Fuel Cell Clamping Member with Integrated Heating for Pressure Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The clamping surface pressure of a fuel cell stack varies irregularly with temperature changes, leading to performance issues and potential damage to the cell stack components.

Innovation Solution

A fuel cell design that includes a clamping member with a heat-generating portion and a heat-insulating portion, controlled by a controller to maintain constant clamping surface pressure through temperature regulation, using a metallic or ceramic-based material with a resistance pattern and thermal expansion management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the clamping member is made of metallic material with high thermal expansion coefficient, then the clamping surface pressure increases with temperature, but this causes irregular pressure variation and potential component damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature compensation capabilityVSAvoidclamping surface pressure stability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping member's thermal expansion parameter is actively changed by controlling its temperature through heating elements. The controller adjusts the heating power to compensate for temperature-induced pressure variations, maintaining stable clamping pressure despite external temperature changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback control system is implemented where temperature sensors detect the clamping member's temperature and pressure sensors monitor the clamping surface pressure. The controller uses this feedback to dynamically adjust heating power, creating a closed-loop system that maintains stable pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If the clamping member structure is simplified without heat control, then the device complexity is reduced, but the clamping surface pressure varies irregularly with temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping member structure complexityVSAvoidclamping pressure consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping member is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a mechanical clamping component and as a heated element for temperature control. The heating elements are integrated directly into the clamping member structure, allowing one component to perform multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping member performs self-regulation of its temperature and clamping pressure through the integrated heating system. The system automatically adjusts its own state based on temperature and pressure feedback without requiring external intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If heating elements are added to the clamping member, then temperature control capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping member temperature controlVSAvoidclamping member manufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heating elements are merged with the clamping member structure, forming an integrated component. This combination eliminates the need for separate heating devices and simplifies the overall assembly, reducing manufacturing complexity despite adding temperature control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping member uses composite construction combining metallic material with embedded heating elements and insulation layers. This composite structure achieves both mechanical strength and thermal control functionality while maintaining manufacturability through standardized assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution effectively maintains clamping surface pressure within an optimal range regardless of temperature changes, preventing excessive pressure and component damage, thus ensuring stable fuel cell performance and airtightness.

Implementation Method 1

at least one clamping member coupled to the first and second end plates to clamp the plurality of unit cells in the first direction and configured to generate heat in a response to a control signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a heat-insulating portion disposed to surround the heat-generating portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

the clamping surface pressure of the cell stack varies irregularly depending on the temperature of the cell stack during the operation thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS11316185B2Fuel cell

Publication Date: 2022.04.26 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A fuel cell may include a cell stack including a plurality of unit cells stacked in a first direction, first and second end plates disposed at corresponding first and second end portions of the cell stack, at least one clamping member coupled to the first and second end plates to clamp the plurality of unit cells in the first direction and configured to generate heat in a response to a control signal, and a controller configured to generate the control signal based on the temperature of the cell stack.