Metal Support Plate with Step Surface for Fuel Cell Electrolyte Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel battery cells face issues with structural changes during manufacturing, leading to potential cracks in the electrolyte layer due to thermal expansion and contraction, which compromises the gas barrier property at the end part of the battery structure.
Innovation Solution
A metal-supported fuel battery cell design with a support plate having a main body part with gas permeability and a frame part with gas impermeability, where the electrolyte layer extends to the outer periphery and reaches the step surface, preventing tensile loads on the electrolyte layer during contraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrolyte layer is extended to the end region to secure gas barrier property, then the gas barrier property is improved, but the electrolyte layer is subjected to excessive tensile load during thermal contraction causing cracks
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is designed with different thicknesses in different regions: a thicker first region (center) and a thinner second region (periphery). This local quality variation allows the support plate to provide adequate structural support while reducing stress concentration at the electrolyte layer edges during thermal contraction, preventing cracks while maintaining gas barrier property.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate structure is pre-designed with the thickness variation before assembly, anticipating the thermal expansion and contraction cycles. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that during operation, the electrolyte layer is protected from excessive tensile loads before cracks can occur.
2Ease of manufacture
If the support plate is made with uniform thickness, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the structural changes during manufacturing cause excessive load on electrolyte layer during thermal cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate employs local quality variation with different thicknesses in different regions. This can be achieved through controlled sintering processes where peripheral regions are subjected to different pressure or temperature conditions, creating the desired thickness profile while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate structure utilizes parameter changes in the manufacturing process (pressure, temperature, or time variations during sintering) to create the non-uniform thickness profile. This allows the desired geometric variation to be achieved within standard manufacturing capabilities.
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 design secures a good gas barrier property by avoiding tensile loads on the electrolyte layer, preventing cracks and maintaining structural integrity during thermal expansion and contraction.
Implementation Method 1
the support plate expands or contracts in accordance with power generation or stoppage (heat generation or cooling)
Implementation Method 2
when the support plate contracts after the power generation is stopped
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel battery cell comprising a battery structure 1 and a support plate 2, the battery structure 1 having a power generation region G of a lamination of an anode electrode layer 4, an electrolyte layer 5, and a cathode electrode layer 6, and the support plate 2 being made of metal, being disposed on the anode electrode layer 4 side of the battery structure 1, in which the support plate 2 integrally includes a main body part 2A and a frame part 2B, the main body part 2A having gas permeability, the frame part 2B having gas impermeability and having small thickness, the support plate 2B has a step surface 2D between the main body part 2A and the frame part 2B, on the surface on the anode electrode layer 4 side, and the electrolyte layer 5 is disposed in a way it extends to the step surface 2D and the frame part 2B, is provided. A risk of application of a tensile load to the electrolyte layer 5 is removed, when the support plate 2 thermally expands during power generation, whereby a good gas barrier property at an end part of the battery structure 1 is maintained.