Fuel Cell Joint Thermal Insulation via Closing Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell designs face challenges in preventing water condensation near the end plate, particularly in cold environments, due to the difficulty in wrapping heat-insulating materials around the joint connecting the cell stack and external pipe, leading to temperature decreases and subsequent water condensation within the reaction gas path.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell structure featuring a cell stack with a reaction gas supply path, a joint connecting the supply inlet to an external pipe, and a plate-shaped end member with a through-hole to prevent contact with the joint's inner wall, along with a closing structure to minimize thermal movement and reduce the area exposed to outside air, thereby reducing water condensation risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the joint is connected directly to the end plate, then the structure is simple, but water condensation occurs inside the joint due to contact with the cold end plate
Solution Approach 1:
The joint structure is segmented into multiple components: the joint body, the closing member, and the end plate with through-hole. This segmentation allows the joint to be isolated from the cold end plate while maintaining structural integrity, preventing water condensation by creating thermal and physical separation between components.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing member acts as an intermediary element between the joint and the end plate. It closes the space between the joint outer wall and the through-hole inner wall, preventing direct contact between the joint and the cold end plate, thereby eliminating the pathway for water condensation while maintaining structural connection.
2Ease of manufacture
If the joint is exposed to outside air through the gap between joint and end plate, then installation is simple, but the joint temperature decreases causing water condensation in cold environments
Solution Approach 1:
The joint assembly is segmented into the joint body, closing member, and end plate components. This segmentation allows for simple installation through component assembly while the closing member simultaneously provides thermal protection by preventing outside air exposure to the joint, maintaining its temperature without complicating the installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing member acts as a thermal intermediary that blocks the pathway for outside air to reach the joint. It closes the gap between the joint outer wall and the through-hole inner wall, preventing cold air infiltration and maintaining joint temperature, while still allowing for straightforward assembly and installation.
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
The solution effectively suppresses water condensation near the end plate by creating a substantially closed space between the joint and the through-hole, maintaining joint temperature and reducing the risk of condensation, even in cold conditions, thus enhancing the fuel cell's operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a closing structure for substantially closing a space formed between the joint and the inner wall surface of the through-hole
Implementation Method 2
Fuel cells generate electric power and heat simultaneously through an electrical chemical reaction between a fuel gas containing hydrogen and an oxidizing gas containing oxygen
Implementation Method 3
water condensation occurs, impeding supply of the reaction gas and reducing a power generation voltage
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell including a reaction gas supply path which makes it difficult to cause water condensation in a region near an end plate. A fuel cell of the present invention comprises a cell stack 2 having a reaction gas passage 13a inside thereof and having on one end surface thereof a reaction gas supply inlet 17 from which a reaction gas is supplied to the reaction gas passage 13a, a joint 5 connecting the reaction gas supply inlet 17 to an external pipe P for supplying the reaction gas, plate-shaped end members 3, 4 which are disposed on one end surface of the cell stack 2 and have through-holes 21, 23 into which the joint 5 is inserted so as not to contact inner wall surfaces thereof, and a closing member 9 for substantially closing a space formed between the joint 5 and the inner wall surfaces of the through-holes 21, 23.