Fuel Cell Current Collector Composite Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cell current collectors face challenges in balancing high electrical conductivity with corrosion resistance, leading to thermal lag and increased weight, and struggle to maintain uniform heat profiles across fuel cell stacks.
Innovation Solution
A current collector component comprising two electrically conductive plates, where one plate provides high conductivity and the other high corrosion resistance, integrated with a heater plate and thermal barrier to ensure uniform temperature and reduced weight, while maintaining environmental protection and minimizing parasitic losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thick current collector plate is used to provide sufficient corrosion resistance, then the corrosion resistance is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure where a thin stainless steel plate (for corrosion resistance) is bonded to a lightweight copper or aluminum plate (for conductivity). This composite approach achieves sufficient corrosion resistance without requiring a thick plate, thereby reducing overall weight compared to a solid stainless steel plate of equivalent thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The current collector is segmented into a thin corrosion-resistant layer and a lightweight conductive layer, optimizing both protection and weight characteristics.
2Strength
If a thick current collector plate is used to ensure structural integrity, then the structural strength is improved, but the thermal lag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure where a thin stainless steel plate provides sufficient structural integrity and corrosion resistance, while a thinner copper or aluminum plate provides high electrical and thermal conductivity. This reduces the overall thickness and thermal mass of the current collector, thereby reducing thermal lag compared to a thick solid plate of equivalent strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The current collector is segmented into functional layers that optimize both structural strength and thermal response characteristics.
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 reduces the mass and thermal lag of the current collector, achieves uniform heat profiles across fuel cell stacks, and enhances corrosion resistance without compromising conductivity, improving overall fuel cell performance and reducing parasitic losses.
Implementation Method 1
Protons (i.e. hydrogen ions) are conducted through the membrane, balanced by electrons conducted through a circuit connecting the anode and cathode of the fuel cell
Implementation Method 2
electrons conducted through a circuit connecting the anode and cathode of the fuel cell
Implementation Method 3
The heater plate may be in direct thermal contact with the second electrically conductive plate
Implementation Method 4
The heater plate can enable the first and last fuel cells in the stack to be heated, thereby providing a more uniform heat profile across individual fuel cells in a fuel cell stack
Implementation Method 5
The thermal barrier may be configured to thermally isolate the heater plate from an end plate assembly of a fuel cell stack
Data Source
AI summary
A current collector component (206) for a fuel cell. The current collector component (206) comprises a first electrically conductive plate (210) configured to form a wall of a fluid confinement volume of a fuel cell; and a second electrically conductive plate (212) in electrical contact with the first electrically conductive plate (210). The second electrically conductive plate (212) comprises an external electrical connection (208). The second electrically conductive plate (212) has a higher electrical conductivity than the first electrically conductive plate (210). The first electrically conductive plate (210) has a higher resistance to corrosion than the second electrically conductive plate (212).