Fuel Cell Stack Seal With Flat-and-Bulge Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell stacks, the flow of fluid between manifolds and single cells is hindered due to the narrowing of fluid passageways caused by the abutment of seal portions with adjacent cells, leading to difficulty in fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a fluid passage portion with a through-hole in the seal portion and a flat-and-bulge portion on the adjacent member, allowing fluid to flow between the manifold and a second space via a first space, and using an elastic member to enhance sealing and prevent fluid leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal portion is brought into abutment with an adjacent single cell to encapsulate fluid, then sealing performance is improved, but the flow passageway is narrowed causing difficulty in fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The first member is designed with a flat-and-bulge portion that creates localized structural variations. The bulge portion specifically addresses the sealing region while the flat portion maintains the flow passageway, allowing different regions of the same component to serve different functions (sealing vs. fluid flow)
Solution Approach 2:
The first member is segmented into distinct functional regions: a flat portion that maintains the flow passageway and a bulge portion that interfaces with the seal portion. This segmentation allows the component to simultaneously satisfy both sealing requirements and fluid flow requirements without compromise
2Reliability
If a seal portion is brought into abutment with an adjacent single cell to prevent fluid leakage, then sealing efficiency is improved, but the flow passageway between manifold and single cell is narrowed
Solution Approach 1:
The first member incorporates a flat-and-bulge portion where the bulge portion locally enhances sealing capability while the flat portion locally maintains adequate flow passageway dimensions, allowing the same component to address both sealing efficiency and ease of fluid flow operation
3Reliability
If a seal portion is compressed against an adjacent single cell to ensure sealing, then sealing performance is improved, but the flow passageway is narrowed making fluid flow difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The first member is designed with spatially varying properties: the bulge portion provides localized compliance and sealing enhancement where compression occurs, while the flat portion maintains adequate flow passageway dimensions, allowing the component to simultaneously achieve reliable sealing and maintain fluid flow productivity
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
This configuration ensures smooth fluid flow between manifolds and single cells by maintaining a secure flow path and enhancing sealing efficiency, preventing external leakage and ensuring reliable fluid encapsulation.
Implementation Method 1
a second elastic member disposed on a surface on the opposite side of the second separator from the electric insulating frame
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of single cells stacked and a manifold. The plurality of single cells each include a first separator including a seal portion surrounding the manifold and including a hollow protrusion and a fluid passage portion allowing the fluid to flow between the manifold and a space on the opposite side of the seal portion from the manifold via the hollow of the seal portion, a second separator disposed on the side opposite to the side on which the seal portion projects, of the first separator, and an electric insulating frame disposed on the opposite side of the second separator from the first separator. The second separator includes a flat-and-bulge portion in a surface facing the seal portion, along an abutment region of the seal portion and the electric insulating frame.