Removable Fuel Cell Stack Load Cell for Stable Compression Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for incorporating and removing load cells in fuel cell stacks often result in significant changes to the compression load, leading to potential damage, seal leaks, and component displacement, especially when load cells are added or removed post-assembly.
Innovation Solution
A design that allows for the removable incorporation of load cells in fuel cell stacks using a spring cap and load cell button system, maintaining the compression load essentially unchanged by adjusting the spring cap's position, thereby minimizing load changes during installation or removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If load cells are incorporated or removed from fuel cell stack after assembly, then load measurement capability is improved, but compression load changes significantly causing damage or seal leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The compression load path is segmented into multiple independent paths: one through the load cell and another through the compression plate and end plate. This allows the load cell to be added or removed without affecting the overall compression load on the fuel cell stack, as the load is distributed through parallel paths.
Solution Approach 2:
A load cell button is introduced as an intermediary component that connects the load cell to the compression assembly. This button allows the load cell to be integrated into the compression load path without requiring disassembly of the fuel cell stack, enabling load measurement while maintaining compression load stability.
2Duration of action of moving object
If load cells are permanently incorporated into fuel cell stack, then load measurement is continuous, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The load cell integration is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The load cell can be easily installed or removed by simple assembly operations involving the load cell button and compression plate, allowing the system to transition between measurement and non-measurement states without permanent modification to the fuel cell stack structure.
3Device complexity
If load cells are removed from fuel cell stack, then device complexity is reduced, but load measurement capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The load cell can be temporarily removed or discarded when measurement is not needed, and easily recovered or reinstalled when measurement is required. The simple integration design allows the load cell to be added or removed without permanent modification to the fuel cell stack, enabling flexible measurement capability while maintaining low device complexity.
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
Enables accurate load measurement and maintenance without significantly altering the compression load, ensuring consistent performance and preventing damage or seal leaks during load cell addition or removal.
Implementation Method 1
Typical compression assemblies involve simple spring assemblies, e.g. a suitable number of stacked disc springs, which can provide both the required load and the compliance.
Implementation Method 2
load cells have been employed to measure loading during assembly and frequently have been incorporated into assembled stacks in order to monitor loading over the operating life of the stack
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to designs and methods for desirably allowing the incorporation and/or removal of load cells (10) in a fuel cell stack (1) without significantly changing the load on the series stack of fuel cells when doing so. A relevant fuel cell stack (1) is of a simple construction comprising a compression assembly (18) located in an opening in an end-plate (3, 4) in which the assembly comprises a spring cap (11) with an inner shoulder (11a), a load cell button (12) slidable in the stack direction, and a spring assembly (13). A load cell (10) can then be incorporated along with an appropriate load cell cap (15), or removed in a like manner, without a significant change in load.