, the second receiving volume is positioned between the first and third receiving volumes, or the first receiving volume is positioned between the second and third receiving volumes. To illustrate this, the bipolar plate is thus preferably arranged on the outside and / or bottom, particularly within the frame device.
[0033] A frame designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the third receiving volume enables a particularly space-saving design of the cell device and, in particular, advantageous sealing of the cell device. Furthermore, a frame designed in this way allows for a material-saving and cost-efficient design of the at least one bipolar plate for the cell device.
[0034] Alternatively or in addition to the arrangement of the at least one bipolar plate within the frame device, the at least one bipolar plate is connected, glued and / or laminated to the frame device along the height above and / or below.
[0035] According to a preferred further development of the invention, in a frame device it can be provided that at least two of the three receiving volumes form a common receiving volume.
[0036] Preferably, within the scope of the invention, at least two or all three receiving volumes are configured as a single common volume. The configuration of at least two of the receiving volumes as a single common volume, within the scope of the invention, is to be understood as a transition from one receiving volume to the adjacent receiving volume that is at least partially, and in particular, fully open across its entire surface. Preferably, the receiving volumes are to be understood as material recesses within the frame device. A frame device configured in this way is particularly R. 416620.
[0037] - 7 -
[0038] This is advantageous because the frame and the design of the receiving volumes facilitate assembly of the cell device. Furthermore, the at least partially shared design of the receiving volumes advantageously enables efficient fluid communication between them, particularly through a membrane device between the gas diffusion layers of the cell device.
[0039] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a frame device may be provided that the frame device comprises at least one electrically conductive conductor device, wherein the at least one electrically conductive conductor device is integrated within the frame device. In particular, the electrically conductive conductor device comprises at least one contact device for electrically conductive contacting of the bipolar plate.
[0040] The arrangement of the at least one bipolar plate in the third receiving volume described above is particularly advantageous if the frame assembly includes at least one electrically conductive conduit to, for example, allow voltage to be tapped from the bipolar plate. The electrically conductive conduit is described by way of example as a connection from the inner bipolar plate to an outer area of the frame assembly and thus to the cell assembly. The at least one electrically conductive conduit is preferably integrated into the frame assembly analogously to the at least one fluid channel described above. This integration facilitates sealing of the frame assembly and / or cell assembly and enables a material-saving design of the bipolar plate.
[0041] Preferably, the at least one electrically conductive conductor is configured as at least one conductor track within the frame. Preferably, the frame comprises a plurality of electrically conductive conductors to enable a plurality of measuring points.
[0042] Preferably, at least one of the line devices comprises a sensor device, a detection device and / or a logic unit, which is preferably also integrated at least partially into the frame device. 416620
[0043] - 8 -
[0044] are integrated. By way of example and preferably, the frame device includes sensor devices for detecting temperature, pressure, pH value, conductivity, current and / or voltage.
[0045] Preferably, the at least one electrically conductive conductor assembly comprises a contact device for electrically conductive contacting the bipolar plate. Preferably, the contact device is designed to be flexible, at least in sections, for example in the form of a flexible spring contact, to enable flexible contacting of the bipolar plate. Flexible contacting is particularly advantageous because it ensures electrically conductive contacting even in the event of changes, expansions, temperature fluctuations, and / or deviations of the frame assembly and / or the cell assembly.
[0046] According to a preferred further development of the invention, a frame device may be provided in that the frame device comprises a base plate and / or is at least partially laminated, layer by layer and / or additively designed, in particular wherein the at least one fluid channel and / or the at least one electrically conductive conduit device are integrated within the frame device by the at least partially laminated, layer by layer and / or additive design.
[0047] The frame device comprises, for example, a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) as a base plate. The conductor tracks described above can advantageously be applied to such a base plate. The fluid channels, also described above, are formed, for example, by applying layers of material to the base plate and thus integrated into the frame device. Preferably, the frame device is formed, at least in sections, by means of a lamination process. The fluid channels are formed into the frame device by adding and / or subtracting material. Such a design of the frame device enables the advantageous production of detailed geometries as well as the integration of the features of the invention described above into the frame device. The design of the frame device with a base plate also enables R. 416620
[0048] - 9 -
[0049] cost-effective manufacturing of the frame device as well as advantageous stability.
[0050] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a frame device may be provided that the frame device comprises at least one cavity for receiving an electrical component of the cell device, in particular wherein the at least one cavity within a surface of the frame device is designed as an at least partially open cavity. Within the scope of the invention, the at least one cavity preferably serves to receive small electronic and / or electrical components, in particular SMDs (Surface Mounted Devices). The components are particularly preferably understood to be in connection with the at least one electrically conductive conduit described above.A combination of at least one cavity for an electrical component with at least one electrically conductive conduit advantageously enables the integration of, for example, detection devices, sensor devices, and / or logic units into the frame device, thus providing particularly space-saving and easy-to-connect measurement technology for a cell device. The at least one cavity is preferably designed to be at least partially open, for example, to allow heat dissipation from the at least one component. The cavity enables at least partial integration of the electrical component, in particular without requiring additional installation space and preferably without affecting the dimensions of the frame device and / or the cell device. The cavities are preferably designed to be built up and / or removed within the frame device.
[0051] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a frame device may be provided that the frame device comprises at least one sealing device, in particular wherein the at least one sealing device is configured for sealing against the first gas diffusion layer, the second gas diffusion layer, the bipolar plate and / or a further frame device of the electrochemical energy conversion system. Preferably, the frame device comprises at least one sealing groove, a sealing surface and / or a sealing channel. R. 416620
[0052] - 10 -
[0053] The at least one sealing device is incorporated. This sealing device provides an advantageous seal between the frame assembly and the first gas diffusion layer, the second gas diffusion layer, the bipolar plate, and / or another frame assembly. The sealing device is preferably connected to the frame assembly, for example by bonding or injection molding, thus enabling improved assembly of the cell assemblies.
[0054] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a frame device may be provided with at least one, and in particular one, step for the defined arrangement of the first gas diffusion layer, the second gas diffusion layer, and / or the bipolar plate. Within the scope of the invention, a step is preferably understood as a projection and / or recess of the frame device within the main plane of extension of one receiving volume relative to the other receiving volume. For example, and to illustrate this, the second receiving volume is at least partially smaller than the first receiving volume by one step and preferably offset inwards all around. The step thus created advantageously serves a defined arrangement of the gas diffusion layers and / or the at least one bipolar plate within the frame device.The at least one step is particularly advantageous in combination with an arrangement of the at least one sealing device described above on and / or in the step, so that a seal of the frame device against at least one of the gas diffusion layers and / or the at least one bipolar plate is advantageously enabled. The at least one step is preferably configured in and / or at a transition from one receiving volume to another. Preferably, the frame device with three receiving volumes comprises a double step for an advantageous seal of the at least one bipolar plate and the gas diffusion layers. Preferably, the at least one sealing device is arranged circumferentially in the step.
[0055] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a frame device may be provided that the frame device includes a bypass device, wherein the bypass device is for electrical R. 416620
[0056] - 11 -
[0057] The bypass device is designed to bridge at least one cell assembly. It is preferably integrated at least partially, and preferably completely, into the frame assembly and preferably allows for the electrical bridging of individual cells when required. The bypass device preferably includes a control interface for connecting it to a control device for controlling the bypass device.
[0058] According to a second aspect of the invention, the invention discloses an electrochemical energy conversion system comprising at least one cell device with a frame device according to the first aspect.
[0059] Preferably, the electrochemical energy conversion system comprises at least a first gas diffusion layer and a second gas diffusion layer.
[0060] Furthermore, the electrochemical energy conversion system preferably comprises at least one membrane device located between the at least one first gas diffusion layer and the at least one second gas diffusion layer. The electrochemical energy conversion system also preferably comprises a bipolar plate.
[0061] The described electrochemical energy conversion system offers all the advantages already described for the frame device according to the first aspect of the invention.
[0062] A frame device according to the invention and an electrochemical energy conversion system are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The drawings schematically show:
[0063] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an electrochemical energy conversion system with a cell device and a frame device.
[0064] Figure 2 shows a perspective detail view of a frame device, and
[0065] Figure 3 shows a further frame device in a perspective detail view. R. 416620
[0066] - 12 -
[0067] Elements with the same function and mode of operation are each provided with the same reference numerals in Figs. 1 to 3.
[0068] Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an electrochemical energy conversion system 100 with a cell device 110 and a frame device 10. The frame device 10 has a principal extension plane XZ and a height Y orthogonal to the principal extension plane XZ. The frame device 10 comprises a first receiving volume 20 within the height Y of the frame device 10 for receiving a first gas diffusion layer 22 of the electrochemical energy conversion system 100, and a second receiving volume 30 within the height Y of the frame device 10 for receiving a second gas diffusion layer 32 of the electrochemical energy conversion system 100. The frame device 10 includes two fluid channels 50, one of which opens into the first receiving volume 20 and the other into the second receiving volume 30, and the two fluid channels 50 being integrated within the frame device 10.The frame 10 further comprises a third receiving volume 40 within the height Y of the frame 10 for receiving a bipolar plate 42 of the electrochemical energy conversion system 100. The second receiving volume 30 is configured between the first receiving volume 20 and the third receiving volume 40. The three receiving volumes 20, 30, 40 are configured as a single common receiving volume. The frame 10 comprises an electrically conductive conduit 60, the electrically conductive conduit 60 being integrated within the frame 10. The frame 10 has a step 18 for the defined arrangement of the second gas diffusion layer 32. Not shown in Figure 1 is a membrane device arranged between the two gas diffusion layers 22 and 32.
[0069] Figure 2 schematically shows a perspective detail view of a frame device 10. The frame device 10 comprises a first receiving volume 20 within the height Y of the frame device 10 for receiving a first gas diffusion layer 22 of the electrochemical energy conversion system 100, and a second receiving volume 30R. 416620
[0070] - 13 -
[0071] within the height Y of the frame device 10 for receiving a second gas diffusion layer 32 of the electrochemical energy conversion system 100.The frame device 10 comprises a fluid channel 50, wherein the fluid channel 50 opens into the first receiving volume 20. The frame device 10 comprises an electrically conductive conduit device 60, wherein the electrically conductive conduit device 60 is integrated within the frame device 10. The frame device 10 comprises a cavity 14 for receiving an electrical component 112 of the cell device 110, wherein the cavity 14 is configured as a partially open cavity 14 within a surface of the frame device 10. The frame device 10 comprises at least three sealing devices 80, wherein the three sealing devices 80 are configured for sealing against the second gas diffusion layer 32, the bipolar plate 42 and a further, here lower, frame device 10 of the electrochemical energy conversion system 100.In the latter case, the connections of the chimneys between two adjacent frame devices 10 are preferably also sealed. Each frame device 10 has a step 18 for the defined arrangement of the second gas diffusion layer 32 and the bipolar plate 42.
[0072] Figure 3 schematically shows a further frame device 10 in a perspective detail view. The frame device 10 comprises a first receiving volume 20 within the height Y of the frame device 10 for receiving a first gas diffusion layer 22 of the electrochemical energy conversion system 100, and a second receiving volume 30 within the height Y of the frame device 10 for receiving a second gas diffusion layer 32 of the electrochemical energy conversion system 100. The frame device 10 includes a fluid channel 50, the fluid channel 50 opening into the first receiving volume 20. The frame device 10 includes an electrically conductive conduit 60, the electrically conductive conduit 60 being integrated within the frame device 10. The electrically conductive conduit 60 includes a contact device 16 for flexible electrically conductive contacting of the bipolar plate 42.The frame device 10 comprises a base plate 70 and is designed in layers and laminated, wherein the at least one fluid channel 50 and the electrically conductive conduit device 60 are formed by the laminated and layered R. 416620.
[0073] - 14 -
[0074] The design is integrated within the frame device 10. The frame device 10 comprises a bypass device 90, wherein the bypass device 90 is designed to electrically bypass the cell device 110.
Claims
R. 416620 - 15 - Claims 1. Frame device (10) for at least one cell device (110) for an electrochemical energy conversion system (100), the frame device (10) having a principal extension plane (XZ) and a height (Y) orthogonal to the principal extension plane (XZ), the frame device (10) comprising a first receiving volume (20) within the height (Y) of the frame device (10) for receiving a first gas diffusion layer (22) of the electrochemical energy conversion system (100) and a second receiving volume (30) within the height (Y) of the frame device (10) for receiving a second gas diffusion layer (32) of the electrochemical energy conversion system (100), characterized by that the frame device (10) comprises at least one fluid channel (50), wherein the at least one fluid channel (50) opens into the first receiving volume (20) and / or into the second receiving volume (30) and is integrated within the frame device (10).
2. Frame device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the frame device (10) comprises a third receiving volume (40) within the height (Y) of the frame device (10) for receiving a bipolar plate (42) of the electrochemical energy conversion system (100), in particular wherein the second receiving volume (30) is configured between the first receiving volume (20) and the third receiving volume (40).
3. Frame device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that at least two of the three recording volumes (20, 30, 40) form a common recording volume. R. 416620 - 16 - 4. Frame device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the frame device (10) comprises at least one electrically conductive conductor device (60), wherein the at least one electrically conductive conductor device (60) is integrated within the frame device (10), in particular wherein the electrically conductive conducting device (60) comprises at least one contact device (16) for electrically conductive contacting of the bipolar plate (42) 5. Frame device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, that the frame device (10) comprises a base plate (70) and / or is at least partially laminated, layer by layer and / or additively designed, in particular wherein the at least one fluid channel (50) and / or the at least one electrically conductive conduit device (60) are integrated within the frame device (10) by the at least partially laminated, layer by layer and / or additive design.
6. Frame device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the frame device (10) comprises at least one cavity (14) for receiving an electrical component (112) of the cell device (110), in particular wherein the at least one cavity (14) within a surface of the frame device (10) is designed as an at least partially open cavity (14).
7. Frame device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the frame device (10) comprises at least one sealing device (80), in particular wherein the at least one sealing device (80) is for sealing against the first gas diffusion layer (22), the second gas diffusion layer (32), the bipolar plate (42) and / or a further R. 416620 - 17 - frame device (10) of the electrochemical energy conversion system (100) is designed.
8. Frame device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the frame device (10) has at least one, in particular one, step (18) for the defined arrangement of the first gas diffusion layer (22), the second gas diffusion layer (32) and / or the bipolar plate (42).
9. Frame device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, that the frame device (10) comprises a bypass device (90), wherein the bypass device (90) is designed to electrically bypass the at least one cell device (110).
10. Electrochemical energy conversion system (100) comprising at least one cell device (110) with a frame device (10) according to one of the preceding claims.