Corrugated Conductor for Electrolysis Device Thermal Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-temperature electrolyzers and fuel cells face challenges in maintaining optimal electrical contact between bipolar plates and elementary assemblies due to geometric irregularities and thermal expansion, leading to inconsistent contact pressures and reduced lifespan.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a corrugated electrical conductor surrounded by a peripheral element with a lower thermal expansion coefficient, which allows for elastic deformation and maintains electrical contact despite thermal expansion, ensuring uniform pressure distribution and reducing stress on the assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid conductive plate is used to ensure electrical contact, then electrical continuity is maintained, but geometric irregularities and thermal expansion cause inconsistent contact pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic element (elastic conductor) between the rigid bipolar plate and the elementary assembly that can deform to accommodate geometric irregularities and thermal expansion. This elastic element transforms the rigid contact system into a flexible one that maintains uniform pressure distribution while ensuring reliable electrical contact under varying thermal and geometric conditions.
2Stress or pressure
If a corrugated metal strip is used to compensate for geometric irregularities, then contact pressure uniformity is improved, but thermal expansion causes loss of electrical contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the conductor by introducing an elastic material with specific mechanical properties that allow it to maintain both pressure uniformity and electrical contact reliability. The elastic conductor's ability to deform elastically under thermal expansion while maintaining contact pressure addresses both requirements simultaneously.
3Reliability
If constant pressure is applied to ensure electrical contact, then contact reliability is improved, but stresses on the elementary assembly increase reducing its lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an elastic conductor that acts as a flexible element between the rigid bipolar plate and the elementary assembly. This flexible conductor distributes the contact pressure uniformly across the interface, ensuring reliable electrical contact while minimizing stress concentration on the elementary assembly, thereby extending its operational lifespan.
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 solution ensures reliable electrical contact at high temperatures (>500°C) and limits thermal expansion-induced deformations, maintaining contact integrity and reducing cold prestresses, thus enhancing the operational efficiency and lifespan of the electrolysis device.
Implementation Method 1
said electrical conductor being formed by a corrugated plate capable of deforming and ensuring electrical contact between said elementary assembly and said rigid conductive plate
Implementation Method 2
said peripheral element being made of a material whose coefficient of thermal expansion is lower than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the material of said electrical conductor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrolysis device comprising an elementary assembly (10) made up of a membrane element (12) surrounded on either side by an electrode (11, 13), a rigid conducting plate (30), at least one electric conductor (21, 31) inserted between said elementary assembly (10) and said rigid conducting plate (30), said electric conductor (21, 31) being made up of a corrugated plate suitable for deforming and ensuring electric contact between said elementary assembly (10) and said rigid conducting plate (30). The device (100) also comprises a peripheral element (28, 38) at least partially surrounding said electric conductor (21, 31), said peripheral element (28, 38, 48, 58) being made of a material with a lower thermal expansion coefficient than the thermal expansion coefficient of the material of said electric conductor (21, 31).