Anode Bipolar Plate Thermal Layer for Fuel Cell Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cells face challenges in efficiently dissipating heat generated during operation, particularly due to the limitations of heat dissipation openings on the cathode bipolar plate, which can lead to localized overheating and reduced heat transfer efficiency when multiple cells are stacked.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a thermally conductive layer with a metal layer on the anode bipolar plate, featuring a first cover layer and second cover layers that protrude to cover the metal layer's surfaces, ensuring efficient heat transfer along horizontal directions and maintaining contact with the metal layer, even when stacked, thereby preventing overheating and enhancing heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat dissipation openings are formed on the cathode bipolar plate, then heat can be dissipated from the fuel cell, but localized overheating occurs and heat transfer efficiency decreases when multiple cells are stacked
Solution Approach 1:
The anode bipolar plate is divided into multiple heat dissipation regions with distributed heat dissipation openings, and a thermally conductive layer is segmented into first and second cover layers with protruding second cover layers. This segmentation distributes heat dissipation across multiple zones, preventing localized overheating while maintaining overall heat dissipation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermally conductive layer extends in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, with the second cover layers protruding from the first cover layer. This dimensional extension creates additional heat transfer pathways in the horizontal plane, enabling efficient heat dissipation even when multiple cells are stacked vertically.
2Temperature
If a thermally conductive layer is added to the anode bipolar plate, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermally conductive layer is integrated with the anode bipolar plate structure, merging the heat dissipation function with the existing bipolar plate. The first and second cover layers are combined into a unified thermally conductive component that works协同 with the metal layer, reducing the need for separate heat dissipation devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The anode bipolar plate is constructed as a composite structure combining a metal layer with a thermally conductive layer. This composite design leverages the high thermal conductivity of both materials to achieve superior heat transfer efficiency while maintaining structural integrity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively transfers heat across the battery cell, preventing localized overheating and ensuring efficient heat transfer between thermally conductive and metal layers, maintaining the lightweight nature of the battery cell while ensuring reliable heat dissipation in stacked configurations.
Implementation Method 1
the thermally conductive layer includes a first cover layer and two second cover layers. The first cover layer covers the top surface of the metal layer. The two second cover layers protrude from two opposite sides of the first cover layer, respectively. The two second cover layers at least partially cover the first side surface and the second side surface of the metal layer, respectively.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery cell including a membrane electrode assembly, a cathode bipolar plate and an anode bipolar plate. The anode bipolar plate includes a metal layer and a thermally conductive layer. The metal layer is stacked on a side of the membrane electrode assembly that is located farthest away from the cathode bipolar plate. The metal layer has a bottom surface, a top surface, a first side surface and a second side surface. The bottom surface faces the membrane electrode assembly. The thermally conductive layer includes a first cover layer and two second cover layers. The first cover layer covers the top surface of the metal layer. The two second cover layers protrude from two opposite sides of the first cover layer, respectively. The two second cover layers at least partially cover the first side surface and the second side surface of the metal layer, respectively.