Sinusoidal Gasket Contour for Bipolar Plate Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gasket designs for bipolar plates in fuel cells, when placed on the exterior, obstruct cooling channels and reduce access to the interior, compromising mechanical sealing and cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A sinusoidal gasket contour that varies in thickness along the z-direction, allowing for both mechanical support and access to the interior while maintaining sealing pressure, by forming a groove with sinusoidal bridges that support the gasket and enable efficient cooling channel access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gasket is placed on the exterior surface of bipolar plates, then mechanical sealing force is provided to the elastomer, but access to the interior of the assembly is reduced and cooling channels are obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket transitions from a conventional planar configuration to a three-dimensional sinusoidal contour with vertical bridges extending into the z-direction. This dimensional transformation allows the gasket to provide mechanical sealing force vertically while maintaining horizontal access to cooling channels, resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and interior accessibility
2Strength
If a continuous supporting structure is used underneath the sealing element, then mechanical support is provided, but the exterior surface cannot be a continuously flat surface which would close off cooling channels
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure adopts a sinusoidal curved contour with repeating arches instead of a flat or simple arched shape. This curved geometry provides continuous mechanical support while creating vertical clearance that prevents obstruction of cooling channels, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and surface geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous supporting structure is segmented into repeating sinusoidal arches with vertical bridges at regular intervals. This segmentation maintains continuous support functionality while allowing localized vertical clearance zones that prevent cooling channel obstruction
3Temperature
If openings are created around the perimeter for cooling access, then cooling efficiency is improved, but mechanical sealing force is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function transitions from a two-dimensional planar gasket to a three-dimensional sinusoidal structure with vertical bridges. This dimensional change enables the gasket to maintain mechanical sealing force through vertical compression while allowing horizontal openings for cooling access, resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and cooling efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A system may comprise a first plate arranged directly against a second plate and defining a gasket groove, the plates each parallel to one another and to a plane; and a gasket formed in a plane and having a sinusoidal variation in a direction normal to the plane. The first and second plate may form a bipolar plate and may be used as a component of a fuel cell. The section of the gasket with sinusoidal variation may be fit to the groove. The gasket may have a bead that may fit to a fitting, such as a gasket, on another plate or surface to seal the contents of a fuel cell.