Fuel Cell Stack Waterproof Member for Bipolar Plate Edge Corrosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Metallic bipolar plates in fuel cell stacks are prone to corrosion due to exposure to humidified gases and water vapor, leading to potential safety issues and reduced stability of electrical conductivity, despite the use of anti-corrosion coatings and external enclosures that can exacerbate corrosion when water leaks.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof member is applied to the outer edges of the metallic bipolar plates, membrane-electrode assemblies, and gas diffusion layers to prevent water vapor and moisture from contacting the outer cut portions, using either a waterproof liquid, tape, or a modified gasket with airtight members to seal gaps and maintain airtightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an anti-corrosion coating is applied to the metallic bipolar plate, then corrosion resistance is improved, but the outer cut portion remains vulnerable to corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a waterproof member specifically to the outer edge portion of the metallic bipolar plate where corrosion is most vulnerable, rather than treating the entire plate uniformly. This localized protection addresses the specific weakness at the cut edges while maintaining the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the metallic bipolar plate with a waterproof member to create a composite structure. The waterproof member is applied to the outer edge portion to provide enhanced corrosion resistance at the vulnerable cut edges, complementing the anti-corrosion coating on the main plate body.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an enclosure is used to protect the fuel cell stack from external corrosion, then external protection is improved, but internal water vapor leakage accelerates corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof member acts as an intermediary barrier between the internal fuel cell components and the external environment. It specifically protects the outer edge portion of the metallic bipolar plate from both external corrosive factors and internal water vapor leakage, mediating the interaction between internal and external environments.
3Ease of manufacture
If metallic bipolar plates are used to reduce production cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but corrosion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining the cost-effective metallic bipolar plate with a waterproof member applied to the outer edge portion. This maintains the manufacturing cost advantage of metallic plates while adding targeted corrosion protection where it is most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of treating the entire metallic bipolar plate with expensive anti-corrosion measures, the patent applies the waterproof member locally to the outer edge portion where corrosion risk is highest, maintaining cost efficiency while improving reliability at critical locations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a fuel cell stack with improved corrosion resistance, in which the outer edge of the fuel cell stack including an outer cut portion of each metallic bipolar plate can be effectively prevented from being corroded. For this purpose, the present invention provides a fuel cell stack including a waterproof member which is formed at an outer edge of a metallic bipolar plate to seal a gap between joined surfaces of the metallic bipolar plate, a membrane-electrode assembly, a gas diffusion layer, and a gasket from the outside thereof such that water vapor and moisture from the fuel cell stack are prevented from being brought into contact with an outer cut portion of each metallic bipolar plate by the waterproof member.