JP2011198704A - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suitably relieve thermal stress and deformation that are caused by high temperature in a simple and compact structure, and improve durability and efficiency of power generation.SOLUTION: A fuel cell 10 includes holders 32A, 32B in which fuel gas passages 36A, 36B for supplying fuel gas along an electrode surface of an anode electrode 16 and oxidizer gas passages 34A, 34B for supplying oxidizer gas along an electrode surface of a cathode electrode 14 are separately arranged, bridges 30A, 30B in which fuel gas supply passages 38A, 38B for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas passages 36A, 36B are formed, and a fuel gas supply unit 28 in which a fuel gas supply communication hole 26 for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas supply passages 38A, 38B is formed in a laminated direction. The bridges 30A, 30B are installed in a meandering shape meandered in a surface direction of a separator 20 between the holders 32A, 32B and the fuel gas supply unit 28.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell in which an electrolyte / electrode assembly configured by sandwiching an electrolyte between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode is laminated between separators.

  In general, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) uses an oxide ion conductor, for example, stabilized zirconia, as an electrolyte, and an electrolyte / electrode assembly in which an anode electrode and a cathode electrode are disposed on both sides of the electrolyte. And sandwiched by separators (bipolar plates). This fuel cell is normally used as a fuel cell stack in which a predetermined number of electrolyte / electrode assemblies and separators are laminated.

  In the above fuel cell, in order to supply fuel gas (for example, hydrogen gas) and oxidant gas (for example, air) to the anode electrode and the cathode electrode constituting the electrolyte-electrode assembly, respectively, A fuel gas passage and an oxidant gas passage are formed along the same.

  In the fuel cell stack, for example, in order to distribute the fuel gas to each fuel gas passage, an internal manifold provided with fuel gas supply communication holes extending in the stacking direction may be configured. At that time, since a plurality of fuel cells are stacked, it is necessary to ensure a good gas sealing property of the internal manifold. On the other hand, in the power generation part, in order to maintain stable power generation performance, it is necessary to improve the adhesion between the power generation part and the separator.

  Therefore, for example, in the flat plate stacked fuel cell disclosed in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 17, power generation cells (not shown) and separators 1a are alternately stacked, and the stack of the stacked bodies is stacked. Each component is pressed by weighting from the direction.

  In the separator 1a, the connecting portion 4a that connects the manifold portion 2a and the portion 3a where the power generation cell is located has flexibility with respect to the load. The manifold portion 2a is provided with gas holes 5a and 6a. One gas hole 5a communicates with the fuel gas passage, and the other gas hole 6a communicates with the oxidant gas passage.

  Further, the fuel cell disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a separator 2b stacked on a power generation cell (not shown) as shown in FIG. The separator 2b includes an interconnect portion 3b in which power generation cells are stacked, and a pair of arm portions 4b extending from the interconnect portion 3b in the plane direction. A fuel gas passage 5b and an oxidant gas passage 6b are formed from the interconnect portion 3b to the pair of arms 4b.

  Each manifold portion 7b of the arm portion 4b is formed with a fuel gas hole 8b communicating with the fuel gas passage 5b and an oxidant gas hole 9b communicating with the oxidant gas passage 6b. The arm portion 4b is provided with flexibility so that it can be displaced in the stacking direction, and the deformation of the arm portion 4b is maintained within an elastic range during the thermal cycle period.

  Furthermore, the fuel cell disclosed in Patent Document 3 includes a separator 1c stacked on a power generation cell (not shown) as shown in FIG. The separator 1c includes an interconnect portion 2c in which power generation cells are disposed, an arm portion 5c that extends from the interconnect portion 2c and has a fuel gas hole 4c at an end portion 3c, and an end that extends from the interconnect portion 2c. The portion 3c includes an arm portion 5c in which an oxidant gas hole 6c is formed. The extending portion 7c of each arm portion 5c is disposed symmetrically with respect to the center portion of the interconnect portion 2c, and the end portion 3c is located 90 ° away from the extending portion 7c in the circumferential direction. It arrange | positions symmetrically with respect to the center part of 2c.

JP 2006-120589 A JP 2008-218278 A JP 2008-251236 A

  In said patent document 1, the connection part 4b is extended along the peripheral part of the part 3a, and adjoining to this peripheral part. For this reason, stress concentrates on the connection portion between the connecting portion 4b and the power generation portion, and stress in the rotational direction is easily generated in the power generation portion.

  Therefore, if this stress is relieved, there is a problem that the load in the stacking direction is reduced and the current collecting property is lowered. Conversely, if this stress is to be maintained, loads in the stacking direction may influence each other between each manifold and the portion 3a where the power generation portion is disposed. Moreover, there is a problem that power generation performance and durability are lowered.

  Further, in Patent Document 2 described above, the arm portion 4b is provided along the peripheral portion of the interconnect portion 3b and close to the peripheral portion, and stress is concentrated on the connecting portion between the arm portion 4b and the power generation portion. Easy to do. Moreover, there is a problem that stress in the rotational direction is generated in the power generation portion.

  As a result, when trying to relieve the stress, the current collecting performance is lowered. On the other hand, if this stress is maintained, there is a problem that the stress in the stacking direction of the manifold portion 8b and the interconnect portion 3b cannot be blocked. In addition, power generation performance and durability may be reduced.

  Further, in Patent Document 3 described above, the arm portion 5c extends along the peripheral portion of the interconnect portion 2c and close to the peripheral portion, and stress is applied to the connecting portion between the arm portion 5c and the power generation portion. In addition to concentration, there is a problem that stress in the rotational direction is generated in the power generation portion.

  For this reason, when the ability is reduced, the current collecting performance is lowered. On the other hand, when this stress is maintained, the load in the stacking direction between the end portion 3c and the interconnect portion 2c, which are the manifold portions, is not interrupted. There is. In addition, there is a problem that power generation performance and durability are lowered.

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and has a simple and compact configuration, can satisfactorily relieve thermal stress and deformation due to high temperatures, and can improve durability and power generation efficiency. An object is to provide a battery.

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell in which an electrolyte / electrode assembly configured by sandwiching an electrolyte between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode is laminated between separators.

  The separator sandwiches the electrolyte / electrode assembly, and includes a fuel gas passage for supplying fuel gas along the electrode surface of the anode electrode and an oxidant gas passage for supplying oxidant gas along the electrode surface of the cathode electrode. And a bridge portion connected to the sandwiching portion and formed with a reaction gas supply passage for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas passage or the oxidant gas to the oxidant gas passage. And a reaction gas supply unit that is connected to the bridge portion and that has a reaction gas supply communication hole formed in the stacking direction for supplying the fuel gas or the oxidant gas to the reaction gas supply passage.

  And the bridge part is set in the meandering shape which meanders in the surface direction of a separator between a clamping part and a reactive gas supply part. The meandering shape includes one that alternately performs reciprocation to one side and reciprocation to the other side across a virtual straight line in the same plane, or one that only reciprocates to one side, and as a whole What has various shapes, such as a wave shape and a sawtooth shape.

  The bridge portion is preferably set in a meandering shape that reciprocates along a direction intersecting an imaginary straight line connecting the center of the sandwiching portion and the center of the reaction gas supply portion. For this reason, a bridge part can be lengthened with a compact structure, and it becomes possible to relieve | moderate the thermal deformation and displacement by high temperature favorably.

  In addition, the thermal deformation and displacement of the bridge due to the high temperature can be released in a direction intersecting with an imaginary straight line connecting the center of the sandwiching portion and the center of the reaction gas supply portion. Therefore, the crack of the electrolyte / electrode assembly is suppressed to improve the durability of the fuel cell, and the adhesion between the electrolyte / electrode assembly and the sandwiching portion is ensured to easily improve the power generation efficiency. .

  Furthermore, the bridge portion may be set to have a length different from the protruding length in one direction and the protruding length in the other direction across a virtual straight line connecting the center of the sandwiching portion and the center of the reactive gas supply portion. preferable. Thereby, a bridge part can be lengthened by a compact structure, and it becomes possible to relieve | moderate the thermal deformation and displacement by high temperature favorably.

  Moreover, thermal deformation and displacement of the bridge portion due to high temperature can be released in a direction intersecting with an imaginary straight line connecting the center of the sandwiching portion and the center of the reaction gas supply portion. For this reason, the crack of the electrolyte / electrode assembly is suppressed to improve the durability of the fuel cell, and the adhesion between the electrolyte / electrode assembly and the sandwiching portion is secured to easily improve the power generation efficiency. It is done.

  In addition, since the protruding length in one direction and the protruding length in the other direction are set to different lengths, a space for setting other components should be secured on the side where the protruding length is short. Thus, space efficiency can be improved.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the bridge portion is set to have a meander-shaped projecting length that is smaller as it approaches the clamping portion. Therefore, the bridge portion can be elongated with a compact configuration, and thermal deformation and displacement due to high temperatures can be favorably mitigated.

  In addition, the thermal deformation and displacement of the bridge due to the high temperature can be released in a direction intersecting with an imaginary straight line connecting the center of the sandwiching portion and the center of the reaction gas supply portion. As a result, cracking of the electrolyte / electrode assembly is suppressed to improve the durability of the fuel cell, and adhesion between the electrolyte / electrode assembly and the sandwiching portion is secured to easily improve power generation efficiency. It is done.

  In addition, it is possible to secure a space for setting other components, particularly in the vicinity of the clamping portion, and space efficiency can be easily improved.

  In addition, the bridge should span the imaginary straight line connecting the center of the clamping part and the center of the reactive gas supply part, and the protruding length in one direction and the protruding length in the other direction should be set to the same length. Is preferred. Thereby, a bridge part can be lengthened by a compact structure, and it becomes possible to relieve | moderate the thermal deformation and displacement by high temperature favorably.

  In addition, the thermal deformation and displacement of the bridge due to the high temperature can be released in a direction intersecting with an imaginary straight line connecting the center of the sandwiching portion and the center of the reaction gas supply portion. For this reason, the crack of the electrolyte / electrode assembly is suppressed to improve the durability of the fuel cell, and the adhesion between the electrolyte / electrode assembly and the sandwiching portion is secured to easily improve the power generation efficiency. It is done.

  In addition, since the protruding length in one direction and the protruding length in the other direction are set to the same length, thermal stress and displacement between the clamping part, the bridge part, and the reactive gas supply part can be alleviated better. become.

  Further, in this fuel cell, it is preferable that an oxidant gas supply communication hole for allowing the oxidant gas supplied to the oxidant gas passage to flow in the stacking direction is formed between the bridge portion and the sandwiching portion. For this reason, it is possible to secure a space as the oxidant gas supply communication hole with a compact configuration, and the space efficiency can be easily improved.

  Furthermore, in this fuel cell, it is preferable that an exhaust gas discharge communication hole for discharging the fuel gas and the oxidant gas used in the reaction as exhaust gas in the stacking direction is formed between the bridge portion and the sandwiching portion. . Therefore, a space as an exhaust gas discharge communication hole can be secured with a compact configuration, and space efficiency can be easily improved.

  In addition, the separator is provided with a plurality of bridge portions in a single reaction gas supply portion, and each bridge portion is provided with a sandwich portion, and each sandwich portion has a shape corresponding to each electrolyte / electrode assembly. It is preferable to be configured to be separated from each other. Therefore, the sandwiching portion has a shape corresponding to the electrolyte / electrode assembly, and can efficiently collect the electric power generated by the electrolyte / electrode assembly.

  In addition, the holding portions are separated from each other, and can absorb different loads generated in the electrolyte / electrode assemblies due to dimensional errors of the electrolyte / electrode assemblies and the separators. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the entire separator from being distorted and to apply an equal load to each electrolyte / electrode assembly.

  In addition, the thermal strain of each electrolyte / electrode assembly is not transmitted to other adjacent electrolyte / electrode assemblies, and it is necessary to provide a separate dimension absorption mechanism between the electrolyte / electrode assemblies. Absent. For this reason, it becomes possible to arrange | position each electrolyte and electrode assembly closely, and size reduction of the whole fuel cell is achieved easily.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the bridge portion meanders within the width dimension of the sandwiching portion that intersects an imaginary straight line connecting the center of the sandwiching portion and the center of the reaction gas supply portion. Therefore, the bridge portion can be elongated with a compact configuration, and thermal deformation and displacement due to high temperatures can be favorably mitigated.

  In addition, the thermal deformation and displacement of the bridge due to the high temperature can be released in a direction intersecting with an imaginary straight line connecting the center of the sandwiching portion and the center of the reaction gas supply portion. As a result, cracking of the electrolyte / electrode assembly is suppressed to improve the durability of the fuel cell, and adhesion between the electrolyte / electrode assembly and the sandwiching portion is secured to easily improve power generation efficiency. It is done.

  In addition, since the bridge portion meanders within the width dimension of the sandwiching portion, the bridge portion does not protrude outward from the sandwiching portion. For this reason, the dimension of the whole fuel cell becomes the same as the width dimension of a clamping part, and it becomes possible to make the said fuel cell further compact.

  Furthermore, the fuel cell is preferably a solid oxide fuel cell. Therefore, by applying it to a high temperature fuel cell such as a solid oxide fuel cell, it is possible to maintain compactness with a simple configuration and to particularly favorably reduce thermal deformation and displacement due to high temperatures.

  According to the present invention, the reaction gas supply unit and the sandwiching unit that sandwiches the electrolyte / electrode assembly can block the tightening load in the stacking direction via the bridge portion. A desired load can be applied. Therefore, a comparatively high degree of adhesion is required for the electrolyte / electrode assembly while a relatively large load is selectively applied to a portion requiring a sealing property with a simple and compact structure. A small load can be applied. As a result, a desired sealing property is ensured in the reaction gas supply unit, and damage to the electrolyte / electrode assembly is prevented as much as possible, so that efficient power generation and current collection are performed.

  Furthermore, the bridge portion is set in a meandering shape that meanders in the surface direction of the separator between the sandwiching portion and the reactive gas supply portion. For this reason, a bridge part can be lengthened with a compact structure, and it becomes possible to relieve | moderate the thermal deformation and displacement by high temperature favorably.

  Moreover, thermal deformation and displacement of the bridge portion due to high temperature can be released in a direction intersecting with an imaginary straight line connecting the center of the sandwiching portion and the center of the reaction gas supply portion. Therefore, the crack of the electrolyte / electrode assembly is suppressed to improve the durability of the fuel cell, and the adhesion between the electrolyte / electrode assembly and the sandwiching portion is ensured to easily improve the power generation efficiency. .

1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a fuel cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a partially exploded perspective view showing the gas flow state of the fuel cell. It is a plane explanatory view of the fuel cell. It is explanatory drawing of the 2nd plate which comprises the said fuel cell. It is the VV sectional view taken on the line of the said fuel cell in FIG. FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a state where the fuel cell is housed in a housing. It is plane explanatory drawing inside the said housing | casing. FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a fuel cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the 2nd plate which comprises the said fuel cell. FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a fuel cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a partially exploded perspective view showing the gas flow state of the fuel cell. It is explanatory drawing of the 2nd plate which comprises the said fuel cell. It is a schematic perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a plane explanatory view of a fuel cell concerning a 5th embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a fuel cell according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. It is a partially exploded perspective view showing the gas flow state of the fuel cell. It is explanatory drawing of the separator which comprises the flat laminated fuel cell of patent document 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the separator which comprises the fuel cell of patent document 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the separator which comprises the fuel cell of patent document 3. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel cell 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell, and is composed of an oxide ion conductor such as stabilized zirconia, for example. An electrolyte / electrode assembly (MEA) 18 provided with a cathode electrode 14 and an anode electrode 16 is provided on both surfaces of an electrolyte (electrolyte plate) 12.

  The electrolyte / electrode assembly 18 is formed in a rectangular shape, for example, and a barrier layer (not shown) is provided at least on the outer peripheral end surface portion to prevent the oxidant gas and fuel gas from entering and discharging. ing. The electrolyte / electrode assembly 18 may be set in a square shape, or a peripheral length parallel to an extension line of a bridge portion described later may be set larger than a peripheral length orthogonal to the extension line.

  The fuel cell 10 is configured by sandwiching two electrolyte / electrode assemblies 18 between a pair of separators 20. The separator 20 includes a first plate 22 and a second plate 24. The first plate 22 and the second plate 24 are made of, for example, a sheet metal such as a stainless alloy, and are formed by brazing, diffusion bonding, laser welding, or the like. Are joined together.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the separator 20 includes a fuel gas supply unit 28 in which a fuel gas supply communication hole 26 is formed at the center. The fuel gas supply unit 28 is integrally provided with bridge portions 30A and 30B extending in opposite directions, and the bridge portions 30A and 30B are integrally provided with sandwiching portions 32A and 32B having a rectangular shape. Provided. The sandwiching portions 32 </ b> A and 32 </ b> B are set to have substantially the same dimensions as the electrolyte / electrode assembly 18.

  Oxidant gas passages 34A and 34B for supplying an oxidant gas along the electrode surface of the cathode electrode 14 are formed on the surfaces of the sandwiching portions 32A and 32B in contact with the cathode electrodes 14. Fuel gas passages 36A and 36B for supplying fuel gas are formed along the electrode surfaces of the anode electrodes 16 on the surfaces of the sandwiching portions 32A and 32B that are in contact with the anode electrodes 16 (FIGS. 4 and 5). reference).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the bridge portions 30 </ b> A and 30 </ b> B are set in a meandering shape that meanders in the plane direction of the separator 20 between the sandwiching portions 32 </ b> A and 32 </ b> B and the fuel gas supply unit 28. Specifically, the bridge portions 30A and 30B have meandering shapes that reciprocate along a direction (arrow C direction) orthogonal to an imaginary straight line O connecting the centers of the sandwiching portions 32A and 32B and the center of the fuel gas supply unit 28. Is set.

  In 1st Embodiment, bridge | bridging part 30A, 30B is across the virtual straight line O, and the protrusion length L1 to one direction (arrow C1 direction) and the protrusion length L2 to another direction (arrow C2 direction) are The different lengths, that is, the protruding length L1 is set smaller than the protruding length L2. The portion 30a set to the protruding length L1 is close to the sandwiching portions 32A and 32B, while the portion 30b having the protruding length L2 is close to the fuel gas supply portion 28.

  In the bridge portions 30A and 30B, the portions 30a and 30b are set within the width dimension of the clamping portions 32A and 32B in the arrow C direction with respect to the arrow C direction. In the bridge portions 30A and 30B, fuel gas supply passages 38A and 38B for supplying fuel gas from the fuel gas supply communication hole 26 to the fuel gas passages 36A and 36B are formed in a meandering shape.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first plate 22 includes a first disc portion 40 in which a fuel gas supply communication hole 26 is formed in the center portion, and a pair of first plates provided integrally with the first disc portion 40. The meandering long plate portions 42A and 42B and the first rectangular portions 44A and 44B provided integrally with the first meandering long plate portions 42A and 42B are provided. In the first rectangular portions 44A and 44B, a plurality of protrusions 46A and 46B for forming the oxidant gas passages 34A and 34B are formed on the side of the first plate 22 facing the cathode electrode 14.

  The second plate 24 includes a second disc portion 48 in which a fuel gas supply communication hole 26 is formed at the center, and a pair of second meandering long plate portions 50A and 50B provided integrally with the second disc portion 48. And second rectangular portions 52A and 52B provided integrally with the second meandering long plate portions 50A and 50B.

  On the surface side of the second plate 24 to be joined to the first plate 22, a slit 56 is formed between a plurality of convex portions 54 arranged in an annular shape in the second disc portion 48, and the slit 56 has a circumferential groove 58. The fuel gas supply passages 38A and 38B communicate with one end side of the fuel gas. The fuel gas supply passages 38A and 38B extend from the second meandering long plate portions 50A and 50B along the second rectangular portions 52A and 52B and terminate.

  Fuel gas supply holes 60A and 60B are formed in the second rectangular portions 52A and 52B in the vicinity of the peripheral ends of the fuel gas supply passages 38A and 38B. The fuel gas supply holes 60A and 60B are set close to the upper side of the oxidant gas flow direction (arrow B1 direction and arrow B2 direction) described later, that is, close to the second meandering long plate portions 50A and 50B side. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of protrusions 62A and 62B for forming fuel gas passages 36A and 36B are formed on the surface of the second plate 24 that contacts the anode electrode 16. The second rectangular portions 52A and 52B are formed with outer peripheral circumferential convex portions 65A and 65B that circulate around the fuel gas passages 36A and 36B and contact the outer peripheral edge portion of the anode electrode 16.

  Through holes 66A and 66B communicating with the fuel gas discharge holes 64A and 64B for discharging the fuel gas used through the fuel gas passages 36A and 36B are formed in the second rectangular portions 52A and 52B. A plurality of the through holes 66A and 66B are arranged in a direction intersecting with an extension line of the second meandering long plate portions 50A and 50B (bridge portions 30A and 30B). The fuel gas discharge holes 64A, 64B communicating with the respective through holes 66A, 66B are arranged on one side 32a of the sandwiching portions 32A, 32B in a direction (arrow C direction) orthogonal to the extension line of the bridge portions 30A, 30B ( (See FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the second rectangular portions 52A and 52B are in contact with the anode electrode 16 and have fuel gas supply holes 60A and 60B and through holes 66A and 66B (fuel gas discharge holes 64A and 64B). The fuel gas is bent in a V shape between the fuel gas supply holes 60A and 60B, and the fuel gas is prevented from flowing linearly from the fuel gas supply holes 60A and 60B to the through holes 66A and 66B. Detour forming walls 68A and 68B are provided.

  The bypass forming walls 68A and 68B are provided with fuel gas supply holes 60A and 60B in a V-shaped inner region S. The bypass forming wall portions 68A and 68B are set so that the extended lines of the wall surfaces 68a and 68b are directed to both top portions of the sandwiching portions 32A and 32B.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an oxidant gas supply communication hole 70 for flowing the oxidant gas in the direction of arrow A is provided on both sides of the bridge portions 30A and 30B. The oxidant gas supply communication hole 70 circulates the oxidant gas in the vertical direction, and flows the oxidant gas in the arrow B1 direction and the arrow B2 direction along the oxidant gas passages 34A, 34B constituting each fuel cell 10. Supply.

  An insulating seal 72 for sealing the fuel gas supply communication hole 26 is provided between the fuel gas supply portions 28 between the pair of separators 20 disposed with the electrolyte / electrode assembly 18 interposed therebetween. The insulating seal 72 is formed of, for example, a crust component material such as mica material or ceramic material, a glass material, or a composite material of clay and plastic.

  The fuel cell 10 is located outside the sandwiching portions 32A and 32B, and an exhaust gas discharge communication hole 74 is formed. The exhaust gas discharge communication hole 74 discharges the fuel gas and the oxidant gas supplied to the electrolyte / electrode assembly 18 and used for the reaction in the stacking direction as exhaust gas.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the fuel cell stack 80 includes a stacked body 82 in which a plurality of fuel cells 10 are stacked in the vertical direction. The laminated body 82 is accommodated in the housing 88 via the first tightening load applying mechanism 84 and the second tightening load applying mechanisms 86A and 86B.

  The casing 88 includes a flat base 90, and a casing member 92 is disposed on the base 90. The casing member 92 is fixed to the base 90 by tightening a plurality of bolts 96 between the flange portion 94 of the casing member 92 and the outer peripheral edge of the base 90. The base 90 includes one fuel gas hole 97 communicating with the fuel gas supply communication hole 26 of the fuel cell 10, two air holes 98 a and 98 b communicating with the oxidant gas supply communication hole 70, and exhaust gas. One exhaust gas hole 100 communicating with the discharge communication hole 74 is formed.

  In the casing member 92, side heat insulating members 102a and 102b are arranged along both outer edges of the laminated body 82 (fuel cell 10) and parallel to the extension lines of the bridge portions 30A and 30B, and the fuel A tip heat insulating member 104 is disposed on the tip side of the battery 10. The side heat insulating members 102a and 102b and the tip heat insulating member 104 each have a rectangular flat plate shape.

  The first tightening load applying mechanism 84 includes a pressing member 106 disposed in the fuel gas supply unit 28 in order to ensure the fuel gas sealing performance in the fuel gas supply communication hole 26. The pressing member 106 is formed with a plate-like portion 110 protruding from both sides of the disc portion 108 covering the fuel gas supply communication hole 26. Bolts 112 are inserted into the respective plate-like portions 110, and the bolts 112 are screwed into screw holes formed in the base 90.

  The second tightening load application mechanisms 86A and 86B include upper end heat insulating members 116 disposed in the sandwiching portions 32A and 32B corresponding to the positions where the electrolyte / electrode assembly 18 is laminated. Stepped hole portions 118 are formed in the vicinity of the four corners of the upper end heat insulating member 116, and the bolts 120 inserted into the stepped hole portions 118 are screwed into screw holes formed in the base 90.

  The upper end heat insulating member 116 is movably disposed in the direction of arrow A in the space formed by the side heat insulating members 102 a and 102 b and the tip heat insulating member 104. The first load applied by the first tightening load applying mechanism 84 is larger than the second load applied by the second tightening load applying mechanisms 86A and 86B.

  A predetermined gap is formed at the normal temperature between the inner surfaces of the side heat insulating members 102a and 102b and both side surfaces of the sandwiching portions 32A and 32B of each fuel cell 10, and the inner surface and the both side surfaces at a high temperature during operation. Is set to contact. Between the front end heat insulating member 104 and the front end portions of the sandwiching portions 32A and 32B of each fuel cell 10, a space portion constituting the exhaust gas discharge communication hole 74 is formed, and the exhaust gas discharge communication hole 74 is formed as an exhaust gas hole portion. Communicate with 100.

  The operation of the fuel cell 10 configured as described above will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, raw fuel such as city gas (including CH ₄ , C ₂ H ₆ , C ₃ H ₈ , and C ₄ H ₁₀ ) is supplied to the fuel gas supply communication hole 26 of the fuel cell 10. The reformed gas subjected to steam reforming is supplied as a fuel gas. On the other hand, air is supplied as an oxidant gas to the oxidant gas supply communication hole 70 of the fuel cell 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the fuel gas supplied to the fuel gas supply communication hole 26 passes through the circumferential groove 58 from the slit 56 in each separator 20 constituting each fuel cell 10, and each bridge portion 30 </ b> A, It is introduced into each fuel gas supply passage 38A, 38B formed in 30B. The fuel gas is introduced into the fuel gas passages 36A and 36B from the fuel gas supply passages 38A and 38B through the fuel gas supply holes 60A and 60B.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel gas supply holes 60A and 60B are provided close to the bridge portions 30A and 30B, and are disposed in the inner region S of the detour formation walls 68A and 68B. For this reason, the fuel gas introduced into the fuel gas passages 36A and 36B from the fuel gas supply holes 60A and 60B passes through the fuel gas passages 36A and 36B under the guiding action of the bypass forming walls 68A and 68B. It is supplied to the anode electrode 16 of each electrolyte / electrode assembly 18. The spent fuel gas is discharged from the plurality of through holes 66A and 66B to the exhaust gas discharge communication hole 74 through the fuel gas discharge holes 64A and 64B.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the air supplied to the oxidant gas supply communication hole 70 flows into the oxidant gas passage 34 </ b> A formed between the cathode electrode 14 and the separator 20 of each electrolyte / electrode assembly 18. , 34B. In the oxidant gas passages 34A and 34B, the oxidant gas is supplied to the cathode electrode 14 of the electrolyte / electrode assembly 18 while moving in the directions of arrows B1 and B2, and then discharged to the exhaust gas discharge communication hole 74.

  Therefore, in each electrolyte / electrode assembly 18, fuel gas is supplied to the anode electrode 16, while air is supplied to the cathode electrode 14. As a result, the oxide ions move to the anode electrode 16 through the electrolyte 12, and power is generated by a chemical reaction.

  In this case, in the first embodiment, the fuel gas supply unit 28 and the sandwiching portions 32A and 32B that sandwich the electrolyte / electrode assembly 18 are arranged in the stacking direction via the meandering long plate-like bridge portions 30A and 30B. Tightening load is cut off. For this reason, a desired load can be applied to the electrolyte / electrode assembly 18.

  Accordingly, a relatively large load is applied to the fuel gas supply unit 28 that requires a simple and compact structure and sealability is required, while the electrolyte / electrode assembly 18 is in close contact with the clamping portions 32A and 32B. It is possible to apply a relatively small load that enhances the resistance. As a result, a desired sealing property is ensured in the fuel gas supply unit 28, and damage to the electrolyte / electrode assembly 18 is prevented as much as possible, so that efficient power generation and current collection are performed.

  Further, the bridge portions 30 </ b> A and 30 </ b> B are set in a meandering shape that meanders in the surface direction of the separator 20 between the sandwiching portions 32 </ b> A and 32 </ b> B and the fuel gas supply communication hole 26. For this reason, the fuel cell 10 has a compact configuration, and the bridge portions 30A and 30B can be elongated, and thermal deformation and displacement due to high temperatures can be favorably mitigated.

  Moreover, thermal deformation and displacement of the bridge portions 30A and 30B due to high temperature can be released in a direction intersecting with an imaginary straight line O connecting the centers of the sandwiching portions 32A and 32B and the center of the fuel gas supply portion 28. Accordingly, cracking of the electrolyte / electrode assembly 18 is suppressed to improve the durability of the fuel cell 10, and the adhesion between the electrolyte / electrode assembly 18 and the sandwiching portions 32A and 32B is secured to generate power. The effect that the improvement of efficiency is easily achieved is obtained.

  Furthermore, the bridge portions 30A and 30B are set in a meandering shape that reciprocates along a direction orthogonal to the virtual straight line O. Specifically, the bridge portions 30A and 30B are different from each other in the protruding length L1 in one direction (arrow C1 direction) and the protruding length L2 in the other direction (arrow C2 direction) across the virtual straight line O. The protruding length L1 is set shorter (smaller) than the protruding length L2. The portion 30a set to the projection length L1 on the short side is provided on the side close to the sandwiching portions 32A and 32B.

  Thereby, in 1st Embodiment, it becomes possible to ensure the space which comprises the oxidizing agent gas supply communicating hole 70 favorably. Therefore, the oxidant gas can be smoothly and surely supplied to the oxidant gas passages 34A and 34B from the oxidant gas supply communication hole 70, maintaining good power generation efficiency and easily improving the space efficiency. It is done.

  The separator 20 is provided with a plurality of, for example, two bridge portions 30A and 30B in a single fuel gas supply unit 28, and sandwiching portions 32A and 32B are provided in the bridge portions 30A and 30B, respectively. Yes. The sandwiching portions 32A and 32B are set in a shape corresponding to each electrolyte / electrode assembly 18 and are separated from each other.

  Accordingly, the sandwiching portions 32A and 32B can efficiently collect the power generated in the electrolyte / electrode assembly 18. In addition, the sandwiching portions 32A and 32B can absorb different loads generated in the electrolyte / electrode assemblies 18 due to dimensional errors of the electrolyte / electrode assemblies 18 and the separator 20. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the entire separator 20 from being distorted and to apply an equal load to each electrolyte / electrode assembly 18.

  In addition, the thermal strain or the like of each electrolyte / electrode assembly 18 is not transmitted to other adjacent electrolyte / electrode assemblies 18, and a separate dimension absorption mechanism is provided between the electrolyte / electrode assemblies 18. There is no need to provide. For this reason, it becomes possible to arrange | position each electrolyte and electrode assembly 18 closely, and size reduction of the fuel cell 10 whole can be achieved easily.

  Furthermore, the bridge portions 30A and 30B meander within the width dimension (dimension in the direction of arrow C) of the sandwiching portions 32A and 32B. Accordingly, the bridge portions 30A and 30B can be elongated with a compact configuration, and thermal deformation and displacement due to high temperature can be favorably mitigated. Moreover, the bridge portions 30A and 30B do not protrude outward in the width direction of the sandwiching portions 32A and 32B. For this reason, the overall dimensions of the fuel cell 10 are substantially the same as the width dimensions of the sandwiching portions 32A and 32B, and the fuel cell 10 can be made more compact.

  Furthermore, the fuel cell 10 is a solid oxide fuel cell. Therefore, by applying to a high-temperature fuel cell in particular, it is possible to maintain compactness with a simple configuration, and to particularly favorably reduce thermal deformation and displacement due to high temperatures.

  FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the fuel cell 130 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The same components as those of the fuel cell 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Similarly, in the third and subsequent embodiments described below, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The fuel cell 130 includes a pair of separators 132 that sandwich the two electrolyte / electrode assemblies 18. The separator 132 extends in the opposite direction to the fuel gas supply unit 28 and is integrally provided with bridge portions 134A and 134B, and rectangular bridge portions 136A and 136B are integrally formed with the bridge portions 134A and 134B. Provided.

  The bridge portion 134A is set in a meander shape between the sandwiching portion 136A and the fuel gas supply portion 28 so as to reciprocate only in the direction of the arrow C2 from the virtual straight line O with respect to the surface direction of the separator 132. Similarly, the bridge portion 134B is set in a meandering shape that reciprocates only in the direction of the arrow C1 from the imaginary straight line O with respect to the surface direction of the separator 132 between the sandwiching portion 136B and the fuel gas supply portion 28. In place of the bridge portions 134A and 134B, the bridge portions 30A and 30B may be used.

  The separator 132 includes a first plate 138 and a second plate 140. In the second plate 140, the fuel gas supply holes 60A, 60B are formed on the front end side of the second rectangular portions 52A, 52B, and the fuel gas discharge holes 64 are the inner end portions of the second rectangular portions 52A, 52B. That is, a plurality of sides are provided on the second meandering long plate portions 50A and 50B side. As shown in FIG. 9, the bypass forming walls 68A and 68B are bent in a V shape on the fuel gas supply holes 60A and 60B side.

  As shown in FIG. 8, an oxidant gas supply communication hole 70 is provided at the front end side of the sandwiching portions 136A and 136B, and the oxidant gas is supplied from the oxidant gas supply communication hole 70 to the oxidant gas passages 34A and 34B. Are supplied in the direction of arrow D1 and arrow D2, respectively. An exhaust gas discharge communication hole 74 is formed in the vicinity of the bridge portions 134A and 134B.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, the flow direction of the oxidant gas is set to the direction from the outside of the sandwiching portions 136A and 136B toward the fuel gas supply portion 28 side. Is set in the opposite direction. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained, and the bridge portions 134A and 134B each have a meandering shape that reciprocates only in one direction. As a result, sufficient space can be secured, and space efficiency can be easily improved.

  The bridge portions 134A and 134B used in the second embodiment can be used in the first embodiment instead of the bridge portions 30A and 30B.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a fuel cell 150 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the fuel cell 150 includes a pair of separators 152 that sandwich two electrolyte / electrode assemblies 18 on the same plane. The separator 152 is provided with a reaction gas supply unit 154 in which the fuel gas supply communication hole 26 and the oxidant gas supply communication hole 70 are formed. The reaction gas supply unit 154 is integrally provided with bridge portions 156A and 156B extending in opposite directions, and the bridge portions 156A and 156B are integrally provided with sandwiching portions 158A and 158B having a rectangular shape. Provided.

  The bridge portions 156A and 156B are set in a meandering shape that reciprocates along the direction intersecting the virtual straight line O, and extend across the virtual straight line O and project in the arrow C1 direction and in the arrow C2 direction, respectively. The length is set to the same length. The bridge portions 156A and 156B meander within the width dimension (dimension in the direction of arrow C) of the sandwiching portions 158A and 158B.

  The separator 152 includes a first plate 160 and a second plate 162. The first plate 160 includes a first disk portion 164 in which a fuel gas supply communication hole 26 and an oxidant gas supply communication hole 70 each having a semicircular opening shape are formed. First meandering long plate portions 166A, 166B extend integrally from the first disc portion 164 in opposite directions, and the first meandering long plate portions 166A, 166B include first rectangular portions 168A, 168B. Provided integrally.

  In the first rectangular portions 168A and 168B, oxidant gas passages 34A and 34B are formed via a plurality of protrusions 46A and 46B, and oxidant gas supply holes 170A and 170B are provided on the first disc portion 164 side. It is formed in the vicinity. A plurality of oxidant gas discharge holes 172A, 172B are formed in communication with the exhaust gas discharge communication holes 74, respectively, at the distal ends of the first rectangular portions 168A, 168B.

  The first rectangular portions 168A, 168B are adjacent to the oxidant gas supply holes 170A, 170B and are bent in a V shape toward the oxidant gas supply holes 170A, 170B. Is provided. The first rectangular portions 168A and 168B are formed with outer peripheral circumferential convex portions 176A and 176B that circulate around the oxidant gas passages 34A and 34B and contact the outer peripheral edge portion of the cathode electrode 14, respectively.

  The second plate 162 has a second disk part 178, and the second disk part 178 communicates with the circumferential groove 180 communicating with the fuel gas supply communication hole 26 and the oxidant gas supply communication hole 70. A circumferential groove 181 is formed. Second meandering long plate portions 182A and 182B are integrally provided so as to extend in the opposite directions from the second disc portion 178.

  Second rectangular portions 184A and 184B are integrally provided on the second meandering long plate portions 182A and 182B. Fuel gas supply passages 38A and 38B and oxidant gas supply passages 186A and 186B are provided in parallel with each other in the second meandering long plate portions 182A and 182B. Fuel gas supply holes 60A and 60B communicate with the front end edges of the fuel gas supply passages 38A and 38B.

  As shown in FIG. 12, fuel gas passages 36A and 36B are formed in the second rectangular portions 184A and 184B via a plurality of protrusions 62A and 62B. A plurality of fuel gas discharge holes 64A and 64B are formed in the outer edge circumferential convex portions 65A and 65B, respectively. Detour forming walls 68A and 68B are provided between the fuel gas discharge holes 64A and 64B and the fuel gas supply holes 60A and 60B.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, an insulating ring 72 a is interposed between the separators 152 so as to be sandwiched between the reaction gas supply units 154. The insulating ring 72a has a function of sealing the fuel gas supply communication hole 26 and the oxidant gas supply communication hole 70, respectively.

  The operation of the fuel cell 150 configured as described above will be described. The reaction gas supply unit 154 constituting each separator 152 is provided with fuel gas and oxidation along the fuel gas supply communication hole 26 and the oxidant gas supply communication hole 70. The agent gas flows in the stacking direction.

  The fuel gas is introduced into the fuel gas passages 36A and 36B from the fuel gas supply holes 60A and 60B through the fuel gas supply passages 38A and 38B formed in the bridge portions 156A and 156B. As shown in FIG. 12, the fuel gas uniformly flows along the fuel gas passages 36 </ b> A and 36 </ b> B under the guiding action of the detour formation walls 68 </ b> A and 68 </ b> B and is supplied to each anode electrode 16. The spent fuel gas is discharged from the fuel gas discharge holes 64A and 64B to the exhaust gas discharge communication hole 74.

  On the other hand, the oxidant gas is introduced into the oxidant gas passages 34A and 34B from the oxidant gas supply holes 170A and 170B through the oxidant gas supply passages 186A and 186B formed in the bridge portions 156A and 156B. .

  As shown in FIG. 10, the oxidant gas uniformly flows along the oxidant gas passages 34 </ b> A and 34 </ b> B under the guiding action of the bypass forming walls 174 </ b> A and 174 </ b> B and is supplied to the cathode electrode 14. . The used oxidant gas is discharged from the oxidant gas discharge holes 172A and 172B to the exhaust gas discharge communication hole 74.

  In the third embodiment, the bridge portions 156A and 156B are set in a meandering shape that reciprocates along the direction intersecting the virtual straight line O, and each project in the direction of the arrow C1 across the virtual straight line O. The length and the protruding length in the arrow C2 direction are set to the same length.

  For this reason, the bridge portions 156A and 156B can be further lengthened while being made compact. In addition, the thermal stress and displacement between the sandwiching portions 158A, 158B, the bridge portions 156A, 156B, and the reactive gas supply portion 154 can be effectively reduced.

  FIG. 13 is a perspective explanatory view of a fuel cell 190 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The fuel cell 190 includes a separator 192. The separator 192 includes a reaction gas supply unit 194 in which the fuel gas supply communication hole 26 and the oxidant gas supply communication hole 70 are formed. The reactive gas supply unit 194 is integrally provided with bridge portions 196A and 196B, and the bridge portions 196A and 196B are integrally provided with sandwiching portions 198A and 198B having a rectangular shape.

  The reactive gas supply unit 194 is eccentric in the direction of the arrow C2 within the width dimension of the clamping units 198A and 198B. The bridge portions 196A and 196B, one end of which is connected to the reaction gas supply unit 194, meanders greatly in the direction of the arrow C1, and the other ends of the bridge portions 198A and 198B are connected to each other. The reactive gas supply part 194 and the bridge parts 196A, 196B are accommodated within the width dimension of the clamping parts 198A, 198B.

  In the fourth embodiment configured as described above, the bridge portions 196A and 196B are lengthened, and the fuel cell 190 as a whole can be easily made compact. The first to third embodiments described above. The same effect can be obtained.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory plan view of a fuel cell 200 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  The fuel cell 200 is configured substantially in the same manner as the fuel cell 150 according to the third embodiment, and bridge portions 156A and 156B each having a meandering shape are integrally provided from the reaction gas supply unit 154. The bridge portions 156A and 156B are integrally provided with disc-shaped sandwiching portions 204A and 204B.

  Arc-like bypass formation walls 206A and 206B that circulate around the oxidant gas supply holes 170A and 170B are formed in the sandwiching portions 204A and 204B. The bridge portions 156A and 156B are accommodated within the diameter dimension in the arrow C direction of the sandwiching portions 204A and 204B.

  In the fifth embodiment configured as described above, the same effects as those of the first to fourth embodiments, particularly the third embodiment described above, can be obtained. Note that the disc-shaped sandwiching portions 204A and 204B can also be employed in the first, second, and fourth embodiments.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a fuel cell 220 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the fuel cell 220 is provided with a cathode electrode 14a and an anode electrode 16a on both surfaces of an electrolyte (electrolyte plate) 12a made of an oxide ion conductor such as stabilized zirconia, for example. The electrolyte / electrode assembly (MEA) 18a is provided. The electrolyte / electrode assembly 18a is formed in a disk shape, and a barrier layer (not shown) is provided at least on the outer peripheral end surface portion to prevent the oxidant gas and fuel gas from entering and discharging. Yes.

  In the fuel cell 220, a plurality of, for example, four electrolyte / electrode assemblies 18 a are arranged between the separators 222 in a concentric circle with the fuel gas supply communication hole 26 being the center of the separator 222 as the center. The separator 222 is configured by joining a first plate 224 and a second plate 226.

  The separator 222 has a fuel gas supply part 228 that forms the fuel gas supply communication hole 26 at the center. A relatively large-diameter pinching portion 232 is integrated through four bridge portions 230 extending radially and meandering apart from the fuel gas supply portion 228 by equal angular intervals (90 ° intervals). Is provided. The distance between the centers of the fuel gas supply unit 228 and each clamping unit 232 is set to the same distance. The bridge part 230 can be configured in the same manner as the bridge part 30A (30B), 134A (134B), or 156A (156B) described above.

  Each clamping part 232 is set to a disk shape having substantially the same size as the electrolyte / electrode assembly 18a, and is configured to be separated from each other. An oxidant gas passage 34 for supplying an oxidant gas along the electrode surface of the cathode electrode 14a is formed on the surface of the sandwiching portion 232 that contacts the cathode electrode 14a.

  A fuel gas passage 36 for supplying fuel gas along the electrode surface of the anode electrode 16a is formed on the surface of the sandwiching portion 232 that contacts the anode electrode 16a. Each bridge portion 230 is formed with a fuel gas supply passage 38 for supplying fuel gas from the fuel gas supply communication hole 26 to each fuel gas passage 36.

  The first plate 224 is provided integrally with the first disc portion 234 having the fuel gas supply communication hole 26 formed in the center thereof, and the first disc portion 234, and extends radially and meandering outward. A first meandering long plate portion 236 and a first disk-shaped portion 238 provided integrally with the first meandering long plate portion 236 are provided.

  The first disc-shaped portion 238 has a fuel gas supply hole 60 for supplying fuel gas, for example, at the center of the first disc-shaped portion 238 or on the upstream side in the flow direction of the oxidizing gas with respect to the center. Set to an eccentric position.

  The surface of the first disc-shaped portion 238 that contacts the anode electrode 16a has a plurality of protrusions 62 for forming the fuel gas passage 36, and the outer peripheral edge portion of the anode electrode 16a that protrudes toward the fuel gas passage 36. And an outer-circumferential convex portion 65 that contacts the outer periphery. The first disk-shaped portion 238 is in contact with the anode electrode 16a and a pair of fuel gas discharge holes 64a, 64b and 64c for discharging the fuel gas used through the fuel gas passage 36, and the fuel gas. Is provided with an arcuate wall 240 for forming a detour to prevent the fuel gas supply hole 60 from flowing in a straight line from the fuel gas supply hole 60 to the fuel gas discharge holes 64a, 64b and 64c.

  The first disc-shaped portion 238 is provided with a pair of projecting portions 242 for taking out the electric power generated by the power generation of the electrolyte / electrode assembly 18a or for measuring the state of the electrolyte / electrode assembly 18a. The protruding portion 242 is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the first disc-shaped portion 238 and between the fuel gas discharge holes 64a and 64b.

  The second plate 226 includes a second disk portion 244 that forms the fuel gas supply communication hole 30 at the center. The second disc portion 244 is provided with a predetermined number of reinforcing boss portions 246. Four second meandering long plate portions 248 extend meandering radially from the second disc portion 244, and fuel gas is supplied to the second meandering long plate portion 248 from the fuel gas supply communication hole 30. A fuel gas supply passage 38 communicating with the hole 60 is formed.

  Each second meandering long plate portion 248 is integrally provided with a second disk-shaped portion 250 having a relatively large diameter, and the second disk-shaped portion 250 has a plurality of protrusions 46 by a press or the like. Provided. An oxidant gas passage 34 for supplying an oxidant gas along the electrode surface of the cathode electrode 14 a is formed in the second disk-shaped portion 250 by the protrusion 46. An air control plate 252 is disposed between the first and second disk-shaped portions 238 and 250 as necessary.

  The operation of the fuel cell 220 configured as described above will be described. The fuel gas is formed in the four bridge portions 230 from the fuel gas supply communication holes 26 formed in the fuel gas supply portions 228 constituting the separators 222. Each fuel gas supply passage 38 is introduced. The fuel gas is further supplied to the fuel gas supply hole 60 of each clamping portion 232 through each fuel gas supply passage 38.

  Therefore, the fuel gas is supplied from the fuel gas supply holes 60 to the approximate center of each anode electrode 16a, and then moves along the fuel gas passage 36 toward the outer peripheral portion of the anode electrode 16a.

  On the other hand, the air supplied to the oxidant gas supply communication hole 50 flows in the direction of arrow B from between the inner peripheral edge of each electrolyte / electrode assembly 18a and the inner peripheral edge of each clamping part 232, and is oxidized. It is sent to the agent gas passage 34. In the oxidant gas passage 34, air flows from the inner peripheral end (the central part of the separator 232) side of the cathode electrode 14 a of the electrolyte / electrode assembly 18 a toward the outer peripheral end (the outer peripheral end side of the separator 232). To flow.

  Therefore, in the electrolyte / electrode assembly 18a, the fuel gas is supplied from the center side of the electrode surface of the anode electrode 16a toward the peripheral end side, and in one direction (arrow B direction) of the electrode surface of the cathode electrode 14a. Air is supplied in the direction. At that time, oxide ions move to the anode electrode 16a through the electrolyte 12a, and power is generated by a chemical reaction.

  In the sixth embodiment, in the separator 222, four bridge portions 230 are provided in a single fuel gas supply portion 228, and a sandwiching portion 232 is provided in each bridge portion 230. And each clamping part 232 is set to the shape corresponding to each electrolyte and electrode assembly 18a, and is comprised mutually separated.

  Therefore, the clamping part 232 has a shape corresponding to the electrolyte / electrode assembly 18a, and can efficiently collect the electric power generated by the electrolyte / electrode assembly 18a.

  In addition, the holding portions 232 are separated from each other, and can absorb different loads generated in the electrolyte / electrode assemblies 18a due to dimensional errors of the electrolyte / electrode assemblies 18a and the separators 222. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the entire separator 222 from being distorted and to apply an equal load to each electrolyte / electrode assembly 18a.

  In addition, the thermal strain or the like of each electrolyte / electrode assembly 18a is not transmitted to the other adjacent electrolyte / electrode assembly 18a, and an individual dimension absorption mechanism is provided between the electrolyte / electrode assemblies 18a. There is no need to provide. For this reason, the electrolyte / electrode assemblies 18a can be arranged close to each other, and the entire fuel cell 220 can be easily downsized.

10, 130, 150, 190, 200, 220 ... Fuel cell 12, 12a ... Electrolyte 14, 14a ... Cathode electrode 16, 16a ... Anode electrode 18, 18a ... Electrolyte / electrode assembly 20, 132, 152, 192, 222 ... Separator 22, 24, 138, 140, 160, 162, 224, 226 ... Plate 28, 228 ... Fuel gas supply unit 30A, 30B, 134A, 134B, 156A, 156B, 196A, 196B, 230 ... Bridge portions 32A, 32B, 136A, 136B, 158A, 158B, 198A, 198B,
204A, 204B, 232 ... clamping parts 34A, 34B ... oxidant gas passages 36A, 36B ... fuel gas passages 38A, 38B ... fuel gas supply passages 40, 48, 164, 178, 234, 244 ... disc parts 42A, 42B, 50A, 50B, 166A, 166B, 182A, 182B, 236, 248 ... meandering long plate portions 44A, 44B, 52A, 52B, 168A, 168B, 184A, 184B ... rectangular portions 60A, 60B ... fuel gas supply holes 64A, 64B ... Fuel gas discharge holes 68A, 68B, 174A, 174B, 206A, 206B ... Detour forming wall 70 ... Oxidant gas supply communication hole 74 ... Exhaust gas discharge communication hole 82 ... Laminate 84, 86A, 86B ... Applying tightening load Mechanism 88 ... Housing 154, 194 ... Reaction gas supply unit 170A, 170B ... Oxidant gas supply hole 72A, 172B ... oxygen-containing gas outlets 186A, 186B ... oxidant gas supply passage 238,250 ... disk-shaped portion

Claims (10)

An electrolyte / electrode assembly configured by sandwiching an electrolyte between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode is a fuel cell in which separators are stacked,
The separator sandwiches the electrolyte / electrode assembly, and supplies a fuel gas along the electrode surface of the anode electrode and an oxidant that supplies an oxidant gas along the electrode surface of the cathode electrode. A clamping part in which gas passages are individually provided;
A bridge portion connected to the sandwiching portion and formed with a reaction gas supply passage for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas passage or the oxidant gas to the oxidant gas passage;
A reaction gas supply unit that is connected to the bridge part and has a reaction gas supply communication hole formed in the stacking direction for supplying the fuel gas or the oxidant gas to the reaction gas supply passage;
With
The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the bridge portion is set in a meandering shape that meanders in the surface direction of the separator between the sandwiching portion and the reaction gas supply portion.   2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the bridge portion is set in a meandering shape that reciprocates along a direction intersecting an imaginary straight line connecting the center of the clamping portion and the center of the reaction gas supply portion. A fuel cell.   3. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the bridge portion extends over a virtual straight line connecting the center of the sandwiching portion and the center of the reaction gas supply portion, and protrudes in one direction and protrudes in the other direction. A fuel cell, characterized in that the length is set to a different length.   The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bridge portion is set to have a meander-shaped protruding length that is smaller as the bridge portion is closer to the clamping portion.   3. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the bridge portion extends over a virtual straight line connecting the center of the sandwiching portion and the center of the reaction gas supply portion, and protrudes in one direction and protrudes in the other direction. A fuel cell characterized in that the length is set to the same length.   6. The fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein the oxidizing gas supplied to the oxidizing gas passage is circulated in the stacking direction between the bridge portion and the sandwiching portion. A fuel cell characterized in that is formed.   6. The fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein an exhaust gas discharge communication hole for discharging the fuel gas and the oxidant gas used in the reaction as exhaust gas in the stacking direction is formed between the bridge portion and the sandwiching portion. A fuel cell. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the separator is provided with a plurality of the bridge portions in a single reactive gas supply portion,
Each bridge part is provided with the clamping part,
Each of the sandwiching portions is configured to have a shape corresponding to each electrolyte / electrode assembly, and is configured to be separated from each other.   9. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the bridge portion is within a width dimension of the sandwiching portion that intersects an imaginary straight line connecting the center of the sandwiching portion and the center of the reaction gas supply portion. A fuel cell, meandering with   The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fuel cell is a solid oxide fuel cell.

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