Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Evaluation Jig Module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for evaluating the performance and characteristics of solid oxide fuel cells, particularly the sealant, require complex devices and multiple measurements, making it inefficient and costly to assess gas leakage and attachment strength across different types and shapes of fuel cells.

Innovation Solution

A jig module with upper and lower jigs, each featuring gas inlet and outlet pipes, a press unit, and a control unit, allowing for simultaneous evaluation of gas leakage, attachment strength, and unit cell performance using a single module, regardless of the fuel cell shape.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate devices are used to measure gas leakage and unit cell performance, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and evaluation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines gas leakage measurement and unit cell performance measurement into a single integrated jig module. The upper and lower jigs form a sealed chamber that can simultaneously contain the unit cell while allowing separate gas supply paths for leakage detection and performance testing, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The jig module is designed with universal functionality to perform multiple measurement tasks. The sealed chamber formed by the upper and lower jigs can accommodate different unit cell configurations, and the gas supply system can switch between leakage testing mode and performance measurement mode, making the device adaptable to various evaluation needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple separate measurements are performed for sealant evaluation, then measurement completeness is improved, but evaluation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement completenessVSAvoidevaluation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous evaluation by performing gas leakage measurement and unit cell performance measurement in sequence within the same setup without disassembling or reconfiguring the device. The unit cell remains in the sealed chamber throughout both measurement processes, allowing uninterrupted evaluation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the measuring device is converted for different fuel cell types, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and conversion time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different fuel cell typesVSAvoidconversion complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The jig module employs a universal design where the upper and lower jigs form a generic sealed chamber structure that can accommodate different fuel cell types including planar, cylindrical, and planar tubular configurations. The gas supply system and measurement apparatus remain the same, requiring no device conversion when testing different fuel cell geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3364485B1Jig module for solid oxide fuel cell
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP3364485B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3364485B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a technology for a jig for evaluating a solid oxide fuel cell, and more particularly, to a jig for evaluating a solid oxide fuel cell in which a press is formed in an upper plate and a lower plate of a jig which evaluates a characteristic of a fuel cell, so that gas leakage through a sealant and attachment strength of the sealant and a performance of a unit cell are simultaneously evaluated by using one jig.