Fuel Cell Gas Diffusion Layer Reinforcing Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deformation of the gas diffusion layer in fuel cells due to fastening pressure reduces the cross-sectional area of reactive gas passage grooves, leading to increased pressure loss and insufficient power generation performance.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcing member, such as a mesh sheet, is provided along the reactive gas passage grooves to prevent deformation, maintaining the cross-sectional area and ensuring efficient gas supply to the electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If reactive gas passage grooves are provided in the gas diffusion layer to improve power generation performance, then the cross-sectional area of reactive gas passage is increased, but the gas diffusion layer deforms under fastening pressure causing the ribs to deform and reducing the cross-sectional area of the reactive gas passage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing ribs with different structural characteristics at different locations. The ribs are designed with specific thickness and height ratios (thickness 0.5-2.0mm, height 1.0-5.0mm) to create localized structural strength where needed, while maintaining the overall porous structure of the gas diffusion layer. This localized reinforcement prevents deformation of the reactive gas passage grooves under fastening pressure while preserving gas diffusion performance in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining the porous gas diffusion layer material with structurally reinforced ribs. The ribs are formed from the same or similar porous material but are designed with specific dimensional ratios that provide mechanical strength. This composite structure maintains the dual functionality of gas diffusion and structural support, preventing deformation while allowing reactant gas permeation.
2Quantity of substance
If the gas diffusion layer is made porous to enable gas diffusion, then gas permeability is improved, but the layer becomes susceptible to deformation under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the gas diffusion layer into multiple regions separated by ribs. The layer is segmented into reactive gas passage grooves and rib structures, where the grooves maintain high porosity for gas permeation while the ribs provide structural reinforcement. This segmentation allows different regions to fulfill different functions: gas diffusion in the grooves and mechanical support in the ribs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous materials for both the gas diffusion layer and the reinforcing ribs. The porous structure allows reactant gases to permeate through the ribs while the interconnected pore network maintains structural integrity. The porous ribs provide both gas permeability and mechanical strength, resolving the contradiction between porosity and pressure resistance.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a gas diffusion layer for a fuel cell, wherein a reactive gas passage groove for distributing a reactive gas is formed in one principal surface of the gas diffusion layer, and a reinforcing member is provided along the reactive gas passage grooves. Thus, the deformation of the gas diffusion layer due to a fastening pressure can be suppressed to improve the power generation performance.