Separator Plate Alternating Edge for Uniform Port Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrochemical systems face issues with tightness and efficiency due to variations in bead arrangement compression and resilience, leading to potential media leakage and damage to membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs).

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a separator plate design featuring alternating projections and recesses along the border contour, along with strain-relief beads, to distribute forces uniformly and enhance the stiffness of the plate, thereby improving the tightness and efficiency of the electrochemical system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bead arrangements are used to seal through-openings in separator plates, then sealing function is provided, but non-uniform compression and resilience lead to media leakage and reduced reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoiduniformity of bead compression

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an alternating edge structure with projections and recesses at the border of the through-opening, creating local structural variations that compensate for non-uniform bead compression. The projections extend into regions of lower compression while recesses are positioned in regions of higher compression, achieving uniform sealing pressure distribution across the bead arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The alternating edge structure is pre-formed in the separator plate before assembly, anticipating and compensating for the non-uniform compression that will occur during stack assembly. This preliminary structural adjustment ensures uniform bead compression and sealing performance from the outset, preventing media leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If through-openings are made larger or more numerous for media flow, then fluid conductivity is improved, but the electrochemically active surface area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia flow rateVSAvoidelectrochemically active surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the through-opening into multiple smaller openings arranged in an array, rather than using a single large opening. This segmentation allows the total open area to be optimized for media flow while maintaining a larger overall separator plate area for electrochemical activity. The alternating edge structure further segments the border region to accommodate this optimized opening pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20230395941A1Separator plate comprising an alternating edge in the port region

Publication Date: 2023.12.07 REINZ DICHTUNGS G M B H

AI summary

A separator plate for an electrochemical system, a bipolar plate comprising two such separator plates, an electrochemical cell, and an electrochemical system comprising a multiplicity of such separator plates or bipolar plates are disclosed. By way of example, the electrochemical system may be a fuel cell system, an electrochemical compressor, a redox flow battery or an electrolyzer. The separator plate for an electrochemical system, comprising at least one through-opening and at least one bead arrangement. An edge portion stretches between the at least one bead arrangement and a border of the at least one bead arrangement. The edge portion has recesses and projections starting from the border and alternating successively along a border contour in some portions, wherein the recesses project downwards out of the plate plane and the projections project upwards out of the plate plane.