JP2019050125A - Cell stack device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cell stack device capable of decreasing a failure caused by vibration.SOLUTION: A cell stack device 100 comprises multiple fuel battery cells 1, a manifold 2 and a first coupling member 3. Each of the fuel battery cells 1 includes multiple gas passages. The manifold 2 supports a proximal end of each of the fuel battery cells 1. The first coupling member 3 is disposed in a first end of each of the fuel battery cells 1 in a width direction on a distal end face of each of the fuel battery cells 1. The first coupling member 3 couples the fuel battery cells 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a cell stack device.

  The cell stack device includes a manifold and a plurality of fuel cells (Patent Document 1). Each fuel cell has its proximal end supported by a manifold. Specifically, the base end of the fuel cell is inserted into the through hole formed in the top plate of the manifold, and the base end of the fuel cell and the top plate are joined by a bonding material. Thus, each fuel cell extends upward from the manifold, and the tip of each fuel cell is a free end.

JP, 2015-164094, A

  When the cell stack device having the above-described configuration is subjected to vibration, there is a possibility that a failure may occur at the junction between the fuel cell and the manifold. Therefore, the present invention provides a cell stack device capable of reducing problems due to vibration.

  A cell stack device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of fuel cells, a manifold, and a first connecting member. Each fuel cell has a plurality of gas flow paths. The manifold supports the proximal end of each fuel cell. The first connection member is disposed at a first end in the width direction of each fuel cell on the front end surface of each fuel cell. The first connecting member connects the fuel cells.

  According to this configuration, since the tip portions of the respective fuel cells are connected to each other by the first connecting member, it is possible to reduce the vibration of the respective fuel cells. As a result, it is possible to reduce the trouble due to the vibration to the cell stack device.

  Preferably, the cell stack device further includes a second connection member. The second connection member is disposed at the second end of each fuel cell in the width direction on the front end face of each fuel cell. The second connection member connects the fuel cells. According to this configuration, the first connecting members connect the first ends of the fuel cells in the width direction, and the second connecting members connect the second ends of the fuel cells in the width direction. For this reason, the vibration of each fuel cell can be further reduced.

  Preferably, the cell stack device further includes at least one intermediate member that connects the first connection member and the second connection member.

  Preferably, the intermediate member extends along the main surface of the adjacent fuel cell. According to this configuration, the vibration of each fuel cell can be further reduced by the intermediate member.

  Preferably, the first connection member has a plurality of engagement recesses. The tip of each fuel cell engages with the engagement recess.

  Preferably, the tip of each fuel cell has a smaller dimension than the engagement recess in the arrangement direction. According to this configuration, even if the position of the end of the fuel cell is slightly different from the design value, the end of each fuel cell can be inserted into the engagement recess.

  Preferably, the first connection member has a connection main body and a plurality of elastic parts. The connecting body extends along the arrangement direction of the plurality of fuel cells. Each elastic portion protrudes downward from the connection main body. In addition, the respective elastic parts are arranged at intervals in the arrangement direction. The tip of each fuel cell is inserted between a pair of adjacent elastic parts.

  According to this configuration, even if the position of the end of the fuel cell is slightly different from the design value, the elastic portion is deformed, so the end of each fuel cell can be easily inserted between the pair of elastic portions. be able to.

  Preferably, the cell stack device further includes a housing that accommodates the manifold and the plurality of fuel cells. The first connecting member extends toward the housing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce problems due to vibration.

The perspective view of a cell stack device. Sectional drawing of a cell stack apparatus. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fuel cell. Sectional drawing of a fuel cell. The expanded sectional view of a cell stack device. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the first and second connection members and the fuel cell. The perspective view of the 1st connecting member. The perspective view of the cell stack apparatus which concerns on a modification. The top view which shows the positional relationship of the 1st, 2nd connection member and fuel cell which concern on a modification. The top view which shows the positional relationship of the 1st, 2nd connection member and fuel cell which concern on a modification. The side view of the 1st and 2nd connection member concerning a modification. The top view which shows the positional relationship of the 1st and 2nd connection member which concerns on a modification, a fuel battery cell, and a housing | casing. The perspective view of the cell stack apparatus which concerns on a modification. The top view which shows the partition member of the cell stack apparatus which concerns on a modification. The top view which shows the partition member of the cell stack apparatus which concerns on a modification. The top view which shows the filling member of the cell stack apparatus which concerns on a modification.

[Cell stack device]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a cell stack device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cell stack device 100 includes a plurality of fuel cells 1, a manifold 2, a first connection member 3, a second connection member 4, and a housing 5.

[Manifold]
The manifold 2 is configured to distribute gas to each fuel cell 1. The manifold 2 is hollow and has an internal space. A gas such as a fuel gas is supplied to the internal space of the manifold 2 through the introduction pipe 201. The manifold 2 has a plurality of through holes 27 communicating the internal space with the outside.

  The manifold 2 supports each fuel cell 1. Specifically, the manifold 2 supports the proximal end of each fuel cell 1. The manifold 2 has a bottom plate 21, side plates 22, and a top plate 23. The manifold 2 further has a flange portion 24.

  The bottom plate 21 is substantially rectangular. The side plate 22 extends upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate 21. The bottom plate 21 and the side plate 22 are formed by one member. The bottom plate 21 and the side plate 22 constitute a manifold body 20. The flange portion 24 extends outward from the upper end of the side plate 22. The flange portion 24 is formed by the bottom plate 21 and the side plate 22 and one member.

  The top plate 23 is disposed so as to close the opening upper surface of the manifold body 20. In detail, the top plate 23 is joined to the flange portion 24. The top plate 23 and the flange portion 24 are bonded to each other by, for example, welding or a bonding material. The introduction pipe 201 is attached to the side plate 22 or the top plate 23.

  The top plate 23 is configured such that each fuel cell 1 is attached. In detail, the top plate 23 has a plurality of through holes 27. Each through hole 27 extends in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the manifold 2. Further, the respective through holes 27 are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction (z-axis direction) of the manifold 2.

For example, the manifold 2 is formed of a metal or insulating ceramic having heat resistance. More specifically, the manifold 2 is made of ferritic stainless steel, austenitic stainless steel, Ni-based alloy, MgO (magnesium oxide), Al ₂ O ₃ (aluminum oxide), MgAl ₂ O ₄ (magnesia alumina spinel), MgO · SiO ₂ (steatite), and 2MgO · SiO ₂ is formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of (forsterite).

[Fuel cell]
Each fuel cell 1 extends upward from the manifold 2. Specifically, each fuel cell 1 extends upward from the top plate 23 of the manifold 2. The base end of the fuel cell 1 is inserted into the through hole 27. In the present embodiment, the base end of the fuel cell 1 is synonymous with the lower end. Further, the front end portion of the fuel cell 1 is synonymous with the upper end portion. The base end of the fuel cell 1 may protrude downward from the top plate 23. The length in the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) of the fuel cell can be, for example, about 100 to 300 mm.

  The base end of each fuel cell 1 is fixed to the manifold 2 by a first bonding material 101. The first bonding material 101 bonds the base end portion of the fuel cell 1 and the top plate 23 of the manifold 2. In detail, the first bonding material 101 is disposed so as to close a gap between the lower end portion of the fuel cell 1 and the top plate 23.

The first bonding material 101 is, for example, crystallized glass. The crystallized glass, for _example, SiO 2 _-B 2 _{O 3 system,} SiO 2 -CaO-based, or _SiO 2 -MgO system may be employed. In addition, in this specification, the ratio (the degree of crystallinity) of “volume occupied by the crystal phase” to the total volume is 60% or more, and “the volume occupied by the amorphous phase and the impurities to the total volume” Refers to glass with a percentage of less than 40%. In addition, as a material of the third bonding material 103, amorphous glass, brazing material, ceramics, or the like may be employed. Specifically, the third bonding material 103 is at least one selected from the group consisting of a SiO ₂ -MgO-B ₂ O ₅ -Al ₂ O ₃ system and a SiO ₂ -MgO-Al ₂ O ₃ -ZnO system. .

  The fuel cells 1 are spaced apart from each other along the arrangement direction (z-axis direction). The fuel cells 1 are preferably arranged at equal intervals along the arrangement direction, but may not be arranged at equal intervals.

  As shown in FIG. 3, each fuel cell 1 has a plurality of gas flow channels 121. The gas flow path 121 extends along the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) of the fuel cell 1. Specifically, the gas flow passage 121 extends in the vertical direction. The gas flow channels 121 are spaced apart from each other in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the fuel cell 1. Each gas passage 121 is open at the base end face and the tip end face of the fuel cell 1. That is, each gas flow passage 121 extends from the base end face of the fuel cell 1 to the tip end face.

  The fuel cell 1 includes a plurality of power generation element units 11 and a support substrate 12.

[Supporting substrate]
The support substrate 12 extends upward from the manifold 2. That is, the support substrate 12 extends in the vertical direction. The support substrate 12 internally includes the plurality of gas flow channels 121 described above. The longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) of the support substrate 12 is the same as the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell 1.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the support substrate 12 has a plurality of first recesses 123. Each first recess 123 is formed on both sides of the support substrate 12. The first recesses 123 are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the support substrate 12.

The support substrate 12 is made of a porous material having no electron conductivity. The support substrate 12 can be made of, for example, CSZ (calcia stabilized zirconia). Alternatively, the support substrate 12 may be composed of NiO (nickel oxide) and YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria stabilized zirconia), or composed of NiO (nickel oxide) and Y ₂ O ₃ (yttria) It may be made of MgO (magnesium oxide) and MgAl ₂ O ₄ (magnesia alumina spinel). The porosity of the support substrate 12 is, for example, about 20 to 60%.

[Power generation element]
Each power generation element unit 11 is supported on both sides of the support substrate 12. Each power generation element unit 11 may be supported only on one side of the support substrate 12. The respective power generation element units 11 are arranged in the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) of the fuel cell 1. That is, each power generation element unit 11 is arranged in the vertical direction. The fuel cell 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called horizontal stripe type fuel cell.

  Each power generation element unit 11 includes a power generation element main body 110 and an electrical connection portion 111. The power generation element body 110 has a fuel electrode 13, an electrolyte 14, and an air electrode 15. Each power generation element unit 11 further includes a reaction prevention film 16. The fuel electrode 13 is a sintered body composed of a porous material having electron conductivity. The fuel electrode 13 has a fuel electrode current collector portion 131 and a fuel electrode active portion 132.

  The fuel electrode current collector 131 is disposed in the first recess 123. In detail, the anode collecting portion 131 is filled in the first concave portion 123 and has the same outer shape as the first concave portion 123. Each anode collecting portion 131 has a second recess 131a and a third recess 131b. The anode active portion 132 is disposed in the second recess 131a. Specifically, the anode active portion 132 is filled in the second recess 131a.

The fuel electrode collector portion 131 may be made of, for example, NiO (nickel oxide) and YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria stabilized zirconia). Alternatively, the fuel electrode current collector portion 131 may be composed of NiO (nickel oxide) and Y ₂ O ₃ (yttria), or composed of NiO (nickel oxide) and CSZ (calcia stabilized zirconia) It is also good. The thickness of the fuel electrode current collector 131 and the depth of the first recess 123 are about 50 to 500 μm.

  The fuel electrode active portion 132 can be composed of, for example, NiO (nickel oxide) and YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria stabilized zirconia). Alternatively, the anode active part 132 may be composed of NiO (nickel oxide) and GDC (gadolinium-doped ceria). The thickness of the fuel electrode active portion 132 is 5 to 30 μm.

  The electrolyte 14 is disposed to cover the fuel electrode 13. In particular, the electrolyte 14 extends longitudinally between adjacent interconnectors 112. That is, in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell 1, the electrolytes 14 and the interconnectors 112 are alternately arranged.

  The electrolyte 14 is a sintered body composed of a dense material having ion conductivity and no electron conductivity. The electrolyte 14 may be composed of, for example, YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria stabilized zirconia). Alternatively, the electrolyte 14 may be made of LSGM (lanthanum gallate). The thickness of the electrolyte 14 is, for example, about 3 to 50 μm.

  The reaction prevention film 16 is a sintered body composed of a dense material. The reaction prevention film 16 is disposed between the electrolyte 14 and the air electrode 15. The reaction preventing film 16 suppresses the occurrence of a phenomenon in which a reaction layer having a large electric resistance is formed at the interface between the electrolyte 14 and the air electrode 15 by the reaction between YSZ in the electrolyte 14 and Sr in the air electrode 15. Provided in

The reaction prevention film 16 is made of a material containing ceria containing a rare earth element. The reaction prevention film 16 can be made of, for example, GDC = (Ce, Gd) O ₂ (gadolinium-doped ceria). The thickness of the reaction prevention film 16 is, for example, about 3 to 50 μm.

The air electrode 15 has an air electrode active portion 151 and an air electrode current collecting portion 152. The cathode active portion 151 is disposed on the reaction prevention film 16. The cathode active part 151 is a sintered body composed of a porous material having electron conductivity. The cathode active part 151 may be made of, for example, LSCF = (La, Sr) (Co, Fe) O ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite). Alternatively, the cathode active part 151 may be formed of LSF = (La, Sr) FeO ₃ (lanthanum strontium ferrite), LNF = La (Ni, Fe) O ₃ (lanthanum nickel ferrite), or LSC = (La, Sr) CoO ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobaltite) etc. may be comprised. The cathode active part 151 may be composed of two layers of a first layer (inner layer) composed of LSCF and a second layer (outer layer) composed of LSC. The thickness of the cathode active portion 151 is, for example, 10 to 100 μm.

  The air electrode current collecting unit 152 is disposed on the air electrode active unit 151. The air electrode current collecting portion 152 extends from above the air electrode active portion 151 toward the adjacent power generation element portion 11. In detail, the air electrode current collection part 152 is extended to the interconnector 112 which is the electrical connection part 111 of the next power generation element part 11. The air electrode collector portion 152 is a sintered body made of a porous material having electron conductivity.

The air electrode current collector 152 may be made of, for example, LSCF = (La, Sr) (Co, Fe) O ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite). Alternatively, the air electrode current collecting portion 152 may be configured of LSC = (La, Sr) CoO ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobaltite). Alternatively, the air electrode current collector 152 may be made of Ag (silver) or Ag—Pd (silver-palladium alloy). The thickness of the air electrode current collector 152 is, for example, about 50 to 500 μm.

  The remaining power generation element units 11 of the power generation element units 11 excluding the lower power generation element unit 11 a disposed at the lowermost position have an interconnector 112 as the electrical connection unit 111. The interconnector 112 is configured to electrically connect adjacent power generation element main portions 110 to each other.

The interconnector 112 is disposed in the third recess 131 b. In detail, the interconnector 112 is embedded (filled) in the third recess 131 b. The interconnector 112 is a fired body composed of a dense material having electron conductivity. The interconnector 112 can be made of, for example, LaCrO ₃ (lanthanum chromite). Alternatively, the interconnector 112 may be made of (Sr, La) TiO ₃ (strontium titanate). The thickness of the interconnector 112 is, for example, 10 to 100 μm.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the lower power generation element unit 11 a disposed at the lowermost position among the power generation element units 11 includes a power generation element main body 110 and an electrical connection portion 111. When the power generation element units 11 are disposed on both sides of the support substrate 12, the lower power generation element units 11 a are disposed on both sides of the support substrate 12. The electrical connection portion 111 is electrically connected to the power generation element main portion 110. In addition, the electrical connection portion 111 extends downward from the power generation element main portion 110. The electrical connection portion 111 of the lower power generation element portion 11 a includes a first connection portion 113 and a second connection portion 114.

  The first connection portion 113 has a configuration similar to that of the interconnector 112 described above. That is, the first connection portion 113 is disposed in the third recess 131 b of the fuel electrode current collector 131. The first connection portion 113 is made of a dense material having electron conductivity. The first connection portion 113 can be formed of any of the materials of the interconnector 112 described above.

  The second connection portion 114 can be formed of any of the materials of the air electrode current collecting portion 152 described above. The second connection portion 114 is electrically connected to the first connection portion 113. Further, the second connection portion 114 extends downward from the first connection portion 113.

  The proximal end of the fuel cell 1 is covered by a dense membrane 18. In detail, the dense film 18 covers the support substrate 12. The dense film 18 extends downward from between the second connection portion 114 and the support substrate 12.

  The dense film 18 exerts a gas seal function to prevent the mixture of the fuel gas flowing in the space inside the dense film 18 and the air flowing in the space outside the dense film 18. In order to exhibit this gas seal function, the porosity of the dense film 18 is, for example, 10% or less. The dense film 18 is made of insulating ceramic.

  Specifically, the dense film 18 can be configured by the electrolyte 14 and the reaction prevention film 16 described above. The electrolyte 14 constituting the dense film 18 covers the support substrate 12 and extends from the first connection portion 113 to the vicinity of the lower end of the support substrate 12. In addition, the reaction prevention film 16 constituting the dense film 18 is disposed between the electrolyte 14 and the second connection portion 114. The dense film 18 may be made of only the electrolyte 14 or may be made of materials other than the electrolyte 14 and the reaction prevention film 16.

[Current collecting member]
As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel cells 1 are electrically connected to each other via a current collecting member 6. The current collecting member 6 is disposed between the fuel cells 1 and electrically connects the adjacent fuel cells 1. The current collecting member 6 is formed of a conductive material. For example, the current collecting member 6 is formed of a sintered body or metal of oxide ceramic. The current collecting member 6 is joined to each fuel cell 1 by the second joining material 102. The second bonding material 102 is at least one selected from, for example, (Mn, Co) ₃ O ₄ , (La, Sr) MnO ₃ , and (La, Sr) (Co, Fe) O _3. .

[Front and back connection member]
In each fuel cell 1, the power generation element portion 11 formed on one surface of the support substrate 12 and the power generation element portion 11 formed on the other surface of the support substrate 12 are electrically connected by the front and back connection members 7. ing. In detail, the front and back connecting members 7 electrically connect the respective power generation element units 11 arranged at the top on each of the one surface and the other surface of the support substrate 12.

[First and second connecting members]
As shown in FIG. 6, the first connection member 3 extends in the arrangement direction (z-axis direction) of the fuel cells 1. The first connecting member 3 is disposed on the front end surface of each fuel cell 1. Further, the first connecting member 3 is disposed at a first end in the width direction of each fuel cell 1. Specifically, the first connection member 3 is disposed so as not to overlap with the opening surface of the gas flow passage 121.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the first connecting member 3 is configured to connect the end portions of the fuel cells 1 to each other. In detail, the first connecting member 3 has a connecting main body portion 31 and a plurality of elastic portions 32.

  The connection main body 31 is plate-shaped. The connecting body portion 31 extends along the arrangement direction (z-axis direction) of the fuel cells 1. The connection main body 31 is disposed on the front end surface of each fuel cell 1.

  Each elastic portion 32 protrudes downward from the connection main body portion 31. The respective elastic portions 32 are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the connecting body portion 31. The distance between the elastic portions 32 is about the same as the thickness of the fuel cell 1. Each elastic portion 32 has elasticity in the longitudinal direction of the connection main body portion 31. Each elastic portion 32 is formed of, for example, a metal plate bent in a U-shape or an inorganic material. More specifically, each elastic portion 32 is formed of a metallic material such as ferritic stainless steel, austenitic stainless steel, nickel base alloy, or an inorganic material such as mica or vermiculite.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tip of each fuel cell 1 is inserted between a pair of elastic parts 32 adjacent to each other. As described above, the fuel cell unit 1 is connected to each other by the first connecting member 3 sandwiching the front end portion of the fuel cell unit 1.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the second connection member 4 extends in the arrangement direction (z-axis direction) of the fuel cells 1. The second connection member 4 is disposed on the front end surface of each fuel cell 1. Further, the second connection member 4 is disposed at the second end of the fuel cell 1 in the width direction. Specifically, the second connection member 4 is disposed so as not to overlap with the opening surface of the gas flow passage 121. The second connecting member 4 has basically the same configuration as the first connecting member 3 and thus the detailed description is omitted.

[Case]
The housing 5 accommodates the plurality of fuel cells 1, the manifold 2, the first connection member 3, the second connection member 4, and the like. The housing 5 is made of, for example, a metal material. More specifically, the housing 5 is made of ferritic stainless steel, austenitic stainless steel, Ni-based alloy or the like.

[Power generation method]
The cell stack device 100 configured as described above generates power as follows. By flowing fuel gas (such as hydrogen gas) into the gas flow path 121 of each fuel cell 1 through the manifold 2 and exposing both surfaces of the support substrate 12 to gas (such as air) containing oxygen, it is possible to The oxygen partial pressure difference generated between the two sides generates an electromotive force. When this cell stack device 100 is connected to an external load, an electrochemical reaction shown in the following equation (1) occurs in the air electrode 15, an electrochemical reaction shown in the following equation (2) occurs in the fuel electrode 13, and current flows .
(1/2) · O ₂ + 2e ⁻ → O ^{2 −} (1)
H ₂ + O ^2- → H ₂ O + 2 e ⁻ (2)

[Modification]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these, A various change is possible unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.

Modification 1
In the said embodiment, although the fuel electrode current collection part 131 has the 2nd recessed part 131a and the 3rd recessed part 131b, the structure of the fuel electrode current collection part 131 is not limited to this. For example, the fuel electrode current collecting portion 131 may not have recesses such as the second recess 131 a and the third recess 131 b. In this case, the anode active portion 132 is formed on the anode current collecting portion 131 and is not embedded in the anode current collecting portion 131. Further, the interconnector 112 and the first connection portion 113 are formed on the fuel electrode current collector 131 and are not embedded in the fuel electrode current collector 131.

Modification 2
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the first connecting member 3 and the second connecting member 4 may be connected to each other by a plurality of intermediate members 8. The pair of intermediate members 8 extend in the width direction of the fuel cell 1. One intermediate member 8 connects one ends of the first connecting member 3 and the second connecting member 4 to each other. The other intermediate member 8 connects the other ends of the first connecting member 3 and the second connecting member 4 to each other. The first connecting member 3, the second connecting member 4, and each of the intermediate members 8 may be formed by separate members or may be formed by one member.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, each intermediate member 8 may be disposed on each main surface of each fuel cell 1. That is, each intermediate member 8 extends along the front and back surfaces of each fuel cell 1. Each intermediate member 8 is plate-shaped. Each intermediate member 8 is disposed to face the main surface of each fuel cell 1.

  Each intermediate member 8 is made of metal. The thermal conductivity of the metal constituting the intermediate member 8 is higher than the thermal conductivity of the material constituting the support substrate 12. The intermediate member 8 is made of, for example, a heat-resistant Fe-based alloy (stainless steel), an Fe-Ni-based alloy, a Ni-based alloy, or a Co-based alloy. The material constituting the intermediate member 8 is preferably a metal material which forms a film mainly composed of chromium oxide or a film mainly composed of aluminum oxide as an oxide film, since it is exposed to a high temperature for a long time by combustion. The metal material which forms the film which has aluminum oxide which has high oxidation resistance preferably as a main component is preferable. In addition, a main component means that it is 50 mass% or more of the whole.

Modification 3
In the said embodiment, although the 1st connection member 3 pinched | interposed the fuel battery cell 1 by a pair of elastic part 32, the structure of the 1st connection member 3 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the first connection member 3 may have a plurality of engagement recesses 33. The engagement recesses 33 are spaced apart from one another in the arrangement direction (z-axis direction) of the fuel cells 1. The tip of each fuel cell 1 is inserted into each engagement recess 33. In the arrangement direction (z-axis direction), the tip of each fuel cell 1 has a smaller dimension than the engagement recess 33. For this reason, a gap is formed between the tip of each fuel cell 1 and the inner wall surface of the engagement recess 33. Similarly, the second connecting member 4 is not limited to the above configuration.

Modification 4
As shown in FIG. 12, the first connecting member 3 and the second connecting member 4 may extend toward the housing 5. Specifically, the first connecting member 3 and the second connecting member 4 extend to the housing 5 beyond the fuel cells 1 arranged at both ends in the arrangement direction (z-axis direction). Then, both ends of the first connecting member 3 and the second connecting member 4 are in contact with the housing 5. Note that each end of the first connecting member 3 and the second connecting member 4 may be spaced from the housing 5.

Modification 5
Although the plurality of fuel cells 1 are connected by one first connecting member 3 and one second connecting member 4 in the above embodiment, the configuration of the cell stack device 100 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the cell stack device 100 may be provided with a plurality of first connection members 3. Then, each of the plurality of first connection members 3 may connect the plurality of fuel cells 1. The number of fuel cells 1 to which the first connection members 3 are connected may be different from each other. In addition, the 2nd connection member 4 is also the same.

Modification 6
As shown in FIG. 14, the cell stack device 100 may further include a partition member 9. The partition member 9 extends between the first connecting member 3 and the second connecting member 4. The partition member 9 connects the first connecting member 3 and the second connecting member 4 between the pair of fuel cells 1. The partition member 9 has a through hole 91. The through hole 91 has, for example, a rectangular shape in plan view. The air flowing between the fuel cells 1 is discharged upward through the through holes 91. The partition member 9 can be formed of, for example, a metal material such as ferritic stainless steel, austenitic stainless steel, or nickel base alloy, or an inorganic material such as mica or vermiculite.

  According to this configuration, the partition member 9 separates the front end portion of each fuel cell 1 from the power generation element portion 11. Therefore, even if the fuel gas discharged to the outside from the tip of each fuel battery cell 1 burns, it is possible to suppress the generation of cracks in the power generation element portion 11 due to the heat of combustion. A heat insulating layer may be disposed on the upper surface or the lower surface of the partition member 9. The heat insulating layer has a thermal conductivity lower than that of the partition member 9. For example, the heat insulating layer can be formed of an inorganic material such as alumina fiber, alumina silica fiber, alkaline earth metal-containing ceramic fiber, or amorphous ceramic fiber.

  The shape and the number of the through holes 91 of the partition member 9 are not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the partition member 9 may have a plurality of through holes 91. Each through hole 91 may have a circular shape in plan view.

Modification 7
As shown in FIG. 16, the cell stack device 100 may further include a filling member 30. The filling member 30 is disposed between the housing 5 and the first connecting member 3. In addition, another filling member 30 may be disposed between the housing 5 and the second connection member 4. The filling member 30 is supported by the housing 5. In addition, it is preferable that the 1st connection member 3 and the 2nd connection member 4 are connected by the intermediate member 8 mentioned above.

The filling member 30 is preferably made of an elastic material. For example, the filling member 30 can be formed of an alumina fiber, an alumina-silica based fiber, an alkaline earth metal-containing ceramic fiber, an amorphous ceramic fiber, or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 fuel cell 121 gas flow path 2 manifold 3 1st connection member 31 connection main-body part 32 elastic part 4 2nd connection member

Claims (10)

A plurality of fuel cells each having a plurality of gas flow paths;
A manifold for supporting the proximal end of each of the fuel cells;
A first connecting member disposed at a first end in the width direction of each fuel cell on the front end face of each fuel cell, and connecting the fuel cells;
A cell stack device comprising:
The fuel cell system further includes a second connecting member disposed at a second end in the width direction of each fuel cell on the front end surface of each fuel cell, and connecting the fuel cells.
The cell stack device according to claim 1.
At least one intermediate member connecting the first connecting member and the second connecting member,
The cell stack device according to claim 2.
The intermediate member extends along the main surface of an adjacent fuel cell.
The cell stack device according to claim 3.
The fuel cell further includes a partition member connecting the first connection member and the second connection member between the pair of fuel cells.
The partition member has a through hole.
The cell stack device according to claim 2.
The first connection member has a plurality of engagement recesses.
The tip of each fuel cell engages with the engagement recess.
The cell stack device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The tip of each fuel cell has a smaller dimension than the engagement recess in the arrangement direction.
The cell stack device according to claim 6.
The first connecting member is
A connecting main body extending along the arrangement direction of the plurality of fuel cells;
A plurality of elastic parts that project downward from the connection main body and are spaced apart from each other in the arrangement direction;
Have
The tip of each fuel cell is inserted between a pair of adjacent elastic parts.
The cell stack device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The apparatus further comprises a housing for housing the manifold and the plurality of fuel cells.
The first connection member extends toward the housing.
The cell stack device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
A housing for accommodating the manifold and the plurality of fuel cells;
A filling member disposed between the housing and the first connection member and supported by the housing;
Further comprising
The cell stack device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images