JP2018073715A - Fuel cell end plate - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact fuel cell end plate supplying gas efficiently and exhausting the used gas efficiently, by increasing the degree of freedom in the arrangement of manifold of a fuel cell stack, and in the connection method and connection position of the gas supply pipeline to the fuel cell and the gas exhaust pipeline therefrom.SOLUTION: A flat fuel cell end plate 1b for supplying oxidation gas and fuel gas to a fuel cell stack via a gas supply manifold, and exhausting the used gas via a gas exhaust manifold includes concave gas flow paths 2a, 2b formed in a flat plate for distributing the gas, supplied by a gas supply pipeline 3a from the outside of the fuel cell stack, to a predetermined gas exhaust circulation hole 15 from a gas supply port 7, or for recovering gas from a predetermined gas exhaust circulation hole 16 via a gas exhaust port 8, and exhausting from a gas exhaust pipeline 4a to the outside of the fuel cell stack.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell end plate having a gas flow path, and in particular, supplies supplied oxidizing gas, fuel gas, and the like to a fuel cell stack via a gas supply manifold, and after use. The present invention relates to a fuel cell end plate having a gas flow path for exhausting gas via a gas exhaust manifold.

  A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), which is a kind of fuel cell, is a power generation system using a fuel cell that has a feature that all components are completely solid and can provide high power generation efficiency. . FIG. 11 shows a schematic configuration of the fuel cell stack 10 of the solid oxide fuel cell. The fuel cell stack 10 includes a power generation stacking section 12 and an upper end plate 1a and a lower end plate 1b provided at the upper and lower ends of the power generation stacking section 12.

  In FIG. 11, the structure of the upper side end plate 1a, the electric power generation lamination | stacking part 12, and the lower side end plate 1b in the conventional fuel cell stack 10 is shown. The power generation stacking portion 12 is a portion where power generation is performed in the fuel cell stack 10, and is sandwiched between the upper end plate 1a and the lower end plate 1b. The power generation stacking unit 12 generates power using the oxidizing gas and fuel gas (hereinafter collectively referred to as “gas”) supplied from the gas supply manifold 5, and exhausts the used gas from the gas exhaust manifold 6. The gas supply manifold 5 is connected to the vertical gas supply pipe 3b in the lower end plate 1b, and supplies gas supplied from the outside to the power generation stacking unit 12 through the lower end plate 1b. Further, the gas exhaust manifold 6 is connected to the vertical gas exhaust pipe 4b in the lower end plate 1b, and exhausts the gas used in the power generation stacking portion 12 to the outside through the lower end plate 1b. Here, the gas supply pipe 3 includes an oxidizing gas supply pipe and a fuel gas supply pipe.

  FIG. 12A shows a side view of the fuel cell stack 10 of FIG. FIG. 12B shows the configuration of a single cell 26 that is a basic unit of fuel cell power generation. The single cell 26 includes an electrolyte 23, a fuel electrode (anode) 24 and an air electrode (cathode) 25, which are a pair of electrodes, a fuel electrode side separator 21, and an air electrode side separator 22. The power generation stacking unit 12 is formed by stacking a plurality of single cells 26. The fuel cell stack 10 is generally compressed in the axial direction of the fuel cell stack 10 by bolts 27 and nuts 28. Then, the oxidizing gas and the fuel gas are supplied from the outside to the fuel cell stack 10 to generate power.

  As described above, the conventional fuel cell end plate 1 is joined to the gas supply pipe 3 and the gas exhaust pipe 4 as end plates having through holes, and is linearly connected to the gas supply manifold 5 and the gas exhaust manifold 6. It was a configuration to do. And the form which does not have a flow path planarly as an end part plate was generally used. However, the fuel cell end plate 1 can form a complicated flow path by various processing means such as machining, casting, and lost wax processing.

  In Patent Document 1, in a fuel cell end plate, each of a fuel gas supply pipe, a fuel gas exhaust pipe, an air gas supply pipe, and an air gas exhaust pipe is connected from the back surface of the fuel cell end plate in the axial direction of the fuel cell stack. A conventional configuration is described.

JP 2003-177871 A

  In the conventional fuel cell end plate, the position of the gas supply pipe and the gas exhaust pipe is determined by the position of the manifold of the fuel cell stack, so the formation of a free gas flow path and the optimum cross-sectional area of the fuel cell end plate There was a problem that could not be converted.

  In addition, since a free gas flow path cannot be formed, there is a problem that the number of the manifolds or the arrangement itself is low in degree of freedom and a more functional fuel cell stack cannot be configured.

  The purpose of the present application is to solve such problems, and in a fuel cell, increase the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the gas supply pipe and the gas exhaust pipe to the fuel cell stack and the arrangement of the manifold of the fuel cell stack, and the optimum gas flow path A compact fuel cell end plate provided with

  In order to achieve the above object, a fuel cell end plate according to the present invention is a flat plate that supplies gas to a fuel cell stack through a gas supply manifold and exhausts the used gas through a gas exhaust manifold. A fuel cell end plate that distributes the gas supplied from the outside of the fuel cell stack to a predetermined gas supply manifold, or recovers the gas from a predetermined gas exhaust manifold to the outside of the fuel cell stack. In order to exhaust, a concave gas flow path formed on a flat plate surface is provided.

  Conventionally, the gas supply pipe and the gas exhaust pipe are extended as they are to make the gas supply manifold and the gas exhaust manifold, or the gas supply manifold and the gas exhaust manifold are extended as they are as the gas supply pipe and the gas exhaust pipe. It was. That is, only the connection method in the vertical direction “connect to the flat surface of the fuel cell stack” was used. However, by providing a concave gas flow path formed on the flat surface of the fuel cell end plate, for example, there is a method of connecting the gas supply pipe and the gas exhaust pipe in the lateral direction of “connect to the end face of the fuel cell stack”. It becomes possible. Thereby, the freedom degree of arrangement | positioning of the manifold for gas supply of a fuel cell stack and the manifold for gas exhaust is raised, and it can be set as the compact fuel cell end plate provided with the optimal gas flow path.

  Further, the fuel cell end plate has a gas flow path in a direction along the flat plate surface of the fuel cell end plate for gas supplied from a gas supply pipe connected to the fuel cell end plate connected to the flat plate surface of the fuel cell stack. To the gas supply manifold, or to the gas exhaust pipe connected to the flat plate surface of the fuel cell stack by shifting the gas exhausted from the gas exhaust manifold in the direction along the flat plate surface of the fuel cell end plate. It is preferable to exhaust. Thereby, the gas supply pipe and the gas exhaust pipe connected to the flat plate surface of the fuel cell end plate can be provided at arbitrary positions without matching the position of the manifold.

  In addition, the fuel cell end plate can be supplied to the gas supply manifold by changing the flow direction of the gas supplied from the gas supply pipe connected to the end face of the fuel cell end plate, or to the gas exhaust manifold. It is preferable to change the flow path direction of the gas exhausted from the manifold for exhaust gas and exhaust the gas exhaust pipe connected to the end face of the fuel cell end plate. As a result, the gas supply pipe connected in the lateral direction on the end face of the fuel cell end plate is changed in the vertical direction according to the gas supply manifold with a simple configuration, and the gas exhaust pipe connected in the vertical direction is used. The flow direction of the gas exhausted from the manifold can be changed to the horizontal direction and exhausted to the gas exhaust pipe.

  In addition, the fuel cell end plate is supplied with a gas flow path by decentering the gas supplied from the gas supply pipe connected to the end surface of the fuel cell end plate in a direction along the flat plate surface of the fuel cell end plate. To the gas manifold, or the gas exhausted from the gas exhaust manifold is decentered in the direction along the flat surface of the fuel cell end plate and exhausted to the gas exhaust pipe connected to the end surface of the fuel cell end plate Is preferred. Thereby, the gas supply pipe and the gas exhaust pipe can be connected to the end face of the fuel cell end plate, and the position of the fuel cell end plate can be shifted by shifting the position along the flat surface of the fuel cell end plate by the gas flow path. It can be connected to any position.

  The fuel cell end plate has a gas flow path that branches a gas supplied from a gas supply pipe connected to an end surface of the fuel cell end plate in a direction along the flat plate surface of the fuel cell end plate. Supply gas to the supply manifold or collect gas exhausted from multiple gas exhaust manifolds in the direction along the flat surface of the fuel cell end plate and exhaust it to the gas exhaust pipe connected to the end surface of the fuel cell end plate It is preferable to do. Accordingly, it is possible to freely cope with a case where there are more gas supply manifolds than the number of gas supply pipes or a case where the number of gas exhaust pipes is smaller than the number of gas exhaust manifolds.

  Further, the fuel cell end plate has a gas flow path bent in a direction along the flat plate surface of the fuel cell end plate by bending a gas supplied from a plurality of gas supply pipes connected to the end surface of the fuel cell end plate. A predetermined gas exhaust pipe connected to the end face of the fuel cell end plate by bending the gas exhausted from the gas exhaust manifold or bending the gas exhausted from the gas exhaust manifold along the flat surface of the fuel cell end plate It is preferable to exhaust each. As a result, the number of fuel cell stack manifolds or their arrangement can be freely set.

  The fuel cell end plate has a gas flow path that distributes the gas supplied from a plurality of gas supply pipes connected to the end surface of the fuel cell end plate in a direction along the flat plate surface of the fuel cell end plate. A predetermined gas exhaust connected to the end face of the fuel cell end plate by integrating the gas exhausted from a plurality of exhaust manifolds in a direction along the flat surface of the fuel cell end plate It is preferable to exhaust each pipe. As a result, the number of fuel cell stack manifolds or their arrangement can be freely set.

  Further, the gas flow path of the fuel cell end plate is preferably connected to a gas supply pipe and a gas exhaust pipe at the upper end of the fuel cell stack. Thus, gas supply or gas exhaust can be performed from either the lower end or the upper end of the fuel cell stack. In any case, the connection method of the gas supply pipe and the gas exhaust pipe to the fuel cell stack, and the fuel cell stack The degree of freedom of the arrangement of the manifold can be increased.

  The fuel cell end plate has a gas passage connected to a gas supply pipe at one end of the lower end or the upper end of the fuel cell stack and a gas exhaust pipe connected to the other end of the lower end or the upper end of the fuel cell stack. It is preferable to connect to each. Thus, even when gas is supplied from one end of the fuel cell stack and gas is exhausted from the other end of the fuel cell stack, the connection method of the gas supply pipe and the gas exhaust pipe to the fuel cell stack, and the manifold of the fuel cell stack The degree of freedom of arrangement can be increased.

  In the fuel cell end plate, it is preferable that the gas supply manifold and the gas exhaust manifold of the power generation stack portion include cover plates each having a gas supply manifold hole and a gas exhaust manifold hole. Thereby, the gas leakage when gas distribute | circulates between a fuel cell end plate and an electric power generation lamination | stacking part can be prevented.

  As described above, according to the fuel cell end plate of the present invention, the connection method of the gas supply pipe and the gas exhaust pipe to the fuel cell stack, and the arrangement of the gas supply manifold and the gas exhaust manifold of the fuel cell stack It is possible to provide a compact fuel cell end plate having a gas flow path that increases the degree of freedom.

1 is a perspective view and a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a first embodiment of a fuel cell end plate according to the present invention, in which a gas supplied from a gas supply pipe is supplied to a flat plate surface of a fuel cell end plate by a branched gas flow path; A fuel cell end that is branched and supplied in the direction along which the gas exhausted from the gas exhaust manifold is eccentric in the direction along the flat surface of the fuel cell end plate by an eccentric gas flow path and exhausted to the outside. The plate is shown. It is sectional drawing which shows a branch type gas flow path and an eccentric type gas flow path by the AA cross section of the fuel cell end plate of FIG. 1, BB cross section, and CC cross section. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a fuel cell end plate according to a second embodiment, in which a gas supply pipe and a gas exhaust pipe connected to a flat plate surface of a fuel cell stack are respectively separated by a vertically eccentric gas flow path. 1 shows a fuel cell end plate that is eccentric in the direction along the flat plate surface of the end plate, supplies gas, and exhausts it to the outside. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a third embodiment of a fuel cell end plate, in which a gas supply pipe and a gas exhaust pipe connected to an end face of a fuel cell stack are separated by a vertical straight-type gas flow path. 1 shows a fuel cell end plate that changes its direction to a vertical direction and supplies gas to exhaust outside. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a fuel cell end plate according to a fourth embodiment, in which a gas supply pipe and a gas exhaust pipe connected to an end face of a fuel cell stack are respectively separated by a laterally eccentric gas flow path. 1 shows a fuel cell end plate that is eccentric in the direction along the flat plate surface of the plate, supplies gas, and exhausts to the outside. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a fifth embodiment of a fuel cell end plate, in which a gas supplied from a gas supply pipe is eccentric in a direction along a flat plate surface of the fuel cell end plate by an eccentric gas channel. FIG. 2 shows a fuel cell end plate that supplies the gas exhausted from the gas exhaust pipe or branches the gas exhausted from the gas exhaust pipe in the direction along the flat plate surface of the fuel cell end plate and exhausts it to the outside. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a sixth embodiment of a fuel cell end plate, in which gas is supplied by decentering a gas supply pipe in a direction along a flat plate surface by an eccentric gas flow path of the fuel cell end plate. Alternatively, a fuel cell end plate that is bent by a bent gas flow path and exhausted to the outside is shown. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of 7th Embodiment of a fuel cell end plate, and supplies gas by decentering gas supply piping in the direction along a flat plate surface by the gas flow path for eccentricity of a fuel cell end plate Alternatively, a fuel cell end plate that exhausts gas to the outside through distribution or integration by a distribution type gas flow path is shown. It is a perspective view which shows the Example in case a fuel cell end plate is an upper end plate. It is a perspective view which shows the Example in the case of performing separately gas supply and gas exhaustion by an upper end plate and a lower end plate, respectively. It is a perspective view which shows the positional relationship of the manifold for gas supply and gas supply piping in the conventional fuel cell stack, and the positional relationship of a gas exhaust side manifold and gas exhaust piping. FIG. 12 is a side view of the fuel cell stack of FIG. 11 and an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a single cell that is a basic unit of fuel cell power generation.

(First embodiment of fuel cell end plate)
Hereinafter, the fuel cell end plate 1b according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the first embodiment of the fuel cell end plate 1b. FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the entire fuel cell end plate 1b, and FIG. 1B is a plan view of the fuel cell end plate 1b. 2 is a detailed view of the first embodiment of the fuel cell end plate 1b, FIG. 2 (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1 (b), and FIG. FIG. 1B is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1B, and FIG. 2C is a sectional view taken along line CC in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the fuel cell end plate 1b is a rectangular flat plate. The “rectangular” flat plate shape of the fuel cell end plate 1 of the present invention includes a flat plate having a shape with a square corner radius, or a flat plate having a corner portion cut into a triangle. . Concave gas flow paths 2a and 2b having a gas supply port 7 and a gas exhaust port 8 are formed on the flat plate surface. The gas flow paths 2a and 2b are connected to the end portions of the gas supply pipe 3a and the gas exhaust pipe 4a connected to the end face of the fuel cell end plate 1b, and the gas flow path 2a provided inside the fuel cell end plate 1b. , 2b. A point where the gas supply pipe 3a and the gas exhaust pipe 4a are connected to the gas flow paths 2a and 2b is referred to as a gas connection port 14. In addition, the case where the gas supply pipe 3a or the gas exhaust pipe 4a is connected to the fuel cell end plate 1b from the direction intersecting the axial direction of the fuel cell stack 10 in FIG. 10 is referred to as “connect to the end face of the fuel cell end plate 1b”. The case where the gas supply pipe 3 or the gas exhaust pipe 4 is connected to the fuel cell end plate 1b from the axial direction of the fuel cell stack 10 in FIG. 10 is referred to as “connect to the flat surface of the fuel cell end plate 1b”. That is, the “axial direction of the fuel cell stack 10” indicates a vertical direction in which the gas flows in the power generation stacking portion 12 as indicated by reference numerals “A” to “D” in FIG. In addition, the “direction intersecting the axial direction of the fuel cell stack 10” refers to a lateral direction intersecting with the vertical direction indicated by reference signs “A” to “D” in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the flat surface of the fuel cell end plate 1b is covered with a cover plate 13 which is a rectangular thin plate. The cover plate 13 is provided with a gas supply circulation hole 15 and a gas exhaust circulation hole 16. The oxidizing gas and the fuel gas supplied from the gas supply pipe 3 a are supplied to the gas supply manifold 5 through the gas supply circulation holes 15. Then, in the fuel cell stack 10, the oxidizing gas and the fuel gas react with each other to emit electrons, thereby generating power. The gas generated after the electrode reaction is recovered from the gas exhaust manifold 6 through the gas exhaust circulation hole 16 and exhausted to the outside of the fuel cell stack 10.

(Branch type gas flow path)
In the first embodiment of FIG. 1, the gas supplied from the single-tube gas supply pipe 3a indicated by the symbol “A” is branched by the T-shaped branch type gas flow path 2a inside the fuel cell end plate 1b. , Are supplied to a plurality of gas supply circulation holes 15 denoted by reference numeral “A”. The details of this branched gas flow path 2a are shown in the BB cross section of FIG. The oxidizing gas or fuel gas supplied from the gas connection port 14 passes through the gas communication part 9 to both gas supply ports 7 and from the gas supply manifold 5 (see FIG. 2) provided in the power generation stacking part 12. It is supplied to the fuel cell stack 10. As described above, when supplying the oxidizing gas or the fuel gas from the single gas supply pipe 3 a to the plurality of gas supply manifolds 5, the branched gas flow path 2 a is used.

(Eccentric gas flow path)
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the oxidizing gas or the fuel gas discharged from the gas exhaust manifold 6 indicated by reference numerals “C” and “D” passes through the eccentric gas flow path 2b, respectively, and the fuel cell end plate 1b. Are displaced in a direction along the flat plate surface of the gas and discharged to the gas exhaust pipe 4a indicated by reference numerals "C" and "D". This cross section is shown by CC in FIG. The gas exhausted from the gas exhaust manifold 6 passes through the gas communication port 9 from the gas exhaust port 8 to the gas connection port 14 and is exhausted to the gas supply manifold 5 provided in the power generation stacking unit 12. . Thus, when the position is eccentric from the gas exhaust manifold 6 and the gas exhaust manifold 4 is recovered, the eccentric gas flow path 2b is used. In FIG. 2A, the above-described branch type gas channel 2a and eccentric type gas channel 2b are respectively cut along the AA section of FIG.

(Second Embodiment of Fuel Cell End Plate)
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the second embodiment of the fuel cell end plate 1b. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the entire fuel cell end plate 1b, and FIG. 3B is a plan view of the fuel cell end plate 1b. In the second embodiment, as described above, the gas supply pipe 3b and the gas exhaust pipe 4b are connected to the flat plate surface of the fuel cell end plate 1b, and the axial direction of the fuel cell stack 10 shown in FIG. This is a case where the gas supply pipe 3a or the gas exhaust pipe 4a to be connected to the fuel cell end plate 1b. Due to the eccentric gas flow path 2b of the fuel cell end plate 1b, the gas supply pipe 3b is shifted in the direction along the flat plate surface of the fuel cell end plate 1b and oxidized to the gas supply manifold 5 provided in the power generation stacking section 12. Supply gas or fuel gas. Then, the oxidizing gas or the fuel gas exhausted from the gas exhaust manifold 6 provided in the power generation stacking portion 12 is shifted in the direction along the flat plate surface of the fuel cell end plate 1b by the eccentric gas flow path 2b. Exhaust to the exhaust pipe 4b.

  Thus, the gas supply pipe 3b and the gas exhaust pipe 4b arranged in the axial direction of the conventional fuel cell stack 10 shown in FIG. 10 are not directly connected to the gas supply manifold 5 and the gas exhaust manifold 6, The gas is supplied and recovered by decentering to an arbitrary position by the eccentric gas flow path 2b shown in FIG. Thereby, the freedom degree of arrangement | positioning of the gas supply manifold 5 and the gas exhaust manifold 6 increases. Further, the gas supply pipe 3b and the gas exhaust pipe 4b connected to the flat plate surface of the fuel cell end plate 1b may be provided at arbitrary positions without matching the positions of the gas supply manifold 5 and the gas exhaust manifold 6. it can.

(Third embodiment of fuel cell end plate)
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the third embodiment of the fuel cell end plate 1b. In the third embodiment, the gas supply pipe 3a and the gas exhaust pipe 4a are connected to the end face of the fuel cell end plate 1b. The fuel cell end plate 1b supplies the oxidizing gas or the fuel gas to the gas supply manifold 5 by changing the gas flow direction to the vertical direction by the straight folding gas flow path 2e. Then, the oxidizing gas or the fuel gas exhausted from the gas exhaust manifold 6 is exhausted to the gas exhaust pipe 4a by changing the gas flow direction to the lateral direction by the straight folding gas flow path 2e. Thereby, the flow path can be changed in the vertical direction with a simple configuration by matching the gas supply pipe 3a and the gas exhaust pipe 4a connected to the end face of the fuel cell end plate 1b in the horizontal direction to the position of the manifold.

(Fourth Embodiment of Fuel Cell End Plate)
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the fourth embodiment of the fuel cell end plate 1b. In the fourth embodiment, the gas supply pipe 3a and the gas exhaust pipe 4a are connected to the end face of the fuel cell end plate 1b, and the gas is supplied from the gas supply manifold 5 through the eccentric gas flow path 2b. In this embodiment, the gas recovered from the manifold 6 is discharged from the gas exhaust pipe 4a. In this embodiment, since there are a plurality of gas supply pipes 3a and gas exhaust pipes 4a, one can be an oxidizing gas supply pipe and the other can be a fuel gas supply pipe. Alternatively, one may be an oxidizing gas exhaust pipe and the other may be a fuel gas exhaust pipe.

  In the fourth embodiment of the fuel cell end plate 1 b, the eccentric gas flow path 2 b is used for both the gas supply manifold 5 and the gas exhaust manifold 6. That is, the eccentric gas flow path 2b of the fuel cell end plate 1b supplies the gas supply manifold 3 with the gas supply pipe 3a shifted in the direction along the flat surface of the fuel cell end plate 1b. Then, the gas exhausted from the gas exhaust manifold 6 is displaced in the direction along the flat surface of the fuel cell end plate 1b by the eccentric gas flow path 2b and exhausted to the gas exhaust pipe 4a.

(Fifth embodiment of fuel cell end plate)
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the fifth embodiment of the fuel cell end plate 1b. The present embodiment is a variation of the first embodiment shown in FIG. In other words, there are a plurality of gas supply pipes 3a as indicated by reference numerals “A” and “B”, whereby a plurality of gas supply circulation holes 15 are formed. In addition, the gas exhaust pipe 4a is singular as indicated by the symbol “C”, and as a result, there are a plurality of gas exhaust circulation holes 16. In the present embodiment, contrary to the case of the first embodiment, the eccentric gas flow path 2b is used on the gas supply side, and the branched gas flow path 2a is used on the gas exhaust side. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

(Sixth embodiment of fuel cell end plate)
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the sixth embodiment of the fuel cell end plate 1b. FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing the entire fuel cell end plate 1b, and FIG. 7B is a plan view of the fuel cell end plate 1b. In the present embodiment, the arrangement of the gas supply manifold 5 and the gas exhaust manifold 6 and the arrangement on the cover plate 13 are changed. That is, normally, as shown in FIG. 4, the gas supply manifold 5 (signs “A” and “B”) is provided on the gas supply pipe 3a side (signs “A” and “B”), and the gas exhaust pipe 4a. A gas exhaust manifold 6 (reference characters “C” and “D”) is provided on the side (reference characters “C” and “D”). However, as shown in FIG. 7, the gas supply manifold 5 (reference numerals “D” and “B”) is provided on the gas supply pipe 3 a side (reference numerals “A” and “B”), and the gas exhaust pipe 4 a side (reference numeral). “C” and “D”) may be provided with a gas exhaust manifold 6 (signs “C” and “A”). In the present embodiment, gas can be induced using the bent gas flow path 2c of the fuel cell end plate 1b.

(Bent type gas flow path)
That is, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), one gas supply pipe 3a among the plurality of gas supply pipes 3a is connected to the opposite gas supply port 7 using an S-shaped bent gas flow path 2c. The other gas supply pipe 3a is connected to the gas supply port 7 on the same side using the eccentric gas flow path 2b. One gas exhaust pipe 4a among the plurality of gas exhaust pipes 4a is connected to the opposite gas exhaust port 8 using an S-shaped bent gas flow path 2c, and the other gas exhaust pipe 4a is It connects with the gas exhaust port 8 of the same side using the eccentric type gas flow path 2b. This method allows twisted arrangement of the gas supply manifolds (symbols “A” and “B”) and the gas exhaust manifolds (symbols “C” and “D”).

(Seventh Embodiment of Fuel Cell End Plate)
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the seventh embodiment of the fuel cell end plate 1b. FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing the entire fuel cell end plate 1b, and FIG. 8B is a plan view of the fuel cell end plate 1b. In the present embodiment, the number of gas supply manifolds 5 and gas exhaust manifolds 6 and the number on the cover plate 13 are changed. That is, in this embodiment, there are three gas supply manifolds 5 and three gas exhaust manifolds 6, and the number of holes on the cover plate 13 is adjusted accordingly. Will be 3 places each. Since the gas supply pipe 3a and the gas exhaust pipe 4a are the same as those in the third embodiment of FIG. 4, one of the gas supply pipes 3a must supply gas to the two gas supply ports 7. Further, one of the gas exhaust pipes 4a must recover the gas from the two gas exhaust ports 8. In the present embodiment, gas can be induced using the distributed gas flow path 2d of the fuel cell end plate 1b.

(Distributed gas flow path)
That is, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), one gas supply pipe 3a among the plurality of gas supply pipes 3a is continuously connected to the two gas supply ports 7 using the distribution type gas flow path 2d. The other gas supply pipe 3a is connected to the gas supply port 7 on the same side using the eccentric gas flow path 2b. One gas exhaust pipe 4a among the plurality of gas exhaust pipes 4a is connected to the two gas exhaust ports 8 continuously by using a U-shaped distribution type gas flow path 2d, and the other The gas exhaust pipe 4a is connected to the gas exhaust port 8 on the same side using the eccentric gas flow path 2b. By this method, gas supply or gas corresponding to three or more gas supply manifolds 5 (reference characters “A” and “B”) and three or more gas exhaust manifolds 6 (reference characters “C” and “D”). Exhaust is possible.

  In the above first to seventh embodiments, the fuel cell end plate 1 is limited to the case of the lower end plate 1b, and the fuel is supplied by the gas flow paths 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e provided in the fuel cell end plate 1b. Although the invention that enables supply or recovery of various oxidizing gas and fuel gas of the battery has been described, the fuel cell end plate 1 of the present invention is not limited to the lower end plate 1b but may be provided on the upper end plate 1a. good. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

(Fuel cell end plate and other embodiments)
FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in which the fuel cell end plate 1 is the upper end plate 1a. That is, the fuel cell end plate 1b in FIG. 4 is the upper end plate 1a. When the fuel cell end plate 1 is provided on the upper end plate 1a, the gas supply pipes 3a and 3b, the gas exhaust pipes 4a and 4b, and the gas flow paths 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, and 2e are also provided on the upper side. . Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the oxidizing gas and the fuel gas supplied from the gas supply pipe 3a are used to supply the gas downward as shown by reference numerals “A” and “B”, as opposed to FIG. The gas supplied to the circulation hole 15 and discharged from the gas exhaust circulation hole 16 is recovered from the gas exhaust pipe 4a in the upward direction as shown by reference numerals “C” and “D” in the opposite direction to FIG. The In this embodiment, all forms of the fuel cell end plate 1 from the first embodiment to the seventh embodiment are applicable.

  FIG. 10 shows an embodiment in which the gas supply and the gas exhaust are separated by the upper end plate 1a and the lower end plate 1b, respectively. In this case, the eccentric gas flow path 2b is provided in both the upper end plate 1a and the lower end plate 1b. The gas exhaust pipe connected to the other end of the lower end plate 1b and the upper end plate 1a provided at the lower end or the upper end of the fuel cell stack 10 supplied from the gas supply pipe 3a connected to the lower end plate 1b. 4a is connected to each.

  The fuel cell end plates 1a and 1b include a cover plate 13 having a gas supply circulation hole 15 and a gas exhaust circulation hole 16, respectively. The cover plate 13 is overlaid on the fuel cell end plates 1a, 1b, and the stacking direction of the power generation stacking portion 12 is brought into close contact with the bolts 27 and nuts 28, so that the gas is in contact with the fuel cell end plates 1a, 1b and the power generation stacking portion 12. Can prevent gas leakage when circulating. Further, for example, a gas spring may be prevented by incorporating a compression spring between the cover plate 13 and the fuel cell end plates 1a and 1b and compressing the stacking direction with the bolts 27 and nuts 28. The cover plate 13 may be joined to the fuel cell end plates 1a and 1b by brazing or welding to prevent gas leakage. Further, the gas flow paths 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, and 2e of the fuel cell end plates 1a and 1b may be directly sealed in the opposing fuel cell stack 10 without using the cover plate 13.

  The configuration, shape, size, and arrangement relationship described in the above embodiments are merely schematically shown to the extent that the present invention can be understood and implemented. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel cell end plate, 1a Fuel cell end plate (upper side), 1b Fuel cell end plate (lower side), 2a Branch type gas channel, 2b Eccentric type gas channel, 2c Bent type gas channel, 2d Distribution type Gas flow path, 2e Straight-fold gas flow path, 3a (horizontal direction) gas supply pipe, 3b (vertical direction) gas supply pipe, 4a (horizontal direction) gas exhaust pipe, 4b (vertical direction) gas exhaust pipe, 5 gas Supply manifold, 6 Gas exhaust manifold, 7 Gas supply port, 8 Gas exhaust port, 9 Gas communication part, 10 Fuel cell stack, 12 Power generation stacking part, 13 Cover plate, 14 Gas connection port, 15 Gas supply flow hole , 16 Gas exhaust flow hole, 21 Fuel electrode side separator, 22 Air electrode side separator, 23 Electrolyte, 24 Fuel electrode (anode), 25 Air electrode (cathode), 26 Single cell, 27 Belt, 28 nut.

Claims (10)

A plate-like fuel cell end plate that supplies gas to a fuel cell stack via a gas supply manifold and exhausts the used gas via a gas exhaust manifold,
A flat plate surface for distributing the gas supplied from the outside of the fuel cell stack to a predetermined gas supply manifold or recovering the gas from a predetermined gas exhaust manifold and exhausting it to the outside of the fuel cell stack A fuel cell end plate comprising a concave gas flow path formed in the fuel cell.   2. The fuel cell end plate according to claim 1, wherein the gas flow path uses the gas supplied from a gas supply pipe connected to the fuel cell end plate connected to a flat plate surface of a fuel cell stack as the fuel. The gas exhaust manifold is supplied to the gas supply manifold while being shifted in a direction along the flat plate surface of the battery end plate, or the gas exhausted from the gas exhaust manifold is shifted in a direction along the flat plate surface of the fuel cell end plate. A fuel cell end plate for exhausting to a gas exhaust pipe connected to a flat plate surface of a fuel cell stack.   2. The fuel cell end plate according to claim 1, wherein the gas flow path changes the flow direction of the gas supplied from a gas supply pipe connected to an end surface of the fuel cell end plate. Supplying to a supply manifold or changing a flow path direction of gas exhausted from the gas exhaust manifold and exhausting to a gas exhaust pipe connected to an end face of the fuel cell end plate end plate.   2. The fuel cell end plate according to claim 1, wherein the gas flow path supplies the gas supplied from a gas supply pipe connected to an end surface of the fuel cell end plate to a flat surface of the fuel cell end plate. The fuel cell end is supplied in the direction along the flat surface of the fuel cell end plate by supplying the gas exhausted from the gas exhaust manifold to the gas supply manifold. A fuel cell end plate for exhausting to a gas exhaust pipe connected to an end face of the plate.   5. The fuel cell end plate according to claim 4, wherein the gas flow path is configured such that the gas supplied from the gas supply pipe connected to the end surface of the fuel cell end plate is in a direction along the flat plate surface of the fuel cell end plate. The gas is branched and supplied to a plurality of gas supply manifolds, or the gas exhausted from the plurality of gas exhaust manifolds is gathered in a direction along the flat surface of the fuel cell end plate and connected to the end surface of the fuel cell end plate. A fuel cell end plate that is exhausted to a gas exhaust pipe.   2. The fuel cell end plate according to claim 1, wherein the gas flow path is configured such that a gas supplied from a plurality of gas supply pipes connected to an end surface of the fuel cell end plate extends along a flat plate surface of the fuel cell end plate. The gas exhausted from the gas exhaust manifold is bent in the direction along the flat surface of the fuel cell end plate and connected to the end surface of the fuel cell end plate. A fuel cell end plate that exhausts to a predetermined gas exhaust pipe.   2. The fuel cell end plate according to claim 1, wherein the gas flow path is configured such that a gas supplied from a plurality of gas supply pipes connected to an end surface of the fuel cell end plate extends along a flat plate surface of the fuel cell end plate. The gas exhausted from multiple exhaust manifolds is integrated in the direction along the flat surface of the fuel cell end plate and connected to the end surface of the fuel cell end plate. A fuel cell end plate, wherein the exhaust gas is exhausted to a predetermined gas exhaust pipe.   The fuel cell end plate according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the gas flow path is connected to a gas supply pipe and a gas exhaust pipe at an upper end of the fuel cell stack. Battery end plate.   The fuel cell end plate according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a gas flow path is connected to a gas supply pipe at one end of a lower end or an upper end of the fuel cell stack, and the fuel cell stack A fuel cell end plate connected to a gas exhaust pipe connected to the other end of the lower end or the upper end of the fuel cell.   The fuel cell end plate according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the gas supply manifold and the gas exhaust manifold of the power generation stacking portion are respectively a gas supply manifold hole and a gas exhaust manifold hole. A fuel cell end plate, comprising: a cover plate having a cover plate.

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