Fuel Cell End Plate With Integrated Energy Storage for Faster Cold Start
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cells require a significant amount of time to reach operating temperature at cold start, which hampers their performance compared to electric engines in aircraft propulsion.
Innovation Solution
Integration of carbon fiber reinforced polymer end plates with embedded lithium-ion coated carbon fiber electrode plies and glass fiber reinforced polymer separator plies, along with electrically conductive current collectors, to store electrical energy and power heating devices within the fuel cell arrangement, facilitating faster temperature reach and additional power supply during peak demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If fuel cells are used for aircraft propulsion, then emission-free operation is achieved, but cold start time is excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by integrating energy storage devices (capacitors or batteries) into the end plates that can pre-store electrical energy before cold start. This stored energy is used to power heating elements that pre-heat the fuel cell stack, enabling faster startup without waiting for the fuel cell to generate power itself. The energy storage devices are charged during normal operation and discharged during cold start to accelerate the heating process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into the end plates: structural support function, energy storage function, and heating function. The end plates are designed to house energy storage devices and heating elements, combining these previously separate components into an integrated assembly that reduces overall system complexity and enables faster cold start through coordinated operation of storage and heating functions.
2Loss of time
If heating devices are added to accelerate cold start, then startup time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The end plates are designed to integrate multiple functions: structural support, energy storage housing, and heating element mounting. By combining these functions into a single integrated component rather than separate assemblies, the patent reduces overall system complexity while still achieving the goal of accelerated cold start through the incorporated heating devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The end plates serve multiple purposes: they provide structural support for the fuel cell stack, house energy storage devices for power supply, and incorporate heating elements for thermal management. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated heating assemblies, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving fast cold start capability.
3Productivity
If energy storage devices are integrated into end plates, then cold start performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The end plates are designed as modular components with distinct functional zones: structural support areas, energy storage device housings, and heating element mounting sections. This segmentation allows each zone to be manufactured and tested independently before final assembly, simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite the integrated functionality. The modular design enables parallel manufacturing of different components.
Solution Approach 2:
The end plates are designed as multi-functional universal components that combine structural support, energy storage housing, and heating element mounting in a single standardized part. This universality allows the same end plate design to be used across different fuel cell stack configurations, reducing the number of unique parts that need to be manufactured and simplifying the supply chain and manufacturing processes.
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 enables faster cold start and increased power delivery by the fuel cell stack, reducing weight and dimensions while minimizing electrical resistance losses, and allows for recharging during non-peak times.
Implementation Method 1
the integrated storage device includes two electrode plies separated by a separator ply. Preferably, at least one of the electrode plies include one or more carbon fibers. Preferably, the one or more carbon fibers are coated with a compound of lithium ions.
Implementation Method 2
the one or more fuel cells respectively includes a heating device producing heat when fed with electrical energy. Preferably, the heating device includes a heating spiral attached to a perimeter of a bipolar plate of the one or more fuel cells.
Implementation Method 3
at least one surface of the end plate includes one or more gas diffusion channels for diffusing gas in a fuel cell.
Data Source
AI summary
An end plate for clamping one or more fuel cells in a fuel cell arrangement, the end plate including one or more integrated storage devices for storing electrical energy. A fuel cell arrangement includes one or more fuel cells and a clamp device for clamping the one or more fuel cells, the clamp device having an end plate including one or more integrated storage device for storing electrical energy, the end plate clamping the one or more fuel cells in the fuel cell arrangement.