Elastomeric Fluid Conduit for Electrochemical Cell Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrochemical cells face challenges with dimensional tolerance issues, leakage, and increased complexity due to the use of separate components and sealants, which affect sealing, support, and electrical conductivity, especially when operating under varying temperatures and forces.
Innovation Solution
A fluid conduit system for electrochemical cells comprising a support, flow plate, and separator made of metallic materials with a uniform electrically conductive joining compound, designed to provide elastic deformation, sealing, and electrical conductivity, reducing the number of components and enhancing assembly reliability and sealing capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealants including gaskets and adhesives are used to join components of electrochemical cells, then sealing capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to erosion and degradation over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes sealants and gaskets from the electrochemical cell assembly by providing sealing surfaces with integral sealing features that create seals through mechanical contact and compression alone, eliminating the need for separate sealing components that degrade over time
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is merged into the sealing surfaces themselves through integral sealing features, combining the structural component with the sealing function to eliminate separate sealant materials and improve long-term reliability
2Manufacturing precision
If separate components are used to compensate for dimensional tolerance, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines dimensional tolerance compensation directly into the sealing surfaces through elastomeric features that deform to accommodate gaps and misalignments, eliminating the need for separate compensating components and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses elastomeric materials with specific durometer ranges (50-90 durometer) that can elastically deform to compensate for dimensional variations, using material property changes to achieve tolerance compensation without additional components
3Reliability
If dielectric adhesives are used to join components, then sealing is improved, but electrical conductivity deteriorates requiring additional conductive components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes dielectric adhesives from the assembly by providing direct electrical contact between components through conductive sealing surfaces and elastomeric features, eliminating the need for separate conductive components
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing surfaces and elastomeric features serve multiple functions simultaneously: providing sealing, accommodating dimensional variations, and maintaining electrical conductivity, thereby reducing the total number of components needed
4Ease of manufacture
If sealants are selectively applied only to sealing areas, then ease of manufacture is improved, but harmful factors increase due to gap formation in active areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes sealants entirely from the active areas by providing integral sealing features on sealing surfaces that extend only to peripheral sealing areas, preventing gap formation in active areas where electrochemical reactions occur
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cell structure into distinct sealing surfaces with integral sealing features located at peripheral sealing areas, separating the sealing function from the active electrochemical areas to prevent harmful gap formation
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
The system effectively compensates for dimensional variations, improves sealing and electrical contact, and simplifies assembly by integrating support and sealing functions within a fewer number of components, enhancing the performance and reliability of electrochemical cells.
Implementation Method 1
The support is comprised of an elastically deformable material in the form of a mesh
Implementation Method 2
The support, the flow plate, and the separator are in electrically conductive communication with one another
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid conduit for use in an electrochemical cell, the fluid conduit comprising a support comprising an elastically deformable material and having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough defining a mesh through which fluid communication can be maintained and a peripheral sealing area; a flow plate positioned adjacent the support, the flow plate including an inlet and an outlet; and a separator positioned adjacent the support. The support, flow plate, and separator are sealingly engaged with one another and cooperate to define a plurality of flow paths in fluid communication with and extending axially between the inlet and the outlet. The support, flow plate, and separator can be comprised of a metallic material coated with an electrically conductive joining compound for providing sealing engagement and electrically conductive communication therebetween.