Resilient Vane Alignment Dowel for Fuel Cell Stack Gasket Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of fuel cell stacks is complex, particularly due to the difficulty in accurately positioning gaskets, which can lead to partial blockage of fluid flow passageways, reducing power output and shortening stack life if incorrectly positioned.
Innovation Solution
An alignment dowel with resilient vanes and an actuator portion is used to align components, allowing for precise positioning by expanding or collapsing to fit through openings and adjust the alignment of gaskets and other components within the stack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional rigid alignment tools are used, then alignment precision can be achieved, but the complexity of the assembly process increases and operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment tool employs resilient vanes that can dynamically change their configuration between expanded and collapsed states. When expanded, the vanes provide precise alignment contact with component openings; when collapsed, the tool can be easily inserted and removed. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction by providing precision when needed while simplifying operation during insertion and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient vanes are designed with curved profiles that allow them to flex and adapt to slight variations in opening positions. The curved geometry enables the vanes to maintain contact with the openings while accommodating minor misalignments, thereby achieving precise alignment without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If the alignment dowel has a large outer diameter for stability, then positioning accuracy improves, but it cannot fit through the predetermined diameter openings
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment dowel transforms its outer diameter dynamically through the expansion and collapse of resilient vanes. During insertion, the vanes are collapsed to reduce the outer diameter below the opening size. Once positioned, the vanes expand to increase the outer diameter, providing stable contact surfaces for accurate positioning of gaskets and other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient vanes are nested around a central core structure, allowing them to be compressed inward during insertion and then expand outward to provide the necessary alignment diameter. This nested configuration enables the dowel to pass through small openings while maintaining the capability to provide large-diameter stable positioning when needed.
3Ease of operation
If gaskets are positioned without precise alignment, then assembly is easier, but fluid flow passageways become blocked reducing power output
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment dowel with resilient vanes automatically self-adjusts to the positions of the component openings through elastic deformation. When the vanes expand, they naturally conform to the opening locations without requiring complex measurement or adjustment procedures. This self-adjusting mechanism maintains high assembly ease while ensuring precise gasket positioning to prevent passageway blockage and preserve power output.
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 alignment dowel ensures accurate and stable positioning of gaskets and other components, preventing blockages and enhancing the performance and longevity of fuel cell stacks by maintaining fluid flow efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a body extending along a longitudinal axis, the body comprising a plurality of resilient vanes that extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
Data Source
AI summary
An alignment dowel comprises a body extending along a longitudinal axis, the body comprising a plurality of resilient vanes that extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and an actuator portion. The stack has openings of a predetermined diameter. The vanes are arranged around the longitudinal axis so as to extend along the axis and project radially outwards to define an outer diameter of the body. The actuator portion is operable to move the vanes between a collapsed configuration in which the outer diameter is smaller than the predetermined diameter, and an expanded configuration in which the outer diameter of the body is greater than in the collapsed configuration. A stack assembly jig, comprises a tool base on which a stack of components can be positioned. The tool base has guide holes that are no smaller than the predetermined diameter and are positioned to correspond to the position of the openings in the stack. A base plate carries an array of alignment dowels arranged to correspond to the positions of the guide holes. The base plate is moveable relative to the tool base such that the alignment dowels can project through the guide holes and into the component openings. The actuators are operable to align the components in the stack. A method for aligning components of a cell stack using an alignment dowel, comprises arranging cells adjacent one another in a stack, wherein the cells have internal alignment features, wherein each alignment feature includes an engaging surface with which the alignment dowel is configured to engage and disengage when located within said alignment feature; and locating the alignment dowel in the alignment features in the collapsed configuration and operating the actuator to move the alignment dowel to the expanded configuration to align the cells.