Electrochemical Cell Stack Sealing with Offset Gasket Irregularities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Identical sealing elements with manufacturing irregularities can interact to cause leaks in electrochemical cell stacks due to uneven compression, leading to electrical short circuits and inadequate sealing under varying conditions.
Innovation Solution
Utilize different manufactured types of sealing elements with spatially offset irregularities to compensate for manufacturing-related variations, minimizing leak formation by distributing pressure evenly across the stack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If identical sealing elements are used in all electrochemical cells, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates due to aggregation of production-related irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different manufactured types of sealing elements at different positions within the electrochemical cell stack. Specifically, at least one sealing element is selected from a first manufactured type and at least one other sealing element is selected from a second manufactured type, where the two manufactured types differ in their production-related irregularities. This local variation ensures that irregularities in one sealing element do not aggregate with identical irregularities in adjacent sealing elements, thereby maintaining sealing reliability while allowing for manufacturing variations.
2Reliability
If compression force is increased to improve sealing effect, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but electrical short circuits occur due to contact between membrane electrode arrangement and electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the manufactured type of sealing elements used in different positions within the stack. Instead of uniformly increasing compression force across all cells (which would cause short circuits), the invention changes the parameter of sealing element manufacturing type to account for position-dependent compression characteristics. This allows each sealing element to be optimized for its specific location, achieving effective sealing without excessive compression that would deform the membrane electrode arrangement and cause electrical short circuits.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If compression force is decreased to avoid membrane deformation, then electrical short circuits are prevented, but sealing effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting different manufactured types of sealing elements for different positions in the stack. This allows the compression force to be locally optimized: sealing elements in positions requiring higher compression can use types designed for that purpose, while sealing elements in sensitive positions use types that achieve adequate sealing with lower compression, thereby preventing membrane deformation and electrical short circuits while maintaining overall sealing effectiveness.
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 sealing effectiveness and tightness of electrochemical cell stacks by preventing aggregation of irregularities, ensuring consistent sealing performance under temperature, pressure, and humidity variations.
Implementation Method 1
sealing elements that bring about a sealing effect by way of a contact pressure
Implementation Method 2
Fuel cells convert chemical reaction partners, specifically fuels and oxidants, into reaction products within the scope of electrode reactions, with electrical energy being provided
Implementation Method 3
The catalyst-coated membrane itself usually has an electrolyte membrane arranged between a pair of catalyst layers
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrochemical system unit comprising a plurality of electrochemical cells that are arranged in layers side by side, each cell comprising an anode plate, a cathode plate and a sealing element, wherein the sealing element is designed to seal a space between the anode and cathode plate. Said system also comprises at least two electrochemical cells of the electrochemical system unit having different manufacturing types of the sealing elements.