Fuel Cell Bipolar Plate with Variable-Height Structural Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bipolar plates in fuel cell stacks face challenges with non-uniform compressive stress and contact pressure, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies in reactant and coolant flow, which are exacerbated by the use of compression springs that can cause uneven stack densification and plate breakage.
Innovation Solution
The bipolar plate design incorporates structural elements of varying heights between the anode and cathode plates to form a coolant flow field, acting as embedded springs to optimize compression and structural robustness, eliminating the need for compression springs and allowing for reduced stack height, improved contact pressure control, and minimized deflection of end plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If compression springs are used to provide compression in the fuel cell stack, then the bipolar plates can be pressed together to ensure contact, but non-uniform compressive stress and contact pressure occur leading to potential plate breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the height of structural elements at different locations within the bipolar plate. Specifically, the structural elements have different heights in different regions to compensate for non-uniform compressive stress distribution, ensuring more uniform contact pressure across the plate surfaces without requiring external compression springs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter (height) of the structural elements to optimize compression uniformity. By adjusting the height parameter of structural elements in different regions, the design achieves more uniform stress distribution and eliminates the need for compression springs that cause non-uniform loading.
2Force
If compression springs are used to maintain contact between bipolar plates, then compression is provided, but the stack height increases and weight is added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the compression function into the bipolar plate structure itself by incorporating structural elements directly into the plates. This eliminates the need for separate compression springs, thereby reducing stack height and overall weight while maintaining the necessary compression force through the integrated structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the compression function from external components (compression springs) and integrates it into the bipolar plate structure. By removing the separate compression spring components, the design achieves reduced stack height and weight while maintaining compression through the integrated structural elements.
3Reliability
If structural elements of varying heights are used to compensate for non-uniform stress, then compression uniformity improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by varying the height dimension of structural elements in different regions. This allows compensation for non-uniform stress distribution while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured using conventional techniques, balancing manufacturing ease with compression uniformity.
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 enhances compression uniformity, reduces the risk of plate damage, saves weight by eliminating compression springs, and enables cost-effective mass production while maintaining efficient coolant flow and reactant distribution.
Implementation Method 1
structural elements which contact the coolant sides of the anode plate and the cathode plate are arranged between the anode plate and the cathode plate to form a coolant flow field
Implementation Method 2
structural elements are arranged between the anode plate and the cathode plate in order to form a coolant flow field
Implementation Method 3
a first structuring for forming an anode flow field is formed on the anode side
Implementation Method 4
a second structuring for forming a cathode flow field is formed on the cathode side
Data Source
AI summary
In order to provide a bipolar plate for a fuel cell, providing an anode plate with an anode side and a coolant side, wherein a first structuring for forming an anode flow field is formed on the anode side, and a cathode plate with a cathode side and a coolant side, wherein a second structuring for forming a cathode flow field is formed on the cathode side; wherein structural elements, which are contacted by the coolant sides of the anode plate and the cathode plate, for forming a coolant flow field, are arranged between the anode plate and the cathode plate, which bipolar plate has an optimized pressure distribution in a fuel cell stack and increased stability in comparison with the prior art, it is proposed that the structural elements may be made of an elastic material and that the structural elements have a different height in different regions of the coolant flow field. A fuel cell stack and a vehicle are also disclosed.