Fuel Cell Stack Connector Through-Hole Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contact resistance between fuel cell stacks in planar fuel cell systems leads to significant electric energy loss, reducing overall current collection efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell stack array design featuring large through-holes exposing at least 50% of the connector layers, with conductive contacts and pressing jigs to reduce contact resistance and ensure stable electrical connections between the connector layers and current collectors, enhancing current collection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple fuel cell stacks are electrically connected to increase power output, then power output is improved, but contact resistance occurs at connection points causing electric energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point-to-point electrical connections between fuel cell stacks to a planar connector layer that provides surface-to-surface contact. This dimensional change from 0D point contact to 2D surface contact significantly increases the contact area, reducing contact resistance and preventing electric energy loss while maintaining the ability to electrically connect multiple stacks for increased power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a connector layer as an intermediary component between the fuel cell stacks. This connector layer with through-holes serves as a mediator that facilitates electrical connection between multiple stacks, providing stable and low-resistance contact points that prevent energy loss while enabling the electrical parallel connection needed for higher power output.
2Device complexity
If traditional electrical connection methods are used between fuel cell stacks, then device complexity is reduced, but current collection efficiency deteriorates due to contact resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a planar connector layer with through-holes that creates extended contact surfaces for electrical connections. This dimensional approach transforms traditional point contacts into surface contacts, significantly improving current collection efficiency and reducing contact resistance while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through the integration of the connector layer into the existing stack structure.
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 design significantly reduces contact resistance and improves current collection efficiency by ensuring effective electrical connections between the connector layers and current collectors, leading to enhanced energy output in fuel cell systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first conductive paste, conductive mesh structure, or conductive elastic plate is disposed between the first bottom portion and the first topmost connector layer
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell stack array is disclosed. The fuel cell stack array includes a first fuel cell stack having a first upper frame structure formed with a first through-hole for exposing a first topmost connector layer positioned at top of a first single cell stack structure, a second fuel cell stack having a second upper frame structure formed with a second through-hole for exposing a second topmost connector layer positioned at top of a second single cell stack structure, and a first current collector electrically connecting the first and second topmost connector layers via the first and second through-holes.