Heated Bipolar Plate Structure for Faster Fuel Cell Cold Starts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell devices experience a significant delay in reaching operating temperature during cold start, which hampers their efficiency and performance compared to electric engines.
Innovation Solution
Integration of electrically conductive carbon nanotube fibers within the bipolar plates of fuel cell devices, arranged in a specific pattern and connected to a power supply for heating, utilizing additive manufacturing techniques to ensure uniform and rapid heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional bipolar plates without integrated heating elements are used, then the device structure remains simple, but the cold start time is excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bipolar plate structure with integrated heating plies containing carbon nanotube fibers directly within the bipolar plate itself. This merging of functions allows the bipolar plate to serve both its electrical conduction function and heating function simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate external heating devices and reducing overall system complexity while dramatically reducing cold start time from hours to minutes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by integrating carbon nanotube fibers into the bipolar plate structure. The carbon nanotube fibers provide high electrical conductivity and efficient resistive heating capabilities, while the bipolar plate provides structural support and fluid flow channels. This composite approach enables rapid heating during cold start while maintaining the mechanical and electrical properties required for fuel cell operation
2Temperature
If external heating sources are used to warm the fuel cell at cold start, then heating can be achieved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is merged directly into the bipolar plate structure through integrated plies containing carbon nanotube fibers. This eliminates the need for separate external heating devices, heat exchangers, and associated control systems, thereby reducing device complexity and space requirements while effectively achieving the required operating temperature during cold start
Solution Approach 2:
The bipolar plate with integrated carbon nanotube fibers serves its own heating needs through resistive heating when electrical current is applied. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external heating sources, reducing system complexity while effectively raising the temperature to operating conditions during cold start
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 enables faster and more uniform heating of fuel cell devices at cold start, reducing the need for external heating sources and improving the overall cold start behavior by integrating carbon nanotube fibers into thermoplastic bipolar plates through coaxial printing.
Implementation Method 1
the one or more fibers are heated when power is supplied to the ply
Data Source
AI summary
A bipolar plate for use in a fuel cell device, the bipolar plate including an integrated ply, the ply including one or more electrically conductive fibers and being configured and electrically connectable to a power supply such that the one or more fibers are heated when power is supplied to the ply.