Abstract:
A cooling plate in which flow channels are modified to reduce temperature differences between portions of the cooling plate and provide for more uniform heat distribution within a heat generator. The flow channels of the cooling plate are formed such that a central portion of the flow channels has a greater volume than the end portions near an inlet and an outlet so that the amount of cooling water that is contained in the central portion at any one time is larger than either of the end portions near the inlet and the outlet. Likelihood of thermal deformation of the cooling plate due to thermal stress is decreased, and stability of performance of the fuel cell is increased.
Abstract:
Bipolar plates and a fuel cell stack having the bipolar plates. The fuel cell stack includes membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), and first and second bipolar plates sequentially stacked between the MEAs. The bipolar plates include: flow channels formed on opposing surfaces thereof; four manifolds connected to the flow channels; and through holes to connect to the manifolds of the bipolar plates adjacent thereto.
Abstract:
A structure of a bipolar plate for a fuel cell to ensure continuous flow of fluids to flow channels. The bipolar plate includes a plate main body having a surface and an opposite surface, each surface having reaction flow channels through which fluids pass; manifolds formed on the plate main body in the form of an inlet for introducing to and an outlet for discharging a fluid from the reaction flow channel, and connection channels that are formed on the plate main body as connection units between the reaction flow channels and the manifold, wherein the connection channels are formed such that flat regions of both a surface and an opposite surface of the plate main body face each other when the plate main bodies are stacked. The gasket is attached to the flat surface of the plate main body.
Abstract:
A sealing structure for a cooling plate of a fuel cell. The sealing structure includes grooves formed on corresponding regions of a separator of a unit cell and a cooling plate, a first sealing member formed between the grooves, second sealing members formed on each bottom of the grooves, and a third sealing member formed about the first sealing member.
Abstract:
A bipolar plate includes a plurality of flow channels for fuel flow, wherein the flow channels are divided into a plurality of sections along a direction of the fuel flow. The total cross-sectional area of the flow channels across the sections becomes smaller from a fuel inlet toward a fuel outlet. A plurality of protrusions are formed between the sections, and the protrusions mix a fuel that passes through the flow channels. A fuel cell includes membrane electrode assemblies interposed between a plurality of the bipolar plates.
Abstract:
A cooling plate in which flow channels are modified to reduce temperature differences between portions of the cooling plate and provide for more uniform heat distribution within a heat generator. The flow channels of the cooling plate are formed such that a central portion of the flow channels has a greater volume than the end portions near an inlet and an outlet so that the amount of cooling water that is contained in the central portion at any one time is larger than either of the end portions near the inlet and the outlet. Likelihood of thermal deformation of the cooling plate due to thermal stress is decreased, and stability of performance of the fuel cell is increased.
Abstract:
A bipolar plate includes a plurality of flow channels for fuel flow, wherein the flow channels are divided into a plurality of sections along a direction of the fuel flow. The total cross-sectional area of the flow channels across the sections becomes smaller from a fuel inlet toward a fuel outlet. A plurality of protrusions are formed between the sections, and the protrusions mix a fuel that passes through the flow channels. A fuel cell includes membrane electrode assemblies interposed between a plurality of the bipolar plates.
Abstract:
A passive cooling system for a fuel cell stack is provided. The passive cooling system includes a plurality of cooling plates, each installed between every few unit cells, each having flow channels for flowing a primary coolant on at least one surface, and each comprising an inlet hole through which the primary coolant enters and an outlet hole through which the primary coolant that has passed the flow channels leaves; and a heat exchanger installed on a primary coolant flow line connected from the outlet holes to the inlet holes of the cooling plates to change a vapor state primary coolant to a liquid state primary coolant by cooling the primary coolant, wherein a path through which the primary coolant passes is a closed circuit, and the flow of the primary coolant is achieved by natural convection caused by vaporization of the primary coolant.
Abstract:
A heat exchanger that can mechanically automatically control a level of cooling water according to heat generation of the fuel cell. The heat exchanger includes a housing having a cooling water inlet and an outlet connected to a fuel cell stack, a moving plate which moves reciprocally in the housing and discharges cooling water filled in the housing to the stack when it moves in a one direction and when it receives a steam pressure from the stack it moves in an opposite direction, and an elastic member that applies a force to the moving plate in the one direction. The heat exchanger can automatically maintain the level of cooling water despite a difference in heat generated between a full and a partial load operation of the fuel cell obviating complicated electronics such as a thermo-sensor, a valve, or a controller. Also, under a partial load, the exposure of flow channels to superheated steam is avoided, thereby extending the lifetime of the fuel cell.
Abstract:
A fuel cell having a heat exchanger that has a structure suitable for reducing space occupancy of the fuel cell. The fuel cell includes a stack where a chemical reaction for transforming chemical energy of a fuel into electricity occurs and a heat exchanger that removes heat generated during the energy transformation process in the stack, wherein the heat exchanger is built in at least one plate mounted on the stack. Therefore, the occupancy of the fuel cell can be reduced to be approximately half of a conventional externally mounted type heat exchanger.