Fuel Cell Module Hollow Wall Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solid-oxide fuel cell modules face issues with gas leakage due to welded joints, reduced sealing reliability, and increased manufacturing costs due to complex structures and numerous welding points, which affect heat exchange and power generation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell module design featuring a casing with hollow U-like shaped walls and reaction gas circulation spaces, eliminating the need for a bottom plate and reducing the number of welding points, while incorporating meandering flow paths for efficient gas exchange and simplified assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If welded joints are used to seal gas chambers, then gas sealing is achieved, but gas leakage occurs and sealing reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the welded joints from the system by using a flange structure with bolt connections instead. The bottom plate is separated from the side walls, and the connection is made through flanges with multiple bolts, completely removing the welded joints that caused gas leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange structure acts as an intermediary component between the bottom plate and side walls. It provides a reliable sealing interface through gaskets and bolt connections, mediating the connection without requiring direct welding between the chamber components.
2Strength
If multiple component parts and welding points are used to construct the fuel cell module, then structural integrity is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the bottom plate and side walls into a single integrated chamber structure connected by flanges. This reduces the number of separate components compared to conventional designs while maintaining structural integrity through the flange-bolt connection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural connection between chamber components, ensures gas sealing through gaskets, and allows for disassembly and assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple welding points are used to assemble the fuel cell module, then structural stability is achieved, but manufacturing costs and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the welding mechanical process with a mechanical fastening system using flanges and bolts. This substitution eliminates the need for welding equipment, skilled welders, and post-weld treatments, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and assembly complexity while maintaining structural stability.
4Reliability
If conventional chamber construction with bottom plate and side walls is used, then gas chamber sealing is achieved, but the number of welding points increases and assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber is segmented into distinct components (bottom plate, side walls) connected by flanges. This segmentation allows for independent manufacturing and assembly of each component, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining reliable sealing through the flange-gasket-bolt system.
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 design enhances gas sealing reliability, reduces manufacturing costs, and improves heat exchange and power generation efficiency by eliminating gas leakage and simplifying the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
Heat is exchanged by the oxygen-containing gas flow path and the waste gas flow path being disposed adjacent to each other in the heat exchanger 120a and 120b, and thereby the oxygen-containing gas is preheated by the heat of the waste gas.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell module structure including a heat exchanger capable of preventing leakage of oxygen containing gas in a flow path and reducing the cost. The module including a power-generating chamber that receives fuel cells and a casing having a generally rectangular shape enclosing the power-generating chamber. Additionally, the right and left side walls and an upper wall of the casing are hollow walls constituted of an outer shell member and an inner shell member disposed parallel to each other with a distance therebetween forming a reaction gas circulation space, the outer and inner shell members are each formed in a U-like cross-sectional shape, and a reaction gas introduction member extends vertically downward from the inner shell member of the upper wall into the power-generating chamber and being communicated with the reaction gas circulation space to introduce a reaction gas into the power-generating chamber.