Fuel Cell Voltage Finger Attachment Without Adhesive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel cell monitoring systems rely on glue or adhesive to attach voltage monitoring fingers to bipolar plates, which is unreliable, time-consuming, and difficult to reverse, leading to malfunctions and inefficiencies in cell voltage monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A repeatable finger attachment system that uses wired fingers with isolation material and electrical conductors, self-aligning within alternating channels of the fuel cell stack, secured by a clamping bar without glue or adhesive, allowing for simultaneous monitoring of 100% of the fuel cell stack voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If glue or adhesive is used to attach voltage monitoring fingers, then electrical contact is achieved, but assembly time increases due to manual placement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the time-consuming manual adhesive application process with a mechanical compression system. The compression bar structure allows for rapid assembly where fingers are simply positioned and the compression bar is installed to secure them, eliminating the need for careful manual glue application and drying time.
2Reliability
If glue or adhesive is used to attach voltage monitoring fingers, then electrical contact is established, but disassembly difficulty increases due to glue residue and cleaning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces permanent adhesive bonding with reversible mechanical compression. The compression bar can be easily removed without leaving residue, allowing the fuel cell stack to be disassembled and reassembled multiple times without the cleaning and surface preparation requirements that accompany adhesive removal.
3Reliability
If conventional gluing methods are used, then fingers are attached to bipolar plates, but production complexity increases due to skill level requirements and quality control measures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex multi-step adhesive application process with a simple mechanical compression system. The compression bar design allows for straightforward installation without requiring operators to have specialized skills in adhesive application, positioning, and quality inspection, thereby reducing production complexity.
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
Provides reliable and efficient cell voltage monitoring by ensuring consistent electrical contact without the need for glue, reducing assembly time and facilitating easy disassembly for repairs.
Implementation Method 1
The isolation material is adapted to surround at least a first portion of the one or more electrical conductors to prevent electrical contact between at least the first portion of the one or more electrical conductors and the fuel cell stack
Implementation Method 2
The one or more electrical conductors are adapted to be positioned in one or more alternating channels of the fuel cell stack to provide electrical contact between a second portion of the one or more electrical conductors and one or more bipolar plates of the fuel cell stack
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a glueless repeatable finger attachment apparatus and method of monitoring a fuel cell voltage comprising the same.