Planar Fuel Cell Support Plate Stress Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell systems for portable and personal applications are too heavy due to ancillary equipment, requiring improved power density and simplified designs to reduce weight and enhance handling and production convenience.
Innovation Solution
A planar configuration air breathing polymer electrolyte fuel cell device with a support plate and clamping means, featuring a sandwich structure with gas channels and arcuate clamping components, allowing for series connection of fuel cells on both sides of the support plate to distribute mechanical stress and increase power density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fuel cell systems are used with ancillary equipment, then functional reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes traditional ancillary equipment (compressors, humidifiers, cooling systems) from the fuel cell system, extracting only the essential components needed for operation. This extraction principle directly reduces system weight while maintaining core functionality through the planar fuel cell design that operates without these auxiliary systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The planar fuel cell system is designed to be self-sufficient, using the fuel cell stack itself to provide functions traditionally handled by ancillary equipment. The integrated design allows the system to self-regulate and operate without external compressors or humidifiers, reducing overall system weight while maintaining reliability.
2Power
If power density is increased, then energy output is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional three-dimensional fuel cell stacks to a planar two-dimensional configuration. This dimensional change allows for increased power density by maximizing the active area while simplifying the overall structure. The planar design enables easier assembly and reduced complexity compared to conventional stacked configurations.
3Volume of moving object
If system size is reduced for portable applications, then portability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cell system is divided into modular planar units that can be assembled in series to achieve the desired power output. Each module contains simplified components that are easier to manufacture with standard precision, while the modular nature allows scaling without proportionally increasing manufacturing difficulty. This segmentation enables reduced overall system size while maintaining manufacturability.
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 solution achieves higher power density and reduced weight, enabling more compact and efficient fuel cell systems suitable for portable applications with improved handling and production simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer electrolyte electrochemical device which comprises an anode current collector, a membrane electrode assembly with anode and cathode gas backings, and a cathode current collector
Implementation Method 2
a fuel cell is a device which converts the energy of a chemical reaction into electricity
Implementation Method 3
The fuel cells are arranged to press against a bearing plate, which has an area that is larger than the area of the support plate
Implementation Method 4
clamping means, featuring a sandwich structure with gas channels and arcuate clamping components
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fuel cell device for use in planar configuration air breathing polymer electrolyte electrochemical devices and to a support plate, gas connection means and clamping means for use in the fuel cell device. The electrochemical device may be use as a fuel cell or an electrolyser. In paticular it relates to a planar configuration air breathing polymer electrolyte electrochemical device including at least two fuel cells arranged in series connection on one surface of a support plate, characterised in that the fuel cells (2', 2", 2'''; 943) are arranged to press against a bearing plate (218; 942), which has an area that is larger than the area of the support plate.