The invention relates to a liquid separator, for example for a fuel cell device, wherein the liquid separator comprises the following: a separation space for separating liquid from a fluid; a barrier surrounding the separation space; a separation unit arranged in the separation space; and a passage which leads through the barrier and through which the fluid can be supplied to the separation space and/or through which a fluid can be discharged from the separation space; wherein the passage may, for example, be an inlet through which the fluid can be supplied to the separation space; wherein the separation unit supports the barrier such that at least a portion of a force that can act on the barrier from outside the separation space can be transmitted via the separation unit, for example via the separation unit to a support zone.
B01D 45/08 - Separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours by gravity, inertia, or centrifugal forces by utilising inertia by impingement against baffle separators
H01M 8/04119 - Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyteHumidifying or dehumidifying
The aim of the invention is to improve an arrangement which comprises multiple flat components in particular for a fuel cell device, at least two flat components being welded together by means of at least one weld seam that extends along a weld contour. According to the invention, in at least one weld seam at least two weld seam portions at least partly overlap in a region of overlap along the weld contour.
In order to improve a flat product (125, 143), in particular an electrode layer, for a fuel cell device, in particular a bipolar plate, the flat product (125, 143) has at least one zone for introducing heat (352), i.e., precisely one zone for introducing heat (352) or preferably multiple zones for introducing heat (352), in order to compensate for warpage at least to some extent.
H01M 8/0297 - Arrangements for joining electrodes, reservoir layers, heat exchange units or bipolar separators to each other
H01M 8/0267 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
4.
METHOD FOR PRODUCING A BIPOLAR PLATE LAYER FOR A BIPOLAR PLATE OF AN ELECTROCHEMICAL UNIT, BIPOLAR PLATE LAYER FOR A BIPOLAR PLATE OF AN ELECTROCHEMICAL UNIT AND ELECTROCHEMICAL UNIT FOR AN ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE
In order to provide a method for manufacturing a bipolar plate layer for a bipolar plate of an electrochemical unit of an electrochemical device having the method steps of:
providing a starting material for the bipolar plate layer; and
shaping the starting material such that an edge web which borders a flow field of the bipolar plate layer is formed,
which is configured to be carried out simply and reliably even when large numbers of bipolar plate layers are to be manufactured,
it is proposed that the method comprises the following:
separating out gas passage openings from an edge web portion of the starting material, wherein after the gas passage openings have been separated out the edge web portion is shaped such that the edge web is formed from the edge web portion.
C25B 13/02 - DiaphragmsSpacing elements characterised by shape or form
C25B 13/05 - DiaphragmsSpacing elements characterised by the material based on inorganic materials
H01M 8/0228 - Composites in the form of layered or coated products
H01M 8/0254 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the form corrugated or undulated
H01M 8/026 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant characterised by grooves, e.g. their pitch or depth
H01M 8/1004 - Fuel cells with solid electrolytes characterised by membrane-electrode assemblies [MEA]
The invention relates to a liquid separator (100), in particular for a fuel cell device, the liquid separator (100) comprising the following: a fluid-conducting channel (104), a collection region (106) for collecting liquid originating from a fluid that is conducted in the fluid-conducting channel (104), a liquid passage (110) branching off from the fluid-conducting channel (104) and a liquid collection region (112) into which the liquid passage (110) leads.
H01M 8/04119 - Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyteHumidifying or dehumidifying
F16T 1/34 - Steam traps or like apparatus for draining-off liquids from enclosures predominantly containing gases or vapours, e.g. gas lines, steam lines, containers without moving parts other than hand valves, e.g. labyrinth type
The present invention relates to a seal arrangement for sealing a space located in a plate stack arrangement, wherein the plate stack arrangement can be, for example, a fuel cell stack or a part of a fuel cell stack and the space can be a space located therein, wherein the seal arrangement comprises the following: a sealing element for delimiting the space in at least one direction, and a compression protection unit for protecting the sealing element against irreversible deformation during a compression of the plate stack arrangement along a plate stack longitudinal axis.
The invention relates to a flow field plate for an electrochemical unit of an electrochemical device which comprises a plurality of electrochemical units, wherein the flow field plate comprises an anode gas flow field, a cathode gas flow field and a coolant flow field, wherein the anode gas flow field comprises anode gas flow channels through which the anode gas can flow, the cathode gas flow field comprises cathode gas flow channels through which the cathode gas can flow, and the coolant flow field comprises coolant flow channels through which the coolant can flow. In order to create a flow field plate of this type in which the flow field plate layers are integrally bonded to one another without impairment of the cooling function of the flow field plate, according to the invention at least one anode gas flow channel and/or at least one cathode gas flow channel is locally expanded by virtue of the fact that at least one adjacent portion of a coolant flow channel is locally shifted in a transverse direction of the anode gas flow channel or of the cathode gas flow channel and a portion of another anode gas flow channel or of another cathode gas flow channel, said portion being adjacent to the locally shifted portion of the coolant flow channel, is locally narrowed, wherein the anode-side flow field plate layer and the cathode-side flow field plate layer are integrally bonded to one another at at least one bonding region within each locally expanded region.
H01M 8/0254 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the form corrugated or undulated
H01M 8/0258 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
H01M 8/026 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant characterised by grooves, e.g. their pitch or depth
H01M 8/0265 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant the reactant or coolant channels having varying cross sections
H01M 8/0267 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
H01M 8/0263 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant having meandering or serpentine paths
8.
BIPOLAR PLATE, BIPOLAR PLATE ASSEMBLY, AND FUEL CELL UNIT
The aim of the invention is to provide a bipolar plate for a fuel cell unit, said bipolar plate being used to achieve an optimized supply and/or discharge of a fluid medium to and/or from a membrane-electrode assembly. According to the invention, this is achieved in that multiple flow channels are formed on a bipolar plate body, said flow channels forming at least one flow field for a fluid medium; a bypass channel is formed between an edge flange and a delimiting device; and at least one passage is formed, by means of which a fluidic connection between the flow field and the bypass channel is provided, wherein the bypass channel is equipped with at least one interference element, which forms an overflow region for the fluid medium.
H01M 8/0258 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
H01M 8/026 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant characterised by grooves, e.g. their pitch or depth
H01M 8/0263 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant having meandering or serpentine paths
H01M 8/0267 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
H01M 8/2483 - Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by internal manifolds
H01M 8/0254 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the form corrugated or undulated
H01M 8/0265 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant the reactant or coolant channels having varying cross sections
H01M 8/0204 - Non-porous and characterised by the material
The invention relates to a fuel cell device (300), the fuel cell device (300) comprising the following: a fuel cell stack (100) and a cell suspension element (202) connecting a cell (200) of the fuel cell stack (100) to an abutment (118).
H01M 8/2475 - Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks
H01M 8/0273 - Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame
H01M 8/04313 - Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variablesProcesses for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
The invention relates to a fuel cell device (300), in particular for a means of transport, wherein the fuel cell device (300) comprises the following: a fuel cell stack (100), and a stack longitudinal axis stabilizer (116), wherein at least one region of the stack longitudinal axis stabilizer (116) is arranged between a stack surface of the fuel cell stack (100) extending in parallel with the stack longitudinal axis and an abutment (118).
The invention relates to a fuel cell device (300), the fuel cell device (300) comprising the following: a tension anchor element (138); tension bracing elements, e.g., tension anchor plates (142), connected via the tension anchor element (138), and a tension anchor stabilizer (270) which is in contact with the tension anchor element (138) between the tension bracing elements.
In order to provide a bipolar plate for a fuel cell unit, by means of which optimised supply and/or removal of a fluid medium to and/or from a membrane electrode unit is achieved, a plurality of flow channels is formed on a bipolar plate body, which channels form at least one flow field for a fluid medium, a bypass channel is formed between an edge projection and a sealing element, and at least one passage is formed through which a fluid connection is provided between the flow field and the bypass channel, wherein at least one interference element is provided in the bypass channel.
H01M 8/0247 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the form
H01M 8/0258 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
H01M 8/0276 - Sealing means characterised by their form
The aim of the invention is to provide a fuel cell device (100) which is easy and cost-effective to manufacture and preferably can be safely operated. In order to achieve said aim, it is proposed according to the invention that the fuel cell device (100) comprises the following: —a fuel cell stack unit (102); —a casing (104) which delimits an interior chamber (124), in which the fuel cell stack unit (102) is arranged; wherein the casing (104) has at least one wall (130), preferably a casing lid (118), and wherein the fuel cell stack unit (102) is secured to the wall (118), preferably to the casing lid (118).
H01M 8/2485 - Arrangements for sealing external manifoldsArrangements for mounting external manifolds around a stack
H01M 8/0258 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
H01M 8/0271 - Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
14.
METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A STACK OF ELECTROCHEMICAL UNITS OF AN ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE, AND ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE
In order to create a method for assembling a stack of electrochemical units of an electrochemical device, wherein the electrochemical units follow each other along a stacking direction and wherein each of the electrochemical units comprises a bipolar plate and a sealing arrangement, in which method leaks in the seal between the sealing arrangements and the adjacent bipolar plates are reliably avoided, it is proposed that the method comprises the following: a) providing bipolar plates which each have a primary side and a secondary side; b) providing sealing arrangements which each have a primary side and a secondary side; c) bringing the primary side of a sealing arrangement and the primary side of a first adjacent bipolar plate into contact, wherein the primary side of the sealing arrangement and the primary side of the bipolar plate are positioned relative to each other while maintaining a first offset tolerance; d) bringing the secondary side of the sealing arrangement and the secondary side of a second adjacent bipolar plate into contact, wherein the secondary side of the sealing arrangement and the secondary side of the bipolar plate are positioned relative to each other while maintaining a second offset tolerance; - repeating steps c) and d) until all of the sealing arrangements have been brought into contact with the bipolar plates to be contacted in each case; wherein the first offset tolerance is lower than the second offset tolerance.
H01M 8/242 - Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes comprising framed electrodes or intermediary frame-like gaskets
H01M 8/2404 - Processes or apparatus for grouping fuel cells
H01M 8/0273 - Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame
In order to provide an electrochemical device, comprising a stack of electrochemical units that succeed one another in a stack direction, wherein each electrochemical unit comprises a bipolar plate, and a terminal connector that comprises an electrically insulating housing and a plurality of electrically conductive contact elements, wherein the stack of electrochemical units of the electrochemical device is configured to make safe, reliable and robust electrical contact for continuous measurement of the electrical potentials of the bipolar plates of the stack, it is proposed that a plurality of the bipolar plates each comprise a terminal element that projects in a contact-making direction, beyond lateral edges of the bipolar plate adjacent to the terminal element, wherein the terminal element has at least one latching element with which the terminal connector is latchable, and/or has at least one contact-making bead with which, in a mounted condition of the terminal connector, one of the contact elements of the terminal connector is engageable, in order to make an electrically conductive contact between the bipolar plate and the respectively associated contact element of the terminal connector.
In order to improve a fuel cell device comprising at least one fuel cell unit and a conduit arrangement, in particular for a fuel medium and/or for an oxidation medium and/or for a temperature-control medium, it is proposed to arrange in the conduit arrangement, in particular in a conduit portion thereof, a combined component forming a heat exchanger and a fluid modifier that forms in particular a separator.
H01M 8/0662 - Treatment of gaseous reactants or gaseous residues, e.g. cleaning
B60L 58/33 - Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling fuel cells for controlling the temperature of fuel cells, e.g. by controlling the electric load by cooling
B60L 58/34 - Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling fuel cells for controlling the temperature of fuel cells, e.g. by controlling the electric load by heating
In order to provide a stack of electrochemical units that succeed one another in a stack direction, wherein each electrochemical unit comprises a bipolar plate, wherein the stack is configured to make safe, reliable and robust electrical contact for continuous measurement of the electrical potentials of the bipolar plates of the stack, it is proposed that a plurality of the bipolar plates each comprise a terminal element that projects in a contact-making direction, beyond lateral edges of the respective bipolar plate adjacent to the terminal element, wherein the terminal element has at least one latching element with which a terminal connector is latchable, and/or has at least one contact-making bead with which a contact element of a terminal connector is engageable, in order to make an electrically conductive contact between the bipolar plate and the respectively associated contact element of the terminal connector.
The present invention relates to a sensor unit for a fluid conduction unit used to discharge liquid, e.g. for a fluid conduction unit used to discharge liquid from a fuel cell device, the sensor unit comprising the following: at least one liquid level detection zone.
H01M 8/04119 - Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyteHumidifying or dehumidifying
H01M 8/04313 - Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variablesProcesses for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
In order to create a fuel cell system, comprising at least one fuel cell stack and a channel system for supplying a fluid medium to the fuel cell stack and/or for discharging a fluid medium from the fuel cell stack, a first water collection region in which water collects in a first range of operating positions of the fuel cell system, and a first water discharge port by which water is able to be discharged from the first water collection region, in which fuel cell system a drain operation is performable in any operating position of the fuel cell system, by which drain operation accumulated water is able to be discharged from the fuel cell system, it is proposed that the fuel cell system comprises at least one second water collection region in which water collects in a second range of operating positions of the fuel cell system, and at least one second water discharge port by which water is able to be discharged from the second water collection region.
H01M 8/04119 - Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyteHumidifying or dehumidifying
H01M 8/04082 - Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
The invention relates to an electrochemical device, comprising a stack of multiple electrochemical units which follow one another along a stacking direction and each of which comprises an electrochemically active membrane-electrode assembly, a bipolar plate, and a seal assembly, wherein the seal assembly comprises an outermost sealing line which lies closest to the outer edge of the bipolar plate, and each electrochemical unit comprises an elastomer body which is in contact with a first bipolar plate of the electrochemical unit and a second bipolar plate of an adjacent electrochemical unit. The aim of the invention is to provide such an electrochemical device in which an undesired deviation of the bipolar plate in the stack of electrochemical units from the flat position thereof in the stack is reduced or prevented. This is achieved in that at least one of the bipolar plates, said bipolar plate being in contact with the elastomer body, has at least one compression element, along which the elastomer body is supplied with a compressive force in the operating state of the electrochemical device. The at least one compression element is arranged between the outermost sealing line of the seal assembly and the outer edge of the respective bipolar plate.
H01M 8/0297 - Arrangements for joining electrodes, reservoir layers, heat exchange units or bipolar separators to each other
H01M 8/242 - Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes comprising framed electrodes or intermediary frame-like gaskets
H01M 8/248 - Means for compression of the fuel cell stacks
C25B 9/70 - Assemblies comprising two or more cells
The present invention relates to a method for starting a fuel cell stack at temperatures below the freezing point of a reaction product produced during the reaction between an anode-side fuel and a cathode-side fuel. The fuel cell stack comprises a plurality of individual cells having at least one internal cell which is arranged in the stacking direction in the interior of the fuel cell stack and an edge cell which is arranged in the stacking direction at the edge of the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack is connected to a cooling circuit having cooling fluid for cooling the fuel cell stack, which cooling fluid can be conducted through the fuel cell stack by a pump arranged in the cooling circuit. The method includes the step of applying a load to the fuel cell stack for drawing a first increasing current from the fuel cell stack, thereby decreasing an output voltage of the fuel cell stack, while the pump does not conduct cooling fluid through the fuel cell stack, until a first predetermined condition is met. In addition, the invention provides a computer program product with computer-executable instructions for carrying out the method and a fuel cell system.
H01M 8/04225 - Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-downDepolarisation or activation, e.g. purgingMeans for short-circuiting defective fuel cells during start-up
The invention relates to a bipolar plate for an electrochemical unit of an electrochemical apparatus, which comprises a plurality of electrochemical units which follow one another along a stacking direction, wherein the bipolar plate comprises the following: - at least one medium through-opening, which forms a part of a medium channel which extends along the stacking direction through the electrochemical apparatus; - a sealing bead, which extends around the medium through-opening; - a plurality of medium inlets, which are arranged on an inner side of the sealing bead facing the medium through-opening and enable medium to flow into the interior of the sealing bead; and - a plurality of medium outlets, which are arranged on an outer side of the sealing bead facing away from the medium through-opening and enable medium to flow out from the interior of the sealing bead, in which the pressure loss which occurs when the medium flows from the medium through-opening through the medium inlets, the interior of the sealing bead and the medium outlets, is as low as possible and wherein, preferably, the medium flows out of the medium outlets as evenly as possible via a medium inlet region of a medium distribution region, to which end it is proposed that the total through-flow cross-section of the medium inlets is at least 10% larger than the total through-flow cross-section of the medium outlets.
H01M 8/0258 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
23.
METHOD FOR CONNECTING A FIRST BIPOLAR PLATE LAYER AND A SECOND BIPOLAR PLATE LAYER IN A BONDED MANNER, BIPOLAR PLATE FOR AN ELECTROCHEMICAL UNIT OF AN ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE, AND ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE
The invention relates to a method for connecting a first bipolar plate layer and a second bipolar plate layer of a bipolar plate in a bonded manner for an electrochemical unit of an electrochemical device comprising a plurality of electrochemical units that follow one another along a stacking direction, wherein the method has the following steps: - bringing the first bipolar plate layer into contact with the second bipolar plate layer at one or more contact regions of the bipolar plate layers; - applying a clamping force to the first bipolar plate layer and the second bipolar plate layer using one or more clamping tools; and - connecting the first bipolar plate layer and the second bipolar plate layer along a connection seam in a bonded manner. The aim of the invention is to provide such a bipolar plate which allows the two bipolar plate layers to be connected together in a reliable process without worsening the fluidic properties of the bipolar plate or negatively impacting the support function of the bipolar plate for components of the electrochemical units of the electrochemical device. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the at least one clamping tool is supported on a support surface of at least one support structure of at least one of the bipolar plate layers. With respect to the surface of the bipolar plate layer on which the support structure is formed, the support surface of the support structure is offset away from the respective other bipolar plate layer along the stacking direction in the contact region.
H01M 8/0254 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the form corrugated or undulated
H01M 8/026 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant characterised by grooves, e.g. their pitch or depth
H01M 8/0297 - Arrangements for joining electrodes, reservoir layers, heat exchange units or bipolar separators to each other
H01M 8/2404 - Processes or apparatus for grouping fuel cells
H01M 8/248 - Means for compression of the fuel cell stacks
24.
BIPOLAR PLATE FOR AN ELECTROCHEMICAL UNIT OF AN ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE, AND ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE
The invention relates to a bipolar plate for an electrochemical unit of an electrochemical device, which comprises a plurality of electrochemical units that follow one another along a stacking direction, wherein the bipolar plate comprises the following: - an anode gas passage opening; - a cathode gas passage opening; - an electrochemically active region of the bipolar plate, said region comprising an anode gas flow field and a cathode gas flow field; - an anode gas distributing region, via which the anode gas passage opening is fluidically connected to the anode gas flow field; and - a cathode gas distributing region, via which the cathode gas passage opening is fluidically connected to the cathode gas flow field; wherein the anode gas distributing region and/or the cathode gas distributing region comprises distributing structures which delimit distributing channels formed between two respective distributing structures. The aim of the invention is to provide such a bipolar plate in which the anode gas is distributed to the distributing channels of the anode gas distributing region as uniformly as possible and/or in which the cathode gas is distributed to the distributing channels of the cathode gas distributing region as uniformly as possible. This is achieved in that the anode gas distributing region and/or the cathode gas distributing region has at least one respective bypass channel, by means of which two distributing channels adjoining each other are fluidically connected together.
H01M 8/026 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant characterised by grooves, e.g. their pitch or depth
H01M 8/0254 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the form corrugated or undulated
H01M 8/0276 - Sealing means characterised by their form
25.
FUEL CELL DEVICE HAVING A MEMBRANE ELEMENT, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME
The invention relates to a method for producing a fuel cell device which comprises at least one membrane element that includes a layer composite. According to the method, at least one layer unit that comprises a number of layers, in particular a membrane layer and at least one further layer, is at least partly cut off along a cutting contour from a preliminary product by applying energy in order to obtain the layer composite.
B23K 31/10 - Processes relevant to this subclass, specially adapted for particular articles or purposes, but not covered by any single one of main groups relating to cutting or desurfacing
The aim of the invention is to provide a fluid-conducting module for a fuel cell device, said fluid-conducting module being simple and inexpensive to produce and being used to operate a fuel cell device in a preferably efficient manner. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the fluid-conducting module comprises the following: a flow channel which comprises at least one flow channel inlet and at least one flow channel outlet and through which a first fluid, in particular a liquid, can be conducted; a heat exchanger, by means of which a second fluid, in particular a gas, can be heated, preferably by transferring heat from the first fluid to the second fluid.
In order to provide a fuel cell device which is easy and cost-effective to manufacture and preferably has improved durability, it is proposed according to the invention that the fuel cell device comprises the following: -a fuel cell stack unit; -a supporting frame, in particular a housing, in which the fuel cell stack unit is arranged, -a bearing device, by means of which the fuel cell stack unit is mounted in the supporting frame, in particular in the housing, wherein the fuel cell device comprises a fixed bearing device and a floating bearing device, wherein the floating bearing device comprises one or more floating bearing units.
H01M 8/242 - Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes comprising framed electrodes or intermediary frame-like gaskets
H01M 8/2475 - Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks
28.
ARRANGEMENT, FUEL CELL DEVICE, FLAT COMPONENT AND METHOD AND FACILITY FOR PRODUCING SAME
The invention relates to an arrangement, in particular an arrangement for a fuel cell device, of a plurality of flat components arranged one above the other in an arrangement direction, wherein at least one flat component of the plurality of flat components has at least one alignment mark, and the alignment mark can also be detected in particular by an optical detection device, even when at least one further flat component is arranged in the arrangement direction on the flat component marked with said alignment mark.
The invention relates to an electrochemical device comprising: a stack of multiple electrochemical units which are consecutive in a stacking direction, said units each comprising an electrochemically active membrane-electrode assembly; a bipolar plate and a sealing arrangement; at least one medium channel; at least one flow field through which a medium can flow from the medium channel to a different medium channel; and at least one communication channel through which the flow field and the medium channel are in fluid communication with one another, the communication channel comprising an edge web through which a flow of medium from the medium channel passes, wherein: a coolant flows through a coolant channel separated from the interior of the edge web by a joining line; the flow field comprising an edge channel which is disposed between the edge web and the coolant channel and through which a flow of the medium from the medium channel passes; and the sealing arrangement extends around the flow field and includes an inner edge which forms an edge of a cathode-side electrochemically active face or an anode-side electrochemically active face of the membrane-electrode assembly. To reduce local temperature rise in an edge web region of such an electrochemical device, according to the invention, the inner edge of the sealing arrangement lies on the side of the edge web facing away from the medium channel.
B29C 45/14 - Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mouldApparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles
H01M 8/0273 - Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame
H01M 8/0258 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
H01M 8/0271 - Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
Proposed is a bipolar plate for a fuel cell device, wherein the bipolar plate is formed from a plurality of flat products, in particular arranged one above the other in a vertical direction, wherein one or each of at least some of the plurality of flat products has an alignment structure or a plurality of alignment structures, and at least one alignment structure of at least one flat product, at least in the state in which the plurality of flat products are arranged one above the other, is accessible and/or is exposed by the other one or more of the plurality of flat products.
In order to improve a fuel cell device comprising at least one fuel cell unit which has at least one metallic flat component, it is proposed that, in a passage region, the flat component has at least one through opening, that is to say precisely one through opening or a plurality of through openings, and an edge of at least one through opening is at least substantially burr-free.
METHOD FOR PRODUCING A BIPOLAR PLATE LAYER FOR A BIPOLAR PLATE OF AN ELECTROCHEMICAL UNIT, BIPOLAR PLATE LAYER FOR A BIPOLAR PLATE OF AN ELECTROCHEMICAL UNIT AND ELECTROCHEMICAL UNIT FOR AN ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE
In order to provide a method for producing a bipolar plate layer for a bipolar plate of an electrochemical unit of an electrochemical device, with the method steps of providing a starting material for the bipolar plate layer and shaping the starting material in such a way that an edge piece bordering the flow field of the bipolar plate layer is formed, which method can be easily and reliably carried out even with large quantities of bipolar plate layers to be produced, according to the invention, the method comprises the following steps: cutting out gas through-openings from an edge piece section of the starting material, wherein, once the gas through-openings are cut out, the edge piece section is shaped such that the edge piece is formed from the edge piece section.
The invention relates to a liquid separator (100), in particular for a fuel cell device, the liquid separator (100) comprising the following: a fluid-conducting channel (104), a collection region (106) for collecting liquid originating from a fluid that is conducted in the fluid-conducting channel (104), a liquid passage (110) branching off from the fluid-conducting channel (104) and a liquid collection region (112) into which the liquid passage (110) leads.
H01M 8/04119 - Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyteHumidifying or dehumidifying
F16T 1/14 - Steam traps or like apparatus for draining-off liquids from enclosures predominantly containing gases or vapours, e.g. gas lines, steam lines, containers with valves controlled by excess or release of pressure involving a piston, diaphragm, or bellows, e.g. displaceable under pressure of incoming condensate
F16T 1/34 - Steam traps or like apparatus for draining-off liquids from enclosures predominantly containing gases or vapours, e.g. gas lines, steam lines, containers without moving parts other than hand valves, e.g. labyrinth type
H01M 8/04186 - Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of liquid-charged or electrolyte-charged reactants
H01M 8/0662 - Treatment of gaseous reactants or gaseous residues, e.g. cleaning
H01M 8/04992 - Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the implementation of mathematical or computational algorithms, e.g. feedback control loops, fuzzy logic, neural networks or artificial intelligence
34.
BIPOLAR PLATE, FUEL CELL, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A BIPOLAR PLATE
In order to provide a bipolar plate that has optimized electrical conductivity and can be produced as easily as possible, the invention proposes that the bipolar plate comprises an electrically conductive main body and an electrically conductive coating, wherein the electrically conductive coating comprises a binding material and one or more electrically conductive fillers, and wherein a pigment volume concentration in the coating corresponds at least to a pigment volume concentration required to achieve a percolation threshold.
The invention relates to a fuel cell device (300), in particular for a means of transport, the fuel cell device (300) comprising the following: a fuel cell stack (100), and a stack longitudinal axis stabilizer (116), at least one region of the stack longitudinal axis stabilizer (116) being located between a stack surface of the fuel cell stack (100) that runs parallel to the stack longitudinal axis and an abutment (118).
The invention relates to a fuel cell device (300), the fuel device (300) comprising the following: a fuel cell stack (100) and a cell suspension element (202) connecting a cell (200) of the fuel cell stack (100) to an abutment (118).
The invention relates to a fuel cell device (300), the fuel cell device (300) comprising the following: a tension anchor element (138); tension bracing elements, e.g. tension anchor plates (142), connected via the tension anchor element (138), and a tension anchor stabilizer (270) which is in contact with the tension anchor element (138) between the tension bracing elements.
In order to improve a fuel cell apparatus, which comprises at least one fuel cell unit and a pipe system comprising at least one pipe means for a fuel medium, the pipe means for the fuel medium comprises a recirculating pipe which leads from an anode residual fluid outlet of the at least one fuel cell unit to an anode fluid inlet of the at least one fuel cell unit, and the recirculating pipe branches into two parallel-connected pipe portions at a branching point, and the two parallel-connected pipe portions come together again at a joining point of the recirculating pipe, the joining point being disposed relative to a fluid path in the recirculating pipe nearer than the joining point to the anode fluid input, and at least one unit which inhibits the flow on one side is disposed in at least one of the two parallel-connected pipe portions, preferably in each of the two parallel-connected pipe portions, and is designed to at least inhibit a fluid flow flowing in this pipe portion from the joining point.
The aim of the invention is to provide a fuel cell device (100) which is easy and cost-effective to manufacture and preferably can be safely operated. In order to achieve said aim, it is proposed according to the invention that the fuel cell device (100) comprises the following: - a fuel cell stack unit (102); - a casing (104) which delimits an interior chamber (124), in which the fuel cell stack unit (102) is arranged; wherein the casing (104) has at least one wall (130) preferably a casing lid (118), and wherein the fuel cell stack unit (102) is secured to the wall (118), preferably to the casing lid (118).
The invention relates to a flow element, in particular, as a component of a bipolar plate of an electrochemical device, comprising a plate-like base body that extends in two main directions of extension that are oriented at an angle in relation to one another, and has an extension in a height direction that is oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly thereto, wherein the base body has a channel structure having a plurality of channels that are arranged laterally adjacent to one another, wherein the channels are formed by recesses in the base body and are separated from one another by raised portions, arranged between the recesses, of the base body, wherein regions having a normal level difference, defined in the height direction, as a height difference between a raised portion and an adjoining recess are provided, as well as regions having a level difference, reduced in comparison with the normal level difference, as a height difference between a raised portion and an adjoining recess, wherein, in the running direction of the channels, at least in some portions thereof, regions having a normal level difference and regions having a reduced level difference are provided repeatedly, and regions having a reduced level difference of adjacent channels are offset in relation to one another with respect to the respective running direction thereof, wherein the regions having a reduced level difference are formed on the base body by means of saddle regions, and the regions having a normal level difference are formed by means of valley regions arranged therebetween, and wherein a valley region of an adjacent channel is in each case located opposite the saddle regions. In addition, the invention relates to a use, a bipolar plate, and a method for producing a flow element.
H01M 8/0254 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the form corrugated or undulated
H01M 8/026 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant characterised by grooves, e.g. their pitch or depth
H01M 8/0263 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant having meandering or serpentine paths
41.
DEVICE FOR REMOVING MOISTURE FROM A FLUID IN A FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM
In order to provide a device for removing moisture from a fluid in a fuel cell system, which device can be used to prevent stress on and/or damage to the fuel cell system as a result of moisture, according to the invention the device comprises a main body comprising the following: - a first portion, which can be or is arranged at a fuel cell system space such that the first portion lies exposed toward external surroundings of the fuel cell system space; and - a second portion, which can be or is arranged at the fuel cell system space such that the second portion lies exposed toward an interior of the fuel cell system space; wherein the first portion and the second portion each comprise a thermally conductive material, and wherein the first portion and the second portion are thermally interconnected.
H01M 8/04007 - Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
H01M 8/04223 - Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-downDepolarisation or activation, e.g. purgingMeans for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
H01M 8/04119 - Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyteHumidifying or dehumidifying
Disclosed is an electrochemical device comprising a stack of a plurality of electrochemical units that succeed one another along a stacking direction and each comprise a flow field plate. In order to make the stack of electrochemical units of the electrochemical device securely, reliably and robustly electrically contactable in order to be able to continuously measure the electrical potentials of the flow field plates in the stack, according to the invention, the electrochemical device comprises at least one cell voltage tapping unit that allows electrical potentials to be tapped at a plurality flow field plates in the stack during operation of the electrochemical device.
Disclosed is a stack of electrochemical units that succeed one another along a stacking direction and each comprise a flow field plate. In order to make the stack of electrochemical units securely, reliably and robustly electrically contactable in order to be able to continuously measure the electrical potentials of the flow field plates in the stack, according to the invention, a plurality of the flow field plates each comprises a connection element which projects beyond lateral edges of the flow field plate in a contacting direction, said lateral edges being adjacent to the connection element, and the connection element includes at least one latching element, to which a connection plug can be latched, and/or at least one contacting bead with which a contact element of a connection plug can engage such that an electrically conducting contact is established between the flow field plate and the associated contact element of the connection plug.
Disclosed is a fuel cell device comprising at least one fuel cell unit and a conduit, in particular for a fuel medium and/or for an oxidation medium and/or for a temperature control medium. In order to improve said fuel cell device, according to the invention, a combined component is placed in the conduit, in particular in a conduit portion, said combined component forming a heat exchanger and a fluid modifier, in particular in the form of a separator.
Disclosed is an electrochemical device comprising a stack of electrochemical units that succeed one another along a stacking direction and each comprise a flow field plate, and comprising a connection plug that includes an electrically insulating housing and a plurality of electrically conducting contact elements. In order to make the stack of electrochemical units of said electrochemical device securely, reliably and robustly electrically contactable in order to be able to continuously measure the electrical potentials of the flow field plates in the stack, according to the invention, a plurality of the flow field plates each comprises a connection element which projects beyond lateral edges of the flow field plate in a contacting direction, said lateral edges being adjacent to the connection element, and the connection element includes at least one latching element, to which the connection plug can be latched, and/or at least one contacting bead with which one of the contact elements of the connection plug can engage in a mounted state of the connection plug such that an electrically conducting contact is established between the flow field plate and the associated contact element of the connection plug.
In order to create a bipolar plate for an electrochemical device, comprising at least one first bipolar plate layer and one second bipolar plate layer, between which an edge channel extending along a longitudinal direction is formed, and comprising a fluid channel running substantially in parallel to the edge channel, in which bipolar plate at least an edge channel portion of the edge channel can be flowed through by a fluid media to be supplied to the electrochemical device, for example by a fluid reaction media or by a cooling media, even though the edge channel has no direct fluidic connection to a medium channel by which the respective fluid media is supplied to the electrochemical device, it is proposed that the bipolar plate comprises at least one fluidic connection through which a fluid medium can flow from the edge channel into the adjacent fluid channel and/or from the adjacent fluid channel into the edge channel.
H01M 8/0267 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
H01M 8/0258 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
47.
FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DRAINING WATER FROM A FUEL CELL SYSTEM
The invention relates to a fuel cell system, comprising: at least one fuel cell stack and a channel system for supplying a fluid medium to the fuel cell stack and/or for removing a fluid medium from the fuel cell stack; a first water collection region in which water collects in a first range of operating positions of the fuel cell system; and a first water drain connection via which water can be drained from the first water collection region. In order to allow a drain process, by way of which collected water can be drained from the fuel cell system, to be carried out in each and every operating position of the fuel cell system, the fuel cell system comprises at least one second water collection region in which water collects in a second range of operating positions of the fuel cell system, and at least one second water drain connection via which water can be drained from the second water collection region.
H01M 8/04119 - Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyteHumidifying or dehumidifying
48.
METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF A FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM
The aim of the invention is to provide a method for controlling the operation of a fuel cell system, the fuel cell system comprising at least one fuel cell stack, at least one channel system for supplying a fluid medium to the fuel cell stack and/or for discharging a fluid medium out of the fuel cell stack, at least one first valve, a second valve, and a pressure sensor which is fluidically connected to the channel system, said method allowing drain processes and purge processes to be carried out in a reliable and operationally safe manner in a plurality of operating states and being easily adaptable to changing operating conditions. This aim is achieved in that the method involves the following: - opening the first valve; - closing the first valve; - ascertaining a pressure curve between the opening and the closing of the first valve using the pressure sensor; - ascertaining a reference value for controlling the second valve from the pressure curve between the opening and the closing of the first valve; and - controlling the opening and/or the closing of the second valve on the basis of the reference value.
H01M 8/04119 - Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyteHumidifying or dehumidifying
H01M 8/04223 - Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-downDepolarisation or activation, e.g. purgingMeans for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Water separators for fuel cells; parts of and accessories
for the aforementioned goods, contained in this class. Fuel cells; fuel cell modules comprising a fuel cell stack
and a gas manifold; components of fuel cell modules,
contained in this class; fuel cell stacks; reformers as
accessories for fuel cells; bipolar plates as parts of fuel
cells; end plates as parts of fuel cell stacks; seals for
fuel cells, contained in this class; ice traps as parts of
fuel cells; adapted water collection containers for fuel
cells; ejectors as accessories for fuel cells; adapted gas
guiding elements for fuel cells; adapted filters for fuel
cells; adapted hose connectors for fuel cells; adapted
valves for fuel cells; electric plug connectors for fuel
cells; adapted voltage taps for fuel cells; gas manifolds as
parts of fuel cells; electrodes for fuel cells; membranes
for fuel cells; gas diffusion layers for fuel cells; adapted
housings for fuel cells; parts of and accessories for the
aforementioned goods, contained in this class. Engineering services in relation to fuel cells, fuel cell
modules and components of fuel cell modules; development
services in relation to fuel cells, fuel cell modules and
components of fuel cell modules; testing of fuel cells, fuel
cell modules and components of fuel cell modules.
The invention relates to a flow element for a bipolar plate (16) of an electrochemical device, comprising a plate-like basic body (24) extending in two main directions of extent (26, 28) oriented at an angle to each other, wherein the basic body (24) comprises a channel structure (50) having a plurality of channels for forming an active region (22) of the flow element (18; 84; 96), wherein an inflow opening (46) and an outflow opening (58) for a fluid are formed in the basic body (24), said inflow and outflow openings being respectively connected in terms of flow to the channel structure (50) via an inflow region (48) with an inflow channel structure (76) and via an outflow region (54) with an outflow channel structure (78), wherein a pressure loss of the fluid flowing from the inflow opening (46) to the outflow opening (58) via the outflow region (54) is greater than via the inflow region (48) and/or via the active region (22). The invention further relates to a bipolar plate (16) and a fuel cell device (10).
H01M 8/0258 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
H01M 8/0265 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant the reactant or coolant channels having varying cross sections
H01M 8/0204 - Non-porous and characterised by the material
H01M 8/026 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant characterised by grooves, e.g. their pitch or depth
51.
ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE
In order to create an electrochemical device, comprising a plurality of electrochemical units, which succeed one another along a stack direction, wherein each electrochemical unit comprises a bipolar plate and an electrically insulating seal, and a clamping device for clamping the electrochemical units along the stack direction, in which electrochemical device the risk of a short circuit between adjacent bipolar plates is reduced without the expenditure for the production of the electrochemical device being excessively increased, it is proposed that at least one seal of at least one electrochemical unit in the pressed state protrudes laterally beyond a contour of the bipolar plate of the electrochemical unit in a direction of protrusion directed perpendicularly to the stack direction.
A method for producing a multi-layer bipolar plate for an electrochemical device is disclosed. The method includes producing at least one sealing element made of an elastic material on a first bipolar plate layer of the bipolar plate; connecting the first bipolar plate layer with the sealing element produced thereon and a second bipolar plate layer of the bipolar plate by welding along at least one connection welding seam, in which method an impairment to the sealing element produced on the first bipolar plate layer as a result of a subsequent welding operation can be reliably avoided and the freedom of design of the electrochemical unit is preferably increased, and that during the welding operation, the second bipolar plate layer faces toward a welding energy source and that during the welding operation, a weld pool produced by the welding energy source does not completely penetrate the first bipolar plate layer.
H01M 8/0258 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
H01M 8/2418 - Grouping by arranging unit cells in a plane
H01M 8/0297 - Arrangements for joining electrodes, reservoir layers, heat exchange units or bipolar separators to each other
53.
FLUID-CONDUCTING MODULE FOR A FUEL CELL DEVICE, FUEL CELL DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A FLUID-CONDUCTING MODULE FOR A FUEL CELL DEVICE
The aim of the invention is to provide a fluid-conducting module for a fuel cell device, said fluid-conducting module being simple and inexpensive to produce and being used to operate a fuel cell device in a preferably efficient manner. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the fluid-conducting module comprises the following: - a flow channel which comprises at least one flow channel inlet and at least one flow channel outlet and through which a first fluid, in particular a liquid, can be conducted; and - a heat exchanger, by means of which a second fluid, in particular a gas, can be heated, preferably by transferring heat from the first fluid to the second fluid.
In order to provide a fuel cell device which is easy and cost-effective to manufacture and preferably has greater durability, according to the invention, the fuel cell device comprises the following: - a fuel cell stack unit; - a supporting frame, in particular a housing, in which the fuel cell stack unit is placed; - a bearing mechanism, by means of which the fuel cell stack unit is mounted in the supporting frame, in particular in the housing, the fuel cell device comprising a fixed bearing mechanism and a movable bearing mechanism, the movable bearing mechanism having one or more movable bearing units.
H01M 8/242 - Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes comprising framed electrodes or intermediary frame-like gaskets
H01M 8/247 - Arrangements for tightening a stack, for accommodation of a stack in a tank or for assembling different tanks
55.
BIPOLAR PLATE, METHOD OF PRODUCTION, AND USE THEREOF
The present invention relates to a bipolar plate for a low-temperature fuel cell, in particular for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, including a metal substrate with a coating on a surface of the substrate, the coating including an organic polymer and an electroconductive filler. The organic polymer is formed by chemical reaction of at least two components, including a bi- or polyfunctional isocyanate compound as the first component and one or more compounds having at least two free hydroxy or amino groups, as the second component.
H01M 8/0247 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the form
H01M 8/1081 - Polymeric electrolyte materials characterised by the manufacturing processes starting from solutions, dispersions or slurries exclusively of polymers
In order to provide a flow field plate that has optimized electrical conductivity and is as easy as possible to manufacture, the disclosed flow field plate comprises an electrically conductive main body and an electrically conductive coating which contains a binder material and one or more electrically conductive fillers and in which a pigment volume concentration is at least high enough to reach a percolation threshold.
The invention relates to a flow element, in particular as a component of a bipolar plate (10; 130; 140) of an electrochemical device, comprising a planar main body (22) which extends in two main directions of extension (24, 26) which are oriented at an angle in relation to one another, and has an extension in a vertical direction (28) which is oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly thereto, wherein the main body (22) has a channel structure (30) comprising a plurality of channels (32) which are laterally adjacent to one another, wherein the channels (32) are formed by recesses (38) in the main body (22) and are separated from one another by raised portions (40) of the main body (22) located between the recesses (38), wherein regions (42) having a normal level difference (Nn), defined in the vertical direction (28), as a height difference between a raised portion (40) and an adjoining recess (38) are provided, and regions (44) having a level difference (Nr) which is reduced by comparison with the normal level difference (Nn) as a height difference between a raised portion (40) and an adjoining recess (38) are provided, wherein, in the direction of extent (34) of the channels (32), at least in some portions thereof, regions (42) having a normal level difference (Nn) and regions (44) having a reduced level difference (Nr) are provided repeatedly, and regions (44) having a reduced level difference (Nr) of adjacent channels (32) are offset in relation to one another with respect to the relevant direction of extent (34) thereof, wherein the regions (44) having a reduced level difference (Nr) are formed on the main body (22) by means of saddle regions (46), and the regions (42) having a normal level difference (Nn) are formed by means of valley regions (48) located therebetween, and wherein a valley region (48) of an adjacent channel (32) is in each case located opposite the saddle regions (46). In addition, the invention relates to a use, a bipolar plate, and a method for producing a flow element.
H01M 8/0254 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the form corrugated or undulated
H01M 8/026 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant characterised by grooves, e.g. their pitch or depth
58.
BIPOLAR PLATE FOR AN ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE, AND ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE
In order to create a bipolar plate for an electrochemical device, comprising a flow field bipolar plate layer, on which a flow field for a fluid medium is formed, wherein the flow field comprises a flow field channel, through which the fluid medium can flow along a direction of flow and which comprises a flow field channel portion open towards an electrochemically active unit of the electrochemical device, which bipolar plate allows homogenization of the concentration of the electrochemically active species in the fluid medium along its direction of flow through the flow field and thereby increases the efficiency of the electrochemical device, it is proposed that the bipolar plate comprises a bypass channel for the fluid medium, wherein the bypass channel comprises a bypass inlet which is disposed upstream of the flow field channel portion and through which the fluid medium can enter the bypass channel, and a bypass outlet which is disposed downstream of the flow field channel portion and through which the fluid medium can flow out of the bypass channel into the flow field channel, and wherein the bypass channel is designed to be closed against an electrochemically active unit.
H01M 8/0258 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
H01M 8/0254 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the form corrugated or undulated
In order to create a bipolar plate for an electrochemical device, comprising at least one first bipolar plate layer and a second bipolar plate layer, between which a side channel extending along a longitudinal direction is formed, and a fluid channel running substantially parallel to the side channel, wherein a fluid medium supplied to the electrochemical device, e.g. a fluid reaction medium or a cooling medium, can flow through at least one side channel section of the side channel, although the side channel has no direct fluid connection to a medium channel, via which the relevant fluid medium is supplied to the electrochemical device, it is proposed that the bipolar plate comprises at least one fluid connection, via which a fluid medium can flow out of the side channel into the neighbouring fluid channel and/or out of the neighbouring fluid channel into the side channel.
H01M 8/0258 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
H01M 8/0267 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
In order to create an electrochemical device comprising a plurality of electrochemical units which follow one another along a stacking direction, with each electrochemical unit comprising a bipolar plate and an electrically insulating seal, and said electrochemical device further comprising a clamping device for pressing the electrochemical units along the stacking direction, in which device the risk of a short circuit between adjacent bipolar plates is reduced while the expense for producing the electrochemical device is not excessively increased, it is proposed that at least one seal of at least one electrochemical unit, in the pressed state, protrudes laterally beyond a contour of the bipolar plate of the electrochemical unit in a protrusion direction perpendicular to the stacking direction.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Fuel cells; fuel cell systems; components of fuel cell
systems; electrodes for fuel cells; membranes for fuel
cells; gas diffusion layers for fuel cells; housings for
fuel cells; parts of and accessories for the aforementioned
goods. Engineering services in relation to fuel cells, fuel cell
systems and components of fuel cell systems; development
services in relation to fuel cells, fuel cell systems and
components of fuel cell systems.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Fuel cells; fuel cell systems; components of fuel cell
systems; electrodes for fuel cells; membranes for fuel
cells; gas diffusion layers for fuel cells; housings for
fuel cells; parts of and accessories for the aforementioned
goods. Engineering services in relation to fuel cells, fuel cell
systems and components of fuel cell systems; development
services in relation to fuel cells, fuel cell systems and
components of fuel cell systems.
63.
Assembly for an electrochemical device and method for producing such an assembly
An electrochemical device is provided, including: a stack of a plurality of electrochemical units succeeding one another along a stacking direction, each including an electrochemically active membrane electrode arrangement, a bipolar plate, and a sealing system; at least one medium channel extending along the stacking direction through a plurality of electrochemical units; and a flow field via which a medium from the medium channel can flow transversely to the stacking direction to another medium channel. The sealing system includes a flow field sealing arrangement extending around a flow field, and a medium channel sealing arrangement extending around a medium channel. The flow field sealing arrangement is fixed to the membrane electrode arrangement and the medium channel sealing arrangement is fixed to the bipolar plate.
H01M 8/2483 - Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by internal manifolds
H01M 8/0258 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
A method is provided for producing an electrochemically active unit that includes a membrane and at least one assembly, which includes a gas diffusion layer and a sealing element produced on the gas diffusion layer. The method is reliably performable with less expenditure on process apparatuses and process time and includes the following: producing the sealing element on the gas diffusion layer; connecting the sealing element and/or the gas diffusion layer to a support element; and assembling the membrane and the at least one assembly, which includes the gas diffusion layer and the sealing element, to form the electrochemically active unit.
A method for producing a sealing element on a gas diffusion layer of an electrochemical unit including the following is provided: arranging an injection molding tool on the gas diffusion layer; and introducing injection molding material into a cavity of the injection molding tool. The injection molding tool includes at least one deformation delimiting element, which delimits or prevents a deformation of the gas diffusion layer during the introduction of the injection molding material into the cavity such that damage to the gas diffusion layer is avoided and a sealing element with a mechanically stable connection region is produced.
B29C 45/14 - Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mouldApparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
(1) Fuel cells; parts of fuel cells; fuel cell systems; parts of fuel cell systems; components of fuel cell systems; electrodes for fuel cells; membranes for fuel cells; gas diffusion layers for fuel cells; housings for fuel cells; parts of housings for fuel cells. (1) Engineering services in relation to fuel cells, fuel cell systems and components of fuel cell systems; development services in relation to fuel cells, fuel cell systems and components of fuel cell systems.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Fuel cells; fuel cell systems comprised of a fuel cell stack and a medium supply assembly for supplying an anode gas and a cathode gas to the fuel cell stack; structural components of fuel cell systems; electrodes for fuel cells; membranes for fuel cells; gas diffusion layers for fuel cells; housings for fuel cells; structural parts of and accessories for the aforementioned goods Engineering services in relation to fuel cells, fuel cell systems and components of fuel cell systems; development services in relation to fuel cells, fuel cell systems and components of fuel cell systems
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
(1) Fuel cells; parts of fuel cells; fuel cell systems; parts of fuel cell systems; components of fuel cell systems; electrodes for fuel cells; membranes for fuel cells; gas diffusion layers for fuel cells; housings for fuel cells; parts of housings for fuel cells. (1) Engineering services in relation to fuel cells, fuel cell systems and components of fuel cell systems; development services in relation to fuel cells, fuel cell systems and components of fuel cell systems.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Fuel cells; fuel cell systems comprised of a fuel cell stack and a medium supply assembly for supplying an anode gas and a cathode gas to the fuel cell stack; structural components of fuel cell systems; electrodes for fuel cells; membranes for fuel cells; gas diffusion layers for fuel cells; housings for fuel cells; structural parts of and accessories for the aforementioned goods Engineering services in relation to fuel cells, fuel cell systems and components of fuel cell systems; development services in relation to fuel cells, fuel cell systems and components of fuel cell systems
An electrochemical device is provided, including a stack of a plurality of electrochemical units, at least one medium channel extending along a stack direction, at least one flow field via which a medium is able to flow transversely to the stack direction from the medium channel to another medium channel, and at least one connecting channel via which the flow field and the medium channel are in fluidic connection. The connecting channel has a medium channel-side mouth opening extending along a circumferential direction of the flow field from a first medium channel-side rim to a second medium channel-side rim, and a flow field-side mouth opening extending along the circumferential direction from a first to a second flow field-side rim. At least one of the flow field-side rims is offset away from the respective other flow field-side rim along the circumferential direction in relation to one of the medium channel-side rims.
H01M 8/0258 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
H01M 8/0228 - Composites in the form of layered or coated products
H01M 8/0273 - Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame
H01M 8/241 - Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes
H01M 8/2483 - Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by internal manifolds
72.
Electrochemically active unit for an electrochemical device
In order to provide an electrochemically active unit for an electrochemical device including a membrane electrode assembly, at least one gas diffusion layer and a seal that is linked to at least one of the at least one gas diffusion layers, in the manufacture whereof as even as possible a construction of the penetration region in which the gas diffusion layer of the electrochemically active unit is penetrated by the sealing material of the seal over the periphery of the gas diffusion layer is achievable, the seal includes a linking region, a distribution region and a connection region that connects the linking region and the distribution region to one another, wherein the connection region has a minimum height that is less than a quarter of the maximum height of the distribution region and less than a quarter of the maximum height of the linking region.
A fuel cell device is provided, including a media system for supplying fluid media to electrochemical units of the fuel cell device and/or for discharging fluid media from the electrochemical units of the fuel cell device, wherein the media system includes at least one valve to which, in a standard operating state of the fuel cell device, an electrical standard input power is suppliable in order to maintain the valve in a desired valve state. The fuel cell device is able to be reliably started with as little effort as possible, even under frost conditions. The fuel cell device is switchable into a heating operating state in which an electrical heating input power that is greater than the electrical standard input power is suppliable to the at least one valve.
H01M 8/04225 - Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-downDepolarisation or activation, e.g. purgingMeans for short-circuiting defective fuel cells during start-up
F16K 49/00 - Means in or on valves for heating or cooling
H01M 8/04089 - Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
A fuel cell device is provided, including a fuel cell stack, which includes a plurality of fuel cell units following each other in a stacking direction, and two end plates, between which the fuel cell stack is arranged. With the fuel cell device, harmful effects from hydrogen exiting the fuel cell units are avoided without making access to the fuel cell units impossible or causing a disproportionately large maintenance expenditure. The fuel cell device includes an enclosure which surrounds the fuel cell stack and the end plates, wherein the free remaining volume that remains within the enclosure between the enclosure, the fuel cell stack, and the end plates is less than 20% of the internal volume of the enclosure.
A bipolar plate for an electrochemical device, including a first bipolar plate layer and a second bipolar plate layer joined by a weld seam arrangement, wherein the first bipolar plate layer has a first and a second medium passage opening. The weld seam arrangement includes a first and a second medium channel weld seam, and a connecting weld seam which crosses the first and the second medium channel weld seams. Either a) the connecting weld seam is produced by a welding energy source which the first bipolar plate layer faced during the welding process, and the weld seam end of the connecting weld seam lies within the medium-conducting region of the bipolar plate which is surrounded by the first medium channel weld seam, and/or b) the connecting weld seam crosses the first medium channel weld seam and/or the second medium channel weld seam at least twice in each case.
H01M 50/54 - Connection of several leads or tabs of plate-like electrode stacks, e.g. electrode pole straps or bridges
H01M 4/86 - Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells
H01M 8/0258 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
H01M 8/0267 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
H01M 8/0273 - Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame
In order to provide a fuel cell device which can be produced simply and cost-effectively, it is proposed that the fuel cell device comprises the following: a plurality of fuel cell elements which are stacked one on top of another along a stacking direction and form a fuel cell stack; a clamping device for securing the fuel cell elements; a fluid guide unit for supplying fuel and/or oxidizer and/or coolant to the fuel cell elements and/or for removing fuel and/or oxidizer and/or exhaust gas and/or coolant from the fuel cell elements, wherein the clamping device comprises two or more crossmembers which extend at least approximately perpendicularly to the stacking direction, wherein in each case at least one crossmember is arranged at each end of the fuel cell stack, wherein the crossmembers can be drawn towards one another by means of clamping elements and the fuel cell stack can thereby be clamped between the crossmembers.
H01M 8/248 - Means for compression of the fuel cell stacks
H01M 8/2475 - Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks
H01M 8/04119 - Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyteHumidifying or dehumidifying
H01M 8/04082 - Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
H01M 8/2485 - Arrangements for sealing external manifoldsArrangements for mounting external manifolds around a stack
77.
Electrochemical device and method for producing an electrochemical unit for an electrochemical device
An electrochemical device is provided that includes a stack of a plurality of electrochemical units that succeed one another in a stacking direction and each include an electrochemically active membrane electrode assembly, at least one gas diffusion layer and a bipolar plate having at least one flow field, in which at least one flow field is sealed off simply and reliably and the occurrence of parasitic flows is prevented, wherein at least one bipolar plate has at least one edge web, which borders a flow field of the bipolar plate and is in contact with a gas diffusion layer adjacent to the bipolar plate, and wherein the electrochemical device further includes at least one flow field seal element that seals off the flow field bordered by the edge web and is in contact with the edge web and in contact with the gas diffusion layer.
C25B 9/18 - Assemblies comprising a plurality of cells
H01M 8/0273 - Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame
H01M 8/242 - Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes comprising framed electrodes or intermediary frame-like gaskets
H01M 8/2483 - Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by internal manifolds
C25B 9/20 - Assemblies comprising a plurality of cells of the filter-press type
C25B 9/08 - Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof with diaphragms
H01M 8/0258 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
H01M 8/1004 - Fuel cells with solid electrolytes characterised by membrane-electrode assemblies [MEA]
To provide a flow element which in particular is used as a component of a bipolar plate in electrochemical devices, which is stable and permits efficient flow guiding, it is proposed that the flow element comprises a plate-like main body that is formed as a shaped sheet metal product and has a channel structure, wherein the channel structure comprises a plurality of channels which are formed by recesses in the main body and are separated from one another by raised portions of the main body, wherein there is provided at least one region with normal level difference that defines, with respect to a height direction running perpendicular to two main directions of extent of the main body, a height difference between a recess and an adjoining raised portion, wherein there is provided at least one region with reduced level difference, in which a height difference between a recess and an adjoining raised portion is less than the normal level difference, wherein the at least one region with reduced level difference comprises a parallel expansion region of the main body that, in the event of an expansion of the main body resulting from the deformation of the shaped sheet metal product, is expanded along expansion vectors which lie in mutually parallel planes, wherein the at least one region with reduced level difference, that comprises the parallel expansion region of the main body, adjoins a curvature expansion region of the main body which, in the event of an expansion of the main body resulting from the deformation of the shaped sheet metal product, is expanded along expansion vectors which lie in intersecting planes.
H01M 8/026 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant characterised by grooves, e.g. their pitch or depth
H01M 8/0263 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant having meandering or serpentine paths
In order to provide a flow element by means of which a fluid can be guided and/or distributed over a surface as uniformly as possible, it is proposed that the flow element comprises a plate-like main body, which has a channel structure, wherein the channel structure comprises two or more paths, which connect an inlet side of the channel structure to an outlet side of the channel structure, wherein the two or more channel paths each have one or more meandering segments, wherein meandering segments of channel paths different from each other are nested in each other.
H01M 8/04 - Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
H01M 8/0263 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant having meandering or serpentine paths
H01M 8/0265 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant the reactant or coolant channels having varying cross sections
H01M 8/0258 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
An electrochemical device comprises a stack consisting of a plurality of electrochemical units which succeed one another along a stack direction and which each include a membrane electrode arrangement, a bipolar plate and at least one sealing element, at least one medium channel which extends along the stack direction, a flow field through which a medium can flow from the medium channel to another medium channel, and a connection channel through which the flow field and the medium channel are in fluid connection with one another, wherein the sealing arrangement includes a connection channel region in which the sealing arrangement crosses the connection channel, and at least one neighboring region which is located in front of or behind the connection channel region in the longitudinal direction of the sealing arrangement, wherein the sealing arrangement has a lower average height in the connection channel region than in the neighboring region.
H01M 8/0271 - Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
H01M 8/2457 - Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with both reactants being gaseous or vaporised
H01M 8/241 - Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes
H01M 8/0267 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
H01M 8/0258 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
In order to provide a fuel cell unit, comprising a housing which limits at least one gas chamber and has a gas opening in a first housing wall and a gas opening in a second housing wall located opposite the first housing wall, the housing of which has an adequate deformation stability in relation to the sealing surface pressure required for a flat seal even at high temperatures, it is suggested that the fuel cell unit comprise at least one supporting element which is arranged between the first housing wall and the second housing wall and keeps the two housing walls at a distance from one another.
