Fuel Cell Stack Separator Layout With Wavy Auxiliary Passages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell stacks suffer from reduced power generation efficiency due to the design of oxidant and fuel gas flow configurations, particularly in regions where connecting passages intersect or flow in parallel with the power generating unit, leading to suboptimal performance.
Innovation Solution
The fuel cell stack design incorporates manifolds for gas flow and separators with wavy-shaped auxiliary passages that intersect with each other, reducing the area occupied by these passages and optimizing the flow paths to enhance power generation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connecting portions are provided to extend linearly in the second direction from the opposite sides of the linear portions, then the power generation efficiency of the region corresponding to connecting portions is improved, but the overall power generation efficiency significantly decreases due to co-flow configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the extending portions of the auxiliary passages non-linear (curved or wavy) rather than straight linear extensions. This asymmetric path design prevents the co-flow configuration while still connecting the linear portions to the manifolds, thereby maintaining good power generation efficiency in the connecting regions without causing the significant efficiency drop associated with linear co-flow extensions.
2Productivity
If the area of the portion in which the connecting portions are formed is reduced, then the power generation efficiency of the power generating unit is improved, but the flow path connectivity between manifolds and linear portions is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional linear extensions to three-dimensional curved or wavy path configurations. By allowing the auxiliary passages to extend in non-linear trajectories through the separator thickness, the design reduces the planar area occupied by connecting portions while maintaining effective flow path connectivity between the manifolds and linear portions.
3Productivity
If linear portions and second linear portions are arranged to maximize counter flow configuration, then power generation efficiency in linear portions region is improved, but the area available for connecting portions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the passage system into distinct functional zones: linear portions optimized for counter-flow power generation, and auxiliary passages with non-linear extending portions for manifold connectivity. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently - the linear portions maximize counter-flow efficiency while the auxiliary passages provide necessary connections with minimal area occupation through their compact non-linear paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell stack includes stacked single cells. Each single cell includes a power generating unit, a first separator, and a second separator. The first separator includes a facing surface that faces the power generating unit. The facing surface includes first groove passages. The first groove passages include first main passages and first auxiliary passages. The second separator includes a facing surface that faces the power generating unit. The facing surface includes second groove passages. The second groove passages include second main passages and second auxiliary passages. Extending portions of at least one of a set of the first auxiliary passages or a set of the second auxiliary passages include a wavy section. The wavy section intersects with one of the extending portions of the other one of the set of the first auxiliary passages and the set of the second auxiliary passages with the power generating unit in between.