Electrochemical Cell Peripheral Sealing with an Intermediate Leak-Tight Sheet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Proton exchange membrane electrochemical cells face challenges in peripheral sealing, particularly with manufacturing tolerances for seal thickness, leading to potential leaks and material compatibility issues with existing single-seal and dual-seal configurations.
Innovation Solution
A proton exchange membrane electrochemical cell design featuring a single seal along the thickness axis, with an intermediate leak-tight sheet between the membrane electrode assembly and the seal, providing a leak-tight junction that is not superimposed on the seal-rib junction, and is made of a material compatible with the membrane and seal, reducing leakage risks and mechanical stress transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two seals are used in a dual-seal configuration, then peripheral sealing is provided, but manufacturing tolerances for seal thickness become stricter and localization of leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is divided between the seal (providing peripheral sealing against the bipolar plate) and the intermediate leak-tight sheet (providing sealing against the membrane electrode assembly). This segmentation allows each component to have optimized thickness tolerances independent of the other, resolving the contradiction between reliable sealing and manufacturing precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If a single seal is used, then manufacturing tolerances for seal thickness are reduced, but localized contact defects lead to leakage along the Z axis
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate leak-tight sheet acts as an intermediary sealing component between the single seal and the membrane electrode assembly. It provides an additional sealing barrier that prevents leakage along the Z axis through contact defects, while allowing the seal thickness to be manufactured with more relaxed tolerances.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single seal is made of a material compatible with the membrane, then chemical compatibility is achieved, but material selection becomes more restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented between two components with different material requirements: the seal contacts the bipolar plate (allowing broader material selection), while the intermediate leak-tight sheet contacts the membrane (providing chemical compatibility). This segmentation resolves the contradiction between material compatibility and selection flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrochemical cell having: ∘a membrane electrode assembly (2); ∘two retaining plates (10); ∘a single seal (20) extending around the membrane electrode assembly (2) and disposed in contact with the two retaining plates (10); ∘at least one intermediate leaktight sheet (30) extending around the membrane electrode assembly (2), disposed between the latter and the seal (20) and joined in a leaktight manner to the membrane (4) on the one hand and to the seal (20) on the other.