CA2658699A1 - Fuel cell stack assembly - Google Patents
Fuel cell stack assembly Download PDFInfo
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- CA2658699A1 CA2658699A1 CA002658699A CA2658699A CA2658699A1 CA 2658699 A1 CA2658699 A1 CA 2658699A1 CA 002658699 A CA002658699 A CA 002658699A CA 2658699 A CA2658699 A CA 2658699A CA 2658699 A1 CA2658699 A1 CA 2658699A1
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
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Abstract
A fuel cell stack assembly includes the fuel cell stack, a first pressure-supporting end plate assembly, a first current collector plate, a second pressure-supporting end plate assembly, a second current collector plate, and a pressure-applying structure.
The first pressure-supporting end plate assembly is coupled to the first electrode side of the fuel cell stack. The second pressure-supporting end plate assembly is coupled to the second electrode side of the fuel cell stack. The pressure-applying structure includes a pressure-applying plate and a pair of side plates formed with an open end therebetween. The pressure-applying plate abuts against the plate surface of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly. The open end is located on opposite sides of the first end plate of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly and coupled to the coupling section of the first end plate by the positioning structures.
The first pressure-supporting end plate assembly is coupled to the first electrode side of the fuel cell stack. The second pressure-supporting end plate assembly is coupled to the second electrode side of the fuel cell stack. The pressure-applying structure includes a pressure-applying plate and a pair of side plates formed with an open end therebetween. The pressure-applying plate abuts against the plate surface of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly. The open end is located on opposite sides of the first end plate of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly and coupled to the coupling section of the first end plate by the positioning structures.
Description
FUEL CELL STACK ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
100011 The present invention relates to cell assembly structures, and more particularly, to an assembly structure of a fuel cell stack.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
100021 Fuel cell device is a device for converting hydrogen-containing fuel and air into electric power and water in an electrochemical reaction. The operating principle of fuel cell device is described hereunder. A proton exchange membrane fuel cell device, taken as example, comprises a plurality of fuel cell units each centrally equipped with a proton exchange membrane (PEM) flanked by two catalyst layers.
The catalyst layers are respectively covered with gas diffusion layers (GDL), respectively. An anode bipolar plate and a cathode bipolar plate are respectively disposed at the outer surfaces of the two gas diffusion layers. The aforesaid components are tightly assembled together by a predetermined contact pressure to finalize the fuel cell units.
[0003) To enable the electrochemical reaction to take place in a fuel cell device so as to convert chemical energy into electrical energy, it is necessary for the pressure within the fuel cell device to fall within a constant range of pressure, otherwise high contact impedance will deteriorate the conversion efficiency of the fuel cell device.
[0004] In practice, to generate adequate electric power, the fuel cell units are stacked and connected in series to form a fuel cell stack fixed in position between two end plates on opposite sides and in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell stack by means of the two end plates and a plurality of linking rods penetrating the rim of the two end plates.
[0005[ U.S. Patent No. 5,993,987 disclosed an electrochemical fuel cell stack with compression bands, wherein a fuel cell stack includes a pair of end plates and a plurality of fuel cell units interposed between the pair of end plates. The pair of end plates comprises a first end plate and a second end plate. Each of the fuel cell units of the fuel cell stack comprises an anode layer and a cathode layer.
[00061 The pair of end plates further comprise at least a resilient compression element. A long compression band circumscribes the end plates in a unidirectional manner to urge the first end plate toward the second end plate, thereby applying compressive force to the fuel cell stack to fix in position the fuel cell units of the fuel cell stack. However, the prior art has its drawback, though it is conducive to assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007[ Technical problems to be solved by the present invention are as follows.
There are difficulties in assembling together constituent components of a fuel cell stack. Fuel cell units subjected to excessive contact pressure are likely to deform, warp, or end up with structural damage. If undue or uneven contact pressure is exerted upon the fuel cell stack, performance of the fuel cell units will be compromised.
Inadequate contact pressure accompanies poor sealing of the fuel cell stack, which not only results in liquid leakage or gas leakage, but also leads to great interlayer contact resistance of the fuel cell stack, thereby deteriorating the performance of the fuel cell stack.
[0008] On the other hand, constituent components of a fuel cell stack have been stacked up by the moment when the assembling process of the fuel cell stack ends;
however, in practice, owing to their mechanical stress intolerance, the fuel cell units of the fuel cell stack has to be equipped with an additional enclosing protective structure, such as a protective brace or a protective casing, otherwise the fuel cell stack is likely to be hit and damaged, distorted, or deformed.
[0009] In view of the drawbacks of the prior art, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a pressure-supporting assembly structure for a fuel cell stack, so as to provide a certain degree of protection for constituent components of the fuel cell stack with a view to rendering maintenance and assembly easy.
[0010] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a pressure-supporting assembly structure for a fuel cell stack, so as to provide optimal contact pressure among fuel cell units of the fuel cell stack.
100111 Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a pressure-supporting assembly structure for a fuel cell stack, so as to adjust contact pressure between the fuel cell units of the fuel cell stack and the end plates with a view to enhancing flexibility of application.
[0012] To achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention discloses a fuel cell stack assembly. The fuel cell stack assembly comprises a fuel cell stack, a first pressure-supporting end plate assembly, a first current collector plate, a second pressure-supporting end plate assembly, a second current collector plate, a pressure-supporting structure, and a pressure-applying structure. The fuel cell stack has a first electrode side, a second electrode side, and at least one fuel cell unit. The first pressure-supporting end plate assembly is coupled to the first electrode side of the fuel cell stack via a first end plate of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly and the first current collector plate. The second pressure-supporting end plate assembly is coupled to the second electrode side of the fuel cell stack via a second end plate of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly and the second current collector plate.
100131 The pressure-applying structure comprises a pressure-applying plate and a pair of side plates extending from and perpendicular to the pressure-applying plate.
The side plates define an open end therebetween. After the fuel cell stack, the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly, the first current collector plate, the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly, the second current collector plate, and a pressure-supporting structure have been assembled together, the pressure-applying plate of the pressure-applying structure abuts against a second end plate surface of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly, and the open end is located on opposite sides the first end plate and coupled to the coupling section of the first end plate by positioning structures.
[00141 The pressure-supporting structure sandwiched between the first end plate and the coupling section exerts pressure, via the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly and in the direction of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly, upon the fuel cell stack, so as to provide contact pressure required for the fuel cell units of the fuel cell stack.
[00151 Compared to the prior art, modularization of the assembly structure of the present invention, coupled with the technical means adopted to effectuate the present invention, enhances the efficiency of assembly of a fuel cell stack. Hence, in case the assembly structure of the present invention malfunctions or gets damaged, only defective fuel cell units will have to be changed, and thus it is not necessary to change the fuel cell stack in whole which might otherwise incur costs.
[00161 Regarding structural design, the present invention requires only one pressure-applying structure having an open end which work in conjunction with a plurality of resilient elements provided inside the assembly structure, so as to adjust the pressure exerted upon the fuel cell stack. The structure enables uniform distribution of pressure such that optimal contact pressure among the fuel cell units of the fuel cell stack is maintained, thereby overcoming a drawback of the prior art, that is, inadequate contact pressure accompanies poor sealing of the fuel cell stack, resulting in liquid leakage or gas leakage, great interlayer contact resistance of the fuel cell stack, deformation, warpage or even structural damage of the fuel cell stack, and in consequence the performance of the fuel cell stack deteriorates. By contrast, the prior art taught the use of linking rods, which adds to difficulty in assembly.
100171 In an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second pressure-supporting end plate assembly coupled to the electrode sides of the fuel cell stack are formed with cooling water inlet and outlet ports and hydrogen inlet and outlet ports, respectively, so as to increase contact area and conductivity and permeability of the fuel cell stack, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the fuel cell stack.
[0018] The pressure-applying structure protects all the constituent structures of the fuel cell stack and provides a certain degree of protection for the constituent structures of the fuel cell stack, thus preventing the fuel cell stack from being hit and damaged, distorted, or deformed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objectives can be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention from another angle of view;
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
and FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
100201 Referring to FIG. 1, which is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the present invention, a pressure-supporting assembly structure 100 for a fuel cell stack is provided. The pressure-supporting assembly structure 100 comprises a fuel cell stack 1. The fuel cell stack 1 has a first electrode side 11, a second electrode side 12, and at least a fuel cell unit 13.
100211 The first electrode side 11 of the fuel cell stack 1 is coupled to a first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2. A first current collector plate 26 is disposed between the first electrode side 11 and the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2. The first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 comprises a first end plate 20 and a coupling section 21. The coupling section 21 is bilaterally formed with a plurality of apertures 211, 212.
100221 A pressure-supporting structure 3 (shown in FIG. 2) is disposed between the first end plate 20 and the coupling section 21 and comprises a pressure-supporting plate 31 and a plurality of resilient elements 32. The pressure-supporting plate 31 is formed with a plurality of pressure-supporting holes 33 corresponding in position to the resilient elements 32, respectively, so as to hold the resilient elements 32. In this embodiment, each of the resilient elements 32 is a saucer-shaped spring.
Alternatively, each of the resilient elements 32 can be other resilience elements, such as a resilient block, spring leaf, piston, polymeric or fiber-reinforced composites, or other polymers, depending on the design thereof.
100231 Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, which show perspective views of the first embodiment of the present invention from different angles of view, the first end plate 20 of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 further has a first side face 22 and a second side face 23. The first and second side faces 22, 23 are each formed with cooling water inlet and outlet ports 24a, 24b and hydrogen inlet and outlet ports 25a, 25b, respectively.
100241 The second electrode side 12 of the fuel cell stack 1 is coupled to a second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4. A second current collector plate 49 is disposed between the second electrode side 12 of the fuel cell stack I and the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4. The second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4 comprises a second end plate 40 having a second end plate surface 41, a first side face 42, a second side face 43, a third side surface 44, and a fourth side surface 45. The first side face 42 and the second side face 43 are each formed with cooling water inlet and outlet ports 46a, 46b and hydrogen inlet and outlet ports 47a, 47b, respectively. The third side surface 44 and the fourth side surface 45 are each formed with air inlet and outlet ports 48a, 48b, respectively.
[00251 To assemble the pressure-supporting assembly structure 100, a pressure-applying structure 5 is used to assembly the fuel cell stack 1, the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2, the first current collector plate 26, the pressure-supporting structure 3, the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4, and the second current collector plate 49 together. In this embodiment, the pressure-applying structure 5 is formed from a pressure-applying plate 51 and side plates 52, 53 extending therefrom and perpendicular thereto. The side plates 52, 53 together define an open end 54 therebetween and are distally formed with positioning structures 521, 531, respectively. The positioning structures 521, 531 are lined up and positioned approximate to the open end 54 and correspond in position to the coupling section 21 of the first end plate 20. The positioning structures 521, 53 1 are adopted to be coupling holes.
[00261 Referring to FIG. 1, the side plate 52 is centrally formed with a hollow section 522, allowing protruding ends 261, 491 of the first current collector plate 26 and the second current collector plate 49 to protrude through the hollow section 522.
The side plates 52, 53 are respectively formed with a plurality of guiding holes 523, 532, 524, 533 corresponding in position to the cooling water inlet and outlet ports 24a, 24b, 46a, 46b and a plurality of guiding holes 525, 534, 526, 535 corresponding in position to the hydrogen inlet and outlet ports 25a, 25b, 47a, 47b, respectively.
100271 After the fuel cell stack 1, the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2, the first current collector plate 26, the pressure-supporting structure 3, the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4, the second current collector plate 49, and the pressure-applying structure 5 have been assembled together with a tool equipment (as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4), the pressure-applying plate 51 of the pressure-applying structure 5 abuts against the second end plate surface 41 of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4, and protruding ends 261, 491 of the first current collector plate 26 and the second current collector plate 49 protrude through the hollow section 522 of the side plate 52, allowing a plurality of fasteners 6 penetrating the positioning structures 521, 53 1 of the side plates 52, 53 to be coupled to the apertures 211, 212 of the coupling section 21 of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2.
[0028] The pressure-supporting structure 3 disposed between the first end plate 20 and the coupling section 21 of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 exerts a pressure, via the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 and in the direction of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4, upon the fuel cell stack 1, so as to provide contact pressure required for the fuel cell units 13.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 5, which is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the present invention, the second embodiment of a pressure-supporting assembly structure 100a is mostly identical with the first embodiment of the pressure-supporting assembly structure 100 in terms of constituent components, and thus the same component is denoted with the same reference numeral. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, in the second embodiment, support flanges 55, 56 extend distally from the side plates 52, 53 of the pressure-applying structure 5, respectively, and are positioned approximate to the positioning structures 521, 53 1, and thus, upon completion of the assembly structure of the present invention, the coupling section 21 of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 exactly abuts against the support flanges 55, 56 of the side plates 52, 53 of the pressure-applying structure 5, thereby reinforcing the pressure-supporting assembly structure of the present invention. Since the second embodiment and the first embodiment are similar in terms of the way and process of assembly, and thus detailed descriptions thereof are omitted herein for brevity. Alternatively, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the positioning structures 521, 531 are disposed on the support flanges 55, 56 and correspond in position to the apertures 211, 212 of the coupling section 21 of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2, so as for the positioning structures 521, 531 to be coupled to the fasteners 6.
[00301 Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, which are an exploded view and a bottom plan view of the third embodiment of the present invention, respectively, the third embodiment of a pressure-supporting assembly structure 100b is mostly identical with the second embodiment of the pressure-supporting assembly structure 100a in terms of constituent components, and thus the same component is denoted with the same reference numeral. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that:
in the third embodiment, retainers 57, 58 are distally coupled to the side plates 52, 53 of the pressure-applying structure 5. The retainers 57, 58 are provided with the positioning structures 521, 531 and ribs 571, 581; and a pair of positioning bars 7, 7a are coupled between the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 and the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4.
100311 After the fuel cell stack 1, the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2, the first current collector plate 26, the pressure-supporting structure 3, the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4, the second current collector plate 49, the pressure-applying structure 5, and the positioning bars 7, 7a have been assembled together by a tool equipment, a plurality of fasteners 6a penetrate the positioning structures 521, 531 of the retainers 57, 58 such that the fasteners 6a are coupled to the coupling section 2la of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2.
Hence, the resilient elements 32 sandwiched between the first end plate 20 and the coupling section 21a of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 exerts pressure, via the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 and in the direction of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4, upon the fuel cell stack 1, and the depth of the fasteners 6a fixed in position to the positioning structures 521, 531 is adjusted, so as to adjust the magnitude of contact pressure provided among the fuel cell units 13 and the end plates 20, 40. Alternatively, in this embodiment, the pressure-applying structure 5 can assume the structure of the support flanges shown in FIG. 5.
[00321 As shown in the drawing, protective covers 8, 8a are disposed on the retainers 57, 58 distally coupled to the side plates 52, 53, so as to protect the fasteners 6a fixed in position to the positioning structures 521, 531.
[00331 Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, which are an exploded view and a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, respectively, the fourth embodiment of a pressure-supporting assembly structure 100c is mostly identical with the first embodiment of the pressure-supporting assembly structure 100 in terms of constituent components, and thus the same component is denoted with the same reference numeral. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that:
in the fourth embodiment, a pressure-supporting structure 3a is disposed between the pressure-applying structure 5a and the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4. Positioning structures 521 a, 531 a of the pressure-applying structure 5a are groove-shaped and engage with coupling bosses 211a, 212a protruding from the coupling section 21 of the first end plate 20; guiding holes 524a, 526a, 533a, 535a of the side plates 52a, 53a correspond in position to the cooling water inlet and outlet ports 46a, 46b and hydrogen inlet and outlet ports 47a, 47b; the first end plate 20 and the coupling section 21 are formed to be integral to one another; and the resilient elements 32a and the pressure-applying plate 51 a are coupled together so as to dispense with a pressure-supporting plate 31a .
[00341 Similarly, the fourth embodiment and the preceding embodiments are similar in terms of the way and process of assembly, and thus detailed description thereof are omitted herein for brevity. Persons skilled in the art readily conceive that, after the pressure-applying structure 5a and the constituent components of the pressure-supporting assembly structure of the present invention have been assembled together, the pressure-supporting structure 3a sandwiched between the pressure-applying structure 5a and the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4 exerts pressure, via the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4 and in the direction of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2, upon the fuel cell stack 1, so as to provide contact pressure required for the fuel cell units 13.
[00351 Referring to FIG. 10, which is an exploded view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the fifth embodiment of a pressure-supporting assembly structure 100d is mostly identical with the fourth embodiment of the pressure-supporting assembly structure IOOc in terms of constituent components, and thus the same component is denoted with the same reference numeral. The fifth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that, in the fifth embodiment, pressure-supporting holes 33b of a pressure-supporting structure 3b penetrate a pressure-supporting plate 31b; and resilient elements 32b are held in the pressure-supporting holes 33b of the pressure-supporting structure 3b, respectively.
Since this embodiment and the preceding embodiments are similar in terms of the way and process of assembly, and thus detailed descriptions thereof are omitted herein for brevity. Alternatively, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the pressure-supporting holes 33b and the pressure-applying plate 51a are coupled together, so as to dispense with the pressure-supporting plate 31b.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, which are an exploded view and a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention, respectively, the sixth embodiment of pressure-supporting assembly structure 100e is mostly identical with the first embodiment of the pressure-supporting assembly structure 100 in terms of constituent components, and thus the same component is denoted with the same reference numeral. The sixth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that: in the sixth embodiment, a connecting section 421 is formed on two sides of a second end plate 40a of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4a; the connecting section 421 is provided in the form of a plurality of protruding posts, and the rim of the protruding posts is dented or L-shaped so as to prevent the side plates 52b, 53b from detachment.
[0037] As shown in the drawings, the pressure-applying structure 5b comprises the side plates 52b, 53b, wherein positioning structures corresponding in position to the coupling section 21 of the first end plate 20 and the connecting section 421 of the second end plate 40a are provided to be positioned approximate to the side plates 52b, 53b distally. In the sixth embodiment, the positioning structures of the side plates 52b, 53b are a plurality of coupling holes 521 b, 531 b and a plurality of connecting holes 527, 536 arranged in a line.
[0038] In the aforesaid course of assembly, the connecting holes 527, 536 of the side plates 52b, 53b are coupled to the connecting sections 421 on the two sides of the second end plate 40a, respectively. A plurality of fasteners 6 penetrate a plurality of coupling holes 521b, 531b of the side plates 52b, 53b, respectively, so as to be coupled to the apertures 211, 212 of the coupling section 21 of the first end plate 20.
100391 After the fuel cell stack 1, the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2, the first current collector plate 26, the pressure-supporting structure 3, the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4a, the second current collector plate 49a, and the pressure-applying structure 5b have been assembled together by a tool equipment, the pressure-supporting structure 3 sandwiched between the first end plate 20 and the coupling section 21 of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 exerts pressure, via the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 and in the direction of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4a, upon the fuel cell stack 1, so as to provide contact pressure required for the fuel cell units 13. Similarly, the pressure-supporting structure 3 and the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4 can be coupled together, and support flanges can distally extend from the side plates 52b, 53b as shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, retainers and support flanges are distally coupled to the side plates 52b, 53b, respectively, and positioning structures are disposed on the retainers and the support flanges, so as to adjust the depth of the fasteners fixed in position to the positioning structures and thereby adjust the magnitude of contact pressure provided among the fuel cell units 13 and the end plates 20, 40 as shown in FIG. 6. The coupling holes 521b, 531b of the side plates 52b, 53b and the apertures 211, 212 of the coupling section 21 assume an engagement structure shown in FIG. 8, and the engagement structure is changeable or adjustable as needed.
[0040] As revealed by the above embodiments, the present invention provides a pressure-supporting assembly structure for a fuel cell stack, and the pressure-supporting assembly structure has industrial applicability and thus the present invention meets the criteria of patentability. The foregoing specific embodiments are only illustrative of the features and functions of the present invention but are not intended to restrict the scope of the present invention.
It is apparent to those skilled in the art that all equivalent modifications and variations made in the foregoing embodiments according to the spirit and principle in the disclosure of the present invention should fall within the scope of the appended claims.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
100011 The present invention relates to cell assembly structures, and more particularly, to an assembly structure of a fuel cell stack.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
100021 Fuel cell device is a device for converting hydrogen-containing fuel and air into electric power and water in an electrochemical reaction. The operating principle of fuel cell device is described hereunder. A proton exchange membrane fuel cell device, taken as example, comprises a plurality of fuel cell units each centrally equipped with a proton exchange membrane (PEM) flanked by two catalyst layers.
The catalyst layers are respectively covered with gas diffusion layers (GDL), respectively. An anode bipolar plate and a cathode bipolar plate are respectively disposed at the outer surfaces of the two gas diffusion layers. The aforesaid components are tightly assembled together by a predetermined contact pressure to finalize the fuel cell units.
[0003) To enable the electrochemical reaction to take place in a fuel cell device so as to convert chemical energy into electrical energy, it is necessary for the pressure within the fuel cell device to fall within a constant range of pressure, otherwise high contact impedance will deteriorate the conversion efficiency of the fuel cell device.
[0004] In practice, to generate adequate electric power, the fuel cell units are stacked and connected in series to form a fuel cell stack fixed in position between two end plates on opposite sides and in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell stack by means of the two end plates and a plurality of linking rods penetrating the rim of the two end plates.
[0005[ U.S. Patent No. 5,993,987 disclosed an electrochemical fuel cell stack with compression bands, wherein a fuel cell stack includes a pair of end plates and a plurality of fuel cell units interposed between the pair of end plates. The pair of end plates comprises a first end plate and a second end plate. Each of the fuel cell units of the fuel cell stack comprises an anode layer and a cathode layer.
[00061 The pair of end plates further comprise at least a resilient compression element. A long compression band circumscribes the end plates in a unidirectional manner to urge the first end plate toward the second end plate, thereby applying compressive force to the fuel cell stack to fix in position the fuel cell units of the fuel cell stack. However, the prior art has its drawback, though it is conducive to assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007[ Technical problems to be solved by the present invention are as follows.
There are difficulties in assembling together constituent components of a fuel cell stack. Fuel cell units subjected to excessive contact pressure are likely to deform, warp, or end up with structural damage. If undue or uneven contact pressure is exerted upon the fuel cell stack, performance of the fuel cell units will be compromised.
Inadequate contact pressure accompanies poor sealing of the fuel cell stack, which not only results in liquid leakage or gas leakage, but also leads to great interlayer contact resistance of the fuel cell stack, thereby deteriorating the performance of the fuel cell stack.
[0008] On the other hand, constituent components of a fuel cell stack have been stacked up by the moment when the assembling process of the fuel cell stack ends;
however, in practice, owing to their mechanical stress intolerance, the fuel cell units of the fuel cell stack has to be equipped with an additional enclosing protective structure, such as a protective brace or a protective casing, otherwise the fuel cell stack is likely to be hit and damaged, distorted, or deformed.
[0009] In view of the drawbacks of the prior art, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a pressure-supporting assembly structure for a fuel cell stack, so as to provide a certain degree of protection for constituent components of the fuel cell stack with a view to rendering maintenance and assembly easy.
[0010] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a pressure-supporting assembly structure for a fuel cell stack, so as to provide optimal contact pressure among fuel cell units of the fuel cell stack.
100111 Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a pressure-supporting assembly structure for a fuel cell stack, so as to adjust contact pressure between the fuel cell units of the fuel cell stack and the end plates with a view to enhancing flexibility of application.
[0012] To achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention discloses a fuel cell stack assembly. The fuel cell stack assembly comprises a fuel cell stack, a first pressure-supporting end plate assembly, a first current collector plate, a second pressure-supporting end plate assembly, a second current collector plate, a pressure-supporting structure, and a pressure-applying structure. The fuel cell stack has a first electrode side, a second electrode side, and at least one fuel cell unit. The first pressure-supporting end plate assembly is coupled to the first electrode side of the fuel cell stack via a first end plate of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly and the first current collector plate. The second pressure-supporting end plate assembly is coupled to the second electrode side of the fuel cell stack via a second end plate of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly and the second current collector plate.
100131 The pressure-applying structure comprises a pressure-applying plate and a pair of side plates extending from and perpendicular to the pressure-applying plate.
The side plates define an open end therebetween. After the fuel cell stack, the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly, the first current collector plate, the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly, the second current collector plate, and a pressure-supporting structure have been assembled together, the pressure-applying plate of the pressure-applying structure abuts against a second end plate surface of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly, and the open end is located on opposite sides the first end plate and coupled to the coupling section of the first end plate by positioning structures.
[00141 The pressure-supporting structure sandwiched between the first end plate and the coupling section exerts pressure, via the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly and in the direction of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly, upon the fuel cell stack, so as to provide contact pressure required for the fuel cell units of the fuel cell stack.
[00151 Compared to the prior art, modularization of the assembly structure of the present invention, coupled with the technical means adopted to effectuate the present invention, enhances the efficiency of assembly of a fuel cell stack. Hence, in case the assembly structure of the present invention malfunctions or gets damaged, only defective fuel cell units will have to be changed, and thus it is not necessary to change the fuel cell stack in whole which might otherwise incur costs.
[00161 Regarding structural design, the present invention requires only one pressure-applying structure having an open end which work in conjunction with a plurality of resilient elements provided inside the assembly structure, so as to adjust the pressure exerted upon the fuel cell stack. The structure enables uniform distribution of pressure such that optimal contact pressure among the fuel cell units of the fuel cell stack is maintained, thereby overcoming a drawback of the prior art, that is, inadequate contact pressure accompanies poor sealing of the fuel cell stack, resulting in liquid leakage or gas leakage, great interlayer contact resistance of the fuel cell stack, deformation, warpage or even structural damage of the fuel cell stack, and in consequence the performance of the fuel cell stack deteriorates. By contrast, the prior art taught the use of linking rods, which adds to difficulty in assembly.
100171 In an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second pressure-supporting end plate assembly coupled to the electrode sides of the fuel cell stack are formed with cooling water inlet and outlet ports and hydrogen inlet and outlet ports, respectively, so as to increase contact area and conductivity and permeability of the fuel cell stack, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the fuel cell stack.
[0018] The pressure-applying structure protects all the constituent structures of the fuel cell stack and provides a certain degree of protection for the constituent structures of the fuel cell stack, thus preventing the fuel cell stack from being hit and damaged, distorted, or deformed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objectives can be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention from another angle of view;
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
and FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
100201 Referring to FIG. 1, which is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the present invention, a pressure-supporting assembly structure 100 for a fuel cell stack is provided. The pressure-supporting assembly structure 100 comprises a fuel cell stack 1. The fuel cell stack 1 has a first electrode side 11, a second electrode side 12, and at least a fuel cell unit 13.
100211 The first electrode side 11 of the fuel cell stack 1 is coupled to a first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2. A first current collector plate 26 is disposed between the first electrode side 11 and the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2. The first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 comprises a first end plate 20 and a coupling section 21. The coupling section 21 is bilaterally formed with a plurality of apertures 211, 212.
100221 A pressure-supporting structure 3 (shown in FIG. 2) is disposed between the first end plate 20 and the coupling section 21 and comprises a pressure-supporting plate 31 and a plurality of resilient elements 32. The pressure-supporting plate 31 is formed with a plurality of pressure-supporting holes 33 corresponding in position to the resilient elements 32, respectively, so as to hold the resilient elements 32. In this embodiment, each of the resilient elements 32 is a saucer-shaped spring.
Alternatively, each of the resilient elements 32 can be other resilience elements, such as a resilient block, spring leaf, piston, polymeric or fiber-reinforced composites, or other polymers, depending on the design thereof.
100231 Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, which show perspective views of the first embodiment of the present invention from different angles of view, the first end plate 20 of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 further has a first side face 22 and a second side face 23. The first and second side faces 22, 23 are each formed with cooling water inlet and outlet ports 24a, 24b and hydrogen inlet and outlet ports 25a, 25b, respectively.
100241 The second electrode side 12 of the fuel cell stack 1 is coupled to a second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4. A second current collector plate 49 is disposed between the second electrode side 12 of the fuel cell stack I and the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4. The second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4 comprises a second end plate 40 having a second end plate surface 41, a first side face 42, a second side face 43, a third side surface 44, and a fourth side surface 45. The first side face 42 and the second side face 43 are each formed with cooling water inlet and outlet ports 46a, 46b and hydrogen inlet and outlet ports 47a, 47b, respectively. The third side surface 44 and the fourth side surface 45 are each formed with air inlet and outlet ports 48a, 48b, respectively.
[00251 To assemble the pressure-supporting assembly structure 100, a pressure-applying structure 5 is used to assembly the fuel cell stack 1, the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2, the first current collector plate 26, the pressure-supporting structure 3, the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4, and the second current collector plate 49 together. In this embodiment, the pressure-applying structure 5 is formed from a pressure-applying plate 51 and side plates 52, 53 extending therefrom and perpendicular thereto. The side plates 52, 53 together define an open end 54 therebetween and are distally formed with positioning structures 521, 531, respectively. The positioning structures 521, 531 are lined up and positioned approximate to the open end 54 and correspond in position to the coupling section 21 of the first end plate 20. The positioning structures 521, 53 1 are adopted to be coupling holes.
[00261 Referring to FIG. 1, the side plate 52 is centrally formed with a hollow section 522, allowing protruding ends 261, 491 of the first current collector plate 26 and the second current collector plate 49 to protrude through the hollow section 522.
The side plates 52, 53 are respectively formed with a plurality of guiding holes 523, 532, 524, 533 corresponding in position to the cooling water inlet and outlet ports 24a, 24b, 46a, 46b and a plurality of guiding holes 525, 534, 526, 535 corresponding in position to the hydrogen inlet and outlet ports 25a, 25b, 47a, 47b, respectively.
100271 After the fuel cell stack 1, the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2, the first current collector plate 26, the pressure-supporting structure 3, the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4, the second current collector plate 49, and the pressure-applying structure 5 have been assembled together with a tool equipment (as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4), the pressure-applying plate 51 of the pressure-applying structure 5 abuts against the second end plate surface 41 of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4, and protruding ends 261, 491 of the first current collector plate 26 and the second current collector plate 49 protrude through the hollow section 522 of the side plate 52, allowing a plurality of fasteners 6 penetrating the positioning structures 521, 53 1 of the side plates 52, 53 to be coupled to the apertures 211, 212 of the coupling section 21 of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2.
[0028] The pressure-supporting structure 3 disposed between the first end plate 20 and the coupling section 21 of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 exerts a pressure, via the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 and in the direction of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4, upon the fuel cell stack 1, so as to provide contact pressure required for the fuel cell units 13.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 5, which is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the present invention, the second embodiment of a pressure-supporting assembly structure 100a is mostly identical with the first embodiment of the pressure-supporting assembly structure 100 in terms of constituent components, and thus the same component is denoted with the same reference numeral. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, in the second embodiment, support flanges 55, 56 extend distally from the side plates 52, 53 of the pressure-applying structure 5, respectively, and are positioned approximate to the positioning structures 521, 53 1, and thus, upon completion of the assembly structure of the present invention, the coupling section 21 of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 exactly abuts against the support flanges 55, 56 of the side plates 52, 53 of the pressure-applying structure 5, thereby reinforcing the pressure-supporting assembly structure of the present invention. Since the second embodiment and the first embodiment are similar in terms of the way and process of assembly, and thus detailed descriptions thereof are omitted herein for brevity. Alternatively, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the positioning structures 521, 531 are disposed on the support flanges 55, 56 and correspond in position to the apertures 211, 212 of the coupling section 21 of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2, so as for the positioning structures 521, 531 to be coupled to the fasteners 6.
[00301 Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, which are an exploded view and a bottom plan view of the third embodiment of the present invention, respectively, the third embodiment of a pressure-supporting assembly structure 100b is mostly identical with the second embodiment of the pressure-supporting assembly structure 100a in terms of constituent components, and thus the same component is denoted with the same reference numeral. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that:
in the third embodiment, retainers 57, 58 are distally coupled to the side plates 52, 53 of the pressure-applying structure 5. The retainers 57, 58 are provided with the positioning structures 521, 531 and ribs 571, 581; and a pair of positioning bars 7, 7a are coupled between the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 and the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4.
100311 After the fuel cell stack 1, the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2, the first current collector plate 26, the pressure-supporting structure 3, the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4, the second current collector plate 49, the pressure-applying structure 5, and the positioning bars 7, 7a have been assembled together by a tool equipment, a plurality of fasteners 6a penetrate the positioning structures 521, 531 of the retainers 57, 58 such that the fasteners 6a are coupled to the coupling section 2la of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2.
Hence, the resilient elements 32 sandwiched between the first end plate 20 and the coupling section 21a of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 exerts pressure, via the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 and in the direction of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4, upon the fuel cell stack 1, and the depth of the fasteners 6a fixed in position to the positioning structures 521, 531 is adjusted, so as to adjust the magnitude of contact pressure provided among the fuel cell units 13 and the end plates 20, 40. Alternatively, in this embodiment, the pressure-applying structure 5 can assume the structure of the support flanges shown in FIG. 5.
[00321 As shown in the drawing, protective covers 8, 8a are disposed on the retainers 57, 58 distally coupled to the side plates 52, 53, so as to protect the fasteners 6a fixed in position to the positioning structures 521, 531.
[00331 Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, which are an exploded view and a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, respectively, the fourth embodiment of a pressure-supporting assembly structure 100c is mostly identical with the first embodiment of the pressure-supporting assembly structure 100 in terms of constituent components, and thus the same component is denoted with the same reference numeral. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that:
in the fourth embodiment, a pressure-supporting structure 3a is disposed between the pressure-applying structure 5a and the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4. Positioning structures 521 a, 531 a of the pressure-applying structure 5a are groove-shaped and engage with coupling bosses 211a, 212a protruding from the coupling section 21 of the first end plate 20; guiding holes 524a, 526a, 533a, 535a of the side plates 52a, 53a correspond in position to the cooling water inlet and outlet ports 46a, 46b and hydrogen inlet and outlet ports 47a, 47b; the first end plate 20 and the coupling section 21 are formed to be integral to one another; and the resilient elements 32a and the pressure-applying plate 51 a are coupled together so as to dispense with a pressure-supporting plate 31a .
[00341 Similarly, the fourth embodiment and the preceding embodiments are similar in terms of the way and process of assembly, and thus detailed description thereof are omitted herein for brevity. Persons skilled in the art readily conceive that, after the pressure-applying structure 5a and the constituent components of the pressure-supporting assembly structure of the present invention have been assembled together, the pressure-supporting structure 3a sandwiched between the pressure-applying structure 5a and the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4 exerts pressure, via the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4 and in the direction of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2, upon the fuel cell stack 1, so as to provide contact pressure required for the fuel cell units 13.
[00351 Referring to FIG. 10, which is an exploded view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the fifth embodiment of a pressure-supporting assembly structure 100d is mostly identical with the fourth embodiment of the pressure-supporting assembly structure IOOc in terms of constituent components, and thus the same component is denoted with the same reference numeral. The fifth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that, in the fifth embodiment, pressure-supporting holes 33b of a pressure-supporting structure 3b penetrate a pressure-supporting plate 31b; and resilient elements 32b are held in the pressure-supporting holes 33b of the pressure-supporting structure 3b, respectively.
Since this embodiment and the preceding embodiments are similar in terms of the way and process of assembly, and thus detailed descriptions thereof are omitted herein for brevity. Alternatively, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the pressure-supporting holes 33b and the pressure-applying plate 51a are coupled together, so as to dispense with the pressure-supporting plate 31b.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, which are an exploded view and a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention, respectively, the sixth embodiment of pressure-supporting assembly structure 100e is mostly identical with the first embodiment of the pressure-supporting assembly structure 100 in terms of constituent components, and thus the same component is denoted with the same reference numeral. The sixth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that: in the sixth embodiment, a connecting section 421 is formed on two sides of a second end plate 40a of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4a; the connecting section 421 is provided in the form of a plurality of protruding posts, and the rim of the protruding posts is dented or L-shaped so as to prevent the side plates 52b, 53b from detachment.
[0037] As shown in the drawings, the pressure-applying structure 5b comprises the side plates 52b, 53b, wherein positioning structures corresponding in position to the coupling section 21 of the first end plate 20 and the connecting section 421 of the second end plate 40a are provided to be positioned approximate to the side plates 52b, 53b distally. In the sixth embodiment, the positioning structures of the side plates 52b, 53b are a plurality of coupling holes 521 b, 531 b and a plurality of connecting holes 527, 536 arranged in a line.
[0038] In the aforesaid course of assembly, the connecting holes 527, 536 of the side plates 52b, 53b are coupled to the connecting sections 421 on the two sides of the second end plate 40a, respectively. A plurality of fasteners 6 penetrate a plurality of coupling holes 521b, 531b of the side plates 52b, 53b, respectively, so as to be coupled to the apertures 211, 212 of the coupling section 21 of the first end plate 20.
100391 After the fuel cell stack 1, the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2, the first current collector plate 26, the pressure-supporting structure 3, the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4a, the second current collector plate 49a, and the pressure-applying structure 5b have been assembled together by a tool equipment, the pressure-supporting structure 3 sandwiched between the first end plate 20 and the coupling section 21 of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 exerts pressure, via the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly 2 and in the direction of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4a, upon the fuel cell stack 1, so as to provide contact pressure required for the fuel cell units 13. Similarly, the pressure-supporting structure 3 and the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly 4 can be coupled together, and support flanges can distally extend from the side plates 52b, 53b as shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, retainers and support flanges are distally coupled to the side plates 52b, 53b, respectively, and positioning structures are disposed on the retainers and the support flanges, so as to adjust the depth of the fasteners fixed in position to the positioning structures and thereby adjust the magnitude of contact pressure provided among the fuel cell units 13 and the end plates 20, 40 as shown in FIG. 6. The coupling holes 521b, 531b of the side plates 52b, 53b and the apertures 211, 212 of the coupling section 21 assume an engagement structure shown in FIG. 8, and the engagement structure is changeable or adjustable as needed.
[0040] As revealed by the above embodiments, the present invention provides a pressure-supporting assembly structure for a fuel cell stack, and the pressure-supporting assembly structure has industrial applicability and thus the present invention meets the criteria of patentability. The foregoing specific embodiments are only illustrative of the features and functions of the present invention but are not intended to restrict the scope of the present invention.
It is apparent to those skilled in the art that all equivalent modifications and variations made in the foregoing embodiments according to the spirit and principle in the disclosure of the present invention should fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (20)
1. A fuel cell stack assembly, comprising:
a fuel cell stack having a first electrode side, a second electrode side, and at least one fuel cell unit;
a first pressure-supporting end plate assembly having a first end plate and a coupling section and being coupled to the first electrode side of the fuel cell stack;
a first current collector plate disposed between the first end plate and the first electrode side of the fuel cell stack;
a second pressure-supporting end plate assembly having a second end plate and being coupled to the second electrode side of the fuel cell stack;
a second current collector plate disposed between the second end plate and the second electrode side of the fuel cell stack; and a pressure-applying structure comprising a pressure-applying plate and a pair of side plates, the side plates forming therebetween an open end, the side plates are formed with positioning structures, respectively;
wherein after the fuel cell stack, the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly, the first current collector plate, the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly, the second current collector plate, and the pressure-applying structure are assembled together, the pressure-applying plate of the pressure-applying structure abuts against the second end plate of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly, and the open end of the pressure-applying structure is located on opposite sides of the first end plate and coupled to the coupling section of the first end plate by the positioning structures.
a fuel cell stack having a first electrode side, a second electrode side, and at least one fuel cell unit;
a first pressure-supporting end plate assembly having a first end plate and a coupling section and being coupled to the first electrode side of the fuel cell stack;
a first current collector plate disposed between the first end plate and the first electrode side of the fuel cell stack;
a second pressure-supporting end plate assembly having a second end plate and being coupled to the second electrode side of the fuel cell stack;
a second current collector plate disposed between the second end plate and the second electrode side of the fuel cell stack; and a pressure-applying structure comprising a pressure-applying plate and a pair of side plates, the side plates forming therebetween an open end, the side plates are formed with positioning structures, respectively;
wherein after the fuel cell stack, the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly, the first current collector plate, the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly, the second current collector plate, and the pressure-applying structure are assembled together, the pressure-applying plate of the pressure-applying structure abuts against the second end plate of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly, and the open end of the pressure-applying structure is located on opposite sides of the first end plate and coupled to the coupling section of the first end plate by the positioning structures.
2. The fuel cell stack assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pressure-supporting structure, being disposed between the first end plate and the coupling section of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly.
3. The fuel cell stack assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pressure-supporting structure, being disposed between the second end plate of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly and the pressure-applying structure.
4. The fuel cell stack assembly of claim 2 or 3, wherein the pressure-supporting structure comprises at least one resilient element.
5. The fuel cell stack assembly of claim 2 or 3, wherein the pressure-supporting structure comprises a pressure-supporting plate and at least one resilient element, the pressure-supporting plate is formed with at least one pressure-supporting hole for respectively holding the resilient element.
6. The fuel cell stack assembly of claim 1, wherein the side plate of the pressure-applying structure forms a hollow section, allowing protruding ends of the first current collector plate and the second current collector plate to protrude through the hollow section.
7. The fuel cell stack assembly of claim 1, wherein the side plates of the pressure-applying structure have free ends from which support flanges extend.
8. The fuel cell stack assembly of claim 1, wherein the side plates of the pressure-applying structure have free ends to which retainers are respectively provided.
9. The fuel cell stack assembly of claim 7 or 8, wherein the positioning structures are provided at the support flanges or the retainers of the ends of the side plates of the pressure-applying structure.
10. The fuel cell stack assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pair of positioning bars being coupled between the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly and the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly.
11. The fuel cell stack assembly of claim 1, wherein the positioning structures of the pressure-applying structure is coupled together by at least one fastener.
12. The fuel cell stack assembly of claim 1, further comprising a protective cover for each positioning structures for the pressure-applying structure.
13. The fuel cell stack assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one resilient element is disposed on the pressure-applying plate of the pressure-applying structure.
14. A fuel cell stack assembly, comprising:
a fuel cell stack having a first electrode side, a second electrode side, and at least one fuel cell unit;
a first pressure-supporting end plate assembly having a first end plate and a coupling section and being coupled to the first electrode side of the fuel cell stack;
a first current collector plate disposed between the first end plate and the first electrode side of the fuel cell stack;
a second pressure-supporting end plate assembly having a second end plate and a connecting section and being coupled to the second electrode side of the fuel cell stack;
a second current collector plate disposed between the second end plate and the second electrode side of the fuel cell stack; and a pressure-applying structure comprising a pair of side plates, and the side plates are formed with positioning structures, respectively, and the positioning structures corresponding in position to the coupling section of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly and the connecting section of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly;
wherein the fuel cell stack, the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly, the first current collector plate, the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly, the second current collector plate, and the pressure-applying structure are assembled together and then coupled to the coupling section of the first end plate and the connecting section of the second end plate by the positioning structures of the pressure-applying structure.
a fuel cell stack having a first electrode side, a second electrode side, and at least one fuel cell unit;
a first pressure-supporting end plate assembly having a first end plate and a coupling section and being coupled to the first electrode side of the fuel cell stack;
a first current collector plate disposed between the first end plate and the first electrode side of the fuel cell stack;
a second pressure-supporting end plate assembly having a second end plate and a connecting section and being coupled to the second electrode side of the fuel cell stack;
a second current collector plate disposed between the second end plate and the second electrode side of the fuel cell stack; and a pressure-applying structure comprising a pair of side plates, and the side plates are formed with positioning structures, respectively, and the positioning structures corresponding in position to the coupling section of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly and the connecting section of the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly;
wherein the fuel cell stack, the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly, the first current collector plate, the second pressure-supporting end plate assembly, the second current collector plate, and the pressure-applying structure are assembled together and then coupled to the coupling section of the first end plate and the connecting section of the second end plate by the positioning structures of the pressure-applying structure.
15. The fuel cell stack assembly of claim 14, further comprising a pressure-supporting structure is disposed between the first end plate and the coupling section of the first pressure-supporting end plate assembly.
16. The fuel cell stack assembly of claim 15, wherein the pressure-supporting structure comprises at least one resilient element.
17. The fuel cell stack assembly of claim 15, wherein the pressure-supporting structure comprises a pressure-supporting plate and at least one resilient element, the pressure-supporting plate is formed with at least one pressure-supporting hole for respectively holding the resilient element.
18. The fuel cell stack assembly of claim 14, wherein the side plate of the pressure-applying structure is formed with a hollow section, allowing protruding ends of the first current collector plate and the second current collector plate to protrude through the hollow section.
19. The fuel cell stack assembly of claim 14, wherein the side plates of the pressure-applying structure have free ends forming support flanges or a retainers.
20. The fuel cell stack assembly of claim 14, wherein the positioning structures of the pressure-applying structure is coupled together by at least one fastener.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN200810085453.3 | 2008-03-17 | ||
| CN200810085453 | 2008-03-17 | ||
| CN200910009324A CN101540413A (en) | 2008-03-17 | 2009-02-18 | Pressure-bearing assembling structure of fuel cell module |
| CN200910009324.0 | 2009-02-18 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2658699A1 true CA2658699A1 (en) | 2009-09-17 |
Family
ID=41123479
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002658699A Abandoned CA2658699A1 (en) | 2008-03-17 | 2009-03-17 | Fuel cell stack assembly |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN101540413A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2658699A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10297854B2 (en) | 2014-04-23 | 2019-05-21 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Fuel cell stack |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9300001B2 (en) * | 2013-04-26 | 2016-03-29 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Fuel cell stack |
| CN111463466B (en) * | 2020-04-21 | 2023-05-26 | 上海交通大学 | Self-adaptive fuel cell assembly structure with composite function |
-
2009
- 2009-02-18 CN CN200910009324A patent/CN101540413A/en active Pending
- 2009-03-17 CA CA002658699A patent/CA2658699A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10297854B2 (en) | 2014-04-23 | 2019-05-21 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Fuel cell stack |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN101540413A (en) | 2009-09-23 |
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