Manifold Bottom Plate Segmentation for Top Plate Deformation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The temperature increase during operation of a cell stack device can cause the partition plate to thermally expand, potentially deforming the top plate and leading to cracks in the electrochemical cell or its bonding material, necessitating a solution to inhibit top plate deformation.
Innovation Solution
A manifold design with separate first and second bottom plates, which are more likely to deform than a single plate, reduces the force exerted on the top plates during thermal expansion, thereby inhibiting top plate deformation. This design includes a first manifold main body with a gas supply chamber and a second manifold main body with a gas collection chamber, both connected to gas channels extending from the base to the leading end of the electrochemical cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single bottom plate is used in the manifold, then the structure is simpler, but the top plate deforms due to thermal expansion forces
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom plate is divided into multiple separate bottom plates (first bottom plate and second bottom plate) instead of using a single bottom plate. This segmentation allows each bottom plate to independently deform during thermal expansion, reducing the cumulative force transmitted to the top plate and preventing top plate deformation while maintaining structural integrity.
2Reliability
If the manifold structure is made more complex to prevent top plate deformation, then top plate stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold is divided into multiple main bodies (first manifold main body and second manifold main body) with separate bottom plates, gas supply chambers, and gas collection chambers. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard processes, and the modular design simplifies assembly and maintenance while effectively distributing thermal expansion forces to maintain top plate stability.
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 manifold design effectively inhibits the deformation of the top plates, preventing potential cracks in the electrochemical cell or its bonding material, thus enhancing the stability and longevity of the cell stack device.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature of a cell stack device increases during operation and thus a partition plate thermally expands in some cases. Because the partition plate is in contact with the top plate of the manifold, there is a risk that the top plate will deform due to the partition plate undergoing thermal expansion and pressing the top plate.
Data Source
AI summary
A manifold includes first and second manifold main bodies. The first manifold main body includes a gas supply chamber that is connected to a first gas channel and the second manifold main body includes a gas collection chamber that is connected to a second gas channel. The first manifold main body includes a top plate, a first bottom plate, and a first side plate. The top plate includes a first through hole for connecting the first gas channel and the gas supply chamber. The second manifold main body includes the top plate, a second bottom plate, and a second side plate. The top plate also includes a second through hole for connecting the second gas channel and the gas collection chamber. The first bottom plate and the second bottom plate are constituted by members that are separate from each other.