Fuel Cell Stack Laminated Cells Simplify Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of fuel cell stacks with alternately laminated cells is complicated due to the need for precise alignment of reactant gas and refrigerant supply structures between different types of cells.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell stack design where cells are laminated in the same direction, with a membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly, insulating members, and separators that allow for efficient communication between manifolds and passages, simplifying the assembly process by ensuring that each cell's gas and refrigerant passages communicate directly with the manifolds without relying on adjacent cells for supply and discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two types of cells are laminated alternately to secure reactant gas supply and refrigerant circulation, then the fuel cell stack achieves proper gas and refrigerant distribution, but the assembly operation becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs uniform cells with identical structures throughout the stack, eliminating the need for alternating different cell types. Each cell is designed with integrated manifolds and passages that can independently handle reactant gas supply and refrigerant circulation, allowing all cells to be assembled in the same orientation without complex alignment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cell is designed with multi-functional manifolds that can serve multiple purposes - the same manifold structure handles both reactant gas distribution and refrigerant circulation depending on the flow direction. This universal design allows a single cell type to perform all necessary functions, eliminating the need for specialized alternating cell types.
2Ease of manufacture
If cells are laminated in the same direction with integrated manifolds, then the assembly operation is simplified, but the structure requires careful design of communication portions and passages
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold system is segmented into distinct communication portions within each cell that connect to adjacent cells through defined interfaces. The reactant gas passages and refrigerant passages are separated into distinct channels with dedicated communication portions, allowing independent flow paths while maintaining a unified cell structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication portions act as intermediary structures that facilitate controlled flow between adjacent cells. These intermediary channels provide dedicated pathways for reactant gases and refrigerants to pass between cells while preventing mixing of different fluid streams, simplifying the overall manifold design.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of cells laminated. Each of the cells includes: a membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly; an insulating member; a first separator including a first gas passage and a first refrigerant passage; first, second, and third manifolds penetrating through the insulating member and the first separator such that a first gas, a second gas, and a refrigerant circulate through the first, second, and third manifolds, respectively; and a second separator including a second gas passage and a second refrigerant passage and configured to sandwich the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly and the insulating member together with the first separator. In the each of the cells, the insulating member includes a first communication portion, a second communication portion, and a third communication portion, and the first separator has a communication opening via which the third communication portion communicates with the first refrigerant passage.