Electrochemical Cell End Plate Inserts for Sealing Under Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical loads applied during compression of electrochemical cell stacks cause unfavorable mechanical stresses and deformations, compromising sealing and load distribution in fuel cells and electrolyser cells.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating sealing inserts into through-holes of insulation plates within electrochemical cell assemblies, which decouple load transfer from the insulation plate to the cell stack, allowing for improved sealing and load distribution without damaging the cell units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compression forces are applied to the electrochemical cell stack, then sealing is improved, but mechanical stresses and deformations increase causing damage to cell units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sealing inserts as intermediary components that are received in through-holes of the insulation plate. These sealing inserts act as mediators between the compression force and the cell stack, allowing compression forces to be applied for sealing purposes while preventing direct transmission of damaging mechanical stresses to the electrochemically active layers of the cell units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the load transfer path by introducing separate sealing inserts that are distinct from the insulation plate structure. This segmentation allows the compression force to be channeled specifically through the sealing inserts to achieve sealing, while the insulation plate maintains its insulating function without bearing the full compression load, thereby protecting the cell stack.
2Reliability
If compression forces are applied to ensure fluid-tight sealing, then sealing performance improves, but load distribution becomes unfavorable causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing inserts serve as intermediary elements that concentrate and direct compression forces precisely where needed for sealing at the through-holes, while preventing the spread of these forces across the entire cell stack structure. This localized force application achieves fluid-tight sealing without causing unfavorable load distribution or deformation of the cell units.
3Reliability
If gaskets are used to seal through-holes, then sealing is achieved, but additional compression load is transferred to the insulation plate
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing inserts replace or supplement the traditional gasket arrangement and serve as dedicated intermediary components for sealing the through-holes. By receiving the sealing inserts in the through-holes of the insulation plate, the compression load is directed specifically to the sealing inserts rather than being distributed to the insulation plate structure, thereby achieving sealing without overloading the insulation plate.
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
Enhances fluid-tight sealing and reduces mechanical stress on cell units by directly transferring compression forces to the sealing inserts, ensuring reliable fluid distribution and preventing deformation of electrochemically active layers.
Implementation Method 1
compression forces introduced into the sealing inserts by the end plates are transferred directly to the stack of cell repeat units
Implementation Method 2
The sealing insert defines a fluid pathway along the stacking direction, preferably for supplying fuel to the stack of cell repeat units
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrochemical cell assembly including a first end plate assembly, a stack of cell repeat units, and a second end plate assembly. The stack is held in a compressed state between the first end plate assembly and the second end plate assembly. The first end plate assembly and/or the second end plate assembly each include an end plate. The electrochemical cell assembly includes an insulation plate located between the end plate and the stack. At least one through-hole is provided in the insulation plate and a sealing insert is provided in the at least one through-hole of the insulation plate, the sealing insert defining a fluid pathway along the stacking direction. The invention also relates to an end plate assembly and a method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell assembly.