Fuel Cell Stack Suspension Hangers for Transport and Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation of heavy fuel cell stacks is challenging due to their weight, requiring specialized tools and increasing costs, as existing solutions strengthen the fuel cell case beyond what is necessary for use, leading to inefficiencies and higher expenses.
Innovation Solution
Attaching suspension hangers to rigid structural members within the fuel cell stack, such as end plates or fastening members, allows for secure transportation without increasing the case's strength, and these hangers can be used both for transport and as fixing tools during installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the fuel cell case strength is increased to facilitate transportation of the heavy stack, then the transportation capability is improved, but the costs increase and the case strength exceeds that required for use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the transportation function from the case structure by attaching suspension hangers to rigid stack structural members (end plates, tension plates, or fastening members) rather than relying on the case for strength. This segmentation allows the case to maintain its normal, cost-effective design while transportation capabilities are provided by the hangers connected to inherently rigid components of the stack.
2Ease of operation
If suspension hangers are attached to the fuel cell case to facilitate transportation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the case strength must be increased which increases costs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the inherent rigidity of existing stack structural members (end plates, tension plates, fastening members) to provide transportation capability. These components already possess the necessary strength for stack assembly and operation, so they can also serve the additional function of supporting suspension hangers during transportation, eliminating the need for separate strengthening measures.
3Ease of operation
If a special transportation tool is prepared to transport the fuel cell stack, then the transportation capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension hangers serve multiple functions: they provide transportation capability for the fuel cell stack and can also be used as fixing tools during installation and mounting operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized transportation tools and simplifies the overall system.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to easily transport a fuel cell stack, without increasing costs, the fuel cell stack according to the present invention includes a stack body 5 in which end plates 8, 8 are arranged at both ends in a cell lamination direction, and suspension hangers 10 provided on the end plates 8, 8. The suspension hangers 10 project outward from a case 6 in which the stack body 5 is stored. With this arrangement, the fuel cell stack can be suspended from outside the case 6, and transported. Also using the suspension hangers 10, this fuel cell stack can be secured in a predetermined installation location.