Fuel Cell Stack Dummy Cell for End Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell stacks experience reduced power generation stability due to low temperature at the ends of the stack body, which affects diffusion performance and reactant gas flow, especially under external temperature influences.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell stack design incorporating a dummy cell at the ends, featuring a dummy structural body formed by stacking conductive porous bodies with adhesive joining to a resin frame member, which functions as a heat insulating layer without power generation, thereby maintaining temperature stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a dummy cell is provided at the end of the stack body to improve heat insulation and power generation stability, then temperature stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dummy cell is constructed using copies of the gas diffusion layer components (first, second, and third electrically conductive porous bodies) that replicate the structural characteristics of the power generation cell's membrane electrode assembly, but without the electrolyte membrane. This copying approach provides the necessary heat insulation and structural compatibility while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dummy cell is specifically positioned only at the end portions of the stack body where heat insulation is most needed, rather than throughout the entire stack. This localized application addresses the temperature stability issue at critical areas while minimizing the overall increase in device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple electrically conductive porous bodies are stacked and joined with adhesive to form the dummy structural body, then manufacturing accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The dummy structural body is segmented into multiple electrically conductive porous bodies (first, second, and third layers) that are stacked and joined together using adhesive. This segmentation allows for precise manufacturing of each individual layer with standard gas diffusion layer production techniques, ensuring high manufacturing accuracy while maintaining compatibility with existing production processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The dummy structural body is formed as a composite structure by stacking multiple electrically conductive porous bodies and joining them with adhesive material. This composite approach enables precise control over the thermal and structural properties of the dummy cell while using well-established material joining techniques that balance accuracy and production efficiency.
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 dummy cell improves power generation stability by maintaining heat insulation and reducing temperature fluctuations at the stack ends, even in low-temperature environments, enhancing overall fuel cell performance.
Implementation Method 1
the dummy structural body and the dummy resin frame member are joined together through an adhesive layer which adheres the first outer peripheral portion, the second outer peripheral portion, and an inner periphery of the dummy resin frame member to each other
Implementation Method 2
the dummy cell itself functions as a heat insulating layer between the terminal plate and the stack body. Thus, by providing the dummy cell as described above, it is possible to suppress decrease in the temperature at the ends of the stack body
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell stack at least includes a stack body including a plurality of power generation cells each having a membrane electrode assembly stacked in a stacking direction, and a first dummy cell provided at one end of the stack body in the stacking direction. A dummy structural body of the first dummy cell is joined to a dummy resin frame member through an adhesive layer which adheres a first outer peripheral portion and a second outer peripheral portion, and inner periphery of the dummy resin frame member to each other.