Fuel Cell Element Layout for Downstream Heat Gradient Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The temperature gradient within fuel cells leads to uneven heat distribution and subsequent deterioration of battery performance, particularly at the downstream end where temperatures are higher.
Innovation Solution
The cell design includes varying the length of the element portion in the width direction between the upstream and downstream sides to mitigate the temperature gradient, with the downstream side having a shorter length than the upstream side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the element portion has a uniform length along the gas-flow passage, then the manufacturing process is simple, but a temperature gradient develops causing uneven heat distribution and battery performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The element portion is designed with non-uniform width along the gas-flow passage direction, where the width varies from the upstream end to the downstream end. This creates local quality differences that compensate for the temperature gradient, with narrower sections at the downstream end experiencing higher temperatures, thereby achieving more uniform heat distribution and preventing battery performance deterioration while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The width parameter of the element portion is changed along the gas-flow passage direction to address the temperature gradient issue. By varying the width parameter (making it non-uniform), the patent achieves more uniform heat distribution and prevents battery performance deterioration without significantly complicating the manufacturing process
2Productivity
If the element portion length is increased to improve power output, then more reactive gas can be processed, but the temperature gradient becomes more severe leading to greater performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The element portion incorporates local quality variations in width along the gas-flow passage, with narrower sections positioned at the downstream end where temperatures are higher. This allows the overall length to be increased for higher power output while the local width variations compensate for the temperature gradient, preventing performance deterioration
Solution Approach 2:
The element portion is designed with asymmetric width distribution along the gas-flow passage direction, where the width differs between upstream and downstream sections. This asymmetric design enables increased overall length for improved productivity while the narrower downstream section compensates for higher temperatures, maintaining battery performance
Data Source
AI summary
A cell includes an element portion and a support substrate. The support substrate includes a gas-flow passage through which the reactive gas flows in a first direction, and supports the element portion. The element portion includes a first portion having a first length in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a second portion located on a downstream side in the gas-flow passage relative to the first portion, the second portion having a second length in the second direction different from the first length in the second direction.