Fuel Cell Separator Layout for Floating Power Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In planar array type fuel cells, the use of metal separators for collecting electric power can lead to instability due to potential breakdown of insulating members, resulting in unreliable power generation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electrically insulated metal separators with conductive members that pass through and are exposed on surfaces opposite to the anode and cathode, maintaining an electrically floating state to prevent corrosion and dielectric breakdown, allowing for stable power collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If metal separators are used as conductors for collecting electric power, then power collection efficiency is improved, but the insulating members may break down leading to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is divided into a metal separator portion and an insulating member portion, with the insulating member covering the metal separator except for a through-hole region. This segmentation allows the metal separator to provide conductivity for power collection while the insulating member prevents breakdown and ensures stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating member is selectively applied to specific regions of the metal separator - covering the surface except for the through-hole region. This local quality approach ensures that conductivity is maintained where needed (at the through-hole for power collection) while insulation is provided where required (on the covered surface to prevent breakdown).
2Reliability
If metal separators are used to collect electric power, then electrical conductivity is improved, but corrosion due to water-mediated electrochemical reactions occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating member selectively covers the metal separator surface while leaving the through-hole region exposed. This creates local quality differentiation where the covered region provides corrosion protection through insulation, while the exposed through-hole region maintains electrical conductivity for power collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating member acts as an intermediary between the metal separator and the electrolyte environment. It mediates by providing corrosion protection to the metal separator while allowing electrical conduction to pass through the through-hole region to the electrode.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If insulating members are applied to metal separators, then corrosion resistance is improved, but dielectric breakdown may still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating member is segmented to cover the metal separator surface while leaving a through-hole region uncovered. This segmentation strategy protects the metal separator from corrosion on the covered surface while maintaining electrical conductivity through the exposed through-hole, preventing dielectric breakdown.
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
This configuration suppresses corrosion and dielectric breakdown, ensuring stable output of generated electric power by keeping the separators in an electrically floating state, even when water reaches them, thus preventing damage from electrochemical reactions.
Implementation Method 1
A fuel cell generates electric power through electrochemical reactions between a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas
Implementation Method 2
a first separator electrically insulated from the anode and facing a surface of the anode that is opposite to a surface of the anode facing the electrolyte membrane
Implementation Method 3
a first conductive member connected to the anode, passing through the first separator while being electrically insulated from the first separator
Implementation Method 4
even if water reaches the second separator (or the first separator) formed of metal, corrosion of the second separator (or the first separator) due to water-mediated electrochemical reactions can be suppressed
Data Source
AI summary
The fuel cell includes a first separator electrically insulated from an anode, a first conductive member connected to the anode and passing through the first separator while being electrically insulated from the first separator, a second separator electrically insulated from the cathode, and a second conductive member connected to the cathode and passing through the second separator while being electrically insulated from the second separator.