Segmented Slip Sheet for Fuel Cell Separator Sticking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Separator plates in fuel cell stacks tend to stick together when stored, making it difficult to separate them and affecting the efficiency and stability of the stack.
Innovation Solution
A slip sheet with spaced fluid channel support protrusions is used to prevent sticking by creating gaps between the gaskets and the slip sheet, and the protrusions are designed to support fluid channel protrusions of the separator plates, ensuring stable stacking and minimizing contact areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separator plates are stacked with a slip sheet provided therebetween, then the sticking between separator plates is prevented, but the separator plate under the slip sheet may be lifted along with the slip sheet because it sticks to the slip sheet
Solution Approach 1:
The slip sheet is segmented into a first slip sheet and a second slip sheet positioned at opposite sides of the separator plate. This segmentation ensures that for every separator plate, there are slip sheets on both sides, preventing the separator plate from sticking to a single slip sheet while maintaining ease of separation. The segmented approach distributes the separation force and eliminates the harmful sticking effect.
2Productivity
If separator plates are stored in a stacked state for a long period of time, then storage efficiency is improved, but the gaskets are likely to stick to each other at the contact points
Solution Approach 1:
The slip sheet acts as an intermediary element positioned between adjacent separator plates during storage. This intermediary prevents direct contact between the gaskets of neighboring separator plates, eliminating the sticking problem while allowing efficient stacked storage. The slip sheet mediates the interaction between separator plates, enabling long-term storage without gasket adhesion.
3Ease of operation
If the separator plate under the slip sheet sticks to the slip sheet, then separation becomes difficult, but providing no slip sheet allows direct contact between separator plates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the slip sheet system into multiple slip sheets positioned at opposite sides of the separator plate, the invention ensures that the separator plate is not lifted by a single slip sheet. The segmented configuration balances the forces and prevents harmful lifting while maintaining smooth separation operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A slip sheet for a fuel cell stack that includes a plurality of spaced fluid channel support protrusions protruding from a main body, at portions which face fluid channel protrusions of a separator plate in such a manner that the spaced fluid channel support protrusions come into contact with the fluid channel protrusions of the separator plate.