Separator Plate Shock Absorber Structure for Impact-Sealed Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical systems face challenges in withstanding mechanical loads without irreversible deformation of sealing elements, which can lead to loss of sealing and safety risks, especially when exposed to impacts like collisions, and current solutions either add weight, cost, or do not provide adequate protection against mechanical destruction.
Innovation Solution
A separator plate design featuring a shock absorber arrangement that projects further out of the flat surface plane than the bead arrangement, allowing it to absorb and distribute mechanical forces away from the bead arrangement, thereby reducing the likelihood of permanent deformation during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing elements are made elastically deformable to achieve good sealing effect, then sealing performance is improved, but they become susceptible to irreversible deformation under mechanical impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shock absorber arrangement that projects from the separator plate surface, positioned between the impact source and the sealing elements. This cushioning structure absorbs and distributes mechanical impact forces before they reach the bead arrangements, preventing irreversible deformation of the sealing elements while maintaining their elastic sealing capability under normal operating conditions
2Reliability
If shock protection is added to protect sealing elements from impact, then reliability under mechanical load is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber arrangement is integrated directly into the separator plate structure, merging the shock protection function with the existing separator plate component. This eliminates the need for separate shock absorption components, reducing overall device complexity while providing effective protection for the sealing elements against mechanical impact
Solution Approach 2:
The shock absorber arrangement is positioned specifically in regions where impact forces are most likely to affect sealing elements, providing localized protection where it is most needed. This targeted approach protects critical sealing areas without adding unnecessary complexity to the entire separator plate structure
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 separator plate effectively absorbs and distributes impact forces, reducing the risk of irreversible deformation and maintaining sealing integrity, while minimizing additional weight and cost, thus ensuring safer and more reliable operation of electrochemical systems.
Implementation Method 1
the shock absorber arrangement is designed to be pretensioned when the separator plate is compressed in a stack... forces that may occur in the event of an impact can be absorbed by the shock absorber arrangement and thus better distributed or diverted away from the bead arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
A separator plate for an electrochemical system. The separator plate having a shock absorber arrangement. A bipolar plate comprising two separator plates for an electrochemical system, each having a shock absorber arrangement. An electrochemical cell comprising two separator plates for an electrochemical system, each having a shock absorber arrangement. An assembly for an electrochemical system, comprising at least one separator plate and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The electrochemical system may be a fuel cell system, an electrochemical compressor, a redox flow battery, or an electrolyser.