JP2013122908A - Apparatus and method for inspecting power generation of fuel cell stack - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten required time for inspecting power generation of a fuel cell stack.SOLUTION: A power generation inspection system 100 includes a plurality of intermediate plates 10 each being formed with a cooling medium passage disposed between a plurality of fuel battery cells FCs for passing cooling medium through the inside of each of the intermediate plates 10, and a cell monitor 20 connected with the plurality of intermediate plates 10.

Description

  The present invention relates to a device used for power generation inspection of a fuel cell stack, and a power generation inspection method for a fuel cell stack.

  A fuel cell that generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas has attracted attention as an energy source. This fuel cell includes a fuel cell stack having a stack structure in which a plurality of fuel cells are stacked. The fuel cell includes a power generator and a separator that sandwiches the power generator.

  By the way, when a fuel cell stack is manufactured, a power generation inspection of the fuel cell stack is generally performed. In this power generation inspection, conventionally, a plurality of fuel cells are stacked, and a cell monitor for detecting the power generation status, for example, voltage, current, temperature, etc., is attached to each fuel cell, and the fuel cell is used for power generation. The reaction gas (fuel gas and oxidant gas) and a cooling medium (for example, cooling water) for cooling the fuel cell are supplied.

JP 2000-058093 A

  In the power generation inspection described above, a pre-process and a post-process are required in addition to a substantial power generation inspection process. Examples of the pre-process and post-process include, for example, attaching / detaching a cell monitor to / from a plurality of fuel cells, removing a cooling medium from the fuel cell stack, and disassembling the fuel cell stack on the surface of the fuel cell. This includes wiping off the attached cooling medium. Conventionally, these pre-process and post-process require a long time that cannot be overlooked, and it has been required to reduce the time required for the power generation inspection of the fuel cell stack.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to shorten the time required for the power generation inspection of the fuel cell stack.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

[Application Example 1]
A device used for power generation inspection of a fuel cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells in which a power generator is held by a separator,
A plurality of conductive plate-like members that are arranged between the plurality of fuel cells and in which a cooling medium flow path for flowing a cooling medium is formed;
A cell monitor connected to each of the plurality of conductive plate-like members;
A device comprising:

[Application Example 2]
The apparatus according to Application Example 1, further including at least two shafts that pass through the conductive plate-like member and connect the conductive plate-like members to each other, wherein the conductive plate-like member is the fuel cell. A main body including a region in which cells are disposed, and at least two protrusions protruding in a direction along the surface of the main body at a position diagonally across the main body, and the protrusion The part has a through-hole for inserting the shaft, and the thickness of the protruding part is larger than the thickness of the main body part.

[Application Example 3]
A power generation inspection method for a fuel cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells in which a power generation body is sandwiched by separators,
Disposing a plurality of conductive plate-like members formed with cooling medium flow paths for flowing a cooling medium therein between the plurality of fuel cells; and
Connecting a cell monitor to each of the plurality of conductive plate-like members;
The cooling medium formed inside the plurality of conductive plate-shaped members without supplying a cooling medium to the plurality of fuel cells while supplying a reaction gas for power generation to the plurality of fuel cells. Flowing a cooling medium through the flow path;
A power generation inspection method for a fuel cell stack.

  In the power generation inspection method of the fuel cell stack of the application example 1 and the fuel cell stack of the application example 3, when stacking a plurality of fuel cells, a plurality of conductive plate-like members connected to the cell monitor are arranged between the plurality of fuel cells. To place. Therefore, the work of attaching / detaching the cell monitor to / from the plurality of fuel cells can be omitted. Further, at the time of power generation inspection of the fuel cell stack, the cooling medium is caused to flow through the cooling medium flow path formed inside the plurality of conductive plate-like members without supplying the cooling medium to the plurality of fuel cells. Therefore, the operation of extracting the cooling medium from the fuel cell stack can be omitted. Further, since the cooling medium does not adhere to the surface of the fuel cell when the fuel cell stack is disassembled, the wiping work of the cooling medium adhering to the surface of the fuel cell when the fuel cell stack is disassembled can be omitted. . That is, the time required for the power generation inspection of the fuel cell stack can be shortened by the apparatus of application example 1 and the power generation inspection method of the fuel cell stack of application example 3. Furthermore, if it is the power generation inspection apparatus of the application example 2, the insertion property of the shaft with respect to the through hole of the conductive plate member can be improved when the conductive plate members are connected to each other using the shaft. Therefore, the setting of the fuel cell in the power generation inspection device is further facilitated.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the electric power generation inspection system 100 of the fuel cell stack using the apparatus as one Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the electric power generation inspection process of the fuel cell stack by the electric power generation inspection system of a prior art example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the electric power generation inspection process of the fuel cell stack by the electric power generation inspection system 100 of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the output voltage and resistance of the fuel cell FC by the power generation inspection system of a prior art example, and the power generation inspection system 100 of an Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the electric power generation inspection system of 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating in detail the structure of an intermediate | middle plate. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the intermediate | middle plate as a comparative example. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the mode of the process of laminating | stacking and fastening the intermediate | middle plate and fuel cell of a comparative example.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples.

A. First embodiment:
a. Power generation inspection system:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fuel cell stack power generation inspection system 100 using an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1A, the power generation inspection system 100 according to the present embodiment includes an intermediate plate 10, a cell monitor 20, and a data collection system 30. The fuel cell stack has a stack structure in which a plurality of fuel cells FC are stacked. And although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the fuel cell has a power generation body and the separator which clamps this power generation body. In the fuel cell FC, a fuel gas passage through which fuel gas flows, an oxidant gas passage through which oxidant gas flows, and a cooling medium passage through which a cooling medium flows are formed. The power generator includes a membrane electrode assembly formed by bonding an anode and a cathode to both surfaces of an electrolyte membrane.

  The intermediate plate 10 is disposed and stacked between the plurality of fuel cells FC constituting the fuel cell stack. In this embodiment, the fuel cells FC and the intermediate plates 10 are alternately arranged and stacked. A stack of the plurality of fuel cells FC and the plurality of intermediate plates 10 is formed by using a jig (not shown) as shown by white arrows in FIG. A load is applied in the stacking direction of the plurality of intermediate plates 10 and fastening is performed.

  FIG. 1B shows a schematic cross-sectional structure of the intermediate plate 10. In the present embodiment, the intermediate plate 10 includes a base plate 12, an upper plate 14, and a lower plate 16. The base plate 12, the upper plate 14, and the lower plate 16 are each made of a metal plate and have conductivity. Grooves and ribs are formed on both surfaces of the base plate 12. The upper plate 14 and the lower plate 16 are overlapped and joined to both surfaces of the base plate 12, thereby forming a cooling medium flow path 12 w for flowing a cooling medium inside the intermediate plate 10. A cell monitor terminal 18 for connecting the intermediate plate 10 and the cell monitor 20 via the cell monitor cable 22 is provided on the side surface of the base plate 12. The intermediate plate 10 corresponds to the conductive plate member in [Means for Solving the Problems].

  The cell monitor 20 is a device for detecting the power generation status of the fuel cell FC. In this embodiment, the output voltage and resistance of the fuel cell FC are detected as the power generation status of the fuel cell FC. The cell monitor 20 is connected to the plurality of intermediate plates 10 via the cell monitor cable 22. The cell monitor 20 and the plurality of intermediate plates 10 are always connected.

  The data collection system 30 is connected to the cell monitor 20 via the power cable 24. The data collection system 30 collects data related to the power generation status of the fuel cell FC detected by the cell monitor 20.

  In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, since the electric power generation inspection system 100 supplies oxidant gas to the fuel gas supply system for supplying fuel gas to several fuel cell FC, or several fuel cell FC And a cooling medium supply system for flowing the cooling medium through the plurality of intermediate plates 10. In the power generation inspection system 100 of the present embodiment, the cooling medium supply system does not supply the cooling medium to the plurality of fuel cells FC.

b. Power generation inspection process:
Before describing the power generation inspection process of the fuel cell stack by the power generation inspection system 100 of the present embodiment, the power generation inspection process of the fuel cell stack by the typical power generation inspection system of the conventional example will be described. Note that the power generation inspection system of the conventional example does not include the intermediate plate 10 in the power generation inspection system 100 of the present embodiment. The cell monitor 20 is connected to each fuel cell FC constituting the fuel cell stack. The cooling medium supply system supplies a cooling medium to the plurality of fuel cells FC.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of a power generation inspection process of a fuel cell stack by a conventional power generation inspection system. First, a plurality of fuel cells FC are stacked and a fuel cell stack is fastened (step S100). Next, the cell monitor 20 is attached to the plurality of fuel cells FC of the fuel cell stack (step S102). Next, the attachment state (open, short circuit, etc.) of the cell monitor 20 is checked (step S104). Next, the power cable 24 is attached to the cell monitor 20 (step S110). Next, a leak inspection of the fuel cell stack is performed (step S120). Then, a fuel gas, an oxidant gas, and a cooling medium are supplied to the fuel cell stack, and a power generation inspection of the fuel cell stack is performed (step S130). Next, purging (removal of fuel gas) in the fuel cell stack is performed (step S140). Next, the cooling medium in the fuel cell stack is extracted (step S142). Next, the power cable 24 is removed from the cell monitor 20 (step S150). Next, the cell monitor 20 is removed from the plurality of FCs of the fuel cell stack (step S152). Next, the fastening of the fuel cell stack is released, and the fuel cell FC is taken out (step S160). Next, the cooling medium (residual water) adhering to the surface of the fuel cell FC is wiped off (step S162).

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of the power generation inspection process of the fuel cell stack by the power generation inspection system 100 of the present embodiment. First, a plurality of fuel cells FC and a plurality of intermediate plates 10 are alternately arranged and stacked to fasten the fuel cell stack (step S100a). Then, the same processes as steps S110 and 120 in the power generation inspection process of the fuel cell stack by the conventional power generation inspection system shown in FIG. 2 are performed (steps S110 and 120). Then, a power generation inspection of the fuel cell stack is performed (step S130a). At this time, the power generation inspection system 100 supplies the fuel gas and the oxidant gas to the fuel cell stack. Further, the power generation inspection system 100 causes the cooling medium to flow through the plurality of intermediate plates 10 without supplying the cooling medium to the plurality of fuel cells FC. After Step S130a, the same steps as Steps S140, 150, and 160 in the fuel cell stack power generation inspection process by the conventional power generation inspection system shown in FIG. 2 are performed (Steps S140, 150, and 160).

  That is, in the power generation inspection process of the fuel cell stack by the power generation inspection system 100 of this embodiment, steps S102, 104, 142, 152, 162 in the power generation inspection process of the fuel cell stack by the power generation inspection system of the conventional example shown in FIG. This step can be omitted. Specifically, in the power generation inspection system 100 of the present embodiment, when the plurality of fuel cells FC are stacked, the plurality of intermediate plates 10 that are always connected to the cell monitor 20 are arranged between the plurality of fuel cells FC. To do. Accordingly, the steps S102, 104, and 152 in the fuel cell stack power generation inspection process by the conventional power generation inspection system shown in FIG. 2 can be omitted. Further, in the power generation inspection system 100 of the present embodiment, the cooling medium flow path formed inside the plurality of intermediate plates 10 without supplying the cooling medium to the plurality of fuel cells FC during the power generation inspection of the fuel cell stack. A cooling medium is supplied to 12w. Therefore, steps S142 and 162 in the power generation inspection process of the fuel cell stack by the power generation inspection system of the conventional example shown in FIG. 2 can be omitted.

  In the power generation inspection process of the fuel cell stack by the conventional power generation inspection system, the process of step S102 requires about 2 minutes of work time per cell. Further, the process of step S104 requires about 1 minute of work time per cell. The process of step S142 requires about 5 minutes of work time. Further, the process of step S152 requires a work time of about 1 minute per cell. Further, the process of step S162 requires about 2 minutes of work time per cell. In the power generation inspection process of the fuel cell stack by the power generation inspection system 100 of the present embodiment, these work times can be omitted.

  The power generation inspection of the fuel cell stack by the power generation inspection system 100 of the present embodiment is equivalent to the power generation inspection of the fuel cell stack by the power generation inspection system of the conventional example at the time of the power generation inspection (step S130 in FIG. 2 and FIG. This was confirmed by comparing the output voltage and resistance of the fuel cell FC in step S130a).

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the output voltage and resistance of the fuel cell FC by the power generation inspection system of the conventional example and the power generation inspection system 100 of the embodiment. As shown in the figure, the output voltage of the fuel cell FC by the conventional power generation inspection system was about 0.46 (V). On the other hand, the output voltage of the fuel cell FC by the power generation inspection system 100 of the example was about 0.46 (V). Further, the resistance of the fuel cell FC by the conventional power generation inspection system was about 55.2 (mΩ). On the other hand, the resistance of the fuel cell FC by the power generation inspection system 100 of the example was about 53.4 (mΩ). That is, there was no great difference between the power generation inspection system of the conventional example and the power generation inspection system 100 of the example in the measured values of the output voltage and resistance of the fuel cell FC. From this, it can be seen that the power generation inspection equivalent to the power generation inspection of the conventional example can be performed also by the power generation inspection system 100 of the embodiment.

  According to the power generation inspection system 100 of the present embodiment described above, when attaching / detaching the cell monitor 20 to / from the plurality of fuel cells FC, removing the cooling medium from the fuel cell stack, or disassembling the fuel cell stack. The power generation inspection of the fuel cell stack can be performed without wiping off the cooling medium adhering to the surface of the fuel cell FC. Therefore, the time required for the power generation inspection of the fuel cell stack can be shortened.

B. Second embodiment:
FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory views showing a schematic configuration of a fuel cell stack power generation inspection system 100A as a second embodiment of the present invention. 5A shows a state in which the intermediate plates 50a, 50b, 50e and the fuel cell FC are fastened, and FIG. 5B shows the intermediate plates 50a, 50b, 50e and the fuel. The state before the battery cell FC is fastened is illustrated. In FIGS. 5A and 5B, the same components as those described in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 unless otherwise specified. In the following, description of the components described in the first embodiment is omitted.

  In the power generation inspection system 100A of the second embodiment, instead of the intermediate plate 10 described in the first embodiment, a plurality of first and second intermediate plates 50a and 50b, two end intermediate plates 50e, Is provided. In the power generation inspection system 100A according to the second embodiment, the first and second intermediate plates 50a and 50b are alternately stacked, and the end intermediate plates 50e are disposed at both ends in the stacking direction, whereby the stacked body. LB is configured.

  In the stacked body LB, a plurality of fuel cells FC to be inspected are arranged between the intermediate plates 50a, 50b, 50e. The end intermediate plate 50e is the same as the first except that the surface on the side that does not face the fuel cell FC is configured to be flat and the cooling medium passage 54 on the surface side is omitted. It has substantially the same configuration as the second intermediate plates 50a and 50b. Therefore, below, the detailed description about the structure of the edge part intermediate | middle plate 50e is abbreviate | omitted.

  6A to 6D are explanatory views for explaining the configuration of the intermediate plates 50a and 50b in more detail. 6A and 6B are schematic views showing the configuration of the first intermediate plate 50a, and FIGS. 6C and 6D are schematic views showing the configuration of the second intermediate plate 50b. is there. 6A and 6D and FIGS. 6C and 6D, the first and second intermediate plates 50a and 50b can be easily understood from the first and second intermediate plates 50a and 50b. The two intermediate plates 50a and 50b are shown as viewed from the same corresponding direction. Specifically, FIGS. 6A and 6C are front views showing one surface of the first or second intermediate plate 50a or 50b, respectively. On the other hand, FIGS. 6B and 6D are side views of the first or second intermediate plates 50a and 50b, respectively, similar to those shown in FIG. In FIGS. 6A and 6C, the battery placement area FCA in which the fuel cells FC are placed when the stacked body LB is configured is shown by a one-dot chain line.

  Each of the first and second intermediate plates 50a and 50b is provided with two main body parts 51 extending in the direction along the surface from the main body part 51 at two locations on the outer periphery of the substantially quadrilateral main body part 51. A protrusion 52 having a greater thickness is provided. Each protrusion 52 is provided on each of the first and second intermediate plates 50a and 50b at a pair of corners that are opposite to each other with the main body 51 interposed therebetween. More specifically, each protrusion 52 is provided at a position that is point-symmetric with respect to the center of the main body 51.

  In the first and second intermediate plates 50a and 50b, when the stacked body LB (FIG. 5) is configured, the protrusions 52 are arranged so that the protrusions 52 do not overlap each other (so as not to interfere with each other). Are provided at different sets of corners. A through-hole 53 for inserting a fastening shaft 53 (FIG. 5) for connecting the intermediate plates 50a and 50b is provided at the center of each protrusion 52.

  Here, as described above, the protrusions 52 of the intermediate plates 50 a and 50 b are formed so as to be thicker than the main body 51. The thickness of each protrusion part 51 is good also as what is made thicker than the main-body part 51, for example by joining a plate-shaped member on both surfaces. In addition, the member joined in order to increase the thickness of each protrusion part 51 may be a different kind of member from the main-body part 51. FIG. The reason for making each protrusion 52 thicker than the main body 51 in the intermediate plates 50a and 50b will be described later.

  The first and second intermediate plates 50a and 50b have the same configuration except that the positions where the protrusions 52 are provided are different. In the battery arrangement area FCA of each of the intermediate plates 50a and 50b, supply and discharge refrigerant manifold holes 58 that are through holes connected to the refrigerant manifold provided in the fuel cell FC are provided. Further, inside the battery arrangement area FCA, a cooling medium is connected to each of the supply and discharge refrigerant manifold holes 58 to allow the refrigerant to flow between the intermediate plates 50a and 50b and the fuel cell FC. A flow path 54 is formed. The cooling medium channel 54 can be formed by stacking a plurality of plates (not shown) as described in the first embodiment.

  The battery arrangement area FCA is further provided with a reaction gas manifold hole 59 which is a through hole connected to a reaction gas manifold provided in the fuel cell FC. When the laminated body LB is configured, seal portions for preventing leakage of the refrigerant and the reaction gas are arranged on the outer circumferences of the manifold holes 58 and 59, but detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Each of the intermediate plates 50a and 50b is provided with a positioning portion for suppressing the occurrence of misalignment when the stacked body LB is configured. More specifically, each intermediate plate 50a, 50b is provided with a convex portion 55 and a concave portion 56 at the same position on different surfaces as positioning portions. When the stacked body LB is configured, the intermediate plates 50a and 50b are arranged at correct positions by fitting the convex portions 55 and the concave portions 56 of the adjacent intermediate plates 50a and 50b. In addition, the convex part 55 is insulation-coated in order to ensure the electrical insulation of intermediate | middle plates 50a and 50b. The convex portion 55 and the concave portion 56 as the positioning portion may be omitted.

  The power generation inspection system 100A (FIG. 5) of the second embodiment further includes a fastening mechanism 60 for fastening the laminated body LB by applying a load in the stacking direction. The fastening mechanism 60 includes first and second fastening end plates 61 and 62 and four fastening shafts 63. Each of the first and second fastening end plates 61 and 62 is disposed outside the end intermediate plate 50e so as to be in surface contact with the flat surface of the end intermediate plate 50e to apply a surface pressure. .

  The four fastening shafts 63 are shaft members for connecting the intermediate plates 50a, 50b, and 50e in a state of being aligned in series without being displaced from each other. Each fastening shaft 63 penetrates the four corners of the stacked body LB in the stacking direction when configuring the stacked body LB. More specifically, each fastening shaft 63 is inserted through a through-hole 53 provided in the protruding portion 52 of each intermediate plate 50a, 50b, 50e. Accordingly, in the stacked body LB, the intermediate plates 50a, 50b, and 50e are held by the two fastening shafts 63 of the four fastening shafts 63. The end portions of the respective fastening shafts 63 are connected to the four corners of the first and second fastening end plates 61 and 62.

  By the way, in the power generation inspection system 100A of the second embodiment, it is desirable that the intermediate plates 50a, 50b, and 50e are electrically insulated from each other in order to prevent a short circuit of the fuel cell FC. Therefore, each fastening shaft 63 is configured by a shaft member having electrical insulation, such as a shaft member provided with an insulating coating. Further, when the stacked body LB is configured, the insulating member 65 is disposed between the protruding portions 53 of the intermediate plates 50a, 50b, and 50e. The insulating member 65 may be omitted. In the stacked body LB, the protrusions 52 of the intermediate plates 50a, 50b, and 50e may be separated from each other.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic views showing the configuration of an intermediate plate 50c as a comparative example. 7 (a) and 7 (b) show a front view and a side view of the intermediate plate 50c of the comparative example, respectively, as in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). The intermediate plate 50c of the comparative example has the same configuration as the intermediate plates 50a, 50b, and 50e of the second embodiment except for the points described below.

  The intermediate plate 50c of the comparative example does not have the protrusions 52 but has through holes 53 for inserting the fastening shafts 63 at the four corners. Further, the intermediate plate 53c of the comparative example is configured to have a substantially uniform thickness. Furthermore, the intermediate plate 50c of the comparative example does not have the convex portion 55 and the concave portion 56 as positioning portions.

  Here, in FIG. 7A, a region that can be omitted when the protruding portion 52 is formed in the intermediate plate 50c of the comparative example is illustrated by a two-dot chain line. In the intermediate plate 50c of the comparative example, since the through holes 53 are provided at the four corners, the area is increased by the amount of the broken line area compared to the intermediate plates 50a, 50b, and 50e of the second embodiment, and the excess Created using materials. Therefore, the intermediate plate 50c may have a higher manufacturing cost than the intermediate plates 50a, 50b, and 50e of the second embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a process of stacking and fastening the intermediate plate 50c and the fuel cell FC of the comparative example using the fastening mechanism 60 described in FIG. Unlike the intermediate plates 50a, 50b, and 50e of the second embodiment, the intermediate plate 50c of the comparative example has the same thickness as the other portions in which the through hole 53 is formed through which the fastening shaft 63 is inserted. Therefore, in the intermediate plate 50 of the comparative example, in the state before the fastening shaft 63 is inserted into the through hole 53 and the fastening force is applied, the arrangement angle of the plate surface varies more with respect to the fastening shaft 63. This is an easy state, that is, a state in which it is easy to tilt.

  Therefore, in the intermediate plate 53c of the comparative example, the fastening shaft 63 is likely to be locked in the through hole 53, and it may be difficult to slide along the fastening shaft 63. Therefore, when the intermediate plate 53c of the comparative example is used, it may be difficult to apply a fastening force in the stacking direction when the stacked body is configured.

  On the other hand, in the case of the intermediate plates 50a, 50b, 50e (FIGS. 5 and 6) of the second embodiment, the thickness of the protruding portion 52 in which the through hole 53 into which the fastening shaft 63 is inserted is formed. It is configured to be thicker than the main body 51. Therefore, the occurrence of the inclination angle of each intermediate plate 50a, 50b, 50e with respect to the fastening shaft 63 in the stacking process is suppressed, and the configuration of the stacked body LB becomes easy.

  Furthermore, since the intermediate plates 50a, 50b, and 50e of the second embodiment have the convex portions 55 and the concave portions 56 as positioning portions, the configuration of the stacked body LB is easier. Further, the intermediate plates 50a, 50b, and 50e of the second embodiment have only two through holes 53 through which the fastening shaft 63 is inserted. Therefore, compared with the intermediate plate 50c of the comparative example, the formation site of the through hole 53 can be omitted, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  As described above, in the power generation inspection system 100A of the second embodiment, the setting of the fuel cell FC to be inspected is facilitated by including the intermediate plates 50a, 50b, and 50c. Further, the intermediate plates 50a, 50b, 50e of the second embodiment have a cooling medium flow path 54 inside. Therefore, in the power generation inspection system 100A of the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a cooling medium removal operation from the fuel cell stack, a wiping operation of the cooling medium attached to the surface of the fuel cell FC, etc. The time required for the power generation inspection of the fuel cell stack can be shortened.

C. Variations:
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the following modifications are possible.

C1. Modification 1:
In the above embodiment, the intermediate plate 10 is formed by overlapping the upper plate 14 and the lower plate 16 on both surfaces of the base plate 12, but the present invention is not limited to this. . The intermediate plate may be formed, for example, by stacking and joining two plates in which grooves and ribs constituting the cooling medium flow path are formed on opposite surfaces.

C2. Modification 2:
In the above embodiment, the cell monitor 20 detects the output voltage and resistance of the fuel cell FC as the power generation status of the fuel cell FC, but the present invention is not limited to this. The cell monitor 20 may detect other parameter values such as current and temperature in addition to the output voltage and resistance of the fuel cell FC as the power generation status of the fuel cell FC.

C3. Modification 3:
In the above embodiment, when stacking a plurality of fuel cells FC, the fuel cells FC and the intermediate plates 10, 50a, 50b are alternately disposed and stacked. However, the present invention is not limited to this. I can't. For example, the intermediate plates 10, 50a, and 50b may be stacked each time a plurality of fuel battery cells FC are stacked. Moreover, you may make it use the intermediate | middle plate in which the cooling-medium flow path 12w and 54 are not formed in the inside of some intermediate | middle plates 10, 50a, and 50b.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Intermediate plate 12 ... Base plate 12w ... Cooling medium flow path 14 ... Upper plate 16 ... Lower plate 18 ... Cell monitor terminal 20 ... Cell monitor 22 ... Cell monitor cable 24 ... Power cable 30 ... Data collection system 50a, 50b ... First and second 2 intermediate plate 50c ... intermediate plate 50e ... end intermediate plate 52 ... protruding portion 53 ... through hole 54 ... cooling medium channel 55 ... convex portion 56 ... concave portion 60 ... fastening mechanism 61, 62 ... first and first 2 fastening end plates 63 ... fastening shaft 65 ... insulating member 100, 100A ... power generation inspection system

Claims (3)

A device used for power generation inspection of a fuel cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells in which a power generator is held by a separator,
A plurality of conductive plate-like members that are arranged between the plurality of fuel cells and in which a cooling medium flow path for flowing a cooling medium is formed;
A cell monitor connected to each of the plurality of conductive plate-like members;
A device comprising: The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
Comprising at least two shafts that pass through the conductive plate-like member and connect the conductive plate-like members to each other;
The conductive plate-like member protrudes in a direction along the surface of the main body at a position diagonally across the main body including the main body including the region where the fuel cell is disposed. Two protrusions, and
The protrusion has a through hole for inserting the shaft,
The thickness of the said protrusion part is larger than the thickness of the said main-body part. A power generation inspection method for a fuel cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells in which a power generation body is sandwiched by separators,
Disposing a plurality of conductive plate-like members in which a cooling medium flow path for flowing a cooling medium is formed between the plurality of fuel cells; and
Connecting a cell monitor to each of the plurality of conductive plate-like members;
The cooling medium formed inside the plurality of conductive plate-shaped members without supplying a cooling medium to the plurality of fuel cells while supplying a reaction gas for power generation to the plurality of fuel cells. Flowing a cooling medium through the flow path;
A power generation inspection method for a fuel cell stack.

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