TW201312844A - Polar plate and polar plate unit using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A flow field plate for using in a fuel cell, comprising a plurality of air channel, and at least a reactive air humidify path having at least a humidify section to absorb water produced by the reaction of the fuel cell, a reactive air enter a reactive air inlet of the fuel cell and pass through the humidify section of the reactive air humidify path, the reactive air will become warm and wet by absorbing thermal energy and water molecules produced by the reaction of the fuel cell.

Description

Plate and plate group using the plate

The present invention relates to a fuel cell, and more particularly to a fuel cell electrode plate, which can appropriately heat and humidify a reaction gas, in addition to uniformly distributing a reaction gas of the fuel cell to the reaction surface, and It also has the function of enhancing heat dissipation.

In recent years, the pollution caused by petrochemical energy has caused the increase of the average temperature of the earth and various climate anomalies, and also promoted the increasing demand for green alternative energy. The reactants used in fuel cells are low-cost hydrogen. With oxygen, and the product after electrochemical reaction is completely zero-pollution water, the process of use is similar to that of general fuel generators. It has become a hot technology field in which countries are competing, among which the plates used in fuel cells are It constitutes an important component of the Reaction Gas Flow Field.

U.S. Patent No. 6,261,710 B1, "Sheet Metal Bipolar Design For Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells", which is disclosed by two non-linear (Non-linear) The metal plates are welded together to form a non-linear metal bipolar plate, and a flow space for cooling liquid is formed between the two metal plates. Another US Patent No. 5,776,624 A, "Brazed Bipolar Plates for PEM Fuel Cells" discloses the brazing of two sheets of corrosion resistant metal plates. (Brazed) together, and a Passage is formed between the two metal plates for circulating a Dielectric coolant.

Although the metal plates of the two prior patents are structurally designed with a flow path of a reactive gas and a coolant to form a flow field of the reaction gas, the need for heating and humidifying the reaction gas is not considered, so that other devices are required. In conclusion, in addition to increasing the volume of the entire fuel cell system, the manufacturing cost is also increased, which is not conducive to the commercialization and promotion of the fuel cell.

In view of the foregoing various deficiencies, the present invention provides a fuel cell electrode plate which, in addition to providing a function of forming a reaction gas flow field, can also provide a function of heating and humidifying a reaction gas to constitute a small volume, low cost and A well-cooled fuel cell system.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electrode plate which can be applied to a fuel cell or a system thereof, having a relatively inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface being provided with a plurality of gas flow passages for reacting into the fuel cell The gas is electrochemically reacted therein, and the at least one gas heating channel conducts heat energy generated by the foregoing electrochemical reaction, and the gas heating channel is provided with at least one humidifying section, and the humidifying section is provided with at least one a moisture adsorbing element for adsorbing water molecules generated after the reaction of the fuel cell, and when the fuel cell is introduced into the reaction gas through a reaction gas inlet, the reaction gas will flow through the gas heating channel and the humidifying section, etc. The path is for heating and humidification, and then flows into the gas flow paths.

Wherein, the plate is one of a cathode plate or an anode plate of the fuel cell, and the reaction gas is one of a cathode gas or an anode gas; and the plate is one of a metal material or a carbon composite material.

The present invention also provides a first electrode plate for interfacing with the above-mentioned electrode plate, which has an opposite inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface is provided with a plurality of gas flow channels, and the first electrode plate is inside The surface is joined and corresponding toward the inner surface of the plate, and the at least one gas heating channel conducts heat energy generated by the electrochemical reaction, and the gas heating channel is provided with at least one humidifying section.

Wherein, a humidified gas inlet is formed through the inner surface and the outer surface of the plate, and the inner surface is provided with at least one cooling gas flow path and communicates with a cathode gas inlet. The humidified gas inlet is connected to the reaction gas inlet and the gas heating flow path.

Wherein, the gas heating flow channel is formed in one of a U shape or an L shape; and a U-shaped subsurface flow structure is formed between the gas flow path outlet and the humidification gas inlet, respectively.

The invention further provides a plate for a fuel cell having a relatively inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface being provided with a plurality of gas channels, at least one reactant gas inlet and a humidified gas inlet, and At least one reactive gas humidification path is formed between the reaction gas inlet and the humidification gas inlet.

Wherein, the reactive gas humidification path is partially adjacent to a side of the plate.

Wherein, the reactive gas humidification path further comprises at least one gas heating flow channel.

Wherein, the gas heating channel extends adjacent to a side of the plate.

Wherein, the reactive gas humidification path further comprises at least one humidification section.

Wherein, the humidification section is provided with at least one moisture adsorption element.

Wherein, the humidifying section is provided with at least one through hole.

Wherein, the humidifying section is disposed between the gas heating channels.

Wherein the humidifying section is located adjacent to the outlet of the gas flow channels.

Wherein, the plate further comprises an anode gas inlet and an anode gas outlet.

The present invention further provides a plate assembly using the foregoing plates, which can be used to form a fuel cell, at least comprising: at least one first plate having an opposite outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface being provided with at least a first recess, and at least one second recess having a depth smaller than the first recess, the first plate has an anode gas inlet and a cathode gas inlet on both sides; at least one second plate has an opposite outer a surface and an inner surface, the outer surface is provided with at least a third recess, and at least one fourth recess having a depth smaller than the third recess, and the second plate is oriented with the inner surface thereof facing the first plate The second plate has an anode gas inlet and a cathode gas inlet on both sides; wherein the second recess and the fourth recess respectively form at least one gas flow path, and the first The recess and the third recess are respectively formed with at least one reactive gas humidification path.

Wherein, the first plate and the second plate further comprise at least one reaction gas inlet for introducing the reaction gas.

The reactive gas humidification path further includes at least one humidifying section disposed between the first recess of the first plate and the third recess of the second plate.

The humidification section further includes at least one moisture adsorption component disposed on the outer surface of the electrode plate for adsorbing water molecules generated after the reaction of the fuel cell.

Wherein, the humidifying section further comprises at least one through hole.

The reaction gas humidification path further includes at least one gas heating flow path, and the two ends thereof communicate with the reaction gas inlet and the gas flow paths.

The at least one heat sink is disposed between the first plate and the second plate; the heat sink is provided with at least one positioning structure, and the inner surface of the plate is correspondingly provided with at least one positioning portion. The positioning structure is a hollow protrusion, and the positioning portion is a through hole.

The outer surfaces of the first plate and the second plate are respectively provided with at least a fifth recess and at least a sixth recess, and the depths of the fifth recess and the sixth recess are respectively smaller than the first recess and The third recess can be used to join the two-pole plate set.

The first electrode plate and the second electrode plate have a humidified gas inlet, and the humidified gas inlet communicates with the gas heating flow channel and the body flow channels.

Wherein, at least one cooling gas flow path is formed between the second concave portion and the inner surface of the fourth concave portion, and the cooling gas flow path communicates with the cathode gas inlet.

Wherein the humidifying section is located adjacent to the outlet of the gas flow channels.

Therefore, the present invention can fully utilize the heat energy and water molecules generated by the fuel cell reaction, and through the flow paths of the gas heating flow path and the humidification section to heat and humidify the supplied reaction gas, thereby improving efficiency. The cost is reduced, and the trouble of adding the related equipment can be eliminated, thereby achieving the object and the intended effect of the present invention.

In order for the reviewing committee to have a deeper understanding and understanding of the structure, features and functions of the present invention, the preferred embodiments and the drawings are described in detail in the subsequent paragraphs.

Some exemplary embodiments for embodying the features and advantages of the present invention are described in detail in the following description. It is to be understood that the invention is capable of various modifications in the various embodiments of the invention invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 2B , a first embodiment of the present invention provides a plate assembly 10 applicable to a fuel cell, including a first plate 11 , a second plate 13 , and A heat sink 12 between the two pole plates, the three of which are connected into a single set of electrode assembly 10 (or plate module, bipolar plate), the first plate 11 and the second plate 13 In the present embodiment, it is made of a metal material (for example, stainless steel), and a carbon composite material or any other material suitable for use as a plate may be used. In practical applications, at least one may be combined as needed for visual use. Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) 23, at least one Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL) 24, 25, a first end plate 21 and a second end plate 22, stacking a plurality of electrode plates 10 The fuel cell 20 is as shown in Figs. 3A to 3C.

First, FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are cross-sectional views showing the electrode group 10 of FIG. 2B in section lines AA, BB, and CC, respectively; as shown, the first electrode plate 11 is downward from the outer surface 11a. At least one first recess 112 and at least one second recess 113 are formed by stamping; wherein the recess depth of the first recess 112 from the outer surface 11a is greater than the recess depth of the second recess 113 from the outer surface 11a; likewise, The second plate 13 is stamped downwardly from the outer surface 13a to form at least a third recess 132 and at least a fourth recess 133. The third recess 132 has a recess depth from the outer surface 13a that is greater than the fourth recess 133. The depth of the recess from the outer surface 13a. Further, the electrode plate of the present invention is not limited to the form of punching, and the method of manufacturing the electrode plate which can achieve the above structure should still belong to the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the first recess 112 has the same depth as the third recess 132, and the second recess 113 has the same depth as the fourth recess 133.

Therefore, when the first plate 11 and the second plate 13 are brought together by the inner surfaces 11b and 13b, the bottom of the first recess 112 of the first plate 11 corresponds to the second plate. The bottom of the third recess 132 of the third surface, the first plate 11 and the second plate 13 may be connected to each other by welding, bonding, or other processing; wherein, the first The recess 112 and the third recess 132 can adopt various groove-like structures.

In addition, when the two plates 11 and 13 abut, there is still a gap between the bottom of the second recess 113 and the bottom of the fourth recess 133 for placing the heat sink 12, the heat sink 12 is made of metal, and The inner surfaces 11b and 13b of the two-pole plates 11 and 13 are respectively provided with two positioning portions 110a and 130a. In this embodiment, the hollow protrusions are formed by pressing, and the heat dissipation fins 12 are correspondingly provided with two positioning structures 12a. The embodiment is a through hole that can accommodate the positioning portions 110a, 130a to complete the positioning of the heat sink 12.

It is added that the heat sink 12 can be applied with different materials depending on the actual application, and the shape, the number and the position of the positioning portions 110a, 130a and the positioning structure 12a can be visually needed by the user. The positioning portions 110a and 130a are also freely adjustable, and the positioning portions 110a and 130a may be separately provided on the inner surface of any one of the plates.

Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, and 6A, the second recess 113 and the fourth recess 133 are respectively disposed on the outer surface 11a of the first plate 11 and the second plate 13. a central region of 13a, and exhibiting a continuous high and low undulation; therefore, as shown in Figures 4A and 5A, the second recess 113 of the outer surface 11a of the first plate 11 is formed with at least one anode gas flow path 111, and The fourth recess 133 of the outer surface 13a of the second plate 13 forms at least one cathode gas flow path 131. In the embodiment, the anode gas flow path 111 and the cathode gas flow path 131 are arranged in a line arranged at intervals. Moreover, it may be formed by a wavy, zigzag or other geometric structure; at the same time, as shown in FIG. 6A, the two plates 11, 13 are respectively formed with a plurality of convex portions 113a and 133a on the outer surfaces 11a and 13a thereof. When the two plates 11, 13 are connected, the convex portions 113a and 133a will respectively form at least one cooling gas flow path 110, 130 between the inner surfaces 11b, 13b of the two plates 11, 13 respectively, when the cooling fluid (ie, air) After passing through the cooling gas flow paths 110, 130, that is, in contact with the heat sink 12, it can be used Strong cooling effect of heat dissipation.

Referring to FIGS. 4A, 5A and 6A, the first recess 112 and the third recess 132 are respectively disposed adjacent to the sides of the outer surfaces 11a, 13a of the two plates 11, 13 (slightly U-shaped), and the ring is provided. The outer side of the anode gas flow path 111 and the cathode gas flow path 131, that is, the two sides of the first electrode plate 11 and the outer surface 11a, 13a of the second electrode plate 13 are respectively formed with at least one gas heating. The flow passages 115a, 115b and 135a, 135b, the gas heating flow passages 115a, 115b, 135a, 135b are provided with at least one humidification section formed by at least one through hole 119a, 139a adjacent to the outlet of the cathode gas flow passage 131. 119, 139, and the entire path is a path for humidifying the reaction gas, or a reaction gas heating and humidification path; the humidification section 119, 139 is further provided with at least one moisture adsorption element 14 for the reaction gas The moisture adsorbing element 14 can be a water absorbing film, a moisture exchange film or a water-impermeable film, etc., for receiving a cathode gas, as shown in FIG. The flow path outlet 136b discharges water molecules rich in moisture and unreacted gas, and adsorbs the water molecules Molecules are supplied to the reaction gas flowing from a reaction gas inlet 115, 135 through the gas heating channels 115a, 115b, 135a, 135b and the humidification sections 119, 139 to a cathode gas flow path inlet 136a. Gas exchange, to achieve the function of humidification, thus saving the cost and design space of external humidifier construction. The thickness of the moisture adsorbing element 14 is smaller than the depth of the first recess 112 and the third recess 132, that is, less than the depth of the humidifying sections 119 and 139. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flow path of the reactive gas flows between the gas heating channels 115a, 115b, 135a, 135b and the humidifying sections 119, 139, and is designed to surround the side of the plate. The edges (or the sides of the gas flow channels) extend (slightly U-shaped flow channels), which increases the reaction time for the reaction gas to increase in temperature and humidity. Furthermore, if it is required for practical application, only a reactive gas humidification path of at least one humidification section may be provided in the electrode plate, and the gas heating flow path may be omitted to save design space.

Please refer to FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B and FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B together, and a reaction gas inlet 115, 135 is respectively disposed at a center of one side of the two-pole plates 11 and 13 with respect to the humidification sections 119 and 139 (at In this embodiment, the cathode gas inlet is also used as a cathode gas inlet. The two are in communication with each other and communicate with the gas heating channels 115a and 135a and the inlet ends of the cooling gas channels 110 and 130 for injection. Cooling fluid, the cooling fluid used in this embodiment is general air (ie, cathode gas). When air is injected from the reaction gas inlets 115, 135, a portion of the air will flow as a cooling fluid to the cooling gas flow path 110, In 130, after passing through the fins 12, the internal hot air and the unreacted gas are discharged together.

In addition, as shown in the figures 7A to 7C, one side of the two-pole plates 11, 13 with respect to the humidifying sections 119, 139 is disposed adjacent to the reaction gas inlets 115, 135, respectively. The inner surfaces 11b, 13b of the plates 11, 13 and the humidifying gas inlets 116, 136 of the outer surfaces 11a, 13a are in correspondence with each other and are connected to the gas heating channels 115a, 115b, 135a, 135b. And the humidification sections 119, 139; then, another portion of the air from the reaction gas inlets 115, 135 flows as the reaction gas into the gas heating channels 115a, 115b, 135a, 135b and the humidification zone, respectively. In the segments 119, 139, finally, the humidifying gas inlets 116, 136 and a cathode gas flow path inlet 136a are passed through, so that the heated and humidified reaction gas can pass through the humidifying gas inlets 116, 136 and the cathode gas flow path. The inlet 136a further flows into the cathode gas flow path 131 for reaction; thereby rapidly completing the heating and humidifying process during the traveling of the reaction gas into the humidification path (slightly U-shaped flow path), thereby replacing the external Humidifier, while saving production costs and Design space.

Herein, between the humidified gas inlets 116, 136 and the cathode gas flow path inlet 136a, a closed U-shaped submerged flow structure is formed to thereby moderate the injection of the heated and humidified reaction. The pressure of the gas when it is introduced into the cathode gas flow path 131 can further reduce the impact of the gas pressure on the proton exchange membrane (Membrane). The humidifying sections 119, 139 which are located in the gas heating channels 115a, 115b, 135a, 135b are not limited to be disposed on the left side of the plates 11, 13, and may be disposed at any other suitable position, such as 8 and 9 show a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the humidifying sections 119, 139 are located adjacent to the lower side of the two plates 11', 13', and the entire humidifying path is slightly L. Shape; in practical applications, a plurality of humidifying sections can also be set in the pole plate, and various designs and changes can be made according to the needs of the user; as shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 According to a third embodiment of the present invention, two humidifying sections 119, 139 and 119', 139' are respectively located above and below the two plates 11, 13 and two humidifying paths are formed to form a reaction. Gas humidification circuit.

When external air is injected from the reaction gas inlets 115, 135, a portion of the air will flow directly to the cooling gas channels 110, 130 for cooling and heat dissipation; another portion of the air flows to the gases. The heating channels 115a, 135a are further flowed through the humidifying sections 119, 139 for heating and humidifying, and then heated to the humidifying gas inlets 116 through the gas heating channels 115b, 135b. And 136 and the cathode gas flow path inlet 136a, and then flowing into the cathode gas flow path 131 to perform a reaction, and then discharging the moisture-free unreacted gas from the cathode gas flow path outlet 136b.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 17, only the reaction gas flow path of the outer surface 13a of the second electrode plate 13 is shown here, and the reaction gas from the reaction gas inlet 135 enters the electrode group 10 (at In this embodiment, the cathode gas, that is, the air, flows through the gas heating flow path 135a and the humidifying section 139 on the side of the electrode plate 13, and the heat energy transmitted after the reaction of the fuel cell is contacted and generated. The water vapor, in turn, raises the temperature and increases the humidity. When the heated reaction gas is humidified through the humidifying section 139, the gas heating flow passage 135b still flows to the other side of the electrode plate 13 to continue heating, and then flows in. In the humidified gas inlet 136; at the same time, the reaction gas flow path (not shown) of the outer surface 11a of the first plate 11 is opposite to the flow path of the reaction gas of the outer surface 13a of the second plate 13 When the reaction gas (ie, air) entering the plate group 10 of the reaction gas inlet 115 flows through the gas heating flow path 115a on the side of the electrode plate 11 and the path of the humidification section 119, it will contact the fuel cell after the reaction. Conducted heat and generated moisture And increasing the temperature and increasing the humidity. When the heated reaction gas is humidified through the humidifying section 119, the gas heating flow path 115b still flows to the other side of the electrode plate 11 to continue heating, and then flows into the humidification. The gas inlet 116 is further collected in the humidification gas inlet 136 together with the reaction gas for heating and humidification through the flow path through the second electrode plate 13, and then flows into the cathode gas flow path inlet 136a via the U-shaped passage, and then enters An electrochemical reaction is performed in the cathode gas flow path 131, and finally, the unreacted gas rich in moisture is discharged from the cathode gas flow path outlet 136b, and supplied to the humidifying sections 119 and 139 adjacent to the next reaction. The gas absorbing water gas flows through the path, and is repeated again; and the humidifying sections 119 and 139 are provided with at least one moisture adsorbing element 14 to facilitate absorption of water molecules. Therefore, in the present invention, if the two plates 11 and 13 are connected to each other, they become a single set of electrode plates 10 (or bipolar plates), or they can be stacked in a plurality of arrays, and the flow direction of the reaction gas is as above. The flow paths described are performed bidirectionally and synchronously on the respective outer surfaces 11a, 13a of the respective plate groups 10, and are designed to increase the efficiency of heating and humidifying the reaction gas. In addition, the present invention can also design the reaction gas into a form of an anode gas (for example, hydrogen gas) to humidify the humidification section of the humidification path to form a gas loop; or use the The reacted anode gas is humidified by passing through the humidification section of the humidification path.

Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 , which is a fourth embodiment of the present invention, when the reaction gas inlets 115 and 135 are injected with a reaction gas (in this embodiment, an anode gas, that is, hydrogen gas), The reaction gas humidification path of the outer surfaces 11a, 13a of the two plates 11", 13", then enters the gas heating channels 115a, 135a and the humidification sections 119, 139 to conduct the reaction of the absorption fuel cell. The heat energy and the generated moisture, thereby increasing the temperature and increasing the humidity, and when the heated reaction gas is humidified through the humidifying sections 119, 139, still flows to the other side of the plates 11", 13" The gas heating channels 115b, 135b continue to heat and then flow into the humidified gas inlets 116, 136, then to the U-shaped subsurface flow channel between the inner surfaces of the two plates 11", 13" and then to the anode gas stream. The inlet 117a follows the outer surface 11a to enter the anode gas flow path 111 for reaction. Finally, the reaction gas flows to an anode gas flow path outlet 117b and an anode located on the opposite side of the anode gas flow path inlet 117a. Gas outlet 118 To an external conduit. At the same time, the cathode gas inlet 135c also injects a reaction gas (i.e., air), a part of the reaction gas flows to the cooling gas flow path of the inner surface (not shown), and another portion of the reaction gas flows to the cathode of the outer surface 13a. The gas flow path inlet 136a is then flowed into the cathode gas flow path 131 for reaction, and then the moisture-free unreacted gas is discharged from the cathode gas flow path outlet 136b to supply the humidifying path as humidification. .

Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5A, 5B, an anode gas inlet 117 and an anode gas flow inlet 117a are disposed on the side of the first plate 11 adjacent to the humidifying section 119. The anode plate 13 is also provided with an anode gas inlet 137 adjacent to the side of the humidification section 139. The anode gas inlets 117 and 137 are corresponding to each other and connected to the anode gas flow channel inlet 117a and the anode. Gas flow path 111. After the two pole plates 11, 13 are connected, a closed U-shaped submerged flow structure is formed between the anode gas inlets 117, 137 and the anode gas flow path inlet 117a as a gas inlet and outlet passage, thereby injecting a Anode gas.

Please refer to FIG. 16 as a schematic diagram of the anode gas flow path. When the anode gas (hydrogen in this embodiment) is injected from the anode gas inlets 117 and 137, respectively, the inner surfaces 11b and 13b of the two plates 11 and 13 are flown. The U-shaped channel then flows to the anode gas flow path inlet 117a, and then flows to the outer surface 11a to enter the anode gas flow path 111 for reaction. Finally, the anode gas flows to the opposite side of the first plate 11 An anode gas flow path outlet 117b and an anode gas outlet 118; and an anode gas outlet 138 on the same side of the second electrode plate 13 and corresponding to the anode gas outlet 118 of the first electrode plate 11 Thereby, the unreacted anode gas is discharged to the external piping. As described above, when the two pole plates 11, 13 are connected, a closed U-shaped subsurface flow structure is formed between the anode gas outlets 118, 138 and the anode gas flow path outlet 117b as a gas inlet and outlet passage. Thereby, unreacted anode gas can be discharged.

Since the anode gas inlets 117, 137 and the humidified gas inlets 116, 136 are disposed on opposite sides of the plates 11, 13 (or 11', 13') in the first to third embodiments of the present invention, The flow directions of the anode gas and the cathode gas are opposite to each other; and in the fourth embodiment, the cathode gas inlets 115c, 135c and the humidified gas inlets 116, 136 are provided to the plates 11", 13 On the same side, therefore, the flow directions of the anode gas and the cathode gas are in the same direction parallel to each other.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6C, the first plate 11 and the outer surfaces 11a and 13a of the second plate 13 are respectively stamped downward to form at least one fifth recess 114 and at least a sixth portion having the same depth. The recessed portion 134, but the depths of the fifth recessed portion 114 and the sixth recessed portion 134 are smaller than the depths of the first recessed portion 112 and the third recessed portion 132, so that it can be provided as a joint when two or more sets of the electrode plates 10 are stacked. A sealing structure can be applied thereto so that each set of electrode plates 10 (i.e., bipolar plates) can be closely stacked together. The fifth recessed portion 114 and the sixth recessed portion 134 may adopt a groove-like structure such as a straight line, a 蜿蜒 shape or a U-shape; the sealing structure may be selected from the manner of welding, adhesion, or other processing. connection.

Referring to Figures 14A and 14B, the fifth embodiment of the present invention employs a thicker plate, wherein the cooling gas flow paths 110, 130 of the two plates 11, 13 are L-shaped, and may also be practical. It is necessary to provide various changes such as a straight line, a 蜿蜒 shape, an N shape, an S shape, or a shape perpendicular to the gas flow paths.

Referring again to Figures 15A and 15B, the sixth embodiment of the present invention also employs thicker plates, wherein the cooling gas channels 110, 130 of the plates 11, 13 are disposed with an anode or a cathode. The gas flow path is perpendicular to the design.

In short, the cooling gas flow path of the present invention is designed to be used in a variety of ways.

In summary, the electrode plate for a fuel cell provided by the present invention has the following features:

1. The reaction gas is directly heated and humidified on the electrode plate, so that the fuel cell can operate without an external humidifier, which can effectively save cost and space;

2. Passing gas into and out of the flow path through the inner and outer surfaces of the plate can reduce the impact of gas pressure on the proton exchange membrane (PEM) and avoid damage;

3. U-shaped gas heating flow channel design, increasing the heating time of the reaction gas;

4. The flow of anode gas and cathode gas is opposite, which can promote the reaction;

5. The heat dissipation function can be enhanced by the design of the simple heat sink.

6. A U-shaped submerged flow structure is provided between the anode gas inlet and the anode gas outlet, the humidification gas inlet and the cathode gas flow passage outlet, which can alleviate the gas pressure and reduce the probability of damage of the fuel cell.

It is to be noted that the foregoing embodiments provided by the present invention are the electrode plate group formed by the two-pole plates, but the technical core of the present invention lies in the structural design of the individual electrode plates, and the two sides are stacked on each other to achieve the present invention. The purpose and effect, and the use of the thermal energy generated by the fuel cell and the unreacted gas rich in moisture, so that the plate has the function of heating and humidifying the reaction gas, and can be applied to the anode plate, the cathode plate or the double The plates, or both, are applied to the anode plate and the cathode plate, depending on the needs of the user; further, the invention can be integrally formed into a bipolar plate by using a crucible or a die-casting method. Achieve more convenient use.

The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention, and all changes and modifications made by those skilled in the art should still be considered as not departing from the invention. The spirit and substance.

10. . . Plate group

11, 11', 11"... first plate

11a, 13a. . . The outer surface

11b, 13b. . . The inner surface

110, 130. . . Cooling gas flow path

110a, 130a. . . Positioning department

111. . . Anode gas flow path

112. . . First recess

113. . . Second recess

113a, 133a. . . Convex

114. . . Fifth recess

115, 135. . . Reaction gas inlet

115a, 115b, 135a, 135b. . . Gas heating runner

116, 136. . . Humidifying gas inlet

117, 137. . . Anode gas inlet

117a. . . Anode gas flow path inlet

117b. . . Anode gas flow path outlet

118,138. . . Anode gas outlet

119, 139. . . Humidification section

119a, 139a. . . Through hole

12. . . heat sink

12a. . . Positioning structure

13, 13', 13"... second plate

131. . . Cathode gas flow path

132. . . Third recess

133. . . Fourth recess

134. . . Sixth recess

136a. . . Cathode gas channel inlet

136b. . . Cathode gas flow path outlet

14. . . Moisture adsorption element

20. . . The fuel cell

twenty one. . . First end plate

twenty two. . . Second end plate

twenty three. . . Membrane electrode assembly

twenty four. . . Gas diffusion layer

25. . . Gas diffusion layer

115c, 135c. . . Cathode gas inlet

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2B is a plan view showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3A is a partially exploded view of the fuel cell composed of the plates of the present invention.

Figure 3B is a perspective view of a fuel cell composed of the plates of the present invention.

Figure 3C is a plan view of a fuel cell composed of the plates of the present invention.

Fig. 4A is a plan view showing the outer surface of the first electrode plate in the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4B is a plan view showing the inner surface of the first electrode plate in the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5A is a plan view showing the outer surface of the second electrode plate in the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5B is a plan view showing the inner surface of the second electrode plate in the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing the AA hatching in Fig. 2B.

Fig. 6B is a cross-sectional view showing the BB section line in Fig. 2B.

Fig. 6C is a cross-sectional view showing the CC hatching in Fig. 2B.

Fig. 7A is a schematic view showing the structure of the inlet portion of the reaction gas of the present invention.

Fig. 7B is a schematic view showing the structure of the inlet portion of the humidifying gas of the present invention.

Figure 7C is a partial structural view of the cathode gas flow path and the humidifying section of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a schematic view showing the humidifying section of the first plate in the second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a schematic view showing a humidifying section of a second electrode plate in the second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a plan view showing the outer surface of the first electrode plate in the third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a plan view showing the outer surface of the second electrode plate in the third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 is a plan view showing the outer surface of the first electrode plate in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13 is a plan view showing the outer surface of the second electrode plate in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 14A is a schematic view showing a cooling gas flow path of a first electrode plate in a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 14B is a schematic view showing a cooling gas flow path of the second electrode plate in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

15A is a schematic view showing a cooling gas flow path of a first electrode plate in a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

15B is a schematic view showing a cooling gas flow path of a second electrode plate in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 16 is a schematic view showing the flow path of the anode gas of the first plate of the present invention.

Figure 17 is a schematic view showing the flow path of the reaction gas of the second plate of the present invention.

13. . . Second plate

13a. . . The outer surface

131. . . Cathode gas flow path

135. . . Reaction gas inlet

135a. . . Gas heating runner

135b. . . Gas heating runner

136. . . Humidifying gas inlet

136a. . . Cathode gas channel inlet

136b. . . Cathode gas flow path outlet

137. . . Anode gas inlet

138. . . Anode gas outlet

139. . . Humidification section

139a. . . Through hole

Claims (29)

An electrode plate for use in a fuel cell having a relatively inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface being provided with a plurality of gas flow channels, at least one reactant gas inlet and a humidified gas inlet, and at least one formed A reaction gas humidification path is located between the reaction gas inlet and the humidification gas inlet. The plate of claim 1, wherein the reactive gas humidification path further comprises at least one humidification section. The electrode plate of claim 1, wherein the reactive gas humidification path further comprises at least one gas heating flow path. The plate of claim 2, wherein the humidifying section is provided with at least one moisture absorbing element. The electrode plate of claim 2, wherein the humidifying section is provided with at least one through hole. An electrode plate for use in a fuel cell having a relatively inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface being provided with a plurality of gas flow paths for electrochemically reacting a reaction gas introduced into the fuel cell, and at least a gas heating channel conducts heat energy generated by the foregoing electrochemical reaction, and the gas heating channel is provided with at least one humidifying section for adsorbing water molecules generated after the fuel cell reaction, when the fuel cell is used When a reaction gas inlet is introduced into the reaction gas, the reaction gas will flow through the gas heating flow path and the humidification section to perform heating and humidification, and then flow to the gas flow paths. The electrode plate according to claim 6, wherein the plate is one of a cathode plate or an anode plate of the fuel cell, and the reaction gas is one of a cathode gas or an anode gas; and the plate is made of a metal material or carbon. One of the composite materials. A first plate for interfacing with the plate of claim 6 having an opposite inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface being provided with a plurality of gas flow paths, the first plate being The inner surface is joined and corresponding toward the inner surface of the plate, and the at least one gas heating channel conducts heat energy generated by an electrochemical reaction, and the gas heating channel is provided with at least one humidifying section. The plate of claim 6 or the first plate of claim 8, wherein the humidifying section is provided with at least one moisture absorbing element. The first plate according to claim 6 or the first plate according to claim 8, wherein the humidifying section is provided with at least one through hole. The first plate according to claim 6 or the first plate of claim 8, further comprising a humidified gas inlet penetrating the inner surface and the outer surface of the plate, wherein the inner surface is provided with at least one cooling a gas flow path communicating with a cathode gas inlet; wherein the humidification gas inlet is in communication with the reaction gas inlet and the gas heating flow path. The first plate according to claim 6, wherein the inner surface of the plate is correspondingly provided with a heat sink; the heat sink is provided with at least one positioning structure, and the inner surface is Correspondingly, at least one positioning portion is provided to position the heat sink. The plate of claim 6 or the first plate of claim 8, wherein the humidifying section is located adjacent to the outlet of the gas flow passages. The first plate according to claim 6 or the first plate according to claim 8, wherein the gas heating flow path is one of a U shape or an L shape; and the gas flow path outlet and the humidification A U-shaped underflow structure is formed between the gas inlets, respectively. The first plate of claim 8, wherein the gas in the gas channels of the first plate flows opposite to the gas flow in the gas channels of the plate. An electrode assembly for stacking a fuel cell, comprising: at least one first plate having an opposite outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface being provided with at least one first recess, and having a depth smaller than the At least one second recess of the first recess, an anode gas inlet and a cathode gas inlet are disposed on both sides of the first plate; at least one second plate has an opposite outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface Providing at least one third recess, and at least one fourth recess having a depth smaller than the third recess, and the second plate is connected by an inner surface thereof toward an inner surface of the first plate, the second plate An anode gas inlet and a cathode gas inlet are disposed on the two sides; wherein the second recess and the fourth recess are respectively formed with at least one gas flow channel, and the first recess and the third recess respectively form at least one reaction Gas humidification path. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the reactive gas humidification path further comprises at least one humidifying section, the first recess of the first plate and the third of the second plate Between the recesses. The electrode assembly of claim 16, wherein the reactive gas humidification path further comprises at least one gas heating flow path, the two ends of which are connected to a reaction gas inlet and the gas flow paths. The electrode assembly of claim 17 or 18, wherein the humidifying section is disposed between the gas heating flow paths. The electrode assembly of claim 17, wherein the humidifying section is provided with at least one moisture absorbing element. The electrode assembly of claim 17, wherein the humidifying section is provided with at least one through hole. The electrode assembly of claim 16, further comprising at least one heat sink disposed between the first plate and the second plate; the heat sink is provided with at least one positioning structure, the inside of the plate The surface is correspondingly provided with at least one positioning portion for positioning the heat sink. The electrode assembly of claim 16, wherein the first plate and the outer surface of the second plate are respectively provided with at least a fifth recess and at least a sixth recess, and the fifth recess and the sixth The depth of the recess is smaller than the first recess and the third recess, respectively, and can be used to join the two-pole group. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first plate and the second plate have a humidified gas inlet, and the humidified gas inlet communicates with the gas heating channel and the body channels; At least one cooling gas flow path is formed between the second concave portion and the inner surface of the fourth concave portion, and the cooling gas flow path communicates with the cathode gas inlet. The electrode assembly of claim 16 or 24, wherein the gas flow of the gas channels of the first plate is opposite to the gas flow in the gas channels of the second plate. The set of plates of claim 16 wherein the humidifying section is located adjacent the outlet of the gas flow channels. The electrode assembly according to claim 18 or 24, wherein the gas heating flow path is one of a U shape or an L shape; and between the gas flow path outlet and the humidification gas inlet, respectively, a U is formed. Shaped undercurrent structure. The electrode assembly of claim 16, wherein the first plate is an anode plate of the fuel cell, and one side of the anode gas inlet defines an anode gas flow path inlet, and a side opposite to the anode gas inlet An anode gas flow path outlet and an anode gas outlet are defined, and a closed U-shaped underflow is formed between the anode gas flow path inlet and the anode gas inlet, between the anode gas flow path outlet and the anode gas outlet structure. A fuel cell comprising at least one membrane electrode assembly, at least one gas diffusion layer, two end plates, and at least one plate group, wherein any one of the plates includes an opposite inner surface and An outer surface having a plurality of gas flow channels, at least one reactive gas inlet and a humidified gas inlet, and at least one reactive gas humidification path formed at the reaction gas inlet and the humidification gas inlet And the reactive gas humidification path is partially adjacent to the side of the plate.