Hollow Fiber Frame Electrochemical Stack Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
High differential pressure electrochemical cell stacks face challenges in maintaining uniform compression, leading to increased size, weight, and cost due to the need for thick end plates and tie rods, and struggle to maintain compression over extended periods and varying operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, compact compression system using a hollow frame formed of wound fibers with integrated compression mechanisms, such as gibs and thermal expansion blocks, that applies compressive force uniformly and adjusts to different stack sizes and pressures, reducing the need for rigid tie rods and thick end plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thick end plates and rigid tie rods are used to maintain compression, then compression stability is improved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid metals (end plates and tie rods) to elastic polymer material, which can dynamically adjust its compressive properties while maintaining stability, thereby reducing weight without sacrificing compression reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the rigid mechanical compression system (tie rods and end plates) with an elastic polymer-based compression mechanism that uses material elasticity rather than rigid structural elements to maintain compressive force, reducing overall structure weight and complexity
2Reliability
If thick end plates and rigid tie rods are used to maintain compression, then compression stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex rigid mechanical components (end plates, tie rods, compression plates) from the compression system, replacing them with a simpler elastic polymer material that inherently provides compression stability through its material properties rather than complex structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of compression mechanism from rigid structural components to elastic material properties, simplifying the device architecture while maintaining compression stability through the polymer's inherent elastic characteristics
3Reliability
If uniform compression is maintained across the stack, then electrical contact and performance are improved, but adaptation to different stack sizes becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability through the elastic polymer material that can automatically adjust its compression distribution to match different stack configurations and sizes, while still maintaining uniform compression across all cells for optimal electrical contact
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic polymer compression mechanism serves multiple functions: it adapts to different stack sizes and configurations, maintains uniform compression across varying cell numbers, and ensures consistent electrical contact, making the system universally applicable to different electrochemical stack designs
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 system effectively maintains uniform compression across electrochemical cell stacks, reducing weight and cost while accommodating various stack sizes and operating conditions, ensuring efficient electrical contact and performance under high pressures.
Implementation Method 1
hollow frame formed of wound fibers with integrated compression mechanisms, such as gibs and thermal expansion blocks
Implementation Method 2
The system effectively maintains uniform compression across electrochemical cell stacks, reducing weight and cost while accommodating various stack sizes and operating conditions, ensuring efficient electrical contact and performance under high pressures
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2B
AI summary
In accordance with one embodiment, an electrochemical cell stack compression system may Include an integral, hollow frame configured to contain a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged along an axis in a stack configuration. The frame may have a defined shape and may form a continuous border around a periphery of the electrochemical cell stack when inserted. The frame may be formed of a plurality of fibers.