Fuel Cell Stack Separator Plate Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell stacks experience structural instability and airtightness issues due to undesirable bending deformation of separator plates made from different metal materials under varying thermal conditions, leading to gas leakage.
Innovation Solution
The use of a thermoplastic adhesive with temperature-dependent adhesive properties to bond separator plates, maintaining adhesion during stacking and releasing at operating temperatures to allow for thermal expansion and contraction without deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separator plates made of different metal materials are welded together to improve corrosion resistance, then corrosion resistance performance is improved, but the separator plates undergo undesirable bending deformation due to temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the bonding method from welding to adhesive bonding, and specifically selects an adhesive whose adhesive strength varies with temperature. The adhesive strength is high at room temperature for stable bonding during assembly, and low at operating temperature to accommodate thermal expansion differences between dissimilar metal separator plates, thus preventing bending deformation while maintaining corrosion resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an adhesive as an intermediary substance between the anode separator plate and cathode separator plate. This adhesive mediator allows the two dissimilar metal plates to be bonded while accommodating their different thermal expansion coefficients, preventing direct stress transmission that would cause bending deformation at welded joints
2Manufacturing precision
If separator plates are rigidly bonded to maintain alignment during stacking, then stacking precision is improved, but the separator plates cannot accommodate thermal expansion and contraction, leading to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic bonding approach where the adhesive strength is not constant but varies with temperature. During stacking at room temperature, the adhesive provides strong bonding for precise alignment. During operation at elevated temperatures, the adhesive strength decreases, allowing the separator plates to dynamically adjust to thermal expansion and contraction without deformation
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 solution maintains structural stability and airtightness of the fuel cell stack by preventing undesirable deformation of separator plates, ensuring efficient operation and preventing gas leakage across varying temperature environments.
Implementation Method 1
the anode separator plate and the cathode separator plate, which are in contact with each other, may undergo undesirable bending deformation due to the temperature changed during operation of the fuel cell stack
Implementation Method 2
The use of a thermoplastic adhesive with temperature-dependent adhesive properties to bond separator plates, maintaining adhesion during stacking and releasing at operating temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell stack may include stacking multiple cell units, each of which has a metal first separator plate and a second separator plate positioned opposite to the first separator plate with a membrane electrode assembly interposed therebetween, wherein the first and second separator plates of adjacent cell units are disposed to face each other and bonded to each other by an adhesive, the adhesive having an adhesive property varying according to a temperature change.