Asymmetric Gas Flow Plate for Fuel Cell Stack
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell stacks, the existing gas flow passage formation plates fail to sufficiently diffuse gas due to the design of openings at opposite sides of projections, leading to inefficient power generation.
Innovation Solution
A gas flow passage formation plate with projections arranged in both directions, featuring a single opening in each projection's side wall connecting the inside and outside, which enhances gas diffusion by creating a pressure difference that directs gas flow toward the membrane electrode assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If two openings are located at opposite sides of the tip of each projection, then water can be discharged efficiently from the water flow passage, but gas diffusion toward the membrane electrode assembly is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the symmetric arrangement of two openings at opposite sides of the projection tip to an asymmetric arrangement with a single opening at one side of the projection tip. This asymmetric design prevents gas from taking a direct path through the projection interior while maintaining water discharge capability, thereby improving gas diffusion efficiency without sacrificing water removal performance
2Device complexity
If gas flows through the inside of the projection via openings, then the structure is simple, but gas does not flow toward the tip of the projection and diffusion is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the single opening at only one side of the projection tip rather than symmetrically at both sides, the patent creates an asymmetric flow path that directs gas toward the projection tip and membrane electrode assembly. This maintains structural simplicity while enabling effective gas diffusion for improved power generation efficiency
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
This design improves the power generation efficiency of fuel cell stacks by ensuring effective diffusion of oxidant gas and efficient discharge of water, balancing gas and water flow across the plate.
Implementation Method 1
The above fuel cell stack generates a pressure difference between the two sides of each projection in the gas flow passage. Thus, some of the gas in the gas flow passage flows from one side of the projection via the tip of the projection toward the other side.
Implementation Method 2
The flow pressure of the gas flowing in the water flow passage forces the water out of the water flow passage.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas flow passage formation plate includes a plurality of projections arranged in a first direction and a second direction. The projections project toward a membrane electrode assembly. The gas flow passage formation plate further includes a gas flow passage, a water flow passage, and a plurality of openings. The gas flow passage is formed by a portion of the gas flow passage formation plate at a side opposing the membrane electrode assembly including regions between two adjacent projections. The water flow passage is formed by a portion of the gas flow passage formation plate at a side opposing a partition plate including the inside of the projections. The openings are each formed in a side wall of the projection connecting inside and outside of the projection. Each opening is arranged at only one location in one projection.