Insulating Fuel Cell Plate Supports for Shock-Stable Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell stacks are prone to damage from shock and vibration, which can cause deformation, short circuits, and operational disruptions due to direct contact with metal casings, leading to potential misalignment and leakage of fuel or oxidant.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electrically insulating plate supports with openings for aligning members around the periphery of fuel cell plates, made from non-conductive materials like plastic, to absorb shocks and vibrations, preventing direct contact with the casing and maintaining alignment and sealing integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fuel cell plates are directly mounted in metal casing, then structural support is provided, but shock and vibration cause deformation and short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
Electrically insulating supports are introduced as intermediary elements between the metal casing and fuel cell plates. These supports provide mechanical support while preventing electrical contact, thus resolving the contradiction between structural support and short circuit prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure uses composite material construction, combining metal casing with electrically insulating support elements. This allows the system to benefit from both the mechanical strength of metal and the electrical insulation properties of non-conductive materials.
2Manufacturing precision
If fuel cell plates are secured rigidly to prevent movement, then alignment is maintained, but shock and vibration cause deformation and contact with casing
Solution Approach 1:
The electrically insulating supports are designed with features that absorb and cushion shock and vibration before these forces can reach the fuel cell plates. This beforehand cushioning prevents deformation and maintains alignment during dynamic conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure changes the mechanical parameters of the system by introducing compliant elements that can deform elastically under shock and vibration, thereby protecting the rigid fuel cell plates from deformation while maintaining alignment.
3Reliability
If electrically insulating supports are added to prevent short circuits, then electrical isolation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrically insulating supports perform multiple functions simultaneously: they provide mechanical support, ensure electrical isolation, and cushion shock and vibration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell plates. A first plate of the fuel cell plates is connected to a plurality of plate supports located on a periphery of the first plate. Each support of the plurality of plate supports is electrically insulating and bounds an opening for receiving an aligning member therein.